6 Best Coffee Roasters – Easy to Use and Versatile

Manual and automatic coffee roasters with small and huge bean capacity to deliver great results.
By
Samanta Fryer
Samanta Fryer
Writer
Samanta Fryer is our senior editor and content writer, at CoffeeVibe. Apart from writing and reading, she’s fond of the coffee brewing process and enjoys tasting new coffe read more
reviewed
Reviewed By
Ryan Hendricks
Ryan Hendricks
Expert
Ryan Hendricks is our tester, who puts products through their paces. He used to be a barista and is now a full-time coffee enthusiast. He’s always testing out new gadgets, read more
Last updated: September 02, 2023
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Coffee is life’s greatest gift. If roasted and brewed well, of course. Coffee often loses its flavor quickly, which is why a quality coffee roaster will be a necessary appliance. Finding the best coffee roasters isn’t as easy as it sounds. You have to go through scores of products before you find the one. Luckily, we tested several coffee roasters and talked to leading professionals in the industry so that you won’t waste time and money.

We’ve tried out 16 coffee roasters. In our quest to find some of the top coffee roasters, we explored 6 products. We especially loved the Fresh Roast SR540, our Editor’s Choice. You’ll find options with a capacity of 30 g., and larger ones that can handle up to 500 g. of coffee beans. There are options that provide great control over temperature and time, some even have thermometers or LCD displays to monitor the roasting process.

Quick Summary

Top 6 Coffee Roasters Review 2024

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Consumer Engagement
Chosen by 4848 people in the past 30 days
9.5
Customer Feedback
Customer Feedback
9.1
Brand Reputation
Based onweb analytics
9.3
Features & Benefits
Product Review
9.1
9.5
1
Editor’s Choice

Fresh Roast SR540

Features
  • Capacity: 120 g
  • Temperature: not specified
  • Power: 120V
  • Dimensions: 14.7 x 8.3 x 8.3 inches

More features: real-time temperature display; 1-year warranty; nine levels of heat and fan settings

The Fresh Roast SR540 is an improved version of the SR500. It has a larger roast chamber that not only allows for better agitation of beans but also a more even roast. Unlike other previous models that offered the low-mid-high options, the SR540 has nine heat settings and a real-time temperature display. This ensures that you have total control of the roasting process and can tweak it to your desires.

You can easily tell how long you have been roasting your coffee beans with a large display. It shows a maximum of about 10 minutes. Changing the fan speed is also easy with the SR540. All you have to do is to turn it from the highest setting to the lowest fan speed setting. A run/cool button also allows you to change from blowing hot air to a cool 3-minute breeze cycle.

One thing that stands out with the Fresh Roast SR540 is how easy it is to use. It has a simple interface that only includes one dial and a few settings. The handle makes it easy to handle while also acting as a safety measure. You will never have to burn yourself while roasting coffee.

The Fresh Roast SR540 offers close to perfect roast quality. It features a fluid bed roaster that ensures the coffee does not stay in one place during roasting. It also takes about 5 to 10 minutes to finish roasting, which is great for busy people too. The 120-gram roast capacity is large enough to make about 2 liters of coffee at a go.

    What stands out?
  • Easy cleaning
  • Quick roasting time
  • Easy to use and maintain
  • High-quality output
    What cons did we manage to find?
  • Capacity may be small
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Consumer Engagement
Chosen by 6332 people in the past 30 days
9.4
Customer Feedback
Customer Feedback
9.3
Brand Reputation
Based onweb analytics
8.9
Features & Benefits
Product Review
9.1
9.4
Features
  • Capacity: 150-250 g
  • Temperature: 30-230 Celsius
  • Power: 220V 60HZ, 500W
  • Dimensions: body – 340mm x 170mm x 203mm; cooler – 282mm x 170mm x 86mm

More features: voltage difference is customizable; noiseless; large capacity; easy to confirm roasting process; heat resistant glass

If you want your kitchen to have an organized look, then maybe you should try the BOCABOCA Coffee Bean Roaster. This is a powerful appliance with a large capacity that can accommodate a medium to large family. Its stunning design is one of the first things that you notice when you get the BOCABOCA Coffee Bean Roaster. It has a wooden exterior that will make your kitchen counter-top feel organized.

