WHAT ARE THE BEST BPA-FREE COFFEE MAKERS OF 2024?
Finding the best BPA-free coffee maker is no easy task. I’m here to help you narrow your search down to a few brands like OXO, Cuisinart, Ninja or Chemex.
But it is an essential one to those who care about their health.
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve heard that Bisphenol A (BPA) is something to avoid. Fortunately, the outcry over BPA means that most manufacturers now offer BPA free models. I tested as many as possible to bring you this list of coffee makers that are not only free from that chemical but also easy to use, well-built, and make incredible coffee.
How I Tested These Coffee Makers
- First, I confirmed that every brewer was BPA free, either by contacting the manufacturer or by finding it clearly stated on the product website.
- I brewed one dark roast coffee and one light roast with each – prepared using beans freshly ground with a burr grinder – to investigate coffee flavor. If there were different strength settings, I sampled those as well. When tasting coffee, I compared the coffee makers against others in their category (drip coffee machines, coffee presses, percolators, pour over drippers, etc).
- Lastly, I considered ease of use and cleaning, including programmability, dishwasher compatibility, and durability. Features and quality were weighed subjectively against price so I could suggest products that offer the best value for money.
The Best BPA Free Coffee Makers
| IMAGE | PRODUCTS | DETAILS | |
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| No products found. | OXO On Barista Brain Coffee Maker |
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| No products found. | CUISINART Stainless Steel Coffeemaker |
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| No products found. | Ninja Specialty Coffee Brewer CM401 |
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| No products found. | HAMILTON BEACH Coffee Maker |
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| No products found. | CHEMEX Coffee Maker |
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| No products found. | PRESTO Stainless Steel Coffee Maker |
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| No products found. | BODUM Brazil |
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Here are seven BPA-free coffee makers that impressed me throughout the testing process, delivering a reliably delicious brew with few hassles – just what you need to start your morning right!
1. OXO On 9 Cup
Brewer type: Automatic drip machine
- Material: Stainless steel, BPA-free plastic, glass
- Capacity: 9 cups
- Programmable: Yes
My favorite BPA free model this year is the OXO Brew 9-Cup Coffee Maker. It’s the only brewer on this list certified by the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA), and I could taste the difference, particularly when brewing with lighter roast specialty coffee beans (1).
The OXO Brew was initially named the Barista Brain to emphasize that it mimics a professional barista’s skills. I suspect they rebranded because consumers didn’t love the brain association, but the stellar coffee remains unchanged.
Water is delivered to the brew basket at the ideal temperature and in pulsed cycles to optimize extraction. An intelligent microprocessor monitors the temperature, time, and volume to prepare your perfect cup.
The OXO Brew uses a thermal carafe to keep your coffee hot, rather than a glass carafe and a hot plate. In my opinion, this is an absolutely key feature of any high-end coffee machine.
Curious to find out more? Read our full review of the Barista Brain here.
PROS
- Certified by the SCA to brew a Golden Cup
- Easy-to-use one-button operation
- Thermal carafe
- Sleek modern design
CONS
- No customizable coffee options
- Coffee can drip after brewing
2. Cuisinart DCC 3200
Brewer type: Automatic drip machine
- Material: Stainless steel, glass
- Capacity: 14 cups
- Programmable: Yes
Cuisinart is a reliable choice for a no-frills programmable coffee machine. The DCC 3200 lacks the SCA certification of the OXO Brew, which is why I named it Runner Up. But if you’re not a specialty coffee geek like me, you won’t have any complaints about this more affordable BPA-free option. It makes a smooth and easy-to-drink cup of coffee.
This coffee maker is easy to use, with the basic features you expect from a programmable coffee machine. You can set it to brew on a timer, adjust your coffee strength from Regular to Bold, and pause brewing to grab a cup. In my tests, it brewed the hottest coffee of any drip machine – something to keep in mind if you like your brews piping hot.
I noted a few things that made the DCC 3200 stand out from the crowd.
