15 Best SCAA Certified Coffee Makers Reviewed & Complete Buyer’s Guide

crazy by Editorial Staff | Updated on December 17th, 2022

Having an automatic coffee maker screams comfort and convenience. However, not all coffee makers are the same. So, if you want one you should invest in, you better tune in!


The Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA) is a nonprofit organization that certifies coffee makers. So not every coffee maker is certified. But if you’re looking for the best coffee maker, you should consider a machine that’s SCAA certified.

scaa certified coffee makers

In this article, we will talk about the best SCAA coffee makers. 

Our top pick SCAA-certified coffee maker

Bonavita BV1901TS 8-Cup One-Touch Coffee Maker

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  • 8-cup size
  • 6 minutes brewing time

It is certified by the Specialty Coffee Association, 10/11/2018. This coffee maker is pretty straightforward but also boasts of top-quality performance. It is compact and easy to use with the promise of a consistent brew with its one-touch design. It also comes with a huge shower head to improve flavor and infusion.

Its 1500w heater can brew up to 8 cups in 6 minutes. If you opt to wet the grounds before brewing, an optional pre-infusion feature activates when you press and hold the on button until it gives off a beep.

This Bonavita system features a one-touch brew process with auto shut-off, a programmable auto-start timer, and a digital monitor. In addition, it has an optional pre-infusion feature, an oversized showerhead, and a flat-bottomed filter basket, all of which contribute to excellent saturation and extraction.

There is another similar model, BV1900TS, but that does not come with a programmable timer.

Pros

  • Great value
  • Consistent brew
  • Dishwasher-safe
  • Programmable

Cons

  • No brew-pause feature
  • Lid and basket may be quite complex

Breville BDC450BSS Precision Brewer Coffee Maker

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  • 12-cup size
  • 8 minutes brewing time

Among the SCAA-recommended list, this unit is the largest cup brewer with up to 12-cup capacity. It has programmable temperature and pre-infusion controls. In addition, it has an easy-to-use manual mode and a PID temperature control for a smoother experience. 

With 6 distinct brewing modes, you can make a fine, healthy cup of coffee just the way you want. Gold, Quick, Strong, Iced, Cold Brew, and My Brew are some preset modes. In addition, you can fine-tune My Brew to your liking by changing the bloom time, flow rate, and brewing temperature. Alternatively, brew a pour-over using a drip adapter and your favorite pour-over unit.

A flat bottom or a cone filter basket, all of which are included, may be used. This brewer is also programmable.

The unit comes with cone filter baskets and a flat bottom. We also find it incredible that the machine can detect if only a single cup is being used and will adjust the flow settings accordingly. It will also detect when a small cup is added and not the carafe. In addition, Breville’s proprietary Auto ‘Steep and Release’ Technology automatically pours the right amount of coffee!

You may check other Breville variants with this feature if you’re all for glass carafes versus thermal.

This coffee maker has a dimension of 16”h x 12.4”w x 6.7”d. Keep in mind as well that the reservoir is not removable, and it will overall occupy a relatively huge countertop space.

Pros

  • Detects small cup and adjusts flow accordingly
  • Programmable temperature, bloom time, and flow rate
  • Cold brew feature

Cons

Technivorm Moccamaster 79112 KBT Coffee Brewer

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  • 10-cup size
  • 6 minutes brewing time

The Technivorm Moccamaster is one of the best rated around, ultimately for a reason!

I would recommend any Technivorm Moccamasters, and we have an article dedicated to helping you make that decision.

Consider them as the Rolex of watches. You might have new up-and-coming brands, but you can always rely on them for the best.

First of all, it’s aesthetically pleasing with its classic and retro look. On top of that, it’s known to brew delicious cups and is consistently rated the cream of the crop by America’s Test Kitchen.

All Technivorm models are SCAA-approved, and there’s a vast range of colors to choose from. They also have glass and thermal carafes, so you can enjoy your experience the way you want. 

