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For many of us, a daily trip to the local coffee place is part of our routine. Something about coffee that’s not made in your own kitchen always seems to taste just a little bit better, and when you have a big commute or busy day to tackle, that five-minute trip to the coffee shop can give you something to look forward to. The only downside? Just one medium-sized coffee each day can add up to quite a pretty penny.
In 2024, the average cup of coffee was $3.08, a number that has surely increased with inflation in the last few years. Take into account that many folks opt for more than a basic cup of joe, and you can easily add $1 to $2 to that cost. At $5 a drink, five times a week for an entire year, that adds up to $1,200 in money spent on coffee alone.
Now, this isn’t mentioned to shame anyone who participates in coffee culture. As of 2025, two-thirds of American adults drink coffee every day, and on average, most coffee drinkers consume at least three cups a day with a growing interest in specialty drinks like cappuccinos, mochas, macchiatos, Americanos, and flat whites. There’s clearly a market for it, but as prices rise in every shopping category these days, some of you might be trying to cut back and save a bit in areas where you didn’t realize you were spending a lot of money. Nowadays, brands are designing more high-tech coffee machines and makers for your homes so you can skip the $5 coffee shop purchase and make your own drinks right in your kitchen.
Not only can opting for at-home coffee potentially save you over $1,000 a year, but you have better control over ingredients, can create more customized concoctions and mixes, and opt for reusable coffee mugs and cups instead of environmentally unfriendly plastic cups and straws from the local barista. It might take some getting used to, and no one said it would be easy learning how to make your favorite coffee drinks at home, but with single-cup makers, multi-functional hot and iced coffee 2-in-1 machines, espresso machines, and cold brew appliances, you’ll be adding coffee connoisseur to your list of skills before you know it. Not sure which machine is right for you? Here’s a little to know about the different designs before you add one to your cart.
Single-serve coffee makers
Single-serve coffee machines are a great way to ensure that coffee doesn’t go to waste. Gone are the days where two people shared a full pot, and ¾ of it was left sitting on the counter, untouched and unused, as you headed out the door. Single-serve machines offer the ultimate convenience, since they often feature rapid brewing technology and they eliminate the need for glass pots or gross coffee filters. You push a button, place your mug or cup in the special crevice, and watch as steaming coffee fills your cup in as little as a minute.
They’re perfect for people who live by themselves or for multi-person homes where only one or two people drink coffee. Many single-serve machines take recyclable pods that come in a variety of flavors and styles, so you can create custom drinks with ease.
Keurig K-Classic Single-Serve K-Cup Coffee Maker
Hamilton Beach The Scoop Single-Serve Coffee Maker
Hot and iced coffee makers
People certainly have their preferences when it comes to coffee. Many only drink hot or only drink iced, but there’s a large group who like both and they need a machine that can do it all. Because these 2-in-1 machines can brew multiple styles, you can easily switch between an iced black coffee or a hot latte. They typically have specialized settings which allow you to select flavors and coffee strength. Multi-functional machines like this can be made so that when you are having an iced coffee, the flavor isn’t diluted once it’s put over ice — something that can happen when hot coffee is put over ice. You can find single-serve machines that do both hot and iced coffee, but not every single-serve machine can so research carefully.
Cafe Du Chateau French Press Coffee Maker
Hamilton Beach 2-Way Programmable Iced and Hot Coffee Maker
Cold brew coffee makers
While iced coffee is made with hot water and then is cooled before pouring over ice, the cold brew coffee process steeps coffee grounds in cold water and lets it sit for about 12 to 24 hours before being served. Cold brew is typically stronger in caffeine content and has a higher flavor concentration but lower acidity, giving it a more distinct, sharp flavor. Because it can’t be whipped up in a few short minutes, it takes more planning ahead of time to make.
Cold brew makers and cold-brew-friendly coffee machines, like a French press, are designed in a way that separates the coffee grounds in the end so you have a smooth, flavorful liquid without any grainy residue left behind. They simplify the steeping process, making it easy to make batches of cold brew right in your kitchen, providing consistent results each and every time. Most machines can make between one to two quarts of concentrate per brewing. Those quarts can be served as is or diluted even more with water, milk, or a dairy alternative if it tastes too strong at first.
Mr. Coffee Portable Cold Brew Coffee Maker
OXO Brew Cold Brew Coffee and Tea Maker
Espresso machines
For folks who love a latte, cappuccino, Americano, macchiato, or other espresso-based drink, an espresso machine is right up your alley. Specialty coffee drinks typically require espresso and true espresso cannot be made in a standard coffee maker — although you can occasionally brew strong concentrated coffee that works well for lattes or cappuccinos.
Espresso makers help you craft quality beverages at home without the expensive price tag attached to it, avoiding the “one-size-fits-all approach” common at coffee chains and tailoring it to your exact liking with the beans and technique you use. At-home machines prevent common coffee shop issues like burnt milk or poor extraction from occurring, since someone is always focused on your drink — you! Whereas employees can get distracted when crafting your drink, something that can affect the quality of something as delicate as espresso, you can take your time, ensuring a tastier coffee in the end, since you don’t have to rush or worry about distraction.
Casabrews Espresso Machine
Airmsen Espresso Machine With Grinder
What coffee machine is right for you?
In order to make the most out of your purchase, it’s best to consider what you drink most. Cold brew enthusiasts will certainly gravitate towards a cold brew maker or French press, particularly if they don’t drink hot coffee at all. They can prepare batches ahead of time and store the cold brew in a carafe in the fridge for easy access whenever they crave it. For folks who like both hot or cold coffee, or live with someone who prefers the opposite of what they like, a multi-functional hot-and-iced coffee maker would best serve their home. Single-serve stations are perfect for folks who live alone or drink only one cup at a time, therefore saving the waste that would happen from brewing a full pot. Meanwhile, espresso machines are the best way to mimic a lot of the novelty drinks that folks flock to coffee shops for, but it’s best to be prepared for their expensive price tags and the trial-and-error period that can occur since espresso machines can be tricky to learn how to use at first. Nevertheless, whatever you choose, you can feel good about the fact that by opting for coffee made at home, and skipping the daily coffee shop habit, can save you over $1,000 a year.
