Best Grey Coffee Makers
Brewers in grey, ranked from our reviews. Grey is what people buy when black is too heavy and steel is too cold, and the maker names reflect exactly that hedging: Stone Grey, Galaxy Grey, Limestone, Graphite, Taupe. It is the most forgiving finish on this site for a machine that lives on the counter, because it shows neither the fingerprints that steel shows nor the dust that black shows. It is also the finish most likely to differ from the photograph, since one maker's grey is another's beige.
Ranked by our review score, which is worked out from the specifications each maker publishes rather than from opinion, so you can open the arithmetic on any product page. Anything commercial is labelled and sits outside that order, and how we score explains what each criterion measures.
Ranked, and why
scored on what the maker publishes · open a row for the working1
AeroPress Go Travel Coffee Press8.7- Brew Quality & Filtration
- 9.0
- Build Quality & Seal (replacement parts sold not published)
- 7.1
- Ease of Use & Cleaning (dishwasher safe only)
- 10.0
- Portability (weight not published)
- 10.0
- Value for Money
- 8.3
Weakest link: Build Quality & Seal (replacement parts sold not published) — 7.1 of 10, carrying 22 of the 74.2 points scored here.
Read review →PriceFrom $49.952
Gaggia Cadorna Prestige8.4- Drinks & Milk System
- 9.5
- Grinder & Grind Control
- 8.5
- Cleaning & Upkeep
- 8.2
- Ease of Use
- 8.5
- Capacity & Refills
- 7.5
- Value for Money
- 8.0
- Build Quality & Warranty
- 7.8
- Kitchen Fit & Noise
- 8.5
Weakest link: Capacity & Refills — 7.5 of 10, carrying 12 of the 100 points scored here.
Read review →PriceFrom $10493
Philips 4300 LatteGo8.3- Drinks & Milk System
- 9.0
- Grinder & Grind Control
- 8.5
- Cleaning & Upkeep
- 10.0
- Ease of Use
- 7.8
- Capacity & Refills
- 6.5
- Value for Money
- 8.7
- Build Quality & Warranty
- 6.4
- Kitchen Fit & Noise
- 8.5
Weakest link: Build Quality & Warranty — 6.4 of 10, carrying 10 of the 100 points scored here.
Read review →PriceFrom $9994
STANLEY Classic Stay-Hot French Press 48oz7.9- Brew Quality & Filtration (mesh fineness not published)
- 6.2
- Build Quality & Durability
- 10.0
- Heat Retention
- 10.0
- Ease of Cleaning
- 9.0
- Pour & Handling (weight not published)
- 5.8
- Value for Money (no price published)
- 5.0
Weakest link: Value for Money (no price published) — 5.0 of 10, carrying 12 of the 82.1 points scored here.
Read review →PricePricing N/A5
Bee House Ceramic Pour Over Dripper7.7- Brew Quality & Consistency
- 8.5
- Flow Rate & Control (hole diameter not published)
- 7.1
- Build Quality & Durability
- 7.5
- Filter Availability & Cost (filter cost per 100 not published)
- 10.0
- Value for Money (no price published)
- 5.0
Weakest link: Value for Money (no price published) — 5.0 of 10, carrying 12 of the 75 points scored here.
Read review →PricePricing N/A6
ETHNIQ Turkish Coffee Maker Cook Sense7.4- Brewing & Foam Control
- 9.2
- Overflow & Safety
- 9.0
- Capacity & Servings
- 6.0
- Handling & Cleaning
- 5.0
- Materials & Warranty
- 8.0
- Value for Money (no price published)
- 5.0
Weakest link: Handling & Cleaning — 5.0 of 10, carrying 16 of the 100 points scored here.
Read review →PricePricing N/A7
Keurig K-Mini Single Serve Coffee Maker7.2- Drink Quality (pump pressure not published)
- 6.3
- Capsule System & Choice
- 8.5
- Running Cost Per Cup (cost per cup not published)
- 10.0
- Ease of Use & Speed
- 7.5
- Build Quality & Reliability
- 5.0
- Maintenance & Cleaning
- 4.5
- Machine Value for Money
- 10.0
Weakest link: Maintenance & Cleaning — 4.5 of 10, carrying 10 of the 87 points scored here.
