Balmuda The Brew Review: Is It Worth It?
Glad you came by, I'm Sam. Customers ask about Balmuda at our counter all the time. The Balmuda The Brew is a push-button drip coffee maker that copies a hand pour-over. The Tokyo company Balmuda sells it in the US for $699. The machine is 5.5 inches (14 cm) wide and uses an open drip design. It brews up to 12 fl oz (355 ml) per batch.
The Brew pulses water over the grounds and adds finishing water through a bypass spout. Three modes cover Regular, Strong and Iced coffee. Reviewers praise the smooth, steady cup. A Wired lab test found the Regular cup weak, while the Strong setting gave a sweeter result.
Owners love the design and the sound, but complaints focus on the price, the small batch and the plastic body. I explain brew modes, lab tests and cleaning in plain words, and no company paid me. The review ends with a clear verdict on who should buy and who should skip.
What Is the Balmuda The Brew?
The Balmuda The Brew is an automatic drip coffee maker that copies a hand pour-over, sold in the US for $699. Balmuda lists it as model K06A. The machine is 5.5 inches (14 cm) wide.
The copy of a hand pour-over shows in the open drip design. Water falls onto the grounds in a conical dripper that stays in plain view. A burst of steam preheats the carafe before the first water arrives, so the coffee lands in a warm vessel.
The machine has no built-in grinder. Owners grind beans separately and set a paper filter in the dripper. The result is hot or iced coffee in a batch of up to 12 fl oz (355 ml).
Controls stay simple. Three modes and three sizes sit on the panel. A ticking sound plays while the machine brews, and a short chime plays when the carafe is full.
Balmuda first sold the machine in Japan in 2021. The US release followed in May 2023.
Who Makes the Balmuda The Brew?
Balmuda, a Tokyo company founded in 2003 by Gen Terao, makes the Balmuda The Brew. The brand became known for a steam toaster that sells for $299. Its other small appliances include a $149 kettle and a $149 lantern.
The coffee maker took six years to develop. The first plan was to electrify an AeroPress, a hand-pressed coffee maker, by adding steam. A team of ten engineers spent a year on it before the company cancelled the project.
A later hire named Ota, a software developer who brewed hand-drip coffee, revived the idea. Ota found that bitter, harsh flavors come out late in extraction. That finding pointed to a fix: pull a strong concentrate early, before the harsh flavors appear, and mix it with hot water at the end.
A designer then drew the compact machine with the open drip. Terao calls the day of that mock-up the day the product was created.
How Does the Balmuda The Brew Work?
The Balmuda The Brew does work by pulsing hot water over the grounds in short streams, much like a hand pour. The water stops for a few seconds between streams. Balmuda describes the drip as a 0.2 ml process.
The cycle starts with steam that preheats the carafe. A pause of about 30 seconds follows so the grounds can bloom and release gas.
Bloom is the short soak that lets freshly roasted grounds release carbon dioxide. Wet grounds then take in water more evenly. The 30-second pause is fixed, so the user cannot change it.
Brewing then runs in pulses for 4 to 7 minutes, depending on the mode and the room temperature.
Water temperature falls on purpose during the brew. Balmuda says a gradual drop mimics a hand pour from a metal kettle. Consumer Reports measured a peak of 195.5°F (90.8°C) at the spout.
The Specialty Coffee Association brewing standard calls for 194°F to 204.8°F (90°C to 96°C) throughout. The Brew lets the water cool below that range by the end of the cycle.
What Is Bypass Brewing on the Balmuda The Brew?
Bypass brewing on the Balmuda The Brew sends hot water through a second spout straight into the carafe, never through the grounds. The machine stops the drip early and adds this finishing water. Balmuda calls the main method Clear Brewing.
The early stop matters because of how coffee extracts. Balmuda says it removes the bitter taste of late extraction. The coffee leaves the dripper as a concentrate, which is too strong to drink as it is.
The bypass water fixes that. It dilutes the concentrate to drinking strength. An Americano works the same way, since hot water dilutes espresso after extraction. The Brew applies that idea to filter coffee.
Balmuda suggests a coffee to water ratio of 1:12. A common starting ratio is 1:16, so the Balmuda recipe uses far more coffee per cup.
