THE BEST BUNN COFFEE MAKER: TOP 5 REVIEWS

The best Bunn coffee maker is fast, easy to use and makes delicious coffee.

If you love coffee like I do, bringing a new coffee maker into your home is serious business. Luckily, BUNN takes its coffee seriously. The brand is known for no-frills brewers that prioritize delicious coffee and quality engineering.

I’ve done your homework for you, testing and reviewing all the top models. Read on to learn which of the five best BUNN brewers is right for you.

How I Tested These Coffee Makers

• I performed two quantitative tests on each of these coffee makers, measuring brew time with a stopwatch and brew water temperature using a thermocouple.
• Then I moved on to coffee flavor. I brewed one pot of coffee with a light roast bean and a second pot with medium-dark roast coffee. In both cases, the coffee was ground with a burr grinder right before brewing. Fresh coffee was tasted by at least three testers and scored on taste, aroma, and mouthfeel.
• For the Speed Brew series, I also brewed a half-carafe of medium-dark roast coffee to see if the flavor changed when brewing smaller quantities. For the MCU single-cup coffee maker, I tested both the regular and pulsed brewing modes.
• Overall user experience was noted as I carried out these tests, including ease of use and cleaning. I contacted home testers and researched online user reviews to get a better sense of the long-term performance of these machines.

The 5 Best BUNN Coffee Makers (Our Honest Reviews!)

Here are the five BUNN coffee machines that performed best during testing, consistently delivering flavorful coffee and a pleasant user experience. Read through these short reviews, then scroll to the Buyer’s Guide to decide which deserves a coveted spot on your kitchen counter.

IMAGE	PRODUCT	DETAILS
Best Overall Best Overall No products found.	BUNN 55200 CSB3T Speed Brew	Automatic drip Can make up to 10 cups Brews in 4 minutes	SEE ON AMAZON
No products found.	BUNN Heat N Brew	Automatic drip Can make up to 10 cups Brews in 10 minutes	SEE ON AMAZON
Budget Pick Budget Pick No products found.	BUNN GRB Velocity Brew	Automatic drip 10-cup capacity 3 mins brew time	CHECK PRICE
No products found.	BUNN MCU Single Cup Coffee Brewer	Single serve 4 to 14 oz cups capacity 1 – 2 mins brew time	CHECK PRICE
No products found.	BUNN Pour-Over Commercial Brewer	Commercial pour over 3.8 gallons/hour capacity 5 mins brew time	CHECK PRICE

BEST OVERALL

1. BUNN 55200 CSB3T Speed Brew Platinum

• Machine type: Automatic drip

• Capacity: 10-cup
• Water tank: 70 oz
• Carafe: Thermal
• Brew time: 4 minutes

No products found.

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The BUNN Speed Brew coffee makers, including the Platinum, Elite, and Classic models, are quite similar; the differences between them are largely aesthetic. The major difference is that the Platinum includes a thermal carafe, making it the obvious choice as the best overall BUNN machine. I also happen to think it’s the nicest looking.

I cannot overstate the value of a thermal carafe if you don’t plan to drink your coffee right away. It’s designed to keep your coffee hot for two hours, just like a hot plate, but the difference in flavor is remarkable. A thermal carafe maintains the taste and aroma of a freshly brewed pot of coffee. 

Not to mention, a stainless steel carafe is far more durable. So if you tend to be a little clumsy before your morning caffeine, like me, you might even save money in the long run.

The Speed Brew Platinum is as fast as the name suggests. In my tests, I could brew coffee in just over 4 minutes for a full pot. Along with the rest of the Speed Brew series, it uses a showerhead-style water flow to ensure even extraction of the coffee grounds, and I could certainly taste the improvement in coffee flavor versus cheaper machines.

My only complaint with this machine is the lack of any programmability or customizability. I know this is a hallmark of the BUNN brand, but it would be nice to have some features given that this is their most expensive model.