8
Nespresso Original Ispirazione Firenze Arpeggio7.1- What Is In The Capsule
- 7.0
- Cost Per Cup, and Per Kilo
- 5.0
- Recycling & Disposal (home compostable and kerbside recyclable not published)
- 8.0
- System, Range & Availability
- 8.5
- Sourcing & Certification
- 8.1
Weakest link: Cost Per Cup, and Per Kilo — 5.0 of 10, carrying 22 of the 87.8 points scored here.
Read review →PricePricing N/A9
Nespresso Original Ispirazione Ristretto Italiano7.1- What Is In The Capsule
- 6.5
- Cost Per Cup, and Per Kilo
- 4.5
- Recycling & Disposal (home compostable and kerbside recyclable not published)
- 8.0
- System, Range & Availability
- 8.5
- Sourcing & Certification
- 10.0
Weakest link: Cost Per Cup, and Per Kilo — 4.5 of 10, carrying 22 of the 87.8 points scored here.
Read review →PricePricing N/A10
asobu Cold Brew Coffee Maker 40oz7.1- Brew Quality & Filtration
- 9.0
- Build Quality & Seal (replacement parts sold not published)
- 7.9
- Ease of Use & Cleaning (dishwasher safe only)
- 5.0
- Portability (weight not published)
- 5.8
- Value for Money (no price published)
- 5.0
Weakest link: Ease of Use & Cleaning (dishwasher safe only) — 5.0 of 10, carrying 20 of the 74.2 points scored here.
Read review →PricePricing N/A11
Nespresso Original Master Origin Colombia7.0- What Is In The Capsule
- 7.5
- Cost Per Cup, and Per Kilo
- 3.9
- Recycling & Disposal (home compostable and kerbside recyclable not published)
- 8.0
- System, Range & Availability
- 7.2
- Sourcing & Certification
- 10.0
Weakest link: Cost Per Cup, and Per Kilo — 3.9 of 10, carrying 22 of the 87.8 points scored here.
Read review →PricePricing N/A12
Nespresso Original Cosi6.8- What Is In The Capsule
- 6.5
- Cost Per Cup, and Per Kilo
- 4.5
- Recycling & Disposal (home compostable and kerbside recyclable not published)
- 8.0
- System, Range & Availability
- 7.2
- Sourcing & Certification
- 10.0
Weakest link: Cost Per Cup, and Per Kilo — 4.5 of 10, carrying 22 of the 87.8 points scored here.
Read review →PricePricing N/A13
Nespresso Original Ispirazione Genova Livanto6.8- What Is In The Capsule
- 6.5
- Cost Per Cup, and Per Kilo
- 4.5
- Recycling & Disposal (home compostable and kerbside recyclable not published)
- 8.0
- System, Range & Availability
- 7.2
- Sourcing & Certification
- 10.0
Weakest link: Cost Per Cup, and Per Kilo — 4.5 of 10, carrying 22 of the 87.8 points scored here.
Read review →PricePricing N/A14
Nespresso Original Ristretto Italiano Decaffeinato6.8- What Is In The Capsule
- 7.0
- Cost Per Cup, and Per Kilo
- 5.0
- Recycling & Disposal (home compostable and kerbside recyclable not published)
- 8.0
- System, Range & Availability
- 7.2
- Sourcing & Certification
- 8.1
Weakest link: Cost Per Cup, and Per Kilo — 5.0 of 10, carrying 22 of the 87.8 points scored here.
Read review →PricePricing N/A15
KARACA Hatir Turkish Coffee Maker 5 Cups6.7- Brewing & Foam Control
- 6.8
- Overflow & Safety
- 9.0
- Capacity & Servings
- 7.5
- Handling & Cleaning
- 5.5
- Materials & Warranty
- 5.0
- Value for Money (no price published)
- 5.0
Weakest link: Materials & Warranty — 5.0 of 10, carrying 12 of the 100 points scored here.
Read review →PricePricing N/A16
Gaggia E24 RI9380/46 Espresso Machine6.5- Shot Quality & Extraction (non-pressurised basket, bottomless available and pump not published)
- 6.5
- Steam Power & Milk Texturing
- 5.6
- Build Quality & Durability
- 7.2
- Ease of Use & Learning Curve (shot timer, pressure gauge and pressurised basket not published)
- 3.1
- Maintenance & Cleaning (plumbable and bottomless not published)
- 7.5
- Workflow & Ergonomics (tank, footprint only)
- 10.0
- Value for Money
- 7.1
Weakest link: Ease of Use & Learning Curve (shot timer, pressure gauge and pressurised basket not published) — 3.1 of 10, carrying 12 of the 70.1 points scored here.
