The 5 Fastest Coffee Makers in 2024 (Super-Easy To Use)
The fastest coffee maker this year comes from one of the following brands: OXO, Cuisinart, Aeropress.
Photo: Julia Bobak
The only thing I hate more than a stressful, hectic morning is enduring that morning without a cup of coffee. Let me spare you that fate with this guide to the fastest coffee makers on the market.
I tested (and timed) all manner of brewers to come up with these top picks. Here are five super speedy coffee makers for when you hit the snooze button one too many times.
At A Glance:
- TOP PICK: OXO BREW 8-CUP
- RUNNER UP: CUISINART EXTREME BREW
- BUDGET PICK: AEROPRESS ORIGINAL
How I Tested These Coffee Makers
The most important test for this review was brew time. I brewed the full capacity for each coffee maker – either a carafe or single cup – and recorded the total time from turn-on. I repeated this test using different coffee strengths. I also tested via different brewing volumes if they were offered as features.
To test the coffee flavor, I brewed the full capacity of each using medium-roast coffee beans, freshly ground with a burr grinder. I considered coffee taste, aroma, mouthfeel, and temperature in scoring each brewer.
Finally, I considered the timing of the overall coffee experience, including preparation and clean-up.
The 5 Best Fast Coffee Makers In 2026
| image | product | details | |
|---|---|---|---|
| No products found. | Oxo Brew 8-Cup Coffee Maker |
|
|
| No products found. | Cuisinart Extreme Brew |
|
|
| No products found. | Keurig K-Mini Plus |
|
|
| No products found. | BUNN Speed Brew Platinum |
|
|
| No products found. | Aeropress Original |
|
Busy coffee lovers, rejoice! Here are five great coffee makers that prove you don’t need to sacrifice delicious coffee for speed.
1. Oxo Brew 8-Cup Coffee Maker
Machine type: Automatic drip
- Brew time: 5-6 minutes
- Capacity: 8 cups
- Dimensions: 10.5” x 7″ x 13.5″
The OXO Brew 8-Cup was an easy choice for my top pick. It offered by far the best combination of speed, quality, convenience, and price of any coffee machine I tested. It makes a perfect cup of coffee. That’s not just my opinion; it’s certified by the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) to brew to Golden Cup standards (1).
These requirements are based on decades of industry knowledge and research by the Coffee Brewing Center.
It heats the brew water to the ideal temperature of between 195 and 205 ℉ and uses pulsed water cycles to optimize extraction.
Adding a bloom phase slows brewing slightly, but I think it’s worth waiting to brew the perfect cup. It still took me under 6 minutes to brew a full carafe and just over 3 minutes to brew 12 ounces of coffee, thanks to a powerful 1400 W heater.
OXO makes another SCA-certified brewer, the OXO Brew 9-Cup, which is also excellent. I prefer the 8-Cup because it can brew as little as a single cup and has a lower price tag.
Pros:
- SCA-certified to brew a Golden Cup
- Brews a good single cup
- Thermal carafe
- Very easy to use
Cons:
- Water tank isn’t removable
- Not programmable
2. Cuisinart Extreme Brew
Machine type: Automatic drip
- Brew time: 4-5 minutes
- Capacity: 12 cups
- Dimensions: 9.5″ x 11″ x 16.25″
The Cuisinart Extreme Brew was the fastest drip coffee maker I tested. While the coffee quality doesn’t quite live up to the OXO, it’s my recommendation for anyone looking for a larger capacity option.
The Extreme Brew uses what the brand describes as “re-engineered brewing technology” to make coffee fast. I have no idea what they’ve done, but it works. I could brew a whole carafe in under 5 minutes (just over 5 minutes for the Bold setting), and the coffee flavor was on par with any Cuisinart coffee maker.
This fully programmable machine comes packed with the standard bells and whistles. There’s a timer to brew up to 24 hours in advance, auto shut-off, a small volume setting, and Brew Pause. Impressively, the hot plate temperature is adjustable – not something I often see at this price. A permanent filter and charcoal water filter are included.
Pros:
- Large capacity
- Brew strength control
- Easy to program
- 3-year warranty
Cons:
- Plastic casing
- Drip-stop function doesn’t always work
3. Keurig K-Mini Plus
Machine type: Single-serving
- Brew time: 2-3 minutes
- Capacity: 12 ounces
- Dimensions: 4.5″ x 11.3″ x 12.1″
A single-serve coffee maker makes a quick cup because you only need to heat a small volume of water. And using a Keurig K-Cup speeds the overall process by removing the prep and clean-up time.
I generally prefer using a refillable coffee pod and fresh coffee for the best flavor, but sometimes time is of the essence.
The Keurig K-Mini Plus is the brand’s smallest coffee brewer at less than 5” wide. It has the same footprint as the K-Mini but adds a removable water reservoir (handy) and the option for a Strong brew (even handier). In my tests, the Strong brew cycle took about 20 seconds longer to brew a single cup, but the improvement in flavor was worth the time.
Pros:
- Easy to use
- Brew strength control
- Cute and compact design
- Affordable price
Cons:
- Not very durable construction
- Refillable filter not included
4. BUNN Speed Brew Platinum
Machine type: Automatic drip
- Brew time: 3-4 minutes
- Capacity: 10 cups
- Dimensions: 8.3″ x 13.9″ x 14.9″
BUNN has built its reputation around making the fastest brewing coffee makers on the market, and my testing backed up their claims. I could brew a full pot of coffee in as little as 3 minutes and 15 seconds and a 20-ounce travel mug in just over two minutes.
Why are BUNN coffee makers so fast?