This specific unit can brew up to 10 cups in just 8 minutes. It is pretty straightforward, quick, and quiet. The downside is that there’s no programmable timer or temperature control. However, it houses a pre-infusion feature, auto drip stop, flat-bottom filter, and auto shut off after 2 hours. The dimensions of this unit are 12.75”w x 6.5”d x 14”h.

The manufacturer of Technivorm is located in The Netherlands, and they offer a generous 5-year warranty! 

Although the Technivorm Moccamasters come with a heavy price tag, compared to brands like Bonavita, this remains our top pick because of its durability and simplicity of use. In addition, it produces a cup of Joe unlike no other, and you’re assured that your investment will last you years.

The copper heating element, 9 hole outlet arm (for saturation), 4-6 minute brew time.

And…

After 100 minutes, the Moccamaster will shut down on its own. However, if you leave a cup unattended, it will not burn away. This is the best machine money can buy for those who suffer cold coffee while working from home. If you can put a price on keeping your coffee warm as long as possible, this is it.

A switch allows you to control the temperature of the heat plate. Depending on your preferences, you can set the temperature to 175 or 185 degrees Fahrenheit (79 to 85 degrees Celsius).

Pros

  • Simple and straightforward control panel
  • Durable
  • Large range of styles and colors

Cons

  • On the pricey side
  • No auto start feature
  • Limited brew settings

OXO On Barista Brain 9 Cup Coffee Maker

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  • 9-cup size
  • 6 minutes brewing time

The OXO 9-cup thermal coffee maker is a bit larger than their 8 cups, coming in at 15 x 8.3 x 17.2 inches, versus their 8 cups 13.5×10.5×7 inches; however, it has a better cool techy aesthetic to it.

This model has a rainmaker showerhead to distribute water through the coffee grounds evenly. This coffee machine also has a microprocessor-controlled brew timed cycle that mimics the pour-over method, giving the coffee a refined flavor. It also lets you choose between brewing 2-4 cups or 5-9 cups.

Unfortunately, there is no single-serve alternative. The drip-stop valve under the brew basket, on the other hand, allows you to remove the carafe mid-brew. The coffee maker will stop the brew cycle for 60 seconds. If the carafe is not replaced within 60 seconds, the Pause & Pour feature will cancel the brewing process.

A single dial allows you to program the number of cups and the 24-hour start timer, so you can dream about drinking coffee before you wake up. Other exciting features are the Freshness Timer, which will begin once the brew cycle is complete, and descaling indicators.

Pros

  • Rich and full-bodied coffee
  • bloom time
  • Compact

Cons

  • No single serve brew
  • Small carafe
  • Hand wash
  • Little confusing to program with the one knob

Ninja CM407 Specialty Coffee Maker

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  • 10-cup size
  • 10 minutes of brewing time

The Ninja Specialty Coffee Maker has a convenient fold-away milk frother and thermal carafe. It is aesthetically pleasing, and it remains the only golden cup coffee maker with a built-in frother so that you can create delicious lattes, macchiato, cappuccinos, and other coffeehouse-style drinks. So it wins as the most versatile coffee machine on this list.

It is programmable, with the “delay brew” function, which allows the user to set the coffee machine up to 24 hours prior. 

It takes about 10 minutes to brew 10 cups, and it offers 6 brew sizes:

  • such as a single cup (12 ounces)
  • XL cup (14 ounces)
  • travel mug (16 ounces)
  • XL multi-serve (20 ounces)
  • a half carafe (25 ounces)
  • and full carafe (50 ounces)

You can choose from 4 brew styles: “classic,” “rich,” “over ice,” and “specialty brew.”. This also has a ” drip-stop ” feature, which is helpful for quick coffee serving even before the brewing is over.

Additionally, it has a removable water reservoir, permanent cone filter, and a stainless steel thermal carafe which can keep your coffee warm for up to a couple of hours.

The built-in frother works in hot and cold situations and is easy to store since it’s fold-away. Cleaning is also easy because it carries a built-in clean function which you can enjoy with one press of a button. The dimensions of this unit are 15”h x 12”w x 8.75”d. 

