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Top drip coffee makers 2023


The Best Drip Coffee Makers of 2023

It’s no secret that coffee makes the world a better place — and the people in it too. One of the easiest ways to make multiple servings of high-quality coffee is with a drip coffee maker. With an automatic drip machine, simply fill the water chamber with room-temperature water and add ground coffee to the filter basket. The water then heats and drips through the filter into a coffee pot, ready for you to enjoy. To help you get a perfectly balanced brew every morning, we’ve sought out the top drip coffee makers in 2023 based on overall quality, capacity and extra features. Our top picks offer a perfect match for every type of java lover.

Best Overall: Krups Simply Brew Drip Coffee Maker

Large Capacity: Cuisinart PerfecTemp Drip Coffee Maker

Budget-friendly: Black+Decker Drip Coffee Maker

Single-touch: Mr. Coffee Drip Coffee Maker

Dual-function: Keurig Drip Coffee Maker

Best Drip Coffee Maker Brands of 2023

Krups Simply Brew Drip Coffee Maker: Best Overall

List Price: $39. 99 - $59.99

Courtesy of Amazon

The Krups Simply Brew Drip Coffee Maker takes our number one spot because of its high-quality, user-friendly design. Compact and simple, its strong functionality makes us love it all the more. Let’s start with the pot: the glass design has clearly marked cup measurements, a drip-free spout and is even dishwasher-friendly.

This coffee maker boasts a five-cup brewing capacity and a handy “Pause and Brew” feature that allows you to pause the machine mid-brew to pour a cup before finishing its cycle. With a cup warmer to keep your mug of joe piping hot, you don’t have to worry about getting pulled away from your coffee and missing the optimal drinking temperature. The reusable filter makes for less waste, keeping this an eco-friendly option.

Pros

Cons

Cuisinart PerfecTemp Drip Coffee Maker: Large Capacity

List Price: $99. 95 - $129.99

Courtesy of Amazon

The Cuisinart PerfecTemp Drip Coffee Maker has a range of wonderful features that allows you to enjoy your coffee just the way you like it. A digital display screen with buttons controls brew strength, carafe temperature and brew quantity, and it has an impressive maximum brewing capacity of 14 cups.

This machine will alert you when your coffee is ready, and it features 24-hour programmability so you can wake up to the smell of ready-made java. It also comes with a built-in charcoal water filter and a reusable gold-tone coffee filter, helping to keep your morning brew both pure and flavorful.

Pros

Cons

Black+Decker Drip Coffee Maker: Budget-friendly

List Price: $39. 99

 

Courtesy of Amazon

This coffee machine is all about quick, easy and affordable, but that doesn’t mean it’s without some of your favorite fancy features. Black+Decker offers a budget-friendly programmable drip coffee maker that can brew up to 12 cups in one go, and it features a glass carafe with a thick, sturdy non-slip handle.

This coffee maker has an easy-to-read digital display with rubberized buttons that make programming it simple. The non-stick plate will keep your coffee warm for up to an hour after brewing, and it also has an auto-off feature that kicks in after two hours if it’s not being used.

Pros

Cons

Mr. Coffee Drip Coffee Maker: Single-touch

List Price: $34.66 - $36.89

Courtesy of Amazon

This single-touch drip coffee maker only requires you to fill the water reservoir, insert the coffee grounds and press one button. Easy to use and easy to clean, this 12-cup coffee maker from Mr. Coffee features a water window with measurement markings for best accuracy in water-coffee beans/pod proportions.

The glass coffee pot itself also has clearly marked measurements at two-cup intervals. If you need to sneak a quick cup before the brew cycle is finished, the machine will automatically pause when you pick up the carafe. When the carafe is placed back on the plate, the coffee maker will continue its cycle until the rest of the brewing is complete.

Pros

Cons

Keurig Drip Coffee Maker: Dual Function

List Price: $189.99 - $229.99

Courtesy of Amazon

Can’t decide between a filter or a capsule machine? Keurig makes sure you can reap the benefits of both this 2-in-1 drip coffee maker. Adding to its value, the machine houses a 60-ounce water reservoir that’s shared by the single-cup capsule feeder and the glass carafe’s filter.

On one side, this coffee maker can brew up to 12 cups of filter coffee into a glass pot, and on the other, you can pop a capsule into the machine for a 12-ounce cup. Built to conveniently adjust settings, buttons to adjust the quantity of coffee and brew strength are found on top of the machine.

Pros

Cons

Guide to Shopping for a Drip Coffee Maker

Drip coffee makers have a host of advantages, making them a popular choice for homes and offices. For example, they’re so easy to use, they don’t require any brewing experience and you can make large quantities of coffee at a single time. Drip coffee makers are generally inexpensive, but the more bells and whistles your automatic barista has, the more the machine will set you back. In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know when shopping for a drip coffee maker in 2023.

Features that affect brew quality

The size of the drip coffee maker you choose is certainly important, but there’s something else you should consider first: the features your machine includes. If you buy a large-capacity machine but only brew one cup of coffee at a time, certain features will affect the quality of your single-cup brew specifically. Others will be more important for a larger capacity machine. We’ll parse out both circumstances below, as well as discuss the other features to keep in mind.

