After testing the new Caraway Coffee Maker for several weeks, I think it is a beautiful, easy-to-use machine that makes noticeably better coffee. Its biggest selling point is the plastic-free brew path, which uses glass and stainless steel anywhere the water and coffee travel. At $495, it is definitely an investment, but I think it's worth it if clean materials, great-tasting coffee and beautiful design are your priorities. Use my Caraway discount code 10CH to save 10% on your purchase.
Caraway is best known for its beautiful cookware, bakeware and kitchen essentials, but the brand has officially entered the small-appliance category with its first-ever coffee maker. I was able to use the new Caraway Coffee Maker in my own kitchen for several weeks before sharing this review, and I was especially curious to see whether it was as functional as it was pretty!
My husband and I primarily use a traditional coffee maker on the weekends. We love slower weekend mornings when we can make a full pot, enjoy more than one cup and not rush out the door. That gave both of us plenty of opportunities to test the Caraway Coffee Maker as part of our normal routine, not simply turn it on once for a sponsored photo.
My honest first impression? The coffee tasted noticeably better than what we were used to, the machine was incredibly simple to operate and it looked beautiful sitting on the counter. The plastic-free brewing system was also a huge selling point for me!
There are a few drawbacks you should know about, especially given its $495 price. I will cover those honestly below, along with who I think will get the most value from it.
The feature that immediately separates the Caraway Coffee Maker from a typical drip machine is its plastic-free brew path. The water reservoir and carafe are glass, while the internal water path, showerhead, brew basket and reusable filter are made from stainless steel. That means the water and finished coffee do not come into contact with plastic while brewing.
This matters because hot water passes through several components inside a coffee maker before it reaches your cup. If you have been gradually replacing plastic kitchen products or looking for a plastic-free coffee maker, this design makes Caraway's model especially compelling.
Caraway also says the coffee maker has been third-party tested for PFAS, lead and cadmium. That focus on thoughtfully chosen materials feels very consistent with what shoppers already expect from the brand.
Here is a quick look at its main features:
I tested the cream color, and it has the elevated, minimal look Caraway does so well. It feels like a coffee maker designed to stay on the counter rather than an appliance you wish you could hide in a cabinet.
Yes, and this was the part that surprised both my husband and me the most. We noticed that the coffee tasted better, not merely that the machine looked nicer. The coffee also came out super hot which was really nice!
The machine briefly wets the coffee grounds before completing the full brew. This is known as blooming, and it allows the grounds to release trapped gases before the rest of the water passes through them. The showerhead also distributes water more evenly across the grounds rather than concentrating it in one spot.
You do not need to understand the science to use it; the machine handles everything automatically. For us, the result was a smooth, balanced cup of coffee with noticeably better flavor than we had been getting from a standard drip coffee maker.
I also appreciated how quickly and quietly it brewed. That is especially nice during slow weekend mornings when one person may be awake before everyone else. It never felt overly complicated, loud or fussy.
The Caraway Coffee Maker is refreshingly simple. There is no crowded touchscreen or long list of settings. You add water, measure your coffee into the reusable filter and use the single dial to start brewing.
If you are someone who gets overwhelmed by appliances with too many buttons, this is a major advantage. I did not have to study a complicated manual or experiment with different menus before making a good pot of coffee.
The tradeoff is that it does not offer extensive customization. You cannot select different brew strengths, and there is no programmable timer that lets you schedule the coffee to begin automatically in the morning. I personally think the simplicity is part of its appeal, but the lack of a timer is important to know if waking up to an already-brewed pot is a must-have feature for you.
Yes. Cleaning it has been straightforward, and the removable accessories are dishwasher safe. The reusable stainless steel filter also eliminates the need to keep purchasing paper filters.
You will need to empty the wet grounds from the reusable filter, which can be slightly messier than lifting out and throwing away a paper filter. That was not a major issue for us, but it is worth mentioning if you prefer the quickest possible cleanup.
The machine also includes a built-in cleaning and descaling setting. Since mineral buildup can affect both the life of a coffee maker and the taste of the coffee, I like that routine maintenance is built into the design rather than being an afterthought.
1. The coffee genuinely tastes better
This is the most important point. A beautiful machine would not earn a permanent spot in my kitchen if the coffee were mediocre. Both my husband and I noticed an improvement in the finished cup.