Its wooden exterior serves a number of purposes. First, it will prevent you from getting any electrical shocks. It is not uncommon for people to get electrocuted when using metal appliances. With this wooden exterior, you will never experience any static or electric shock. The wooden exterior also keeps things organized and gives you a feeling that nothing is roasting in the machine. You can easily clean and wipe this unique exterior.

Using and controlling this coffee roaster is a walk in the park. All the roaster’s controls are found on one side of the roaster as dials that can be turned easily. The roaster has a transparent glass on the top to allow you to check the contents and color of the coffee you are roasting.

You will find roasting to be a great experience with the BOCABOCA Coffee Bean Roaster but may experience problems with cooling. Alternatively, you can get a separate cooler to assist you with this or work your way around the device.

    Why did it make our list?
  • Great design
  • Features a transparent glass that lets you peek inside
  • Compact
  • Easy to control
    What is not ideal about it?
  • No cooler
  • Not easy to clean inside
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Consumer Engagement
Chosen by 9297 people in the past 30 days
9.3
Customer Feedback
Customer Feedback
8.8
Brand Reputation
Based onweb analytics
9.2
Features & Benefits
Product Review
9.1
9.3
3
Best Popcorn Machine for Roasting Coffee

Electric Coffee Roaster Machine

Features
  • Capacity: 300-500 g
  • Temperature: 0-240 Celsius
  • Power: 110V
  • Dimensions: 13.7 x 13.6 x 8.1 inches

More features: safety assurance; temperature is adjustable; can also be used to make popcorn and make peanuts and nuts; transparent glass cover

Looking for a versatile coffee roaster that will allow you to do a whole lot more? The Electric Coffee Roaster Machine is one of the best large-capacity coffee roasters that we tried out. It features an impressive capacity of 300 to 500 grams, which is great for those with a large family or if you love hosting parties. This coffee roaster allows you to put in a large number of coffee beans while tumbling them to roast your coffee evenly.

With an adjustable temperature setting, you can finally roast the beans, depending on your personal preference. If you love a dark roast, then you can easily choose the highest settings and vice versa. The good quality roasting process from this roaster ensures that you get the rich coffee flavor too.

The roaster features a red bean dish that has a layer of Teflon. This not only makes the dish safe but easy to clean too. A rotating lever is included in the dish to automatically rotate the beans during roasting. Roasting coffee beans using the Electric Coffee Roaster Machine is a breeze. A transparent glass cover is on the top of the coffee roaster to make sure that you can observe the roasting process. Baking is simple, and you can use it for baking other beans such as peanuts, popcorn, barley, or chestnuts, among others.

    What do we love it for?
  • Large capacity
  • Works fast
  • Cleaning is easy with a non-stick surface
    What were we disappointed with?
  • Not very durable
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Consumer Engagement
Chosen by 3626 people in the past 30 days
9.2
Customer Feedback
Customer Feedback
9.1
Brand Reputation
Based onweb analytics
8.9
Features & Benefits
Product Review
8.8
9.2
4
Best Ceramic Coffee Roaster

Nuvo Eco Ceramic Handy Coffee Bean Roaster

Features
  • Capacity: 30-70 g
  • Temperature: not specified
  • Power: not specified
  • Dimensions: 10 x 6 x 2.9inches

More features: 100% ceramic, made in Korea

The Nuvo Ceramic Handy Coffee Bean Roaster is an easy-to-use product that can help you to get the most out of your favorite coffee beans. It’s possible to roast 30-70g of coffee at once and a double-shot of espresso would require approximately 18g of coffee. Using this as a base measurement, you can expect to get 2-3 cups of coffee from this roaster at once. If you drink a lot of coffee at home, you may find that this particular bean roaster isn’t large enough to meet your needs.

