24 Best Coffee Makers For College 2022 - The Complete Buyers Guide

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college students absolutely need coffee.

Reading: Best coffee maker for college

I really don’t think I would have made it through college without a steady stream of caffeine to get me through those hard study sessions.

Having your own coffee maker at university is a great option to not only make yourself the best cup of coffee possible, but it will also help you save a lot of money by not shopping in coffee shops.

When choosing your coffee maker for college, you need to make the right choice. First of all, it must be within your budget, but it must also be suitable for you and your lifestyle.

Are you going to be on the go and need a quick cuppa? Are you on a limited budget?

Want to make copious amounts of great coffee?

I’ll go into more detail below and then you can read my reviews of the best college coffee makers available in the usa. uu.

Check out the chart below for a quick rundown of the best coffee makers, just click on the name and you’ll be taken to their website where you can learn more and buy yours.

the 5 best coffee makers for college students

1. Best Choice: Hamilton Beach FlexBrew Single Serve Coffee Maker

It takes some clever design to allow you to use both pods or your own ground coffee, and Hamilton Beach has achieved exactly that. the flexibility of choosing to use pods or ground coffee, plus being able to brew quickly and easily right into a travel mug, makes this an ideal choice for college.

Now you can sleep in until right before class, hit brew when you wake up, and grab your travel mug on the way out with a fresh, hot cup of coffee ready to go.

Since you’re brewing right in your cup and using a pod or ground coffee in a reusable pod, there’s almost no cleanup either.

While you easily make great coffee when using a k-pod, if you’re using ground coffee, you’ll probably want to fill up that little reusable pod. that is, if you go for the full 14-ounce pour. you can inject the water jet with enough pressure; if the capsule is not very full, the current tends to push the grounds to one side and not extract correctly.

I also recommend going for a fairly medium-coarse grind. somewhere between what you’d want for drip and french press.

If you have hard water, you will need to descale it quite often. the water pipes inside are quite small and can easily become clogged. I recommend running a little descaler, or at least a little vinegar (it’s cheaper), every month.

minor maintenance is still less than many other options.

Flexibility, speed and ease of use make the Hamilton Beach Flexbrew ideal for coffee-loving college students around the world.

2. best single-serve: black+decker single-serve coffee maker

drip machines are a reliably good old cup of coffee. black and decker has kept it simple and refined the typical drip machine in a single serve variant. and this thing certainly makes great drip coffee.

This simple single serve drip machine gets to work at the touch of a button.

it will simply pump water from the reservoir until there is nothing left. Well, leave some water there. once the coffee is finished brewing, it will automatically turn off.

is made with ground coffee, not coffee capsules. which I prefer; less waste and more variety of coffee beans.

Although it comes with a stylish travel mug, you can brew it right into any mug you like. if your mug is less than 17cm tall, it will fit under it.

It is very easy to clean. You can make cleanup even easier by using paper filters and simply placing them in a compost bin when you’re done.

Because it’s designed to be tall enough to fit a large travel mug underneath, it leaks from a great height. this means that if you are brewing in a regular size mug, it may splatter. if you plan on using a regular size mug, I recommend setting it on top of something so it stands up closer to the spout.

On that striking note, because you brew right in your cup, when you remove it, a few drops may still fall through. it’s worth replacing your thermos with some other mug just to catch the last few drops. it will certainly save you from finding a puddle on the counter later.

A small amount of sediment can still pass through the reusable filter basket, so you won’t want to drink the last sip. this is quite common for these filters. the alternative is paper filters; just use a paper filter instead of the reusable one and that’s the sorted sediment.

When you’re in college, sometimes you just need that coffee, without wasting time. The Black+Decker Single Serve Coffee Maker wastes no time. just great drip coffee, straight into your cup, no fuss.

3. best capsule coffee machine – nespresso inissia by de’longhi en80b original espresso machine

Do you want your bedroom to smell like an Italian cafe? it will certainly overcome the student smell.

the nespresso inissia makes a great easy espresso, and i am very surprised, this machine is small.

