Spinn Coffee Maker Review: A Stunning, Smart Brewer for Coffee Obsessives
Hey there coffee lover! If you‘re anything like me, you‘re always on the hunt for tools to level-up your at-home coffee game. And let me tell you, the Spinn coffee maker is one machine that demands attention from anyone serious about brewing the best possible cup.
I‘ve been geeking out over the Spinn for a while now and finally got my hands on one to test extensively at home. I‘m so excited to share my experience with this stunning, smart, and frankly mind-blowing device. Get ready for an in-depth, hands-on review of the coffee maker that‘s trying to change everything.
Introducing Spinn: A Mission-Driven Coffee Tech Company
Before we dive into the nitty gritty of how the Spinn actually performs, let‘s talk about the company behind this coffee engineering marvel. Spinn was founded in 2015 by a team of Dutch entrepreneurs with a shared mission: to create the best coffee experience on the planet in a sustainable, transparent way.
The co-founders definitely aren‘t new to the coffee world. CEO Roderick de Rode previously founded a specialty coffee equipment distributor, and product chief Serge de Warrimont has over a decade of experience designing commercial espresso machines. Together with a team of engineers and coffee experts, they‘ve spent the past 7+ years developing the Spinn brewer and its accompanying coffee pod marketplace.
Spinn‘s mission really resonates with me. They don‘t just want to sell you a fancy machine – they want to completely revolutionize how we consume coffee at home while supporting farmers and minimizing waste. By controlling the entire stack, from green coffee sourcing to at-home brewing, Spinn aims to shorten supply chains, increase sustainability, and improve quality. Gotta love that ambition!
Spinn Coffee Maker Models and Specs
Alright, let‘s talk hardware. The Spinn coffee maker comes in three models with varying specs and prices:
| Model | Original | Original Plus | Original Pro |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $479 | $579 | $779 |
| Water Capacity | 40 oz | 40 oz | 40 oz |
| Pod Capacity | 10 pods | 15 pods | 15 pods |
| Included Accessories | None | Carafe | Carafe & Frother |
| Available Colors | Silver | Silver/Black | Silver/Black |
As you can see, the main difference between models (besides price) is the included accessories and pod storage capacity. The "Original Plus" throws in Spinn‘s thermal stainless steel carafe, while the "Original Pro" also includes a milk frother for whipping up lattes and cappuccinos.
All models feature the same core brewing technology, smartphone app control, and 40 oz water tank capacity. They also have the ability to brew multiple coffee styles from espresso to cold brew.
Visually, the Spinn is a real stunner with its sleek lines, brushed aluminum body, and minimal, back-lit buttons. It honestly looks more like a fancy speaker than a coffee maker sitting on your countertop (in the best way). The design has already won several awards including the Red Dot Design Award and iF Design Award.
How Spinn‘s Centrifugal Brewing Works
What really sets the Spinn apart from other high-end coffee makers is its patented centrifugal brewing technology. Unlike traditional brewing methods that use pressure or gravity to extract coffee, the Spinn spins the coffee grounds at up to 5,000 RPM inside a small chamber, generating a powerful centrifugal force.
This centrifugal force is what allows the Spinn to brew such a wide variety of coffee styles with a single machine. By controlling the spin speed, grind size, water temperature and other parameters, the Spinn can mimic everything from a pour-over to an espresso shot. It‘s like having a whole coffee shop‘s worth of equipment in one device.
So how does centrifugal brewing actually impact the coffee‘s flavor? According to Spinn, it allows for a more even extraction and eliminates bitterness by spinning the coffee grounds away from the water as they extract. The result is supposedly a cleaner, smoother, more "true to bean" flavor in your cup.
In my experience, the Spinn definitely produces a unique and delicious flavor profile across brewing styles. Espresso shots have a thick, syrupy body and beautiful crema, while drip coffee is super clean and allows more subtle origin flavors to shine through. I was also impressed by the rich, full-bodied cold brew I could make with just a few taps in the app.
Of course, a machine‘s specs only tell you so much. Let‘s get into my hands-on testing to see how the Spinn actually performs IRL.