This is a stylish product that will grace any kitchen, form follows function and this is a simple and clean design. The roasting takes place in a ceramic bowl and there is a top opening to put the coffee beans inside. The ceramic handle conducts the heat and it’s coated with leather to protect your hand and increase your grip when roasting. This roaster can be used on most heat sources from a campfire to a stove top. This roaster will not work on an induction cooktop because the ceramic surfaces can not make the magnetic connection required to transfer energy.

The handle of the Nuvo Eco roaster is hollow which allows you to dump the roasted beans through the handle and get rid of the chaff. This is a highly portable roasting option and it may be the perfect solution if you want to roast coffee on the go. In fact, it can be stored in a backpack easily which makes it ideal for backpackers and campers.

    What makes it stand out?
  • Easy to empty
  • Hand protection on the handle
  • Highly portable
    Which disadvantages must you keep in mind?
  • The small capacity
  • It won’t work on induction cooktops
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Consumer Engagement
Chosen by 7857 people in the past 30 days
9.1
Customer Feedback
Customer Feedback
9.0
Brand Reputation
Based onweb analytics
8.8
Features & Benefits
Product Review
8.6
9.1
5
Best Home Roaster

KALDI Home Coffee Roaster

Features
  • Capacity: 200 g
  • Temperature: 250 Celsius
  • Power: 110-220V
  • Dimensions: 14.1 x 8 x 22.1 inches

More features: gas burner required; comes with a thermometer and probe rod; free volt adapter included

Kaldi is a renowned Korean company that produces great coffee machines and other equipment. This is why we were excited to try out the KALDI Home Coffee Roaster. You will first notice that this roaster has a unique design. It also comes with several unique features that help the machine roast the beans to perfection.

With a capacity of about 200 grams, this coffee roaster is large enough to cater to a small to medium-sized family. This does not seem like a small capacity machine, but the beans tend to pop out if the roaster is overloaded. As a result, the roaster can make your kitchen messy.

You can control both the temperature of roasting and the time to roast. It can reach temperatures of up to 250 degrees, which is more than enough. However, you need to be careful when setting this as any wrong move can have your beans scorched or under roasted.

This coffee roaster is also portable and easy to transport. The coffee roaster measures 14.1 x 8 x 22.1 inches and uses a gas burner as its source of heat for roasting. You can use it anywhere with a gas source, and it can work great for those that love camping or traveling. The machine will last a long time and requires little to no maintenance.

    Why are we impressed?
  • Affordable
  • Small footprint
  • Easy to clean and maintain
  • Durable
    What negatives must you be aware of?
  • Requires a lot of handiwork and skills
  • Coffee beans may pop out when overloaded
?
Consumer Engagement
Chosen by 8210 people in the past 30 days
9.0
Customer Feedback
Customer Feedback
8.6
Brand Reputation
Based onweb analytics
8.7
Features & Benefits
Product Review
8.9
9.0
6
Features
  • Capacity: 130g ~170g
  • Temperature: not specified
  • Power: 220V
  • Dimensions: 5.9 x 9.1 x 9.4 inches

More features: even roasting; circulating heat mode; automatic separation of husks

Imax is a renowned global brand that produces quality appliances for your kitchen. The Imax Green Coffee Beans Home Coffee Roaster is also an exceptional coffee roaster that will meet all your coffee brewing needs. This roaster has a sufficient capacity of about 130 to 170 grams, which is enough for a small to medium-sized family.

This roaster comes with a stainless-steel roasting chamber, which means that it will serve you for years on end. Its specially designed chamber also ensures that the coffee beans are roasted evenly with its circulating heat mode.

Energy consumption is one of the critical factors that the manufacturers considered when making this coffee roaster. This roaster uses as little energy as possible, which not only reduces the overall cost but also makes it more sustainable. And although this may seem like a great idea, some users have complained that the roaster does not generate enough heat.

