The bad news is that many of the best coffee makers rely on K-cups Convenient, yes, but very wasteful Plastic and coffee grounds end up in landfills instead of being used to grow plants

De'Longhi's TrueBrew eliminates such cup waste and even disposable filters while providing customizable and delicious coffee This drip-style machine incorporates a burr grinder taken from a De'Longhi espresso machine that measures out the right amount of powder and compacts it into a small disc when the extraction is complete The machine can extract anything from an espresso-sized cup to a 40-ounce carafe with just a few taps However, at $599, it is one of the most expensive coffee makers available

The De'Longhi TrueBrew can be ordered in two versions: the Williams-Sonoma (open in new tab) limited edition model (CAM51035M) for $599, with an all stainless steel exterior, six extraction sizes (3, 8, 12, 16, 24, and 40 oz), and 40 oz insulated stainless steel carafe is included

The $499 model (CAM51025MB) is widely available at Williams-Sonoma (open in new tab), delonghicom (open in new tab), and Amazon (open in new tab) It has stainless steel and black side panels and can brew 3, 8, 12, 16, 20, and 24 ounces of coffee; carafe not included

Both are available starting in early March 2023

The TrueBrew is shaped like an elongated cylinder and has a removable plastic panel at the top, into which coffee beans or powder can be placed On the front of the machine, there is a panel at the top for selecting the desired beverage, and below that is a recess for the included insulated carafe When the carafe is removed, the small panel can be flipped down if you want to make a smaller cup of coffee [Three touch-sensitive buttons on the face of the machine allow the selection of six different extraction sizes (3 oz, 8 oz, 12 oz, 24 oz, and 40 oz) and five different extraction styles (light, gold, bold, espresso, and over ice) It is more intuitive to press the respective icons for extraction size, etc, but it was still easy to understand

The entire center section also slides out, allowing you to empty the used grind bin and discard excess water that has fallen into the grates

On the right side of the machine is a large 60 oz water reservoir We like that it is clear so we can see how much water is left and that it is on the side of the TrueBrew so it can be easily removed for refilling or cleaning

The entire coffeemaker is made of stainless steel, with the exception of the top and center front, which is black plastic While not as sleek as an espresso machine, it is stylish enough to leave on the counter

To test the TrueBrew, we set it up in our office and asked fellow coffee lovers to try it out In general, the reaction was positive, as most of our office mates found that it provided a delicious cup of coffee One wrote, "Amazing" Bold was certainly bold One staff member said he was attacked by jitters after drinking a cup brewed in that setting

If you choose the "Strong" setting for brewing in a larger pot, the machine has to grind several packets of beans, which takes a little longer than a typical drip machine

"It seems confusing at first," says another colleague, "but it's actually pretty easy" Rather than pressing the "size" button, you can press the size drink you want I am considering purchasing one, but the coffee is not hot enough

Espresso lovers will be a bit disappointed with TrueBrew In my testing, it did not produce a cup with as much crema as one would get from the best espresso machines I also found that the strength must be set to Bold to get the same shock of caffeine that one would get from a dedicated machine Also, a colleague said the espresso was a bit watery

The TrueBrew's insulated carafe was also excellent, keeping the coffee warm for several hours after brewing The machine is also easy to clean, with a center section that pops out easily (but not too much) and various parts that can be removed and washed

Overall, the De'Longhi TrueBrew is a very good coffee maker, providing consistent results in an easy-to-use machine However, where it brewed espresso, it fell short of a dedicated espresso machine

The TrueBrew's price is also high: at $600, it is much more expensive than other highly rated coffee makers with built-in grinders For example, the Cuisinart DGB-850W Burr Grind & Brew 10-Cup Coffeemaker with Thermal Carafe (opens in new tab), a four-star Amazon and Food & Wine top pick, is only $229 Similarly, the Breville Grind Control Coffee Maker (opens in a new tab) is $329 Neither brews espresso and both require the use of a filter, but many may overlook the convenience of the TrueBrew's powder dumping system to save a few hundred dollars DeLonghi's TrueBrew is an innovative machine, but it does not fully justify its price