RUNNER UP

2. BUNN Heat N Brew

• Machine type: Automatic drip

• Capacity: 10-cup
• Water tank: 70 oz
• Carafe: Glass
• Brew time: 10 minutes

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The BUNN Heat N Brew is the brand’s only programmable coffee maker, but don’t expect a ton of customizability. It allows you to brew on a timer so you can wake up or arrive home from work to a fresh pot; that’s it. You can’t adjust brew strength or temperature or even pause it to grab a cup during brewing. 

The trade-off to adding this functionality while keeping the price reasonable is that this machine doesn’t include the speed brew technology. So if you don’t set the timer, you’ll be waiting about 10 minutes for 10 cups of coffee.

In testing, it delivered brew water in the specialty coffee range of 195 to 205 F more consistently than any other model (1). This is the “Heat N Brew” tech in action, and I actually prefer it to the speed brew. Sometimes good things are worth the wait, especially since I regularly only brew a half carafe, which takes about 6 minutes.

BUDGET PICK

3. BUNN GRB Velocity Brew

• Machine type: Automatic drip

• Capacity: 10-cup
• Water tank: 70 oz
• Carafe: Glass
• Brew time: 3 minutes

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The BUNN GRB Velocity Brew 10-cup home coffee brewer (also known as the Speed Brew Classic at some retailers) is the original model. To my eye, it’s the least attractive of the series, but beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so I’ll leave that to you. 

What we can all agree on is that it’s the most affordable model, while still including the BUNN tech we know and love.

This was actually the fastest machine I tested, brewing a full 10-cup carafe of coffee in around 3 minutes. But I wouldn’t say that is universally positive. Part of its speed, I believe, was that It also had the coolest brewing temperature I measured, at 193 F – just under the optimal temperature for brewing coffee. I found the fast extraction time and slightly cool temperature made it difficult to properly extract lighter roasts with this model (2). And you may be disappointed if you prefer a piping hot cup. That said, it’s still a great value given its lower price point, exceptional build quality, and 3-year warranty.

Best Single-Serve Coffee Maker

4. BUNN MCU Single Cup Brewer

• Machine type: Single-serve drip

• Capacity: 4 to 14 oz cups
• Water tank: 14 oz
• Carafe: n/a
• Brew time: 1 – 2 minutes

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A single-serve coffee maker is a practical choice if you only drink a cup of coffee at a time. It avoids waste, saves energy, and makes it easy to switch up your brew. In fact, the BUNN MCU makes it easier than most, allowing you to brew with ground coffee, K-Cups, coffee pods, coffee pads, and even loose-leaf tea.

My favorite part, as a person who regularly pairs coffee and oatmeal in the morning, is that it also has a hot water dispenser suitable for making oats, soup, or hot chocolate. This isn’t so much a coffee machine as a full breakfast station.

Given the lack of features on the BUNN Speed series of brewers, I was excited to find the “pulse brew” option here, which extracts a noticeably bolder flavor from the coffee. I found it especially useful when brewing with K-Cups, which can be weak-tasting.

My only complaint is the lack of an on/off switch, which makes me think this model was conceived for commercial use. As long as it’s plugged in, it’s hot – though it does eventually settle into a low-power mode. Adding a power switch would make this a much more appealing option for home coffee drinkers.

Best For Commercial Use

5. BUNN VPR-2GD Pour-Over Commercial Brewer

• Machine type: Commercial pour over

• Capacity: 3.8 gallons/hour
• Water tank: n/a
• Carafe: Glass x 2
• Brew time: 5 minutes

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If you’re shopping for an office coffee maker or setting up a coffee corner in your business, the BUNN 33200.0015 VPR-2GD 12-cup Pourover Commercial Coffee Brewer is worth a look. In fact, if you have a large household, love hosting, or are something of a coffee addict, you might consider it for home use.

