Best Smart Coffee Maker in 2024: What’s Next, an AI Barista?

For some reason, I feel a little averse to the idea of adding even the very best smart coffee maker to my home coffee bar.

When it comes to brewing up a hot cuppa in the morning, I love me some tedium. Can’t my coffee routine remain untethered from our increasingly app- and WiFi-centered world?

At the same time, I admire creativity and innovation in the coffee industry. So, I’ll put aside my preconceived notions and explore this topic through a coffee lover’s eye.

With that said, I won’t be reviewing any smart pod machines today. For numerous reasons, mostly environmental, I don’t support the use of single use coffee capsules.

Anyway, what makes a coffee maker smart, what are the best smart coffee makers and why should you buy them? Let’s get into it!

Best Smart Coffee Makers at a Glance

What Is a Smart Coffee Machine?

Before I begin, I need to make sure we’re on the same page here. So, what is a smart coffee maker?

Truthfully, the definition of a smart coffee maker, as with other “smart” appliances , isn’t super clear. That said, the basic requirement is some sort of Internet or app connectivity. Beyond that, the “smart” abilities vary widely.

Some smart coffee makers link up with a smartphone app, while others connect to Amazon’s virtual assistant, Alexa. Incidentally, some do both.

Many smart coffee makers have the ability to start a brew cycle or program a pre-set brew time via your phone or a voice command. The more coffee-focused ones even let you program your own brewing recipe, including a bloom stage.

What’s more, some of these options are coffee makers with grinders. However, whether those built-in grinders are any good is up for debate.

On a similar note, let’s remember: just because a coffee maker is smart doesn’t necessarily mean it will make the best coffee in the world. Plenty of tech companies are making coffee makers without a care in the world for coffee quality (I’m looking at you, Keurig).

Plus, some of the best coffee makers in the world, including the Technivorm Moccamaster, are “dumb” machines with no smart features. So let’s not make the mistake of equating “smart” with “good.”

Still, there are some truly high-quality smart coffee makers out there. The best smart coffee maker combines user-friendly smart features with coffee-focused smart features.

How to Choose the Best Smart Coffee Maker

As with any of my guides to the best coffee gear, the best smart coffee maker for you really depends on your personal needs and preferences. Read on to learn about some of the factors you should consider before buying a new coffee maker.

Connectivity

Connectivity, of course, is what makes these coffee makers “smart.” That said, how they connect to different platforms determines which coffee maker is the best for you.

In general, there are two main options here: a virtual assistant such as Alexa or Google, and a manufacturer-specific app. Often, smart coffee makers utilize a WiFi connection to connect to the virtual assistant or app.

Needless to say, if you’re already an Alexa household, it would make sense to get an Alexa-enabled coffee maker. That way, you can tell the Echo Dot in your bedroom to turn on the coffee maker in your kitchen.

Same goes for Google Home users. Who knew you could brew coffee with a simple “Hey Google” command?

Finally, many smart coffee makers connect to free apps that allow you to start a brew cycle from your phone. What’s more, the more premium options have settings to customize brewing styles and recipes.

Size and Design

A coffee maker is likely one of the most visible and most used appliances in your kitchen. For many folks, myself included, it’s the first thing I interact with every day.

That said, you’ll want your coffee maker to look nice and fit well in your kitchen. Of course, this means it needs to physically fit – a long enough cord that it will fit on your counter, for example. Plus, the body needs to be short enough that it will fit under any overhanging cabinets or shelves.

At the same time, you want the design to work for you. Some people prefer a removable water reservoir, while others don’t mind having to fill the reservoir with a pitcher or carafe.

Aesthetically, the coffee maker needs to mesh well with your kitchen. This often means a retro-style brewer (with modern features, of course) for a retro kitchen, a stainless steel brewer for a modern kitchen, and so on.

After all, even the best smart coffee maker will be unpleasant to use if it’s a total eyesore.

Special Features

If you’re interested in a new coffee maker that is tech-savvy and quality-forward, you’ll want to look out for some special features.

These include programmable brew recipes (including brewing temperature), customizable brew styles and built-in grinders. Pre-infusion or bloom settings are great too, though none of my picks include this feature.

Price

Last but certainly not least, price is one of the most important factors when picking out a new coffee maker.

Budget-conscious coffee drinkers will be happy to know that a couple of my picks for the best smart coffee maker are below $100. I also have a premium pick and a couple mid-range options to choose from.

