Last Updated on September 22, 2021 by John Moretti
Every work-related show ever makes us believe that a good office space must have a coffee maker. Every good worker needs quality caffeine, right? Or at least a lot of it. But which coffee makers are the best for the job?
Ranging in price from $20 to well over $100, the best coffee makers come in various shapes and sizes. So how to narrow it down?
Recommended for:
- Small office: Hamilton Beach 2-Way Brewer Coffee Maker
- Mid-size office: Ninja 12-Cup Programmable B
- Large office: BUNN 12-Cup Pourover Commercial Coffee Brewer
These varying options and more will make any office feel like a true working place, filling up cubicles with that coffee smell everyone loves. But which coffee maker is the most convenient for your office? Take a look below for a list of the best!
Hamilton Beach 2-Way Brewer
Coming in first place as the “best overall office coffee maker”, the Hamilton Beach 2-Way has the greatest value and the best bang for your buck.
The “2-Way” name comes from the machine’s ability to serve either a full 12 cups or a single-serve cup of coffee. This can come in extremely handy when thinking of an office environment.
For example, the 2-Way Brewer can brew up a full pot in the morning to help workers stay on their feet, and then it can brew a mid-afternoon cup of Joe for that one employee who has a mountain of paperwork to get through. Both scenarios are covered!
Specs
- Full Name: Hamilton Beach 2-Way Brewer Coffee Maker
- Service Size: 12 cups/single
- Dimensions: 13.69 x 11.44 x 15.44 inches
- Weight: 7.4 lbs
The Hamilton Beach 2-Way is programmable and, with its dual-action capabilities, the coffee maker has two separate reservoirs of water (one for the full 12 cups, multi-people side, and one for the single-cup side). And not to worry, the two sides are easy to switch, so the Hamilton is user-friendly.
Black + Decker
Coming in at one of the least expensive on the list, we’ve got the Black + Decker Programmable! With its small dimensions, this coffee maker is the perfect fit for any office corner and can brighten up any break room!
Specs
- Full Name: Black + Decker 12- Cup Programmable Coffee Maker
- Service Size: 12 cups
- Dimensions: 8.25 x 12.25 x 11 inches
- Weight: 4.5 lbs
One thing that sets the Black + Decker apart from other office coffee maker competitors is the technology. The machine, like many others, is programmable, but the Black + Decker also has two special qualities.
First, it can be programmed to brew at a specific time on a given day. Wouldn’t that be nice? Every afternoon, at around 2 pm, the Black + Decker could make a fresh brew and be ready for the early evening slump.
Along with that, the Black + Decker has a “sneak-a-cup” feature. What this means is that, during a brew, a person can hit the pause button and pour themselves a cup. Truly, the pause-and-pour is the perfect component for those in a hurry!
Mr. Coffee
As classic as they come, Mr. Coffee 12-Cup is truly the conventional and familiar coffee maker. So, if you’re looking for something simple and clean, Mr. Coffee is your man!
Specs
- Full Name: Mr. Coffee 12-Cup Coffee Maker
- Service Size: 12 cups
- Dimensions: 8.5 x 10.5 x 14 inches
- Weight: 3.6 lbs
Mr. Coffee 12-Cup is one of the cheapest on the list, but don’t let that fool you into thinking it’s “cheap”. This machine may very well be the easiest machine to navigate, making it an easy coffee run for anyone at the office.
Along with that, like the Black + Decker, Mr. Coffee 12-Cup has a “Grab-A-Cup” function. (Perfect for any person needing coffee on the go!)
Keurig K155 Office Pro
The Keurig K155 is a fan favorite for offices everywhere. With its touchscreen face and fast brewing, this coffee maker comes highly recommended and well-favored.
What’s the catch, you may ask? Because of its good name and high-quality material, the Keurig K155 comes at a high price, being one of the most expensive coffee makers on the list.
Specs
- Full Name: Keurig K155 Office Pro Commercial Maker
- Service Size: Single (but can hold enough coffee for 18 cups)
- Dimensions: 13.9 x 10.4 x 14 inches
- Weight: 18 lbs
This baby can hold up to 90 ounces of water in its reservoir, making it easy on the workers who may forget to refill the maker after brewing.
It’s a pricey option for sure, but the Keurig K155 can brew a cup of coffee in under a minute! And not only is the Keurig speedy, but it’s also customizable. With a touchscreen face, one can pick from a selection of brew choices. The coffee drinker can also choose whether to make a 4 ounce, 6, 8, or even 10-ounce cup!
And if someone’s not feeling coffee that morning, there are options for hot chocolate and tea too!
BUNN 12-Cup Pourover
Another higher-ranking, more expensive choice is the BUNN Pourover (check the pour over coffee benefits). Perfect for a large workspace, this double-decker coffee machine is both capable of delivering quality and quantity.
Though a bit pricey, the BUNN Pourover is most definitely an investment.
Specs
- Full Name: BUNN 12 – Cup Pourover Commercial Coffee Brewer
- Service Size: 12 cups/24 cups
- Dimensions: 16.2 x 8 x 20.7 inches
- Weight: 25.6 lbs
Designed to make large amounts of caffeine, the BUNN Pourover will never leave an office deprived of coffee. Because of its double-decker shape, two coffee pots can brew at the same time, allowing for double the amount of coffee—up to 24 cups! That’s about three gallons of coffee an hour!