Read review →PriceFrom $44917
Nespresso Original Ispirazione Roma6.5- What Is In The Capsule
- 6.5
- Cost Per Cup, and Per Kilo
- 4.5
- Recycling & Disposal (home compostable and kerbside recyclable not published)
- 8.0
- System, Range & Availability
- 7.2
- Sourcing & Certification
- 8.1
Weakest link: Cost Per Cup, and Per Kilo — 4.5 of 10, carrying 22 of the 87.8 points scored here.
Read review →PricePricing N/A18
Ninja CFN601 Espresso & Coffee Barista System6.3- Drink Quality (pump pressure not published)
- 7.0
- Capsule System & Choice
- 5.0
- Running Cost Per Cup (cost per cup not published)
- 5.0
- Ease of Use & Speed
- 5.8
- Build Quality & Reliability
- 7.5
- Maintenance & Cleaning
- 8.0
- Machine Value for Money
- 6.0
Weakest link: Capsule System & Choice — 5.0 of 10, carrying 18 of the 87 points scored here.
Read review →PriceFrom $16419
Arzum Okka Rich Spin Pro Turkish Coffee Maker6.1- Brewing & Foam Control
- 4.8
- Overflow & Safety
- 6.5
- Capacity & Servings
- 7.5
- Handling & Cleaning
- 5.0
- Materials & Warranty
- 8.9
- Value for Money (no price published)
- 5.0
Weakest link: Brewing & Foam Control — 4.8 of 10, carrying 26 of the 100 points scored here.
Read review →PricePricing N/A20
Peet's Decaf House Blend K-Cup Pods6.0- What Is In The Capsule
- 7.0
- Cost Per Cup, and Per Kilo
- 3.6
- Recycling & Disposal (home compostable and kerbside recyclable not published)
- 5.0
- System, Range & Availability
- 6.2
- Sourcing & Certification
- 8.4
Weakest link: Cost Per Cup, and Per Kilo — 3.6 of 10, carrying 22 of the 87.8 points scored here.
Read review →PricePricing N/A21
De'Longhi La Specialista Arte Evo5.7- Shot Quality & Extraction (non-pressurised basket, bottomless available and pump not published)
- 5.0
- Steam Power & Milk Texturing
- 5.6
- Build Quality & Durability
- 7.2
- Ease of Use & Learning Curve (shot timer, pressure gauge and pressurised basket not published)
- 5.4
- Maintenance & Cleaning (plumbable and bottomless not published)
- 5.8
- Workflow & Ergonomics (tank, footprint only)
- 8.3
- Value for Money
- 3.8
Weakest link: Value for Money — 3.8 of 10, carrying 10 of the 70.1 points scored here.
Read review →PriceFrom $699.9522
Nespresso Vertuo5.3- Drink Quality (pump pressure not published)
- 8.7
- Capsule System & Choice
- 0.0
- Running Cost Per Cup (cost per cup not published)
- 0.0
- Ease of Use & Speed
- 8.5
- Build Quality & Reliability
- 6.5
- Maintenance & Cleaning
- 8.0
- Machine Value for Money (no price published)
- 5.0
Weakest link: Capsule System & Choice — 0.0 of 10, carrying 18 of the 87 points scored here.
Read review →PricePricing N/A23
Philips Barista Brew Semi Automatic Espresso Machine PSA32185.2- Shot Quality & Extraction (non-pressurised basket, bottomless available and pump not published)
- 6.5
- Steam Power & Milk Texturing
- 4.4
- Build Quality & Durability
- 5.0
- Ease of Use & Learning Curve (shot timer, pressure gauge and pressurised basket not published)
- 5.4
- Maintenance & Cleaning (plumbable and bottomless not published)
- 5.0
- Workflow & Ergonomics (tank, footprint only)
- 5.0
- Value for Money (no price published)
- 5.0
Weakest link: Steam Power & Milk Texturing — 4.4 of 10, carrying 16 of the 70.1 points scored here.