Just drop a pod in, drop a cup under the spout, and pull the lever down. you will have an excellent espresso in seconds. so easy.

there are two buttons, espresso and lungo. lungo is Italian for “long”, it is a long or large espresso. Just because there are two buttons doesn’t mean your coffee options are limited.

do you want more coffee? just hold down one of the buttons and release it when you have had enough coffee. the next time you press that button, it will pour the same amount, pure.

There’s not much waiting for your coffee. plus the brew itself is quick, it’s ready to go in about 30 seconds after turning it on.

The tank in the back holds 24 ounces of water. with a regular espresso around 1 ounce, you won’t have to refill it often.

You have to be a little careful when putting the pods on a hard place. move them around a bit and angle it in to make sure they are sitting there nicely. if they’re not right, you can crush the capsule and make it unusable.

4. best programmable coffee maker – krups grind and brew auto-start maker with integrated coffee grinder

Nothing beats freshly brewed coffee. especially when the beans are freshly ground. now transfer it to a machine that will do it all by itself.

enters the krups grind and brew. does it all for you.

Setting up a batch of coffee so it’s ready when you wake up is a breeze. If you keep this machine in your bedroom, it will even work as an alarm clock when you start grinding the beans! not to mention, you’ll wake up to the delicious fresh aroma of coffee.

this machine is a certain way to make your roommates jealous. people will smell everything down the hall.

When comparing the grind this machine does to a standalone grinder, it seems to produce just the right size grind for drip brewing. there are five different grind settings, so you can even adjust it for just the right fit.

Disperses the grounds evenly in the filter basket. all soils end up wet and seem to get an even extraction. the resulting coffee is certainly great.

The built-in grinder can be quite noisy, but grinding coffee beans is certainly not a quiet job. the bean hopper could have been bigger. you will probably refill it quite often.

Schedule exactly how much coffee you want, how to grind it, how strong you want it, and most importantly, when you want it. coffee couldn’t be easier.

5. Best Budget: Bodum Pour-Over Coffee Maker with Permanent Filter

Students don’t usually have a lot of extra money to spend. that’s why bodum took classic chemex and made it their own, only at less than half the price.

The Bodum Pour-Over Coffee Maker lets you go back to basics and puts you in complete control to brew great coffee.

Pour-over coffee is essentially no different than drip coffee. only that you are dripping, or more, pouring. don’t be discouraged, this is an opportunity to do something even better than drip coffee.

It’s simple, just load the reusable filter basket with ground coffee and take your time pouring hot water through the ground coffee.

However, you need a kettle, or maybe even heat some water in a jug.

be sure to follow the golden ratio of coffee. 1 gram of coffee for every 15 grams (or 15 milliliters) of water.

The ritual of taking the time to pour coffee can quickly become very satisfying. you might find yourself doing more for fun than the coffee itself.

Buyer’s Guide: Every College Dorm Needs A Great Coffeemaker

easy to clean

One of the most important parts of your coffee maker is that it should be quick and easy to clean. no fuss, no mess, literally.

Otherwise, you’ll go back to your coffee pot and find that you didn’t clean it last time. which will only make the coffee preparation process take longer.

Besides, you have better things to think about in college than cleaning your coffee pot. if it’s not simple, it won’t get done.

easy to use

Besides the coffee maker being easy to clean, it has to be absolutely quick and easy to use in the first place.

no complicated rituals. without invoking the coffee gods. just 1, 2, coffee.

There’s nothing simpler than adding coffee grounds and water and then getting glorious java. that’s the only way it can be.

timing is everything

in college, you’re expected to sleep late.

When you spend most of your morning sleeping, you don’t have much time to make your cup of coffee. it has to be fast.

is a bit like a catch-22. There isn’t much time to make coffee, but you can’t start the day without it. the only option is to be quick.

you want to make great coffee

There is no place in this world for bad coffee. you might not even drink it if it’s not above average.

you need your coffee to be delicious. the brewing method you choose is one of the most important factors in deciding how good your beer will turn out.

your college coffee maker just has to make great coffee.

you’re in college, price matters

we have saved the most critical aspect for last.

