This article is an overview of the best hottest coffee makers. Keep reading to learn more.
As a coffee enthusiast, sometimes I want coffee that’s so hot that it’ll burn my tongue when taking a sip. That inspired me to build this list.
I chose the Breville Precision Brewer as the best overall machine because it’s SCA-approved and offers customization options to fit many folk’s preferences.
Breville Precision Brewer:
Best Overall
- Price: $$$
- Max. Temperature: 294 °F
- Dimensions: 7.5 × 12 × 15.75 in (D, W, H)
- Water Tank Size: 60 fl oz = 10 cups
- Carafe Type: Thermal
- Warranty: 1 year
Such features make this device ideal for all at-home coffee drinkers. Whether you’re someone who wants good-tasting coffee daily. Or an enthusiast who wants to adjust every parameter of your drink.
Throughout the guide, I’ll explain the pros and cons of each machine. I’ll also talk about their specs and other relevant information to help you determine whether they’re worth getting.
Let’s dive in.
Top Hottest Coffee Makers
- Breville Precision Brewer: Best overall
- Technivorm Moccamaster: Easiest to use
- Keurig K-Elite: Best single-serve coffee maker
- OXO Brew 9 Cup Stainless Steel Coffee Maker: Best drip coffee maker
- Cuisinart CPO-850 Coffee Brewer: Best machine, UK
Best Hottest Coffee Makers for Home Use
I’ll first talk about important specs for each machine. Afterward, I’ll cover their pros and cons, who they’re best for, and essential features.
By “hottest” coffee makers, we refer to having very high maximum temperatures. Not appearance or hot to the touch. Such temperatures work well for having scorching drinks that’ll take longer to cool down.
Here we go.
1. Breville Precision Brewer: Best Overall
| Price | $$$ |
| Max. Temperature | 294 °F |
| Dimensions (D, W, H) | 7.5 × 12 × 15.75 in |
| Water Tank Size | 60 fl oz = 10 cups |
| Carafe Type | Thermal |
| Warranty | 1 year |
Pros:
- “Precise” controls
- Tall enough to brew in travel mugs
- Child-safe lock
Cons:
- Expensive
- No reusable filter included
The Breville Precision Brewer is the best hottest coffee maker for anyone at home who wants control over every aspect of drip coffee making.
It uses a thermal carafe. Meaning, it’ll keep your coffee hot for hours. Ideal for entertaining guests or keeping drinks hot throughout the day. But not so much for taste since your coffee may have a slightly metallic taste.
You likely won’t notice this shift in taste, though. This machine’s Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) certified. Because of that, the machine will produce consistent cups of coffee with proper temperature pressure specifications, and other parameters [1].
It’s a bit pricey, but this is literally one of the best drip coffee makers available. Thus, it’s an optimal option for home baristas making regular coffee.
The Precision Brewer also offers programmable brew settings like:
- Fast: Brews quickly.
- Gold: Brews with optimal coffee parameters according to the SCA.
- Strong: Brews slowly to extract more flavor.
- Over Ice: Brews a small amount of concentrated(ish) coffee.
- Cold Brew: Lets your brew sit.
These settings allow you to brew coffee without tinkering with any settings (e.g., temperature). But if you want to play with the temperature meter, be my guest. Make your coffee as hot as you desire.
Otherwise, it doesn’t include a reusable. You’ll need to buy them separately, unless you use paper filters. It does have a child safety lock, so your kids can’t try to brew their own coffee. And it’s capable of brewing coffee into a travel mug.
Do you want an SCA-certified device with a glass carafe? Keep reading.
2. Technivorm Moccamaster: Easiest to Use
| Price | $$$ |
| Max. Temperature | 205 °F |
| Dimensions (D, W, H) | 16.5 × 32.3 × 35.5 cm |
| Water Tank Size | Up to 10 cups |
| Carafe Type | Glass |
| Warranty | 3 years |
Pros:
- High-quality coffee
- Only a couple buttons to operate
- SCA certified
Cons:
- Expensive for casual coffee drinkers
- Ideal for serving groups
- Plastic parts aren’t dishwasher safe
The Technivorm Moccamaster is a great hot coffee maker for folks who don’t want a bunch of fancy controls, yet want a high-quality automatic pour-over machine.