Spinn Coffee Maker Review: User Experience
Brewing with the Spinn is a dream for any coffee lover who appreciates precision and control. The companion smartphone app (iOS and Android) is where all the magic happens, allowing you to customize every aspect of your brew from grind size to water temp to brew pressure.
When you‘re ready to brew, you simply insert a Spinn coffee pod into the machine, scan the QR code with the app, and press start. The Spinn will automatically grind the beans, spin the grounds, and dispense your coffee in under a minute. The whole process is mesmerizing to watch through the clear brewing chamber.
One thing I love about the Spinn pods is how much information they provide about each coffee. Every pod tells you the origin, roaster, process, variety, and tasting notes, with even more details available in the app. As someone always looking to learn more about coffee, this transparency is super appreciated. Plus, all pods are fully compostable and the bags/boxes are recyclable.
Cleaning the Spinn is also refreshingly hassle-free. The used pods automatically eject into a hidden storage compartment, and the brewing chamber and drip tray are dishwasher safe. The machine will even prompt you to run an auto-clean cycle every so often using a special cleaning pod. Easy peasy.
My only minor gripe is that the water tank is a bit small at just 40 oz, so you do need to refill it quite frequently if you drink a lot of coffee like I do. But that‘s a small price to pay for such a sleek, compact machine.
Spinn Coffee Pod Marketplace and Subscription
One of the coolest things about Spinn is its integrated coffee marketplace where you can order pods a la carte or sign up for a customizable subscription. Spinn partners with dozens of top roasters across the US (and a few international ones) to source a wide variety of high-quality, freshly roasted beans.
At any given time, Spinn offers 40-50 unique coffees ranging from light to dark roast and single origin to blends. There‘s also a handful of decaf and flavored options. I had a lot of fun exploring the different selections and discovering new roasters I hadn‘t tried before. My favorite so far is a washed Ethiopian Yirgacheffe with notes of lemon candy, peach, and black tea.
Subscribing to Spinn‘s coffee pod service unlocks some serious perks. You get unlimited free shipping, early access to new releases, and bonus pods/credits the longer you remain a member. You can also customize your deliveries based on how many cups you drink per day/week and your roast preferences. Subscriptions start at $30/month for 15 pods (about $2 per pod).
Spinn vs Other High-End Coffee Makers
So how does the Spinn stack up against other premium coffee makers like Jura, Miele, and Breville? Here‘s a quick table comparing some key features and specs:
| Feature | Spinn Original | Jura S8 | Miele CM6350 | Breville Oracle Touch |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $479 | $2,899 | $1,699 | $2,800 |
| Pressure | 4-10 bar (variable) | 15 bar | 15 bar | 15 bar |
| Brew Styles | Espresso, drip, pour over, cold brew, iced coffee | Espresso, coffee, milk drinks | Espresso, coffee, milk drinks | Espresso, americano, milk drinks |
| Grinder | Stainless steel conical burr | Aroma G3 grinder | Double shot grinder | Dual stainless steel conical burr |
| Boiler | Spinning chamber | Single thermoblock | Single thermoblock | Dual stainless steel |
| App Control | Full brew customization | No | No | Limited |
| Pod Type | Compostable with QR code | Illy iperEspresso capsules | Miele coffee capsules | Grounds only |
The main advantages of the Spinn compared to these other super-automatics are:
- Significantly lower price point
- More brewing flexibility thanks to centrifugal technology
- Integrated pod marketplace with transparent sourcing
- Eco-friendly, fully compostable pods
- Unparalleled smartphone app customization
Of course, the big trade-off is that the Spinn only works with its own proprietary pods, so you can‘t use your favorite beans or experiment with different roasters. It‘s also a newer, less proven machine from a younger company.
But in my opinion, the Spinn‘s quality, versatility, and mission-driven philosophy make it a compelling option for coffee obsessives like myself. No other machine offers this level of control and coffee education in such a sleek, sustainable package.
Is the Spinn Right for You?
So after testing the Spinn for several weeks, what‘s my verdict? As you can probably tell, I‘m pretty dang impressed by what this machine can do. The coffee quality is top-notch, the user experience is a joy, and the eco-friendly, transparent ethos really speaks to me as a conscious consumer.
