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Best review coffee maker


The 7 Best Coffee Makers of 2023

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  1. Kitchen
  2. Coffee

By

Wirecutter Staff

Updated

Photo: Michael Hession

FYI

Over the years, we’ve tried nearly every method of making coffee, from cold-brew coffee makers and the Chemex to moka pots and Moccamasters. For people who want pour-over-quality coffee as well as the convenience of a one-button machine, we recommend the OXO Brew 9 Cup Coffee Maker. Of all the methods we’ve tested, we think the OXO Brew offers the best ratio of flavor to effort—at a good value. But if you’re looking for an espresso machine, a coffee grinder, pour-over gear, and more, we have other recommendations, too.

Our pick

OXO Brew 9-Cup Coffee Maker

This stylish brewer makes consistently good coffee and has a solid thermal carafe. And you can program it to brew automatically before you wake up.

Pros:Cons:
Pre-infuses coffee grounds, like pour-over, for best extractionOne-button dial is sleek but not intuitive to use
Starts with very hot water for best flavorTakes up a lot of space
Has a timer for automatic brewing

Find the right coffee maker for your needs

Best drip coffee maker

Our pick

OXO Brew 9-Cup Coffee Maker

This stylish brewer makes consistently good coffee and has a solid thermal carafe. And you can program it to brew automatically before you wake up.

Who this is for: Anyone who wants a solid drip coffee maker to make a pot of great-tasting coffee that stays hot for hours. If you already own a good grinder (the most important part of any coffee setup) and you pay a premium for gourmet beans, this machine will get the most out of them.

Why we like it: The OXO Brew 9 Cup Coffee Maker is fast and convenient, with features like a programmable start time and an automatic pre-infusion cycle (which briefly wets the coffee before brewing, for better extraction). In our tests to determine the best drip coffee maker, we found that the coffee was pleasant and much better than what we made with some of the competitors. The coffee maker has a handsome design, with a well-made thermal stainless steel carafe that pours easily and keeps coffee hot for hours.

The OXO Brew 9 Cup Coffee Maker can brew a full pot in just under 7 minutes. Photo: Michael Hession

The OXO’s digital interface is sleek and easy to use, once you get the hang of the single-button system. Photo: Michael Hession

The OXO Brew 9 Cup Coffee Maker can brew a full pot in just under 7 minutes. Photo: Michael Hession

Flaws but not dealbreakers: The OXO has an unintuitive interface. So if you don’t read the manual, programming the timer can be difficult. But once you get the hang of it, it’s pretty straightforward. In our years of long-term testing, we’ve also noticed that the lid on the OXO’s carafe tends to trap old coffee; even a good rinse isn’t enough to flush everything out. Another thing to note is that the OXO is tall, at 17.2 inches, so it may not fit under some cabinets—especially since the lids for the water tank and the grounds basket need an additional 5 inches of clearance to fully open. By comparison, our also-great pick, the Bonavita Connoisseur, is just 12.2 inches tall.

And in our taste tests, the Bonavita Connoisseur beat the OXO. So this is something you should consider if you prioritize flavor over all else (though the Bonavita lacks some convenience features, including a timer). Finally, if the OXO’s price seems a bit steep, check out our guide to budget coffee makers.

Dimensions: 15 by 8.3 by 17.2 inches

Capacity: 9 cups

Brew time: less than 7 minutes

See our complete coverage and learn more in our full review.

Best pour-over coffee dripper

Our pick

Kalita Wave 185 Dripper

Out of all the pour-over drippers we’ve tested, the Kalita Wave 185 made the best-tasting coffee.

Buying Options

$27* from Amazon

*At the time of publishing, the price was $24.

Who this is for: People who want a manual, inexpensive method for making great-tasting coffee, and one that doesn’t take up a lot of space.

Why we like it: The pour-over method is simple, and it produces delicious coffee. By having more control over the brewing process, you can hone each variable to get the most flavor out of the beans. In our guide to the best gear for making pour-over coffee, we have recommendations for drippers, grinders, kettles, and scales. The Kalita Wave 185 is our favorite dripper because it produced the most-consistent, even, and flavorful cup of coffee of all of the drippers we tested.

The Kalita Wave 185 Dripper’s signature “wavy” filters maintain temperature by insulating the pour from the cone’s walls and ensure an even flow of water. Photo: Michael Hession

Flaws but not dealbreakers: In comparison with an automatic drip coffee maker, a multistep, gear-intensive method of making coffee can be a bit complicated, especially if you’re groggy first thing in the morning. Also, our dripper pick, the Kalita Wave 185 Dripper, uses proprietary filters that are more difficult to acquire than standard Melitta filters. They are, however, available on Amazon or in specialty coffee shops.