A barista in a Seattle lab test said bypass brewing usually appears on huge industrial brewers. Pro bars rarely use it. Strong mode skips the bypass step.
What Brew Modes Does the Balmuda The Brew Have?
The Balmuda The Brew has three brew modes, Regular, Strong and Iced, and the modes have three sizes each. A mode and a size are the only two choices on the panel.
The three modes differ in how the machine treats the water and the coffee. The following are the three brew modes:
- Regular: This mode uses bypass brewing, which Balmuda describes as giving a vibrant aroma and taste. Two reviewers found the cup lighter than Strong mode.
- Strong: This mode skips the bypass water, so the cup turns deeper and more concentrated. Two reviewers named Strong as their favorite setting.
- Iced: This mode still brews hot coffee, but in a more concentrated form. The user pours it over ice.
Iced mode also changes the batch sizes. Hot sizes are 4, 8 and 12 fl oz (118, 237 and 355 ml). Iced sizes are 2.5, 5 and 7.5 fl oz (74, 148 and 222 ml).
Batch Sizes:
| Size | Hot | Iced |
|---|---|---|
| Small | 4 fl oz (118 ml) | 2.5 fl oz (74 ml) |
| Medium | 8 fl oz (237 ml) | 5 fl oz (148 ml) |
| Large | 12 fl oz (355 ml) | 7.5 fl oz (222 ml) |
Does the Balmuda The Brew Make Good Coffee?
Yes. The Balmuda The Brew makes good coffee in most reviewer tests, though one critic scored it only 5 out of 10. Praise centers on a smooth and consistent cup. The harshest verdict calls the same cup boring.
A Bon Appétit reviewer says the cup tastes like a $9 coffee from a neighborhood cafe. The result stays the same whoever pushes the button and however little sleep the user had.
The strong setting wins the most praise. Wired found a finer grind and Strong mode gave a sweeter cup than Regular. A Domino reviewer also named Strong as the favorite setting.
Wired found the Regular cup weak and tea-like. A barista there called it fine but boring next to the drip coffee from his own cafe.
How Did the Balmuda The Brew Do in Lab Tests?
The Balmuda The Brew did only an average job in a Wired lab test, then reached its targets on the third batch. The test took place at Olympia Coffee Roasters in Seattle. A refractometer measured total dissolved solids, or TDS, which shows how much coffee has dissolved into the water.
The first Regular batch measured 1.37 TDS. The number looked right, but the coffee tasted weak. A good reading did not guarantee a good cup.
A second batch used 28 g (1 oz) of coffee and 320 g (11.3 oz) of water, a 1:11.4 ratio. That second batch used a finer grind and Strong mode. TDS rose to 1.75, but extraction stayed a little low. Extraction is how much flavor the water pulls from the grounds, and under-extracted coffee tastes sour.
The third batch hit both the TDS and extraction targets. The testers still called the cup fine but unimpressive. Consumer Reports separately recorded a peak water temperature of 195.5°F (90.8°C).
What Are the Balmuda The Brew Specs?
The Balmuda The Brew specs list a body 5.5 inches wide, 11.7 inches deep and 14.9 inches tall, with a weight of about 7.5 lb. In metric units that is 14 by 29.7 by 37.8 cm and 3.4 kg. Both figures include the tank, dripper and carafe.
Key Specs:
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Size | 5.5 x 11.7 x 14.9 in (14 x 29.7 x 37.8 cm) |
| Weight | About 7.5 lb (3.4 kg) |
| Power | 120V, 1450 W, 60 Hz |
| Carafe | 17 fl oz (503 ml) |
| Water tank | 16.5 fl oz (488 ml) |
| Brew time | 4 to 7 minutes |
The machine runs on 120V AC at 60 Hz and draws 1450 W. The power cord is about 3.3 ft (1 m) long. Brew time runs 4 to 7 minutes.
The carafe holds about 17 fl oz (503 ml). It has a double-walled vacuum body of stainless steel with polypropylene parts. The water tank holds about 16.5 fl oz (488 ml).
The box contains the main unit, a dripper, 5 paper filters, a server with a lid and a measuring spoon. A dripper stand and a manual with the warranty complete the set. Balmuda states the machine contains no PFAS chemicals.
The manual carries the warranty terms. Balmuda's US specification page does not state the length, so buyers should read the warranty page before ordering.