Technivorm offers machines that support 4 to 10 cups. Giving you plenty of flexibility about how much coffee you want to serve. This isn’t a single-serve machine. Thus, it’s only optimal for brewing multiple cups for yourself throughout the day or for guests.
It uses a glass carafe and a warming plate. You’ll have clean-tasting coffee since you’re working with glass and not stainless steel. But you have a more fragile carafe. And the warming plate has the potential to burn your coffee if you leave it running for too long.
The hotpot and the machine itself will automatically power off after 100 minutes. Reducing the chance that you’ll burn your coffee. That’s not optimal if you’re forgetful with turning machines off, though. As many sources say that leaving coffee on a hot plate for 2 hours could burn it [2].
This machine is also SCA certified. It’ll brew coffee with optimal brewing temperature, time, and optimal total dissolvable solids’ ratio. All these will lead to consistent beverages that extract the most flavor possible from your beans.
Again, it’s a bit pricey. But we’ll cover more affordable hot coffee makers in a bit.
The machine’s simple to use due to having 2 buttons. But it’s not easy to clean since the plastic parts aren’t dishwasher safe. Otherwise, you risk ruining the plastic.
I assume you’re tired of looking at expensive machines. Me too. Let’s check out something more affordable.
3. Keurig K-Elite: Best Hottest Single-Serve Coffee Maker
| Price | $ |
| Max. Temperature | 192 °F |
| Dimensions (D, W, H) | 9.9 × 12.78 × 13.1 in |
| Water Tank Size | 0.5 gal = 10 cups |
| Carafe Type | Plastic |
| Warranty | 1 year |
Pros:
- Strong and over ice brew buttons
- Takes 45 seconds to brew
- Has temperature control
Cons:
- No milk frother
- Bulky
The Keurig K-Elite is the best choice for anyone who’s the only coffee drinker in their home and wants to brew a cup of coffee at a time.
It’s a K-Cup coffee maker. Instead of ground coffee, you’ll insert pods called K-Cups into the Keurig. From there, it’ll blast water through the pod and into your cup.
There are also Nespresso and TASSIMO single-serve pod machines. But neither brand has temperature controls on any of their models. The K-Elite allows you to set your device’s temperature between 187 and 192 °F.
Lovely for people who love to burn their tongues on their coffee.
Do you need coffee in a hurry? It’ll take 45 seconds to brew. Then 30 seconds to reheat if you need to make another cup.
Use the hot water dispenser if you want more variety with your beverages (e.g., tea). And since the temperature’s controllable, you can have the optimal brewing temperature for different tea types.
For instance, green tea requires temperatures between 175 and 180 °F for optimal extraction.
Like every other Keurig machine, it doesn’t include a milk frother. Only the K-Café does. You’ll need to buy a separate milk frother to make milk-based drinks like cappuccinos.
The machine also takes up a lot of space. It isn’t great for folks with smaller kitchens.
And unlike most Keurig machines, this one has presets to brew over ice or strong coffee. The “Strong” button will brew slower to extract more flavors. The over-ice button will brew a smaller amount of more concentrated coffee.
That way, ice won’t dilute your drink.
Here’s a hotter coffee maker if this one isn’t good enough.
4. OXO Brew 9 Cup Stainless Steel Coffee Maker: Best Hottest Drip Coffee Maker
| Price | $$ |
| Max. Temperature | 204.8 °F |
| Dimensions (D, W, H) | 8.3 × 15 × 17.2 in |
| Water Tank Size | 9 cups |
| Carafe Type | Thermal |
| Warranty | 2 years |
Pros:
- SCA-certified
- Brew pause feature
- Programmable
Cons:
- Demands a lot of space
- Pricey
The OXO Brew 9 Cup is an excellent hot coffee maker for folks who care a lot about taste and want a device with a lot of features.
Such features include programmability. Set your coffee to brew at a specific time, and it’ll automatically brew. For instance, say you want your machine to make coffee before you wake up. It’ll do so.
And if it brews before you wake up, you won’t need to worry about your coffee getting cold. It uses a double-wall thermal carafe, which will keep your coffee hot for hours.
