If you are an avid coffee drinker and visit popular coffee chains like Dunkin’ Donuts and Tim Hortons, then you probably heard of the name BUNN. It is one of the industry leaders in coffee machines since the birth of the company in the 1950s (1). It is a brand trusted by some of the world’s largest restaurant chains like Mcdonalds (2).
If you are serious about your coffee (which you probably are if you are here!), we put together our top 6 best Bunn coffee makers. BUNN’s variety of model names are not the easiest to understand. So we reviewed our top 6 picks to help you understand the range of features and price points to help you choose your best BUNN coffee maker.
Tip: Don’t forget to check our buyer’s guide below to help you choose a coffee maker that suits your individual needs.
What Makes BUNN Coffee Makers Different And So Great?
BUNN was the first company to develop a commercial pour-over brewer and the first to invent the flat bottom coffee filter. With over 60 years of coffee brewing experience, many of the innovative brewing techniques have since been applied to their home brewers.
BUNN coffee makers use commercial grade stainless steel tanks. The Speed Brew and Velocity series feature an internal hot water tank that keeps water at optimal brewing temperature (about 200F) at all times. This functional design means the machine needs to stay on and dormant with hot water ready for the next batch. Mimicking BUNN’s commercial brewers, the Speed Brew and Velocity brewers can brew 10 cups in 3-4 minutes.
The Heat N’ Brew series boils water as you need and requires a few more minutes to complete a brew cycle but features more modern functionalities. We are very happy to see BUNN use their commercial technology on their homebrewers, while still providing a range of brewers for every type of coffee drinker. Scroll down and read our BUNN coffee maker reviews and find out which one suits your needs best!
Best Bunn Coffee Maker Reviews
Features:
Capacity: 10 Cups
Material: Stainless Steel / Plastic
Dimensions (L x W x H): 13.9 x 8.3 x 14.9 inches
Warranty: 3 Years
PROS
CONS
The BUNN CSB3T Speed Brew Platinum is simple, fast, and brews amazing coffee. The Speed Brew technology brews up to 10 cups of coffee in 4 minutes. This machine brews much quicker than most of the coffee machines we have reviewed here at the Coffee Coterie Company.
If you live at higher elevations, BUNN also developed a high-altitude version to adjust for a lower boiling point.
This is one of the few BUNN coffee makers that come with a stainless steel thermal carafe. It is double-walled and vacuums insulated, so it will keep your coffee hot for at least 2 hours without needing a hot plate. So burnt coffee will not be an issue if you are a slow drinker.
This machine is very simple to operate. Fill the water tank using the carafe, flip the lid down to toggle a brew cycle, wait 4 minutes and you will have a robust cup of coffee. We value the simplicity and ease of use of this machine. If you are looking for a premium BUNN machine with a thermal carafe, this is the best BUNN coffee maker for home use and we believe this would be a great choice.
Features:
Capacity: 10 Cups
Material: Stainless Steel / Plastic / Glass
Dimensions (L x W x H): 12.5 x 7.8 x 14 inches
Warranty: 3 Years
PROS
CONS
The CSB2G Speed Brew Elite is another well-made coffee machine part of BUNN’s Speed Brew series. It has similar features to the CSB3T Speed Brew Platinum with a lower price tag. The main difference is this BUNN coffee pot made of glass instead of aluminum (thermal). As a result, this machine comes with a warming plate that has a separate button to toggle on and off.
This machine still features all the best parts of BUNN’s Speed Brew machines. It can brew a minimum of 20 oz in under 2 minutes and a full pot (50oz) in 5 minutes. The glass carafes come with a drip-free spout, a proprietary lid that arcs coffee into a cup and wicks the rest back into the pot as you finish your pour.
Once the initial setup is complete, this machine is incredibly simple to operate. There is also a high altitude version. If you live at higher elevations like Colorado, make sure to pick the high altitude version to accommodate the change in boiling point.
Overall the CSB2G Speed Brew Elite is an excellent machine that will brew amazing coffee fast without breaking the bank. If you do not prefer a coffee machine with a thermal carafe, this machine would be a great choice.
Features:
Capacity: 10 Cups
Material: Stainless Steel / Plastic / Glass
Dimensions (L x W x H): 9.7 x 8.7 x 16.3 inches
Warranty: 3 Years
PROS
CONS
The Heat N Brew is one of the latest home brewers by BUNN. It sports a unique modern design featuring stainless steel accents and curves not seen on other BUNN models. It is also the only BUNN machine certified by the Speciality Coffee Association (SCA). If you are not familiar with the SCAA Home Brewers program, it simply means that this machine has gone through rigorous testing and meets brewing standards set out by coffee experts (3).
