What do you get when you combine Cappuccino and Espresso? Capresso!
This lesser known brand got started in 1994 and has spent the last 20+ years establishing themselves as one of the top brands in the coffee making industry.
In addition to coffee makers and espresso machines, they also sell a line of hot water kettles, coffee grinders, and automatic milk frothers.
We have taken a look at this innovative brand and have brought you our best Capresso coffee maker reviews. So take a look and consider this exceptional brand when you are considering a new purchase or upgrade.
Our Top Capresso Coffee Maker Picks
Top Pick | Capresso MT600 |
Best Grind and Brew | Capresso CoffeeTEAM TS |
Fastest Brewer | Capresso MT900 Rapid Brew |
Best for One Person | Capresso 5 Cup Mini |
Is Capresso a good coffee maker?
Capresso coffee makers are solid coffee brewers that consistently brew a great cup of coffee. Capresso is an innovative brand that has brought many firsts to the coffee making industry and are on target to continue that innovation. Constantly improving their line, they can easily compete with other major brands. They are also budget friendly and have models that fit the needs of any household.
Machines With Built-in Grinder
Capresso 465 CoffeeTEAM TS
Pros
- Conical burr grinder
- 6 ounce bean hopper
- Brew Pause
- Programmable
- Charcoal water filter
Cons
- Grinder is hard to clean
- Dark, oily beans can clog the filter
- Pricey
The Coffee TEAM TS is one of our favorites. It is the newer, upgraded version of the CoffeeTEAM GS and it really stands out thanks to its integrated conical burr grinder.
A solid, entry level, grind and brew model, it grinds whole coffee beans immediately before brewing, which preserves the flavor and aroma of the coffee and provides you with the freshest tasting cup.
This machine is easy to use. Simply make sure there are enough beans in the hopper, select your serving size (from 2-10 cups), press “Grind/Brew” on the control panel, and wait for your freshly ground coffee to brew.
If you are using pre-ground coffee, just press the “Brew” button instead.
The grinder has 5 grind settings to choose from so you can customize each carafe to your liking. It will accommodate medium to medium-dark roasts without problem, however, if you prefer a really dark, oily roast, be sure to clean the grinder frequently to prevent clogging.
The bean hopper holds 6 ounces of beans and is relatively compact. While it is not the largest bean hopper out there, its smaller size makes the machine smaller in general, while still having the capacity of brewing two entire 10 ounce carafes between refills.
Speaking of carafes, the CoffeeTEAM TS comes with a stainless steel thermal carafe that will keep your coffee warm for hours without burning.
Other features include a permanent goldtone filter, charcoal water filter, 24 hour programmability, brew pause, and a backlit LCD display.
Capresso CoffeeTEAM Pro
Pros
- Oily setting on grinder
- Removable upper burr
- Stainless steel thermal carafe
Cons
- Pricey compared to the original
The CoffeeTEAM Pro is very similar to the CoffeeTEAM but with a few small differences.
Like the original CoffeeTEAM, the CoffeeTEAM Pro is a grind and brew model. It will grind the beans directly into the filter before brewing. Unlike the original though, the Pro includes a special “oily” setting for extra dark roasts. This new setting tells the machine to deposit and grind the beans more slowly so that the oils do not clog up the grinder. Clogging of the grinding mechanism was a major flaw in the original when it came to oilier dark roast coffee beans.
The bean hopper has a 7 ounce capacity (as opposed to the 6 ounce capacity of the original) and is fully removable. It also includes a solid steel conical burr grinder with a removable upper burr to aid in cleaning.
It comes with a 10 cup stainless steel thermal carafe and an easy to use LCD display
While it is a somewhat upgraded version of the original, we don’t know that the upgraded price is really worth it…unless you love dark oily coffees. In that case, the added features are a must.
Coffee Makers for One or Two People
Capresso 5 Cup Mini Drip Coffee Maker
Pros
- 2 hour auto-off warming plate
- Programmable
- Low energy use
- Gold tone filter
- Great price
Cons
- Only brews 5 cups
- Doesn’t have a water filter
If you only need to brew coffee for one or two people and need a coffee maker that leaves a relatively small footprint, then you should definitely consider the Capresso 5 Cup Mini. Don’t let the small size fool you, it still brews a great cup of coffee.
The 25 ounce brewing capacity is easily enough for two large cups so you don’t waste coffee brewing in a larger machine or take up precious counter space.
