If you are looking for a Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA) certified coffee maker. It probably means you care about the quality of your morning brew as much as we do! The SCAA works with baristas and coffee experts worldwide to set brewing standards that yield the best home-brewed coffee.
There are 28 automatic coffee machines on the SCAA certified home brewers list. Anyone of these machines on this list will brew you a quality cup of coffee approved by coffee experts. Each machine on the certified list meets the rigorous criteria set out by the SCAA. However, this list does not tell you which model gives you the best value for your money. In this article, we shortlisted this prestige list based on price, features, and value to help you pick one that best suit your needs.
If you are tired of buying coffee machines that only produce mediocre coffee. The following list of SCAA certified coffee makers will not disappoint. In our guide below we will dive into what this certification means, how brewers are certified, and our review of the top 6 SCAA coffee makers.
Update: As of January 2017, the SCAA officially merged with the Specialty Coffee Association of Europe. The two organizations are now officially unified under the name Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) (2).
What does it mean to be SCAA certified?
To get a seal of approval by the SCAA is a pretty big deal. It separates the “best of the best” from the “decent” coffee machines.
The SCAA Certified Home Brewer Program is a list of brewers approved by experts and coffee tasting professionals. To get on this list, coffee machines must meet every requirement (1). We summarized the finer details below into more digestible nuggets. If you would like to read up more on the requirements, you can find it here on the official SCA website.
SCAA Certification Requirements
- Temperature: SCAA requires that the water temperature must reach 197.6°F (92°C) within the first minute of a brew cycle. The water must maintain this temperature without ever exceeding 204.8°F (96°C). Additionally, the carafe must maintain the temperature of coffee within 176°F-185°F (80°C-85°C) for at least 30 minutes
- Brewing Time: The speed of a brew cycle is very important. As such, brewing time must be greater than 4 minutes and less than 8 minutes.
- Beverage Preparation: This requirement gets very scientific. So we put it into laymen’s terms. The SCAA measures coffee strength by the percentage of dissolved coffee grounds relative to the weight of the coffee in the brew basket. Using a coffee “refractometer”, brew results must fall within a finite range set out by coffee experts. In summary, this requirement measures how well SCAA certified coffee makers brew coffee and ensures that brewers extract coffee grounds to the fullest.
- Uniform Performance: This is our favorite test, as it ensures consistency. In this test, the SCAA takes 5 to 10 of the same brewer and runs 10 brew cycles from each machine. The coffee from each machine gets evaluated for solubles concentration and yield. The results must fall within a concentration and yield range set out by coffee science experts to pass. This test ensures machines of the same model make the same cup of coffee with minimal variation.
- Uniform Extraction: Experts test machines on how well it saturates coffee grounds in the brew basket. At a minimum, brewers must saturate coffee grounds completely during the first minute of a brew cycle. Samples are taken from various spots in the basket are tested. Samples are taken from 3 different brew cycles are tested and measured for residual soluble solids. The objective is to test that grounds are extracted evenly throughout the brew basket and end up in your cup and not left unextracted.
- Coffee Clarity: Not a fan of coffee sludge at the bottom of your cup? Well, neither are folks at the SCAA. Coffee sludge is sediments that make its way past the filter and into the carafe. Clarity of coffee is measured by pouring 100g of brewed coffee through a paper filtered with a known weight. The filter is then dried and weighed again to determine the new weight. If the weight increases it means that there was sludge in the coffee. The maximum allowable weight of sludge produced can not exceed 75 milligrams per 100mL of brewed coffee (3).
The 6 Best SCAA Coffee Makers
1. Bonavita BV1900TS – Best Value
Features:
Capacity: 8 Cups
Material: Stainless Steel / Plastic
Dimensions (L x W x H): 12.40 x 6.80 x 12.20 inches
Warranty: 2 Years
PROS
CONS
The Bonavita BV1900TS is a minimalistic and affordable SCAA coffee maker that is designed to just brew delicious coffee. The absence of customizations and features you might find in other brewers is where the Bonavita shines. It features one-touch operation for simplified brewing. Flip a switch and in 6 minutes you have an SCAA certified cup of coffee.
Although simple, the Bonavita has a powerful 1500 watt heater to brew and maintains optimal brewing temperatures (195°-205°F / 91°-96°C). A large showerhead to help evenly saturate your grounds for uniform extraction. If you fancy pre-soaking your grounds, you can also turn on the pre-infusion mode and let your coffee bloom prior to brewing.
Sitting at 12 inches tall and 7 inches wide, this machine is one of the more compact SCAA approved coffee makers. If you are limited on counter space the Bonavita might just fit your bill.
