Drip coffee makers reviews
12 Best Drip Coffee Makers of 2022
This article was updated in December 2022 to ensure all product picks tested and vetted by the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab were up-to-date and in stock.
No matter how you like to prepare your coffee, from cold brew to French press and everything in between, there's a coffee maker for it. An espresso machine lets you be your own barista and single-serve coffee makers provide convenience. However, if you just want a traditional cup of coffee there are plenty of drip coffee machines to choose from, and newer models come equipped with additional modes to make iced coffee and even pour-over coffee.
The options seem endless for drip coffee makers, which is why at the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab, we've been hands-on testing coffee makers for decades from brands like Breville, Cuisinart, Ninja, Hamilton Beach and more to find the best ones. One could say we’re obsessed with making coffee at home and in our Labs: Over the years, our experts have tested hundreds of machines and brewed more than 1,000 cups of coffee from all types of coffee makers. We’ve also tested accessories like coffee grinders so you can always get the freshest brew. In our latest drip coffee maker test, we spent over 60 hours testing and brewed over 250 cups of coffee. Overall, popular newer models that could make multiple types of brews — such as cold brew, concentrates for latte-like drinks and iced coffees — impressed us the most.
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1
Best Overall Drip Coffee Maker
Precision Brewer Thermal Drip Coffee Maker Breville
$330 AT AMAZON
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$330 AT AMAZON
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2
Best Value Drip Coffee Maker
12-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker Black+Decker
$54 AT WALMART
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$54 AT WALMART
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3
Best Drip Coffee Maker for Flavor
PureFlavor Drip Coffee Maker Braun
$108 AT AMAZON
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$108 AT AMAZON
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4
Best Smart Drip Coffee Maker
Specialty Drip Coffee Maker Café
$249 AT AMAZON
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$249 AT AMAZON
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5
Best High-End Drip Coffee Maker
Gourmet Automatic Drip Coffee Maker Wolf
$600 AT WILLIAMS SONOMA
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$600 AT WILLIAMS SONOMA
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6
Best Drip Coffee Maker for Extra Hot Coffee
Perfectemp Drip Coffee Maker Cuisinart
$100 AT AMAZON
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$100 AT AMAZON
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7
Best Drip Coffee Maker With Grinder
The Grind Control Coffee Maker Breville
$330 AT AMAZON
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$330 AT AMAZON
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8
Best Drip Coffee Maker for Iced Coffee
Specialty Drip Coffee Maker Ninja
$140 AT AMAZON
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$140 AT AMAZON
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9
Best Small Drip Coffee Maker
5-Cup Mini Drip Coffee Maker Capresso
$40 AT AMAZON
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$40 AT AMAZON
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10
Best Drip Coffee Maker and Pod Combo
FlexBrew Trio Coffee Maker Hamilton Beach
$89 AT WALMART
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$89 AT WALMART
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After our top picks, stick around to learn more about how we test coffee machines in the Lab and what you should look for when shopping for one.
1
Best Overall Drip Coffee Maker
Breville
Precision Brewer Thermal Drip Coffee Maker
Breville
$330 AT AMAZON $330 AT SUR LA TABLE $330 AT WALMART
| Max cup capacity | 12 cups |
|---|---|
| Type of carafe | Thermal |
| Dimensions | 6.7" x 12.7" x 15.7" |
| Customizable options | Brew strength, water temperature, water flow rate, bloom time, type of coffee (drip, iced and pour over with attachment) |
2
Best Value Drip Coffee Maker
Black+Decker
12-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker
Black+Decker
$54 AT WALMART $54 AT WALMART
| Max cup capacity | 12 cups |
|---|---|
| Type of carafe | Glass |
| Dimensions | 8. 8" x 11.5" x 14.06" |
| Customizable options | None |
3
Best Drip Coffee Maker for Flavor
Braun
PureFlavor Drip Coffee Maker
Braun
$108 AT AMAZON $72 AT HOME DEPOT $66 AT WALMART
| Max cup capacity | 14 cups |
|---|---|
| Type of carafe | Glass |
| Dimensions | 8.7'' x 9.3'' x 14.8'' |
| Customizable options | Brew strength, coffee type (drip and iced coffee) |
4
Best Smart Drip Coffee Maker
Café
Specialty Drip Coffee Maker
Cafe
Now 29% off
$249 AT AMAZON $229 AT HOME DEPOT $230 AT SUR LA TABLE
| Max cup capacity | 10 cups |
|---|---|
| Type of carafe | Thermal |
| Dimensions | 12 1/2" x 7 1/4" x 14" |
| Customizable options | Brew strength, water temperature |
5
Best High-End Drip Coffee Maker
Wolf
Gourmet Automatic Drip Coffee Maker
Wolf
$600 AT WILLIAMS SONOMA
| Max cup capacity | 10 cups |
|---|---|
| Type of carafe | Thermal |
| Dimensions | 10. 5" x 11.5" x 14.5" |
| Customizable options | Brew strength |
6
Best Drip Coffee Maker for Extra Hot Coffee
Cuisinart
Perfectemp Drip Coffee Maker
Cuisinart
$100 AT AMAZON
| Max cup capacity | 14 cups |
|---|---|
| Type of carafe | Glass |
| Dimensions | 7.75'' x 9'' x 14'' |
| Customizable options | Brew strength |
7
Best Drip Coffee Maker With Grinder
Breville
The Grind Control Coffee Maker
Breville
$330 AT AMAZON $350 AT SUR LA TABLE $350 AT WAYFAIR
| Cup capacity | 12 cups |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 8. 5" x 12.5" x 16.3" |
| Type of carafe | Thermal |
| Customizable options | Brew strength, grind size |
8
Best Drip Coffee Maker for Iced Coffee
