Last Updated on October 13, 2023 by Timothy Byron Smith
If you’re in college and have a craving for coffee, it can be pretty hard to pop down in the cafeteria and spend $4 daily on a cup. As a student, to save some serious cash for the next few years the best coffee maker for college dorms can help.
Well most of us would adore a freshly brewed shot of espresso. And it’s no surprise that more and more people are going for espresso in the morning instead of regular black coffee. If you are an espresso guy who loves lattes and cappuccinos, we have also included the best Nespresso machines for college students here as well.
Milk-based caffeinated drinks offer better taste, more energy, and focus. Exactly what a student needs to get ready for later classes on a busy day. If you’re looking for the best coffee machine for college as a student, then this is the right read for you!
Our Top Picks
- Expert coffee-making technology
- Brewing strength controller
- 24-hour programmability and auto-off functionality
- Large glass carafe, 14 cups capacity.
- 19-bar high-pressure pump
- Single or Double espresso shots options
- 30 seconds heat-up time
- Compact and unique design
- Affordable semi-automatic espresso maker
- 3 in 1 option for Lattes and Cappuccino
- 15-Bar Pump Pressure System Brews.
- Easy to use built-in automatic milk frother
The Best Coffee Maker For College Dorms – 2023 Reviews
A basic single or double-cup serving coffee maker will be more than sufficient for your needs as a student. All the options included in this list are affordable, user-friendly, and won’t occupy too much space in your college dorm.
1. Cuisinart Store Automatic Coffee Maker (Best Overall)
Key Features:
Key Features:- Manufacturer: Cuisinart Store
- Coffee Maker Type: Drip Coffee Maker
- Built: Stainless Steel
- Price: $
The coffee brewed in the Cuisinart 3200 has a better flavor. Although we noticed they have improved the fluid extraction and temperature system to brew better coffee quickly and easily.
This Cuisinart 3200 is not only superior to the previous 1200 model on paper, but it also provides better extraction with temperature control options.
We have also brewed stronger coffee with this and got satisfactory results due to the new and improved strength control technology.
The coffee maker uses hot plates associated with three different temperature settings, low, medium, and high levels. You can easily operate these temperatures and coffee output settings with easy to push physical button that we liked the most.
The coffee maker’s all-new glass carafe has a larger capacity than the previous model, the Cuisinart 1200, but it can only handle 14 cups. The newer lid pops off and on with ease. Yet, when pouring coffee into this carafe is well designed and does not spill coffee with or without its lid on.
Pros:
Larger carafe with 14 Cups capacity
Automatic Shut-Off to save energy
Strength Control and Adjustable Carafe Temperature
Cons:
Not portable slight heavy
Cuisinart Store Automatic Coffee Maker
2. Nespresso Machine Essenza Mini By De’Longhi (Best Nespresso)
Key Features:
- Manufacturer: Nespresso
- Coffee Maker Type: Pod Coffee Maker
- Built: Hard plastic
- Price: $$
This espresso maker is a little, and the most compact Nespresso model one can get at the moment. The overall price tag of his machine complements its features in all aspects.
The device is 220v compatible and usable in most Asian, European, and American countries. This machine can handle both Starbucks and Nespresso Original pods with no hassle; however, Nespresso has a range of flavored pods.
Excellent for a two-person family or college students sharing a dorm room.
This Nespresso machine offers quick heat-up features that prepare it for the brewing process in less than 30 seconds. The Nespresso Essenza Mini also uses High-Pressure Pump that produces a 19 bars extraction pressure resulting in consistent brew each time.
This machine is ideal if you want a quick and simple espresso or lungo. The compact device takes up minimal space in even the smallest kitchens, which also have limited counter space. Seeming to be a bit pricey versus a drip coffee maker, it is simpler to clean and operate.
All in all, as a coffee addict, this gadget allows me to make flavorful Nespresso at home or at my office kitchen. The moment the coffee begins to brew, the room fills with the most inspiring aroma, and thanks to the different Nespresso flavor selections, everyone can find an option that they prefer!
Pros:
Compact take very little space
Quick heat-up system
Two programmable cup sizes for Espresso and Lungo
Cons:
Not suitable for making drip coffee
Small water tank
Nespresso Machine Essenza Mini
3. Mr. Coffee Espresso and Cappuccino Machine with Milk Frother
Key Features:
- Manufacturer: Mr. Coffee
- Coffee Maker Type: Semi-Automatic Espresso Machines
- Built: Hard plastic
- Price: $$
For those typical specialty coffee enthusiast who prefers cappuccinos and lattes, this is a decent coffee maker. We awarded it a perfect score for the overall espresso brewing cycle because it makes pretty consistent and tasty single or double espresso shots most of the time.
The Mr. Coffee’s Cafe Barista espresso machine uses an automated off function that turns off the machine as the steaming or brewing cycle gets completed. However, we do recommend turning the off button manually just to make sure.