See our complete coverage and learn more in our full review.

Best cheap coffee maker


Budget pick

Who this is for: Someone who wants a decent, low-fuss drip coffee maker for under $100. This machine will brew reliably good coffee whether you use freshly ground or pre-ground beans, making this an especially good choice if you typically buy the latter.

Why we like it: Among the budget drip models we tested, the Ninja 12-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker CE251 made the most balanced and the hottest cup of coffee. It has convenient, simple-to-use features, like different settings for a classic or richer taste, and its removable water tank is easy to read and fill. This model was also intuitive enough to program, so it’s suitable for shared kitchens.

The Ninja has easy-to-read buttons for customizing and preprogramming a pot of coffee, but remember to select the features you want before pressing the brew button. Photo: Connie Park

The removable water reservoir is easy to both fill and clean. Video: Connie Park

The Ninja has easy-to-read buttons for customizing and preprogramming a pot of coffee, but remember to select the features you want before pressing the brew button. Photo: Connie Park

Flaws but not dealbreakers:We had issues with the carafe’s lid: It screws on and off, and is not as easy to use as the flip-top lids on some of the other models we tested.

Capacity: 12 cups

Brew time: about 13 minutes

See our complete coverage and learn more in our full review.

Best French press

Our pick

Espro P3 French Press

This inexpensive French press has an innovative filter that consistently makes cleaner, more-nuanced coffee than the competition.

Who this is for: People who want a super-simple, quick method of making coffee. This is great for coffee drinkers who want something that’s easy to learn and master.

Why we like it: The Espro P3 French press produces consistently clean, bright, flavorful coffee. It has a bucket-shaped double filter, with finer mesh than that found in most French presses. This keeps coffee as close to grit-free as you get with a pour-over (and noticeably more so than coffee made in our runner-up pick, the Bodum Chambord). Once the Espro is plunged, it keeps the grounds away from the coffee, so your java doesn’t take on bitterness from oversteeping. In our tests, the last cup we poured tasted as good as the first—even a full hour later.

The Espro P3 makes consistently clean, bright, flavorful coffee. Photo: Michael Murtaugh

The Espro’s unique plunger uses two bucket-shaped fine-mesh filters to create a cleaner, more-balanced pot of coffee. Video: Michael Murtaugh

The Espro P3 makes consistently clean, bright, flavorful coffee. Photo: Michael Murtaugh

Flaws but not dealbreakers: Glass presses will never be as sturdy as their stainless steel counterparts. All glass beakers are delicate and will break if you drop them or knock them too hard. In the event that the Espro P3 does break, you can buy replacement parts, including beakers and filters.

The Espro P3 is not as visually appealing as some other French presses, like the Bodum Chambord, with its classic stylings. And the double filter makes it a little tricky to clean. But we didn’t find the Espro to be that much harder to clean than any other French press, and we think the results are worth any of these tradeoffs.

Available sizes: 12 ounces (1½ cups), 17 ounces, 34 ounces (4 cups, pictured), 51 ounces (6 cups)

Materials: borosilicate glass (beaker) and polypropylene (handle)

See our complete coverage and learn more in our full review.

Best cold-brew coffee maker

Our pick

OXO Good Grips Cold Brew Coffee Maker

OXO’s cold-brew maker has the best-looking design, plus some clever aspects that make it easier to pour from and to store. The brew it makes was often a favorite of panelists.

Who this is for: For people who want to make better iced coffee. Compared with simply refrigerating hot-brewed coffee, cold-brewing with a slow exposure extracts fewer bitter flavors. So you’ll get a sweeter, milder-tasting coffee.

Why we like it: The OXO Good Grips Cold Brew Coffee Maker is our pick for the best cold-brew coffee maker because it’s well designed and easy to use, and in our tests it produced a more-consistent, flavorful cup of coffee than other models. It made cold coffee with balanced acidity, a stronger aroma, and a cleaner finish.

The OXO brewer makes a flavorful concentrate, looks good on a counter, and is easier to use and store than any other pick. Photo: Michael Hession

The “rainmaker” lid on the OXO brewer evenly saturates the grounds below, ensuring full extraction and saving you a stir. Photo: Michael Hession

The OXO brewer makes a flavorful concentrate, looks good on a counter, and is easier to use and store than any other pick. Photo: Michael Hession

Flaws but not dealbreakers: Some of our testers thought the Filtron Cold Water Coffee Concentrate Brewer (our runner-up) made a smoother, mellower cup of coffee. But others liked the stronger, bolder flavor of coffee from the OXO. Plus, we found our pick easier to use than the Filtron (which is a bit more cumbersome).