Ninja
Specialty Drip Coffee Maker
Now 18% off
$140 AT AMAZON $170 AT HOME DEPOT $170 AT WALMART
| Max cup capacity | 10 cups |
|---|---|
| Type of carafe | Glass |
| Dimensions | 8.75" x 11.99" x 15.04" |
| Customizable options | Brew strength, coffee type (drip, concentrated coffee and iced) |
9
Best Small Drip Coffee Maker
Capresso
5-Cup Mini Drip Coffee Maker
Capresso
$40 AT AMAZON
| Max cup capacity | 5 cups |
|---|---|
| Type of carafe | Glass |
| Dimensions | 6. 25" x 8" x 10" |
| Customizable options | None |
10
Best Drip Coffee Maker and Pod Combo
Hamilton Beach
FlexBrew Trio Coffee Maker
Hamilton Beach
Now 10% off
$89 AT WALMART
| Max cup capacity | 12 cups |
|---|---|
| Type of carafe | Glass |
| Dimensions | 12'' x 11.6'' x 13.6'' |
| Customizable options | Brew strength |
11
Best Drip Coffee Maker for Multiple Serving Sizes
Braun
MultiServe Drip Coffee Maker
Braun
Now 20% off
$160 AT WILLIAMS SONOMA
| Max cup capacity | 10 cups |
|---|---|
| Type of carafe | Glass |
| Dimensions | 13" x 7" x 15" |
| Customizable options | Brew strength, brew size |
12
Best Drip Coffee Maker With Espresso Machine
DeLonghi
All-in-One Coffee and Espresso Maker
DeLonghi
$220 AT TARGET $220 AT HOME DEPOT
| Max cup capacity | 10 cups |
|---|---|
| Type of carafe | Glass |
| Dimensions | 14. 5'' x 11'' x 12.8'' |
| Customizable options | Coffee type (drip or espresso) |
How we test drip coffee makers
We first spent hours researching the best coffee makers on the market, as well as top competitors and new models from popular brands. We then tested a total of 16 new drip coffee makers and compared the data points to our previous coffee maker-testing data.
When we evaluate coffee makers, we test the brew cycle temperature using equipment that constantly measures the water temperature throughout the entire cycle. We also measure the temperature of freshly brewed coffee and record the temperature multiple times over a two-hour period to see if the warming function actually keeps the coffee warm.
Along with performance, we also assess the ease of use, which includes evaluating how easy it is to read and use the controls.
We look at the clarity and thoroughness of the instruction manual and other factors like access to the water tank and brew baskets, if markings on the tank and carafe are readable, if it has a keep warm option and any automatic shut-off capabilities. We also assess the ease of cleaning the carafe. Finally, we have a group of taste testers try a fresh cup of coffee and score it on taste.
What to look for when buying a drip coffee maker
✔️ Cup Capacity: Most drip coffee makers can brew about 10 to 14 cups of coffee, with 12 cups being the most common. Smaller, typically less expensive, options are available for single-coffee-drinker homes or small spaces.
✔️ Carafe type: The two main types of carafes are glass and thermal. Glass carafes are common, lightweight and easy to clean thanks to wide openings. They're often dishwasher safe. Thermal carafes are a little bulkier, not usually dishwasher safe and typically more expensive, but they can keep coffee hot for hours without using a warming plate.
Thermal carafes also have a smaller capacity than their glass counterparts because of their insulated walls.
✔️ Customizable brew options: Many higher-end drip coffee makers allow you to adjust the strength of your coffee and a few allow you to adjust the brewing temperature. Our top drip coffee maker even allows you to control the bloom time of your grounds for optimal extraction. If you like your coffee a particular way or want to change the settings when you change coffee beans for optimal flavor, invest in a coffee maker with these features.
✔️ Built-in grinders: Grinding your coffee just before brewing allows for the freshest taste. Some coffee makers have built-in grinders that allow you to store the beans right in the coffee maker. They take up less space than having a separate grinder but can make the overall coffee maker a little bulkier (usually on the top). Coffee makers with built-in grinders also tend to be more expensive than coffee makers without grinders.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Nicole Papantoniou is the Director of the Kitchen Appliances lab where she oversees all testing relating to cooking and drinking equipment, including drip coffee makers. Over the years she's tested numerous coffee makers and continues to road-test different coffee makers daily.
Jamie Kim's first job at Good Housekeeping Institute was testing a variety of consumer products, and one of her first tests was drip coffee makers. Since then she has tested and written about many kitchen-related and cooking tools, especially drip coffee and espresso makers as well as coffee accessories. She has a passion for coffee and has completed rigorous coffee courses from the SCA (Specialty Coffee Association) in coffee brewing, barista skills and sensory tasting.
Jamie Kim Contributing Writer and Analyst Jamie Kim is a consumer products expert with over 17 years of experience in areas of product development and manufacturing.
Nicole Papantoniou Kitchen Appliances & Innovation Lab Director Nicole (she/her) is the director of the Good Housekeeping Institute's Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab, where she has overseen content and testing related to kitchen and cooking appliances, tools and gear since 2019.
Best Drip Coffee Maker 2022: Reviews and Buying Guide
Finding the best drip coffee maker is no easy task. There are literally hundreds to choose from, and each might be the “best” for a different person. That’s why we wrote this article to simplify your life.
WHY YOU SHOULD TRUST US
We are a community of passionate coffee hobbyists who research, test and educate around issues relevant to the home barista market.
As a community we strive to simplify the misinformation in the home brewing market so that you can make better informed decisions about buying and brewing amazing quality coffee (without having to train as a professional barista).