BUNN home coffee makers have a stainless steel water tank that keeps the water always preheated, the same principle used in commercial coffee machines. So they’re ready to brew when you are.
Every model of the BUNN Speed series brews at the same rate, but the Speed Brew Platinum is my favorite as the only one with a thermal carafe. It kept my coffee warm and fresh-tasting for about 2 hours.
Pros:
- Fastest drip machine I tested
- Thermal carafe
- Excellent build quality and 3-year warranty
- Showerhead water flow for even extraction
Cons:
- No way to customize your brew
- Relatively expensive coffee machine
5. Aeropress Original
Machine type: Manual press
- Brew time: 1 minute + heating
- Capacity: 10 ounces
- Dimensions: 10.5” x 7″ x 13.5″
Did you know Alan Adler, inventor of the Aeropress, was inspired by espresso machine technology? He realized that fast extraction resulted in smooth, less bitter coffee; and fast extraction requires pressure. The Aeropress was born.
The Aeropress is the only manual brewer on this list, requiring hands-on attention. This might or might not jive with your busy morning. But if you have a minute, the coffee quality is phenomenal.
The Aeropress is incredibly versatile. I use mine for hot, iced, pseudo-lattes, and even cold brew.
You brew the traditional strong shot of coffee quickly using Adler’s original recipe. It takes about one minute, plus the time required to heat water. Even using my relatively slow stovetop kettle, the brewing process lasted under 5 minutes.
Pros:
- Lightweight and portable
- Great value for money
- Makes smooth and flavorful coffee
- Versatility to brew different coffee styles
Cons:
- Need a separate kettle
- More hands-on work to brew
How To Choose The Best Fast Coffee Maker
You don’t just want to choose the fastest coffee maker mindlessly. Getting a brewer that suits your taste, budget, and lifestyle is essential.
What is the fastest way to make coffee?
Making coffee consists of two stages: heating water and extraction. Brands speed up one or both of these processes to make the fastest coffee.
A higher-power heating element heats water faster, so check the wattage of any coffee machine before you buy.
Around 1000 W is average power; above 1200 W is quite powerful. Remember, it also takes less time to heat less water. So avoid brewing more coffee than you plan to drink.
Adding pressure is the only way to speed up the extraction process without ruining the coffee flavor. This is the principle behind the Aeropress (and espresso machines).
Espresso Vs Coffee
This review article is about coffee makers, but espresso extracts are even faster due to their high pressure.
If you’re interested in a fast espresso maker, the new generation Breville models, including the Barista Pro and Bambino Plus, have a ThermoJet heater that heats in 3 seconds. Or consider the Nespresso Pixie, which adds the convenience of super-fast clean-up.
How much coffee do you want to make?
A good way to speed up your morning cup is only to brew the amount of coffee you can drink. Don’t waste time brewing a full carafe if you only drink a cup at a time; choose a single-serve brewer instead. If you want flexibility, look for a drip coffee machine like the OXO Brew that can brew between 1 and 8 cups.
Coffee quality still matters
Some coffee machines brew quickly because they are under-extracting. You’ll get your coffee fast, but it tastes weak and watery. This isn’t a compromise you should have to make, and that’s why I tested every machine on this list.
If you want to buy a machine not listed here, consider the two criteria I mentioned: a powerful heating element and/or a pressurized extraction. If those things aren’t in play, better-tasting coffee is probably being sacrificed for speed.
Finally, consider convenience
Why do you want to brew coffee fast? If your mornings are busy, consider more than just the brew time.
An automatic coffee or pod machine that brews at the press of a button may make more sense than a manual brewer, even if the brew time is a bit longer (2). Or buy a coffee maker with a timer you can set the night before.
The convenience of flipping on a switch is its own reward. The very thing pour over aficionados love—the ritualized technique of it—can feel like a few too many steps in a crowded morning.
Factor in clean-up time as well. A pod coffee machine is easier to clean than coffee grounds.
The Verdict
The coffee makers listed here are excellent, quick, and delicious hot coffee choices. But if I had to pick one, I’d put the OXO Brew 8-Cup on my coffee bar.
It isn’t the fastest on the list, but for an extra minute of brew time, you get a cup of coffee so tasty the Specialty Coffee Association endorses it! Add a sleek design, easy-to-use interface, quality stainless steel build, and a brewer that’s hard to beat.
FAQs
To make your coffee brew faster using a manual brew method, you can try finer ground coffee and/or hotter brew water. But approach the changes cautiously. Too fine a grind can clog your filter or lead to a bitter brew, and brew water shouldn’t exceed 205 F.
Ninja coffee makes are fast but not the fastest. I tested the Ninja Hot and Cold Brewed system for this article, and it took just under 7 minutes to brew a 10-cup carafe. However, it’s a great choice if you want options for hot or cold coffee and tea.
The average drip coffee maker takes between 8 and 12 minutes to brew 12 cups if you start timing as soon as the machine switches on. Manual methods like French press or pour over take about 4 minutes once you’ve heated your water. The SCA suggests that the ideal water-and-coffee contact time for extraction is around 5 minutes (3).
References
- Specialty Coffee Association. (2023). SCA Certified Home Brewer Program. Retrieved from https://sca.coffee/certified-home-brewer
- Blue Bottle Coffee Lab. (n.d.). Pour Over Coffee vs Coffeemaker. Retrieved from https://blog.bluebottlecoffee.com/posts/coffee-maker-vs-pour-over
- Specialty Coffee Association. (2023). Protocols & Best Practicies. Retrieved from https://sca.coffee/research/protocols-best-practices