Let’s face it, you’re in college, you probably don’t have any cash. a coffee maker for college has to be low cost and good value for money.

frequently asked questions

Can you bring a coffee pot to college?

You can definitely bring a coffee pot to college. in fact, if you are a regular coffee drinker, I highly recommend it. it will save you money since you won’t spend more in coffee shops all the time.

If you’re unlikely to drink coffee often in college, you may not need it. you want to travel light when moving into a college dorm room.

can you have a keurig in a bedroom?

you certainly can. you can bring any coffee pot to your bedroom.

While you may not be allowed an actual stove, you are still allowed some fancy appliances. and coffee makers are one of them.

can you make macaroni and cheese with a keurig?

actually you can.

A keurig, and most other coffee machines, are great for making hot water. just don’t put coffee in them. then use that hot water to mix your macaroni and cheese.

easy.

what drinks can a keurig make?

hot chocolate. rice pudding. instant oatmeal pasta.

the list goes on. your coffee machine will easily make hot water if you just don’t put coffee in it. super useful in a bedroom if you’re ready to get creative.

Do college dormitories have stoves?

It depends on your university residence.

The independent rooms usually have a kitchen for 5 or 6 people. so they should have an electric stove. certainly not gas.

College dormitories with catering are unlikely to have stoves, and you are not allowed a stove in your room. that still doesn’t stop many students from smuggling in a small portable induction cooktop.

can you cook your own food in college?

if you have the option of separate dining rooms, you’ll probably be preparing your own food.

However, if you are in catering venues, your cooking options will be minimal. often just a fridge and microwave.

The university’s main concern is fire hazards. if you’re using an appliance with minimal risk of starting a fire, like a coffee pot, then you should be absolutely fine.

can you make oatmeal with a keurig?

yes, you can. Keurigs, and many other coffee makers, are great for simply making hot water. perfect if you don’t have a kettle.

Just run your coffee machine without coffee and you’ll have hot water to mix with your oatmeal. easy.

review of other coffee makers for college

drip coffee makers for college

mr. coffee maker 12 cups

In college, you only need basic utilities and appliances. sir the drip coffee maker is certainly a basic machine, but it makes for a good cup of coffee.

When you first get it, you’ll definitely want to run the water a few times because it does have a bit of a plastic taste to begin with. after about five squirts of water, the flavor should be pretty much gone.

The plastic is a bit thin and has some sharp edges. It has a bit of a cheap feel to it, but then again, it’s pretty cheap. sharp edges can be easily fixed with a file or sandpaper.

It can also be a little tricky to get the pot back stuck under the little drip pin under the filter cone. the pin is set a little lower than I would like to make it easier to slide the pot back in.

6-cup drip drip mixpresso

great coffee can certainly come from small machines.

And isn’t a small coffee machine just what you need for a small college dorm room?

this is a small mixpresso drip machine and they don’t seem to know how small it is. the amazon title says it’s a 6 cup machine but your description says it’s a 5 cup machine. I can confirm that it is actually a 5 cup machine.

will easily make two or three large cups of coffee.

the glass carafe is certainly leaky. I don’t understand why they couldn’t make the spout a bit wider and longer to avoid spillage. however, this only becomes a problem when it is completely full; half a carafe is fine.

All in all this little machine makes an absolutely great brew.

cuisinart dgb-550bkp1 grind & prepare automatic coffee maker

Now, if there’s one thing I certainly love, it’s fresher than freshly brewed coffee. that means freshly ground beans, freshly made, so I feel fresh in the morning.

the cuisinart grind & brew has a sealed bean hopper so they are actually sealed while being loaded into the machine.

is very easy to program. you can set the amount to grind, how much coffee you want to make, how strong you want it and when you want it. I like that it’s ready as soon as I wake up.

and if I sleep for a while, no problem, the grind & the brew will keep coffee hot for up to four hours.

