Bunn, established in 1957, is a popular brand of coffee maker that is well-regarded in the coffee world. You won’t have far to look to find a Bunn device in many of the largest food service establishments in the world. However, as well as providing excellent commercial coffee machines, Bunn also offers a range of home coffee makers promising to give you top-quality coffee at home.
Bunn’s home coffee makers are known for being intuitive, effective, and durable. This makes them ideal for coffee lovers who want coffee shop-quality beverages at home.
If you enter a search for Bunn coffee machines online, you will, unsurprisingly, receive many results. However, many of the products displayed don’t seem that different from one another. For that reason, we’ve researched the best Bunn coffee makers to bring you a detailed review, offering purchasing advice along the way.
Hopefully, once you’ve read this Bunn’s buying guide, you’ll have a better idea of what each coffee machine offers and what you’ll be getting for your money.
Let’s take a look at the primary coffee machines Bunn offers, so you’ll have a more rounded of which model is the right fit for you.
How To Choose The Best Bunn Coffee Maker
The majority of the domestic Bunn coffee makers are in the “Speed Brew” range. However, there are still a range of models to choose between, and many of them appear to perform similar functions. Also, most of them are in similar price ranges, making the decision on which one to choose even more tricky.
Models In Four Classes
Bunn’s official website has separated the “Speed Brew” products into four distinct classes, which are as follows:
Classic: BXB, BT, and GR (GRW and GRB are black and white versions).
Select: CSB1, Speed Brew.
Elite: CSB2 (there is also the CSB2G and CSB2B. However, these only differ slightly in appearance, and both have a high altitude version, allowing for making coffee even at altitudes where water boils at a lower temperature).
Platinum: CSB3T.
Adding to the confusion, there are also coffee makers in the Classic category called “Velocity Brew” for sale on platforms including Amazon. However, these are older versions but are still excellent quality products.
A quick look of our best picks
What Are The Differences Between Them?
Put simply, the Speed Brew models each take advantage of similar technology for brewing. However, they are different in design and appearance, the quality of the build, and carafe types. The CSB3T and BT models have a Double-wall vacuum insulated thermal carafe, while the rest have a glass carafe and warm plate.
Other Models Of Bunn Coffee Makers
There is also a “Heat N’ Brew” Bunn coffee maker. This coffee maker is programmable and delivers a better quality taste brewed at an accurate temperature.
My Café Coffee Maker MCU is Bunn’s sole single cup home coffeemaker. The other models can make up to 10 cups per batch.
Comparison Chart Of The Best Bunn Coffee Makers
This table will help you make sense of which is the best model for you:
| Model | Carafe | Class | Price | Dimensions | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GR | Glass | Classic | $ | 14.3″ H× 7.1″ W× 13.8″ D | 3-min brewing, 10-cup |
| BX | Glass | Classic | $$ | 14.3″ H× 7.1″ W× 13.8″ D | 3-min brewing, 10-cup |
| BT | Thermal | Classic | $$$$ | 15.1″ H× 7.1″ W× 13.9″ D | 3-min brewing, 10-cup |
| CSB1 | Glass | Select | $$ | 14.8″ H× 8.3″ W× 12.6″ D | 4-min brewing, 10-cup |
| BUNN Speed Brew | Glass | Select | $ | 14.5″ H× 7.1″ W× 14.5″ D | 4-min brewing, 10-cup |
| CSB2 | Glass | Elite | $$$ | 13.8″ H× 7.7″ W× 12.7″ D | 4-min brewing, 10-cup |
| CSB3T | Thermal | Platinum | $$$$ | 14.9″ H× 8.3″ W× 13.9″ D | 4-min brewing, 10-cup |
| Heat N Brew | Glass | Heat N’ Brew | $$$ | 16.3 H x 9.7 W x 8.7 D | Programmable,10 cups, precise temperature control |
| MCU | N/A | Single Serve | $$$$ | 12.1″ H× 7.2″ W× 10.1″ D | Great compatibility |
Common features of All Bunn’s Speed Brew Coffee Makers
This part is very important, please don’t skip this part:
Apart from the MCU and Heat N’Brew models, every other Bunn coffee maker has the following features. If you are aware of what each of these shared features is, you can make a clearer decision about which Bunn coffee maker is the best fit for your needs.
Commercial Grade Water Tank
Bunn has fostered a reputation for producing sophisticated coffee makers over many years. The company takes its commercial products’ elements and concepts and applies them to its domestic drip coffee makers.
Each of the company’s coffee makers has a commercial-grade water tank made from stainless steel. The tank holds a consistent 70 ounces hot water at a temperature of around 200 F. This means that any time you would like some coffee, it can get to work on the brewing process straight away. This is far quicker than other coffee makers that only begin heating the water after you’ve poured it in and adding it to the grounds in stages as the water boils.