Dimensions: 9.5 by 9.5 by 14.7 inches

Capacity: 32 ounces (4 cups)

See our complete coverage and learn more in our full review.

Best beginner espresso setup

Our pick

Breville Bambino Plus

This potent little machine is fast and easy to use, and it will impress beginners and experienced baristas with its consistent espresso shots and silky frothed milk.

Who this is for: People who like good coffee and want to make quality espresso (or espresso-based drinks like cappuccinos, lattes, and Americanos) at home.

Why we like it: The Breville Bambino Plus espresso machine stood out in our tests for the best espresso machine, grinder, and accessories, pulling consistently great-tasting espresso shots more easily than other machines. It was also the simplest to use, featuring the best documentation and most user-friendly design. When it came to making milk drinks, the Bambino Plus’s steam wand was easily the best of those on the under-$1,000 machines we tested. This model comes with a lot of accessories and a place to store them. And it’s available for a reasonable price.

When you’re making espresso, a good grinder is just as important as a good espresso machine. Our coffee grinder picks, though great at grinding beans for drip or pour-over coffee, lack the finer, more-precise settings that are needed to make the best espresso. The Baratza Sette 30 accurately produced fine espresso grinds. In our tests, it performed the best in its price range.

The Bambino Plus consistently produced rich, tasty shots. Photo: Sarah Kobos

Pouring latte art takes practice, but producing silky milk froth with the Bambino Plus does not. Photo: Sarah Kobos

The Bambino Plus’s steam wand is fast and powerful when used manually. Photo: Sarah Kobos

The Bambino Plus consistently produced rich, tasty shots. Photo: Sarah Kobos

Flaws but not dealbreakers: In our tests, the Bambino Plus made the most consistently good espresso, but it did not make the absolute best espresso (the pricier Breville Barista Touch won that crown). The preprogrammed double-shot setting on the Bambino Plus cut off the extraction too quickly during our initial attempts. But reprogramming the shot volume, using a phone timer, was easy. Finally, the Bambino Plus lacks the hot-water dispenser that’s included with other Breville models.

Dimensions: 12.5 by 7.6 by 12.2 inches

Water filter: yes

Water-reservoir capacity: 1.9 liters

See our complete coverage and learn more in our full review.

Best Nespresso machine

Our pick

Nespresso Essenza Mini

The Essenza Mini makes the same exact espresso as $400 Nespresso machines, but it has no unnecessary features.

Who this is for: People who are interested in convenience and speed. A Nespresso is the fastest, most effortless way to make an espresso-like drink—all you have to do is pop a capsule into the machine and press a button.

Why we like it: The Essenza Mini is our pick for the best Nespresso machine because it’s small and mighty, capable of making the same espressos and lungos as any other Nespresso machine in its line. We’ve determined that all of the machines make identical drinks, so the least expensive one is your best bet. We don’t love the flavor of Nespresso, and it’s more expensive than a full cup of drip coffee. But taste is subjective, and the real appeal of Nespresso is its ease, speed, and consistency (though if you want to make real espresso at home, we recommend these beginner setups).

The Essenza Mini’s slim, tidy frame takes up less space than a hot-water kettle. Photo: Michael Hession

The Essenza Mini has a removable drip platform. Photo: Michael Hession

The waste container can hold up to six used capsules. Photo: Michael Hession

The LED brewing buttons light up when the machine is heated. Photo: Michael Hession

The Essenza Mini’s slim, tidy frame takes up less space than a hot-water kettle. Photo: Michael Hession

Flaws but not dealbreakers: In exchange for its compact size, the Essenza Mini has a 20.3-ounce water tank and a reusable tray that can accommodate just six capsules, the smallest of any Nespresso machine. But then again, both are easy to refill and empty. The Essenza Mini did struggle slightly in our testing after brewing dozens of back-to-back espressos. This may be a problem if you plan on churning out lungos from your Essenza Mini for a large dinner party. But if the machine sputters or stops, let it rest for a minute and it should be good to go again.

Dimensions: 4.3 by 12.8 by 8.1 inches

Water-tank capacity: 20. 3 ounces (enough for eight espressos)

Used-capsule capacity: six

See our complete coverage and learn more in our full review.

Why we don’t recommend Keurig machines

Best coffee grinder

Our pick

Who this is for: If you want to take coffee seriously, the most important item in your brewing setup will be a good-quality burr grinder. Unlike blade grinders, which randomly chop coffee beans into smaller and smaller pieces, burr grinders pulverize coffee beans between two sets of burrs and deliver a much more uniform grind, resulting in better-tasting coffee.