It has an extra-large 14-cup capacity for serving a crowd. The hot plate temperature is adjustable, allowing me to keep my coffee warm for longer without developing that burnt hot plate flavor. And I loved the backlit LCD screen. It seems like a small thing, but I really appreciated the clarity on groggy, dark mornings.
PROS
- Excellent build quality at a reasonable price
- Adjustable hot plate temperature
- Can brew from 1 to 14 cups
- Programmable coffee strength and brew timer
CONS
- Relatively slow to brew
- Carafe drips when pouring
3. Ninja CM401 Specialty Coffee Maker
Type: Automatic drip machine
- Material: Stainless steel, BPA-free plastic
- Capacity: 10 cups
- Programmable: Yes
Do your coffee habits change with the seasons? Or maybe just with your mood? Instead of owning ten pieces of coffee gear, the Ninja CM401 Specialty Coffee Machine is a fantastic option that’s also BPA-free.
Four coffee and espresso brewing styles – Classic, Rich, Over Ice, and Specialty Brew – give you the flexibility to create any cafe-style drink you desire. There’s even a fold-away frother for making hot or cold frothed milk. You can choose six brew sizes between a single cup and a full carafe.
The Specialty Brew setting turned out to be my favorite. It brews a coffee concentrate for use in drinks like lattes and cappuccinos. I was highly skeptical that a coffee machine could reasonably mimic an espresso machine but found myself impressed. Little pseudo-macchiatos quickly became my go-to drink with the Ninja.
The Over Ice option also does a nice job. The coffee is strong enough that it doesn’t taste watered down when brewed on ice. I could see this being a huge money-saver for me in the summertime.
PROS
- Can brew hot or iced coffee
- Specialty Brew setting for cafe-style drinks
- Fold-away milk frother included
- Option to brew cups or carafes
CONS
- Pricey
- No auto shut-off
4. Hamilton Beach 49900 FlexBrew
Type: Single-serve drip machine
- Material: BPA-free plastic
- Capacity: 14 oz
- Programmable: No
The entire Hamilton Beach FlexBrew line is BPA-free, but I’m particularly partial to this little single serve option. I love that it comes with a reusable filter basket for ground coffee because I do my best to avoid using plastic K-Cups.
You can brew between 10 and 14 ounces, depending on how much water you add to the reservoir. It just brews until it runs dry. Some people have complained that the reservoir isn’t removable, but I actually find it convenient to just use my coffee mug as a measuring cup when filling it.
You’re given the option of Regular or Bold brew strength. I would suggest always using Bold when brewing with a K-Cup, as they tend to contain low doses of coffee. It slows the extraction just enough to get an extra hit of flavor, but it’s still fairly quick. It takes me about 2 minutes to turn it on and brew 10 ounces.
PROS
- Easy to use with touch-sensitive controls
- Option for Regular or Bold brew strength
- Compact footprint, less than 5” wide
- Brews with ground coffee or pods
CONS
- Water reservoir not removable
- Sort of boxy, 1970s aesthetic
5. The Chemex Pour Over
Brewer type: Pour over
- Material: Glass, wood
- Capacity: 3 cups, 6 cups, or 8 cups
- Programmable: No
Pour over coffee fans are in luck as many of the most popular drippers are glass, ceramic, or metal – not just BPA-free but entirely without plastic parts. Since they’re all reasonably inexpensive, I like to keep a collection, including the steel Kalita Wave and ceramic Hario V60. But the undeniable pour-over showpiece of my coffee bar is the Chemex (2).
An iconic brewer with a timeless design… brews a clean cup and maintains body and balanced floral notes.
A downside is it takes more skill and time to make coffee this way, but I think the taste is worth it. Chemex coffee is known for its complexity. I pull mine out whenever a new specialty single-origin bean enters my kitchen because I know it will reveal every subtle nuance of flavor.