Capacity
The water tank has a capacity of 70 ounces, while the full coffee pot has a 50-ounce capacity (or 10 cups), allowing for that number of cups per batch and a minimum of 20 ounces, or four cups.
Quick Brewing: 10-cup in 4 minutes
One of the things Bunn is best known for is the ability of its coffee makers to brew coffee quickly. Because of the water tank that continuously holds hot water, Bunn coffee makers can make a full carafe of freshly brewed coffee in only 4 minutes, which is approximately half the time needed for the average 10-cup home coffee brewer.
Drip-Free Carafe
The spout and lid are necessary as they make for better accessibility. The design of the spout’s arc provides simple pouring without spillage. This is also true of the drip method, where the coffee drips into the carafe in a puddle-free manner.
Three-Year Warranty
Every Bunn Speed Brew coffee maker comes with a three-year warranty, meaning you’ll have ample peace of mind. If anything breaks on the coffee machine, you can either email or call Bunn’s customer service team for help to get it fixed.
Our Best Bunn Coffee Maker Review
Now you have a general idea about Bunn coffee makers, let’s go through their best-selling models in detail, see which one suits you best.
1.Bunn Speed Brew 10-Cup Home Coffee Brewer
The is the Speed Brew range’s most basic model. It has a simple, aesthetically pleasing look, although it’s not quite as beautiful and modern as the more expensive models in Bunn’s range. However, it still has all the tools you need for an excellent cup of coffee.
Like Bunn’s other coffee makers, it’s super easy to use. There are only two switched on this home brewer. One is situated on the front for turning on the warming plate, while the other is on the side for turning the machine on and off. Using this coffee brewer is about as easy as it can get, as there are no complicated features such as programmability or timers to worry about.
The 70-ounce hot water tank made from stainless steel keeps water at a constant temperature of between 180-200 F, so when you want coffee, it will brew it for you at the right brewing temperature in only four minutes.
If you are restricted to the amount you can spend, this is the model to opt for while still allowing you to benefit from the improved multi-stream spray head provided in the new generation.
2.Bunn-O-MATIC CSB1 Select Coffee Maker
This contains all the features of the basic mode of Bunn Speed Brew but with a more appealing design.
This does away with the dated-looking stainless steel against the black color and the oversize top, and the slightly cumbersome red flip button. Instead, this select class is an all-black ensemble, with a not quite as polished logo, while it is more bottom-heavy, making it that bit easier on the eye.
The select coffee maker is, overall, a better-looking version of the basic model.
Still not happy with the design?
BUNN CSB2G Speed Brew Elite Coffee Maker
If the CSB1 is not to your tastes, you want a more elegant coffee machine. The CSB2 might be designed in the same way, albeit using different materials and finish.
The CSB2 offers a black finish with a stainless steel backsplash that’s highly polished, as well as a top band accent. It will cost a little more than the CSB1, but only around $20, and for that small extra outlay, you’ll really notice the difference aesthetically.
3.Bunn CSB3T Speed Brew Platinum Thermal Coffee Maker
The CSB3T is in the platinum class, and the main difference between it and the more basic models is the carafe. Rather than a glass drip-free carafe, the CSB3T has a double-walled vacuum insulated thermal one. This makes it far more robust and long-lasting than the glass carafe.
Because this thermal carafe will keep coffee hot at the desired temperature for two hours, the more basic models’ warming plate isn’t necessary. Another significant advantage of this model is that you can directly fill a travel mug in it.
The CSB3T has very little to dislike about it. There are no messy grounds, no smell, and no disagreeable after taste. Not only that, but the brewing process is extremely straightforward, with the grounds making their way through it efficiently and accurately.
4.Bunn Classic Coffee Makers (GR, BX, and BT)
BUNN GRB Velocity Brew 10-Cup Home Coffee Brewer
The fastest 10-cup coffee maker. It takes only 3 minutes to brew a full carafe of coffee.
For those who find the Bunn classic look appealing, you should consider the classic models. It might not be the most up-to-date model, but the Bunn GRB Velocity Brew still houses most of the technology you’ll find in newer models. This will offer brewing in just 3 minutes, the 70 oz stainless steel water tank, drip-free carafe, and a multi-stream spray head. That 3-minute brewing time also makes it one of the fastest home coffee brewers around.
It’s been on the market for over 20 years, and there’s a reason it’s proved so popular, being both stable and high-quality.
The coffee maker comes in white too (the GRW), meaning if you’d like a white device to match your kitchen, you have that option.
BUNN BX Speed Brew Classic 10-Cup Coffee Brewer
The BX is another of the classic models. BX is the more modern version of the BR. The main difference is replacing the GR’s tank reservoir with a rounded silver reservoir, offering a more up-to-date look.
