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Written By
Terri Williams
Published Aug 1, 2023 5:00 PM
A drip coffee maker is as important an equipment as a fridge or (countertop) oven for many of us coffee lovers. And that’s no shock to Greg Dawson, director of coffee for Bellwether Coffee in Berkeley, Calif., who says drip coffee makers provide a number of benefits. “Generally, they are user-friendly, can produce a sizable amount of coffee at once, and offer customization options like brew strength and water temperature.”
Despite being simple to make use of, the sheer number of brewing equipment—from totally different sizes and shapes to the assortment of options out there—could make it tough to know what to search for when selecting one. However, we’ve tested many and additionally spoken with specialists to provide you with this listing of the best drip coffee makers.
How we selected the best drip coffee makers
As a contract journalist for over 10 years, I’ve reviewed residence and tech merchandise for publications together with Forbes, CNN Underscored, NBC News Select, Popular Mechanics, Architectural Digest, Tom’s Guide, The Daily Beast, USA Today’s Reviewed, TechRadar, Better Homes & Gardens, and Bob Vila. I’ve tested and written about a number of dozen coffee makers and introduced this expertise to the duty of narrowing down the drip coffee maker choices based mostly on numerous elements—and additionally interviewed a number of coffee specialists for strategies and tips about making the best cup.
The best drip coffee maker: Reviews & Recommendations
If you’re the sort of one who lives to tinker with each cup’s grind dimension and water temperature, it’s higher to go for a specialty coffee machine just like the xBloom. But one of many nice issues about drip coffee, and our strategies for drip coffee makers, is the quantity of effort required to get pleasure from your java is sort of minimal.
“Overall, the level of customization is limited in comparison to, say, a pour-over,” says Bellwether Coffee’s Dawson. “But if you are looking for a solid cup of joe in the morning, [a drip coffee maker] is a great choice.”
Based on rigorous testing and the elements defined on the finish of this roundup, together with our private love of coffee accouterments and suggestions from colleagues, these are the best drip coffee makers.
Why it made the lower: It’s programmable, with adjustable temperatures and customizable brewing modes—but simple to function and stunning to take a look at.
Specs
- Dimensions: 14” x 9” x 16”
- Weight: 3.15 kilos
- Brewing capability: 60 ounces
- Carafe: Thermal
Pros
- Six brewing mode presets
- SGA Gold Cup normal certification
- Includes each flat backside and cone filter baskets
- Three circulate charges
- Adjustable temperature
- Programmable
- Supports pour-over mode
Cons
- Water tank lid doesn’t connect
The Breville Precision Brewer has so many options that it’s exhausting to listing all of them. It has presets for Gold (in keeping with SCA Gold Cup requirements), Fast, Strong, Iced, Cold Brew, and you may even customise a My Brew choice to recollect your favourite settings. People who prefer to make changes will admire with the ability to alter the bloom time, brew temperature, and select from one in all three circulate charges for the Thermocoil heating system.
The beneficiant 60-ounce thermal carafe gives the power to brew a bit of or numerous coffee, and the water container has markings listed in each ounces and cups to make sure you pour simply the correct quantity of water. And because the form of the filter basket can decide the kind of coffee (for instance, a flat backside basket is healthier for medium and darkish roasts, whereas a cone form does higher with mild coffees), Breville contains each flat and cone-shaped choices.
The thermal stainless-steel carafe retains coffee scorching for a very long time (though you too can order the mannequin with the glass carafe as a substitute if that’s your choice). The coffee maker may even use a drip adapter while you wish to make pour-over coffee as a substitute of brewing into the carafe. It’s the best auto coffee maker, and the one con we are able to discover (and that is actually nit-picking) is that the water tank’s lid isn’t completely connected like virtually each different coffee maker we’ve ever tested. So, as a substitute of simply flipping it up, you have to take the lid off and set it down someplace till you’ve stuffed the water tank.
Why it made the lower: Built-in WiFi allows you to management the coffeemaker through your smartphone or Alexa and Google Home.
