Verdict
If you’re concerned about plastic components, the Simply Good Coffee Brewer ensures that no plastic is involved in the brewing process. The coffee maker is also easy to use, with just one button to press, and it delivers delicious coffee. However, you’ll pay dearly for these features.
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Makes delicious coffee
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Bloom feature
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Almost no plastic parts
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Simple one-touch process
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No descaling alert
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Water reservoir is not removable
Key Features
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No plastic involved in the brewing process
Stainless-steel shower arm, shower head, filter basket, filter basket lid, hot water up-pipe, carafe top, water to boiler tube, and more.
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Easy to use
Just press the On button, and the coffee maker starts.
Introduction
Microplastics, while always problematic, have recently become a trending topic again. According to the Cancerwise Blog by the UT (University of Texas) MD Anderson Cancer Center, there may be a correlation between microplastics and cardiovascular diseases, chronic degenerative diseases, and inflammatory diseases. Heat seems to degrade plastic components, thereby releasing microplastics in food and drinks.
In the kitchen, some consumers have been ditching nonstick cookware and plastic utensils, switching to glass blenders and food processes, and using wood and metal cutting boards.
However, the average coffee maker has a considerable number of plastic parts as well, and in addition to potential health effects, can pose other problems as well. For example, over time, plastic coffee surfaces can accumulate oils, residue, and odors that can negatively affect the coffee’s taste.
Some coffee makers, like the Ratio Four, use FDA-grade silicone water lines, borosilicate glass carafes, and a matte finish polymer with reinforced metal internal structure. And now, Simply Good Coffee has released an (almost) plastic-free brewer. However, is it too good to be true – and is its high price justified? Keep reading to discover how the Simple Good Coffee Brewer fared during the testing process, and how it compares to our list of the best coffee makers.
Design and features
- Very few plastic parts
- Simple operation
- Missing that high-end feel
The Simply Good Coffee Brewer arrived safely in a cardboard box, and everything was packaged well to prevent any damage during the shipping process. My very first impression was that it was very similar in appearance to the very stylish and highly-rated Moccamaster Coffee Maker – and had a comparable price.
My second impression was being quite impressed with the lack of plastic. Companies often use PR gimmicks to bring attention to their products, but that was not the case with the Simply Good Coffee Brewer.
The coffee maker has a stainless-steel shower arm, shower head, filter basket, filter basket lid, hot water up-pipe, reservoir floor cover, one-way valve, water into boiler tube, boiler, and carafe top. Even the coffee scoop is made of stainless steel. Both the water reservoir and carafe are made of borosilicate glass. The fittings and connectors are made of surgical silicone. There are some plastic parts – like the water reservoir lid, and the brew basket’s handle – but no plastic (or aluminum) components come into contact with the water or the coffee.
The box also includes 2 packs of #4 natural paper filters (30 total filters), and a user manual.
The water reservoir can hold enough water for 8 cups of coffee. It has a minimum line (2 cups) and a maximum line (8 cups).
The stainless steel brew basket looks sturdy and durable. Simple Good Coffee recommends folding the #4 paper coffee filters along the bottom and the crimped side, so they fit better.
I’m not a fan of glass carafes because they require a hot plate, and even though borosilicate is strong, a glass carafe is still breakable (compared to a thermal carafe). However, I do appreciate that the Simply Good Coffee Brewer’s carafe has a stainless-steel lid (surrounded by plastic that doesn’t touch the coffee). Another cool feature is the mixing tube. The OXO Brew 9 Cup Coffee Maker (which has a thermal carafe) also has a mixing tube – but it’s made of silicone, instead of stainless steel used in the Simply Good Coffee Brewer.
I love the simplicity of the design. There are two buttons: the Bloom button (more on that later) is on the left side, and the On/Off button is on the right side.
While this coffee maker isn’t programmable, the company also plans to start shipping a programmable brewer on September 27.
My only concern with the overall design is that it somehow doesn’t feel like a high-end coffee maker. It certainly doesn’t feel cheap, but perhaps, since it looks so much like a Moccamaster – and has a comparable price – it just seems like the Simply Good Coffee Brewer should have a more premium feel, or the Aarke Coffee Maker.
Performance
- Showerhead evenly distributes water
- Bloom feature creates flavorful coffee
- Steady brew temperature
The Simply Good Coffee Brewer makes excellent coffee. This is the result of a combination of factors. The coffee maker’s stainless-steel showerhead evenly distributes water over the coffee grounds.
However, in this photo, you can see that the showerhead splatters quite a bit as well.