The only embarrassment to this machine’s design is the glass carafe. wow is that a drip pitcher; there is a special ability to pour with it. you probably want to fill your cup over a sink.

other than a few puddles of coffee, this is a great coffee pot.

espresso machines for college

breville the barista espresso machine

Are you looking for an espresso machine for college? a real espresso machine, not a capsule machine?

well, good espresso machines don’t come cheap. So let’s start by jumping to the bottom. here is the king of the home, and in this case, the university coffee makers.

is the breville barista express. this elegant espresso majesty sets the standard for espresso machines and surpasses it in one fell swoop.

really, what part of the pid temp control, built-in burr grinder, and pressure gauges don’t you understand? The sole purpose of this mammoth is to make amazing espresso, and it’s made by engineers whose sole purpose is to make amazing espresso.

While this is a true feat of engineering, it couldn’t be easier to use.

Tap the portafilter on the grinder, dispense some ground beans, press down with the tamper, tap the portafilter on the group head and press go. espresso in less than a minute. I hope you’re excited.

gaggia ri9380/46 classic pro espresso machine, solid, brushed stainless steel

I’m going to have to start right off the bat by saying that I have a real soft spot for classic gaggia. it is much more than a great espresso machine. it’s a little side project that you can dabble in from time to time.

what do I mean by that? The classic Gaggia is famous in the coffee world for its upgradability. it’s a simple and effective machine, it makes great espresso and you can make it even better if you’re willing.

gaggia’s original classic came with a weird panarello steam wand. swapping that out for a rancilio silvia classic style steam wand was update 101. gaggia took the hint and not the classic comes with an upgraded steam wand as standard.

Other upgrade projects you could do on this machine include building pid temperature controls, pressure and temperature gauges, and even cosmetic modifications like replacing some of the plastic with fancy wood components.

that’s all before you start making your espresso. this monster will heat up in seconds. you’ll produce espressos, lattes, cappuccinos, flat whites, and even hot chocolate with the steam wand.

mr. coffee – barista coffee, espresso and cappuccino machine

First of all, making espresso with this machine is very easy.

You don’t even need to tamp your grounds because you use a pressurized portafilter filter basket. I recommend that you still press them down at least a little bit.

you press a button and boom, espresso!

the coffee is certainly above average. the pressurized portafilter basket helps keep the espresso very consistent.

the milk frother makes a lot of noise. like, so loud you wonder what he’s really doing. although I can’t deny that it foams a little milk.

there are many pieces to clean. the milk container has 3 parts and the filter has 6 small parts that eventually need washing. while the filter usually only needs a rinse, the milk parts need a soapy wash.

While the milk frother can be a fun point, if you like your simple espresso, this machine might be perfect for a quick cup to help you keep going during tough study sessions.

gaggia brera super-automatic espresso machine

the brera is an espresso machine from bean to cup. it is super easy and intuitive to use. best of all is that you put coffee and espresso comes out.

From bean to cup, this machine makes truly excellent coffee. you could serve this in a cafeteria, easily. the cream is also great; super sparkling.

Adjusting the brew settings is easy, which isn’t always a given with bean-to-cup machines.

The panarello frothing wand makes frothing milk a breeze. just give the milk a splash, no particular technique. couldn’t be simpler

The drip tray doesn’t hold much. it needs to be emptied quite regularly. the same goes for the used grounds drawer; you’ll have to empty it after about four uses.

may also require some regular maintenance. the dispenser components need fairly regular cleaning. however, it will tell you when to descale.

capsule coffee makers for college

chulux single-dose coffee maker, stainless steel coffee maker

I’m impressed with this little machine. it is a strong contender as an excellent budget capsule machine.

It takes up little space and serves great coffee in no time.

I like the design of the water level in the water tank. it looks like a small set of four plastic steps, making the water tank look like a small swimming pool. it also tends to use all the water for a brew, so you don’t have water sitting there.

If you like your cup of coffee black, then this machine brews your brew at the perfect drinking temperature. if you want to add milk or cream, it may not be hot enough. if that’s the case, you may need an extra blast in the microwave.

nescafÉ dolce gusto genius 2 coffee maker

There’s nothing better than easy coffee at the push of a button. especially if it’s a good coffee.

genio 2 not only makes great coffee, but also gives you the option to make espressos, cappuccinos, lattes or any other type of coffee simply by choosing a different pod.