Over the years, our team of coffee loving content creators and industry professionals have come together with the sole intention of ‘cutting through the noise’ and educating the home barista market on brewing better coffee.
Below, we'll show you exactly how to spot a good brewer from a bad one, teach you which important features to look for, and list our favorite coffee makers this year. Then all that’s left for you to do is to start brewing amazing coffee.
At A Glance:
- OUR TOP PICK: Technivorm Moccamaster
- RUNNER UP: Breville Precision Brewer
- BUDGET PICK: Mr. Coffee 12-Cup Coffee Maker
- COOLEST STYLE: Nostalgia Retro Coffee Maker
- BEST THERMAL CARAFE: OXO Brew 9-Cup
The 11 Best Drip Coffee Makers (2022 Picks)
With all these points in mind, here are the best drip coffee makers for different needs.
| image | product | details | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Overall Best Overall | Technivorm Moccamaster KBT |
| SEE ON AMAZON |
| Runner Up Runner Up | Breville Precision Brewer |
| SEE ON AMAZON |
| Budget Pick Budget Pick | Mr. Coffee 12-Cup Coffee Maker |
| SEE ON AMAZON |
| Best Value Best Value | Cuisinart DCC-3200 |
| SEE ON AMAZON |
| Best For Small Spaces Best For Small Spaces | Black + Decker 5-cup |
| SEE ON AMAZON |
| Best Large Grind And Brew Best Large Grind And Brew | Cuisinart DGB-800BC |
| SEE ON AMAZON |
| Coolest Style Coolest Style | Nostalgia RCOF12AQ Retro Brewer |
| SEE ON AMAZON |
| Most Versatile Most Versatile | Ninja Specialty Coffee Maker |
| SEE ON AMAZON |
| Best With Thermal Carafe Best With Thermal Carafe | OXO BREW 9 Cup Coffeemaker |
| SEE ON AMAZON |
| Best Dual Brewer Best Dual Brewer | Hamilton Beach 49980A Brewer |
| see on amazon |
| Fastest Drip Machine Fastest Drip Machine | Bunn Classic Speed Brew BX |
| SEE ON AMAZON |
8″ x 15″1. Technivorm Moccamaster KBT – Best Overall
Specifications:SEE ON AMAZON
The Moccamaster is a beautifully designed drip brewer that you've most likely seen in high-quality 3rd wave coffee shops.
That's a statement itself (and this is our favorite drip brewer). It's at the higher end of the price spectrum, but it makes the best damn cup of coffee a drip brewer can possibly make, thanks to its pre-infusion and brewing process. Also, this bad boy is SCAA-approved.
It’s easy to take apart to clean, and also has a 5-year warranty, so you won’t have to worry about it breaking down on you.
When you see a Technivorm Moccamaster in someone’s home, you know they’re serious about good coffee
If you just want the best of the best: this is the brewer for you. Both this Moccamaster and the Bonavita (above) are our favorites. Read our full review of the Technivorm Moccamaster here.
2. Breville Precision Brewer – Runner Up
Specifications
SEE ON AMAZON
Breville’s Precision Brewer is quickly becoming one of the most popular drip coffee machines on the market, and it has proven itself a worthy rival to the more expensive Moccamaster.
In fact, if you want a more programmable coffee maker, you might even prefer the Breville to the Technivorm.
As with the Moccamaster, the Precision Brewer is SCAA certified for its ability to brew coffee to the highest standard. It uses a PID to deliver precise temperature control throughout the ideal brewing window of 197 to 204 ℉.
It comes with six preset brewing modes, including Gold Cup mode, which is optimized to SCAA parameters. Or you can customize your brewing by adjusting bloom time, brew temperature and flow rate to perfectly suit the character of your favorite coffee beans.
Impressively, this model is compatible with both conical and flat filter baskets — and comes with one of each. With recent research showing that flat and cone-shaped baskets can highlight different aspects of a coffee’s flavor, it’s a real bonus to have the option of either.
3. Mr. Coffee 12-Cup Coffee Maker – Budget Pick
Specifications:SEE ON AMAZON
If you want a simple and delicious coffee with minimal effort or expense, this basic Mr.
Coffee 12-cup coffee maker has got your back. It’s super affordable, easy to use, and delivers a consistently tasty brew, making it both an Amazon’s Choice product and our favorite budget brewer this year.
Mr. Coffee highlights ease of use as the main feature of this machine, and they are right on the money. Set it up, add ground coffee and water, and get brewing. It’s as simple as that. After brewing, the hot plate will keep the glass carafe warm for up to two hours.
This coffee maker isn’t programmable, so you can’t change the brew temperature or have it brew on a timer, but this is by design. It’s simplicity is its selling point. It does, however, have the very handy grab-a-cup auto pause option, so you can sneak that first hit of caffeine even before the brew cycle is complete.
4. Cuisinart DCC-3200 – Best Value
Specifications:SEE ON AMAZON
The Cuisinart DCC 3200, available in both 12 and 14 cups versions, has almost all the features you could want (without breaking the bank).
It's one of the few that can brew a full carafe within this price range. Plus, it has a sweet feature of hot-plate temperature control, which customers love because it stops you scalding your coffee (and your tongue.)
Where it shines: it comes with fully automatic 24-hour programmability, just set it to your desires, and your coffee is handled. Every. Single. Day! It has a self-cleaning feature, a 1-4 cup setting, and auto shutoff. Unfortunately, some people find that making more than 10 cups of coffee pushes the coffee grounds in to your brew. That effectively reduces the capacity from 14 cup to 10, if it does that to you.