When the showerhead distributes hot water over the coffee ground, carbon dioxide is released, and the coffee bubbles up. This process is called blooming. Selecting the Bloom feature on the brewer releases carbon dioxide before the brewing process starts. During the Bloom cycle (which only lasts for a few seconds), it may appear that the coffee maker is not working. However, this slight delay results in coffee that smells more aromatic, and tastes better. You can choose to turn the Bloom feature on or off; however, I’ve found that without it, the coffee has a flatter, bitter taste.
In addition, the coffee maker maintains the water temperature between 195°F and 205°F, which is significant. If the water is too hot, it can burn the coffee grounds for a bitter taste, and if it’s not hot enough, the coffee could be weak and watery.
The stainless-steel mixing tube in the glass carafe also contributes to the coffee’s quality. It helps to evenly mix the coffee as it’s being brewed, so I never get a bad cup.
Another interesting feature, located on the brew basket, is the Drip Toggle. You can slide the lever from the open to the closed position to stop the brew cycle – if you’re the type of person who wants to get a cup of coffee before the brew cycle is complete. I tested the Drip Toggle to be sure that it works – and it does – but I’m not usually in that much of a rush that I can’t wait six to eight minutes for the brew cycle to finish.
I tested both light and dark roasts, along with decaf coffee, and the Simply Good Coffee Brewer consistently delivered a great pot of coffee.
Carafe lids can be hit or miss – on some coffee makers, they’re easy to operate, but on others, you could end up inadvertently spilling coffee everywhere. However, the lid on the Simply Good Coffee Brewer functioned as intended, and I never had to clean up spills.
The warming plate keeps the coffee warm for 40 minutes. Also, I had to keep reminding myself that I couldn’t place the glass carafe on the countertop. Although glass carafes are standard with coffee makers, I prefer thermal carafes because they eliminate the need for a warming plate – and I can place them on the countertop without fear of damaging either the countertop or the carafe. On the other hand, a glass carafe doesn’t retain coffee oils and odors.
Regarding maintenance, it’s pretty straightforward. The water tank is not removable, and when I turned the coffee maker upside down in the sink, several ounces of water came out, but that’s to be expected when you can’t remove the water tank. The showerhead can be washed by hand or in the dishwasher, but the other parts should be hand washed.
There’s no descaling alert. The company recommends descaling the coffee maker every two months – or every 100 brews.
After testing for a month, it still struck me as strange that whenever I pressed the On button, the brewer turns on, but then the button toggles back to the down/Off position. The company explains that this is a safety measure – and it’s obvious that the brewer is on because the indicator light turns on.
Should you buy it?
You want a plastic-free coffee maker
With a stainless-steel shower arm, shower head, filter basket, filter basket lid, hot water up-pipe, reservoir floor cover, one-way valve, water into boiler tube, boiler, and carafe top, you don’t have to worry about any plastic during the prep or brewing process.
You like to customize your coffee
You can turn the Simply Good Coffee Brewer on or off, and select the Bloom feature, but that’s it. If you want to change the strength, temperature, or anything else, this is not the coffee
Final Thoughts
Aside from a few quirks, I found the Simply Good Coffee Brewer to be an impressive coffee maker. The lack of plastic parts in the brewing process is certainly the most notable feature. The generous showerhead, optional bloom feature, and steady brew temperature combine for consistently good coffee that’s never bitter or weak. However, the inability to adjust the brew strength or program the coffee maker, along with the price, could turn some people off.
How We Test
We test every coffee machine we review thoroughly over an extended period of time. We use industry-standard tests to compare features properly. We’ll always tell you what we find. We never, ever, accept money to review a product.
Find out more about how we test in our ethics policy.
- Used as our main coffee machine for the review period
- Used as our main coffee machine for the review period
- We roast our own beans for regular coffee machines, so we can fairly compare each machine; pod machines are tested with a variety of compatible capsules
- Depending on capabilities, we test each machine’s ability to make espresso and cappuccino
FAQs
No. However, it includes a stainless-steel shower arm, shower head, filter basket, filter basket lid, hot-water up-pipe, reservoir floor cover, one-way valve, water-into-boiler tube, boiler, carafe top, and coffee scoop. The water reservoir and carafe are made of borosilicate glass. The fittings and connectors are made of surgical silicone. While there are some plastic parts – like the water reservoir lid, and the brew basket’s handle, none of the plastic comes into contact with the water or the coffee.
Full Specs
| Simply Good Coffee Brewer Review | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | – |
| Size (Dimensions) | 8 x 14 x 15 INCHES |
| Weight | 10.5 LB |
| Release Date | 2026 |
| First Reviewed Date | 20/07/2026 |
| Coffee Machine Type | Filter |
| Number of boilers | 1 |
| UK RRP | TBC |
| USA RRP | $479.99 |
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