Automatic drip coffee makers take care of most of the drip timing, temperature and measuring for you. Since some machines are built economically (both in terms of size and cost), manufacturers may prioritize factors other than what makes for optimal brewing. What is optimal, though?

Let’s say your drip coffee maker has a 12-cup capacity, but you only want to brew enough for two cups. A machine that runs or drips at the same speed regardless of the amount being brewed won’t allow the grinds enough time to fully absorb the water, which will result in under-extracted grinds and a weak brew.

If you consider yourself something of a coffee connoisseur, you’ll want to look for a drip coffee maker that allows you to select the number of cups you want to brew and then automatically adjusts its speed accordingly — this way, regardless of whether you make two cups or 10 cups, the brew’s quality and strength will always be the same (assuming the beans and grind are the same). Alternatively, some drip coffee makers allow you to manually adjust drip speed and temperature for a stronger brew.

Water that’s too cold, or grinds that are too coarse, will require additional time for flavor extraction. Drip coffee makers ideally use a medium grind, while espresso machines take a fine grind. Plunger or French press coffee makers, on the other hand, take a coarse grind to prevent over-extraction.

If you just need your caffeine fix and aren’t too concerned about slight inconsistencies when it comes to brewing smaller or larger amounts, drip speed probably isn’t something you’ll need to worry about too much. And if you only need a two or four-cup drip coffee maker, a single-speed machine will do the trick.

Brewing quantity

A two to four-cup drip coffee maker is a compact solution that’s ideal for two people. If you’re buying a machine for an office or a larger household, though, a machine with an eight to 12-cup capacity is a better choice. Even better, you may want to consider a dual-pot coffee maker — these machines are larger, but they allow you to brew either one or two pots at a time. You can even brew two different flavors of coffee at once, making them a super convenient option for the household divided on coffee flavor.

Thermal vs. glass

Drip coffee makers come with either a glass or a thermal pot. Thermal coffee pots are insulated, which allows you to brew a large pot of coffee and keep it at a consistent temperature without placing it on a hot plate. When coffee sits on a hot plate, the continued heating can cause it to become acidic and bitter due to “overcooking.” Some thermal pots are also easily to handle, allowing you to prepare coffee in the kitchen and take the pot to a meeting room or your entertainment area for guests to help themselves.

Glass coffee pots are not insulated, and drip coffee makers that come with a glass pot will have a hot plate. This hot plate will either automatically turn on and off, with a timer setting, or by manually pressing a button. The longer the pot sits on the heated plate, the more the brew’s freshness and flavor will diminish, but these plates are ideal if you just want to keep fresh coffee warm for a short period. The great thing about glass pots is that you can see how much coffee is inside, which you can’t do with an insulated pot.

Built-in grinder

Although buying pre-ground coffee is convenient, there are numerous benefits to having a drip coffee maker with a built-in grinder. If you’re a self-proclaimed coffee connoisseur rather than simply a caffeine craver, this feature might be essential for you.

In the same way that avocados or bananas turn brown once cut and exposed to air, ground coffee beans are also affected by oxidation. In both of these cases, the fresh product starts to deteriorate quickly, which is anything but ideal.

Grinding exposes the bean structure to oxygen creating new molecules in the process. The moisture in oxygen also reacts with the natural compounds present and causes the flavorful oils to evaporate. In fact, releasing the natural oils is one reason freshly ground coffee beans smell so great. In short, light, air and moisture all affect the quality of the beans. Flavor only continues to escape while the beans sit after being ground and before being used.

Grinding beans right before brewing allows you to get the full flavor and aroma of freshly released oils. A built-in grinder allows you to grind just the right amount you need, and you can even mix in different beans to customize your blend. Without this feature, it will take far longer to prepare the same amount of fresh bean coffee or you will have to sacrifice taste.

Showerhead holes

To extract flavor, drip coffee makers traditionally have a single hole above their filter that releases a stream of water over the center of the grounds. However, coffee makers with showerhead holes can release a wider spray of water in the filter, which allows for better distribution of hot water and results in even saturation and flavor extraction.

Programming

A drip coffee maker that allows you to program various features will cost a little more, but if you like to wake up to the smell of freshly brewed coffee, it may be worth your while. You can program your machine to wake up at 6 a.m. and start brewing so that when your alarm clock goes off at 6:10 a.m., your coffee will be ready for you.

Other programmable features might include brewing temperature, the length of time you want the hot plate to stay on after brewing, and automatic machine shutdown after a drip cycle is complete.

High-end drip coffee makers also feature a programmable automatic pre-soak, or “bloom,” that lasts between 15 seconds and 4 minutes. When you add hot water to freshly roasted coffee, it rapidly releases CO2, and this degassing allows for better flavor extraction. If you’re using freshly roasted and ground beans, a pre-soak can intensify the rich aroma of your brew.

Filter type

Drip coffee makers either require disposable paper filters or reusable mesh filters. Because they create less waste, reusable filters are more eco-friendly, and you also don’t have to worry about running out of filters or not being able to find the type that’s compatible with your machine.