The Imax Green Coffee Beans Home Coffee Roaster is also quite durable. Many coffee roasters develop rust from all the residue that builds up when working. However, this coffee roaster is made from stainless steel, and this means that you won’t have to worry about rust. Cleaning and overall maintenance is also easy and requires little to no skills on your part.

    What are our favorite features?
  • An energy-saving appliance
  • Easy to use and operate
  • Affordable
    What could be better?
  • May not deliver sufficient heat

Things to Consider

Not everyone is a master coffee roaster. That said, lacking the necessary knowledge to make good coffee or using the wrong coffee roaster will deny you some splendid morning drinks. There are a couple of actors that you ought to keep in mind when shopping for the best coffee roaster. This buying guide will give you all the necessary information that you need to ensure you get a perfect coffee roaster.

Advantages of using a coffee roaster

A lot of people wonder why they should get a coffee roaster while they can simply use instant coffee. If you love coffee, then you know the importance of a fresh quality coffee brew. Here are some more reasons why you should get a coffee roaster.

  • Great flavor

Like all foods, coffee tastes better when it is fresh. Coffee beans tend to oxidize and lose their fine aroma fast immediately after they are roasted. So, roasting your beans right before you use them ensures you get the best quality coffee. You also get a high amount of caffeine from freshly roasted coffee beans.

  • Right blend

Roasting your own coffee ensures that you get everything right to your tastes and preferences. You get to choose the right temperature, perfect blend, and so much more. Some find it a bit too handy at first, but you can quickly learn the ropes and make barista-grade coffee every day.

  • A therapeutic experience

Aside from drinking the great cup of coffee that you make, you also get to enjoy the therapeutic experience that comes with preparing it. Many coffee aficionados and industry professionals agree that brewing coffee is an art. Getting to be part of the whole experience and seeing how beans change color when getting roasted will provide some anxiety relief.

Features to consider before you buy a coffee roaster

With several products on the market, it is almost impossible to find a perfect coffee roaster that suits your needs. You may find a perfect coffee roaster only to discover that it roasts two cups of coffee at a time. These are some of the factors that you ought to consider before you get yourself a new roaster.

Capacity

One of the main things that you should think about when reviewing each coffee roaster is its capacity. A large size roaster is great for brewing coffee for a large family or gathering. How often do you want to roast coffee beans? How many people drink coffee regularly in your home? These are some of the questions that you should address when looking at the capacity of a coffee roaster. The Electric Coffee Roaster Machine is a large capacity roaster that has a capacity of 300 to 500 grams. You can also roast other types of beans. It is, however, worth noting that some large capacity roasters do not guarantee an even roast. If you have a smaller family or wish to switch up different types of beans after every few days, then you can get a small capacity roaster such as the Nuvo Eco Ceramic Handy Coffee Bean Roaster or the Fresh Roast SR540.

Temperature

6 Best Coffee Roasters - Easy to Use and Versatile

Temperature is another factor that you need to consider before getting another roaster. As a coffee drinker, you need your coffee berries roasted at a certain temperature of your liking. This is why the coffee roaster that you choose should offer you great control over temperature and time. The Fresh Roast SR540 comes with an impressive LCD dial that gives you the exact temperature of the beans being roasted. KALDI Home Coffee Roaster features a thermometer to help you know the temperature during the roasting process.

Power

You want an appliance with a suitable power rating/output. Most of the products that we reviewed have different power outputs. For example, both the BOCABOCA Coffee Bean Roaster and the Imax Green Coffee Beans Home Coffee Roaster have a 220V power rating. However, the Electric Coffee Roaster Machine and the Fresh Roast SR540 have a power rating of 110V and 120V, respectively. We also know how power bills can skyrocket through the roof. With several appliances in your house, it is prudent to check the power ratings of any additional equipment that you get. The Imax Green Coffee Beans Home Coffee Roaster is specially designed to save power and can save you hundreds of dollars in bills.