Specs
- Dimensions: 14” x 7.3” x 12.5”
- Weight: 10 kilos
- Brewing capability: 10 cups
- Carafe: Thermal
Pros
- Built-in WiFi
- Programmable
- SGA Gold Cup normal certification
- Adjustable water temperature
- Three shade decisions
Cons
- No presets to brew iced and chilly coffee
With a temperature vary of 185 to 205 levels F, the Café Specialty Drip Coffee Maker—which is SCA Gold Cup Certified—allows you to brew gold, mild, medium, and daring strengths. (For the worth, we want it had presets for iced and chilly brew as nicely.) The coffee maker is solely stunning and out there in three finishes: matte black, matte white, and chrome steel—every with copper trim. There’s additionally a glass carafe choice.
The coffee maker is straightforward to make use of, with contact buttons to pick the power and temperature. Easy-to-read markings on the water tank (in each cups and ounces) additionally make it simple to pour water into the machine. However, maybe the best function is the power to manage this WiFi-enabled linked coffee maker through smartphone. You can set the power, temperature, quantity, and even program it with out ever touching the coffee maker. In addition, voice assistants equivalent to Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant may also be used, making this machine the best alternative for a sensible residence.
Why it made the lower: With a built-in grinder with six settings and the choice additionally to make use of pre-ground coffee, you may at all times discover the right consistency.
Specs
- Dimensions: 12.5” x 8.5” x 16.3”
- Weight: 16 kilos
- Brewing capability: 12 cups
- Carafe: Thermal
Pros
- Built-in grinder with six floor settings
- Programmable
- Can additionally use pre-ground coffee
Cons
- Looks slightly plain in comparison with some coffee makers
If you’re taking your coffee significantly, the brushed chrome steel Breville Grind Control places you in management. It has a built-in grinder with a stainless-steel burr and six grind settings. This lets you choose the optimized grind for numerous coffee beans, together with Brazilian, Colombian, and Sumatran. It can even grind and brew instantly into your chrome steel thermal carafe.
However, this coffee maker can even grind and brew from one to 12 cups in an effort to brew right into a coffee cup or journey mug, and the bean hopper can maintain half a pound of coffee beans. The LCD show on high allows you to see your picks, equivalent to grind settings, grind time, and amount. The programmable coffee maker features a gold-tone filter and cleansing brush.
Best splurge: Wolf Gourmet Coffee Maker
Why it made the lower: The built-in scale weighs the coffee grounds to make sure the right end result based mostly on the power and quantity chosen.
Specs
- Dimensions: 10.5” x 11.5” x 14.5”
- Weight: 13.8 kilos
- Brewing capability: 10 cups
- Carafe: Thermal
Pros
- Built-in scale
- Programmable
- Adjustable brew power
- Removable water reservoir
Cons
The Wolf Gourmet Coffee Maker is simply one of many well-known Wolf Gourmet kitchen home equipment—a line that features countertop ovens, cutlery, cookware, blenders and toasters, mixers, griddles, and even multi-function cookers. All of the gadgets are recognized for superior workmanship and precision management, and the home equipment are recognized for his or her iconic pink buttons. The Wolf Gourmet Coffee Maker is constructed of the identical high-quality supplies and will probably be an heirloom merchandise.
It has an Accu-Brew setting with an built-in scale that weighs coffee grounds while you put them into the brew basket. Based on the variety of cups chosen and the brew power chosen (on a variety from delicate to daring), the size signifies that the quantity of coffee added is right, not sufficient, or an excessive amount of. However, for extra management, coffee may also be brewed in handbook mode. The coffee maker can also be programmable, and the time may be set in 12-hour or 24-hour (navy time) codecs. Other handy options embrace a very detachable water reservoir and front-load coffee drawer. Anyone with house considerations will admire not bumping into the again wall or the higher cupboards when making coffee.
Best design: OXO Brew 9 Cup
Why it made the lower: The modern, minimalist design appears to be like good with out taking on a lot house, and it’s ridiculously simple to make use of.