Machine size

A coffee machine usually lives on a countertop, whether that’s in your home’s kitchen or at work. It’s not the kind of appliance you’ll want to haul out of the cupboard every time you want a cup of java, so consider the counter space you have available before buying that extra-large, dual-pot coffee machine.

You should ideally place your drip coffee maker near a power outlet, but make sure it’s easily accessible from the top, front and sides. You’ll need to lift the top lid to fill the water reservoir and place grinds in the machine, so if you place the machine on a countertop under a set of wall-mounted cabinets, you might struggle to open it from the top.

Cleaning and maintenance

It’s important to clean your drip coffee maker regularly to prevent limescale, mold and residue buildup. Clean the grinds out of the filter after every use, and if your machine uses a reusable filter, you’ll need to wash this with warm water daily. Grinds can settle in the filter holder and build up over time, which will prevent the liquid from dripping through. The coffee pot also needs a wash with warm soapy water after every use to help prevent stains.

Your drip coffee maker’s user manual will provide instructions for a thorough cleaning every one to three months depending on how often you use it. We recommend running a diluted vinegar blend through the machine once a month and a decalcifying agent through it once every three months.

To do this, run a small cycle (one or two cups) of equal parts vinegar and water through the machine — don’t place any grinds in the machine while doing so. After you’ve done one diluted vinegar cycle, run two or three more cycles with just water to remove any residual vinegar before using the machine again. The same process applies to descaling with a decalcifying agent.

People Also Asked

Q: Do I need to clean a drip coffee maker before using it for the first time?
A: Before using your drip coffee maker for the first time, run water through it without any grinds to clear out any dust from the packaging.

Q: How long does a drip coffee maker last?

A: Your new drip coffee maker should last anywhere between five and 10 years — the exact length will depend on the quality of the machine, how often you use it and how well it’s maintained with regular cleaning.

Q: Can coffee makers get moldy?

A: Yes, it’s not uncommon for mold or yeast to develop in a drip coffee maker’s water reservoir. If you don’t regularly clean out the coffee grinds, mold can easily form in the filter as well, which is why it’s important to regularly run vinegar solution cycles through the machine.

Q: Can you reuse coffee grounds?

A: Typically, you shouldn’t use coffee grounds more than twice. By the second time, most of the flavor will be gone, so it’s better to only use them once if you can.

Q: How much coffee do you use to produce 2 cups of drip coffee?

A: You’ll want to have 16 oz of water and four tablespoons of coffee. For each cup of coffee you want, you should use two tablespoons of coffee and 8 oz of water.

Why Trust Us

Our commitment to the consumer begins with product selection and ends with the last word we write in each article. Each drip coffee maker is carefully vetted quantitatively through star ratings and number of reviews qualitatively through careful examination of reviews and the features each one has to offer. Leveraging our team of bargain hunters, we’re also always sure to keep your budget in mind while we find the best machines on the market. Our team of experts is dedicated to accurately depicting the pros and cons of each drip coffee maker, translating technical product specifications into information you can understand. Our mission is to make sure you get the most bang for your buck…or in this case, the most caffeine for your cash.

Best drip coffee makers 2023: tested by our experts

(Image credit: OXO)

Some of us require copious amounts of coffee to function, while others can get their days started with just a single cup. The common link: the best drip coffee maker is a must-have.

I, along with a number of our product testers, trialed a wide range of drip coffee makers to ensure that only the best ones made this list, and earned a spot on your kitchen counter. The parameters? Drip coffee makers should be easy to use, so we tested all the functions and settings over a few weeks, examined special features, plus checked how easy each appliance was to clean. 

Of course, the most important part of our testing process included ensuring consistent, dependable flavor and temperature. After all, who doesn't love to want to wake up to a glorious and fragrant cup of coffee?

The best coffee makers of all types need to be well-priced, too, and this also affects each drip coffee maker's rating. Keep reading to see our best buys. 

The best drip coffee makers of 2023, as tested by our team

Why you can trust Homes & Gardens 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.

(Image credit: OXO)

1. OXO 8 Cup Coffee Maker

Best drip coffee maker, overall

Specifications

Cups: 8

Dimensions: 13.5" x 10.5" x 7"

Warranty: 2 years

RRP: $199.95

Today's Best Deals

Reasons to buy

+

Brew a single cup or a full carafe

+

BetterBrew precision brewing meets SCA Golden Cup Standard requirements

+

Space efficient 

Reasons to avoid

-

The water tank isn't removable

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Not programmable

The OXO 8 Cup Coffee Maker is one of a handful of home drip coffee makers that meet the Specialty Coffee Association's Golden Cup Standard – though we should note several of these brewers have made our list or were considered. This certification means that the brewer reached the association's standards for water quality, coffee-to-water ratio, grind/particle size distribution with a temperature between 195 and 205 degrees, and a brewing time of fewer than eight minutes for the best cup. The OXO brews a whole pot in less than six.