This tiny machine is capable of producing up to 15 bars of pressure, which is enough to create a foamy cream or fluffy milk in your infusion.

It’s a bit of a shame that dolce gusto capsules aren’t as common as other brands. You may have a hard time finding them in stores depending on where you live. although reusable capsules are available.

One upgrade that this coffee maker could use is a larger water reservoir. you will probably refill it quite often.

breville original nespresso inissia coffee machine

nespresso is the king of capsule machines, and this time it’s brought to you by breville, the king of home espresso machines.

looks almost identical to the inissia produced by de’longhi. While this may seem silly at first, it allows you to choose sides. which brand do you prefer?

the inissia makes good coffee, quickly and easily. just drop in a pod, pull down the stick, and press go.

I’m amazed at the size of this machine. it is absolutely tiny. you won’t have a problem finding a place to put it on your countertop.

If you are making a lot of coffees one after the other, you may find that you don’t always get the same amount. It’s not a huge difference, but it’s still a bit strange.

while the setup buttons are reprogrammable, there seems to be a fun bug where they lose their programming after a while. it’s easy to reprogram, but it’s weird that it forgets how you told it to set up after a while.

Mueller Single Serve Compatible Coffee Brewer with 4 Brew Sizes, Quick Brew Technology with Large 48 oz Removable Water Tank

This is a great value for money little capsule machine. Without a doubt, a good option if you are looking for a good coffee on a tight budget.

makes a nice strong cup of coffee.

With a 48 ounce water tank, you’ll easily get at least 4 really big bugs before you have to refill your water. perfect for a long study session when you just want to make the coffee and not prepare the machine. That being said, it actually only fits a regular size cup.

It takes a little longer to prepare than other capsule machines. At about 2 minutes per brew, it’s still a quick cup, but there are faster options.

single-dose coffee makers for university students

keurig k-mini single-serve k-cup pod coffee maker

By pressing the brew button, in just over a minute, you’ll have a delicious, freshly brewed cup of coffee. this little machine is primed and ready to go when you are.

This little machine is only 5 inches wide. perfect for a small bedroom. and doesn’t it look great?

while it’s narrow, you can still fit medium-sized travel mugs under it, up to 7 inches tall.

One downside is that it doesn’t hold a lot of water. you will have to fill it in for each preparation.

for such a small machine, it certainly likes to yell when it’s making a coffee.

Chefman instacoffee max single-dose coffee maker

this is a neat little machine.

is more than just a capsule machine. it is also a drip machine. but it’s even more than that, you can even make tea with it.

It comes with a reusable filter basket that you can fill with ground coffee or loose leaf tea. now that’s versatile.

Whether you like your coffee black or tea without milk, it’s brewed at the perfect drinking temperature. if you like milk in your drink, you may find it a bit cold.

There’s plenty of room under the spout for a travel mug. however, this also lends itself to being a bit flashy when using a regular size mug.

sboly single serve coffee maker for k-cup pod & ground coffee

It’s good not to be tied to just one type of coffee pod. sboly has included a reusable filter basket so you can also brew ground coffee.

Maintaining this small coffee factory couldn’t be easier. after you’ve brewed, just press the two side buttons to activate the auto-clean feature and it will clean itself.

No need to keep an eye on it either, it has a built-in auto shutdown. so it will turn itself off when it’s done.

the low price of this little machine makes it a great choice as a budget option.

It can splatter quite a bit as it prepares. I recommend using a tall cup.

Being a single serve machine, you must refill it after each brew. when you get small machines they just don’t hold as much water.

basic coffee makers for college

French press bodum chambord

Everyone loves the French press!

The French press should be the first stop for any first-time home brewer. they couldn’t be simpler. Pour in some ground coffee, add water, leave for 4 minutes, and push the plunger down.

