In a hurry? Our top pick is the BUNN 5520 CSB3T Speed Brew coffee maker.
Every true coffee lover is familiar with Bunn.
For over 70 years, this brand has been making durable and easy to use machines that you can see in kitchens all over the country.
If you’re looking for the best Bunn coffee maker on the market, you’ve come to the right place.
In this article, I’ll review some of the finest models this brand has to offer and share tips on things to consider when shopping for one.
Without further ado, I present to you – the best of Bunn!
Best Bunn Coffee Maker: Our Top 5 Choices
- BUNN 55200 CSB3T Speed Brew Coffee Maker (Best Overall)
- BUNN GRB Velocity Brew 10-Cup Home Coffee Brewer (Best Budget Option)
- BUNN VP17-1 12-Cup Commercial Coffee Maker (Best For Large Households)
- BUNN VPR-2GD 12-Cup Commercial Coffee Brewer (Best For Workspaces)
- BUNN Heat N Brew Programmable Coffee Maker (Best Programmable Option)
BUNN 55200 CSB3T Speed Brew Coffee Maker
One thing that blew my mind about this model is the fact that you can choose between the regular and the high altitude version.
Fun fact: water boils more quickly, and at a lower temperature if you’re well above sea level.
The regular version of this Bunn brewer is designed to boil water at 212ºF. The high altitude model, on the other hand, is built to boil at 204ºF. If you’re living at 4,000 feet or more above sea level, consider going for the latter version.
As for the machine itself, this is a pretty simple coffee maker. It brews a full 10 cup carafe in just 4 minutes, which is very fast. This is especially handy in the morning, when you want to chug down a hot cup of coffee before you storm out the door.
Instead of dripping, the unique spray head showers the ground coffee. This ensures an even extraction, meaning your coffee will be rich and bold.
This coffee maker has a beautiful matte black finish with stainless steel details. This is actually one of the only Bunn coffee makers with a stainless steel thermal carafe.
Personally, I love this carafe. It’s double-walled and keeps your coffee warm for over 2 hours.
Oh, and the removable parts are all dishwasher-safe!
Who wants to spend time washing dishes in the sink?
I sure don’t.
Pros
- Thanks to the double-walled steel thermal carafe, your coffee stays warm for over 2 hours
- You can brew coffee thousands of feet above sea level with the high altitude model
- You get a full 10 cup carafe in just 4 minutes, which is a real time-saver
- All parts can be washed in the dishwasher – this saves you both time and effort
Cons
- You can’t see how much coffee is left in the carafe
BUNN GRB Velocity Brew 10-Cup Home Coffee Brewer
This Bunn Velocity brewer is a classic model with all the important features at an affordable price.
I’d even go as far to say it’s the “vanilla” of all the coffee machines this brand makes.
Given the name of the model, you expect it to be a rather fast brewer.
And you won’t be disappointed.
In just 4 minutes, it brews a full carafe of coffee. Compared to most models on the market, that’s pretty admirable. This can save you precious time in the morning, when you’re rushing to get to work.
It comes with a glass carafe. While I’m not usually a fan of them, I’ve got to admit – this one looks rather good.
It’s sleek, and it features cup markings and an ergonomic handle. It also has a drip-free lid that arcs what you’re pouring into the cup, and not on the counters.
Even though it comes with a rather affordable price tag, this model uses a commercial-grade hot water tank. It’s double walled, made of stainless steel and has a 70 ounce capacity.
It’s designed to keep the water hot at all times, and does a very good job at it. Hot water not only means your coffee will brew faster, but also that you don’t have to boil water every time you’re making a cup of tea.
Pros
- The always-hot water reservoir is great for making soups and tea too
- All the parts can easily be washed by hand, so it doesn’t take a lot of time or effort
- Carafe features a drip-free lid for mess-free pouring
- On the more affordable side, so you can spend your money on other things – like fine specialty coffee, for instance
Cons
- The carafe isn’t locked when in place, so you need to make sure it’s in alignment with the coffee basket, otherwise the coffee will spill out
BUNN VP17-1 12-Cup Commercial Coffee Maker
Just look at this machine.
