10 Easy Ways To Brew The Best Coffee (2021 Update)

Today, with all the new and progressive coffee brewing methods available, you may have a tough time deciding on just one method as your go-with. Cold-drip? pour over? ...you get the point (the list goes up to ten)

You may be a French press brewer, but unless you’ve tried all 10 brew types, how do you know what’s easy and what you're missing?

10 best coffee brands to buy

This will guide you through each of the 10 brew types and every easy method for brewing coffee, from normal to new-age, and (hopefully) get you excited to brew more coffee in every way imaginable.

First Let’s Start With Coffee Styles Or Types
Type A: Brewing Using Filtration or Drip System
Filtration or drip coffee brands are all the rage in the coffee community at the moment – it seems as if a new, funky looking and progressive dripper is being invented every other month. We’re going to cover pour over dripping cold brewing, drip machines, and everything in between.

Brewing is relatively straightforward: Pour your water over your freshly ground beans that sit in a filter of some sort. Gravity aids the water as it passes through the grounds (and enters your vessel below) and the result is a clean, clear and light bodied tasting brew. You'll want to use a gooseneck kettle, to control the rate of your pour.

Less is more with drip style coffee brewing – most drippers are small, portable, inexpensive, and are just a damn good way to brew small batches of great tasting coffee brands.

Type B: Boiling To Brew Coffee
Are all these coffee brewing gimmicks necessary?

Sure, they make brewing coffee fun and allow you to customize your brew, but since coffee brands existed there has been one method to 10 easy ways to brew the best coffee. That's the simplest road possible: boiling your coffee with water.

All you need to make coffee is water, heat, and ground coffee, so why complicate things? If you find yourself without any form of coffee maker, you can put your mind at rest knowing that you can make a decent cup with the simplest of items.

Type C: Steeping Your Coffee
Steeping is just another word for immersion, and it’s the most fundamental (and longest standing) method of brewing coffee.

In a nutshell, you are simply mixing coffee grinds directly with hot water, allowing the two to work their magic, and then separating them, keeping the coffee, and dumping the wet coffee grinds.

Sounds simple enough, right? It is. However, there is a fine line between over and under steeping your brew; too early and you’ll be drinking weak s**t, too long and you’ll be drinking a typical bitter brew.

On a positive note, learning to steep correctly isn’t rocket science, and when done right you’re left with a uniquely flavored brew as you uncover flavors of coffee brands you never knew existed.

The most common way to steep coffee is with the French press (which we’re about to look at in detail) however we’ll also cover the softbrew, coffee bags, and the vacuum pot.

Type D: Under Pressure Coffee Brew Types
The word “espresso” Or “cappuccino” may spring to mind when we talk about pressure brewed coffee, however, there's more ways to brew with pressure than the stock standard machine.

Pressure 10 easy ways to brew the best coffee merely describes a cup of coffee that is extracted using…you guessed it…pressure, resulting in fast extraction times and a more intense brew (when compared with other brewing styles)

Let’s take a quick look at the three most common ways to brew coffee brands with a little pressure: The espresso/cappuccino machine, the Moka pot, and brewers alike.

1. The Coffee Bag

Ground coffee in a filter bag is plunged straight into your hot water, and you have your brew. If you’re struggling to make, ends meet or just the DIY type it's not hard to make your own coffee bags!

As with all steeping methods, there's the risk of over-steeping if you don’t keep an eye on the time, however, that’s about the only thing that can go wrong.

What We Think We Know

Time: for > Brew: Regarding speed of the overall process, it's as quick as brewing comes. Your brew will be ready in 3-4 minutes. No grinding or preheating required.

Type of texture requirement: If you buy pre-made coffee bags its not up to you. If you make your own however, go for a medium-fine grind (any size will work – but the finer, the more flavor you’ll get)

Brew Results: Nothing fantastic since your 10 easy ways to brew the best coffee brand will not be freshly ground or stored correctly, but it still beats an instant coffee.

Skill level: Can you make tea? then you got this.