If you’re looking for a simple, all-around good drip coffee maker to brew large batches of coffee using hot water at a nearly perfect temperature, the Cuisinart DCC 3200 is the one for you. You can read more about this brewer in our Cuisinart DCC-3200 review here.
5. Black + Decker 5-Cup Coffee Maker – Best for Small Spaces
Specifications:
SEE ON AMAZON
There are many excellent reasons to opt for a small coffee maker.
Maybe you’re just one person with no need to brew 12 cups at a time. Or you have limited counter space. Maybe you’re searching for a brewer for a dorm room, RV, or office. No matter the reason, this little coffee maker from Black + Decker is a fantastic choice. It’s small in stature but big in quality.
Aside from its compact design, this brewer has a couple of standout features. First of all, it has the same automatic brew pause often found on larger machines, so you can grab a quick cup during brewing. This option is often overlooked in smaller brewers. It also has an illuminated power switch, a small but important addition so you’ll know at a glance if it’s hot or not.
I appreciate that it uses a metal basket filter that doesn’t require a paper insert. Minimizing paper waste is good for the planet and saves you money. Win-win! And don’t worry, after brewing, the filter basket is very easy to remove and clean.
See Comparison Table →
6. Cuisinart DGB-800BC – Best large grind and brew
Specifications:SEE ON AMAZON
This gorgeous programmable brewer has plenty of features that will get you excited.
The main one being; it grinds your coffee beans automatically right before it brews (super fresh coffee).
However this Cuisinart model is a double-edged sword; you'll need to follow the directions to access the grinder mechanism, and clean it often to keep it in tip-top shape and tasting fresh (although many users say it's easy to clean). The grind-and-brew might be your go-to if you want to save money and counter space on two machines in one.
7. Nostalgia RCOF12AQ Retro – Coolest Style
Specifications:SEE ON AMAZON
If you’re cultivating a retro look in your home, you’re going to love the cool style of this coffee maker. I mean, what else would you expect from the brand Nostalgia? Everything from the baby blue color to the vintage scrawled font screams mid 20th century in the best possible way.
But unlike actual 50 year old coffee makers, this one is also equipped with the convenience of modern day features, just like the popular Smeg coffee maker.
It can be programmed to brew on a timer, always a win for those of us who struggle with the early pre-caffeine hours of the day. And it has the always popular brew pause option, so you can grab that first cup as soon as possible without making a mess.
After brewing, the hot plate automatically activates to keep your carafe of precious bean juice warm. Then two hours later, it shuts off, a handy safety feature to avoid burning the carafe dry.
If you’re hyped on the vintage style of this coffee maker, you’ll be happy to hear it’s part of a set, so you can keep the retro theme going throughout your kitchen. Nostalgia also makes a toaster and microwave in the same hip baby blue.
8. Ninja Specialty Coffee Maker – Most Versatile
Specifications:SEE ON AMAZON
This Ninja gives you a plethora of options. It's a dual coffee maker, which means you can choose between brewing a quick cup of coffee or waiting for a whole pot of coffee to brew.
Or maybe you want to tinker with the water amount to come up with a richer or more diluted brew? Or maybe you're bored with a standard black coffee and want to sip on a latte or a vanilla iced mocha for a change?
“You wish is my command” … is what this easy-to-use brewer would say in response. (if coffee makers could talk)
This is not your standard hot and cold coffee maker; it's a Ninja brewer that can do anything for you when it comes to coffee (almost anything; but not espresso, and not cold brew coffee). In terms of versatility, the Ninja Specialty wins. Now go off and make a new exciting coffee with a few touches of a button – because you can.
Just remember, while it can make iced coffee, it cant make cold brew coffee – and there's a big difference. You'll still need a cold brew maker separate to this.
9. OXO BREW 9-Cup Coffeemaker – Best with Thermal Carafe
Specifications:SEE ON AMAZON
The OXO Brew drip coffee maker imitates the manual pour over coffee process for you to brew one clean, tasty, and full bodied carafe of coffee.
It is easy-to-use brews coffee so good that it has been SCAA approved – this is not some made up rating; it's the real deal.
Think of it like this: you have a personal pour-over barista on call to brew you a Chemex on demand. But he won't charge you $8 per cup of coffee or give you attitude for your lack hipster-ness. Minimalistic style and quality coffee at the touch of a button.
Besides all that good stuff, this OXO 9 cup drip coffee maker is one of the best BPA-free coffee brewers, a BIG plus in our opinion. We took a deeper look into the Barista Brain 9 cup brewer in our full review, which you can read here.
10. Hamilton Beach 49980A – Best Dual Brewer
Specifications:SEE ON AMAZON
The Hamilton Beach gives two options to brew: the large carafe or a travel mug. This means can use it as a single serve or make it brew a large batch of brewed coffee. The carafe side is fitted with your standard coffee filter for drip brewing, and the cup side allows you to brew with pods – however, it's not compatible with K-cups.
It has a few notable functions that customers won't stop talking about (in a good way)
The program function allows you to set your brewing time up to 24 hours in advance so you can wake up to the smell of coffee. You can also choose the extraction level to alter the taste of your brew whether you like it strong or regular (all via the handy LED digital display).
The Hamilton Beach is a great programmable machine for an affordable price. A favorite all rounder. It's a shame it's missing a good thermal coffee pot, but it's still performed quite well as a drip coffee maker when we reviewed it here.
11. Bunn Classic Speed Brew BX – Fastest Drip Machine
Specifications:SEE ON AMAZON
The Bunn Speed Brew is one of the fastest coffee makers available (as the name suggests). It will make a full pot of brewed coffee in under 3 minutes. Just add coffee and water, press a button, check your social media and your coffee is ready.
