Best manual coffee machines

Don't wait for somebody else to get your day started, drink the fruits of your labor and make your own cup of Joe!

The worker’s favorite elixir, coffee is the secret of a good start of the day, and of a productive afternoon. On average, Americans drink 3.1 coffee cups a day and the sales of specialty coffee are increasing of 20 percent every year.

But specialty coffee doesn’t mean it has to be done by an expensive, technological coffee maker, nor do you need to buy it in a coffee shop for it to be good. Rather, the perfect recipe for the perfect coffee is a quality bean, fresh grind, and, of course, a good coffee maker.

Whether you’re an espresso fan, you like drip coffee or a refreshing cold brew, Indybest has tested the most famous coffee machines on the market to figure out how you can get the best beverage out of the traditional Italian coffee machine to the newest technologies on the market.

Here are the coffee makers that can be a great addition to your kitchen, and to your morning routine.

You can trust our independent reviews. We may earn commission from some of the retailers, but we never allow this to influence selections, which are formed from real-world testing and expert advice. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.

1. Bialetti’s Moka Express: $29.99, Bialetti

There’s nothing more traditional than waking up in Italy, taking a bag of coffee and putting a Moka express on the stove. But the coffee machine isn’t only about tradition and there’s a reason why Italians love it: it makes great, strong coffee. In Italy and elsewhere, a caffè with a cornetto is the best way to kick off a day, and although technological coffee makers offer a quick option, the Moka express remains the perfect mix between a strong, tasteful and warm morning coffee.

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2. Aeropress: $29.95, Amazon

In the 1980s, Stanford professor Alan Adler wanted to find a way to brew a perfect coffee. He came out with the aeropress, a coffee machine which is often compared to the French Press, but with some additional perks. The technology of this coffee maker is simple: it is equipped with a small filter, that is filled with boiling water and then pressed to make an espresso-like coffee, actually, somewhere between a drip and an espresso. The result is quite convincing, and although this technology is simple, it works. The Aeropress only produces one cup of coffee at the time, but a delicious one.

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3. Grosche’s Amsterdam Pour Over: $40, Grosche

The Pour Over coffee technology is a quick but efficient coffee making technique - and Grosche’s has taken it to a next level. All you’ll need is a water boiler, and this coffee machine will do the trick for a long drip coffee that is full of flavors. This pour over is equipped with a double layer filter that doesn’t require paper filters, which is good for the planet and less of a hassle, and the result is delectable.

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4.Classic Chemex: $43.50, Chemex

When chemistry meets design, the Chemex was born. in the 1940s, Dr. Peter Schlumbohm decided to make a quality coffee machine that would also marry design. Another great version of the pour over, this one uses filters, but Chemex’s own paper filter are thicker than usual one and worth investing in. Many coffee shops use the chemex to brew their own coffee, and this is a good way to have your own coffee shop at home!

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5. Heritage Series Pour Over, Melitta: $44.99, Melitta

Just like Bialetti is traditional in Italy, Melitta invaded North America’s houses decades ago, and many of you grew up using this simple, but effective coffee maker at home. There is only one hole added to this coffee maker that lets the coffee brew and drop in your cup, and for a reason: For the water to absorb the perfect quantity of coffee, but not so much as it becomes bitter, too strong. Moreover, the heritage series is a great add to any vintage kitchen.

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6. Wacaco’s Nanopresso: $64.90, Wacaco

Another reason to invest in a simpler coffee maker is for the adventurers: wherever you go camping, or wherever power is not easily accessible. Wacaco’s Nanopresso is the perfect coffee maker for this purpose: All you’ll need is boiling water, and you can have a barista-like coffee every morning, easily made and on the go.

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7. Bialetti’s Cold Brew: $29.99, Bialetti

Going to Italy and ordering a cold brew can be quite challenging, as it could be an insult to their traditional way of making coffee. Still, Bialetti developed a cold brew coffee maker, and it is pretty effective. Although this machine requires some planning and some time (as the coffee needs to rest for about 18 hours to be ready), cold brew amateurs will for sure be more than satisfied by this coffee maker.

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The Verdict

Coffee is a question of taste, and as simple as these machines can be, picking one is also a question of how you like your beverage. The Nanopresso is perfect outside. Grosce’s Amsterdam pour over does the best drip coffee, with the Chemex coming a close second, and, overall Bialetti’s moka express remains the best pick for an always good coffee.