Why we love it
Amazing coffee doesn't have to be fussy, and sometimes, we think it's necessary to skip bells and whistles to get to the good stuff. OXO's 8-Cup Coffee Maker makes a great cup of coffee each time, it's reliable and attractive. Plus, the fact that it has the ability to brew a single cup is very nice. 

Key features
OXO forgoes complicated settings, and instead focuses solely on the drip coffee. Brewing is a breeze with just two buttons: a switch to toggle between the full-carafe or 1-4 cups and power. OXO's BetterBrew precision brewing system controls water temperature, volume, and brewing time, all of which contributed to its Golden Cup Standard rating. to get the right cup every time, I'll use the included measuring scoop for the perfect cup every time. OXO recommends using 2 Tbsp per 1- cup, but we found that 3:4 ratio of coffee to cups was just as rich, and slowed down how much coffee we were going through.  

 A rainmaker showerhead evenly distributes water over the grounds. The OXO uses a leak-proof double-wall, vacuum-insulated thermal carafe that keeps your coffee's temperature without the need for a hot plate, which could burn the coffee. 

Also, should you want just to brew a single cup of drip coffee (i.e., the 1-4 cup option) sans coffee pods, the OXO brew includes an optional single-serve accessory to enhance the flavor for one-mug brewing. 

Good to know
Now, what the coffee maker does not have: is programmability or timers to fuss with. We thought we'd miss being able to program, but if you're really keen on having the best coffee, you're more likely to ground fresh beans every morning than let grounds sit overnight. 

We also love its slim profile that can tuck into small spaces. The water tank, however, is not removable and does not include a filter. 

(Image credit: Breville)

2. Breville Precision Thermal Brewer

Best drip coffee maker for coffee perfectionists

Specifications

Cups: 12

Dimensions: 12. 4” x 6.7” x 15.7”

Warranty: 2 years

RRP: $329.95

Today's Best Deals

Reasons to buy

+

Beautiful design and slim shape

+

6 preset brewing modes

+

2 filter baskets

+

Temperature control

+

3 flow rates

+

LCD screen

+

Stainless steel carafe

Reasons to avoid

-

Expensive

-

Water tank is not removable

Now, if you're the type who loves to experiment with their drip coffee specifications and tailor-make their coffee down to bloom time, well, the Breville Precision Thermal Brewer will have your coffee routine transformed.

Why we love it
Not many coffee makers offer the level of customization that Breville's various presets and customization features give, and it brews consistently delicious coffee every time. Our tester Terri says 'The coffee maker’s small footprint makes it ideal for those without a lot of space, and the beautiful design appeals to people who believe aesthetics is as important as performance.' 

Key features 
The coffee maker has six pre-set brewing modes, including Strong, Gold (meets SCA requirements for a Golden Cup Standard), Fast, Over Ice, and Cold Brew, but the real magic is you can even customize (and save) settings for temperature, bloom speed, and flow rate. Everything is precisely down to your desired specifications, and it's easy to operate with the LCD screen and control dial.  It’s programmable too, so you can set it to start brewing before you wake up, but if you do sleep through the smell of fresh coffee, the thermal carafe keeps the coffee hot for a longer time without the risk of burning the coffee as a hot plate can. Depending on the amount of coffee you choose to brew (up to 12 cups), there are also two filter baskets: a cone-shape and a flat-bottom filter, which is recommended to use when brewing more than 8 cups.  

Good to know
The coffee maker itself is not cheap, but the price reflects the materials (stainless steel parts), advanced technology (Thermo Coil Heating System), and customization features. We never felt limited by our options.

Our Breville Precision Brewer Thermal Coffee Maker review has more details.

(Image credit: Ninja)

3. Ninja DualBrew Pro

Best drip coffee maker for variety

Specifications

Cups: 12 cups/ 60 oz.

Dimensions: 11.39" L X 9.13" W X 15.54" H

Warranty: 1 year

Today's Best Deals

Reasons to buy

+

Slim design

+

Touch-screen feels high end 

+

Brews a variety of sizes from 2 to 55 oz. to minimize waste

+

Built-in measuring scoop and whisk-style milk frother

+

Hot water option

+

Option to go pod-free, use K-cups, or brew 12-cups

Reasons to avoid

-

Not intuitive to use out of the box

-

K-Cup Adapter has to be removed to brew a carafe

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Specialty coffee concentrate is not a true espresso and requires clean up to brew specialty-serve consecutively

There's no shortage of coffee combinations that you can make with the Ninja DualBrew Pro: Classic, Rich, Over Ice, Specialty (sort of like a super-concentrated espresso), various cup sizes ranging, a built-in milk frother, and even a hot water dispenser. But the real selling point is the opportunity to alternate between a k-cup compatible machine to a 12-cup coffee maker. 

Why we love it
There are really many reasons to love the Ninja DualBrew Pro, and it's the machine my family uses daily for its caffeine needs with the ability to choose to use K-cups or coffee grounds or have a quick hot water source. The fold-away milk frother means lattes have never been easier, and the built-in coffee scoop takes out any measuring guesswork.

