Aarke Coffee System Review: A Drip Coffee Maker for Coffee Lovers

The Aarke Coffee System stands out in the coffee machine market, not just for its exceptional functionality but also for its eye-catching design. With a sleek chrome finish and a solid stainless steel build, it demands attention on any countertop. Every detail feels luxurious, from the knurled control knob to the substantial weight of the grinder itself. It’s more than just a coffee machine—it’s a high-end statement piece for coffee enthusiasts who appreciate both aesthetics and performance.

This system features two main components: a bean grinder and a drip coffee maker, which can be used separately. However, they truly shine when connected by wire. While the cable may be a bit unsightly, the payoff is in the automation—just set the control knob to setting “A,” and the grinder automatically adjusts the amount of coffee it grinds based on the amount of water in the tank. It’s a clever system that makes brewing your coffee as seamless as possible.

The entire setup prioritizes simplicity and ease of use, with a single button controlling the coffee maker, its hot plate, and even the descaling mode. The grinder has additional features, including a collar that clicks as you adjust the grind size and a sturdy on/off switch that feels solid in hand.

However, while the system is designed for convenience, it offers limited manual control over the brewing process. You can tweak the quantity, strength, and grind size, but you can’t adjust the temperature—either for brewing or the hot plate. Given its premium price tag, you might expect more control, but Aarke automatically regulates the temperature for you. This results in consistent, reliable brews, with the focus on ease rather than customization.

Performance-wise, the Aarke Coffee System delivers impressive results. The water tank features a light that illuminates when you fill it, making it easy to check the water level. Once you press the button, the system heats up quickly, and the water is evenly distributed over the coffee grounds for optimal extraction. The result is consistently rich and flavorful coffee every time.

That said, for a system at this price point, we did encounter a few issues. The grinder occasionally jammed, even with regular maintenance, and the catch cup didn’t always sit flush with the grinder, leading to spills. Additionally, the carafe doesn’t retain heat well once removed from the hot plate, which could be a downside for those who prefer their coffee piping hot for longer.

In conclusion, the Aarke Coffee System is a beautifully designed, easy-to-operate coffee machine with some smart automated features. While it’s not perfect and doesn’t offer the level of manual control some coffee enthusiasts may desire, it stands out for its sleek design and reliable performance. If you’re willing to invest in a machine that combines elegance with efficiency and delivers consistently great coffee, the Aarke Coffee System is a top-tier choice.

Aarke Coffee System: Specs

Aarke Coffee Grinder

• Type: Bean grinder
• Dimensions (W x H x D): 154 x 356 x 166mm
• Weight: 4.3kg
• Capacity: 250g

Aarke Coffee Maker

• Type: Drip coffee maker
• Dimensions (W x H x D): 170 x 375 x 322mm
• Weight: 3.5kg
• Capacity: 1.25L (10 cups)

Aarke Coffee System: Price and Availability

Bean-to-cup coffee machines are rarely budget-friendly, and the Aarke Coffee System is no exception. Priced at $758 / £620 (around AU$1,200) for the Coffee Maker and Coffee Grinder combo, it’s a significant investment, especially considering it’s a drip filter system with somewhat limited controls.

This price tag makes the Aarke Coffee System one of the more expensive options compared to other machines in the drip coffee maker category, including the De’Longhi TrueBrew CAM1025MB. The De’Longhi, which is available only in the US, offers a more sophisticated digital interface at a similar price point.

If you’re not ready to commit to the full system, you can buy the components separately. The Coffee Maker itself costs $379 / £300 (around AU$450), and the Coffee Grinder is priced at $379 / £320 (around AU$600). Interestingly, there’s no financial benefit to buying the full Aarke Coffee System bundle, as it’s the same price as purchasing each part individually. This allows you to start with one piece and add the other at a later time.

Additionally, Aarke offers an optional Thermal Jug, designed to keep your coffee warmer for longer than the standard carafe included with the Coffee Maker. It’s priced at $99 / £80 (around AU$160).