While brewing, you may need to hurry up and grab your coffee mid-brew. The brew pause feature allows you to do this without continuing to spew searing coffee all over your device when the carafe is removed.
If you must leave your home before the coffee finishes brewing, there’s no automatic power-off feature. You’ll need to get a smart plug to turn it off automatically. That way, it doesn’t turn into an energy vampire.
The OXO Brew 9 Cup is SCA certified. It’ll produce the best-tasting coffee a drip coffee maker can produce. At a cost. It’s more affordable than the Breville Precision Brewer and Technivorm makers, but it’s out of range for folks who don’t have much money.
However, the price will always be high with super hot coffee makers. Because you’re paying for a device that can support higher temperatures.
This device is also not great for anyone who has a smaller kitchen. Did you look at the “dimensions” part of the table?
There are 18 inches of space between wall cabinets and countertops [3]. Though this machine’s 15 inches tall, opening the water reservoir or accessing the filter will require several inches of vertical clearance.
Meaning, you’ll need to move the machine to use it.
5. Cuisinart CPO-850 Coffee Brewer: Best Hottest Coffee Maker, UK
| Price | £ |
| Max. Temperature | 85 °C |
| Dimensions (D, W, H) | 88 × 61 × 93 cm |
| Water Tank Size | 8 Cups |
| Carafe Type | Thermal |
| Warranty | 1 year |
Pros:
- Charcoal filter
- SCA certified
- Large shower head
Cons:
- No granular temperature controls
- Requires a lot of space
- Uses a stainless steel mesh filter
The Cuisinart CPO-850 is a fantastic hot coffee maker for folks living in Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and other parts of the world due to Cuisinart’s wide-reaching warranty policy.
It uses a thermal carafe to keep your coffee hot for hours. And like most other machines on this list, it’s SCA-certified. I chose many SCA-certified devices since these will always have hot brewing temperatures.
Many lower-end, non-certified devices will use the bare minimum components and not focus on temperature consistency.
The large shower head ensures that the CPO-850 will evenly distribute water to all the beans in your filter. Extracting the most flavor possible.
But the filter itself isn’t stellar. It’s mesh, which is reusable but may result in fine sediment in your coffee. That’s because mesh filters aren’t the best at catching such fine particles. If you mind the sediment, get yourself some paper filters.
The machine itself is huge and isn’t ideal for small kitchens. You’ll also need to place it on a coffee cart, a table, or an area without wall cabinets hanging overhead. That’s because this machine requires a lot of vertical space.
Especially when accessing the water reservoir. I don’t understand why none of these manufacturers can’t design front-loading reservoirs or ones with handles to access them from the front.
A positive is that this machine uses charcoal water filters to clean sediment, chlorine, and other volatile organic compounds for better-tasting coffee.
You can’t control specific temperature numbers, only pre-programmed settings like Hot and Extra Hot. If you want such control, you’ll need the Breville Precision Brewer. Otherwise, this one’s okay if you want to save money.
This machine and the Keurig K-Elite are a couple of the most affordable devices on this list. But they’re not under $100. Putting them out of reach for many home baristas. Again, the temperature control adds a lot of value to these machines. Raising their price.
When you consider this machine’s price—versus machines from brands like Ninja—you’re getting a great deal. Considering all the SCA certifications and the control you have.
That’s all for the recommendations. Learn whether you’re buying an excellent hot coffee maker.
Buying Guide for Hot Coffee Makers
Consider these factors when shopping for a hot coffee maker:
| Factor | Description |
| Price | How much the machine costs. |
| Carafe Type | Determines price, taste, and how long it’ll keep your coffee warm |
| Features | Additions to make your life easier and drinks taste better. |
| Capacity | How many drinks you can make prior to refilling |
| Brand | Determines machine quality and customer service. |
| Heater Materials | Machine’s heat transfer properties. |
The following sections will provide more details for all the factors in the table. I’ll explain what to look out for when shopping for machines.
Here we go.
1. Price
Hot coffee maker prices tend to fall between $100 and $300. The cheaper the machine, the fewer features you’ll get. Also, manufacturers may not have built more affordable machines as well due to cutting costs to remain profitable.