How Much Coffee Does the Balmuda The Brew Make?
The Balmuda The Brew makes up to 12 fl oz (355 ml) of hot coffee per batch. The small size gives 4 fl oz (118 ml). The medium size gives 8 fl oz (237 ml).
Iced batches come out smaller because the coffee is brewed concentrated. Small, medium and large iced sizes give 2.5, 5 and 7.5 fl oz (74, 148 and 222 ml).
Real yields feel smaller than these numbers suggest. One couple counted 1 to 1.5 cups from a large batch. A Domino reviewer got about two 6 oz (177 ml) cups.
Time also differs from the claim. A regular large batch took about eight minutes in the Domino test. Balmuda quotes 4 to 7 minutes, so the real wait runs longer.
Once brewed, the coffee stays hot in the vacuum carafe. The machine has no warming plate.
What Do Owners Say About the Balmuda The Brew?
Owners say the Balmuda The Brew is very good, mostly for a steady, smooth cup. Balmuda's US store lists 23 reviews. A share of 96% sits in the top rating group.
Several buyers say the coffee beats the pour overs they made by hand before. They like to watch the drip and hear the ticking, steam and closing chime. One buyer calls the process fun and creative.
The price looks easier to accept for café regulars. A Bon Appétit writer says a person who spends $8 to $10 on a hand brew will earn the machine back in two or three months.
Setup takes under 10 minutes, with one short cleaning cycle. Cleanup is light because only a few parts need washing.
What Are the Common Complaints About the Balmuda The Brew?
The most common complaints about the Balmuda The Brew are the $699 price, the small batch and the plastic body. Gear Patrol calls the machine arguably too expensive for the amount of plastic used.
Black plastic covers the body and gives it a hotel-room feel.
The batch size adds to the doubt about value. In one household test, the carafe made only 1 to 1.5 cups per large batch.
The control panel offers little help either. It has no timer and no phone start. The machine cannot brew before the user wakes up or from another room.
The recipe causes a different problem. It uses scoops, not grams, which frustrates coffee hobbyists who weigh their beans. Wired also found the recipe vague. The scoop holds 0.4 to 0.5 oz (11 to 14 g) per 4 fl oz cup. The manual tells users to adjust the amount by grind size and roast, but it gives no firm number.
Hobbyists also cannot change the bloom time or the water temperature. Balmuda fixes both.
How Do You Use the Balmuda The Brew?
The Balmuda The Brew is easy to use and takes five steps to brew a cup. The user fills the tank to the marked line. A paper filter goes into the dripper, and ground coffee goes into the filter.
Next the user picks a mode and a size and presses Start. Pressing Start again pauses the brew. Balmuda advises resuming soon so the coffee keeps the right temperature.
Balmuda recommends a medium-fine to medium grind. The included scoop holds about 0.4 to 0.5 oz (11 to 14 g) per 4 fl oz cup. Strength changes with the mode or with the amount of coffee.
The dripper takes any conical filter made for 1 to 4 cups. One owner uses Hario V60 size 02 filters. Five filters come in the box.
Steps:
- Fill the water tank to the marked line.
- Set a paper filter in the dripper.
- Add ground coffee to the filter.
- Choose a mode and a size.
- Press Start and wait for the chime.
How Do You Clean the Balmuda The Brew?
The Balmuda The Brew is easy to clean: wash its removable parts and run a monthly citric acid cycle. Balmuda advises hand washing and drying the four removable parts and the scoop. A damp cloth cleans the base.
The dripper does not pull straight off. A quarter turn of 90 degrees frees it.
The monthly cycle uses citric acid. The user fills the tank with citric acid and water and brews a regular large cup.
Citric acid leaves a smell behind. Several rinse cycles with plain water follow until the smell is gone.
A new machine needs one cleaning step too. First-time setup calls for one large cycle with filtered water, which is then poured out.
How Does the Balmuda The Brew Compare to Rivals?
The Balmuda The Brew will compare to rivals as a pricier machine with a smaller batch. Its closest peers are the Chemex Ottomatic, the Ratio Eight and the Technivorm Moccamaster. Each one trades a different strength for the Balmuda design.