Is the quality of coffee sacrificed for speed? Probably, but not as badly as you'd think. Bunn is known for making great coffee machines (like these), and they haven't cut any corners with the Classic Speed Brew BX. Plus, they're also made in the USA.
The Bunn Speed Brew's internal water tank always keeps the water at perfect coffee brewing temperature, and the special spray head works hard to properly soak your grounds and improve the taste. It won't brew amazing coffee, but it's the fastest. If you are busy and rushed in the mornings, this Bunn drip coffee maker may save you precious minutes… to drink more coffee.
Tips for choosing the right brewer
Keep these tips in mind when looking for the right coffee maker for your home. It leaves with you the best chance of making the right choice.
Carafe Capacity
Do you only want a single cup of drip coffee in the morning, or do you need multiple? Is it just you drinking the coffee, or do you have a family in need? Figure out how much coffee you need to make at one time, then factor that in to your decision.
Don't overlook carafe size as it can be annoying to be under/over ‘carafe-d'. You will find either 4, 10, or 14 cup carafes; 12, being the most popular.
In case you didn’t know, the “carafe” is the pot or container the coffee drips down in to. It is better to have a machine with a larger carafe as you don't HAVE to fill it up. Some will brew into a glass carafe, but ideally yours will be brewing into a thermal coffee pot. We explain this a little more below.
Style of Filter Basket
When buying a drip coffee machine, you’ll encounter two styles of filter basket, either the flat-bottom basket shape or the cone shape. The shape of the filter basket influences what style of paper filter to buy, but that’s not all!
Coffee nerds have long insisted that the shape of the filter also affects the taste of your coffee, and recent research sponsored by the SCA has proven them right (1). It’s not too surprising when you think about it. Because the shape of the filter changes how water flows through the ground coffee, it impacts the extraction.
If you like bright fruity, floral, and sweet coffees, such as you might find from Ethiopia, then flat-bottom baskets are known to best highlight these flavors. On the other hand, if darker, earthier coffees like those from Sumatra are more your style, a cone filter will be a better match. If you like them all, consider a brewer that comes with both styles of filter, like our Runner Up pick, the Breville Precision Brewer.
Programming Features
Compared to most coffee makers, some drip coffee makers can be programmed to turn on and off at certain times, remain hot for so long before shutting off, and more. These functions can be handy if you’re the kind of person who likes to wake up to the smell of coffee, or who doesn’t want to be bothered to brew a cup in the morning. You just want the coffee to happen. We get it. We are not all morning people.
Most coffee makers can be programmed to turn on at a certain time. However, some of them brew extremely quickly and don’t need this feature.
Determine whether or not you’d like this feature, and put it on your list of wants.
Ability to Pause Mid-Brew (to steal a quick cup)
Some brewers are able to be paused mid-brew, allowing you to pour a cup before it’s finished. If you’re the kind of person who needs their coffee ASAP, you may want to add this to your wish list. We’ve looked at a few that do this.
Me no worky without coffee? You'll need this feature.
If you’re the kind of person who rushes out the door in the morning, it can be easy to forget to turn the coffee machine off. That’s where this feature comes in handy.
Water Filters
Do you have a filter in your kitchen sink?If not, you’re probably making your coffee with less-than-stellar water, which takes away from the flavor. Fear not – some coffeemakers come with a built in water filter inside the water tank and that makes your hot cups of coffee taste even better (2).
Keep in mind this comes with the added effort and expense of replacing the filters, so you may or may not want them.
And if you already use a water filtration system, you don't need this.
Watch Steven's fun video on brewing better coffee at home:
Common Overlooked (yet important) Factors to Consider
Now lots look at some of the jargon terms that are easy to skip over but are important in making the right choice. Again – let me remind you that we are only looking at drip machines here – not manual coffee makers (e.g. the French press) or Keurig machines.
Hot Plate vs Thermal Carafe
The question here is whether you want energy efficiency/better flavor or a more affordable price tag.
Glass carafes tend to be cheaper but the hot plate heats the coffee further which over-extracts the oils and makes it taste bitter. Additionally, the warming plate has to be continually turned on to stay hot, which uses more energy.
A thermal (or steel) carafe keeps the coffee at an optimum brewing temperature of 195-205 degrees for 1-2 hours, which some believe to keep a better flavor. It also saves some energy in the process. However, they tend to be more expensive.
Gold standard = thermal carafe. If you're serious about brewing amazing tasting drip coffee every day, you need a coffee machine with one of these. Here's a complete list of the best thermal carafe coffee makers.
Do you have a coffee grinder already?
You'll need a medium-coarse grind for a drip brewer in most casesIf you prefer freshly ground coffee (and you should) you have two options: Choose a machine with a built in grinder (like one of these) or buy a separate one. While coffee makers with in-built grinders are generally more expensive than brewers without grinders, it might still save you money over buying a separate grinder. Additionally, having both machines in one will save counter space.
But standalone coffee grinders are generally do a better job of grinding, and you can grind for other brew styles. Some coffee drinkers claim having a separate grinder is a must for the best flavor and the best size coffee grounds.
If you’re a stickler for the absolute best, or you want to experiment with other brew styles: buy a separate grinder.
SCAA Certification
The Specialty Coffee Association of America is reviews, tests and certifies coffee gear including drip coffee makers (3). When a body like the SCAA has given something the stamp of approval; you know you're looking at coffee makers as rated by industry professionals.
Developed by coffee science experts and professional coffee tasters, this program reviews brewers designed for in-home use to determine if they meet the rigorous requirements of brewed coffee quality as determined by the SCA
Here's a video explaining a little more:
Oh, would you look at that? We've included a few of them on this list. If you want a more complete list: read our write up of the most exciting SCAA coffee makers.