Why we like it: The slim and trim Baratza Encore Coffee Grinder is priced lower than most of the competition—about $170, compared with about $200 for anything else in its echelon. In our testing for the best coffee grinders guide, the Encore performed as well as or better than any home grinder we tried. It grinds beans quickly and evenly and is simple to use and adjust. And because it’s easy enough to clean and maintain, you’ll use it for years to come. The Encore makes it supremely easy to produce a great cup of coffee.

The Baratza Encore Coffee Grinder grinds beans quickly and evenly. Photo: Michael Hession

Grind settings on the Encore. Photo: Michael Hession

The Encore’s amusing on/off/on/off switch. Photo: Michael Hession

Looking inside the conical burrs of the Encore. Photo: Michael Hession

The Baratza Encore Coffee Grinder grinds beans quickly and evenly. Photo: Michael Hession

Flaws but not dealbreakers: The Encore is a very simple machine. It has an on/off switch only, so it doesn’t allow for a timed grind (whereas the Baratza Virtuoso+, our upgrade pick, does). It can take a long time to grind on a very fine, espresso-like setting. And like all of the machines we tested, the Baratza machines can be messy when grinding coffee, spreading dust and chaff over the counter.

Dimensions: 6.3 by 4.7 by 13.8 inches

Grind settings: 40

See our complete coverage and learn more in our full review.

Best electric kettle

Our pick
Also great

OXO Brew Adjustable Temperature Pour-Over Kettle

We recommend this gooseneck kettle for anyone preparing pour-over coffee or for tea lovers who will geek out over its spot-on temperature accuracy.

Who this is for: The Cuisinart CPK-17 PerfecTemp Cordless Electric Kettle is for anyone who needs to bring water to a boil to make French press coffee, pour-over coffee, or tea. The OXO Brew Pour-Over Kettle is best for people preparing pour-over coffee (the gooseneck spout offers better aim) or for tea lovers who will geek out over its spot-on temperature accuracy.

Why we like it: The Cuisinart CPK-17 PerfecTemp Cordless Electric Kettle topped all of the competition in our tests for the best electric kettle guide (this model has been our pick since 2013). The PerfecTemp offers a winning combination of speed, accuracy, and ease of use. Its handle has buttons with preset temperature settings, which is pretty useful since different coffees and teas require different brewing temps. In addition, if pour-over coffee is your jam, you’ll appreciate the precise aim of the OXO Brew Pour-Over Kettle’s gooseneck spout. It had the most accurate temperature controls among all of the models we tested. Unfortunately, as of this writing, we’re struggling to find the OXO kettle in stock anywhere. The sleek-looking Cuisinart GK-1 Digital Gooseneck Kettle was a standout in our recent testing—with accurate temperatures and an even smoother pour; it will likely replace the OXO as the gooseneck pick in our electric kettle guide.

The Cuisinart CPK-17 remains our top pick for the fifth year in a row. Photo: Michael Hession

Our top pick has six preset temperature-setting buttons on the handle (160 °F, 175 °F, 185 °F, 190 °F, 200 °F, and Boil), plus a Start button and a Keep Warm button. Photo: Michael Hession

The OXO pours in a steady, controlled stream, ideal for making pour-over coffee. Photo: Sarah Kobos

The dial on the OXO allows you to easily adjust the temperature to the degree. Photo: Sarah Kobos

The Cuisinart CPK-17 remains our top pick for the fifth year in a row. Photo: Michael Hession

Flaws but not dealbreakers: Although the Cuisinart CPK-17 had better accuracy than most of the other kettles we tested, we found that it wasn’t as accurate at hitting lower temperatures; when we set it to 160 °F, it measured 8 degrees over. Because this model has a slew of other noteworthy features, we’re willing to forgive its minor temperature variances at the lowest setting. We’ve received feedback from some of our readers about this Cuisinart model breaking down after about a year, including rusting screws and lid issues. We haven’t experienced these issues ourselves; several people on our staff have owned and used this kettle for years and haven’t had any problems with it.

As with most gooseneck kettles we tested, the OXO’s lid doesn’t open at the push of a button—you have to pull it off manually, which can be tricky when the kettle is hot. Also, like most gooseneck kettles we tested, the OXO lacks a water-level window. And, although a handful of Amazon reviews complain of durability issues, it’s important to remember that electric kettles tend to have a shorter-than-average shelf life compared with other small appliances. That said, the OXO comes with a two-year warranty, which is more generous than the one-year warranty of your average kettle. And we’ve found OXO’s customer service to be very responsive.