Unlike Speed Brew and Velocity brewers, this machine does not require to stay on and dormant. As a result, it takes 10 minutes to brew vs. 3-4 minutes in the Speed/Velocity brewers. We did not find this was an issue as the Heat N Brew made some of the best coffee we’ve tasted out of a home coffee maker. This could be attributed to the fact that this machine was designed to meet SCAA’s strict brewing guidelines, you can learn more about these requirements here.
The Heat N Brew is the only BUNN machine that is programable. If you do not want to wait 10 minutes in the morning, you can easily program the machine to brew at a specific time in advance. The warming plate also turns off automatically after 2 hours, a nice-to-have safety feature.
The Heat N Brew packs a lot of value at this price point. This machine brews a quality cup of coffee. It is SCA certified and comes with programable features not seen on other BUNN machines. This machine is ideal for anyone looking for a modern machine that can brew an amazing cup in a reasonable amount of time.
Features:
Capacity: 10 Cups
Material: Stainless Steel / Plastic
Dimensions (L x W x H): 7.1 x 13.9 x 15.1 inches
Warranty: 3 Years
PROS
CONS
The BUNN BT Velocity has similar features to the BUNN Speed Brew machines. Aside from aesthetics, the major difference is the faster brew time. The BT Velocity brews a full pot (10 cups) in a whopping 3 minutes.
This BUNN machine comes with a sturdy thermal carafe that keeps your pot of coffee hot up 2 hours. It is definitely nice to have if you are a slower drinker or prefer to bring your carafe to the kitchen table.
It is easy to operate and comes with a generous 3-year warranty as you would expect from BUNN coffee machines. Aesthetically speaking, this machine lacks personality compared to other coffee machines on the market. Make sure you have the counter space if you are considering a machine, this machine is quite tall sitting at 15.1 inches.
The BT Velocity is best suited for someone who looking for a thermal coffee maker that is simple to operate and brews extremely quickly.
5. BUNN GRB Velocity Brew – Best Budget Pick
Features:
Capacity: 10 Cups
Material: Stainless Steel / Plastic / Glass
Dimensions (L x W x H): 14.8 x 7.1 x 13.8
Warranty: 3 Years
PROS
CONS
The GRB Velocity is one of BUNN’s older machines that is tried and tested. It still features all the great things that make BUNN’s coffee makers so popular. Similar to the GRB Velocity, this machine brews a full carafe in 3 minutes and can also brew 20oz in 2 minutes.
The major difference you will find here is the glass carafe instead of a thermal carafe. Cosmetically, this machine has more plastic and features less stainless steel accents. We don’t think these things are deal-breakers at all as this machine still brews amazing coffee extremely fast.
Since this machine brews so quickly, when we reviewed this machine there were polarizing opinions on the quality of brew in our office. During our taste test, about half of us believed that the speed comprised the quality of brew and there was another group that did not taste a difference. We concluded that this all boiled down to taste preferences and that it is highly subjective. Overall we all agreed that this machine still brews a great cup of coffee at this price point.
The GRB Velocity is an affordable BUNN coffee maker that’s hassle-free and fast brewing. It is a basic machine that does not have many fancy features. This machine is great for anyone who is looking for a budget brewer that still brewing amazing coffee quickly.
6. BUNN Commercial Coffee Brewer VPR-2GD – Best Commerical Bunn Coffee Maker
Features:
Capacity: 12 Cups
Material: Stainless Steel / Plastic / Glass
Dimensions (L x W x H): 16 x 8 x 20.2 inches
Warranty: 2 Years
PROS
CONS
The BUNN VPR-2GD is a commercial-grade brewer more suited for the office or business environment. It can brew 3.8 gallons per hour, so if you are planning to serve a crowd this is an excellent machine.
It is so simple to brew coffee that no one in the office should have any excuses for leaving the pot empty for the next person. Simply pour cold water in the top and coffee brews right away. Another nice feature unlike other commercial brewers, there is no additional plumbing required for this machine. You can move this machine to another room with no problems. The two heating plates ensure you have hot coffee on deck for your employees.
This machine is loud and it is something we expect from a commercial brewer this size. If you are considering the VPR-2GD, make sure you have space as this machine sits tall and long.