In addition to this, the BUNN Pourover is stainless steel and made to last. It’s durable and can endure the wear and tear of the office with no problem.
Ninja Programmable Brewer
This coffee maker is perfect for the office because it makes some of the best drip coffee! A bit slower than other coffee machines, the slow brew makes for a good “over-the-course-of-the-day” coffee, adding flavor as the hours go by.
One of the more simple machines, the Ninja Programmable provides little frills and has a straightforward, easy design.
Specs
- Full Name: Ninja 12-Cup Programmable Brewer
- Service Size: 12 cups (or 1-4 cups)
- Dimensions: 14.6 x 10.5 x 9.9 inches
- Weight: 8.2 lbs
An additional feature, the Ninja has a “small batch” element, allowing for those in the office to make 1-4 cups if not everyone needs the caffeine boost. This can come in handy so as not to be wasteful.
The Ninja also has a richer roast selection, meaning the coffee maker can change the taste of the brew to be either richer, or less rich for the given serving.
Zojirushi Zutto
Last on our list is the Zojirushi Zutto Coffee Maker. While this coffee pot is last, it shouldn’t be overlooked!
Specs
- Full Name: Zojirushi Zutto Coffee Maker
- Service Size: 5 cups
- Dimensions: 8.9 Wide X 5.9 Deep X 10.6 Height Inches
The Zojirushi Zutto Coffee Maker has a glass carafe so you can see how much coffee is left in the pot. This coffee machine also has a warming plate that keeps the coffee warm for hours. You won’t ever pour a cold cup of coffee! It also has a removable water reservoir so you can easily fill it up in the office sink. This coffee maker is a great one to use in the office.
Cuisinart PerfecTemp
The last option is for employees who prefer instant, french press, or Aeropress coffee in the office. We have the Cuisinart Kettle! Straying away from the coffee maker machines, the electric, cordless kettle proves to be more mobile, with fewer attachments.
Specs
- Full Name: Cuisinart PerfecTemp Cordless Electric Kettle
- Service Size: 14 cups
- Dimensions: 8.8 x 6.1 x 9.7 inches
- Weight: 4.5 lbs
With six preset heat settings, this kettle can put the water temperature in its place, making it as hot or cool as a person desires. Say goodbye to burning your tongue!
Along with this feature, the Cuisinart Kettle has a 30 minute “keep warm” element with a “stay cool” handle—the perfect combo. On top of all that, the Cuisinart Kettle is perfect for both teas and coffees, getting that perfect temp for tea and a French press preset for the most flavorful coffee drinking experience.
What Makes a Good Coffee Maker?
With so many sorts to choose from, how is one supposed to know which coffee maker will make the best coffee for their company? What makes a coffee maker better for an office over another?
Let’s talk about that. First things first, coffee. How is it made?
Coffee is brewed through a coffee maker when heated water and ground-up coffee beans meet. Once the beans and the water are together for long enough, a new liquid (coffee) is born. It is then drained through the coffee maker’s filter and delivered to the mug below.
This process is important to know, because depending on what you want, the process may change. For example, a brew can come out weaker/stronger depending on the water temperature. (If you want a stronger brew, you might consider a coffee maker with water temperature controls).
Another example is in the coffee beans themselves. Not only are there tons of varieties to choose from, but, just like the amount of time a steak sits in a marinate, the “marinating” time of the coffee beans in water can affect the taste.
Convenience and Counterspace
Though it depends on what your office deems the highest priority, there are a few things every coffee connoisseur needs to look for when picking out the best machine.
Here are a few tips:
Convenience
If you’re looking for something more “hands-off”, you want to steer clear of any coffee makers that require constant attention. (Meaning anything that demands too much button-pushing and/or watching water boil.) In other words, you’ll want something programmable or low maintenance.
Also, because this is an office coffee maker destined for the break room, you may want to stick to the basics and look for makers that focus more on functionality than fancifulness.
Physical Size + Brew Size
A few other things to take into consideration: countertop space, mug size, and quantity.
Some coffee makers can be a tad hefty and thick, so it’s best to take a look at smaller makers if there isn’t much space to work with. Most coffee makers are going to be small enough for any corner, however, so don’t fret.
As for mug size, most machines are going to be prepared for the standard, but be sure that if you want to provide disposable coffee cups (like those in coffee chain stores), you will have to take a closer look at the measurements.
Lastly, brew size. There are plenty of coffee makers out there made for homes with maybe one to two coffee drinkers, but in an office (depending on the size of staff), it will probably be best to look at the makers who can provide 10-12 cups per brew.
Types and Customs
Types of Coffee Makers
Speaking of fanciful, there are countless kinds of coffee makers, fluctuating from capsule to cappuccino machines. And though very unique, it’s best to take a step back and ask yourself what kind of money you want to spend on something like this.
If high quality and foamy brews are what your office is looking for, then an espresso maker could definitely come in handy, but if you’re looking for something more practical, then espresso makers aren’t necessary.
If you want the option, there are coffee machines that offer both! Hybrids are popular and are capable of both the basics and the more elaborate.
Customization
There are many a machine out there, some complex, while others remain more user-friendly. Either way, there are coffee makers that come with as many bells and whistles as your office may like. With add-ons as simple as choosing/regulating water temperatures, to more involved brewing techniques like picking how smooth or course a coffee grind is.
So, depending on what you want your coffee maker to do, you can delve into either more intricate machines or stick to the everyday makers.
