Mark MorphewYou’ve overslept, you’re late for work (again), and finding the time to grab yourself a quick cup of coffee seems impossible – or does it?
Luckily there are fast coffee makers for just these types of situations. These brewers can give you a caffeine fix in a matter of minutes.
Like most things in life, cutting corners and opting for the easy route often leads to a reduction in quality. So, you’ll have to accept that quality is almost always sacrificed over speed. I guess you’ll need to set your alarm thirty minutes earlier, or you’ll have to settle for mediocre coffee!
That’s not to say all fast coffee makers are bad; the question of quality typically comes down to the actual process. For example, the AeroPress is one of the speediest, and this brew method doesn’t fall short when it comes to taste!
Our Top Pick: Best Value
I have pulled together a selection of some of the speediest brewers on the market that can rapidly churn out coffee. I’m sure there’s at least one coffee maker on my list that will please even the slowest of morning risers.
What to Look for When you Need coffee in a Hurry
Unfortunately, with coffee makers, speed and convenience typically call for a cheap unit often manufactured in China. Let’s be honest, most coffee machines made in China aren’t built to last. Now I’m not saying they are all bad, but you need to do your due diligence to make sure you’re getting a coffee machine that will keep up with your busy and fast-paced lifestyle.
Anyone who wants a fast cup of coffee doesn’t have the time to pull a perfect shot and curate a café-style latte in under 5-minutes. However, there are some key pointers that you should consider, even with the condensed brew time.
Coffee Maker Size
One of the first things you’ll need to consider when buying a “fast” coffee maker will be the amount of coffee you plan on brewing. If it’s just you, then a coffee pod machine or the AeroPress would be perfect.
But if you plan on brewing up a batch of coffee for a few family members, a 10 or 12 cup coffee maker like the BUNN or OXO (both listed below) that’s able to fill a carafe in a just few minutes might be the better option.
Convenience
On our list of recommendations, we have listed both manual and automatic machines, and both types are fast; it just depends on how much effort you’re willing to put in for a speedy cup of coffee!
Apart from just looking at how fast a particular brewer can make your coffee, you should also consider how much preparation and cleanup are needed. You could have the fastest coffee maker in the world, but if it takes a long time to clean the unit and get the machine set up, you’re not saving anytime at all!
For example, manual coffee makers, such as the AeroPress, require you to be more hands-on when brewing, which means you won’t be able to do other things while your coffee is being made. However, on the flip side, the AeroPress is the easiest and fastest for cleaning.
Automatic coffee makers let you multitask; you press a button and get on with other early morning tasks. You can brew coffee directly into a thermal flask and take it with you when you leave.
Budget
Deciding how much you want to spend on a fast coffee maker is going to be the easiest decision – you know your budget!
The coffee makers listed in our recommendations are priced between twenty to three hundred dollars, so there should be a brewer that suits your wallet.
KISS – “keep it simple stupid.”
Remember, the more moving parts a coffee maker has, the more chances that something will break. Automatic coffee makers are prone to this, and they have a lot of plastic moving parts that tend to have a limited lifespan – especially on budget machines.
French Press coffee makers and the AeroPress have fewer moving parts, and even if something does break, you won’t feel the pain in your wallet when you need to buy a replacement.
Slow Versus Fast Coffee Makers
| Fast | Slow |
| Coffee Pod Machines (Nespresso, Keurig) | Pour Over Coffee Brewing (V60, Chemex) |
| Full Immersion brewing (French Press, Clever Coffee Dripper) | Vacuum Brewing (Hario Siphon) |
| Some Fast Automatic Drip Brewers (BUNN, OXO) | Coffee Sock Filters |
| Pressure Coffee Brewing (AeroPress. Delter Press) | Cold Brew Coffee |
Fastest Coffee Makers Available
Now you have a better understanding of just how to judge the fastest-of-the-fast coffee makers – below, you will find our top recommended picks from automatic machines to manual brewing; we’re sure there’s something for everyone.