This machine does not have many bells and whistles. The appeal of the BUNN VPR-2GD is in its simplicity to brew a large quantity of quality coffee at amazing speeds. If you are looking for a coffee machine to satisfy coffee enthusiasts, this is a great choice.
How To Pick the Best Bunn Coffee Maker
BUNN is an excellent brand for coffee makers. If you pick any one of the 6 we reviewed in this article, we are confident you will be happy with it. Picking the best coffee machine is a personal and subjective process. To help you with your decision process, we created a list of things to consider before buying a BUNN coffee machine:
Brew Capacity
Each coffee machine can brew a maximum number of cups. Consider how many cups you would like to serve per brew cycle. Generally speaking, a 12 cup brewer can serve approximately 8 large mugs of coffee. So if you are buying this for a small family, an 8-10 coffee brewer will suffice. But if you are looking for a machine for the office, a 12 cup brewer would be more appropriate.
Thermal or Glass Carafe
When choosing between a coffee machine with a thermal or glass carafe, consider how quickly you would be finishing the pot. Glass carafes are timeless and there is something mesmerizing with watching a brew cycle drip into a clear carafe. However, one of the major drawbacks of a glass carafe is the heating plate used to keep your coffee hot after a brew cycle. If you do not drink your pot of coffee fast enough and leave it sitting on the hot plate, you will most likely end up with burnt and bitter coffee.
Thermal carafes will keep your coffee hot without needing a heating plate. The heat retention properties of a thermal carafe will keep your coffee hot for hours without the risk of burning it. With a thermal carafe, you can take your time to finish your coffee. You can also bring the thermal carafe to a meeting room or the kitchen table while still keeping the coffee hot. Another advantage of thermal carafes is that it is made of stainless steel, meaning it will be able to take a few bumps in the kitchen without shattering.
Features and Programmability
Consider how you would like to use your coffee machine. Do you prefer having an automatic timer? Do you want to adjust brewing parameters? Or do you just prefer just flipping a switch?
While choosing a machine with the most features seem like a good idea. If you do not plan on using it, you could end up paying a premium for nothing. Determine the features that matter most to you, and pick a machine that would serve your needs best.
Warranty
When you invest in a nice coffee machine, the expectation is that it will last for a long time. Sometimes, however, that isn’t the case due to manufacturing defects and general wear and tear. Luckily, BUNN has a proven track record and is a reputable brand in the coffee world known for their quality and durability. In addition, all the BUNN coffee makers we reviewed are back by a generous 3-year warranty should anything go wrong.
Verdict
Our favorite BUNN coffee maker at the CoffeeCoterie is the BUNN Heat N Brew.
Why?
Its functional, affordable, and most importantly it brews amazing coffee. It is also the only SCA certified brewer made by BUNN. While it does brew a little slower, it does not require to be on all the time. Lastly, it is the latest BUNN machine with modern programmable features seen on other machines. We are confident you will get your money’s worth with this machine.
Frequency Asked Questions
What type of filters work best with BUNN coffee machines?
BUNN filter baskets are ¼” taller than most coffee filters. This is specifically designed to prevent overflow and to increase water flow. Because of this, we recommend you use the official BUNN filters that accommodate the taller brew baskets for optimal results.
TIP: Buying in bulk is much more affordable.
You can use non-BUNN filters made for flat-bottom baskets. But they are usually smaller and short, so it could cause coffee grounds to overflowing during a brew cycle.
Are reusable filters compatible with BUNN coffee makers?
Yes, you can use reusable or permeant coffee filters with your BUNN coffee machine. This is not officially promoted by BUNN but there are third party companies that make compatible reusable filters. We recommend you use one made by a reputable company like GoldTone Reusable Coffee Filter for BUNN 10 Cup Basket.
TIP: Finer coffee grounds often pass through reusable mesh filters. Try using a medium to coarse grind to prevent coffee grounds from making it into your cup.
Are there overflowing issues with BUNN coffee makers?
This is often caused by using too fine of a grind. Pre-ground decaf coffee is notorious for causing the overflow. Another culprit could be the use of soft water for brewing.
This is solved by BUNN’s special flow restrictor sprayhead. You can easily obtain one by filling out BUNN’s parts request form or by calling: 1-800-352-2866 (USA) or 1-800- 263-2256 (Canada).
References
- BUNN. (2020). Coffee Focus. Retrieved from https://retail.bunn.com/coffee-focused
- BUNN. (2020). Coffee Focus. Retrieved from https://retail.bunn.com/commercial-expertise
- Certified Home Brewers. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://sca.coffee/certified-home-brewer/