Best delivery for you if: you hate instant coffee brands but still need a caffeine fix on the road/while traveling try one of these 10 best coffee brands to buy recommendations.

Not so great for you if: You like the process of brewing their own coffee, or despise of non-freshly ground coffee brands (that's us)

PROS
No expensive brand coffee making gadgets required
Super portable
Cheap – just ask for a cup of hot water (on the plane or when driving through) and you’ve almost got a cup of coffee.
CONS
Forget about that ‘freshly ground brand’ taste
Wastage – mother nature will hate you

1. The Ready Set Go Dripper

The Melitta ready set Joe dripper is the most convenient option on the market – perfect for camping fanatics who still love a decent cup of joe.

It’s a simple plastic dripping cone that brews coffee in a flash. You won’t get the same quality brew that you’ll get with other drippers, however, its price tag and portability means it’s a favorite among campers and travelers.

What We Think We Know

Time: from Bean > Brew: 4-5 minutes and you're caffeinated.

Type of grind requirement: Medium fine works best.

Resulting brew: Nothing amazing like a more advanced dripper, but it's still better than cowboy coffee.

Skill level: Not much at all – it's about as simple as they come.

Best suited for you if: You're a Camper, backpacker, or a bargain-hunter.

Not so great for you if: You love the clean taste of a more advanced dripper. This will not impress you.

PROS
Cheap – you can pick this brand up for pocket change (literally)
Very portable and light
Very easy to clean
CONS
Nothing amazing in terms of brewed coffee (its plastic)
Only makes one serving per brew

1. The Bee House Dripper

The Bee house is another Japanese pour over brewer that is getting a great deal of attention in the coffee world – likely because it's easy to use, makes a great darn drip and looks sexier than most drippers combined (it's made from ceramic and available in different colors)

It’s worth mentioning that the learning curve is more forgiving than the wavy type (it drains slower and still works with coarse grind brands) meaning it’s a great way to get your feet wet in the world of pouring over 10 easy ways to brew the 10 best coffee brands to buy. You’re guaranteed an excellent brew, even if you suck!

What We Think We Know

Time: for > Brew: You’ll be aiming for a brew time of 3 to 3 and a half minutes.

Type of texture requirement: Medium fine brands are ideal – a little finer than your standard drip coffee grind (similar to table salt)

Brew Results: You’ll get a clean and clear tasting coffee (like you would with most drippers) however, since it drains a little slower than other methods you can expect more flavor – Stumptown describes it as a ‘clean and sweet cup character.'

Skill level: Practice will do you well but mastering the Bee house is much easier than mastering other tricky drip brewing methods.

Best delivery for you if: You love a great looking dripper – it will fit well into any kitchen pace.

Not so great for you if: Like to take your gear traveling? The ceramic material is of course not ideal for traveling with.

PROS
Uses standard filters meaning most grocery store brands will work (if you happen to run out)
Made from ceramic which holds heat for longer than plastic brands.
CONS
The ceramic brands could be easily broken – be careful!

1. The French press

The French press is the unofficial mascot of home brewed coffee brands; it’s been steeping coffee in households since before your grandparents were born, and it has a very loyal, cult following among the home barista community.

Why so? It's likely thanks to multiple reasons, but our money on the fact that 10 easy ways to brew the best coffee is super easy to use, can be picked up for pocket change (almost) and produces a brew with a distinct taste and feel like no other method.

If you're into them, make sure you use a quality brand, and make sure you use the right coffee grind as this little known but super common mistake taints brews all over the world.

Did you know you can brew cold brew coffee brands with your press too?

What We Think We Know

Time: from Bean > Brew: It's not super quick, but not super slow either. From (almost) boiling the water, to steeping and plunging, you’ll need about 10 or so minutes. While steeping, however, it will need your undivided attention.

Type of grind requirement: A coarse grind is the only way to go. Too fine a grind means you’ll have particles stuck in the filter and passing into the finished brew, adding to over-steeping and leaving you with a bitter mess.