Specs
- Dimensions: 15 x 8.3 x 17.2
- Weight: 10.5 kilos
- Brewing capability: 9 cups
- Carafe: Thermal
Pros
- Minimalist design
- Programmable
- SGA Gold Cup normal certification
- Silicone mixing tube
Cons
- Can’t alter brew settings
Although I really like the boxy design of the OXO Brew 8-Cup Coffee Maker, the slim, spherical form of the OXO Brew 9-Cup Stainless Steel Coffee Maker (also called the “Barista Brain”) nonetheless will get my vote for best design. It’s light-weight (10.5 kilos) and achieves simply the suitable stability between chrome steel, glass, and black. Just watching the water draining out of the reservoir is a therapeutic expertise much like watching rain fall (however in reverse).
The coffee maker can also be fairly simple to make use of. There’s just one button. One. Merely press it to show the coffee maker on and off, then flip it to pick the clock, timer, and brew amount. Selections are considered on the intuitive LED interface. The chrome steel thermal carafe additionally features a silicone mixing tube. As coffee is being brewed into the pot, the blending tube totally blends it to make sure the best style.
Best for pods and grounds: Ninja Pods & Grounds Specialty Single-Serve Coffee Maker
Why it made the lower: With the power to make use of both pods or grounds and select numerous brew sizes, this coffee maker can adapt to numerous customers.
Specs
- Dimensions: 13.07 x 5.51 x 13.31
- Weight: 7.83 kilos
- Brewing capability: 24 ounces
- Carafe: N/A
Pros
- Uses pods and grounds
- Built-in milk frother
- Four brew types and numerous portions
- Removable water reservoir
Cons
- Doesn’t assist a carafe
Sometimes it’s your decision the comfort of pods, and different occasions, you could want the financial system of utilizing floor coffee. The Ninja BP051 Pods & Grounds Specialty Single-Serve Coffee Maker can deal with each. It’s programmable and has a beneficiant 56-ounce water reservoir. The coffee maker can brew basic, wealthy, over ice, or specialty coffees. In addition, you may create lattes, cappuccinos, lattes, and macchiatos utilizing the built-in milk frother, which can be utilized for warm or chilly milk. It additionally folds out of the way in which when not in use.
When utilizing pods, brew sizes are 6, 8, 10, or 12 ounces. When utilizing grounds, you may brew all the aforementioned sizes and additionally brew 18- and 24-ounce sizes. You may even brew into an 8-inch journey mug. Plus, the compact design of the coffee maker additionally makes it simple to retailer in your countertop.
Best single-serve and carafe: Keurig Ok Duo Plus
Why it made the lower: A Keurig with a thermal carafe? Yes, please, particularly when you may nonetheless use coffee cups and mugs.
Specs
- Dimensions: 14.19” x 8.2” x 15.88”
- Weight: 15.97 kilos
- Brewing capability: 12 ounces
- Carafe: Thermal
Pros
- Uses floor coffee or Ok Cup pods
- Multiple-position water tank
- Four brew sizes
- Programmable
Cons
- Lack of customizable options
If you want to make use of Ok cups and pods, and you’d like a thermal carafe to maintain coffee scorching, take into account the Keurig Ok-Duo Plus Single Serve & Carafe Coffee Maker. It has a beneficiant 60-ounce water reservoir that’s detachable and may be positioned on the left facet, proper facet, and even on the again of the machine, offering extra versatility when coping with house limitations. The stainless-steel thermal coffee retains coffee heat for two hours and can also be sturdy.
When brewing coffee, you may brew 6, 8, 10, or 12 ounces into the carafe. However, when utilizing the Ok cups, you may brew 6-, 8-, 10-, and 12-ounce mug sizes as nicely. There’s additionally an choice to make the coffee stronger and extra intense. In addition, the gold-tone mesh filter eliminates the necessity for utilizing disposable filters.
Best mixture coffee/espresso maker: Cuisinart Coffee Center Barista Bar 4-in-1 Coffeemaker
Why it made the lower: This fancy-schmancy coffee and espresso maker rivals your native coffee store.