OXO Brew 8 Cup Coffee Maker
The first on our list is the OXO Brew. Suppose you’ve decided that an automatic machine is your preferred choice look no further than the OXO Brew. In roughly 5-minutes, you will have fresh, piping hot coffee brewed with a single press of a button.
Just because the OXO is an automatic coffee maker doesn’t mean that you won’t get a great-tasting cup of coffee. The OXO Brew has passed the rigorous testing set by the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) and has ticked all of the boxes for a certified machine.
Features like the “BetterBrew precision brewing” allow the OXO to control the water temperature and brewing time every step of the way. The Rainmaker showerhead distributes water evenly over the coffee grounds for maximum flavor extraction – all of this is to adhere to the Specialty Coffee Association’s rigorous Golden Cup standard.
Simply put, for the non-techies.
The OXO Brew serves an excellent tasting cup of coffee quickly, with little to no fuss.
What We Love
- Gold-standard coffee certified by the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA).
- Double-wall, vacuum-insulated thermal carafe to keep your coffee warm.
- Automatic temperature control and brew cycle.
Take Note
- If you want to brew a lot of coffee this might not be suitable – 40 oz max capacity.
Keurig K-Slim Coffee Maker
For anyone who prefers a pod coffee maker, the Keurig K-Slim is an excellent choice that brews a cup of coffee that’s ready in only a few minutes.
Standing at just five inches wide, the K-Slim single-serve coffee maker offers the performance and simplicity that Keurig is known for. All in a slim and sleek package that’s guaranteed to fit on your kitchen countertop, making it the perfect space-saving option.
The K-Slim brews various cup sizes from an 8 oz up to a 12oz, all at the push of a button. And with over 400 different types of hot beverages to choose from, including coffee, tea, and cocoa, the K-Slim has you covered for any occasion.
If you prefer to use your own freshly ground coffee the Keurig K-Slim is completely compatible with the “My K-Cup Universal Coffee Filter,” which is a better option.
What We Love
- Quick machine, easy to use, and simple to clean.
- Over 400 different varieties of coffee pods e to choose from.
- Brew an 8-, 10-, or 12-ounce cup at the push of a button.
Take Note
- Added wastage from used coffee pods.
BUNN BX Speed Brew Classic
The BUNN BX Speed Brew beats the above OXO Brew to take the top place as the fastest drip coffee maker on the market. This 10-cup coffee maker can effortlessly churn out a full carafe of coffee in just 3 to 4 minutes. That’s enough coffee for roughly 6 “normal” cups or a couple of sizeable insulated travel mugs!
Just to put the brew speed into perspective – the BUNN BX Speed can brew a batch of coffee in about half the time of most average automatic drip coffee makers.
Ok, so enough about the speed – I think you get it, it’s fast!
The BUNN also comes with a commercial-grade stainless steel hot water tank, reusable water filter variable brewing volume control (20-50 oz), a drip-free carafe, a unique showerhead for even extraction. For added confidence, BUNN provides an impressive 3-year warranty.
This BUNN coffee maker packs some serious speed, and its ease of use and limited functions won’t distract you when all you want is a cup of coffee quickly!
My only gripe is that the coffee tends to brew slightly weaker than other automatic machines, but I guess that is the trade-off for speed. The above OXO Brew is marginally better in the taste department!
What We Love
- Perfect for large batch brewing, the Velocity is lightning-fast.
- The spray head ensures an even extraction.
- Features a ceramic warming plate.
Take Note
- Sacrifices flavor over speed.
Nespresso VertuoPlus Deluxe
Another coffee pod machine to make the fastest coffee machine list is the Nespresso VertuoPlus Deluxe. Trust me, it doesn’t get any speedier than this. The Nespresso VertuoPlus heats up in only 15-seconds, so you’ll never have to wait around for your favorite coffee beverage to be ready.