Smaller brewing capacity and compact design aside, this machine still features 24 hour programmability so you can prepare the coffee in advance and set a brewing time. It also comes with a brew pause feature that allows you to sneak a cup when you just can’t wait for the pot to finish brewing. The warming plate automatically shuts off after 2 hours, or you can choose the model with a thermal carafe so your coffee stays warm without burning. It even comes with a reusable permanent gold tone filter, eliminating the need to buy paper filters.
This model is ideal for 1-2 people, small kitchens, offices, and dorm rooms.
Capresso 425 On The Go Personal Coffee Maker
Pros
- Small footprint
- Reusable filter
- Comes with a stainless steel travel mug
- Easy to use
- Works with soft pods
Cons
- Only accommodates mugs up to 7 inches tall
- Slow brew speed
- Not programmable
- Not K-cup compatible
- Travel mug is a bit flimsy
The Capresso On the Go coffee maker is a decent low priced, basic single serve coffee maker. It doesn’t come with any bells and whistles, and there is no complicated control panel, just a single button to brew a single cup of coffee. Some may find its lack of features…well…lacking, but if you are looking for a simple, single serve coffee maker at a lower price point, read on.
Clocking in at only 6 inches wide and 12 inches tall, this machine has a seriously small footprint making it perfect for offices, dorm rooms, or tiny apartments where counter space is in high demand.
It accommodates travel mugs up to 7 inches tall and if your travel mugs are taller, not to worry, Capresso includes a 16 ounce stainless travel mug with the brewer.
We have to say, this isn’t the fastest brewer we’ve seen. It takes approximately 4 minutes to brew a 16 ounce mug. If you want speed in a single serve coffee maker, we suggest you stick to Keurig brand brewers which will brew a quality cup in about 60 seconds.
You definitely have the ability to adjust the strength of your coffee since the brewer will hold up to 6 tablespoons of coffee grounds. Experts recommend 1-2 tablespoons per cup so there is definitely room to adjust the brew strength by adding more coffee. It will also accommodate soft pods (known as ESE pods).
If you look at the size and convenience, there is not much about the Capresso that is not to like. It is a great budget friendly single serve coffee machine if you are brewing for only one or two people.
Fastest Brewer
Capresso MT900 Rapid Brew
Pros
- 50 ounce removable water reservoir
- Short brew time
- Programmable
- Brew Pause
- Thermal carafe option
Cons
- Very noisy
- Carafe is not dishwasher safe
If you are in a hurry and need a coffee maker to keep up with your busy lifestyle, the Capresso MT900 Rapid Brew can pump out 10 cups of coffee in only 7 minutes.
The Rapid Brew comes with an expanded shower head to filter more water through the grinds more quickly. This shower head expansion has corrected the under-extraction issue with other lower-priced models so it does achieve extraction more quickly, but with speed you sometimes sacrifice quality. The speedy brew time reduces the extraction time overall, resulting in good, but not great coffee.
The stainless steel heating element heats the water quickly to aid in brewing speed and the 10 cup double walled stainless steel thermal carafe that will keep your coffee hot for hours.
The charcoal water filter removes up to 82% of chlorine and other impurities before brewing resulting in a better tasting cup.
The MT900 Rapid Brew also comes with a 24 hour programmable feature that allows you to prepare the coffee ahead of time. The machine will brew at a preset time, meaning you can wake up to a fresh pot of coffee.
The Maximum Aroma feature is intended to improve your coffee’s aroma, but it is only available on the smaller 3-5 cup feature. This brewer is also quite loud so if you plan on brewing a pot of coffee while others are still asleep, noise may be an issue.
Other features include a 50 ounce removable water reservoir that makes for easy filling and cleaning, and a brew pause that will allow you to sneak a cup on those mornings you just can’t wait 7 minutes.
For households that need a lot of coffee fast, the Capresso Rapid Brew is a good choice but if a rapid brewing time is not needed, there are better Capresso models to choose from.
Best Drip Coffee Makers
Capresso MT600 Plus
Pros
- Thermal Carafe
- 10 cup capacity
- Programmable
- Charcoal water filter
- Brews fast
Cons
- Water reservoir is not removable
- Programmable feature doesn’t distinguish between AM and PM
- Needs an extra scoop of coffee for proper brew strength
The MT600 is one of Capresso’s most popular brewers. It is a great brewer that is almost as fast as the Rapid Brew, clocking in at 8 minutes to brew an entire pot. But in our opinion, it is a superior coffee maker.