Key features
The Ninja DualBrew Pro is one of the most feature-laden coffee makers we've seen in some time with numerous brewing options and cup customizations. The removable Ninja Adapter Pod works with K-cups and is removed to make single-cups up to carafe sizes. It arrives inserted into the filter basket, and though it took some time for me to figure out, once you know how to use the DualBrew Pro and its many features, switching between grounds, k-cups or the hot water dispenser becomes muscle memory.  

Good to know
The latest update feels high-tech with a digital touch screen that automatically knows which setting to use, and we're very into the boxy retro design. It doesn't take up much space on your countertop either, which is nice, though you'll want to find a space to store the K-cup adapter when brewing with grounds... but it's a small price to pay for not needing two coffee units out.  The DualBrew Pro Specialty Coffee Maker is like having your own coffeehouse on your kitchen counter.

(Image credit: DeLonghi)

4. De'Longhi All in One Combination Coffee Maker

Best drip coffee maker for coffee, and espresso too

Specifications

Tank size: 32oz.

Pressure: 15 bar

Dimensions: 17.5in x 14in x 12.25in

Warranty: 1-year

RRP: $299.95

Today's Best Deals

Reasons to buy

+

Variety of coffee and espresso options

+

Run both drip coffee and espresso maker at the same time

+

Superb value

+

24-hour programmable timer

Reasons to avoid

-

Wider than a standard coffee machine

-

No built-in grinder, and espresso side is loud

The DeLonghi All in One Combination Coffee Maker is your perfect machine if you like to switch up your coffee routine by the day, or even the time of day, for when you crave either a classic cup of coffee or espresso for a caffeine boost.

Why we love it
Two machines in the footprint of one, of course. Our tester Terri says, "Most of the De’Longhi All-in-One Combination Coffee Maker’s features can be summed up in its title. A machine that does everything – and does it well – can’t be overstated." While the Ninja DualBrew Pro is great for the coffee lover going between single or multiple servings, the Delonghi All-in-One is built for those who want coffee and espresso at home.

Key features
The De'Longhi All-in-One Combination Coffee Maker conveniently replaces the need for you to invest in both an espresso maker with an advanced milk frothing steam wand and a drip coffee machine. It has a digital touchscreen control, a Bold brew setting, an updated front-loading water tank, and a spillproof glass carafe. 

It comes with attachments that allow you to brew up to 10 cups of filter coffee, as well as a portafilter for single and double shots of espresso, and can work both sides of the machine at the same time. And it functions with ESE pods. 

Good to know
The espresso side has a 15-bar pressure pump for authentic espressos brewed at the optimal pressure and a steam wand to prepare your favorite lattes. Depending on how familiar you are with the espresso brewing process, it may require a learning curve, but it's so worth it! 

Our De'Longhi All-in-One Combination Coffee Maker review has more details.

(Image credit: Technivorm)

5. Technivorm Moccamaster KBGV Select 10-Cup Coffee Maker

Best drip coffee maker to splurge on

Specifications

Filter type: Paper

Water filter: Yes

Warming plate: Yes

Programmable: No

Cups: 10

Dimensions: 6.5 x 12.75 x 14 in.

Warranty: 5 years

RRP: $359- $379

Today's Best Deals

Reasons to buy

+

Tons of color options from metallics to neons 

+

Quiet operation and fast brewing

+

Meets SCA and ECBC qualifications for the perfect cup of coffee

+

Drip coffee maker that resembles the pour-over experience

Reasons to avoid

-

Expensive for minimal functions

-

Set up and installing takes a little getting used to

When we see someone with a Technivorm Moccamaster KBGV Select in their kitchen, we know they're someone who is very serious about their coffee. So, if you're looking to invest in your coffee machine, or perhaps you're swayed by the striking, boxy design... either way, you're in for a caffeine-fueled treat. 

Why we love it
Moccamaster coffee makers are simply built differently. We're enamored with its extremely quiet operation and can speedily brew a whole 10-cup pot in as little as six minutes. Together, the Moccamaster meets the qualifications set by the Specialty Coffee Association and the European Coffee Brewing Center as the perfect cup of coffee, and it makes a pretty tasty brew. Plus, the fact that they're available in a ton of colors from chromatic neutrals to even neons and bold primary hues is a reason for anyone looking for a machine that goes against the norm.

Moccamaster also offers a lengthy five-year warranty, and should any part start to deteriorate, the machines are made modularly to make it easy and sustainable to replace parts without having to replace the entire machine. 

Key Features
The Moccamaster is another machine that meets the rigorous qualifications set by the Specialty Coffee Association and the European Coffee Brewing Center for making the perfect cup of coffee.   It most closely resembles the experience you get from the best pour-over coffee makers, with its exclusive 9-hole drip arm that ensures even extraction and a smooth flavorful cup of coffee.  The KBGV Select offers the additional functionality to choose between brewing a half or full carafe to optimize brewing. 

Good to know
The Moccamaster is entirely handcrafted in the Netherlands, including the unique copper heating element that maintains that your coffee always heats between 196 and 206 degrees Fahrenheit, while the separate hot plate will maintain the glass carafe at temperatures between 175 and 185 degrees Fahrenheit for 100 minutes before shutting off. 