Resulting brew: A unique, non-harsh aromatic coffee that’s full of flavor, particular to your beans. It will, however, be a little sediment-y, so avoid drinking the last few sips of each cup

Skill level: Making a press is an easy task. Making the perfect French one is a little harder. All-in-all, if you follow a very clear set of instructions, such as these, you’ll get what you’re looking for, no problems.

Best suited for you if: You love the unique brew you get, or if you have a lot of caffeine fiends to fix up (e.g. a full household)

Not so great for you if: You’re a frequent traveler - they are made from glass (most of the time – stainless steel options are available)

PROS
Distinct and unique brand flavor
Easy to use with the right advice
Ability to make large pots of coffee without having to repeat the process
CONS
Taste may not be ‘your cuppa tea.
Steeping is hard to perfect and is a standard screw up.

1. The Electric Percolator

The percolator is nothing new or cutting edge in the world of coffee. If you’ve been to a bland looking diner somewhere in the northern hemisphere, chances are you’ve drunk percolated coffee.

Rumor has it that there are people out there who actually enjoy percolated coffee, but the person who told me also said pigs fly. The reason the percolator breed’s disgust among coffee lovers is for its lack of respect for the coffee bean.

The 10 easy ways to brew the best coffee in a percolator is boiled multiple times over, leading to over-extraction and leaving you with a bitter brown mess as a result.

If you’re of the school of thought that a bad coffee brand is better than no coffee, you may be able to work that brown mess into a drinkable brew. Anything’s possible with the 10 best coffee brands to buy .

Keep in mind, innovations in the industry have drastically improved certain coffee brand machines.

What We Think We Know

Time: for > Brew: You are supposed to let the percolator percolate for 10 minutes, however, this is a great way to ruin your coffee; try 3-4 minutes for better results.

Type of texture requirement: You’ll want to use a coarse grind brand. Using a fine grind will completely ruin an already damaged coffee.

brew Results: Nothing special. If you apply a little skill by using a coarse grind and letting it percolate for no longer than 4 minutes it will be drinkable, but you won’t wake up excited to drink it.

Skill level: No skill required. Just put in the coffee and water and turn it on.

Best delivery for you if: You don’t care how your coffee brand tastes and you are just in it for the caffeine. It's quick and easy.

Not so great for you if: Anyone who respects the coffee brands.

PROS
Quick and easy brand
Fills your home with that ‘lovely Hawaiian coffee brand smell'.
CONS
Poor way to brew a coffee brand – bitter and hot
Must be cleaned often for flavour and health reasons.

1. The Moka Pot

Don’t have a few hundred bucks to spend on an espresso machine, but still looking for that espresso-shot-like-kick that comes from a pressurized brew?

The magic behind the Moka pot is in its 3 chambered brew process. Water in the bottom chamber boils, and the steam causes pressure that pushes water up through the coffee grounds into the top chamber.

What We Think We Know

Time: from Bean > Brew: Super fast – Once you've heated your water it should take no more than 5 minutes (a little longer if you use an induction stove). For that reason, it's the go-to option for caffeine deprived people when in a morning rush.

Type of grind requirement: This is the tricky part. As a rule, you want it coarser than a fine, espresso like grind, and finer than a drip coffee grind. If that doesn't help - the best way to achieve the right grind is through trial and error – start coarse, and go finer until the texture & taste of the end result is right for you.

Rule of thumb: if your brew is too weak/watery, you’ve gone too coarse (under-extracted). Too bitter, and you’ve gone too fine (over-extracted)

Resulting brew: Not quite an espresso, but close to it (if you use the right grind and the right technique). Expect a sharp and strong tasting coffee brand.

Skill level: You don’t need to be a barista of any kind – once you have the right grind (which is the hardest part) it’s a relatively simple process – just fill the chambers, turn on the heat and keep a close eye on it.

Best suited for you if: You’re on a budget, or want something super portable but are not a fan of the ‘clean and thin’ tasting brew from drip coffee brand.

Not so great for you if: You love the taste and texture of a shot of espresso. The resulting brew is strong (even a little harsh) so if that’s not your style, keep looking.