Specs
- Dimensions: 11.88” x 12.88” x 16.85”
- Weight: 21.44
- Brewing capability: 12 cups
- Carafe: Glass carafe
Pros
- Makes coffee and espresso
- Uses coffee grounds and capsules
- Programmable
- Milk frother
Cons
If you’re able to splurge on a twin coffee maker/espresso maker, take into account the Cuisinart Coffee Center Barista Bar 4-in-1 Coffeemaker. Besides choices from Ninja and Keurig, there aren’t numerous coffee makers that do an excellent job of additionally making espresso. I selected this one over the opposite few opponents as a result of it doesn’t have as many plastic physique components and doesn’t look or really feel as low-cost. In reality, it has a sturdy and elegant look. The Barista Bar additionally has a brew power management function and adjustable temperatures, is programmable, plus the adjustable keep-warm and auto-shutoff may be adjusted. The coffee maker can even brew as much as 12 cups of coffee.
In addition, the machine is appropriate with any model of single-cup pod, together with Keurig Ok-Cup pods. And while you need espresso, it’s appropriate with Nespresso OriginalLine-style capsules and could make single or double espresso pictures. The machine additionally has a steam wand that can be utilized to make lattes, cappuccinos, and different drinks. The wand may also be used to supply scorching water for tea, soup, scorching chocolate, and different scorching drinks and meals.
Best shade decisions: Technivorm Moccamaster 53941 KBGV
Why it made the lower: You can match (or combine) your kitchen décor with this high-quality coffee machine that comes in over two-dozen colours.
Specs
- Dimensions: 6.25” x 12.75” x 14”
- Weight: 6.25 kilos
- Brewing capability: 10 cups
- Carafe: Glass
Pros
- SGA Gold Cup normal certification
- Auto pause perform
- Numerous shade decisions
Cons
- No thermal carafe choice
- Water tank lid doesn’t connect
The SCA Certified Technivorm MoccaMaster is a well-liked coffee maker, particularly amongst my PopSci colleagues. It can brew water to the best temperature for full coffee taste—between 196 and 205 levels—and is wise sufficient to close off when it detects the absence of water in the water reservoir. It doesn’t have a thermal carafe, however the glass carafe sits on a scorching plate that shuts off after 100 minutes. It additionally makes use of an auto-pause function that stops coffee from flowing when the carafe has been eliminated.
The controls are easy to make use of. There’s an on/off button and a selector swap for half or full carafe, which controls the brewing velocity, amount, and hotplate temperature (between 175 and 185 levels F). The cone-shaped brew basket steeps for 4-6 minutes, extracting all of the grinds’ nuances, and an automated drip-step makes certain there’s no mess when it’s time to pour the redolent elixir. Some of the colour decisions embrace polished silver, beetroot, black, brushed brass, butter yellow, sweet apple pink, juniper, midnight blue, turquoise, rose gold, pistachio, orange, and merlot pink.
Why it made the lower: The economically priced coffee maker, which retains coffee heat for an hour utilizing the plate, is an efficient worth for the cash.
Specs
- Dimensions: 8.27” x 6.65” x 12.83”
- Weight: 4.06 kilos
- Brewing capability: 10 cups
- Carafe: Glass
Pros
- Economically priced
- Permanent filter
- Easy to make use of
Cons
Proof that you just don’t need to spend some huge cash on a coffee maker, the Krups Simply Brew is an easy machine that handles all the fundamentals. With the contact of a button, it begins brewing, so there are not any fancy directions to determine—and not even a digital show clock to set (however you most likely have one in your oven and your microwave, anyway). The reusable everlasting filter helps you save on buying and throwing away disposable filters.
When saved on the warming plate, the glass carafe can hold coffee heat for as much as an hour. Then it shuts off as a security measure. The coffee maker is an efficient alternative for somebody who simply desires the best small drip machine to make a fundamental pot of coffee with out all the bells and whistles.
Things to contemplate when shopping for drip coffee makers
Temperature
According to Sean Stewart, founder and director of Good Citizen Coffee in Nashville, Tenn., a excessive temperature is crucial function. “When looking at a home coffee maker, I am looking first and foremost at whether or not it can brew at a high enough water temperature,” he says. Stewart says he desires it to succeed in 200 levels Fahrenheit and above on the brew head and keep above 190 levels F for the complete brew.