See Comparison Table →
Something To Keep in mind
We have NOT included:
- Espresso machines – if you want espresso based coffee, or anything with a milk frother, read our guide to the best espresso machines here.
- Smaller, portable coffee makers – we cover coffee makers for travelers here.
- Single-serve coffee makers – you can read about them here.
- Manual coffee brewers – you'll want to see our french press reviews, or pour over brewer reviews here.
- Iced coffee and cold brewers – we've made a list of those here.
- Ninja hot and cold coffee brewers – these are popular so we did a separate review on them here.
- Cuisinart coffee makers – If you like this reputable brand, here's our list of amazing Cuisinart machines in the market.
- Capresso machines – another reputable home coffee machine brand that we recommend.
- Miele coffee brewers – This brand offers all-around coffee brewers. Here's our list of the best models.
- Smart coffee makers – here are some really smart coffee machines you want to operate using your smartphone.
- Plumbed coffee machines – here are our top picks for the coffee makers with water line.
Want to know which ones are the best for each type of coffee maker? Read our reviews of the best coffee makers and learn more.
The Verdict
With coffee makers, you get what you pay for. So if coffee is a crucial part of your morning, then it’s worth investing in the best. And based on an overwhelming number of votes from coffee shops, consumers, and the SCAA, the best drip coffee maker is the Technivorm Moccamaster.
Sure, it’s a bit more expensive than average, but the value is there.
Each one is handmade in the Netherlands and certified by the SCAA to deliver the ultimate cup of coffee, the thermal carafe keeps your coffee hot and delicious, and it comes with an industry-leading 5-year warranty. What’s not to love?!
FAQs
An expensive coffee maker might be worth it depending on your habits. More expensive brewers typically make better coffee because they better control water temperature and flow. But you’re unlikely to notice this benefit unless you’re buying quality coffee in the first place. Expensive coffee makers also use higher quality components, more metal and less plastic, so they are more durable. It is up to you to weigh these advantages versus cost.
You should do a basic cleaning of your coffee maker after every use, because coffee oils and sediments can easily build up. A deeper descaling should be done less frequently based on the manufacturer’s recommendation, usually every 3 to 6 months.
The obvious difference between a cone and basket filter is the shape.
A basket filter has a flat bottom whereas a cone filter narrows to a point. But more subtly, they also brew differently because their shape influences the flow of water. Basket filters promote sweeter flavors while cone filters highlight darker notes in a brew.
Most pre-ground coffee is ground to the right size for drip brew, so you can use it in your coffee maker. However, if you have access to a decent burr grinder, freshly ground coffee will always deliver better flavor.
References
- (February 26, 2019). Can Filter Basket Shape Affect The Flavor of Your Coffee? https://perfectdailygrind.com/2019/02/can-filter-basket-shape-affect-the-flavor-of-your-coffee/
- MÄKELÄ, K. (n.d.). Coffee and Water – How to Use High Quality Water to Brew the Best Coffee. Retrieved from. https://www.baristainstitute.com/node/275
- (June 1, 2019). Retrieved from. https://sca.coffee/certified-home-brewer
How to Choose a Drip Coffee Maker: Helping You Determine Your Criteria
The traditional drip coffee maker is a familiar household appliance for home users and office workers alike, as the drip coffee maker is most commonly purchased for coffee brewing in the office.
Travelers will also remember that coffee from a drip coffee maker can be purchased in many Scandinavian countries (for example, in Finland), and you can find such coffee not only in cafes and gas stations, but also in much more unexpected places. So, for example, a drip coffee maker can stand in the most ordinary second-hand store, so you can literally get a cup of coffee for reasonable money without leaving the fitting room. nine0003
The main complaint about drip coffee makers is also well known: the most common negative is usually formulated as “the coffee is not strong enough” or, even more radically, “this is not coffee, but some kind of slop”. Running a little ahead, we will inform you that in this case both the quality of the device and the lack of qualifications (or greed) of the barista, who poured insufficient coffee into the filter into the filter, can be “guilty” in this case. Finally, let's not forget that in some countries they traditionally drink weak coffee, considering this a variant of the norm.
nine0003 Classic drip coffee maker
So, let's see what drip coffee makers are and how to choose the best model for your purposes.
First, let's take a look at the main physical characteristics of our instrument. These include parameters such as case material, power, volume of the flask (jug), etc.
Drip coffee maker device
Drip coffee maker is the simplest device among the entire family of coffee makers. coffee brewing equipment. It consists of a water heater (a plate for heating a coffee pot is mounted on top of it), a water tank and a compartment for laying coffee. Management is carried out using a fairly simple electromechanical board. Although nuances are possible here - you can find more advanced models, or you can - equipped with a single on / off button. nine0003
When the appliance is turned on, water from the tank enters the heater, where it turns into a mixture of hot water and steam and rises through the tube to the coffee compartment.
The rest of the steam condenses into hot water that flows down and seeps through the coffee under natural pressure. After the water in the tank runs out, the heater continues to work, thus switching to the mode of heating the finished drink.
What conclusions can we draw from this information?
The first (and most important) is that the drip coffee maker is designed to prepare one type of drink, which is called “filter coffee” or “real americano”. You can immediately forget about words like “espresso”, “ristretto”, and even more so “cappuccino”. Even an ordinary geyser coffee maker will brew a much stronger drink than a drip coffee maker. nine0003
The second conclusion follows directly from the first: if you drink exclusively Americano, then it makes no sense for you to consider more expensive and more complex coffee makers (for example, carob). Brewing strong coffee, then diluting it with boiling water is not a good idea (including from the financial side).