The brewer is made from plastic with stainless steel detailing. The stainless steel is fingerprint proof which is a plus for many coffee drinkers.
This brewer has a solid 10 cup capacity and a programmable feature that allows you to prepare the coffee in advance to brew at a pre-set time. The only drawback is that the programmable feature on this model doesn’t distinguish between AM and PM.
One other drawback is that the 50 ounce water reservoir is not removable so it is not as easy to clean and fill as some of Capresso’s other models.
It comes with a dishwasher safe, permanent gold tone conical filter that allows the natural oils in the coffee to come through for a better aroma. It also features a charcoal filter and water filter handle. The charcoal water filter removes up to 82% of chlorine and impurities from the water before brewing, giving you a better tasting cup of coffee. A convenient indicator light on the machine lets you know when it’s time to change the filter so each cup will taste as great as the last and the included handle makes changing it a breeze.
The MT600 is Capresso’s upgraded replacement to the MT500. The main differences are the Thermal carafe has a wider opening for easier cleaning, as well as better heat retention. The MT600 also has an LCD panel that only lights up during the brewing process.
Capresso CM300
Pros
- Permanent Goldtone filter
- Programmable
- Charcoal water filter
Cons
- A bit noisy
- Lever that releases the filter basket can get jammed
The Capresso CM300 is a pretty standard coffee maker that does one thing well…it makes coffee. It doesn’t have any fancy bells and whistles like grinders or milk frothers. The great news is fewer added features means fewer things to go wrong.
This machine is pretty compact. Its space saving design has a relatively small footprint, taking up only 8 x 10 inches of counter space.
It comes with a 10 cup capacity double walled stainless steel thermal carafe and a permanent goldtone filter as do most Capresso coffee makers. It also features a swing out filter basket with a quick release button for easy filling but some consumers have complained that it can easily get jammed.
This model is also programmable. Prepare the coffee in advance and then program the machine to brew at a certain time. This is a great feature if you prefer to wake up to a freshly brewed pot of coffee. Forgot to program the pot? No worries, the CM300 will brew a 10 cup carafe of coffee in only 9 minutes.
This model also saves energy. The automatic shut off feature turns the machine off immediately after brewing. There is no need for a warming plate since the thermal carafe will keep your coffee hot for up to 4 hours.
A charcoal water filter removes up to 82% of chlorine and other impurities before brewing to make sure every cup of coffee tastes great and the stainless steel heating system ensures your coffee is brewed to the perfect temperature and never comes in contact with aluminium.
Capresso Percolators
Most Capresso coffee maker reviews fail to mention percolators, instead focusing on drip coffee makers but if you prefer coffee made in a percolator, they are worth taking a look at.
What is a percolator anyway?
In short, percolators are old school coffee makers. They are the predecessors to drip brewers and they work by heating water in the bottom and then as it heats is filters through the coffee grounds in the upper chamber.
The primary difference between percolators and modern drip brewers is that percolators cycle the water through the grounds multiple times while drip brewers send the water through the coffee only once.
The result is a darker brew similar in strength to espresso but without the crema on top.
Capresso 12 Cup Perk
If you prefer piping hot, super strong coffee, a percolator is the way to go. Capresso’s 12 Cup Perk is different from traditional percolators that brew the coffee on a stovetop. Instead they function by using an electric “kettle” type filtration. Since they use an electric operation system, you don’t have to worry about burning the coffee by leaving it on the stove too long.
Percolators brew fast too. It takes less than one minute per cup to brew and the glass lid on the Capresso percolator allows you to view the entire brewing process.
The compact design also takes up very little counter space which can be valuable real estate in small kitchens.
The electric percolator will also keep your brewed coffee warm as long as the machine is plugged in. When it comes time to serve, simple unplug the kettle and take it directly to the table.
While the Capresso Perk is not quite as good as the Bialetti Moka Pot, the price is lower and the electric component is a major selling point.
Why Capresso?
Aimed mostly toward the American market, Capresso has accomplished several industry firsts. They created the first programmable coffee maker with a conical burr grinder as well as the first drip coffee machine with a stainless steel carafe and built in milk frother. They also developed the first stand alone milk frother available to common consumers, the first electric burr grinder with fully vertical grinding, and the first electric burr grinder with electronic sensors.