A million factors will influence your hot coffee maker’s price, including:
- Brand reputation: Established brands often invest heavily in research and development, leading to innovative features and advanced technology.
- Materials used: High-grade stainless steel, durable plastics, and heat-resistant glass components contribute to a coffee maker’s price, longevity, and performance.
- Coffee machine type: Machines with complex brewing mechanisms typically command the highest prices.
- Certifications: Certifications from reputable organizations, such as the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA), generally cost more.
SCA certification means that the machine will brew coffee to optimal parameters in various areas. Leading to high-quality, consistent beverages.
I didn’t cover any espresso machines because I felt they didn’t fit under any of the “best for” categories. If you’re looking for one, we have plenty of guides recommending options for various uses.
Carafes also contribute to a machine’s price.
2. Carafe Type
The carafe type chosen will impact how fresh your coffee is and how long it’ll stay warm after brewing without using a cup warmer.
You have a couple options: glass and thermal. I recommend the former for anyone who doesn’t want a slightly metallic taste in their coffee. And the latter for someone who wants to keep their drinks hot for hours.
Thermal Carafe Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Keeps coffee hot for longer: Thermal carafes have a double-walled vacuum that insulates the coffee, keeping it hot for hours.
- Durable: They are less likely to break than glass carafes
- No burnt taste: Thermal carafes don’t sit on a hotplate, thus there’s no risk of the coffee developing a burnt taste.
Cons:
- Heavier: Heavier than glass carafes, which can make them more difficult to pour.
- More expensive: Typically more expensive than glass carafe
- Metallic taste: Due to having a stainless steel body, it may give your coffee a slight metallic taste.
Thermal carafes cost more, but they’ll last longer and keep coffee hotter for hours. And due to the lack of a hot plate, you won’t risk burning your coffee. However, you’ll have a slight metallic taste and a heavier pot to pour.
Glass Carafe Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Lighter: Lighter than thermal carafes, which makes them easier to pour.
- Less expensive: Typically cheaper than thermal carafes.
- Clear: You can see how much coffee is left.
Cons:
- Doesn’t keep coffee hot for long: Doesn’t insulate coffee as well as thermal carafes, so coffee will cool down in under a couple hours.
- Fragile: Can easily break if dropped.
- Can develop a burnt taste: Glass carafes sit on a hotplate, which can cause the coffee to develop a burnt taste if left on for more than 2 hours.
Hot coffee makers with glass carafes typically cost less, but for good reason. These carafes are susceptible to burning your coffee if left on a hot plate for too long. They’re also fragile. But, they’ll provide a cleaner taste than thermal carafes.
Some features will also contribute to a cleaner-tasting coffee.
3. Features
Keep an eye out for these features when shopping for a hot coffee maker:
| Feature | Description |
| Precise temperature control | Ensures optimal extraction for flavorful coffee. |
| Rapid heating element | Quickly heats water to the ideal brewing temperature. |
| Removable water tank | Enables you to remove the water reservoir. |
| Programmability | Tell your machine to brew at a specific time. |
| Pre-set brew options | Brew strong, iced, or other types of coffee by pressing a button. |
All machines on the list are programmable, which means you can set a time for it to brew coffee automatically. Many also include pre-set brew options, such as “strong” coffee. But will not have a button for iced coffee.
More expensive machines, (e.g., Breville Precision Brewer), will include precise temperature controls. Such a feature works better for enthusiasts who know what they want when making coffee. But also works great for non-hardcore home baristas.
Many hot machines will include water reservoirs for easy cleaning and refilling. Otherwise, you’ll need to carry a water pitcher to your machine.
And you’ll only find rapid heating elements on expensive hot coffee makers.
Here’s another big feature you should consider.
4. Capacity
Water capacity directly impacts the amount of coffee you can brew in a single cycle. This is important for households with varying coffee consumption needs. Most hot coffee makers will have larger water tanks.
You should know the differences, anyway.
Hot machines with small reservoirs are well-suited for individuals or couples who drink daily. These machines typically have a capacity of around 13–20 ounces. Sufficient for brewing a few cups without the need for frequent refills.