If you like to sip on your coffee throughout the day, the thermal carafe is well built and keeps coffee hot for hours. If you are not careful, the carafe can cause a leaky pour. The last bit of coffee can also be hard to pour out. These were the 2 flaws we felt should have been designed better. Despite this, we still strongly feel that this machine provides solid value at its affordable price point.
The Bonavita BV1900TS is practical and simple. It does not offer shiny features. What it does offers is all the essential brewing elements that make great coffee certified by the SCAA. If you want an affordable SCAA certified coffee maker where you can simply flip a switch for flavorful coffee every time, this would be a great choice.
2. Cuisinart PurePrecision CPO-850 Pour-Over Coffee Brewer – Most Programable
Features:
Capacity: 8 Cups
Material: Stainless Steel / Plastic
Dimensions (L x W x H): 9.5 x 14.5 x 13.75 inches
Warranty: 3 Years
PROS
CONS
The Cuisinart PurePrecision coffee maker is one of the more budget-friendly SCAA coffee makers. It is sleek looking and offers great functionalities that brew quality coffee time after time.
This fully automatic coffee maker starts and stops water flow by itself to mimic the manual brewing process of pour-over coffee. From our taste tests, the coffee brewed from this machine comes very close if not exactly like our Hario V60.
With the Cuisinart PurePrecision you have the option to select between bold, medium, and mild for your brew strength. This function basically speeds and slows down water flow to alter extraction and brew strength. You also have two temperature options, hot or extra hot. These are nice features if you like to experiment a little with different kinds of roasts. It simplifies brewing parameters so just about anyone can experiment with coffee brewing.
The pause brew feature lets you sneak a cup before the brew cycle completes. The timer feature allows you to program your brew 24 hours in advance, making sure your morning starts off on the right foot. The auto-off is also handy for those who are forgetful. So rest knowing you will no longer have to worry whether you turned off the coffee maker before leaving the house again!
One annoyance we experienced with this machine is that the thermal carafe dribbles sometimes when pouring. If that is a concern, you have the option of getting the CP0-800 model which comes with a glass carafe (also SCAA certified). The screen can also be a tad hard to read depending on your kitchen lighting. Not a deal-breaker but this is something we thought it’s worth mentioning.
The Cuisinart PurePrecision is a cost-effective SCAA Certified coffee maker. Easy on the eyes and blends in well with any kitchen. This brewer is suitable for amateurs and connoisseurs who seek a simple and effective coffee maker.
3. OXO BREW Coffee Maker – Most Stylish
Features:
Capacity: 9 Cups
Material: Stainless Steel / Plastic
Dimensions (L x W x H): 8.3 x 15 x 17.2 inches
Warranty: 2 Years
PROS
CONS
The OXO Brew 9 is a modern-looking SCAA certified coffee maker and suits anyone seeking something stylish for their countertop. The minimal design features a single dial that lets you select between brewing 2-4 or 5-9 cups.
OXO’s microprocessor controls brewing by pulsing water to replicate manual pour-over. Blooming is automatically included in each brew cycle and is not something you can turn off. You can also program the wake-up timer 24 hours in advance to brew coffee. The LED screen also indicates the freshness of your coffee by counting up to 60 minutes. In addition, this machine will let you know when its time to descale your machine.
The brew basket lets you sneak a cup before the brew cycle is complete. This is a nice feature to have, but we found with our machine the drip value was defective. It would leak coffee on our counter when we removed the carafe mid-brew. In fact, this also happened when the machine indicated the brew cycle was completed. We found the only way to prevent a puddle on our counter was to leave the carafe in the machine for a few minutes after the brew cycle completed.
The OXO Brew 9 runs in the middle of the pack in terms of performance and value. It does nothing exceptionally well nor does it fail at anything. It brews quality coffee but not the best out of all the SCAA certified coffee makers. It is beautifully designed and sits at 17.2 inches tall, so take account of how low your cabinets are before you go shopping.
4. Technivorm Moccamaster KBT – Our Top Pick
Features:
Capacity: 10 Cups
Material: Stainless Steel / Plastic
Dimensions (L x W x H): 11.5 x 6.75 x 15.25 inches
Warranty: 5 Years
PROS
CONS
The Technivorn Moccamaster KBT is the cream of the crop of SCAA coffee makers. It Is one of the few coffee machines that is certified by two recognized coffee associations, SCAA, and the European Coffee Brewing Centre (ECBC) (5). All Moccamasters are still handmade and individually tested in the Netherlands since 1968 (6).