Our Technivorm Moccamaster KBGV Coffee Maker review has more details.

(Image credit: Braun)

6. Braun Brew Sense Drip Coffee Maker

Best value coffee maker

Specifications

Cups: 12

Dimensions: 17 x 13 x 11.25 inches

Warranty: 1 year

RRP: $109. 95

Today's Best Deals

Reasons to buy

+

Frequently available for under $100

+

Programmable

+

Pure flavor technology ensures your coffee comes out just right

Reasons to avoid

-

No strength or temperature control

The sleek-looking Brew Sense Drip Coffee Maker will look great on your countertop, makes a great cup of coffee, and can consistently be found for under $100.

Why we love it
It makes great-tasting coffee, for one, and has a design that makes it look a lot more expensive than it is. If you're after a basic coffee machine that has everything you need, and nothing you don't, the Braun Brew Sense is a great option. It ticks the boxes for those looking for programmability, water filters, a permanent gold-filter option, and a hot plate that shuts off automatically. .. and sometimes that's all you really need.

Key Features
You'll find a lot of flexibility with the Braun BrewSense, with the ability to brew as little as 11 oz. or a full 12-cup carafe. Braun uses pure flavor technology to ensure your coffee is made at the right temperature and brewing time to extract the best coffee flavor and aroma. 

Good to know
The machine includes standard features like a brew-pause functionality, a charcoal filter, and a cleaning feature that can be customized to different water hardness levels.  It does not however offer any ability to adjust machine temperature or brew strength. You have the option to use its included gold-tone filter, or your paper filters.

(Image credit: Cuisinart)

7. Cuisinart DGB-800 Fully Automatic Burr Grind & Brew

Best drip coffee maker with a built-in grinder

Specifications

Cups: 12

Dimensions: 8.74" x 11.96" x 16.34"

Warranty: 3-years

RRP: $199. 99

Today's Best Deals

Reasons to buy

+

The built-in stainless steel burr grinder

+

Adjustable grind size and coffee strength

+

Programmable 

+

Available with thermal or glass carafe

+

Hopper holds a half-pound of whole beans

Reasons to avoid

-

Difficult to clean

-

It's large

-

Grinder is loud

It's true that the best-tasting coffee comes from freshly ground beans, and the Cuisinart Grind & Brew perfectly grinds the beans for you and then delivers piping hot coffee straight into your carafe.

Why we love it
Grinding is an essential part of getting delicious coffee, but it sure is nice when a coffee maker can do it for you, and take out a step, and perhaps another small appliance in your kitchen. Coffee will never have tasted fresher.

Key Features
The hopper can hold up to 1/2 lb. of whole beans and has a completely sealed design to keep your beans from connecting with air. When brewing,  you'll select a strength option, and the number of cups, and the machine automatically doses the correct amount of beans to use with a stainless steel burr grinder.  Once brewing is complete, the hot plate stays on for four hours. If you can find the Thermal version in stock, the thermal carafe fits up to 10 glasses, compared to the glass version's 12, and promises to keep coffee hot for hours, but does not offer up a specific length of time. It's also fully programmable and comes with a charcoal water filter. You can also turn off the grinding feature if you want to use pre-ground coffee.

Good to know
As this Cuisinart Grind & Brew includes some more complicated components than a standard coffee maker, it does have a more involved cleaning schedule and users report that the grinder is really loud. One Amazon reviewer compared it to 'a mini jetliner on take off.'

(Image credit: Nespresso)

8. Nespresso Vertuo Next Coffee & Espresso Machine by Breville

Best single-serve drip coffee maker

Specifications

Tank size: 37oz.

Dimensions: 16.97in. x 5.5in. x 12.52in.

Warranty: 1 year

Today's Best Deals

Reasons to buy

+

Makes coffee and espresso

+

Made with sustainable materials

+

Can brew five different cup sizes, plus an 18 oz. carafe

+

Can be purchased with or without milk frother

+

Many color options

Reasons to avoid

-

Pods create waste

-

Smaller pod capacity

Nespresso remains one of the most popular pod coffee brands, and Nespresso's Vertuo Next brews up both delicious coffee and espresso at the touch of a button.

Why we love it
Who wouldn't love delicious coffee just popping in a pod? With 16 standard coffee blends and dozens of specialty recipes, we've yet to grow bored with the numerous flavors available to try. And when paired with the Nespresso Aeroccinno, we have lattes at home within minutes. Our reviewer Louise says, 'The fast heat-up, single-use-button and automatic brewing adaption, means there’s little to no effort needed to get a great cup of coffee. No panicked rush figuring out which temperature you’d like or accidentally pushing the wrong symbol when you’re in a rush for work. Rather, all you need to do is grab a mug, choose your pod and you’re good to go. Oh, and make sure the water tank isnt empty.' So easy. 

Key Features
At 5.5 inches, the Nespresso Vertuo Next can easily fit into tight spaces... it's also made of a 54 percent recycled plastic body that doesn't skimp on color options. The 37oz. water tank capacity is enough to get you through a few espressos before having to refill.  

