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Oct 03, 2023

The 8 Best Coffee Makers with Grinders of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

The Breville Grind Control was our overall winner Alyssa Brascia is a commerce

The Breville Grind Control was our overall winner

Alyssa Brascia is a commerce writer PEOPLE, covering beauty, fashion, home and lifestyle products. She has previously written commerce content for Dotdash Meredith brands such as InStyle, Shape, Southern Living and more during her time as the E-Commerce Editorial Apprentice while she was an undergraduate fashion student at Iowa State University. Her passions include fashion and beauty writing as well as makeup artistry and styling. You can find her on Instagram to follow along on her creative journey.

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There's coffee… and then there's freshly-ground coffee at the push of a button. Connoisseurs know that whole-bean coffee is always the way to go (pre-ground coffee loses its freshness and flavor while sitting on a shelf, especially when stored at elevated temperatures). With the machines we tested, you don't have the hassle of a separate coffee grinder, or the mess of transferring grounds from grinder to coffee maker — these machines are all-in-one.

It can get pricey to buy even just one coffee per day, making the savings exponential when you compare routine Starbucks runs to the purchase of a coffee machine. However, there are a few key things you should keep an eye out for when you're looking to make this addition to your kitchen. Kathleen McCarthy, the training manager behind coffee giant Lavazza, says that some of the most important aspects to keep in mind when purchasing a coffee machine with a grinder are sharp, easy-to-clean burrs (the actual grinders) and "the ability to adjust seamlessly between grind settings." But we removed the guesswork for you through our testing process.

Whether you're a drip coffee fan or more of an espresso type, we found the very best coffee makers with built-in grinders. Out of a field of 20, these eight were our favorites, with the Breville Grind Control topping the list. Enjoy!

Pros:

Cons:

In just six minutes — including the bean grinding — you'll have a full, freshly-brewed pot of coffee with the Breville Grind Control coffee maker. A tasty one, too: The brew comes out "very smooth; a nice cup of coffee," noted our tester, adding that there were no grounds at the bottom of the cup.

The grinding and brewing processes worked well. Using this machine was easy and user-friendly, though some instructions on the water-to-bean ratio would have been nice. This machine is average size, and a little bulky, but the carafe was insulated, which is a nice touch. It also comes with a stainless steel travel mug, making the morning commute a bit more pleasant.

The thoughtful touches didn't end with the insulated carafe. Any regular coffee drinker knows how long the wait can feel for that first cup in the morning. So we really appreciated the digital display on this machine, which indicates the grind time and when it's preheating. The display shows you exactly how long it will take to brew a pot of coffee.

This model got our top score for ease of cleaning. It was very easy to take apart and clean. Our tester gave it the PEOPLE Tested recommendation.

Makes drip coffee: Yes| Makes espresso: No | Milk frother: No | Dimensions: 12.5 x 8.5 x 16.3 inches | Weight: 16 lbs.

Pros:

Cons:

One would typically associate luxury with attractiveness, and that's exactly what you get with the sleek Miele Coffee Maker and Espresso Machine. To put it simply, our tester said that "you would want to show this off." With drip coffee, espresso, and milk frother functions, this machine is a one-stop shop for some of the best brews around town.

Our testers especially loved its easy-to-use digital display and superb milk frother, which "automatically froths perfectly" without needing to manually guide the valve, a feature our testers appreciated. They adored the "classic espresso" that this machine produced and the quality of the brew for all functions — from froth level to the absence of grinds and acidity level.

However, you do want to make sure you're an avid coffee drinker before you purchase the Miele, as this machine has easily the highest price tag on this list. But if you feel you're ready to take this next step in your coffee journey, we think there are more pros than cons when it comes to this model — making it a great investment for your home.

Makes drip coffee: Yes| Makes espresso: Yes | Milk frother: Yes | Dimensions: 18.1 x 9.5 x 14.2 inches | Weight: 21 lbs.

Pros:

Cons:

There's nothing like brewing cafe-quality coffee for a fraction of the price, which is exactly what you'll get with this money-saving machine. Without taking up much space in your kitchen (or your budget, as compared to our other winners), this Cuisinart model makes smooth, freshly ground cups of coffee, one at a time. And it only takes a minute and 23 seconds per cup.