PROS
Super cheap brand coffee maker
Quick to brew
Very portable – you can even get mini pots that are perfect as a travel brand.
CONS
Some say the brew tastes like ‘an espresso shot from 15 years ago’ (i.e. low quality)
The risk of over and under extraction is high (depending on your brand’s grind finesse)

1. The Cowboy Method

It's the oldest known method of brewing coffee; it's old-fashioned, but it works, and you don’t need much to make it happen. Commonly used around campsites where nobody has bothered to pack any coffee making gear, all you’ll need is a flame and a saucepan.

We show you exactly how to do it here, but in a nutshell: fill your pot with water, bring it to a boil, throw in your ground coffee, remove it from the heat and let it brew for a few minutes. Once the grounds settle to the bottom of the pot, you can pour your coffee into your mug, slowly and gently. Nothing fancy required.

What We Think We Know

Time: for > Brew: Once your water has boiled, you’ll need 4-5 minutes to brew your 10 best coffee brands to buy, a few more to let the grinds settle, and a few more to pour with a steady hand. You’re looking at 10 minutes plus, but nobody said it would be quick, did they?

Type of texture requirement: Medium – course is ideal, and anything larger. Just don’t add fine grounds or you’ll be drinking a silty, sludgy mess.

Brew Results: It's very hit and miss depending on your timing, your grind and every other variable involved. That being said, it's still one of the people’s 10 easy ways to brew the best coffee choices and better than instant, but you wouldn’t find it served in coffee shops (or would you?)

Skill level: Can you boil and egg? If so, you’ve already graduated from cowboy coffee brewing school.

Best Delivery for you if: You lack the funds to invest in any form of coffee brewing apparatus.

Not so great for you if: It’s a messy brewing process, so if that scares you, double check that your single serve dripper is packed in your camping luggage.

PROS
You don’t need any fancy accessories, so you can just about do it anywhere
You’ll feel like a Bear
CONS
It's nothing special
There's a very good chance you’ll burn your favorite coffee brand, and yourself

1. Cold Drip Brewing

If you haven’t heard of cold drip coffee brands you must be new to this game, or, you’ve been hiding under a rock for the past few years. Cold brew is one of the most popular caffeine infused innovations of our time – and no, we are not talking about iced coffee brands.

In a nutshell, it's made by slowly dripping cold filtered water through your fresh grinds for a long period – often 10 hours or more!

Is it just like hot coffee brands, but cold? Hell no. In the end, your patience will be rewarded with a strong, intense, unique tasting coffee with a super smooth finish - no acidity or bitterness. There’s no need to ‘enhance’ the flavor with milk or sweeteners, meaning you can taste the real origins of the coffee bean and where it comes from.

Our personal favorite part of cold brewed coffee brands – it stays fresh for up to 2 weeks, so fill up a few old jars in the fridge and with one cycle you’ll stay happily caffeinated on great-damn-tasting coffee for days.

If you love what you just heard, take a look at our recommendations for the best cold drippers right here.

What We Think We Know

Time: from Bean > Brew: 10-24 hours. Patience is a virtue.

Type of grind requirement: Coarse – think thick sand

Resulting brew: It’s a strong and intense flavored brew, but without any form of bitterness. The full flavors of the coffee bean will be on display. Best of all, its got a super smooth aftertaste.

Skill level: Just get the grind right, set up your cold dripper as it was intended and you’re good to go.

Best suited for you if: You live somewhere hot (you need this.) Its also an excellent option for anyone who experiences the typical sharp peak and crash from a standard coffee. Cold drip coffee brands give you the caffeine high without the crash – keeping you mentally alert, yet calm.

Not so great for you if: You're an impatient bastard. Its slooooow.

PROS
Kona Unique tasting brew without any bitterness
No caffeine crash
Make extra and store it in the fridge
CONS
Takes time and requires patience

1. The Cappuccino Machine
   This Limited Edition Essenza Mini coffee machine is small, easy to use, and doesn’t compromise on taste, a perfect gift this holiday season. It fits into the most modest of spaces, but is still bold on style and personality.