For a month we have used this espresso maker in the office and it is used 5 to 10 times a day by the staff. Despite the constant usage, the machine is working properly, yet we do clean it every week.
While using this machine, we do realize that this is arguably the simplest latte maker you could get. There remains a few factors that, if you have never used an espresso machine prior, will take you a while to figure out.
Overall, we are satisfied. Despite the fact that the overall quality of the shot may vary sometimes, which is decent. In my experience, I have used this machine a lot and only manage to pull a subpar wasted espresso shot once per 10 attempts. That means it produces excellent espresso shots 90% of the time!
I experimented with a few various coffee appliances, including espresso-specific machines. Neither of them proved worthwhile, when making cafe mochas like Mr. Coffee, this machine is far simpler and more convenient.
The built-in frother makes steaming and frothing milk easy and quick. Once all the settings are done right you just have to push a button to get your lattes right in just a few seconds.
Pros:
3-in-1 latte, cappuccino, and espresso maker
One touch drink selection function
Easy to remove and refill the water tank
Cons:
Noisy while steaming milk
Removable parts are not dishwasher friendly
Mr. Coffee Espresso Maker
Things to Consider Before Buying a College Coffee Maker
Finding a coffee maker ought to be simple if everything is organized and you know which features you need as a college student.
Fortunately, we’ve finished all the homework and analyzed the top coffee makers of 2023 that are simple, take less space, and brew great coffee.
Here are a few key elements that helped us decide what are the best coffee maker for a small room:
Ease of Use
As a college student, who just wants a good cup of coffee each day, you might not want to fiddle with a complicated coffee machine first thing in the morning. A coffee maker that can brew some quick coffee with less heat-up time should be preferred in this case.
All the coffee appliances on this list are simple to use, easy to clean, and with interactive controls that are well-labeled with defined functionalities.
Available Space
You’ll definitely need a coffee maker that can easily fit into a small space because a college dorm won’t offer much extra place.
So, there is no need to waste time and money on a bulky commercial espresso machine that is huge and takes up a lot of space.
To keep your college room neat and tidy, we have recommended some of the best compact coffee machines that are well-equipped with features that a college student will require.
Additionally, If prefer a drip coffee maker, store the coffee beans in a cool, dark place, and if you like to use a pod coffee maker like Nespresso or Keurig, remember that you will need some space to organize these coffee pods. Either way, you will need some space to accommodate your new coffee maker.
Daily Coffee Requirement
Less than 200–300 mg of caffeine per day is suggested. However, many college students drink more like 400–500 mg. Caffeine is a must for students to get through a busy day at college or to occasionally be focused during the nights before a big test. However, we do recommend monitoring your caffeine intake and making sure that you are within the limits of safe caffeine dosage.
With this caffeine intake in mind, a coffee maker that can brew 5 to 10 cups of coffee is more than enough for you as well as for your dorm partner each day.
Your Budget
As we have all been there, a college student has limited finances and spends their money with care. Getting a coffee maker naturally, depends a lot on how much money you are willing to spend to satisfy your caffeine requirements.
A wise thing to do if you share a dorm room is to split the cost of a coffee machine with your roommates.
Nonetheless, expensive does not always mean good, a budget coffee maker can also brew an excellent cup of coffee. The only thing to keep in mind is to get your kitchen appliances from trusted places that have an effective return policy.
FAQs
Are Coffee Makers Allowed in College Dorms?
Although coffee makers are commonly allowed in college dorms, some institutions demand to have them UL-listed, which means they have received approval from a third-party science safety company that acknowledges that the appliance functions safely and meets all their safety criteria.
However, a coffee machine with a warmer burner won’t be approved in some college dorms as well. This is something you should consider when selecting your machine.
How Much Money Can I Save With the Best College Coffee Maker?
By making a 12 oz. of coffee yourself, you may save $1.71 for every cup. This presupposes that you would purchase a $3 cup from the coffee shop. You may get an indication of how much you can save by multiplying this by the number of cups you consume each day. As I take 3 cups of coffee each day, it calculates to a weekly saving of $35.91 or $159.3 every month.
Why Do I Need A Good Coffee Maker for College?
Firstly, a quick coffee maker can help you avoid being late for class. Avoid standing in long queues at the campus coffee shop just for some coffee.
Then it allows you to make coffee as you like rather than drinking a watery good-for-nothing coffee cup from the school canteen. By doing so you’ll only be giving money to your campus barista that can be saved easily with a simple affordable coffee machine.
Final Thoughts | Best Coffee Makers for College Dorms
Being a college student is once in a lifetime experience and we want to make the most of it. A coffee maker in your dorm room will not only help you with better finances, but it will also help you focus on those long exam nights.
All in all, the best coffee maker for college dorms can help you save a lot of dollars. Stop purchasing overpriced coffee from the college café and take control of your caffeine intake with the coffee drinks you like.
We had lots of fun compiling this list and in case we have overlooked a coffee maker that you want us to review, tell us in the comment.