This model prepares "smooth and silky, classic drip coffee," said our tester. Another standout feature is its dual capabilities, allowing you to make a freshly ground cup from whole beans or coffee pods. It's "perfect for on-the-go, or small kitchens," our tester added, recommending it for busy bees. This machine is not only easy to disassemble and clean but very functional without taking up too much real estate on your counter. While there aren't adjustable grind settings, this machine is easy to use, easy to clean, and gets you out the door with a hot coffee fast. Sounds like a win to us.

Makes drip coffee: Yes | Makes espresso: No | Milk frother: No | Dimensions: 11.02 x 7.28 x 12.67 inches | Weight: 8.5 lbs.

Pros:

Cons:

If you're more of an espresso person than a drip coffee devotee, consider this model. It produces shots that "taste just like an espresso from a coffee shop," according to our tester. The espresso brews super-fast, and the machine has its own timer on the display.

The included milk frother is very easy to use and produces a nice froth, plus a frothing cup, which is an added convenience. The machine is easy to set up, but our tester did mention that the tamp can get locked into the machine after use, so it's hard to release it from the chamber. While we liked the design and the simple brushed stainless steel, the surface does show fingerprints.

The higher price point reflects the quality of this machine — our tester called its grinding and brewing capabilities "excellent." The Breville Barista Pro produces a custom grind, and the whole thing is very easy to use once you get the initial process down. It's easy to take apart and clean, too always a plus.

Makes drip coffee: No | Makes espresso: Yes | Milk frother: Yes | Dimensions: 13 x 12 x 13 inches | Weight: 20 lbs.

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If you liken yourself to somewhat of a self-taught barista, then this is the coffee maker for you. The DeLonghi La Specialista Prestigio Espresso Machine was dubbed a crowd favorite by our testers for its "delicious" espresso shots, exceptional foam, and easy-to-use interface. Though this machine looks large and complicated, our testers found that it was incredibly easy to set up thanks to its comprehensive instruction manual.

From several espresso-based coffee options to a state-of-the-art steam wand (latte art will be your new obsession), there's much to love about this pro-level machine. However, as most professional-grade appliances do, this machine requires a bit of know-how before use. Our tester found that they needed to have a base knowledge of espresso-making before using this model — though you could easily catch on after you learn the general setup of the machine.

We think the DeLonghi is perfect for the espresso enthusiast who wants to bring the coffee shop home.

Makes drip coffee: Yes| Makes espresso: Yes | Milk frother: Yes | Dimensions: 15 x 14.5 x 17.5 inches | Weight: 29.76 lbs

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Espresso lovers, rejoice: The Terra Kaffe TK-01 makes an "incredibly good shot of espresso," said our tester, describing the final product as "silky smooth."

Grinding and brewing capabilities on this model are excellent — the Terra Kaffe does exactly what you want it to do with just the press of a button. While the machine is a tad bit loud as it goes to work on your coffee, the noise doesn't last long. The milk frother is easy to use and produces a nice, smooth foam, though the process is a bit messy. You also have options for your milk-to-foam ratio on this machine, among other choices on the display which is a nice luxury. Everything is easy to use, automatic, and hidden within the machine.

This sleek model would fit perfectly into the aesthetic of a modern kitchen. We loved how the digital display was extremely detailed. However, there was no compartment for the milk frother, making the accessory that much more likely to get lost. The machine is very large and long, so count on it taking up some counter space. However, it's easy to take apart and clean.

The overall verdict? "Very good coffee, sleek design, awesome product," reported our tester.

Makes drip coffee: No | Makes espresso: Yes | Milk frother: Yes | Dimensions: 17.3 x 10.6 x 14 inches | Weight: 23 lbs.

Pros:

Cons:

Our tester called the coffee from this machine another "crowd favorite." The grinding and brewing process is efficient and fast, though the grinder is very loud — so if the noise doesn't wake you up, the "bold" coffee will. The machine also has a two-hour warming function to keep your coffee warm if the machine is not unplugged.

This no-frills model has a very straightforward design, but the instructions are not very clear (and seem to be poorly translated into English). It's easy to clean, but it's particular: Be sure you add the exact amount of water for your brewing needs.

Despite those downsides, our tester said this model brewed "one of the best drip coffees," and the price point only adds to its value.

Makes drip coffee: Yes | Makes espresso: No | Milk frother: No | Dimensions: 14.33 x 10 x 18.9 inches | Weight: 12 lbs.

Pros:

Cons:

There's just something about pouring a cup of coffee from a carafe, making the Cuisinart Burr Grind and Brew Coffee Maker great for the nostalgic java drinker. Our testers found favor with the easy setup process and easy-to-understand digital display, which made figuring out the brewing functions (strictly ground or pre-ground drip coffee) pretty straightforward.