If you‘re someone who loves exploring a variety of coffee styles, geeking out over origin details, and having total control over every brewing parameter, I think you‘ll love the Spinn as much as I do. It‘s a great fit for households with varied coffee preferences too, since it can brew everything from light roast pour-overs to bold espressos.
That said, the Spinn is definitely a splurge at $479+, especially considering you‘re locked into their proprietary pod ecosystem. If you‘re happy with a more basic coffee maker or sourcing your own fresh-roasted beans, it might not be worth the investment for you. The ideal Spinn customer is a passionate home barista seeking the ultimate level of quality and convenience.
It‘s also important to note that due to high demand, current Spinn ship dates are several months out from order time. The company has been working to scale up production, but you‘ll need to be patient if you decide to take the plunge. I think it‘s worth the wait, but I get the hesitation to pre-order an expensive machine.
At the end of the day, the Spinn is an exciting, innovative, and mission-driven product that‘s pushing the boundaries of at-home coffee tech. It‘s not for everyone, but if you‘ve been searching for a simpler way to brew cafe-quality coffee at the touch of a button, I can confidently say the Spinn delivers. It‘s earned a permanent spot on my countertop, and I have a feeling my local baristas are going to start missing me.
Spinn Coffee Maker FAQ
Still have questions about the Spinn? I‘ve got you covered. Here are some common FAQs I get about this machine:
Q: Can I use my own coffee beans in the Spinn?
A: No, the Spinn only works with its proprietary compostable pods that have been pre-ground and measured for optimal extraction. The machine scans a QR code on each pod to determine the proper brewing parameters.
Q: What is the Spinn‘s max cup size?
A: The Spinn can brew anywhere from a 1 oz espresso shot to a 16 oz travel mug of drip coffee. The water tank holds 40 oz total, enough for about 3-4 max-size cups.
Q: Does the Spinn have a built-in milk frother?
A: Only the top-tier Spinn Original Pro model ($779) comes with a built-in steam wand for frothing milk. The Original and Original Plus models do not have milk frothing capabilities.
Q: What is the Spinn‘s warranty?
A: Spinn offers a 1-year limited warranty that covers defects in materials or workmanship. The warranty does not cover normal wear and tear, misuse, or damage caused by improper cleaning or maintenance.
Q: Where are Spinn coffee pods roasted?
A: Spinn partners with over two dozen independent roasters across the United States to source and roast coffee for their pods. Each pod lists the specific roaster, origin country, and processing information for full transparency.
Q: Can I recycle or compost Spinn pods?
A: Yes, Spinn pods are made from bio-based materials like corn starch and are fully compostable in both home and commercial composting facilities. The outer pod bag and shipping box are also recyclable.
The Verdict
To recap, here are the key highlights from my Spinn coffee maker review:
- Patented centrifugal brewing technology offers unparalleled versatility and control
- Smartphone app lets you customize every brewing parameter and discover new coffees
- Proprietary compostable pods with QR codes for optimal extraction and eco-friendliness
- On-demand ordering and subscription model with 40+ unique single origin and blend options
- Sleek, compact design with dishwasher-safe parts for easy cleaning
- More affordable and mission-driven alternative to other high-end coffee makers like Jura and Miele
All in all, I give the Spinn a glowing recommendation for passionate home baristas looking to up their coffee game without the fuss of more hands-on brewing methods. It‘s a beautiful, innovative machine that combines the best of high-tech convenience and specialty coffee sourcing.
Yes, it‘s pricey and requires some patience for pre-orders, but I believe the Spinn team‘s commitment to quality, sustainability, and education makes it a worthy investment for True Coffee Lovers™. If you‘ve been eyeing the Spinn and have the budget for it, I say go for it! Your mornings will thank you.
Of course, taste is subjective and the Spinn isn‘t the only premium coffee maker on the market. But if you value customization, convenience, and eco-consciousness as much as you do a damn fine cup of coffee, you won‘t be disappointed. I know I‘ll be spinning up delicious brews with this beauty for years to come!
