Makita Coffee Maker Review: Who Is This Cordless Brewer For?

This portable coffee maker nails it – for its target audience only.

I’ll say right up front that the Makita Coffee Maker is not for me. Makita didn’t set out to make a brewer for specialty coffee geeks and reviewers, so I’m not going to review it as such. That would be unfair.

This is a rough-and-tumble coffee maker designed to deliver a fresh cup of coffee while withstanding the rigors of a busy job site – and with the added convenience of being compatible with Makita tools. And in that context, it excels like no other.

The Full Makita DCM501Z Coffee Maker Review

Sure, you can brew coffee at home and head to work with a thermos, but by mid-afternoon, it just doesn’t hit the same as a freshly brewed cup. That’s where this Makita coffee maker comes in. It’s a portable, durable, battery-powered drip coffee maker that looks right at home with the rest of your tools. It’s an undeniably cool concept, so does it deliver? Let’s find out.using your very own power tools.

How We Rated It

• Ease Of Use
• Coffee Quality
• Build Quality
• Cleaning And Maintenance
• Value For Money

3.6

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How Does The Makita Coffee Machine Work?

The Makita cordless coffee maker is made by the very Makita that manufactures power tools. It’s a battery-powered brewer that works using the same 18V or 12V lithium-ion batteries that power other Makita gear.

It comes with the brewer, a double-wall insulated stainless steel mug with a lid, and a measuring spoon that is cleverly tucked under the lid. What it doesn’t come with is a battery or charger, making it clear that it was designed primarily for those who already work with Makita equipment – which is a growing segment of the population (1).

That said, you can buy the batteries separately if you don’t already have them. There are certainly contexts outside the job site that benefit from a durable and easy-to-use machine. I have a friend who keeps one on his boat and another who takes it car camping.

Two Battery Options

The coffee maker is compatible with two types of batteries: the 12V max CXT lithium-ion Makita battery and 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Makita battery (2). 

The battery life yields about three or four 5-ounce cups on a charge, which is still not a huge amount of coffee. It takes about 4 or 5 minutes to brew a cup. Ultimately, again, this makes the most sense in an environment with lots of Makita batteries and rechargers around.

How To Use The Cordless Makita Coffee Maker

Using this coffee maker is as easy as any single-serve machine, provided you’ve got your battery-charging strategy worked out.

First, open the top and fill the water tank, which holds 240 mL – just enough for one serving. Next, slide out the front and add your favorite ground coffee to the permanent drip filter basket. There is no need for a paper filter, which is certainly a nice perk if you’re working or camping. Slot the mug under the outlet, press the start button, and await your fresh cup of coffee.

The coffee maker automatically turns off after the brew cycle is finished; there is no hot plate. 

What coffee pods can you use in a Makita coffee machine?

This machine is compatible with both ground coffee and single-serve coffee pods, but the coffee pods are a little unusual – perhaps due to its Japanese provenance. It requires 60 mm soft coffee pods, which look like teabags, or Senseo pods. Don’t expect to put a K-Cup or Nespresso capsule in there.

This limits your selection somewhat compared to more widely available options, but in my opinion, freshly ground coffee yields the better cup anyway.

Cleaning And Maintenance

Cleaning the Makita coffee machine is as easy as using it. Let it cool, take out the battery, and rinse the brew basket with water. If you used the measuring scoop, rinse it before inserting it back in its slot, or you risk dropping coffee grounds in the water tank.

Does It Make Good Coffee?

Honestly, it doesn’t make particularly good coffee. I’d rate it higher than what you get from a Keurig machine, thanks to a longer brew time and warmer water, but not by a whole lot. It’s hot and caffeinated, but it’s not particularly bold or complex. 

I’d recommend using as much ground coffee as you can get away with to maximize flavor. It could really do with a “Strong” coffee setting.

It does a better job extracting medium or dark roast coffees, which come out smooth without any bitterness — though also without a lot of character. When I brewed a light roast, it tasted bland and under-extracted.

Can the Makita coffee machine make tea?

You can, in fact, brew tea with this machine! I tested it myself. It works with both looseleaf and bagged teas, and it does a pretty decent job – maybe even better than coffee. Just stick with tea types that benefit from the same extraction conditions as coffee (3).

Built For The Job Site

The build of this coffee maker is as durable and high quality as the tools made by Makita. This is why you should be considering this coffee maker over something that might make better coffee. 

It’s fairly compact and lightweight and has a convenient carrying handle, though it’s not the sort of portable coffee maker you’ll want to take backpacking. It has a ‎7.8″ x 11.18″ footprint and is just under 9” tall with the handle folded down. It weighs less than 4 lbs with the battery installed.

My only complaint from a design standpoint is that the coffee cup clearance is quite low (just 3.5”). You can use the included mug or a standard ceramic mug, but a typical travel mug won’t fit. 

Aesthetically, it looks like a Makita tool, with the scripted Makita logo and iconic teal coloring. I like it. It makes for a nice cohesive look with the rest of your gear.

Is It Good Value For Money?

The Makita 18V coffee maker costs about $130, and that doesn’t include the battery and charger. I’m inclined to say that’s not great value for something that makes just okay coffee. After all, you can get a Mr. Coffee pot for about $12.99. But a Mr. Coffee machine won’t survive a day on the job, and that’s what you’re paying for here.

I think the Makita is good value if (a) you really need something durable and (b) you already have the batteries. And it’s still cheaper than most Keurigs, which is saying something.

Do Not Buy The Makita Cordless Coffee Maker If… 

• You don’t use Makita cordless power tools – I think the Makita makes the most sense if you already have the batteries on hand and charging at your worksite. If you’re just looking to brew coffee on the go, check out some of my other favorite battery-powered coffee makers. 

• You want higher-quality coffee – This is not the portable brewer for someone who favors high-end specialty coffee or nuanced flavors. If you’re willing to forgo the convenience of automatic brewing, something like the Aeropress (or its more travel-ready little brother, the Aeropress Go) or the Bodum Travel press gives you more opportunity to get the best out of your beans.

• You want to make more coffee – Not looking to brew a cup at a time? Consider a stainless steel French press. They come in sizes up to 51 ounces (about 8 servings) and are just as durable – probably more so – as the Makita. The trade-off is you’ll need some other way to boil water.

The Verdict

The Makita lithium-ion cordless coffee maker does its job and does it well. It makes fresh and hot coffee in any environment. You don’t need to treat it delicately, you don’t need to keep it particularly clean, and you don’t need to plug it into a socket. 

If you’re already a Makita tool user looking to add coffee to your workday, it’s kind of a no-brainer. If you’re anyone else, it’s a more nuanced decision, and I hope you find this review helpful!

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