Specifications
The drip coffee maker has several characteristics that it makes sense to pay attention to literally at the first glance at the model you are interested in.
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Body material
Most drip coffee makers are frankly inexpensive devices, and therefore their body is in most cases made of food-grade plastic. More expensive models can be found in a plastic case, hidden under metal sheets. Such coffee makers look more respectable, but the metal case is of no practical use: it in no way contributes to more adequate thermoregulation and does not affect the quality of the final drink. nine0003
Capacity and design of the water container
The water container usually has two requirements: it must be large enough to make the required amount of coffee at a time and it must be easy to clean. In practice, this means that the container must have a lid for topping up water, and the container itself must be easily removed in order to wash it (and this will inevitably have to be done from time to time). It is not bad if the container is in the line of sight, which will allow you to visually control the level of the remaining water.
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Flask material and volume
The flask (jug) of drip coffee makers is usually made of glass. Its volume corresponds to the volume of the water container (a full container will make a full flask of coffee). On the flask (as well as on the container for water) there are usually marks that allow you to measure the right amount of water in the cups (although these marks do not always correspond to the standard volume of cups). The jug is equipped with a spout and a plastic lid. It should be remembered that if the jug accidentally breaks, then in many cases this will mean the need to purchase a new coffee maker: due to the presence of a special anti-drip system, you most likely will not be able to use a jug from another model or another improvised container. nine0003 Standard jug for drip coffee maker
Filter material
The filter in drip coffee makers is used to prevent ground coffee from falling directly into the drink. Most devices are equipped with a reusable nylon (rarely “gold”) filter.
The "golden" filter is in practice made of the same nylon coated with a thin layer of titanium nitride: it is considered easier to clean and more durable.
The reusable filter must be removed from the coffee grounds and washed after each use of the appliance. nine0003 Anti-drip system and nylon filter
Disposable paper filters can be an alternative to the reusable filter. They come in different sizes and are marked with the numbers 1, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 12, which roughly corresponds to the number of cups (servings of coffee). Most often you can find filters #2 and #4. "Two" is suitable for coffee makers with a volume in the region of 600-900 ml, "four" - from a liter and above.
Disposable paper filterThe disposable filter does not need to be washed: it can be carefully removed and disposed of with the coffee waste. Naturally, the filters are replaceable (if you wish, you can abandon the reusable filter and switch to disposable ones). nine0003
Heater power
Most drip coffee makers have a power of less than a kilowatt, which, however, is not a disadvantage: the device starts working after the heater has reached the required temperature, and the power required directly for heating water is not so high.
Although, of course, it will be more difficult to meet a high-powered coffee maker that does not heat the water strongly enough than among low-powered models.
Anti-drip system
Drip coffee makers are equipped with an anti-drip system that blocks the flow of coffee when the jug is removed. This system is implemented with the help of a special "faucet", which is pressed by the lid of the jug. Of course, it will not be possible to completely avoid leaks: a few drops will inevitably fall on the heating platform. nine0003
Automatic shutdown
Drip coffee makers are designed in such a way that they spill the entire volume of water from the tank, after which they switch to the mode of heating the drink, which lasts an average of about half an hour to an hour. So you will have to follow the need to manually turn off the device only if you do not want to use up all the water from the tank.
What if it's more expensive?
More expensive drip coffee makers can provide a much larger range of options.
The most interesting and useful of them are the functions of dosing a portion of water and the presence of a built-in coffee grinder. It is no secret that any coffee drink will turn out better if you use freshly ground beans for its preparation. And therefore, if you drink exclusively Americano, then it is quite logical to combine a coffee grinder and a coffee maker in one appliance and thus save space on the kitchen table. nine0003
It is especially pleasant that some models are equipped with real burr grinders, which allow you to quite accurately adjust the degree of grinding of grain. At the same time, the price of such devices may turn out to be relatively low (commensurate with the price of a separate coffee grinder).
There are also simpler knife grinders, which, of course, affects the quality of the finished drink not for the better.
When it comes to adjusting the volume of water, most of these devices will allow you to set the amount of water "in cups" at the rate of 120-130 ml per cup.
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The presence of such features significantly improves the overall impression of the operation of the device: ready-made coffee from beans can be obtained by pressing just a couple of buttons, while there is no need to ensure that the water in the tank is filled exactly as much as necessary.
Less "smart" models can offer a delay start function, thanks to which you can program the preparation of a drink at a specific time. It is clear that this function does not relieve other concerns (grinding coffee, filling in the required amount of water, etc.). nine0003
Conclusions
It would seem: if all drip coffee makers have similar functionality and brew approximately the same coffee, then what is the problem of choice? We poured the right amount of coffee, poured as much water as needed - we got a drink. It turns out that not everything is so simple.
To begin with, we mention that the cheapest models can be equipped with an unsuccessful water supply design, as a result of which part of the coffee in the filter does not enter the water jet and simply does not brew.
This problem is rare, but sometimes it does occur. Frankly "Chinese" coffee makers can bring the taste or smell of plastic. This problem is also not very common, and in some cases is eliminated by several idle starts of the coffee maker. nine0003
But what happens often is an insufficient level of water heating, and it is not possible to predict this problem by insufficient power of the coffee maker: this “disease” occurs both in not very powerful appliances and in coffee makers with a power of about a kilowatt (which in theory should be more than sufficient). At the same time, some devices "cunning", bringing the drink to the desired temperature already in the jug. It is clear that such belated heating is no longer able to affect the taste of coffee. nine0003
Recall that the temperature of the water at the time of contact with coffee should be 93 °C. The preparation time of the drink should be from 4 to 8 minutes. And if we can influence the time of the strait by increasing or decreasing the grinding of grain, then compliance with the temperature regime is beyond our competence.