It’s designed to be kept on all the time – not the most energy-efficient design – but you can switch the hot plates on and off. Brewing starts when you pour water into the tank, so don’t forget to put the carafe under the coffee filter before you add water. I learned that the hard way!

This model has two hot plates, which I’d use for regular and decaf. I was happy to find BUNN includes two glass carafes with the purchase. It always annoys me when commercial brands sell carafes separately. So while it’s pricier than the average home machine, it’s very good value relative to its competition.

One thing you don’t have to worry about is running out of coffee. As long as you keep the water and grounds topped up, the brewer will brew at a rate of 3.8 gallons of coffee per hour. That’s eight 12-cup carafes every hour. The final thing to note here is the BUNN VPR series are not plumbed machines, unlike many commercial coffee makers. This is both a pro and con, in my opinion. It makes this machine portable and gives you flexibility when choosing its location. But it also means you need to keep topping up the water tank by hand to make coffee. Ideally, a switch would allow both options, but that’s a big ask.

What Is So Special About A BUNN Coffee Machine?

BUNN is a brand that distinguishes itself from typical coffee machines in two main ways. 

First, BUNN machines are known for being among the fastest coffee makers. They brew coffee quickly thanks to a commercial-style stainless steel water tank, rather than the more common plastic tanks. BUNN machines are able to brew about twice as fast as traditional coffee makers, some producing a full carafe of coffee in just 3 minutes.

Second, BUNN American-made coffee machines are built to commercial standards, even the models designed for home use. They are made to last and, as a result, BUNN offers a 3-year warranty for most. You pay a little more up-front for this level of build quality, but you’ll save in the long term.

How to Choose the Right BUNN Coffee Brewer For You

Finding the perfect coffee machine for you comes down to your needs and budget. Here are three things to consider before buying a BUNN coffee maker.

How much coffee do you need to brew?

Are you brewing for just yourself, your family, or maybe the whole office? What amount of coffee do you need to make at a time?

If you only drink one cup a day, your answer is clear. Choose the BUNN MCU single-serve brewer. If you’re serving a crowd, a commercial machine is the way to go. For everything in between, a 10 or 12-cup carafe is just about right. Most BUNN machines can also brew less than a full pot of coffee, as little as 20 ounces, without sacrificing flavor.

How does your lifestyle influence your brewing habits? 

Consider how you take your coffee at home. Are you pounding a pot every day? Leisurely drinking a cup or two during your morning routine? Or do you brew a quick cup of coffee, fill up your favorite to-go thermos, and run out the door?

Knowing how you take your coffee in the morning is going to help you choose the best Bunn home coffee maker. Quite frankly, BUNN brewers are all quality coffee machines, but the differences come into play when considering your lifestyle and that of the others in your home.

What features can you live without?

BUNN coffee makers are notoriously no-frills. Most aren’t programmable. Only the Heat N Brew can brew on a timer, and none will pause brewing to grab a cup. If you generally use these functions, you might still consider the Speed Brew series. They’re so fast you can easily wait for a brew cycle to finish.

BUNN machines also don’t let you adjust the water temperature, coffee strength, or bloom phase (3). They’re designed to brew one style of coffee and do it well. If that’s not what you’re after, take a look at our other picks for the best drip coffee makers.

BUNN coffee makers are an investment. They’re not outrageously expensive, but they certainly aren’t the cheapest on the market. Just know that you’re paying for build quality and reliability, rather than high-tech displays or fancy features.

The Verdict

So which of these top BUNN Coffee Makers is the best? In my opinion, it’s worth the little splurge to take advantage of the thermal carafe of the BUNN Speed Brew Platinum. It delivers a lovely nuanced brew in less than 5 minutes and keeps the coffee warm and flavorful for another two hours.

If you’re shopping on a budget, the BUNN GRB Velocity Brew with a glass carafe is an excellent alternative – fast, affordable, and featuring the same standout BUNN build quality.