Cuisinart CPK-17 PerfecTemp Cordless Electric Kettle:

Dimensions: 9. 75 by 8.25 by 12 inches

Capacity: 1.7 liters

Temperature settings: six preset heat settings

OXO Brew Pour-Over Kettle

Dimensions: 11.4 by 6.3 by 8.1 inches

Capacity: 1 liter

Temperature settings: adjustable in one-degree increments, from 140 °F to 212 °F

See our complete coverage and learn more in our full review.

More for coffee and tea drinkers

Frequently asked questions

What is the best black coffee maker?

Though getting the most out of your beans is important no matter how you drink your coffee, it’s especially important for those who drink their coffee black. We think pour-over methods make the best black coffee. They’re a simple, consistent way to brew coffee, with flavor dimensionality you might not get from a machine. And the paper filters used with our pour-over picks reduce residue, resulting in a cleaner-tasting cup, compared with coffee made in a French press. That said, our French press pick, the Espro P3, uses a mesh double-basket filter, which makes a cup that’s pretty close to pour over.

How can I make coffee taste better at home?

Buy whole beans in small batches. Coffee beans lose flavor over time. Keeping the beans whole and storing them at room temperature in an airtight container—we like the Rubbermaid Brilliance Pantry Storage Containers—will keep your coffee from turning bitter or absorbing ambient smells. Grinding them just prior to use with a burr grinder will ensure that the coffee is ground evenly, resulting in coffee that is flavorful and balanced.

For the most consistent cup, weigh your beans using a kitchen scale, rather than measuring by volume. Beans and grounds don’t settle the same way in a spoon every time, and the coffee-to-water ratio can make the critical difference between a good and bad brew. The American Weigh Scales LB-3000 Compact Digital Scale is the most accurate 0.1-gram scale we’ve tested.

Are pricier coffee makers worth it?

Arguably, the best ways to make coffee are often the cheapest. You can get a quality pour-over dripper for about $25 and a French press for about $40. However, hand-pour methods can still require other gear, like grinders and kettles. The grinder especially is worth spending a little more money on. Our burr grinder pick, the Baratza Encore, costs nearly $150, compared with a budget blade-style grinder which runs about $25, but ensures a more consistent, flavorful cup.

For automated makers, they’re worth springing for up to a point. We tested espresso machines and learned that anything under $500 isn’t worth buying—espresso requires durable hardware and precise temperature and pressure control, which are costly. For drip coffee makers, a $100 coffee maker will make better coffee than a $40 coffee maker. After a certain point, though, the price difference comes down to user interface and design, rather than coffee quality.

About your guide

Wirecutter Staff

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Wirecutter is the product recommendation service from The New York Times. Our journalists combine independent research with (occasionally) over-the-top testing so you can make quick and confident buying decisions. Whether it’s finding great products or discovering helpful advice, we’ll help you get it right (the first time).

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Braun Brew Sense KF6050WH drip coffee maker review 2021

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The Braun Brew Sense KF6050WH will suit those who want good tasting coffee at an affordable price.

(Image: © Braun)

Tom's Guide Verdict

The Braun KF6050WH Brew Sense drip coffee maker hits that sweet spot between value and quality. Its small footprint and attractive design will make it look good on any countertop. Learning to operate it properly may require some time and patience, but the payoff is absolutely worth it.

Pros
Cons

Why you can trust Tom's Guide Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

At just under $100, the Brawn Brew Sense is an excellent buy for anyone who wants good tasting coffee on a budget, especially if you don't have the time or desire to tinker with a wide range of settings. That's not to say it doesn't have a few nifty tricks up its sleeve, but its primary objective is to simply brew a smooth cup of coffee. 

Plus, it's not terribly bulky so it should fit nicely on any countertop. This combination of affordability and compact design also suits college students or post-grads moving into their first apartment.

In fact, we've placed the Braun KF6050WH Brew Sense at the top of our list of the best coffee makers. After a couple of weeks of careful testing (and plenty of caffeine), we're here to share our thoughts on why this highly-acclaimed coffee maker is deserving of its number one spot.

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Braun Brew Sense KF6050WH: Price

The Braun Brew Sense KF6050WH was released in 2018 with an MSRP of $120. 95. Today, it's available at Amazon for $89.95. It's among the least expensive Brew Sense drip coffee makers available – the cheapest being the Braun KF7000BK for $15 less . Aside from its all-black finish, the KF7000BK is otherwise identical in functionality to the KF6050WH.