Especially strong "underheating" is manifested when preparing small amounts of drink (1-2 cups). This problem can be partly corrected by pre-spilling water (that is, warming up the coffee maker before starting to make coffee), but this requires additional time and re-topping of water, which is ultimately recognized as inappropriate. nine0003
Alas, it is impossible to identify this problem without going directly to the operation of the coffee maker. Unless, by referring to the reviews and comments of those who purchased the model of interest earlier. Alternatively, you can trust the brand in the hope that the manufacturer with a big name will not release a frankly bad device.
As a final note, drip coffee makers are best at making coffee corresponding to the "average" volume of the jug. According to the recommendations of the Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA), the ideal coffee in a drip coffee maker, according to these recommendations, will turn out if you take 90-120 g of coffee per 1.
9 liters of water. This proportion is easier to remember if you calculate that the weight of water should be about 15 times the weight of coffee.
In practice, this means that many drip coffee makers simply cannot brew the maximum amount. For example, on a standard jug of 1200 ml, you will have to pour about 80 grams of coffee. It is clear that in practice this is unlikely to be realized: even if such an amount of coffee can be placed in a small filter, water will pass through it too slowly, which threatens to overflow coffee grounds and clog the anti-drip system. nine0003
If you brew too small a portion, the coffee maker will not have time to warm up, which will lead to a deterioration in the quality of the drink (let's not forget that even with a good coffee maker, the water temperature at the beginning of preparation will be lower than in the middle of the process).
Therefore, before choosing a drip coffee maker, you have to figure out how much coffee you are going to prepare most often and choose a coffee maker so that the volume you choose corresponds to half the jug or ⅔ of its volume.
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As for possible problems with insufficient water heating, it will not be possible to identify them by visual inspection or study of technical documentation. Deal with it.
Which type of coffee maker is best? Types of coffee makers and their differences
There are two main types of electric coffee makers: carob and drip. How they differ and which type is better - we will understand in more detail.
Main differences
| Drip coffee maker | Carob coffee maker | |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | Compact | Solid |
| Cost | Below | Above |
| Filter replacement | Regular (frequency depends on filter type) | Not required |
| Foam | No | Yes |
| Cooking speed | From 2 minutes | From 30 seconds |
| Beverage type | Americano | Espresso, latte, cappuccino |
| Coffee consumption per serving | 10-12 g | 6-8 g |
| Noise | Silent | Noisy |
Now more
Drip coffee makers
The main components of the drip coffee maker are a container for cold water, a compartment with a heating element, a filter for ground beans and a coffee pot for the finished drink.
To make coffee, you need:
1. pour water;
2. pour ground coffee into the filter and level it; nine0118 3. turn on the device.
The cooking process will begin: the water will heat up, steam will form, which will condense above the filter. Condensate at a temperature of about 90° will flow through the ground coffee and absorb the taste and aroma of the beans. Due to the fact that the steam condenses slowly, the cycle will take about 2 minutes.
A drip coffee maker makes only 1 type of drink - filtered coffee, which can be compared to Americano. The strength and taste of the drink, in addition to the quality of the coffee itself, is affected by the amount of water spilled through the coffee crumb and the degree of grinding of the beans. nine0003
When buying a drip coffee maker, pay attention to:
- power : on average, a 650-800 W appliance prepares 100 ml of coffee in 2 minutes.
- number of cups per cycle : the simplest models make 1-2 cups at a time, while the more powerful ones can brew coffee for 12 cups.
- anti-drip system: the coffee maker is equipped with a valve that automatically stops dispensing coffee when the coffee pot is removed. nine0221
- keep warm function: the coffee stays warm until you switch off the appliance.
- filters - they can be paper or nylon. Paper ones are used once. Nylon is enough for about 60 cycles.
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Carob coffee makers
A carob coffee maker differs from a drip coffee maker in that it is not hot water that passes through the ground coffee, but steam under pressure. Later, it condenses and ends up in the cup. The result is an aromatic espresso without sediment. The name of the machine is due to the compartment for ground coffee - the horn. nine0003
Carob coffee makers are of two types:
- Pump. Water is heated to 95 ° C and at a pressure of 15 bar is served through ground coffee. To achieve this pressure, you need a pump. The power of pump coffee makers, as a rule, is higher than 1000 watts. Coffee is prepared in 1 minute. They cost more than steam.
- Steam (or boiler). Heat water up to 100°C. The steam passes through the filter at a natural pressure of 4-9 bar. Steam coffee makers do not produce as strong coffee as pump coffee makers. Cooking will take about 2 minutes.
By the way, geyser coffee makers work on the same principle! nine0221
Here's how to make coffee in a carob coffee maker:
1. put the ground coffee in the filter horn;
2. compact the powder well with tempera;
3. install the horn in the coffee maker and start it;
4. wait for the cycle to stop automatically or stop manually;
5. Don't forget to throw away the used coffee and clean the horn.
When buying a carob coffee maker, the following are important:
- Power . The more powerful the device, the faster the drink will be prepared. Carob coffee makers can prepare 100 ml of drink per minute.
- Cappuccinatore available. The nozzle is immersed in a cup of cold milk and whipped with steam until a soft foam. Add pre-brewed coffee to frothed milk for an aromatic cappuccino!
- Water tank volume . With any volume of the water tank, the carob coffee maker prepares a maximum of 2 servings per cycle, but the larger the tank, the less often it will have to be filled - this is convenient.
And it’s also convenient when the water tank is transparent: you can immediately see if you need to top up. nine0221 - Pressure . To prepare a classic espresso, the pressure must be at least 8-9 bar.
- Pump . The most reliable is the Italian-made pump.
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