Coffee Maker Types Decoded: Drip, Espresso, French Press & More

with a smile or stumbling through it in a fog. But with so many coffee maker options flooding the market, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. Whether you’re a traditionalist who craves a simple cup or an aspiring home barista ready to craft café-quality lattes, understanding the different types of coffee machines is your first step toward brewing perfection.

Let’s decode the most popular coffee maker types and help you find the perfect match for your lifestyle, budget, and taste preferences.

Not all coffee machines are created equal. The key differences lie in brewing methods, extraction time, pressure levels, and the level of control you have over the final cup. Some machines prioritize convenience and speed, while others focus on extracting maximum flavor and giving you complete control over every variable.

The best coffee maker for you depends on several factors: how much time you have in the morning, whether you’re brewing for one or many, your budget, and most importantly, the type of coffee you enjoy drinking.

Drip coffee makers remain one of the most popular choices for homes and offices across the Philippines. These familiar machines work by heating water and dripping it over ground coffee beans through a filter, collecting the brewed coffee in a carafe below.

What Makes Them Special:

• Can brew anywhere from one cup to a full pot (typically 10-14 cups)
• Extremely easy to operate—just add water and coffee grounds
• Perfect for households where multiple people drink coffee throughout the morning
• Available with glass or thermal carafes to keep coffee hot for hours

Best For: Families, offices, anyone who drinks multiple cups throughout the day, or those who want a straightforward coffee machine without complexity.

Considerations: While drip coffee makers excel at convenience, they offer limited control over brew strength and temperature. They’re not designed for making espresso-based drinks like lattes or cappuccinos.

An espresso machine is an investment that can transform your kitchen into a personal café. These powerful machines force hot water through finely ground coffee at high pressure (minimum nine bars), creating that signature concentrated shot with a rich crema on top.

Types of Espresso Machines:

• Manual Machines: Total control for purists who enjoy the hands-on process
• Semi-Automatic: You control the grind and tamp; the machine handles pressure
• Fully Automatic: One-touch operation handles everything from grinding to brewing
• Capsule Machines: Use pre-measured pods for consistent, convenient results

What Makes Them Special:

• Creates the foundation for lattes, cappuccinos, macchiatos, and more
• Delivers intense, bold flavor with complex tasting notes
• Brewing time under 30 seconds per shot
• Many models include milk frothers for specialty drinks

Best For: Coffee enthusiasts who love espresso-based drinks, those willing to invest in quality equipment, and anyone who wants to replicate the café experience at home.

Considerations: Espresso machines require a learning curve, especially semi-automatic and manual models. They’re also the priciest option, with quality machines starting at several thousand pesos.

The French press offers one of the purest ways to experience coffee. This manual brewing method steeps coarsely ground coffee in hot water before using a plunger with a mesh filter to separate the grounds from the liquid.

What Makes It Special:

• Produces full-bodied, rich coffee with natural oils intact
• No electricity required—perfect for travel or power outages
• Incredibly affordable (starting under ₱1,000)
• Brew time around 4-5 minutes
• Environmentally friendly—no paper filters or plastic pods

Best For: Coffee purists who appreciate bold flavors, minimalists, travelers, and anyone who wants to taste the true character of their coffee beans.

Considerations: The mesh filter allows some sediment into your cup, and the glass carafe doesn’t retain heat well. You’ll also need to be precise with grind size—too fine and you’ll get muddy coffee, too coarse and extraction will be weak.

Single-serve capsule machines have revolutionized home brewing by delivering café-quality coffee at the push of a button. These machines use pre-packaged pods containing precisely measured coffee grounds.

What Makes Them Special:

• Ultimate convenience—ready in under a minute
• Consistent results every time
• Minimal cleanup required
• Wide variety of flavors and roasts available
• Many models can make both coffee and espresso drinks

Best For: Busy professionals, single-person households, offices with diverse taste preferences, and anyone who values convenience over customization.

Considerations: Pods cost more per cup than buying beans or grounds, and they generate more waste (though some brands offer recyclable options). Flavor options are limited to what’s available in pod form.

Feature	Drip Coffee Maker	Espresso Machine	French Press	Capsule Machine
Price Range	₱2,000-₱15,000	₱8,000-₱100,000+	₱500-₱3,000	₱3,000-₱20,000
Brew Time	5-10 minutes	25-30 seconds per shot	4-5 minutes	Under 1 minute
Servings	4-14 cups	1-2 shots at a time	3-8 cups	1 cup at a time
Skill Level	Beginner	Intermediate to Advanced	Beginner	Beginner
Maintenance	Low	Medium to High	Low	Low
Versatility	Low	Very High	Medium	Medium

Grind and Brew Coffee Makers

These hybrid machines combine a built-in grinder with a drip coffee maker, grinding beans fresh right before brewing. This ensures maximum freshness and flavor in every pot.

Cold Brew Makers

For those who prefer smooth, low-acid coffee served over ice, cold brew makers steep grounds in cold water for 12-24 hours, creating a concentrated brew that’s naturally sweet.

Moka Pots

Popular throughout Europe and Latin America, these stovetop brewers create strong, espresso-like coffee using steam pressure. They’re affordable and produce intensely flavorful coffee without electricity.

Finding the right coffee maker can be overwhelming, which is why we’ve selected our top performers across different categories. Each of these machines excels in its category and delivers exceptional value.

De’Longhi ICM 17210 10 Cups Drip Coffee Maker

Best For: Families and Traditional Coffee Lovers

This drip coffee maker from De’Longhi combines Italian design excellence with practical functionality. With a 10-cup capacity, it’s perfect for households where multiple people enjoy coffee throughout the morning. The machine features an anti-drip system that lets you pause brewing to pour a cup mid-cycle, and the permanent filter eliminates the need for paper filters, saving you money over time. Its compact footprint fits easily on any countertop, while the glass carafe sits on a warming plate to keep your coffee hot for hours.