A permanent gold-tone filter is included to help cut back on recurring costs, although you can use #4 paper filters if you prefer. Just remember to wash the reusable filter well after each use to avoid sediment in your drinks (it's dishwasher-safe).

Braun KF6050WH Brew Sense specs

Cup capacity: 10 cups (40 oz)
Size: 7.9 x 7.9 x 14.2 inches
Filter: permanent
Features: programmable timer, brew pause
Warranty: 3 years

Braun Brew Sense: Features

(Image credit: Future)

The Braun Brew Sense is a relatively straightforward coffee maker. It can brew enough coffee for up to 12 cups at 5 oz apiece, or a single 11-oz travel mug.  

There's a 24-hour programmable timer, should you want to wake up to a fresh pot of coffee in the morning. If you don't need a full carafe, the 1-4 cup setting will allow you to make up to four cups of coffee – ideal for solo drinkers (such as myself, most mornings) or couples.

The machine will automatically turn off after two hours, but you can program the shut-off time in 5-minute increments if you need to keep your coffee warmer longer. I appreciated this feature whenever I had company or wanted to space out my morning cups of coffee.

The Brew Pause feature will let you pour a cup of coffee at any point during the brew cycle, if you must have your caffeine fix ASAP. The coffee machine will stop working when the carafe is removed from the base for up to 20 seconds, so you'll have to make it a quick pour.

A 'clean' warning will appear when it's time to descale the coffee maker from calcium buildup. Pressing the 'clean' button will activate the descaling process, which takes about 45 minutes. Holding the 'clean' button will allow you to set the water hardness level.

A couple of notable omissions from the Braun KF6050WH that I personally miss are a brew strength selector and temperature controls for the hot plate. However, those features are present in the slightly pricier Braun Brew Sense KF7150BK drip coffee maker.

The Braun KF6050WH Brew Sense measures 7.9 x 7.9 x 14.2 inches. Its small footprint makes it perfect for kitchens with limited counter space but it'll also suit an office break room or a college dorm. A coffee scoop is included, but you'll need to provide your own storage for it.

The 60-oz non-removable water reservoir is hidden from plain view, which gives the KF6050WH a sharp, seamless profile. Atop the coffee maker is a stainless steel lid  that lifts up to reveal a removable brew basket, a gold-tone permanent filter, and the reservoir – complete with a charcoal water filter and unmissable neon green water level indicators. 

The Braun KF6050WH Brew Sense fit perfectly on my countertop, and although there was plenty of clearance underneath my cabinet, I did have to pull the appliance forward to add coffee and water – a minor inconvenience, really, but an inconvenience, nonetheless.

The front of the Braun Brew Sense KF6050WH hosts the control panel, which includes an on/off button and seven buttons corresponding to various functions. Above the control panel is a digital display that shows the time. Unfortunately, this is quite small and not backlit, which makes it difficult to read in low or intense lighting.  This may be troublesome for those with poorer vision, such as myself.

At the base is a warming plate, which holds a 60-oz glass carafe. The carafe is dishwasher-safe and has a plastic lid that I found difficult to snap back into place at times.

Braun Brew Sense KF6050WH: Ease of use

Setting up the Braun KF6050WH Brew Sense takes at least 20 minutes if you install the included charcoal filter, which must be soaked before use. This step is optional, but recommended if you use tap water or simply want your water to be as pure as possible for optimal brewing. (The filter will have to be replaced every two months.)

Beyond that, operating the Braun KF6050WH is fairly simple. Just turn it on, fill the water reservoir, add your coffee grounds (I found medium grind to work best), and press the 'brew' button. Braun recommends adding one tablespoon for each cup you'll brew, adjusting to suit your taste. Anything beyond 15 tablespoons will cause the brew basket to overflow.

(Image credit: Future)

It takes about eight-and-a-half minutes to brew eight cups of coffee, which is a much slower pace than the premium Technivorm Moccamaster KBGV Select and closer to the Ninja Specialty's 'classic' setting. There's no alarm to indicate when the Braun KF6050WH is finished brewing but the loud popping sound at the end of the brew cycle is an obvious tell.

There are a couple of caveats to note here. First, filling up the non-removable water tank can be a cumbersome process, especially if you rely on a tethered water source. Also, the 1-4 cup setting is a convenience I would have liked to take advantage of, especially since I was only making coffee for myself most mornings. However, there was no way for me to select just how many cups I wanted brewed, so I merely filled the reservoir with enough water for what I wanted that morning.