Heather Perry, CEO at Klatch Coffee, additionally cites a excessive temperature as one thing to search for. “Get a brewer that brews hot water, and many brewers won’t get to 185 degrees F—which is really the minimum to brew a good cup of coffee.” You could also be questioning why the temperature must be so excessive. “Below 185 F, and the water isn’t hot enough to extract all of the delicious flavor in the coffee, so you end up with an underwhelming cup.” Perry recommends a Technivorn MoccaMaster as a drip coffee maker that reaches excessive temperatures.
In reality, Greg Dawson, director of coffee at Bellwether Coffee, recommends deciding on a drip coffee maker with adjustable temperature controls. “This will allow you to manipulate the water temperature, which significantly impacts the flavor of your coffee,” he explains.
The Specialty Coffee Association of America (SPCA) has a Golden Cup Standard, in which the water temperature is 200 levels F (plus or minus 5 levels) when it comes in contact with coffee. We’ve famous which coffee makers on our listing have this designation.
Carafe
Drip coffee makers include both glass or thermal carafes—additionally, some firms made similar fashions in an effort to choose the glass carafe mannequin or the thermal carafe mannequin.
Perry recommends a brewer that brews right into a thermal carafe as a substitute of 1 that brews right into a glass carafe that sits on a heated plate. “It will cost more, but your morning coffee will taste better throughout the morning,” she says. However, in case you can’t keep away from this, Perry recommends transferring it to a thermos after your coffee has completed brewing.
Filter basket
Surely, your filter basket could be massive sufficient to carry your coffee grounds, no? Well, no, in keeping with Perry. “This one is hard to tell just by looking, but essentially many brew baskets don’t hold enough grounds, so you end up brewing a weak pot of coffee.” If you’ve by no means observed, it may very well be that you just don’t brew a full pot of coffee (for instance, I have a tendency solely to brew 4 cups), or Perry says your coffee could also be too weak. She recommends 2 tablespoons for each 6-8 oz of water as an awesome place to begin. “If you are making a full pot of coffee and notice your brew basket is full to the brim with grounds, you need to make fewer cups at a time,” Perry says.
In addition, Stewart recommends a detachable brew basket—and belief us, it’s loads simpler to wash the basket in case you can take away it. Disposable filters additionally make clean-up a breeze. However, Dawson says reusable filters will help to reduce the waste of throwing away paper filters every time.
Programmability and different options
Another function that Stewart, Perry, and Dawson all advocate is a programmable coffee maker so you may get up to recent coffee every morning.
And after you’ve coated all the fundamentals, Perry says you can begin in search of different options that may make the brewing course of extra pleasing. “From programming start times or changing how the water flows to various types of coffee like gold, strong, over ice, or cold brew, the Breville Precision Brewer is quite versatile.”
Grinder
Whether you’re contemplating a coffee maker with a built-in grinder or a separate grinder, Dawson says freshly floor coffee will yield a extra flavorful expertise.
FAQs
Q: Is drip coffee higher or more healthy than prompt coffee?
Ultimately, it’s a matter of style. Heather Perry, CEO at Klatch Coffee, says drip coffee is totally higher than prompt—however when she’s tenting and solely has a hearth, prompt tastes fairly good. “In all seriousness though, instant has come a really long way and is much more than just something to fill in when you don’t have electricity—but in my opinion, a fresh pot of drip coffee is definitely superior.”
Sean Stewart, founder and director of Good Citizen Coffee, additionally admits that he would typically reply with a convincing sure. “However, with the rise of specialty coffee in the instant market, the drop is not as noticeable as it once was.” In reality, he says drip-quality prompt coffee is quickly going to be a market normal.
But for proper now, Greg Dawson, director of coffee at Bellwether Coffee, says drip coffee is brisker and can ship a way more nuanced and richer taste. “Most instant coffee is made by brewing large batches of coffee and then crystalizing the liquid with large flash freezers.” He admits that boutique coffee roasters have actually made strides in the instant-coffee market however says, “even the best quality instant doesn’t give you the depth of flavor, freshness, or customizability that fresh brewing does.”
This is due, in massive half, to the truth that you may grind beans earlier than making drip coffee. “Freshly ground beans make all the difference in the world,” Dawson says.
Q: What are the benefits and disadvantages of a drip coffee maker?
