iCoffee Remote Brew
(Credit: Smarter)
If you're like me, you need coffee in your system to function in the morning. The problem is, the times you need coffee the most are the times you're the least capable of operating appliances. Or maybe you're just not able to make a cup that tastes as good as your local coffee shop. No matter the issue, it would be ideal if you could just summon the perfect cup using your phone so that it's waiting for you when you walk into the kitchen.
The good news is, you can. Smart coffee makers have been around for a few years, and while they haven't eclipsed non-connected coffee makers in popularity, they offer much more control and convenience than conventional models. These are the ones we think are worth buying.
Best for Fresh-Ground Coffee in Style
Cafe Specialty Grind and Brew Coffee Maker
Why We Picked It
The Cafe Specialty Grind and Brew Coffee Maker stands out as one of the most aesthetically pleasing smart coffee makers we've seen, thanks to its freestanding water tank and copper accents. This machine grinds beans fresh, and its app lets you schedule brewing times and even decide how long each brew should bloom.
Who It's For
This is a coffee maker for anyone who wants an attractive, sleek appliance on their counter, but doesn't want to deal with pods. While it's more expensive than the iCoffee grind-and-brew machine below, it's also much nicer to look at.
Best for Simplicity
Hamilton Beach Smart Coffee Maker
Why We Picked It
The Hamilton Beach Smart Coffee Maker didn't wow us in testing, but it's perfectly serviceable and one of the cheaper models out there. It works with Alexa voice controls and doesn't take up a lot of space on the counter.
Who It's For
The Hamilton Beach Smart Coffee Maker is for people who value simplicity. It's a drip coffee maker with a carafe that also just happens to support Alexa. Mr. Coffee doesn't currently sell app-controlled models, so this is the next best thing.
Best for Grinding Beans on a Budget
iCoffee Remote Brew
Why We Picked It
The iCoffee Remote Brew offers some nice perks, including a built-in grinder and integrations with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. It also boasts an interchangeable faceplate (available in black, silver, or white) so you can match it to your kitchen's decor. Its 1.5-liter capacity (about 6 cups) falls short of the Cafe Specialty Grind and Brew Coffee Maker (10 cups) and the Hamilton Beach Smart Coffee Maker (12 cups).
Who It's For
Though still quite pricey, this is one of the most affordable smart coffee machines that grinds whole beans, and the swappable faceplates are a nice bonus. That said, households with several coffee drinkers may want a larger-capacity machine.
Best for Single Servings
Keurig K-Supreme Plus Smart Coffee Maker
Why We Picked It
Single-serving coffee pod machines might be losing their luster, but they're still a convenient way to make coffee and you can always use a reusable filter instead of the pods. The Wi-Fi-based Keurig K-Supreme Plus Smart is one of the company's more clever appliances: It combines the ease of coffee pods with the customizability of an app. The app lets you schedule your brews, as well as choose from five different levels of intensity and six different temperature settings.
Who It's For
If you want to specify exactly how your single-serving coffee comes out, the Keurig K-Supreme Plus Smart won't disappoint.
Best for Small Counters
Nespresso Vertuo Pop+
Why We Picked It
Nespresso is Nestle's answer to Keurig, using pods to brew both coffee and espresso. A whole line of Nespresso Vertuo smart coffee makers are available, but the Vertuo Pop+ is the most appealing for its price, size, and style. It's a tiny Nespresso machine that measures just 10.4 by 4.6 by 14 inches (HWD), with multiple color choices. The regular Pop+ has a fairly small 25-ounce water tank, but the deluxe version has a 37-ounce tank, and you can also get an optional milk frother.
Who It's For
Since it has such a small counter footprint and you can simply pop a pod in when you want coffee, the Nespresso Vertuo Pop+ is a top option for those who are short on space and time. The pods are recyclable, but you can also get third-party reusable ones if you want to further reduce waste. Its connected features are a bit bare-bones, but you can connect it to your phone over Bluetooth to keep it updated through the Nespresso app, which can also automatically order more pods when you need them.
Best Precision Pour-Overs
xBloom Coffee Machine
Why We Picked It
There's picky and there's pour-over picky, and the xBloom is designed for the latter. It has its own marketplace of single-origin growers and roasters that offer pods filled with whole beans. Each pod has a code that determines exactly how it should be brewed, including the temperature, water volume, grind, and even pour-over pattern. You can also use your own beans and set all of those brewing instructions yourself.
Who It's For
This is for pour-over coffee snobs. It's pricey and precise, and that's exactly what you want if you have strong opinions about just how hot water should be when it drips over coffee beans.
More Smart Kitchen Appliances
Cook like a top chef with smart gadgets that add high-tech convenience to your culinary repertoire. The best connected kitchen appliances we've tested can help you with every step of the cooking process. And if you want to smarten up other rooms in your home, check out our roundup of the best smart home devices.
