If You Want the Perfect Morning Brew, Look to These Coffee Makers

For espresso drinks such as lattes and flat whites, you'll need to pull shots. Espresso machine aren't cheap, but a good one will transform your kitchen into the best private "coffee shop" in town. This Breville Barista Pro Stainless Steel Espresso Maker ($800) has an integrated burr grinder (remember, that's what you want!), a steam wand, and digital temperature control so espresso is extracted at the right water temperature.

Waking up to the smell of coffee percolating is just about the best little luxury in the world. Make it happen with a programmable device like the CRUX Artisan Series 14-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker ($56). If you simply want a well-brewed pot of coffee ready and waiting as you shuffle into the kitchen, this is the way to go.

Stylish enough to display on your kitchen counter, this Grosche Amsterdam 28.7 oz. Glass Pour Over Coffee Maker ($40) is essential if you want to make a pourover coffee. Fans of the pourover method swear that the longer brewing time results in a more flavorful cup. Unlike many other pourover makers, this one doesn't require paper filters; its filter is built in, so you'll never have to worry about running out.

Coffee heads can argue for days about the merits of iced coffee vs. cold brew. (Yes, they are different drinks.) If you're a fan of cold brew, this Takeya 64 oz. Cold Brew Coffee Maker ($38) will be useful for your summer caffeine needs. The brewer allows coffee to steep for the recommended amount of time (between 12 and 18 hours, generally) and produces a smooth, concentrated, delicious result.

Go into any third-wave cafe, and if it has a retail section, you'll almost certainly find an AeroPress Coffee & Espresso Maker ($40). Although it has a bit of an "as seen on TV" aesthetic, it's actually one of the best methods for brewing; its fans say that it produces a smoother, less bitter coffee. To use it, you'll measure your coffee, insert a circular paper filter, and pour hot water into the cylinder. With the AeroPress positioned on top of a mug, gently press downward to force your coffee through. The downside is that you can brew only one cup at a time, but if you're seriously into coffee, you won't mind.

From an aesthetic standpoint, you can't go wrong with classic Le Creuset. But this Le Creuset French Press ($80) doesn't just look gorgeous on a countertop; it's part of the classic ritual of brewing coffee. Inside the pretty exterior is a traditional French press design, complete with a mesh sieve to keep coffee grounds from entering your coffee. And because stoneware insulates better than glass or plastic, your coffee (or tea, if you prefer) stays warmer longer. It's magnifique on many levels.

Sometimes all you need is simplicity that works. In the case of Kalorik 10-Cup Retro Coffee Maker ($74), you get that plus a great-looking retro design. It brews up to 10 cups of coffee, and it pauses automatically if you need to remove the pitcher. (Why? So you won't have to wait for the whole pot to brew before sipping your first cup.) Plus, it can keep coffee warm for up to two hours, but it also has an automatic shut-off feature. Cute and smart — who says you can't have both?