Their compact size also makes them ideal for kitchens with limited counter space.
Machines with large reservoirs, ranging from 6 to 10 cups or more, are better suited for larger households or those who frequently entertain guests. These machines allow for brewing multiple cups of coffee in one go. Eliminating the need to refill the water tank multiple times.
Now, you’ll need to consider the brand.
5. Brand
Reputable brands like Breville and Technivorm are associated with quality, innovation, and reliability. Factors that are essential for producing the hottest, most flavorful coffee.
These brands invest heavily in research and development, leading to advanced features and cutting-edge technology that optimizes brewing.
Established brands also prioritize quality control, ensuring that their coffee makers are manufactured using high-grade materials and undergo rigorous testing. This dedication to quality translates into durable, long-lasting appliances that can withstand regular use.
Moreover:
Reputable brands often provide comprehensive warranties and customer support, offering peace of mind and assurance that they’ll address any issues promptly.
Purchasing coffee makers from unknown brands poses significant risks. These brands may lack the resources and expertise to invest in quality control, research, and development. Resulting in appliances with inferior materials, questionable performance, and limited warranties.
We have one more factor to consider.
8. Heater Materials
The heating element, a crucial component within a coffee maker, is responsible for rapidly elevating the water temperature to the optimal brewing range. Typically crafted from aluminum or copper, these metals exhibit distinct thermal conductivity characteristics.
Most higher-end hot coffee makers will use copper heating. Lower-cost ones will use aluminum.
Copper, renowned for its excellent heat transfer properties, outperforms aluminum in rapid and uniform water heating. Copper’s resistance to mineral buildup ensures long-lasting performance and consistent water quality.
For individuals who prioritize consistently hot coffee, investing in a coffee maker equipped with a copper heating element is worthwhile.
Aluminum, while less efficient than copper, remains popular due to its affordability and lightweight properties.
Many cheaper hot coffee makers will use aluminum. While more expensive ones will use copper. Most product pages I’ve seen for these coffee makers don’t say anything about the heater materials, though.
If that’s something you care about, ask the manufacturer for clarification.
Why is temperature important for brewing coffee, anyway?
Why Is Temperature Important For Brewing Coffee?
Water temperature is crucial in extracting the optimal flavor from coffee beans. When water comes into contact with coffee grounds, it dissolves various compounds that contribute to the beverage’s taste, aroma, and acidity.
The ideal temperature range for brewing coffee is between 195–205 °F (90.5 °C). Within this range, the water molecules possess sufficient energy to extract the desired flavor compounds effectively.
Temperatures below the ideal range result in under-extraction, leading to a weak, sour flavor. Excessively hot water can cause over-extraction, producing a bitter, harsh, and unpleasant taste.
Maintaining the proper water temperature is essential for brewing a balanced, flavorful cup of coffee. Adhering to the recommended temperature range ensures that the full spectrum of flavors and aromas is extracted from the coffee beans.
That’s it. Find frequently asked questions next.
FAQs for Hot Coffee Makers
Keep reading to find frequently asked questions about hot coffee makers.
What Is the Best Temperature for Brewing Coffee?
The best temperature for brewing coffee is 200 °F, according to the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) [4].
Which Single-Serve Coffee Maker Makes the Hottest Coffee?
The Keurig K-Elite coffee maker is the single-serve machine on this list that makes the hottest coffee.
Conclusion
Forgot our top picks? Here they are:
- Breville Precision Brewer: Precise temperature controls.
- Technivorm Moccamaster: Easy to use.
- Keurig K-Elite: Affordable and convenient.
I chose the Breville Precision Brewer as the best overall because it’s SCA certified and allows you to “precisely” control your machine’s temperature. Making it a perfect machine for any coffee enthusiast.
Do you like SCA-certified machines after reading this post? Check out our SCA-certified machine recommendations.
Breville Precision Brewer:
Best Overall
- Price: $$$
- Max. Temperature: 294 °F
- Dimensions: 7.5 × 12 × 15.75 in (D, W, H)
- Water Tank Size: 60 fl oz = 10 cups
- Carafe Type: Thermal
- Warranty: 1 year