PROS
- Complex coffee with lovely clarity
- Beautiful design
- Large capacity option
- No need to buy a separate carafe
CONS
- A bit of a learning curve
- Special filters are more expensive
6. Presto 02811
Brewer type: Percolator
- Material: Stainless steel
- Capacity: 12 cups
- Programmable: No
Percolator coffee isn’t for everyone. Third Wave coffee nerds scoff at its extra-bold flavor and extra-hot temperature. But, like all things vintage these days, I’ve noticed they’re making a bit of a comeback. There is something soothing about hearing coffee percolating.
This steel model from Presto is stylish and long-lasting. It’s electric, so brewing is entirely hands-off. I just add water and plug it in.
It has a 12-cup capacity but can brew as little as 2 cups – at a rate of about a cup a minute. After brewing, it switches automatically into Keep Warm mode. I found this kept the flavor of the coffee much fresher compared to a glass carafe on a hot plate.
The Presto has a retro aesthetic that I think will appeal to fans of old-school design. The easy-pour spout reminds me of a gooseneck kettle and, combined with a detachable power cord, makes this brewer ideal for tableside service at your next brunch.
I’d advise against a percolator for brewing lighter roasts, at least to my taste. The intensity of flavor turns a coffee from pleasantly bright to boldy sour.
PROS
- User-friendly and easy to clean
- Durable steel construction
- Makes strong, hot coffee
- Automatic keep warm after brewing
CONS
- Fairly expensive
- Not as good for brightly acidic coffees
7. Bodum Brazil French Press
Brewer type: French press
- Material: Glass, stainless steel, BPA-free plastic
- Capacity: 12 oz, 34 oz, or 51 oz
- Programmable: No
French press coffee continues to have a lot of fans in the coffee tribe. It’s an easy and affordable way to make rich and full-bodied coffee. And as a manual method, it provides room to customize your brew. I have had great success brewing all roast levels and flavor profiles with my coffee press.
You can take your pick of glass or steel coffee presses if you’re looking for a BPA-free option, but my suggestion is the Bodum Brazil.
How much do I love this French press? I own two of them! I have the 12 oz and 34 oz versions (one lime green, one bright red). And it’s not just me. It’s the best-selling French press on Amazon, too.
Glass coffee presses aren’t quite as durable as steel, but they are lighter and less expensive. The borosilicate glass of the Brazil is pretty sturdy if you treat it respectfully. I once left mine in a tent that blew away in a windstorm, and it did not survive. So avoid that. But it’s a testament to my Bodum fandom that I bought another to replace it.
PROS
- Delicious full-bodied and flavorful coffee
- Easy to use
- Fully dishwasher safe
- Versatile for all types of coffee
CONS
- Breakable
- Doesn’t keep coffee hot after brewing
How To Choose A BPA Plastic-Free Coffee Maker
Choosing a BPA-free coffee maker requires the same considerations as buying any great coffee maker. Think about your brewing habits, coffee taste, and budget to find the right one for you.
BPA-Free vs Plastic-Free
Let’s clarify what BPA-free means right off the bat. Because it may not be what you think. For a manufacturer to label a coffee maker as BPA-free, it can’t have any BPA-containing plastic in contact with hot water. The exterior case, for example, may still contain BPA. This is completely safe unless you regularly lick the outside of your coffee machine, which is certainly your prerogative.
With that in mind, opt for an entirely plastic-free coffee maker if you want to avoid any possible BPA.
Few drip coffee makers meet that description. Instead, plastic-free coffee makers are usually manual. For example, most popular pour-over drippers like the Hario V60, Kalita Wave, and Origami dripper have glass, ceramic, and/or metal versions. Moka pots are generally stainless steel or aluminum. Good-quality French presses are glass or metal.
The new Aeropress Clear is made from BPA-free Tritan plastic, and the Original Aeropress has been BPA-free since 2009.
What’s your morning routine?
Preparing a cup of coffee every morning manually – using a pour-over dripper or coffee press, for example – can be a relaxing way to ease into the day and eliminate plastics. But we don’t all have time for that.
Consider your morning schedule and fondness for multitasking. An automatic coffee maker that brews on a timer might be most practical.
How much coffee do you drink?