BUNN BT Velocity Brew 10-Cup Thermal Carafe Home Coffee Brewer
The Bunn BT Velocity Brew is identical to the BX Velocity, except it has a double-wall vacuum insulated thermal carafe instead of a glass one, which can keep your coffee hot for 2 hours.
5.Bunn Heat N’ Brew Programmable Coffee Maker, 10 Cups, Stainless Steel
This product is the most distinct from the rest in our review, using a different brewing method for a better-tasting coffee for the pickiest coffee drinker.
The water tank found in the other Bunn coffee brewers isn’t a feature of the Heat N’ Brew coffee machine. Instead, it heats the water as it brews, hence its name. Because of this, it will take longer to brew the coffee, taking around six minutes for a 20-ounce travel mug or 10 minutes for 10 cups.
Where it is similar to the models in our best Bunn coffee makers list is in the spray head mechanism. However, it accurately measures the temperature of the water while it is brewing. This means that when the water reaches a temperature of between 196.7 F and 204.8 F (which is the range approved by the SCA), the valve will automatically be released, allowing the device to begin brewing. This will lead to better flavor extraction and result in higher-quality tasting coffee. There are more options for the SCAA certified coffee makers, check out our best picks for more options.
Another feature is the machine’s programmability. So, you can set the start time, meaning it will have an excellent cup of coffee for you each day when you wake up.
6.Bunn MCU Single Cup Multi-Use Home Coffee Brewer
All the Bunn home brewers we’ve reviewed so far can make 10 cups of coffee in a batch. However, not everyone needs that many. This is where the Bunn MCU single-serve coffee maker comes in. This is a reliable and efficient coffee maker, and it can brew between just 4 ounces to 14 ounces of coffee, so whether you’re looking for a single cup of coffee or want to fill your travel mug, the MCU will offer those options. This coffee maker is versatile, simple to use, and compact.
Even though the MCU has a single cup capacity, it is actually a multifunctional device. Indeed, it allows for brewing from ground coffee, K-cups, soft pods, and even tea bags. The machine has four drawers, each meant for a different brewing method. So, the cup drawer is meant for K-cups, the ground coffee drawer is used for drip coffee, and so on. As well as these benefits, it can also simply dispense hot water too.
The Bunn MCU single-cup coffee brewer is simple to clean as all the parts can be removed and are washable, with nothing built-in. It includes a removable drip tray, so you can also fit your travel mug in.
Things You Should Pay Attention To
If you are hoping to brew 10 cups of coffee in only 3 or 4 minutes, you’ll have to leave the coffee maker switched on, so the internal hot water tank keeps water heated at the right brewing temperature. This also means your electricity bill will go up as a result. If you don’t leave it on, you’ll be faced with a 15-minute wait for the water to heat up.
The carafe has a capacity of 50 ounces. Bunn says that the coffee makers can make up to 10 cups of coffee. However, this can be confusing because that 10-cup capacity uses the European standard of 5-ounce cups. However, in the US, the cups are normally bigger, with a standard mug having a capacity of 10 ounces or over. That means you’ll only be able to brew 5 US cups in a single batch. While this is a drawback, the fast brewing time of only four minutes makes up for this, as you won’t have to wait long to make another batch.
Our Verdict
It isn’t easy to choose just one coffee maker from a considerable range of models offering many of the same features. We can narrow it down slightly by concentrating on the newer models. Yes, Bunn’s previous generation of drip coffee maker products is well-loved and high-quality, but we generally prefer to focus on the latest iteration.
Considering everything, we’ll go for the CSB2. This model has all the excellent features associated with Bunn coffee makers, and it looks great. What is your choice?
Bunn Coffee Makers Frequently Asked Questions
The biggest differences between the older Velocity coffee makers and the Speed Brew makers are the filter basket and the spray head. The Velocity has been built for an increased interaction time between the water and the coffee grounds. Meanwhile, the Speed Brew coffee makers have been tweaked to allow the coffee to pour into the carafe more smoothly.
In the main, the changes made with the Speed Brew have led to a distinctly more satisfying coffee while avoiding a mess. Also, the newer models have a far more rounded, appealingly sleek, and smooth appearance and make improvements in the manner the coffee makes its way into the carafe.
Despite these advantages, you shouldn’t dismiss the Velocity coffee makers, which are still available. They’re still a well-regarded option as they are both high-quality and benefit from lower prices.
Whenever the model name features a “D,” it means it is for high altitudes.
Water comes to the boil at a lower temperature at altitudes of over 4,000 feet above sea level. The benefit of the high altitude models is that they’ll brew an excellent cup of coffee even if you live very high up.
Reference
Photos credit: Bunn.com