The science behind the Moccamaster lies within the unique copper heating system that brews 10 cups in 6 minutes. It brings water to a rapid boil within SCAA’s recommended brewing temperature consistently. The 9 hole rectangular showerhead ensures the force of water evenly agitates and saturates coffee grounds. The pre-immersion system precisely pulse drips your coffee grounds. Allowing for your grounds to properly bloom during extraction. The result, a perfectly crafted pot of coffee that satisfies all the strict standards set out by the SCAA and ECBC.
‘I want to create the best cup of coffee with a coffeemaker that lasts a lifetime. A Moccamaster should be the last brewer you’ll ever buy’
Gerard Clement Smit (6)
The Moccamaster is pricey, beautiful, and simple. It is not programmable, but it does have an adjustable brew basket that lets you toggle between full brew, slow brew, and pause. The manual pause option is a simple feature we found handy, it lets you steep your coffee longer or remove the carafe for a quick cup mid-brew.
The carafe is durable and keeps your coffee hot for 2-3 hours. The brew-thru-lid makes stirring your pot unnecessary. A travel lid is also included for anyone who is on the go. We found the travel lid help coffee stay hotter for longer in the carafe. This machine comes in 3 timeless colors to match any kitchen. If you seek something more colorful and prefer a glass carafe, check out the Technivorm 59616 KBG (URL)(SCAA certified).
The Moccamaster KBT is perfect for anyone who has high standards and is willing to invest in a coffee maker that is long-lasting. It is well built and meets tight guidelines. The generous 5-year warranty and availability of spare parts put this machine in the buy it for life category in our books. If you are looking for the best of the best, this could be the one.
5. Breville Precision Brewer BDC450BSS – Most Precise
Features:
Capacity: 1-12 Cups
Material: Stainless Steel / Plastic
Dimensions (L x W x H): 12.4 x 6.7 x 15.7 inches
Warranty: 2 Years
PROS
CONS
The Breville Precision Brewer is one of the most flexible coffee makers certified by the SCAA. If you are looking to invest in a high-quality coffee machine that can brew 1-12 cups in 7 minutes, this will not disappoint.
This brewer has 6 useful presets that allow you to make a variety of craft coffee at home. Our favorite and most used feature is the Gold mode. In this mode, the machine sets all the brewing parameters to meet SCAA’s Gold Cup standard (link). This mode brews an amazing cup of coffee, no joke.
Upgrading from manual pour-over? The Precision Brewer can also work with your Kalita Wave or Hario V60 with a simple pour over adaptor kit. If you enjoy experimenting, My Brew mode allows you to adjust bloom time, water temperature, and water delivery speed. These 3 variables are the fundamentals of great-tasting coffee. A very impressive feature as this is the only machine we know of that allows this level of customization.
Want to only brew one cup? Breville’s patent-pending Steep & Release value automatically holds water with the coffee when you replace the carafe with your own cup. This feature ensures you do not get watery coffee when you change brew sizes. You will get the same flavor profile no matter what size brew you choose.
You have the choice between two versions: one with a glass carafe and one with a thermal carafe. We prefer the thermal version for its heat retention without the risk of burnt coffee that often occurs with glass carafes. We also broke way too many glass carafes in our kitchen, so we welcome the durability of stainless steel.
This machine is almost perfect. We did discover a few quirks in our machine. For instance, after a brew cycle, the machine sometimes leaves around 1/4 cup of water in the reservoir. This is more annoying than it is a deal-breaker, we would have liked to not see this for a machine at this price point. Being a 12 cup brewer, the machine is relatively large. So if you have low cabinets, you might need to pull it out to fill the machine with water and coffee.
For the coffee geeks and aspiring home baristas, the Breville Precision is an excellent choice. If you or someone you know enjoys experimenting with coffee, there is no better coffee maker out there that is also certified by the SCAA.
6. Behmor Brazen Plus 2.0 – Most Customizable
Features:
Capacity: 8 Cups
Material: Stainless Steel / Plastic
Dimensions (L x W x H): 9 x 9 x 15.25 inches
Warranty: 2 Years
PROS
CONS
The Behmor Brazen Plus 2.0 is an SCAA certified coffee maker that produces excellent and flavourful coffee. It offers simple and useful features that help you customize your daily brews. You can adjust start time, pre-soak time (15 seconds to 4 minutes), and water temperature (1° increment).
The Behmor Brazen Plus 2.0 is one of the best for temperature controls and consistency. Often overlooked in coffee machines this machine offers elevation calibration. Water has a lower boiling point at high elevations. If you live at a higher elevation you should adjust accordingly so you can still brew your coffee at optimal coffee temperatures (4). With the Brazen Plus 2.0, you can calibrate the machine to a specific altitude and make amazing coffee at any altitude.