Are you just making coffee for yourself or the whole family? Do you drink a cup at a time, or would you rather brew a full pot to sip and savor for hours? The answers to these questions will help narrow down your options.
Stick to a single-serve coffee machine or manual brewing process if you never need more than one cup. You’ll save money and energy and reduce coffee waste.
A batch machine with a 10 or 12-cup carafe makes more sense for serving a crowd. And if you prefer to go plastic-free, the Chemex is available in a 10-cup size, and you can find French presses up to 51 ounces.
What kind of coffee do you like?
Do you prefer a bold and full-bodied cup of coffee? Look for a coffee machine that offers various strength settings, or opt for a manual brewing method like French press or pour-over that gives you complete control over your brew. A metal filter ensures the coffee oils end up in your cup, guaranteeing a heavier mouthfeel.
What Is BPA?
Bisphenol A (often shortened to BPA) is a chemical found in many plastic products. It was first synthesized in the late 19th century, but researchers only started considering its toxicity in the 1990s (3).
The relative danger of BPA remains hotly debated. Health Canada considers it toxic, while the FDA in the US and the European Food Safety Authority have declared it safe. As with most of these things, the dose makes the poison. However, manufacturers don’t like to advertise their products as “maybe safe,” so BPA-containing plastics have been phased out of many consumer goods.
That’s good news for coffee lovers. Because the near-boiling water used for brewing coffee will leach more BPA from plastic than cold water (4).
BPA can leach from the plastic container…into foods and beverages…to a greater degree when the liquid is heated. – National Capital Poison Center
Exposure to BPA at high levels has been linked to infertility in both men and women, Type 2 diabetes, and heart disease (5).
The Verdict
Finding the best BPA free coffee maker doesn’t need to be an arduous task. Now that you’re armed with the information in this article, it’s as easy as considering your preferred brewing style and budget.
My top pick is the OXO Brew 9-Cup. This beautifully designed machine is certified by the Specialty Coffee Association to produce a perfect cup of coffee at just the press of a button, which is exactly what I want first thing in the morning.
FAQ’s
There is no “safest” coffee maker. You can trust that any machine on the market has passed the requisite consumer safety guidelines. However, if your primary concern is substances that can leach into your water, stick with non-reactive materials, including stainless, ceramic, and glass. And don’t forget that drinking coffee is inherently healthy, thanks to its caffeine and antioxidant content!
Yes, Keurigs are BPA-free – at least, any component of the Keurig that comes in contact with hot water. That said, if BPA concerns you, odds are you have qualms about plastic K-Cups. That’s why I suggest the Hamilton Beach FlexBrew single-serve machine above. It includes a refillable filter for use with freshly ground coffee.
Most brands will tell you if your coffee maker is BPA free. It’s something they are happy to advertise. You can assume that a coffee maker contains BPA if it is made of clear, shatterproof plastic and does not advertise as BPA free. A triangle with the number 3 or 7 on the bottom of the carafe indicates that it contains BPA.
References
- Specialty Coffee Association of America. (2024). SCA Certified Home Brewer Program. Retrieved from https://sca.coffee/certified-home-brewer
- Stumptown Coffee Roasters. (n.d.) The Brew Guide: Chemex. Retrieved from https://www.stumptowncoffee.com/pages/brew-guide-chemex
- Vogel SA. The politics of plastics: the making and unmaking of bisphenol a “safety”. Am J Public Health. 2009 Nov;99 Suppl 3(Suppl 3):S559-66. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2008.159228.
- National Capital Poison Center. (n.d.). BPA and the Controversy about Plastic Food Containers. Retrieved from https://www.poison.org/articles/plastic-containers-are-they-harmful
- Provvisiero, D. P., Pivonello, C., Muscogiuri, G., Negri, M., De Angelis, C., Simeoli, C., Colao, A. (2016, October 06). Influence of Bisphenol A on Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5086728/
Several of your coffee makers that you have listed, (Cuisanart and OXO) when I search them on Amazon, say nothing about being BPA or plastic free in the description . So are they just BPA or are they truly plastic free?