Aarke Coffee System: Design

The Aarke Coffee System, with its sleek and polished stainless steel finish, instantly commands attention on any countertop. The industrial design stands out with details like the bolted-on nameplate and the secure lock of the filter basket. It’s an elegantly crafted piece of kitchen equipment, though the shiny surfaces can be a bit challenging to maintain, easily showing fingerprints and coffee stains.

This system consists of two core components: the Coffee Grinder and Coffee Maker, which can be purchased separately but perform optimally when paired together. When connected using a coiled cable, a smart automation feature comes into play. You can fill the brewer’s tank, set the system to automatic, and the grinder will then produce the exact amount of coffee to match the water volume. While this is a highly efficient feature, the cable feels slightly out of place in an otherwise minimalistic design. You can tuck some of the wire away underneath, but the multiple power cables trailing from both machines feel a bit distracting. Given the premium price tag and the focus on aesthetics, it would have been great to see a more streamlined approach to managing the wires.

Since the Coffee Grinder and Coffee Maker stand separately, the Aarke Coffee System isn’t the most compact bean-to-cup machine available. If you prefer the two units side by side, you’ll need to free up a decent amount of counter space. However, despite this, the overall footprint is still manageable for most kitchens, ensuring it won’t overwhelm your countertop.

Both the grinder and the coffee maker feel impressively substantial, especially the grinder, which weighs in at 9.5lb/4.3kg. This weight gives the system a high-end, premium feel that’s satisfying to handle. The grinder features tactile, easy-to-use controls: a knurled knob adjusts the grind quantity, while an additional dial lets you fine-tune the coffee strength. The collar on the grinder clicks satisfyingly as you adjust the grind size, and the solid, well-built lever controls the start and stop of the grinding process with ease.

The Coffee Maker embraces a minimalist design with a single unmarked button that controls the brewing, hot plate, and descaling mode. Pressing and holding the button for three seconds activates the bloom feature before brewing, contributing to an even extraction. While the system’s simplicity is a highlight, it also means there’s no manual control over the water temperature, unlike drip coffee makers such as the De’Longhi TrueBrew CAM1025MB. This could be a downside for those who like to tweak every detail of the brewing process.

Once you get the hang of the setup, using the Aarke Coffee System is a breeze. Several well-thought-out features make it even more user-friendly. For instance, a grind size guide is conveniently printed on the lid of the bean basket, and a light inside the water tank illuminates when you add water, making it easy to see the current level. The filter basket includes a valve to prevent coffee from dripping onto the hot plate when the carafe is removed. Additionally, the hot plate features an energy-saving sensor that automatically turns off if the carafe isn’t in place.

That said, there are some minor design flaws. The included catch cup doesn’t sit flush with the grinder, which causes the ground coffee to spill around the base during operation. The carafe, too, doesn’t quite match the premium feel of the rest of the machine—it’s not very insulated and doesn’t keep coffee warm once it’s removed from the hot plate for extended periods.

While these minor issues are worth noting, they don’t overshadow the Aarke Coffee System’s overall appeal. The sleek design, intuitive interface, and user-friendly experience make it a standout choice for those seeking a high-quality, stylish coffee maker. However, for the price, there’s room for improvement in a few key areas. Still, if you’re looking for a sophisticated yet simple coffee maker with elegant aesthetics, the Aarke system delivers on its promises.

Aarke Coffee System: Performance

The Aarke Coffee System is a premium bean-to-cup setup that delivers consistently great coffee without too much hassle. Its design is relatively straightforward to use, requiring just a few simple steps to get started. With the grind quantity set to automatic, there are only four key actions: add beans to the grinder, fill the water tank, place a filter paper in the basket, and transfer freshly ground coffee from the catch cup to the filter. Once you’re familiar with the process, the machine becomes intuitive, making it easy to brew high-quality coffee.

The system is impressively quick, able to brew up to 10 cups in a single batch, which is convenient for both personal use and serving guests. In just a few minutes, the carafe fills up, providing a steady supply of coffee without long waits. The showerhead ensures the filter basket is evenly saturated, helping to achieve a balanced extraction. According to Aarke, both the water temperature and flow rate are optimized depending on the water level in the tank, ensuring consistency in every brew. This simplicity makes the Aarke Coffee System perfect for those who want a reliable, no-fuss coffee maker.