For such a simple little device, there’s still plenty of scope to get quite technical with your beer. You can seriously up your French press game by making sure you use a coffee to water ratio that’s right for you, measuring the temperature of the water, and letting it bloom. options continue.

When you brew your precious coffee, you want to make it precious. a French press may not vary much in the way they work, but their appearance certainly can.

bodum has hit the nail on the head with the sleek and sophisticated, yet beautifully minimalist design.

The glass carafe can be removed for easy cleaning. there’s even an option to get a shatterproof glass carafe.

The glass carafe isn’t the only part that makes cleanup easy. the mesh filter at the bottom of the plunger removes easily, so now you never have to leave coffee grounds stuck there.

There’s a perfect size for everyone. Choose from 12-ounce, 17-ounce, 34-ounce, and 51-ounce options. you will definitely be able to make enough for everyone.

aeropress

the aeropress is a new addition to the world of coffee. some will describe it as a giant syringe, others might describe it as an engine piston and cylinder.

although it is advertised as an espresso machine, it is not a true espresso by definition. espresso is generally made at pressures around 9 bar. the aeropress only produces up to around 0.7 bar.

although if you press inhumanly hard you might get a bit of cream. just be careful not to knock him over.

the aeropress may be the ultimate travel coffee maker. it is very small, compact and portable.

Also, it makes very good coffee. really.

A lot of people like to brew with this little thing using what they call “the inverted method”.

you remove the end of the filter and pull the plunger down to make a little plastic cup. fill it with coffee and water. just let it sit there like you would a French press.

after a bit of preparation, screw the filter on tightly, with a filter paper of course. tilt the aeropress over the cup and push the plunger down.

prepare to be amazed at how good aeropress coffee is.

zulay classic ceramic hob espresso

if you’re an espresso aficionado, you’ve probably heard of a moka pot.

These little classic coffee gadgets are definitely the most affordable option for making strong espresso-style coffee at home. I say that because it’s not technically espresso; it does not produce a high enough pressure to make a real espresso. it certainly makes a very strong cup of coffee.

Despite their appearance, they are very easy to use.

come in three parts. there are the top and bottom halves that you see when you first look at the small pot. there’s a third part inside, it’s a small cone-shaped metal filter basket that sits inside the bottom half.

to make you a fucking cup of coffee; First, pour water into the bottom half to just below the small valve built into the wall of the pot. Place the cone-shaped filter basket in the bottom half and fill with ground coffee. do not press the ground coffee down.

screw on the top half tightly. place the pot on your stove and turn it on high heat

Now it’s getting hot, you can’t put it down. wait for it to make a big gurgling sound from the last of the coffee bubbling up into the upper chamber and quickly remove it from the heat.

Now just pour yourself amazing coffee and find out why moka pots have been loved around the world for decades.

stainless steel coffee filter cone

A filter cone takes drip coffee down to basics. you don’t need a machine to do it for you. you can pour it all yourself.

Brewing coffee with a filter cone is called “pour-over” coffee and it couldn’t be easier. this little filter cone doesn’t even need a paper filter.

You can brew it directly into a mug or bug pot to share, just like regular drip coffee.

Simply place the cone over your mug or carafe, fill with ground coffee, and gently pour hot water over the ground coffee. you will have a beautiful infusion in a very short time.

primula cold brew coffee maker

We couldn’t forget about cold coffee after all these different options.

Cold brewed coffee is the coffee craze that just won’t stop. and for good reason.

makes brilliant coffee. zero bitterness. it just takes time.

You could even brew some cold brew and leave it in your fridge overnight, ready for the morning.

Primula cold brew coffee is designed to help make cold brew coffee even easier. it is very similar to a loose leaf teapot, only with a larger filter basket for the coffee.

try making it with tasty spices in your coffee too for something unique and delicious.

final thoughts

Choosing the right coffee maker for college can depend as much on your budget as how you plan to use it. not to mention, you don’t want to compromise on the quality of your coffee.

Being a student isn’t easy, and coffee can make all the work so much more manageable.

The most important aspect of a college coffee maker is that it has to be the right choice for you.