Coffee taste varies depending on how it’s prepared. In this coffee brewing methods comparison, we will reveal the differences and explain them. We will explore the plethora of coffee preparation options, 13 total, and evaluate three categories for each – taste, preparation time, and cost.
Prep time includes grinding (if necessary), brewing, and cleanup. The cost per serving will be calculated based on $15.00 per pound (453g) of coffee beans and approximate yield per 6-8 oz (177-237ml) cup made DIY. Equipment prices published at the time of this writing are divided into three levels $500 and over (expensive), $200 – $499 (moderate), and $199 or less (low). All prices are in USD..
For each brewing method, the CJ staff will provide a rating from 1 to 5, for lowest to highest score, and comments will be added. No dairy-based drinks or coffees with sweeteners are included in this comparison. The following methods are in alphabetical order.

Americano
- Taste: 5
- Time: 5 minutes – 1 serving
- Costs: $0.60 per cup (18g coffee) – Equipment costs: Expensive
Comments: In our opinion, an americano (1.5 oz espresso and hot water) made from freshly-ground coffee in a 6 oz ceramic cup enhances a coffee flavor profile like no other. Upfront equipment costs are high for a good-quality espresso machine, espresso grinder, and digital scale, but the payoff is unrivaled taste.
Cold Brew Coffee
- Taste: 4
- Time: 12 – 24 hours – serves 2-8
- Costs: $0.71 per cup (22g coffee per 8 oz water) – Equipment costs: Low
Comments: Known for its smooth, low acidic flavor, cold brew requires the longest prep time but many consider it’s worth the wait. The CJ staff believes cold brew, while smooth, lacks the complexity of an americano. Still, cold brew tastes very good and is best served on ice.
Cowboy Coffee
- Taste: 2.5
- Time: 4 minutes – serves 2-8
- Costs: $0.43 per cup (13g or 2 Tbsp coffee per 6-8 oz water) – Equipment costs: Low
Comments: Adding coarsely-ground coffee to water just off the boil is the brewing method for most cowboy coffee recipes. Search online and you’ll see over 58 million results and a lot of opinions. Some suggest adding 2 Tbsp of coffee along with salt or broken eggshells to cause the grounds to settle to the bottom of the pot/kettle. While we’re not fans of potentially chewing our coffee, it can be a middle-of-the-road, coffee-in-a-pinch option.

Drip Coffee
- Taste: 3
- Time: 4-12 minutes depending on the cups brewed
- Costs: $0.43 per cup (13g or 2 Tbsp coffee per 6-8 oz water) – Equipment costs: Low
Comments: Pouring medium-ground coffee into a filter may be the most popular brewing method in many parts of the world. For many, the drip method is how their coffee journey started. Fortunately, there are a host of other ways to optimize the taste of those beautifully roasted coffee beans.
Espresso
- Taste: 4
- Time: 5 minutes – 1 serving
- Costs: $0.60 per cup (18g coffee) – Equipment costs: Expensive
Comments: If you have the palate for one of the strongest coffee flavors on the planet, you may love espresso. Many start their day kicking back a 1-2 oz shot of this highly concentrated drink in all its complexity. For the rest of us, adding about 3:1 hot water to espresso makes a perfect americano.
Extruded Coffee (AeroPress)
- Taste: 4
- Time: 5 minutes – 1 serving
- Costs: $0.65 per cup (20g coffee) – Equipment costs: Low
Comments: There is something about coffee, hot water, and pressure that makes coffee taste better and adds complexity. AeroPress forces hot water and ground coffee through a filter. If the process is inverted, where the coffee steeps in the hot water before turning 180 degrees to extrude the liquid nectar, it tastes even better according to the CJ staff.