Despite their success, most Americans still think of brands like Keurig, Mr. Coffee, Nespresso, and BUNN as their go to coffee makers but Capresso is a brand that should definitely be considered.
Who makes Capresso coffee makers?
Capresso started as its own brand in 1994 but in 2008 the brand was acquired by Jura AG of Switzerland. Jura is well known for its high end espresso machines as well as other high end appliances, which it sells in over 50 countries.
Things to Consider When Buying a Coffee Maker
Will it fit?
Nothing is worse than finding the perfect coffee maker only to realize it doesn’t clear your kitchen cabinets. Sure you could buy a small table to set up your new machine but do you really have room for it?
Before you begin shopping, measure the space you intend to keep your new coffee maker. How much counter space can you spare? How much room do you have below your cabinets?
Keep in mind, even if your machine fits under the cabinet, you will most likely need to pull it out to fill the water reservoir and add the coffee grinds into the filter.
Thermal vs. Glass Carafe
Generally, you have two carafe options, thermal or glass. We prefer a thermal carafe but the decision is a personal one and a glass carafe may be perfect for you.
The purpose of a coffee carafe is not only to store the brewed coffee but also to keep it warm. If you are brewing a large carafe that is going to be consumed by several coffee drinkers relatively quickly, then carafe materials don’t really matter, but if you intend to go back for cup after cup, read on.
Glass carafes keep the coffee warm by using a heating plate. The heating plate warms the carafe from the bottom. Over time, the heating plate can cause the coffee to overheat and evaporate. The result is thick, burnt tasting coffee.
Thermal carafes on the other hand, are designed to keep the heat from leaving the coffee in the first place. While your coffee may not be quite as hot with a thermal carafe, it should stay at a reasonable drinking temperature and significantly better tasting than coffee kept hot on a heating plate.
Many dual coffee makers only come with a glass carafe option. The glass carafe lowers the price of the machine and a thermal carafe is not always necessary since you have a single serve option if you intend to drink coffee throughout the day.
Brew Capacity
An obvious factor when considering a new coffee maker is how much coffee can it actually brew. The majority of Capresso brewers have a 10 cup capacity but their like does also include machines with a 12 cup capacity as well as single serve and 5 cup models.
If you are only planning to brew for one or two people, the personal or 5 cup model should work just fine but if you have a household of heavy coffee drinkers, a 10 or 12 cup brewer would be a better choice.
Be forewarned, if you want a thermal carafe (which we prefer) you will need to go with a 10 cup brewer because the 12 cup brewers only come with glass carafes.
Built in Grinder
If you prefer freshly roasted and freshly ground beans, a coffee maker with a built in burr grinder is the way to go. The built in grinder simplifies the coffee making process. All you need to do is drop the beans in, press a button, and the machine does everything else. Having a built in grinder alleviates the need for a second appliance and saves you time as well as counter space. In the Capresso line, only the CoffeeTEAM models have built-in grinders so be sure to check them out.
Brewing Speed
Let’s face it, we live in a fast paced world. If you want your coffee maker to keep up with your fast paced life, brewing speed is one of the essential factors to consider when choosing a new coffee maker. Older coffee maker models can take time to brew the entirety of their water reservoir but fortunately, technology has improved this factor. if you have a hectic schedule and need a boost of energy fast, the Capresso MT900 is a rapid brew machine that can brew a lot of coffee, in less time, without sacrificing quality.
FAQs
Where are Capresso Coffee makers made?
Capresso coffee makers are manufactured by Jura AG and made in Switzerland.
How do Capresso Coffee makers work?
Most Capresso machines are drip coffee makers and work just like any other drip coffee maker. The Rapid Brew has a slightly bigger shower head and that is why it can brew coffee more quickly.
Are Capresso single serve machines comparable to Keurig brewers?
Capresso single serve machines are similar to Keurig brewers in that they brew a single cup of coffee at a time. Unlike Keurig brewers, they do not use K-cups and take considerably longer to brew.
Final Thoughts
Capresso may not be a widely known brand, but it has a line of coffee makers that will suit just about any need. If you are brewing for one or two, stick to the 5 cup mini or the On The Go model, or if you are brewing for a crowd or prefer freshly ground beans, go with the CoffeeTEAM. Either way, you can definitely find a Capresso that suits your lifestyle, and we hope you found these Capresso coffee maker reviews helpful!