There are a number of benefits to having a drip coffee maker. For instance, Perry appreciates the power to make coffee for a gaggle—or numerous coffee for herself. “My husband and I typically go through two pots on a weekend morning.”
In addition, with pour-over coffee, the outcomes may be inconsistent. “The ability to have a consistently good cup of coffee is another major advantage,” Perry provides, noting that it may be tough to make pour-overs or single cups which can be actually scrumptious. “There is a reason almost every cafe has a drip brewer – they do a good job of making good coffee.”
Stewart agrees and says residence drip coffee makers is usually a nice do-it-all strategy to have your morning coffee. “Just about any coffee you put in it with a good grind size and coffee-to-water ratio will be represented and brewed consistently well.”
Regarding disadvantages, Perry says the one actual benefits she sees are the price—and the countertop house. “You really do get what you pay for, so look at spending $100-$300 for a good brewer.”
Also, if you’re a fan of making a dynamic brewing profile the place you management all the variables to make your high-quality coffees actually shine, Stewart says drip makers could also be restricted.
Finally, Dawson says upkeep is usually a downside as nicely. “Drip coffee machines typically require regular cleaning and maintenance to avoid the buildup of coffee oils and mineral deposits.”
Q: How are you able to inform the standard of your coffee?
Dawson oversees the Green Coffee Marketplace at Bellweather Coffee, the place they supply high quality beans and deal with all roasting and quality-control tasks. “There’s no doubt that the quality of your coffee is strongly influenced by the quality of your beans and how they are roasted,” he says. “Pay close attention to the origin of the coffee beans, as that alone significantly impacts the quality, as well as the nuanced flavors.”
Freshness is one other high quality indicator, and Dawson recommends shopping for complete beans and grinding them your self as wanted. “This strategy ensures maximum freshness and produces an entirely different coffee experience.” However, he says it’s best to have a look at the roast date when buying coffee beans. “Ideally, you should be consuming your coffee within 30 days of its indicated roast date.”
In addition, Stewart says that what defines a coffee’s high quality may be subjective. “What is not subjective though is that coffee farmed using sustainable and earth-friendly farming methods will typically be of higher quality,” he explains. “Likewise, if you see hard-to-read farm names and unique tasting notes on the outside of a coffee bag, you can rest assured that the coffee roaster put about as much love and care into its production as the farmers themselves did.”
Stewart additionally recommends in search of certifications like “USDA Organic” and “Regenerative Organic Certified,” in addition to phrasing like “Direct Trade” or “Relationship Sourced.” “Since quality can be a subjective perception, I much prefer to define it by how transparent and sustainable the process was to get that coffee to you,” he says.
Q: How do I make good drip coffee at residence?
Perry says folks typically come into her store and complain that the coffee they brew at residence by no means tastes good. She gives the following tips to assist make it higher:
1. Use recent roasted, recent floor coffee—If you don’t know in case your coffee is recent, a straightforward strategy to take a look at is true earlier than you go to brew when your grounds are in the brew basket, take a half cup of water simply off a boil and gently pour it on high of these grounds. Do the grounds puff up and make bubbles in the water? Or does the water simply run straight by? If your coffee is recent, it’ll puff up and create bubbles.
2. Use good water since coffee is 98% water—and in case your water sucks, so will your coffee.
3. Use sufficient coffee; most likely the most important mistake I see folks making just isn’t utilizing practically sufficient coffee.
4. After all this, have a look at the gear and in case your water is scorching sufficient.
5. Make certain you’re shopping for coffee from somebody who will help you troubleshoot. And this isn’t going to be a grocery retailer. Find an awesome roaster the place you may attain out and get assist.
Final ideas on the best drip coffee makers
“Drip coffee makers come in many different price points—some are no-frills, while others have many features that allow users to customize their coffee experience,” Dawson says. “Drip coffee makers also tend to come in a range of sizes, offering people the ability to brew the amount they need, whether it’s for their morning cup or for a larger group.” Indeed, the drip coffee maker is the machine that introduces most individuals to home-brewed coffee, and our suggestions will introduce you to the suitable equipment to your tastes.
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