Braun Brew Sense: Performance

For a sub-$100 drip machine, the Braun Brew Sense KF6050WH makes some tasty coffee. Of course, it's not on Moccamaster's level, but with the right grind consistency and a properly-cleaned permanent filter, my coffee was balanced and flavorful, whether it was a nutty-and-fruity light roast or a bolder roast with hints of dark chocolate.

The hot plate does an excellent job of keeping coffee warm, even after several hours. There were mornings when I had a significant gap between my first and second cups of coffee – and the latter cup was as warm as the one that was poured immediately after brewing.

The night before an early-morning wake up call, I set the programmable timer for the KF6050WH's auto-brew function. This feature worked without a hitch, and I was greeted with a fresh pot of coffee as soon as I got out of bed.

The Brew Pause feature worked quite well, as I was able to pour myself a cup of coffee midway through the brewing process without anything dripping onto the hot plate. I did have to be mindful of the 20-second window to prevent the machine from resuming the brewing process without the carafe back in place, though.

It should be noted that the Brew Sense KF6050WH does make a fair bit of noise throughout the brewing process, with a prominent popping sound at the end of the cycle. (In lieu of a proper alarm, listening for this popping sound will help remind you when your coffee's ready.)

What We Didn't Like

For anyone with poor vision (including myself), the Braun KF6050WH's LCD can be difficult to read unless you're in a decently-lit room. A larger display or a backlight would have been nice to include here, as seen on the more expensive Braun Brew Sense KF7170SI drip coffee maker.

The Braun KF6050WH Brew Sense isn't terribly difficult to operate, but some of the directions are vague and it takes a bit of self-sufficiency to get it right. As noted earlier, there's little explanation included on how to properly program the 1-4 cup setting, a feature I was really looking forward to trying since I can get by with one or two cups of coffee most days.

While the seamless design of the Braun Brew Sense KF6050WH drip coffee maker is sharp, the trade-off is a water reservoir that's difficult to access. This is a universal – and justified – complaint most associated with this machine.

Should You Buy the Braun KF6050WH Brew Sense?

(Image credit: Braun)

The Braun Brew Sense KF6050WH is one the best drip coffee makers you can buy if you need a basic, budget-friendly coffee maker. Its attractive design and small footprint means it'll fit in anywhere, from a tiny apartment kitchen to a cramped college dorm room. But the Braun Brew Sense is more than its good looks – it's capable of brewing a delicious, balanced cup of coffee, too.

This will appeal to people who don't want to be inundated with myriad features, like the barista-level Ninja Hot and Cold Brewed System .  If you're keen to overlook its few flaws and you're willing to exercise a little patience, the Braun Brew Sense KF6050WH will provide you with tremendous value.

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The consistency of your coffee grounds will make or break your flavor experience. Check out our list of the best coffee grinders so you can produce the perfect grinds at home. Meanwhile, see what the best Cuisinart coffee makers have to offer, or peep our guide to the best espresso machines if you want to make cafe-quality brews in the comfort of your kitchen.

Freelance writer and editor Alison is an expert mattress tester for Tom's Guide, and hails from Philadelphia, USA. Alison has reviewed a wide range of mattresses, pillows and other sleep accessories for Tom's Guide, putting the latest hybrid, memory foam and cooling mattresses from Casper, Nectar, Awara, Brooklinen and other leading brands through their paces. Alison has been sharing buying advice and retail news for over a decade. When she isn't reviewing mattresses, other home products or hunting for great deals to save you money, Alison can be found teaching/training in martial arts, fawning over skincare, and indulging in her quarantine-borne hobby: cooking.

Best coffee makers for home. An overview of prices and features important in a home coffee maker

Kucheryava Kava offers freshly roasted coffee from the best plantations in the world and high-quality coffee equipment for rent. Our customers almost free of charge rent a coffee maker for the home, subject to the purchase of a minimum amount of coffee per month. Detailed conditions for renting a coffee maker for the home.

We offer a price overview and basic information about the characteristics of home coffee makers so that you can make a decision and make sure that Kucheryava Kava rents the best equipment.

Before choosing a coffee maker for your home, you need to decide on the drinks that the coffee machine should prepare and what its power should be. It is also worth deciding on the budget, because now the equipment is available for different wallets, and budget models may not have the necessary functions. There are, of course, appliances and built-in appliances that will look ergonomic and stylish in any kitchen, but the price of such equipment starts from 20 thousand UAH. The classic desktop coffee makers are available at a more affordable price, and design options allow you to find a solution that fits your home.

If you like to travel, it is worth purchasing the portable coffee maker , which will accompany you everywhere.