The unit also automatically shuts off after 9 minutes of inactivity, so you won’t have to worry when you hastily run out the door if you’ve switched the coffee maker off!
Whether you want to grab a travel cup and head out of the door or if you prefer a large mug sat in front of the television – the VertuoPlus Deluxe has you covered. With a touch of a button, you can quickly brew coffee in the following doses – espresso (1.35 ounces), double espresso (2.7 ounces), a gran lungo (5 ounces), coffee (7.7 ounces), and alto (14 ounces).
Nespresso VertuoPlus utilizes the latest technology by using barcodes to automate the entire brewing process from start to finish.
With the Nespresso VertuoPlus pod machine, you can brew barista-grade coffee super-fast, all with the touch of a single button.
What We Love
- High-speed coffee maker – roughly 15-seconds.
- Easy to use with one-touch brewing.
- Barcode technology takes out the guesswork.
Take Note
- Coffee pods can become costly.
AeroPress Coffee Maker
If you still want great-tasting coffee but don’t want to sacrifice flavor by doing things quickly, we recommend that you take a look at one of our favorites – the AeroPress. This isn’t a hands-off coffee maker by any means, so if you don’t mind putting in a bit of effort, this is the one for you.
The AeroPress brews enough coffee for a small travel mug, or if you are struggling for time, you can take the AeroPress with you and brew your coffee on the road!
The AeroPress only takes roughly 2-minutes to brew your coffee, so it’s still fast compared to some of the other coffee makers on the list. But, unlike the other coffee machines on this list, the compact size of the AeroPress allows you to brew on the go. It’s lightweight, extremely compact, and durable, it’s the perfect tool for the home, the office, or it even tucks neatly in your bag and tags along for a camping trip.
What We Love
- Compact and portable.
- Complete control over each brewing variable.
- Makes an unparalleled cup of coffee.
Take Note
- Requires you to be hands-on and involved at every stage.
SterlingPro French Press Coffee Maker
If you prefer using a fast manual brewer but with a bit more capacity than the above AeroPress, take a look at the SterlingPro French Press. There are many French press coffee makers in the marketplace, and you can see some of our favorites here, but for this roundup, we opted for the SterlingPro.
It’s been one of our longstanding favorites due to its sleek design, scratch-resistant surgical-grade stainless steel body, impressive overall durability, and affordable price.
With a French Press, you can brew enough coffee to share in under 7-minutes. Unlike the AeroPress that requires your full attention while brewing, the French Press can be left to steep while you get on with other tasks. When you come back, you press down on the plunger and fill your cup.
What We Love
- Very simple and easy to use, requires no “babysitting.”
- It can brew large batches of coffee quickly.
- Cleaning is not tricky, toss the used coffee grounds and wash.
Take Note
- It takes slightly longer to brew than some of the other options on our list.
Verdict: Which Coffee Maker Brews the Fastest?
All of the coffee makers on our list of recommendations brew coffee really fast. However, if we just had to choose one, it would be the OXO Brew 8 Cup Coffee Brewer.
With the water tank full and ground coffee added to the basket, brew time takes 5 and 1/2 minutes from when you press the brew button.
The OXO 8 brew has also been certified by the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) and meets its rigorous Golden Cup standard requirements.
Plus, being automatic, you can press a button and get on with the rest of your morning chores and grab your coffee as you head out of the door. All this at a good price too!
When he's not fiddling around with a new coffee gadget, you'll find him busy doing DIY projects around the home and taking his German Shepherd for a walk, who funnily enough is called Kona!
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Since the creation of the Bean Ground coffee blog in 2014, Mark and a small circle of coffee hobbyists have rigorously tested, reviewed, and researched coffee gear. In most cases, they have purchased the items themselves with the sole intention of rating and evaluating.
In that time, they have built up a list of quality points to look for and what makes specific equipment better than others. They cut through the noise and marketing hype that often surrounds products to give you their unbiased opinions so you can make clear decisions on your next purchase.