Price is the first gap. The Chemex Ottomatic 2.0 costs $350 for the six-cup set. The Moccamaster KBGV Select costs $369. The Ratio Eight costs about the same as the Balmuda.
Batch size is the second gap, and it is where the Balmuda gives up the most. Its 12 fl oz (355 ml) maximum counts as small even to Wired.
The Balmuda gets something in return for that small batch. The machine fits in a 5.5 inch (14 cm) gap, so it suits a tight counter. Its open drip also adds steam, light and sound. The Balmuda wins on size and show, while its rivals win on price or volume.
Rival Snapshot:
| Machine | Price | Batch |
|---|---|---|
| Balmuda The Brew | $699 | Up to 12 fl oz (355 ml) |
| Chemex Ottomatic 2.0 | $350 | 30 or 40 oz (887 ml or 1.2 L) |
| Moccamaster KBGV Select | $369 | 40 oz (1.2 L) |
| Ratio Eight | Around the Balmuda price | Up to 40 oz (1.2 L) |
What Are the Alternatives to the Balmuda The Brew?
The best-known alternatives to the Balmuda The Brew are the Chemex Ottomatic, the Ratio Eight and the Moccamaster. Gear Patrol names all three. Each one brews more coffee per batch.
The Chemex Ottomatic 2.0 is another automatic pour-over machine. It comes with the classic glass Chemex brewer. The six-cup carafe holds 30 oz (887 ml), and a hot plate keeps the coffee warm.
The Ratio Eight carries a similar price. It comes from a brand loved by coffee enthusiasts, and it ships in several colors.
The Moccamaster KBGV Select sits closer to plain drip coffee. It brews a 40 oz (1.2 L) pot, carries a 5-year manufacturer warranty and holds Specialty Coffee Association certification. The Balmuda price buys nearly two of them. Wired adds that a café drip machine made a brighter cup than the Brew in its lab test.
How Much Does the Balmuda The Brew Cost?
The Balmuda The Brew costs $699 at most US stores. Balmuda, Amazon and Huckberry list $699. Williams Sonoma lists $700.
The sticker price is not the whole cost. Owners also need a burr grinder. Paper filters beyond the five in the box cost extra, and conical filters sold for 1 to 4 cups fit.
Daily cafe habits change the math. A Bon Appétit writer who spends $8 to $10 on a hand brew expects the machine to pay for itself in two or three months. At $9 a drink, $699 equals about 78 cafe drinks.
Balmuda offers free 30-day returns on its own store. Free shipping covers the contiguous US.
Where Can You Buy the Balmuda The Brew?
Buyers can buy the Balmuda The Brew where Balmuda's US store, Amazon, Williams Sonoma, Huckberry and Nordstrom sell it. Best Buy also lists the black model. Prices sit at $699 or $700 across these stores.
Balmuda's own store ships for free in the contiguous US. Standard delivery takes 5 to 7 business days. Express delivery costs extra.
Stock can run out. The brand store has shown the machine as out of stock.
Is the Balmuda The Brew Worth It?
Yes. The Balmuda The Brew is worth it for a one-or-two-cup, push-button drinker who values design and a steady cup. The same machine is poor value for bigger households and tinkerers.
Reviewers split. Bon Appétit loved it. Wired gave 5 out of 10. Gear Patrol called the machine gorgeous but arguably too expensive for the plastic inside.
The strengths are real. The cup stays consistent, the footprint is tiny, and the Iced mode works. Cleanup is light.
The limits are real too. The batch is small, a timer is missing, and $699 buys larger machines that match the cup.
Pros:
- Steady, smooth cup from day to day
- Narrow 5.5 inch (14 cm) body
- Iced mode that works
- Light cleanup
Cons:
- $699 price
- Small 12 fl oz (355 ml) batch
- No timer
- Plastic body
Who Should Skip the Balmuda The Brew?
Households that drink more than 12 fl oz (355 ml) at once should skip the Balmuda The Brew. A large batch yields about one to one and a half cups in home tests.
Coffee hobbyists should skip it as well. The machine fixes bloom time and water temperature, so those variables stay locked.
Budget buyers should skip it. the Chemex Ottomatic 2.0 costs $350, and nearly two Moccamasters fit in the same budget.
People who want to set a brew the night before also lose. The Brew has no timer.
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