They were happy with how quietly this machine functioned, even when it was softly beeping to let them know the brewing process was complete. However, the brewing time from start to finish was a bit slow, though that's understandable due to the bigger vessel it has to fill, as opposed to a single cup or shot. This machine may have fewer bells and whistles than some of its companions on this list, but it's handy for a family of coffee enthusiasts or someone who runs on several cups a day.

Makes drip coffee: Yes| Makes espresso: No | Milk frother: No | Dimensions: 8.5 x 11.4 x 16.3 inches | Weight: 17.7 lbs.

Consider how many people in your household will be using the coffeemaker (and how much each person drinks) when deciding on a model that brews a full pot, like the Gevi 10-Cup Drip Coffee Maker, versus single servings, like the Breville Barista Pro Espresso Machine.

Our winning coffee machines with built-in grinders either make drip coffee or espresso — not both. The triumphant drip machine was the Breville Grind Control Coffee Maker, whereas our favorite espresso model was the Breville Barista Pro Espresso Machine. A machine like this is an investment to be used daily, so consider which type of coffee you like to drink most, and most often.

Typically, the higher the price point, the more bells and whistles you'll find on a coffee machine. Espresso, milk frother, and touch screen selections for various types of drinks all tend to come with a higher price — take the Miele CM 5310 Silence Automatic Coffee Maker and Espresso Machine Combo, for example. Think about how often you'll use the machine and what sorts of beverages you plan to make on the regular to determine the value for you personally.

Coffee begins to lose its flavor immediately after grinding — which is why having a coffee maker with a built-in grinder is so important! If you choose to pre-grind your beans, store them in an airtight container in a cool, dark location for up to two weeks for the best flavor.

Generally, yes, but coffee strength is also impacted by how it's prepared. "This will 100 percent depend on the consumer's definition of 'stronger' coffee," says McCarthy. "For some, strength is equivalent to intense taste or bitterness, while for others, strength is equivalent to a complex set of flavors or a heavy mouthfeel, or some combination of all of these."

Espresso, for instance, is made with a low water-to-bean ratio and a high-pressure machine that forces water over finely ground, tightly packed coffee to make it strong. On the other hand, using finely ground beans in a drip coffee maker can give the coffee a bitter taste.

Grind coffee according to the instructions for your coffee maker. For example, a medium to coarse grind works best if you're using a French press or a drip coffee maker, while a fine grind is ideal when making coffee in siphon and espresso machines. "Essentially, finer grinding will slow down the brewing process, allowing the water to remain in contact with the coffee grinds for a longer time," McCarthy states. This will, in turn, make the grounds somewhat stronger in both taste and acidity — a preference that is entirely up to the drinkers themselves.

According to McCarthy, the answer is a resounding no. "Coffee grinders are meant only to grind coffee from its whole bean form; coffee that has already been ground is very likely to clog and could even potentially break a grinder," she shares. If you prefer to use pre-ground coffee instead, then you should check the specifications for the device you're considering to see if it's possible to brew pre-ground coffee. For example, two of the coffee makers on our list — the Breville Grind Control Coffee Maker and the Breville Barista Pro Espresso Machine — can be used with pre-ground beans.

We tested 20 coffeemakers, from drip coffee makers to espresso machines. Our testers evaluated the built-in grinder in each machine for the consistency of the grounds. Machines that brewed drip coffee were evaluated on the time it took to brew a pot (or a cup for single-serve machines), the temperature of the freshly brewed coffee, and the taste. For espresso, speed and temperature were also tested, along with the quality of the espresso shot and taste. Milk frothers were also evaluated when included with a machine. For each of the 20 machines, design, ease of cleaning, and performance were all evaluated and scored to determine our winners.

As a commerce writer for PEOPLE, Alyssa Brascia covers beauty, fashion, home, and lifestyle products. She has also written for other Dotdash Meredith brands like InStyle, Shape, and Southern Living. For this piece, she compared the features, benefits, and uses of some of the market's most popular all-in-one coffee makers and grinder combos. She compared models based on their cost, size, capabilities, ease of use and maintenance, time to grind and brew, quality of the brew, and more. For additional insight on some key aspects to remember when purchasing all-in-one coffee makers, Brascia interviewed Kathleen McCarthy, the corporate training manager for international coffee giant Lavazza.

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