The Vertuo system is not quite a drip brewing method. Rather, the machine uses a Centrifusion brewing system to extract its flavor, which results in a beautiful crema layer. Vertuo also uses technology to deliver the optimal cup, taking into account cup size, pressure, brewing time, and temperature by scanning a barcode on each capsule.

Good to know
Unlike other Nespresso models, the Next can also brew an 18oz. carafe for when one cup isn't enough, as well as the standard 5oz., 8oz., and 14oz. options and single and double espresso shots.   

Our full Nespresso Vertuo Next review has more details.

(Image credit: Café)

9. Café Specialty Drip Coffee Maker

Best smart drip coffee maker

Specifications

Tank size: 45 oz.

Dimensions: 14” H x 7.3” W x 12.5” D

Warranty: 1 year

RRP: $329

Today's Best Deals

Reasons to buy

+

Beautiful design

+

Temperature and brew-strength control

+

Wi-Fi enabled

+

Choice of thermal or glass carafe

Reasons to avoid

-

Expensive

With a name like Café Specialty Drip Coffee Maker, you would think this smart design would be complicated to use. Well, as feature-laden as this wifi-equipped and SCA-ranked drip coffee maker is, we've found it incredibly easy to use. 

Why we love it
Beyond looking absolutely stunning on your counter — it comes in a choice of three colors, finished with a rose gold trim — Cafe has delivered us a hardworking coffee machine. If the idea of controlling your coffee maker from bed or tinkering with settings down to the single digits appeal to you, well, this is drip coffee maker gets you one step closer to automating your kitchen into a smart kitchen. Our tester Terri says, 'It’s aesthetically appealing (to the nth degree), while also functional, providing precise temperatures and a variety of brew strengths.' 

Key Features
Perhaps the most distinctive feature is the ability to control the Café Specialty Drip Coffee Maker via Wifi. It works in conjunction with the SmartHQ app, Alexa, and Google Home, meaning you can brew and adjust settings with either your phone or voice. But what's most important: the quality of the brew. The Café Specialty Drip Coffee Maker has four core coffee settings: auto brew, precision brew to get coffee to a specific temperature, Gold Brew, which brews according to the SCA's Golden Cub Standard, and custom brew that lets you control your coffee's strength. It can brew up to 10 cups at a time, and is available as a glass or a thermal carafe, according to your preferences.

Our full Café Specialty Drip Coffee Maker review has more details.

(Image credit: Zwilling)

10. Zwilling Enfinigy Drip Coffee Maker

Best looking drip coffee maker

Specifications

Cups: 12

Dimensions: 13.7" x 12.8" x 6.02"

Warranty: 1 year

RRP: $270

Today's Best Deals

Reasons to buy

+

Programmable timer

+

Blooming function

+

Simple to use

+

Stylish design

Reasons to avoid

-

Hotplate only stays on for 30 minutes

We hold to the belief that your kitchen appliances need to contribute to the design of your kitchen as much as it functions for you. Zwilling's first drip coffee maker is sure to be a standout, with its stunning ridged design on the water tank.  

Why we love it
This drip coffee maker does exactly what is intended: makes smooth drip coffee. It's also easy to clean and maintain. And looks pretty attractive on your counter. 

Key Features
Beyond good looks, Zwillings Enfinigy Drip Coffee Maker can make up to 12 cups of coffee, offers a unique Blooming function for increased flavor and aroma, and can be programmed.

What sets it apart from others is its unique ridged water tank and a streamlined backlit display with a single knob that gives it an elevated look. Our discerning reviewer thought the plasticky part of the water tank did deter from what she was expecting but that's also a common feature of most of the machines on the market. Internally, the coffee maker has a corrosion-resistant stainless-steel boiler, plus the wide stainless steel shower head allows for even coffee moistening during blooming.

Good to know
An interesting design choice, the hot plate only stays on for 30 minutes following brewing, so if you want to let your coffee sit for long periods of time, this may not be the machine for you. 

Our full Zwilling Enfinigy Drip Coffee Maker review has more details.

How we review the best drip coffee makers

The Homes & Gardens' review process is editorially independent, and all of our reviews are based on real-life experiences of using them at home. 

Our coffee experts test out all the functions and settings over a period of time and examine special features and design, ease of use (including brewing and cleaning), and value for the money. Alongside our hands-on testing, we also research online user reviews and ask experts to see what wins them a spot in our guide. 

The products are given to us free of charge. Often times we are able to keep the coffee makers, which gives us the opportunity to return to our reviews for updating, so you can keep up-to-date with how it's fared over a period of time.

If we have reviewed a coffee maker in our guide, it will have a rating out of five stars and we will clearly state this in the summary of each product, as well as mention if it has an accompanying full product review. Some of the drip coffee makers in our guide have been fully reviewed on other Future Homes websites, and we've carried their ratings over, where necessary. 

For more insight into our hands-on review process, refer to our Homes & Gardens review guidelines.