Dimensions

Most coffee roasters are portable and can easily be transported. This is because they have smaller dimensions that make it easy to carry or store.

If you would love a coffee roaster that can fit on your kitchen counter-top, then you can get a larger dimension coffee roaster.

The Electric Coffee Roaster Machine and the BOCABOCA Coffee Bean Roaster are some of the larger dimension roasters with each measuring 13.7 x 13.6 x 8.1 inches and 340mm x 170mm x 203mm, respectively.

Smoke and noise control

Roasting coffee has often been an outdoor activity since many traditional coffee roasters did not have a built-in system to control smoke. Recent developments in technology, however, have made sure that roasters can now include smoke inhibitors.

If you want to roast your coffee beans indoors, then you need to ensure that the machine you get has this option.

You also need a machine that makes as little noise as possible when roasting. People often make coffee very early in the morning and may not wish to wake up other people with loud roasting noises. We found the BOCABOCA Coffee Bean Roaster to be quite noiseless.

Cooling process

6 Best Coffee Roasters - Easy to Use and Versatile

Most people just think that roasting coffee is only about heating the coffee beans. Right? Well, it is also important that you cool down the coffee once it reaches the desired temperature. Coffee beans will easily absorb more heat and become scorched if more heat than necessary is applied. A fast and efficient cooling system is needed in a coffee roaster to ensure that the beans stay at the roasting level that they are needed to be. Some roasters cool the coffee in the roasting chamber itself while some will have a separate cooling chamber. The Fresh Roast SR540 is one of the coffee roasters that we found with a cooling system. It features a run/cool button that will change the hot air to a cool breeze cycle in seconds.

FAQ

How to use a coffee roaster?

Using a coffee roaster is not as complicated as it is taken to be. If you roast your beans using an oven or a popcorn machine, then you ought to get a home coffee roaster. All you have to do is to add in the coffee beans to the hopper and turn on the machine if it is not automatic. A dedicated coffee roaster will then allow you to make even the smallest changes to the roasting process, such as changing temperature or time of roasting. You will get to watch the beans turn from green to brown until roasting it to the second crack stage.

Is it safe to use a coffee roaster at home?

Yes, it is safe to use your coffee roaster at home. A coffee roaster is as safe as any other appliance in your home, but you need to follow some guidelines to ensure it is safe. Electric coffee roasters are quite safe, and all you need is a reliable electricity source. You should, however, watch out for any electric shocks if the appliance is made from a conductor material. Gas coffee roasters such as the KALDI Home Coffee Roaster that use a gas burner are also safe as long as some precautions are taken.

What else except coffee can you make with a coffee roaster?

You can make a whole lot more with a coffee roaster than just good coffee. It is, however, worth noting that not all coffee roasters, such as hot air roasters, are versatile enough to roast other beans. You need a drum roaster such as the Electric Coffee Roaster Machine, which can prepare other types of beans such as popcorns, chestnuts, peanuts, and barley, among others.

Our verdict

Our quest to find the top coffee roasters on the market was quite fruitful, and we loved every step of it. We especially loved the Fresh Roast SR540, which is our editor’s choice. This machine is easy to use, has a larger capacity than its predecessors, and works perfectly. Its 9-temperature setting and LCD display will allow you to have total control over the roasting process.

We also loved the BOCABOCA Coffee Bean Roaster, our premium pick. This coffee roaster has an elegant design, great capacity, features some simple dials, and it is easy to clean too. It’s also compact and can enhance the aesthetics of your kitchen design.

Lastly, we have the Nuvo Eco Ceramic Handy Coffee Bean Roaster, our best value pick. This small capacity coffee roaster is a great addition to your kitchen if you want to make great coffee, but you are on a budget. It features as one of the best ceramic coffee roasters because it is easy to use, compact, and roasts good quality coffee.

9,5
Total Score
Fresh Roast SR540 - Editor’s Choice
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