Key Benefits:

• Large 10-cup capacity ideal for families
• Permanent washable filter saves on recurring costs
• Italian engineering ensures reliability
• Anti-drip function prevents mess
• Warming plate maintains optimal temperature

NESCAFÉ Dolce Gusto Genio S Plus Coffee Maker

Best For: Convenience Seekers and Variety Lovers

The Genio S Plus represents the pinnacle of capsule machine convenience. This sleek, compact machine delivers barista-quality beverages in under a minute with its 15-bar pressure system. What sets it apart is the incredible variety—from espresso and lungo to cappuccino and hot chocolate, all at the touch of a button. The intuitive LED display guides you through the brewing process, while the adjustable drip tray accommodates everything from espresso cups to tall glasses. With automatic shut-off and energy-saving mode, it’s as smart as it is stylish.

Key Benefits:

• 15-bar pressure for authentic café-quality drinks
• Wide variety of hot and cold beverages available
• Ultra-compact design perfect for small kitchens
• Automatic shut-off for energy efficiency
• Consistent results every single time
• Professional-quality crema on espresso drinks

Koizumi KKM-1101R Grind and Brew Coffeemaker

Best For: Freshness Enthusiasts

Coffee reaches peak flavor within 15 minutes of grinding, which makes the Koizumi Grind and Brew a game-changer for discerning coffee drinkers. This all-in-one machine automatically grinds whole beans immediately before brewing, ensuring maximum freshness and flavor extraction in every cup. The built-in conical burr grinder offers precise, consistent grinding, while the programmable timer means you can wake up to freshly ground and brewed coffee. Choose between whole beans or pre-ground coffee depending on your preference, and customize your brew strength to suit your taste.

Key Benefits:

• Built-in burr grinder for fresh-ground coffee every time
• Programmable timer for wake-up convenience
• Adjustable grind settings and brew strength
• Dual functionality with whole beans or grounds
• Preserves coffee’s aromatic oils and complex flavors
• Glass carafe with keep-warm function

De’Longhi ECAM 650.85.MS Coffee Maker

Best For: Serious Home Baristas

This premium fully automatic espresso machine represents the pinnacle of home coffee brewing. The De’Longhi ECAM 650.85.MS is a bean-to-cup marvel that does everything from grinding fresh beans to texturing milk to perfection. With its intuitive touchscreen display, you can save personalized drink profiles for every family member. The professional-grade dual heating system ensures optimal temperature for both espresso extraction and steam, while the automatic milk frother creates silky microfoam for cappuccinos and lattes. This machine brings café-level sophistication to your kitchen counter.

Key Benefits:

• Bean-to-cup automation with integrated grinder
• Dual heating system for optimal temperature control
• Automatic milk frothing system for perfect microfoam
• Customizable drink profiles via touchscreen interface
• Professional-grade 19-bar pressure pump
• Self-cleaning function for easy maintenance
• Creates full range of espresso-based beverages

Cuisinart SG-10HK 90G Coffee Grinder and Mill

Best For: Coffee Perfectionists

While not a coffee maker itself, a quality grinder is essential for extracting maximum flavor from your beans, regardless of which brewing method you choose. The Cuisinart SG-10HK features a powerful motor and stainless steel blades that deliver consistent, uniform grinding. With multiple grind settings, you can achieve the perfect consistency for espresso, drip coffee, French press, or any other method. The 90-gram capacity is ideal for making multiple cups, and the safety interlock system ensures safe operation. Whether you’re upgrading your drip coffee maker or supporting your manual brewing methods, this grinder ensures every cup starts with freshly ground beans at their peak flavor.

Key Benefits:

• Stainless steel blade system for consistent grinding
• Multiple grind settings for any brewing method
• 90-gram capacity suitable for multiple servings
• Safety interlock prevents operation when lid is open
• Durable construction for long-lasting performance
• Preserves aromatic oils and coffee freshness
• Essential companion to any coffee maker

When choosing the best coffee maker for your needs, ask yourself these questions:

Budget: What’s your price range? Remember to factor in ongoing costs like pods, filters, or specialty coffee beans.

Time: How much time do you have for your morning coffee routine? Quick pod machines take under a minute, while French press or pour-over methods require 5-10 minutes of active involvement.

Quantity: Are you brewing for one or for many? Drip coffee makers excel at batch brewing, while espresso machines and French presses work best for smaller quantities.

Skill Level: Are you willing to learn and practice? Espresso machines, especially manual and semi-automatic models, require technique and patience to master.

Drink Preferences: Do you stick with black coffee, or do you crave lattes and cappuccinos? Your preferred drinks should guide your machine choice.

Space: How much counter space can you dedicate? Bean-to-cup machines are bulkier, while French presses store away easily.

There’s no single best coffee maker—only the best coffee machine for your unique situation. Traditional drip coffee makers offer reliability and convenience for families. Espresso machines unlock a world of café-style drinks for enthusiasts willing to invest time and money. French presses deliver pure, full-bodied coffee with minimal fuss. And capsule machines provide foolproof consistency for busy lifestyles.

The coffee maker market in the Philippines continues to grow as more people discover the joy of being their own home barista. Whether you’re upgrading from instant coffee or replacing an old machine, understanding the differences between these brewing methods ensures you’ll find the perfect match.

Ready to elevate your coffee game? Explore Anson’s curated selection of premium coffee makers and start brewing better coffee at home today. Your perfect cup is just a machine away.