No matter which price range you choose, one thing is for sure: the quality of the coffee maker must match its price tag.

In other words, you should never pay top dollar for a machine that seems fancy but doesn’t provide on the coffee front. Incidentally, the same goes for its build quality and durability.

The 5 Best Smart Coffee Makers

Spinn Coffee Maker Pro: Overall Best Smart Coffee Maker

I’ll start with the most expensive and premium smart coffee maker on my list, the Spinn Coffee Maker Pro.

If the $N/A price tag is scaring you, don’t worry; the rest of my picks are priced way lower than this one.

That said, with the Spinn Coffee Maker Pro you are getting several super automatic coffee maker features. You can brew a cup of coffee, make espresso and even make cold brew.

Admittedly the espresso and cold brew it produces isn’t technically real espresso and cold brew. After all, it doesn’t have the pressure capabilities of an actual espresso machine, and you can’t make cold brew in less than one minute. Still, if you’re not too picky the beverages it can produce will delight you.

At this point I should cover what makes the Spinn Coffee Maker Pro “smart.” First, the coffee maker itself connects to WiFi, which allows you to control it via the manufacturer’s smartphone app.

Though you can do some things without the app – brew espresso and coffee – the app is where all the Spinn’s special features live. You can pick from an array of beverage options and further customize the technical parameters of your brew, such as its strength and volume.

Fortunately, the app is a breeze to use. Plus, as long as you keep water in the 40-ounce (1.2-liter) capacity reservoir and beans in the 18-ounce (510-gram) capacity hopper, you can make coffee from the comfort of your bed.

Oh, and if the water reservoir seems too small to you, you can plumb the machine into your water line. That way you’ll never find the water reservoir empty when you most need a cup of joe!

See Also: Spinn Coffee Maker Review

Hamilton Beach Smart Coffee Maker: Smart Coffee Maker With Alexa Connectivity

If you’re familiar with the world of budget coffee makers, you’ll recognize the Hamilton Beach brand. However, the Hamilton Beach Smart Coffee Maker is a smart upgrade from its sister products.

For only $78.99, you can get a smart coffee maker that is easy to use and connects to Alexa via the Alexa app or an Alexa speaker.

If you already have an Alexa speaker or two in your house, even better; you won’t have to buy anything else to help this coffee maker operate at its full potential. Once you get the thing set up, all you have to do is say, “Alexa, turn on my coffee maker.” Then it’ll start brewing!

Of course, you’ll still have to remember to grind your coffee and fill the 60-ounce (1.8-liter) water reservoir ahead of time. Since I’m a proponent of grinding coffee immediately before brewing, I doubt I’d use the Alexa function very often. But for those of you that aren’t so picky, I could see this feature being very convenient.

Beyond the smart features, this Hamilton Beach coffee maker doesn’t seem very different from non-smart Hamilton Beach brewers in terms of coffee quality. Incidentally, the plastic filter basket is still too small for the brewer’s alleged 12-cup capacity. What’s more, the plastic spray head won’t evenly saturate your coffee grounds.

But honestly, if you’re opting for a budget coffee maker as opposed to an SCA-certified coffee maker, you’re likely either prepared for these faults or they don’t bother you.

Overall, the Hamilton Beach Smart Coffee Maker is a great option for budget-conscious, low-maintenance coffee drinkers who want limited smart features and an intuitive user interface.

Related: Hamilton Beach Scoop Review

iCoffee Remote Brew: Smart Coffee Maker With Grinder

The iCoffee Remote Brew is a stylish and easy to use smart coffee maker. For $155.55, it’s a bit more expensive than some of my other picks. That said, a built-in grinder makes it well worth the money in my opinion, since a quality burr coffee grinder costs about the same on its own.

The iCoffee Remote Brew connects to the Smarter app, plus Alexa, Google Assistant and Nest. In fact, it’s meant to fit in seamlessly with other smart house controls. 

Incidentally, the app allows you to brew coffee from anywhere – in bed, the grocery store, wherever – so you can have hot coffee as soon as you’re ready. That is, as long as you remember to fill the 50-ounce (1.5-liter) water reservoir.

Oh, and the machine’s hot plate will keep your coffee hot for about 40 minutes after brewing. Some reviewers complain that’s not long enough, but personally, I think 40 minutes is more than enough time. After all, since this coffee maker is so easy to use, why not just make a couple small pots throughout the day so your coffee is always fresh?