If you like clean-cut lines, go for the rectangular shape. For a curvier style, try out the triangular one. Preparing an Espresso or a Lungo couldn’t be more convenient thanks to the two programmable buttons and automatic flow-stop. Small in size, for big coffee moments.

What We Think We Know

Time: for > Brew: It depends on your machine. A commercial machine may need 15-40 minutes to warm up, and a home-based machine may take only 3 minutes. Once warm, however, you’ll have your fix in 20-30 seconds.

Type of texture requirement: You’ll need a fine, consistent grind. Here’s a trick of the trade: pinch your grind and observe what happens (it should clump in your fingertips). Too coarse and it won't clump at all, too fine and it will clump excessively.

Brew Results: A shot of Cappuccino , when done right, is strong, sharp and full of flavor (it should not be bitter)

Skill level: It all depends on your machine - some will make a great shot almost automatically, others (the more commercial, manual types) will require a high level or skill, hence the need for barista schools.

Best delivery for you: If you like a milky brew (e.g. a latte) or if you’re the type that likes a quick and sharp hit of caffeine we had to include this type in the 10 easy ways to brew the best coffee. What makes 10 best coffee brands to buy cappuccino unique - no other machine can replicate a nice Cappuccino shot.

Not so great for: If you prefer a subtle tasting brew, if you don’t want to spend hundreds of dollars on a coffee maker, or don’t have space for a machine (perhaps you travel often?) a Cappuccino machine will just be extra baggage in your life.

PROS
Fast brand to brew (once warmed up)
Range in price (and quality) from relatively cheap to super expensive
Brew highly concentrated, sharp caffeine brew
CONS
Cheaper brand coffee tend to give you less than ideal results
Take up kitchen counter space
An absolute b**ch to clean

1. The Espresso Machine

Anyone who knows anything about coffee brands knows what an espresso machine is - they’ve been keeping us caffeinated since 1901.

Today they come in various shapes and sizes, with loads of features and gimmicks. Don't get confused by flash machines though because the basics are the same: pressurized water is pushed through a chamber/puck of finely ground coffee beans, through a filter, resulting in what we call a shot of espresso.

Are they expensive? Yes and no - you can spend as little or as much as you want. We’ve looked into the best (home-based) brands range from under $100, under $300, and under $500 (in case you need to get your hands on one, fast)

What We Think We Know

Time: from Bean > Brew: It depends on your machine. A commercial machine may need 15-40 minutes to warm up, and a home-based machine may take only 3 minutes. Once warm, however, you’ll have your fix in 20-30 seconds.

Type of grind requirement: You’ll need a fine, consistent grind. Here’s a trick of the trade: pinch your grind and observe what happens (it should clump in your fingertips). Too coarse and it won't clump at all, too fine and it will clump excessively.

Resulting brew: A shot of espresso, when done right, is strong, sharp and full of flavor (it should not be bitter)

Skill level: It all depends on your machine - some will make a great shot almost automatically, others (the more commercial, manual types) will require a high level or skill, hence the need for barista schools.

Best suited for you: If you like a milky brew (e.g. a latte) or if you’re the type that likes a quick and sharp hit of caffeine. Espresso's are unique - no other machine can replicate a nice espresso shot.

Not so great for: If you prefer a subtle tasting brew, if you don’t want to spend hundreds of dollars on a coffee brands, or don’t have space for a machine (perhaps you travel often?), an espresso machine will just be extra baggage in your life.

PROS
Fast to brew (once warmed up)
Range in price (and quality) from relatively cheap brand to super expensive
Brew highly concentrated, sharp caffeine brew
CONS
Cheaper coffee brands tend to give you less than ideal results
Take up kitchen counter space
An absolute b**ch to clean
Finally I’d like to say my favorite out of the 10 best ways to brew coffee is “COLD BREW”!

Not Just Any Cold Brew…

The Unimaginable Crisp Mouth Explosion from “Cold Brew Kona Coffee”.