“It really affects it. When you affect the boiling point, you affect the full temperature range”
Joe Behm via Perfect Daily Grind
This brewer has an easy to fill water reservoir made of stainless steel. This is a unique feature as it also boils the water right in the reservoir. Coffee brews a little slower (10-12 minutes) compared to other machines. But the precise temperature control combined with the large showerhead extracts coffee perfectly.
With the manual mode, you can use it as a water source to brew into a Chemex or french press. You will be able to take advantage of the precise control of temperature and water flow. We often use our french press with this machine when we want to mix things up. Keep in mind that it can accommodate any of your manual brewers that are up to 9 inches tall.
At 8 cups it is one of the smaller SCAA certified coffee makers. There are only two water indicators for 6 or 8 cups. So if you want to brew anything less than 6 cups, you will need to pre-measure your water before filling.
This is a slower brewer that offers precise temperature control and brewing parameters. If you live at higher elevations or is someone who values customizations that are easy to use, the Brazen Plus 2.0 is definitely worth its value.
Other Things to Also Consider
We are confident if you choose any one of the SCAA coffee makers we reviewed in this article, you will be brewing high-quality coffee in no time! But picking the best SCAA coffee maker is a matter of personal preference. To help you pick the best one for you, we made a list below of a few additional things you should consider before you go shopping.
Capacity & Size
Do you have a big family or entertain guests often? It is worth considering a 12 cup coffee maker if you plan to brew big batches often.
If you are brewing for yourself and a partner or do not mind brewing multiply batches. A smaller model that can brew 8-10 cups would be ideal.
Be aware that the larger the capacity the bigger the machine is. So make sure to pick one that will fit nicely on your countertop. We’ve provided the dimension of each machine in our reviews.
Thermal Carafe vs Glass Carafe
This is often a highly debated topic in the coffee community. We believe the best carafe is the carafe that is right for your needs. If you like to brew big batches and serve it within a reasonable timeframe, a glass carafe would be enough. The issue with glass is the hot plate that is used to keep the carafe hot can eventually burn your coffee. Leaving you with a bitter-tasting batch. So if you like fresh hot coffee throughout the morning, a thermal carafe is the way to go. The insulation properties of a thermal carafe will keep your coffee hot without the need for a heating plate.
In our opinion, a thermal carafe is much more flexible and allows you to take your time and drink your coffee. You can also take the carafe to the kitchen table and still have piping hot coffee. Thermal carafes are also much more durable than glass and can take a few bumps without shattering.
Programmability: Do you need it?
Consider how you would use your coffee machine and the different scenarios as well. Do you care to adjust and tweak brewing parameters, or do you want to flip a switch to brew a batch of coffee?
While having the option to adjust all the brewing parameters is nice if you enjoy experimenting. There is no reason to invest in a machine with these features if all you want is an easy to operate coffee maker.
Programmable options differ from machine to machine. This choice is highly subjective. We included a range of brewers with different features in our reviews above, so take notes of which features would suit your needs best.
Warranty
All the machines we reviewed in this article come with a warranty. Not all machines are made the same and as a result, some may last longer than others. Decide how many years of warranty you are comfortable with for your next investment!
Verdict
You can’t really go wrong with any one of the SCAA coffee makers in this article. If we were to pick the best one that suits our coffee brewing needs? The answer is the Technivorm Moccamaster KBT.
Here’s why:
- Less is more, and the Moccamaster delivers a divine and consistent cup of coffee without being overcomplicated to use. It is well built and engineered with an emphasis on simplicity and quality.
- The generous 5-year warranty is a testament to Technivron’s confidence in their brewers.
- Without a fuss and simple to operate. You flip a switch and you have a pot of coffee approved by two coffee associations within 6 minutes.
References
- Certified Home Brewers. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://sca.coffee/certified-home-brewer/
- Brown, N. (2017, January 04). Finally, a Name for the SCAA/SCAE: Specialty Coffee Association. Retrieved from https://dailycoffeenews.com/2017/01/03/finally-a-name-for-the-scaascae-specialty-coffee-association/
- Certified Home Brewer Program: Minimum Certification Requirements (2017). Retrieved from https://sca.coffee/s/2017-SCA-CHB-Program-Requirements-ba6g.pdf
- Ospina, A. (2020, April 06). How Does Elevation Affect Your Ideal Coffee Brew Temperature? Retrieved from https://perfectdailygrind.com/2018/10/how-does-elevation-affect-your-ideal-coffee-brew-temperature/
- Hof, K. (2019, January 22). The Making Of A Master: Inside The Technivorm Factory. Retrieved from https://sprudge.com/the-making-of-a-master-inside-the-technivorm-factory-137235.html
- About Technivorm. (2019, November 19). Retrieved from https://technivorm.com/products/glass/about/