French Press (Cafetière)
- Taste: 4.5
- Time: 6 minutes – serves 2-8
- Costs: $0.50 per cup (15g coffee per 8 oz water) – Equipment costs: Low
Comments: Many recipes using a cafetière (French press), recommend steeping the freshly-ground coffee in 200-degree water for 4 minutes. When brewed to perfection, we think this method is hard to beat, especially as the equipment costs are so affordable. For best results, pour freshly pressed coffee into an insulated flask to avoid extended contact with ground beans.
Instant Coffee / Coffee Bags
- Taste: 1
- Time: 1-2 minutes – 1 serving
- Costs: $0.08-$0.97 per cup – Equipment costs: None
Comments: In a pinch, freeze-dried coffee is better than no coffee. The CJ staff cannot bring themselves to use the coffee version of a tea bag. But if you don’t have access to any of the other brewing methods, we think one of the better freeze-dried options is NESCAFÉ® Gold.
Mocha Pot
- Taste: 3
- Time: 5 minutes – 1-12 cups depending on the mocha pot size, with a ratio of approximately 8:1 to 10:1 water to coffee
- Costs: $0.43 per cup (13g or 2 Tbsp coffee per 6-8 oz water) – Equipment costs: Low
Comments: Also known as stovetop coffee. Careful attention should be given to removing the mocha pot from a burner as soon as brewing is finished, otherwise the cup will be quite bitter. Grind coffee about the size of sand/salt, which can be accomplished with a good hand grinder. The mocha pot elixir is concentrated coffee like espresso. You may prefer to drink it as is, diluted with hot water, or even over ice.

Percolated Coffee
- Taste: 3
- Time: 4-12 minutes depending on the cups brewed
- Costs: $0.43 per cup (13g or 2 Tbsp coffee per 6-8 oz water) – Equipment costs: Low
Comments: How does a percolator work? Boiling water creates water pressure in the center stem inside the pot. The hot water then seeps through holes and saturates medium-ground beans in a basket. The resulting steeped coffee drips through holes in the basket back into the pot. Percolation was at one time the most popular coffee brewing method in many parts of the world and pre-dates today’s common brewing methods.
Coffee Pods
- Taste: 2.5 – 3 depending on pod
- Time: 1-2 minutes – 1 serving
- Costs: $0.36-$0.86 per cup – Equipment costs: Low
Comments: Other than instant coffee, pods offer the best speed to cup. The benefit of pods is a better taste profile than instant, in our opinion.

Pour Over Coffee
- Taste: 3.5
- Time: 5 minutes – 1 serving
- Costs: $0.65 per cup (20g coffee) – Equipment costs: Low
Comments: Other than espresso, a pour over is one of the best methods to capture the complexity of coffee. When paired with a water kettle to maintain a temperature of around 200 degrees, the low-cost pour over rivals some of the most expensive brewing methods. Bang for the buck, it’s hard to beat.

Siphon Coffee
- Taste: 3.5
- Time: 7 minutes – 4-8 servings depending on the size of the siphon brewer
- Costs: $0.50 per cup (15g coffee per 8 oz water) – Equipment costs: Low
Comments: Also known as vacuum coffee, we think siphoned coffee is the best method for making multiple cups in one batch with the best taste. Of all the coffee brewing methods in this comparison, siphoned coffee is on par with a cold brew for its smooth, low-acidic flavor profile. In fact, the CJ staff thinks the taste is a hot version of cold brew.
A Quick Word on Coffee Grinders
As you explore this coffee brewing methods comparison, don’t forget about using a high-quality coffee grinder. The best-tasting coffee always involves freshly ground beans. However, many coffee lovers don’t realize how the grind impacts flavor. Think about it this way.
The surface area of each ground coffee grain should be as equal in size as possible. Here’s why. As water comes in contact with ground coffee beans, the more even the grind, the greater the surface area is optimized with the coffee infusion. If the grind has a massive variance between large and small grains, also known as “fines and boulders,” less surface area will equate to less flavor and complexity. Burr grinders tend to grind more evenly than blade grinders that cut and shred the coffee beans.
If a quality electric burr grinder is out of your price range, there are hand-operated coffee grinders that produce an excellent grind in the $100-$200 price range. For more information about coffee grinders, read this article, “What Kind Of Coffee Grinders Are Best?“
Conclusion
While there may be other coffee brewing methods comparison articles, the 13 described here will likely cover the majority of choices. If we had to choose our top three coffee preparation methods based on taste alone, our favorites are – Americano, French Press, and AeroPress.
What’s the healthiest way to brew coffee? Read more.
Because coffee is a journey and not just a destination, we hope you can explore some of the brewing methods you may have just learned about that will set you on a course for new and exciting adventures.