Have you heard of the Cumulus Coffee Machine yet? If you’re like me—both design‑obsessed and fueled by good coffee—it’s a machine that caught my eye from the start. Its sleek, minimalist design and café‑style brewing made me wonder: can it really live up to the hype?
Cumulus was kind enough to send over a machine for a review and I purchased the Signature Bundle of coffees on my own to get a better feel for the product and test it over multiple months before giving my review. I’ve had it on my countertop for a few months now and have been able to test it in different ways. So, here’s what I really think.
What Is The Cumulus Machine?
The Cumulus Coffee Machine is a sleek, thoughtfully designed coffee maker that brings high-end brewing into the comfort of your home. With its cloud-inspired name and modern aesthetic, it’s easy to see why this machine is getting attention (seriously, as a coffee lover I have been getting ads non-stop!).
But it’s more than just pretty to look at—Cumulus is built for people who truly care about their coffee. Whether you’re a daily drip drinker or a weekend latte enthusiast, this machine is designed to elevate every sip.
What Makes The Cumulus Coffee Machine So Special?
What makes the Cumulus special is how it blends form and function. It features smart brewing technology like precision temperature control, pre-infusion, and a quiet brewing system, which means your coffee isn’t just fast—it’s flavorful, balanced, and consistent. You don’t need to be a barista to get barista-level results, which is a game-changer if you’re trying to save money on your daily coffee shop runs or just want a better, higher-quality experience at home.
But it’s not just about coffee – it brews only cold coffee. You can make deliciously smooth nitro cold brew at home by pulling nitrogen from the air. This is the feature that has my husband absolutely obsessed with this machine. Our Breville has been collecting dust ever since we set the Cumulus up.
Another standout feature? It’s surprisingly easy to use and maintain. The intuitive controls, quick brew time, and self-cleaning function make it incredibly user-friendly—even if you’re still half asleep when you’re making your first cup. The Cumulus is for anyone who wants café-quality coffee without the fuss or bulk of a commercial machine. It’s practical luxury in coffee form.
You have to purchase special capsules for the machine. Each one-time-use capsule provides one of the following:
- 10 oz cold brew
- 10 oz nitro cold brew
- 2 oz cold espresso
They have eight different coffee options, including one decaf, which I love. Because I’m a afternoon decaf girlie, I love that this is an option.
What I Loved About The Cumulus Coffee Machine
As always, I’m sharing my honest thoughts on what’s important to me and how I have experienced using it over the past few weeks.
1. The Elite Cold Coffee Experience
I am an iced coffee all-year-round type of girlie. Iced coffee is just superior in my opinion. That’s the main thing that drew me to this machine. The nitro cold brew is so smooth – better than Starbucks by far. It’s my husband’s favorite brew.
2. Stunning Countertop Style
There is no denying that the Cumulus is a beauty. It’s very sleek with a matte finish, modern curves, and a clean interface—there are no bulky buttons or confusing displays. It instantly elevated my kitchen vibe. We have it in cream and I think it’s beautiful on the countertop.
It is also quite deep so I would definitely recommend measuring before purchasing to make sure you have the right space for it!
3. Super Simple to Use
No barista training required here. Clear instructions, intuitive dials, and one‑minute warm‑up time. It’s perfect for early mornings when you want good coffee fast. You don’t have to prep any beans or maintain any grinders – just pop the capsule in and you are ready to go.
4. Barista‑Quality Taste with the Cumulus Coffee Machine
This is where the Cumulus shines. Precision temperature control and pre‑infusion mean every cup is rich, balanced, and bold when I want it. It’s café‑worthy, no exaggeration.
5. Clean Up? No Stress
Removable parts (and dishwasher‑safe to boot), plus an auto self‑clean cycle. The machine even reminds me when it needs descaling. Makes it easy to stay on top of maintenance without thinking much about it.
What I Wish Were Better
These are not necessarily cons to the cumulus coffee machine but just things to keep in mind and are *potential* downsides.
1. The Price Is a Bit Steep
It’s definitely an investment—higher than a basic drip or pod machine. But honestly? Seemingly justified by design, build, and performance… if you’re serious about your coffee. We put off purchasing a Breville for years. But once we bought it we have used it multiple times a day. And now the Cumulus is getting the same type of mileage. You can get $100 off the machine by signing up for their emails.
2. A Compact Footprint, But Limited Space
It’s smaller than an espresso bar machine, but larger than most single‑serve brewers. If you’re tight on counter real estate, measure carefully before you commit! It’s also quite tall so make sure to measure vertically if you want to put it under a cabinet. It also needs space around it for the nitro brewing function so keep that in mind as well!
3. The Cumulus Coffee Machine is a Little Loud
This machine is louder than your average coffee machine. It does cool the water and pull nitrogen from their air, so it makes sense. But don’t purchase it expecting it to be soundless. It does brew quickly so it’s not unbearable by any means but just something to keep in mind!
4. You Have to Purchase Capsules (But They Are Eco-Conscious!)
This is by no means a new concept, however, I did want to point out that you can’t buy a capsule and fill it yourself with your favorite coffee. You have to purchase from their website.
Cumulus uses recyclable aluminum capsules and extracts nitrogen from the air — no wasteful gas cartridges with premium Arabica beans from Guatemala, Naples, and Ethiopia.
Final Thoughts — Who Should Actually Buy A Cumulus Coffee Machine
If you’re someone who:
- Loves a clean, modern kitchen aesthetic
- Wants café‑level coffee without leaving home
- Likes quiet operation and easy cleanup
…then the Cumulus Coffee Machine could be exactly what you need. It may cost more upfront, but it feels tailored for daily indulgence—and it’s probably cheaper than your morning latte habit. As a cold coffee family, we really love it and use it every single day! Get it here if you’re interested!
About the Author
Nicole Booz is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of GenTwenty, GenThirty, and The Capsule Collab. She has a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and is the author of The Kidult Handbook (Simon & Schuster May 2018). She currently lives in Pennsylvania with her husband and three sons. When she’s not reading or writing, she’s probably hiking, eating brunch, or planning her next great adventure.
Website: genthirty.com