Read review →PricePricing N/A24
Nespresso Vertuo Pop+ Deluxe5.0- Drink Quality (pump pressure not published)
- 8.3
- Capsule System & Choice
- 0.0
- Running Cost Per Cup (cost per cup not published)
- 0.0
- Ease of Use & Speed
- 8.5
- Build Quality & Reliability
- 4.5
- Maintenance & Cleaning
- 6.5
- Machine Value for Money
- 7.6
Weakest link: Capsule System & Choice — 0.0 of 10, carrying 18 of the 87 points scored here.
25
Nespresso Vertuo Up4.8- Drink Quality (pump pressure not published)
- 8.7
- Capsule System & Choice
- 0.0
- Running Cost Per Cup (cost per cup not published)
- 0.0
- Ease of Use & Speed
- 8.0
- Build Quality & Reliability
- 5.0
- Maintenance & Cleaning
- 6.5
- Machine Value for Money (no price published)
- 5.0
Weakest link: Capsule System & Choice — 0.0 of 10, carrying 18 of the 87 points scored here.
Read review →PricePricing N/A26
Leopacat Portable Electric Turkish Coffee Pot 600ml4.6- Heat Control & Brew Quality
- 5.0
- Build Quality & Materials
- 5.0
- Heat Source & Control
- 1.7
- Handling & Pouring
- 6.2
- Value for Money
- 5.4
Weakest link: Heat Source & Control — 1.7 of 10, carrying 18 of the 86.4 points scored here.
Read review →PriceFrom $22.7927
Technivorm Moccamaster KBGV Select 10-Cup4.0- Brew Quality (SCA certified and brew temperature not published)
- 5.0
- Brewing Control & Programmability
- 1.2
- Build Quality & Durability
- 6.5
- Ease of Use & Cleaning
- 3.0
- Carafe & Heat Retention
- 3.5
- Capacity & Flexibility
- 5.0
- Value for Money (no price published)
- 5.0
Weakest link: Brewing Control & Programmability — 1.2 of 10, carrying 16 of the 84.6 points scored here.
Read review →PricePricing N/A
Grey is what a kitchen chooses when black is too heavy and steel is too cold, and it is the colour most likely to arrive looking different from the photograph. The word covers everything from pale stone to near-black charcoal.
It hides about half of what black hides
Mid grey conceals dust and dried splashes reasonably well and does nothing at all about coffee stains, which read as dark marks on a light ground. Charcoal behaves almost exactly like black. Pale grey behaves like white. Where a machine sits on the scale matters far more than the fact that its colour is called grey.
Two greys rarely match
Grey carries an undertone - blue, green or brown - that is invisible until it is next to another grey with a different one. This is the practical reason grey appliances so often look slightly wrong beside grey cabinets. If you are matching, match against a photograph in daylight, and expect a warm grey kettle to fight a cool grey worktop.
Where it is the right answer
Grey is the safest finish for a machine you expect to keep through a kitchen change, because it argues with less than any other colour here. It is also common on the plastic bodies of mid-priced drip machines, where it ages far more gracefully than black does: greying plastic that started grey simply stays grey.
Common questions
Is grey just black that faded?
No, and the two are easy to tell apart in a kitchen even though they are hard to tell apart in a photograph. Grey keeps a machine visible against black cabinetry, where black disappears into it, and it hides limescale dust better than either black or steel.
What do makers call grey?
Almost anything but grey. The machines here are sold as Studio Gray, Galaxy Grey, Graphite, Slate, Anthracite and Limestone, and the spelling changes with the market. They are all the same finish and we list them together.
Does grey show coffee splashes?
Less than white, more than black, which is roughly the point of it. A mid grey is the finish that asks least of you: splashes are visible enough to wipe and not so visible that the machine looks neglected between wipes.
Do grey coffee makers match stainless steel appliances?
Better than black does and less reliably than you would hope. Brushed steel is a cool, slightly blue grey, so a cool-toned grey machine sits beside it convincingly while a warm or brownish grey looks like a near-miss. The safest match is a grey with a visible blue undertone, judged in daylight rather than under kitchen lighting.
Is grey or black better for hiding coffee stains?
Black, clearly. Coffee dries dark, so it disappears into a black surface and shows as a distinct mark on anything lighter, grey included. What grey hides better than black is dust and the fine pale film that settles on a machine between cleans, so the honest answer depends on which of the two annoys you more.