It has an all stainless steel construction – no plastic whatsoever. It will definitely last you a long time, which is something to expect from a commercial grade coffee maker.
Oh, yeah – did I mention that this is a commercial coffee maker?
Well, it is. But for the price it sells at, you can easily buy it for your home.
If you have enough counter space, that is.
With dimensions of 17.7x8x17.8 inches, this Bunn machine takes up quite a bit more space than a standard coffee maker.
But, to be fair – it also does way more.
To start with, it makes up to 3.8 gallons of coffee per hour!
Sure, you probably don’t need that on a regular day. But if you’re having guests over, it’s really handy. This feature also makes this coffee maker a great choice for office spaces.
I was really surprised to see that this model doesn’t come with a carafe. Sure, you can buy it separately, but with such a high price tag, you kind of expect it to come with all the tools necessary for the job.
Pros
- All stainless steel body means this Bunn coffee machine is very durable
- You can make up to 3.8 gallons of coffee per hour, which comes in handy when you have guests over
- The SplashGard funnel deflects hot liquids away from your hands so you don’t get burnt
- Comes with a control thermostat, which you can adjust to suit your altitude
Cons
- Doesn’t come with a carafe, so you have to buy one yourself
BUNN VPR-2GD 12-Cup Commercial Coffee Brewer
This is a great Bunn coffee brewer for workplaces. It’s a 12 cup machine that makes up to 3.8 gallons of coffee per hour, meaning it can satisfy the needs of all of your coworkers.
The design is eye-catching. It has a matte black finish with steel details.
In fact, all the internal components are made of stainless steel. That means you can expect this coffee machine to last a very long time.
This model has two separate warming plates – one under the spray head, and the other at the top. Each plate has its own on/off button. This comes in handy when you’re making coffee for a bunch of people, because you can have two carafes on the go.
Even though it’s a commercial grade coffee machine, it’s pretty straightforward to operate. No need to spend time analyzing the manual. Just plug it in and use it right away.
One thing to note though. Since this coffee maker is designed to keep water warm and ready at all times, there’s no shutdown button. So when you’re done using it, you have to unplug it from the electrical outlet to switch it off.
Pros
- Two warming plates allow you to make two 12 cup carafes of coffee in a row
- Comes with two carafes, so you don’t have to buy them separately
- All-steel construction makes this model extremely durable
- Manufacturer offers a 1-year warranty on defects in material and workmanship, which gives you peace of mind knowing the machine will last
Cons
- No turn off button, so you have to unplug it when you’re done
BUNN Heat N Brew Programmable Coffee Maker
Generally, Bunn machines make coffee in just a few minutes. But sometimes, you don’t even have that much time in the morning.
When that’s the case, a programmable coffee maker like the Heat N Brew can be a life saver.
It’s easy to operate. There are a couple of buttons that let you set up the time you want your coffee to be done. And that’s pretty much it.
After all, simplicity is one thing you gotta love about Bunn products.
It takes about 10 minutes to fill up a 10 cup carafe. So even if you forgot to program your brew the night before, you can quickly do it in the morning without losing too much time.
Like most Bunn carafes, this one is made of glass. It’s shatter-resistant, has an ergonomic handle and a unique sprout design that prevents any spilling.
Since it uses a glass carafe, it also features a warming plate. This one is automatic. It turns on during the coffee brewing process, and shuts down 2 hours later.
That’s more than enough time to empty out that carafe.
Pros
- The 10 cup glass carafe is shatter-resistant, and it will last a long time
- The warming plate keeps your coffee hot for 2 hours after brewing
- The manufacturer offers a 3-year warranty, so you can relax knowing you’re all set for at least the next few years
- “Clean” light shows you when it’s time to descale
Cons
- Somewhat loud – but hey, an early morning programmed brew can double as a backup alarm clock
Bunn Coffee Maker Buying Guide
Bunn coffee makers look rather simple.