In terms of flavor, the Aarke system excels. It consistently produces well-extracted coffee with a smooth, balanced taste, free from bitterness. The bloom mode pre-soaks the grounds, reducing the sourness that can sometimes result from brewing. However, whether you notice a difference with the bloom feature largely depends on your taste preferences and the type of beans you’re using.

The hot plate is another strong point of the system. It maintains a perfect temperature to avoid the bitterness that can arise from burnt coffee at the bottom of the carafe. Unlike other machines that try to keep coffee warm for hours, the Aarke hot plate gradually reduces power over 40 minutes, ensuring the coffee doesn’t overheat or degrade in taste. That being said, if you’re someone who likes to sip on a pot of coffee throughout the day, this feature might not be ideal, as the time setting can’t be adjusted to keep the coffee hot longer.

When it comes to the grinder, the Aarke Coffee System offers a lot of flexibility. Although we didn’t test all 50 grind settings, it’s clear that the grinder provides a consistent grind for various brewing methods, including espresso, French press, and drip filter. As a flat burr grinder, it delivers a high-quality grind that could easily work with other brewers, even though it’s designed to pair seamlessly with the Aarke Coffee Maker for automatic operation. On its default setting, the coffee produced can be a little strong for some tastes, but the fine-tuning dial allows for easy adjustments. If the coffee’s too strong, you can also reduce the grind quantity for a more balanced brew.

The grinder, however, isn’t without its quirks. While it’s generally efficient, it can get quite loud, which is typical for burr grinders. More concerning is the issue we encountered with the grinder’s spout. After only a few uses, we noticed it had clogged up with ground coffee at the top of the spout. This led to jams, which required regular cleaning with the included brush to keep it running smoothly. This maintenance task is a bit of a hassle and adds an extra layer of upkeep compared to other coffee makers like the De’Longhi TrueBrew CAM1025MB, which require less attention in this area.

Buy it if:

• You want a stunning bean-to-cup setup
  The Aarke Coffee System is designed with a polished stainless steel build and sleek, tactile controls. It’s an elegant and sophisticated way to enjoy drip coffee, making it a striking addition to any kitchen.
• You want some automation
  By connecting the grinder and maker with a wire, the system automatically adjusts the grind quantity based on the amount of water in the tank. This eliminates the need for manual measurements, simplifying the brewing process.
• You want a reliable brew
  Once you’ve fine-tuned the grind strength and quantities, the Aarke system consistently brews tasty filter coffee, ensuring reliable results every time. Plus, the hot plate keeps your brew at the right temperature, preventing it from cooling too quickly.

Don’t buy it if:

• You have a limited budget
  The Aarke system carries a premium price tag. If you’re looking for a more affordable drip coffee maker with similar features, there are better options that may not offer the same level of sophistication but still deliver quality coffee.
• You want total control
  While the Aarke system allows you to adjust grind size, quantity, and strength, it lacks the ability to control water temperature or the hot plate temperature. If you prefer full customization over every brewing variable, this system may not offer the flexibility you need.
• You want a mess-free setup
  The grinder spout can get clogged easily and requires regular cleaning with the included brush. Additionally, the shape of the catch cup can lead to spills, creating a mess that will need to be cleaned up. If you prefer a more hassle-free, clean brewing process, this might not be the ideal choice.

Aarke Coffee Maker: Verdict

If you’re looking for a coffee maker that delivers fast brews, the Aarke Coffee Maker does the job quite well. It’s a great option if speed is your top priority. However, for the hefty $379 price tag, there are several features noticeably missing. For instance, it lacks premium settings like cold brew, ice options, adjustable strength, or temperature control—features that you’ll find on more affordable machines.

Yes, the Aarke has a visually stunning design, and yes, it brews coffee quickly and efficiently. But despite these advantages, those aspects alone don’t seem to justify the high cost. If you’re drawn in by its elegant appearance, you won’t be disappointed with the coffee—it’ll be flavorful and satisfying. But it’ll still be an expensive cup, especially when you consider the options available at a lower price.