Our testing team includes:

Ecommerce Editor

As Ecommerce Editor Jaclyn is constantly scoping out the best new products and releases for your home. Jaclyn has no less than four coffee makers out on display at one time; after all they all serve different functions. The mainstays in her house that still stay out time after time that apply to this particular guide: the family-friendly Ninja Dual Pro, and the Vertuo Next, coupled with its milk frother of course, for creamy, easy lattes at the touch of a button.  

Contributor

Terri Williams is a journalist with real estate, home improvement, and product review bylines at Architectural Digest, Real Simple, Realtor.com, Bob Vila, Yahoo, MSN, The San Francisco Chronicle, The Houston Chronicle, and Apartment Therapy. Terri drinks (decaf) coffee every day – and can drink it with or in place of breakfast, lunch, or dinner. She has tested dozens of coffee makers – and can always find time to test more.

Which drip coffee maker makes the hottest coffee?

The OXO 8 Cup Coffee Maker makes the hottest coffee, which is just one of the reasons it is our top pick of the best drip coffee makers.

How to choose the best drip coffee maker for you

Choosing a coffee maker is not a one-size-fits-all experience. The coffee makers on our list all make great coffee, but the best coffee maker for you comes down to considering your priorities... and maybe you can find something that has everything you want.

Capacity
Most drip coffee makers will typically brew up to 10 or 12 cups. A coffee cup is considered four ounces, so these machines will typically have water tanks up to 60 oz. 

Single-Cup Brewing
A major trend right now is the growing compatibility to brew a single-cup of coffee, without the need to brew a whole carafe. Many coffee makers have settings that will allow you to brew 1-4 cups and still maximize the experience, which is usually about enough coffee to fill a travel mug.

Size
Not all of us have space for hulking, industrial-sized coffee makers, and that's ok! If you're tight on space, you may want to consider a coffee maker that has a smaller footprint and geared toward smaller spaces. Additionally, consider where you will be storing the coffee maker and if any overhead cabinets will interfere with use. 

Thermal vs Glass Glass Carafe
There are two types of people in this world, those who like thermal carafe designs, or those who'd rather use a glass carafe with a hot plate, and most coffee makers make each model with either option. Thermal carafe designs are usually more expensive, are durable if dropped, and will keep coffee hotter for longer. Glass carafes are more fragile, but less likely to interfere with the taste of your coffee, like stainless steel can, and will be accompanied by a hot plate. If your model has a hot plate, consider how long it keeps coffee warm and whether it shuts off automatically. Sometimes, hot plates can burn the coffee is left sitting too long. 

Strength & Temperature Settings
Everyone takes their coffee so differently, it's convenient to be able to switch from mild to bolder settings, as well as the ability to change the temperature of your brew to your exact specifications.

Programmability
Some coffee machines will let you schedule your coffee maker up to 24 hours in advance. Another similar feature we've seen on machines is the ability to create a user profile that remembers your exact preparations, though this is usually found on more single-serve offerings.  

Water filter
Some coffee makers have compatibility with various water filters so you can fill up straight from the tap as opposed to a purified water source.

Removable water tank
It's usually considered a nice feature to have to make it easier to fill the machine, but definitely not necessary.

Filter Basket type
Coffee makers typically use paper filters that you'll need to remember to stock (and select the right size) or a permanent gold-tone filter. Paper filters usually brew smoother coffee, while sediment is more likely to flow through the permanent filters, which is a more European-style way of drinking coffee. Paper filters can be quickly disposed of, but permanent filters will need to be cleaned following each use. 

Special features
A growing number of machines feature nice extras like built-in milk frothers or grinders. They're very convenient, but still not as good as the real thing.  

Be sure to pair your new drip coffee maker with the best coffee grinder for fresher than fresh coffee and the best milk frother to whip up delicious lattes and cappuccinos at home. 

How to clean a drip coffee maker?

Cleaning a coffee machine that uses ground coffee is a messy, unavoidable chore. Paper filters are nice in that they can promptly be dropped into the compost -- as coffee grounds are extremely useful in the garden -- with a quick rinse to the filter basket, while gold-tone permanent filters do require a more rigorous cleaning. 

Removable parts, like the brew basket, can be washed with soapy water and it's fine to wipe down machines with a damp cloth. On some machines, there may even be dishwasher-safe parts. 

Typically, when it comes time to descale, your machine will let you know as well as detail their descaling process in the manual, which usually entails a descaling solution or vinegar mixed with water. 

Tip: Invest in a pretty coffee canister to sit beside your machine, on your countertop, to make filling your machine a breeze each morning.

Round up of today's best deals

OXO Brew 8 Cup Coffee Maker

£390.91

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Breville Precision Brewer Thermal

£258.95

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Ninja DualBrew Pro

£283.19

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Reduced Price

Technivorm Moccamaster KBGV Select

£249

£216. 45

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Nespresso Vertuo Next

£69

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Zwilling Enfinigy Drip Coffee Maker

£239.07

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Jaclyn is H&G's eCommerce editor and oversees all things shopping. She's also a bonafide sleep expert, and previously managed all sleep content on Homes & Gardens and Real Homes– in fact, she has passed our five-step certification process to become a verified customer advisor on mattresses. She regularly scouts out the best of the best for buying guides to help you fill your home with only the best.

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