Should you prefer a glass carafe, you may want to check out the Ninja CM401.

Pros

  • Built-in milk frother
  • Single cup brew 
  • Altitude calibration feature
  • Dishwasher friendly

Cons

  • Large
  • No warming function
  • Few brew control

Behmor Brazen Coffee Maker

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  • 8-cup size
  • 10-12 minutes brewing time

The Behmor Brazen Plus coffee maker offers an advanced drip and customizable features, and you can also get the Behmor Connected which is compatible with Alexa. The water is pre-heated in its stainless steel water tank to ensure temperature consistency. For an enhanced ground extraction, we can trust the oversized showerhead for that.

Brazen’s water tank and heating element are located directly above the grounds, releasing heated water into the shower head and dripping onto the grounds. Compare that to others that gurgle up from a pipe. Neat design.

Brewing a batch will easily take 10-12 minutes. This is because it heats the water like an electric kettle before beginning the brewing process. The heat provides a hotter temperature compared to the other coffee machine listed here, 190-210°F.

It boasts a programmable start time, pre-infusion time, and water temperature. If you choose the manual release function, yIn addition, you may incorporate this brewer with your manual pour-over coffee maker.

And if you are up in the mountains, the Brazen has an altitude calibration for accurate temperature in higher elevations.

Pros

  • Programmable
  • Oversized shower head
  • blooming customization
  • Stainless steel reservoir
  • Altitude calibration

Cons

  • Slower brew than most here
  • More expensive than others

Other SCAA Coffee makers to consider

Brim Pour-Over Coffee Maker

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Cuisinart CPO-850 Coffee Brewer

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Bonavita BV1900TD Digital Coffee Maker

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OXO Brew 8 Cup Coffee Maker

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Braun KF9070SI MultiServe Coffee Machine

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BUNN Heat N Brew Programmable Coffee Maker

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Ninja Hot and Cold Brewed System, Auto-IQ

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Technivorm Moccamaster 59616 KBG

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OXO On Barista Brain 12 Cup Coffee Maker

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What is the SCAA coffee maker’s certification?

The Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA) is a membership trade organization. The goal of the group is to standardize and enhance the standards of coffee. One way to do this is to grant coffee maker certification to those who pass the criteria.

To have a certification from the organization, coffee maker brands purchase the service of SCA to have their coffee makers tested and retested. Unfortunately, not all brands choose to avail of this service, and there are great non-certified coffee makers.  

Take note that SCAA-certified coffee makers tend to be more expensive. But, if you want peace of mind regarding the quality of your coffee maker, it’s truly worth the buck!

SCAA coffee maker requirements

But before we get into our list, I wanted to share just how rigorous it is to be certified.

I’ve gathered the requirements based on SCAA Certified Home Brewer Program Minimum Certification Requirements.

  1. Coffee volume

The brew basket must be sized according to the manufacturer’s maximum capacity requirements. For the Gold Cup Ratio, they allow a minimum of 45-55 grams of coffee in the water reservoir, and the basket needs to avoid overflowing when the brew ratio is applied. This is an allowance of about 50% of the depth of the coffee. The results in coffee uniformity of extraction are obtained with bed depths between 2.5 and 5 cm.

  1. Brewing time

The coffee brewer must be able to complete the entire brew cycle within the time given. The water must contact the coffee grounds for more than 4 minutes to obtain the optimum brewing results, but less than 8. The beginning of the brewing time is when the first drops of coffee make it to the bottom of the carafe, and the end is when the brewed coffee is in the carafe.

  1. Brewing temperature

The coffee maker must maintain the optimal temperature range during brewing where the water contacts the coffee; the coffee maintains that temperature (92°C or 197.6°F) for the remainder of the brew cycle and never exceeds 96° or 204.8°F.

  1. Beverage preparation

To ensure a top-quality extraction and a balanced brew is what this category’s for. As per the SCA: “for a beverage strength (solubles concentration) of between 1.15% and 1.45% resulting from an extraction (solubles yield) of between 18.0% and 22.0% from the weight of coffee in the brew basket.”