Electric Turk Delfa SCM-555, *229 – 541 UAHDrip coffee maker Makita DCM501Z, *2 663 – 4 830 UAHPortable coffee maker Wacaco Nanopresso Moss Green, * 3 412 – 3 499 UAHPortable coffee machine Handpresso Pump Set White *5 907 UAH

In this type of coffee maker pressure on coffee is carried out using a built-in pump, boiling water for preparing a drink can be taken from a kettle or a thermos, coffee can be used ground or tableted.

Desktop coffee maker Saeco Lirika One Touch Cappuccino is very popular with our customers for its portability and quality of drinks, because the model has a built-in coffee grinder, and the functionality of the device allows you to prepare two drinks at the same time, with the ability to control the strength of coffee and portion size.

Desktop coffee maker Saeco Lirika One Touch Cappuccino,*9 465 — 14 390 UAH Compact coffee maker Krups Dolce Gusto Mini Me KP123B *1 500 — 1 999 UAH.

Capsule coffee makers are relatively budget, but they make coffee with a dense foam, as they put pressure on the coffee during preparation at 15 bar (this is a good indicator for this type of machine). The only drawback in such coffee makers is the cost of capsules that need to be selected for a specific model.

Carob coffee maker for home Delonghi EC 685.R, *4 199 — UAH 6 694

Carob coffee makers can be seen not only in the coffee shop, the manufacturers have offered a somewhat simplified model for the home. This model is for perfectionists and those who want to be directly involved in the preparation of coffee. After all, this coffee maker implies the skills of frothing milk by hand. With it, you can experiment with the saturation of coffee, as well as use coffee of different varieties. But you need to take a model with a metal holder, because a plastic holder can give extra unpleasant odors or taste to coffee.

Automatic coffee maker Nivona CafeRomatica 520 (NICR 520), *8 699 – 14 249 UAH.

Automatic coffee makers are more reliable, but the price of such coffee makers is much higher. They have a more complex structure:

These models usually use coffee beans. At the touch of a button, you can get cappuccino, latte, americano or espresso. In this case, you can set the parameters for preparing a drink individually. Due to their technical features, these devices require more attention and periodic maintenance. The coffee maker itself will notify on the display about the need to add water or grains, remind you of the time to clean the hopper from coffee tablets, or notify you of a machine breakdown.

Drip coffee makers Clatronic KA 3473, *755 — UAH 1,113

Drip coffee makers are now gaining popularity again. Water passes through ground coffee through a special paper, metal or polymer filter and enters a glass, metal or plastic coffee pot. The coffee pot in most cases stands on a special platform that is constantly heated so that you always drink warm coffee. Coffee from such a coffee maker is rich and strong, but without foam and in the form of an Americano. The only feature is that you will constantly need to buy filters. Note that a metal or polymer filter can last one to two years, unlike paper ones, which need to be changed every time.

Geyser coffee maker Ariete 1344, *2 525 — UAH 3 238

Geyser coffee makers are much simpler than other models. They consist of three compartments. The principle of brewing coffee in such machines is very simple: boiling water rises to the middle compartment, where there is already ground coffee and the finished drink rises to the upper compartment. This coffee maker can be taken on trips. The main disadvantage is that after making coffee, you need to wash a lot of parts. The advantage is that you can choose a coffee maker with a milk frother.

Now let's look at additional features and characteristics of coffee makers that you may need when choosing a coffee maker

The automatic cleaning system of the device allows you to clean the device automatically according to the instructions, which is very convenient and fast. In this case, all the necessary actions will be marked on the display of the device.

Thanks to the coffee strength control function , you can adjust the amount of coffee per serving, which affects the taste of the drink and its intensity.

The remote control units allow the owner to set the time and parameters for preparing a drink from a smartphone. In a special application there will be other options for controlling the device.

The thermos function allows you to keep the prepared drink warm for a certain time.

The grind setting allows you to influence the taste of the coffee. Typically, the regulator has a scale from 3 to 20, which corresponds to different degrees of grinding coffee beans.

Function "cappuccino" is not found in all coffee machines, it can be manual and automatic.

Parameters affecting the taste and aroma of coffee:

*monitoring of prices for the purchase of coffee makers was carried out in December 2021. Prices are subject to change by equipment sellers.

Attention! If you are raising funds for the purchase of a home coffee machine or are already planning such a purchase, there is an opportunity not to immediately spend a significant amount from the family budget on the purchase of a quality coffee machine for the home. Kucheryava Kava offers rental of coffee equipment for the home. One of the best conditions for the cost of rent for the purchase of a minimum amount of coffee each month. There is a wide range of coffee freshly roasted in Ukraine from the best plantations in the world.

Best coffee machines, top 9 rating of good coffee machines for home