Unfortunately, reviews are mixed on the durability of this brewer and the quality of its brews. Some folks love it and find that it makes delicious coffee. On the other hand, other buyers say that the coffee grinder and doser tend to break, and that the app connectivity is spotty.

If you’re worried about these issues, a different pick may be a better fit. However, you’d be hard pressed to find another smart coffee maker with a built-in coffee grinder at this price point. Come to think of it, maybe there’s a reason for that.

Café Specialty Drip Coffee Maker: SCA Certified Smart Home Coffee Maker

The Café Specialty Drip Coffee Maker is my personal favorite among the best smart coffee makers on my list. Plus, with a $228.96 price tag, it isn’t even the most expensive coffee maker out there.

The Cafe Specialty Drip Coffee Maker is almost guaranteed to produce an exceptional cup of coffee, seeing as it’s an SCA certified home brewer. I assure you: if coffee quality is your top priority, this coffee maker won’t disappoint.

It helps that this machine not only brews coffee but is absolutely gorgeous. The Matte Black, Matte White, and Stainless Steel colorways all come with shiny copper accents and a simple LED display.

What’s more, this is the only pick on my list of the best smart coffee makers that includes an insulated carafe. That said, if your budget is tight you can pay a bit less for the model with a glass carafe.

This brewer connects to WiFi and can be controlled via the SmartHQ app, Alexa, and Google Home. Plus, the Voice-to-Brew feature allows you to speak aloud to begin a brew cycle.

Speaking of, the app allows a number of customizations to your brew cycle. Pick the strength of your brew out of four pre-set options: Gold, Light, Medium and Bold. Truthfully, I’m not sure what these settings mean in terms of their specific coffee-to-water ratios, but try them and find out!

Additionally, you can control the size of your brew and the temperature of your brewing water. The temperature range is between 185 degrees and 205 degrees Fahrenheit (85-96 degrees Celsius).

See Also: GE Café Coffee Maker Review

Atomi Smart WiFi Coffee Maker: Budget-Friendly Smart Coffee Maker With an App

If you want a budget-friendly smart coffee maker, the Atomi Smart WiFi Coffee Maker is another great option.

Costing just $89.99, the Atomi Smart brewer certainly won’t break the bank. What’s more, it’ll easily serve up some decent coffee thanks to its intuitive user controls.

The “smart” features of this brewer include WiFi connectivity, the free Atomi Smart app and the option to link the machine to Alexa or Google Assistant.

With or without the app, brewing coffee is a breeze with this machine. The app allows you to program your brew for a certain time, but you can also start the brew right from the machine. Plus, this brew coffee maker has the basic “Regular” and “Strong” options, a standard for budget coffee makers like this one.

If you want to program the brewer to turn on at a certain time, you’ll still have to fill the water reservoir and grind some coffee beans ahead of time. But if you’re okay with some oxidized coffee grinds, the app makes it easy to program a brew schedule.

Another funky feature this brewer has is a brew pause setting. This allows you to pour yourself a cup before the whole brewing process is done. Truthfully, this sounds like a recipe for unbalanced coffee to me, but to each their own.

On a similar note, the Atomi Smart coffee maker comes with a reusable coffee filter. Personally, I much prefer the clarity of flavor from a paper coffee filter. Still, particularly eco-conscious folks may like this feature.

Finally, the small plastic filter basket and the plastic spray head won’t produce a very good brew quality. But for such a low price, who can complain?

Decision Time: The Best Smart Coffee Maker

If I had all the money in the world, I would pick the GE Café Specialty Drip Coffee Maker and pair it with an exceptional manual coffee grinder like the Comandante C40 MK4 Nitro Blade. 

In my experience, the GE brewer works beautifully and has just the right number of smart features. That said, the Hamilton Beach and Atomi Smart coffee makers are both good budget options.

Since I like brewing coffee for a crowd, the single-cup Spinn Coffee Maker Pro wouldn’t be my top choice. But for those who want a programmable coffee maker that can brew iced coffee, espresso and brewed coffee all in one coffee machine, the Spinn would be the best choice.

If I’m honest, I’ll probably just stick with my beloved Moccamaster or pour over coffee maker. Though I understand why smart coffee makers are convenient, I’d much prefer to keep my morning coffee ritual free of smartphone screens and virtual assistants. But maybe I’m a little behind the times.