3 Best Zojirushi Coffee Makers (Crazy Good Coffee At Home)

Over 200 million Americans consume coffee on a daily basis.

Some people (not me, of course) consume enough coffee on a daily basis that they need a 10 cup coffee maker (the average American drinks 3.1 cups).

Now think about your coffee maker. If it’s anything like the one I had a couple of years ago you probably don’t like it very much. Perhaps it’s a unattractive appliance that just sits there and does a mediocre job. Or, maybe you outright hate it.

Either way, there is absolutely no excuse to use an appliance that you don’t like and that does an inferior job for years on end.

The alternative, of course, is a Zojirushi coffee maker. They look great, are easy to use, and make freaking perfect coffee.

But which one should you choose? Well, you really can’t go wrong with any of them. However, since I have used several of them I can give you my thoughts on the best Zojirushi coffee maker and on the company as a whole.

Zojirushi Company History – Japanese Quality

The Zojirushi name was first established in Osaka, Japan, in 1918. In those days, however, it was known as Ichikawa Brothers Trading Company.

It wasn’t until 1961 that the company changed its name to Zojirushi Corporation and the elephant was adopted as the corporate logo. The elephant was chosen because ZO means elephant in Japanese, and the animal symbolizes strength, intelligence, and familiarity.

The company initially launched with their very first glass-lined vacuum bottle, and, according to their site, they have since set an industry standard for new vacuum insulation technology in everyday household products.

The heart of the Zojirushi corporate philosophy is to improve customers’ quality of life through the creation of innovative products and has used this philosophy to continue to advance its technologies to develop an “impressive household lineup,” over the past nine decades.

My Guide To Choosing A Coffee Maker – 5 Tips

Before we get to how I made my decision, let me just say that Zojirushi coffee makers excel in all of these areas and have tons of models to boot!

1. Capacity

I used to think very little about the capacity of my coffee maker. When I first started shopping for a Zojirushi coffee maker to replace the Walmart-special that I used before I had to decide between a 5 cup and 10 cup design.

My first inclination was to get the bigger version. However, after learning about the shelf-life of brewed coffee I decided to say closer within to the amount I would actually consume per day and brew again as necessary.

For the record, brewed coffee is only fresh for about 4 hours.

So think carefully about how many people in your family will be consuming coffee and the duration of time in which it is consumed.

2. Design & Quality

When it comes to Zojirushi you probably don’t have to worry about either of these things. Their designs are typically attractive if somewhat commercial and their quality standards mean that your machine will last you for years to come.

3. Carafe

For those who aren’t completely into the lingo, a carafe is a bottle or serving glass with a large lip that is used to hold beverages and is typically used to hold and serve coffee. While this design feature isn’t always that big of a selling point, there are two typical options consumers can choose from.

More traditional carafes are made of glass and require the use of a hot plate to keep the coffee warm. Then there are the insulated carafes that keep the coffee warm without the use of an outside heating source, such as a hot plate. Is one better than the other? Not particularly, it all just depends on your personal choice.

4. Price Point

I’ve always been a big believer in the phrase “Buy Once, Cry Once.” Zojirushi coffee makers are not the cheapest out there but you’ll be able to use a nice appliance that is actually enjoyed every single day. Worth it for me.

5. Warranty & Customer Support

While many products come with a warranty of some sort, each product is different. Shoppers will want to do some extra research into what sort of warranty is provided by the manufacturer and the store from which they are purchasing it.

For instance, Zojirushi coffee makers fall under electrical products, and that warranty covers defects in materials and workmanship for a period of one year from the date of original purchase, while commercial products have a six-month warranty from the date of purchase.

The Top 3 Zojirushi Coffee Makers

I’ll be honest. I only own one of the following coffee makers that I’m about to show you. That naturally is my number one choice as I have the most experience with it and love it.

The second one is owned by a friend who swears by it and I have had a brewed beverage from it many times. The third, well, it has great reviews and looks really good on paper!

Having owned many products from Zojirushi I can’t imagine that you would be disappointed with any of them.

But without further ado, let’s get into the top options!

1. Zojirushi EC-YTC100XB – The 10 Cup Wonder

Brewing fresh, flavorful coffee has never been easier with this amazing machine. This machine brews the coffee at an optimal 200-degree Fahrenheit and is capable of brewing up to 10 cups of hot coffee. You can also brew up to 5 cups of ice coffee if that’s more your style. The stainless-steel carafe is vacuum insulated to keep coffee hot, and the permanent stainless mesh filter is not only reusable but washable.

This machine has kept me (and my wife) going for more than a year and we have zero complaints about it. It’s easy to use and makes great coffee. What else are you looking for in a coffee maker? More capacity? Well, then it’s your lucky day because they make this same machine with a 12 cup capacity.

2. Zojirushi EC-DAC50 Zutto – Drip Coffee Maker

This Zutto model features a removable water tank and water filter that allegedly lasts up to 2 years under normal use. It is capable of brewing up to five cups of coffee and features an automatic keep-warm option. The cone basket is designed to be housed within the glass carafe, thus keeping the unit more compact. The charcoal water filter helps to purify water for better-tasting coffee.

3. Zojirushi EC-TC40-TA

This model is a classic 4-cup model that is ideal for those who only want a few cups of coffee to get them going in the morning. The actual coffee maker weighs less than five pounds and measures around 8.1 x 6.1 x 9.1 inches. It also comes with a glass carafe.

Conclusion

From the looks of the variety of models available online and in stores, it looks as if there is a Zojirushi coffee maker out there for every coffee connoisseur’s tastes and needs.

Because there is such a wide variety of Zojirushi machines, not to mention other well-known brands out on the market, it can get a little overwhelming when it comes to picking the perfect coffee maker for your needs. However, it doesn’t have to be.

By taking a few personal notes on what you need from a coffee machine and by doing some research before you go out to buy, you are bound to find the perfect coffee maker to fit your needs.