  1. Uniformity of Performance

To ensure consistency and reproducibility, test for uniformity for this test; at least 5 coffee machines are required, 10 for new model submission. At least 10 cycles will be executed on each brewing unit to evaluate the consistency.

  1. Uniformity of Extraction

Brewers will be assigned a numerical ranking based on the average uniformity of extraction factor as calculated by the SCA Uniformity of Extraction Procedures. for the weight of coffee at a used for the maximum water volume capacity of the brewer as specified by the manufacturer or the SCA Gold Cup Ratio of 55 g/L

  1. Clarity of beverage

Excessive sediment should be avoided in brewed coffee. To be approved by the SCA, the brewer must contain less than 75 milligrams of sediment per 100 milliliters of brewed coffee.

  1. Holding Receptacle & Temperature

The beverage receiver must maintain the temperature of the coffee at no less than 80 degrees Celsius and no more than 85 degrees Celsius or 185 Fahrenheit for the first thirty (30) minutes of keeping time. During this time, the temperature of the coffee should never rise due to a heating element.

Important features to consider

If you still haven’t decided yet, and you still want to look for other SCAA-certified coffee makers, here are a few things you need to consider:

Size

Before you buy one, find a place you want to put your new coffee machine and measure it. Reading thousands of reviews on Amazon, you hear people complain about how big it was for them.

Don’t make that same mistake.

Do you need a compact one or have a vast space to fill? Of course, but it’s not black or white. For example, you might want to entertain a few guests and need a 12-cup coffee maker and have to sacrifice the space. Or if you don’t want to brew too much and need a single-serve. Is it for the office? Or a coffee shop?

Check the perfect dimensions for your kitchen countertop, office, RV, etc.

Programmable

Do you need your coffee at a particular time? Some SCAA coffee makers allow you to set a time for when you need brewing to start; others do not. For example, if you’re a person who doesn’t wake up and work 9-5, you might wake up in the middle of the afternoon. Or, if you’re at an office, the programming option doesn’t or does make sense.

Manual controls

If you’re the type who’s a control freak regarding your coffee preference, you may want to check the settings of the machine you’re eyeing. Again, that one button feature goes a long way if you’re at an office. Some prefer more control.

Price

It is important to remember that any brewer who follows the SCA certification requirements would be more expensive than many other brewers. You can buy a $30 coffee maker and be done with it. But the requirements for this coffee maker to be certified and the programmable features with unique technology are worth the price. You get what you pay for. Check your budget and work within that.

Glass or thermal

Whether glass or thermal, there are some advantages and disadvantages, but the key here is to find the one that suits your preference. A thermal carafe is usually better at retaining the flavor of your brew and uses less energy. However, it would help if you accepted that you would be unable to see your brew. Since the thermals are a bit heavier, I sometimes pour coffee, and nothing comes out.

Brew time

The SCA coffee makers generally have a brewing time of between 4-12 minutes, which already includes pre-heating of the water. Now 12 minutes is 3x more than 4 minutes, so this might be a tough decision.

Final words

If you have the money, you might want to opt for SCAA-certified coffee makers to ensure the quality of your product. We hope this list has helped you find your perfect coffee machine. Happy shopping!

FAQs

What is SCAA Certified?

Their coveted certification is limited to a premium range of drippers that can be brewed under their Golden Cup specifications, varying from water temperature to brewing time to uniformity of extraction. As a result, SCAA certification is practically synonymous with quality.

What does SCAA recommend for brewing temperature?

Coffee makers brew between 195 and 205 degrees Fahrenheit (90 to 96 degrees Celsius). The Specialty Coffee Association of America recommends that brewers hit 197.6°F within one minute and never exceed 204.8°F.

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Editorial Staff

The editorial staff at Crazy Coffee Crave is a team of coffee enthusiasts & Baristas who enjoy the one thing we all think about as soon as we get up in the morning. Trusted by thousands of readers worldwide.