Minimalist design, a couple of buttons etc.
Because of this, you might think there’s not a lot of difference between the different models.
Well, you’re wrong.
Let’s go over some of the most important features to look for in Bunn coffee makers. This should help you make the cut and choose the model that suits your needs the best.
Brewing Style
This brand has several coffee makers that offer a unique Bunn speed brew technology.
What does that mean?
Well, thanks to the stainless steel hot water tank, the machine keeps the water heated at all times. So when you need a cup of coffee, half the work is already done.
As a result, your brew is ready in 4 minutes or less. If you’re the kind of person that’s always in a rush, the Bunn speed brew feature is definitely something you’d appreciate in a coffee maker.
Some models – like their programmable coffee maker – don’t use this type of brew technology. But since the programmable model allows you to set a timer for your next brew, you can still get a hot cup of coffee as soon as you open your eyes in the morning.
Capacity
Let’s get this straight – this is not one of those brands that make coffee makers in different capacities ranging from 1 to 14 cups.
Most models fall into the 10 to 12 cup category, which is kind of like the middle ground.
There are also certain commercial models, like the VPR-2GD, that come with two carafes and their designated warming plates. So while this is technically a 12 cup machine, it keeps up to two full carafes of coffee warm at a time.
When deciding on capacity, ask yourself how many people will be using it.
Is it just you, or a couple of other household members too?
If you have a large family of coffee aficionados, a commercial-grade model is definitely worth considering.
Size
Bunn coffee makers can be divided into two categories – residential and commercial.
Most standard residential models have a relatively small footprint. They’re compact enough to fit on your kitchen counter – even if it’s cramped.
Commercial-grade coffee makers, on the other hand, are rather bulky.
I mean, what can you expect from a machine that makes up to 3.8 gallons of coffee per hour?
But, not everyone has that much space.
If you’re unsure about whether a certain model will fit your counter, measure it. Otherwise, you might end up returning or gifting your new appliance, because it simply takes up way too much space in your kitchen.
Additional Features
One of the coolest features I’ve seen on Bunn coffee makers is definitely the lid design on their glass carafes.
It features a spout that arcs downwards, directing the coffee into your cup. As you stop pouring, the rest of the liquid simply gets wicked away back to the carafe.
Mess-free!
Another cool feature certain models have is the multi-stream spray head.
Instead of pouring, this unique spray head showers water over your ground coffee, evenly saturating them. As a result, you get rich tasting, delicious coffee with optimal flavor.
Finally, one thing that blew my mind is the fact that certain models come in a regular and high-altitude version.
As you probably know, the higher you go, the lower the boiling point is.
So, if you use a regular machine that heats water all the way to 212ºF, you’ll get an overly brewed coffee. And that simply doesn’t taste good.
Affordability
Bunn coffee makers aren’t the most affordable option on the market.
But things that are good don’t often come cheap.
Still, I’d say most Bunn machines fall into the medium category in terms of price. You can get a large coffee maker that’s durable and simple to use, without breaking the bank.
And if you’re willing to pay a bit more, you can even get a commercial-grade machine.
The Final Verdict
Bunn coffee makers are reliable machines that are sure to last you a very long time.
And the best thing is – they’re reasonably priced. You don’t need to pay a fortune for a high quality coffee maker.
The Bunn 55200 CSB3T Speed Brew coffee maker earned the first spot on this list for several reasons.
It’s fast, simple to use, and comes in both regular and high-altitude versions.
If a steel carafe is not your thing, then you can opt for any other model on this list.
You can’t go wrong either way!
Finally, if you want to explore other great brands, you could start by checking out our recent reviews of the best Cuisinart coffee makers.