2. Nothing in the brew path is plastic
The combination of a glass reservoir, glass carafe and stainless steel brewing components makes this one of its most distinctive features. If you are trying to reduce plastic exposure in the kitchen, it solves a problem that many traditional drip machines do not.
3. It is beautiful enough to leave on the counter
Caraway understands that appliances are part of a kitchen's design. The shape, finish and muted color options give the coffee maker an elevated look without making it feel trendy or overdone.
4. It is simple, quiet and fast
The one-dial control makes it extremely easy to use. It also brews quietly and quickly, which helps the whole process feel relaxed rather than overly technical.
5. Cleanup is manageable
The removable dishwasher-safe pieces and built-in cleaning cycle make maintenance much easier than I expected.
1. The price is high
At $495, the Caraway Coffee Maker is firmly in the premium category. You can absolutely buy a functional drip coffee maker for much less. You are paying for the plastic-free construction, thoughtful brewing system, clean design and Caraway aesthetic not simply the ability to brew a pot of coffee.
My Caraway discount code 10CH saves 10%, which helps bring the price down, but this is still an investment appliance.
2. It does not have a programmable start time
This is probably its most noticeable missing convenience feature. If you rely on setting up your coffee the night before and scheduling it to brew before you wake up, this machine may not be the best match.
Because we primarily use it during slower weekend mornings, this is not a dealbreaker for us. We are already in the kitchen and enjoy the ritual of making a pot. Still, I would love to see a programmable option in a future version.
3. The glass carafe requires care
I love that the carafe is glass, but it naturally feels more delicate than a stainless steel thermal carafe. We handle it carefully when washing it and setting it back on the warming plate. If you have a very busy kitchen or tend to be hard on glassware, this is something to consider.
I think the Caraway Coffee Maker is worth considering if your priorities are excellent-tasting drip coffee, a plastic-free non-toxic brewing path, easy operation and an appliance that looks beautiful in your kitchen.
It makes the most sense for someone who uses a drip coffee maker regularly and cares about the materials that come into contact with hot water. It is also a great fit for a design-conscious kitchen where the coffee maker will remain visible on the counter.
It may not be worth $495 for someone who simply wants the least expensive way to brew coffee, needs an automatic start timer or prefers extensive strength and temperature controls.
For our household, it has made our slow weekend coffee routine feel more special and the noticeable improvement in taste is what makes it more than just a pretty appliance.
The Caraway Coffee Maker may be a great fit if you:
You may want to skip it if you:
The brewing path is plastic-free. The water reservoir and carafe are glass, while the components the water and coffee travel through including the tubing, showerhead, brew basket and reusable filter are stainless steel.
It can brew between 2 and 10 cups at a time, making it useful for both smaller batches and a full weekend pot.
No. It comes with a reusable stainless steel filter, so you can add ground coffee directly to the basket without using a disposable paper filter.
No. It does not currently have a programmable automatic-start timer. You need to turn the dial when you are ready to begin brewing.
Yes. The built-in warming plate keeps the glass carafe warm for up to 90 minutes after brewing.
The removable components are dishwasher safe. The machine also has a built-in cleaning and descaling cycle for routine maintenance.
No. It is a drip coffee maker designed to brew pour-over-style coffee. It does not make espresso or include a milk frother.
The Caraway Coffee Maker is available in Cream, Stone, Midnight and Clay.
Its launch price is $495. Pricing and promotions can change, so check Caraway's current listing before purchasing. You can use code 10CH to save 10%.
It may be worth the investment if you prioritize a plastic-free brew path, noticeably good coffee, simple operation and beautiful design. It is less compelling if price, automatic programming or extensive customization are your top priorities.
After using the Caraway Coffee Maker for several weeks, I can confidently say it is not an appliance that only looks good in photos. It makes delicious coffee, operates quietly, is easy to clean and gives people who are concerned about plastic a thoughtfully designed alternative to a traditional drip machine.
The $495 price will be the deciding factor for many shoppers, and the lack of a programmable timer is its biggest functional omission. But if the plastic-free brew path, better-tasting coffee and elevated design align with what you value, I think it is a beautiful upgrade you will look forward to using. Make sure to read my full Caraway review on their other products here!
Use my Caraway discount code 10CH to save 10% on the Caraway Coffee Maker and other Caraway products.
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