The Best Drip Coffee Machines
Drip coffee makers are powerful machines that allow hands-free making. But they can also be big and heavy, taking up valuable counter space or a spot under the cabinet.
The top drip machines have a simple design and are easy to use. Some drip machines come with extra features such as programmable clocks and self-cleaning mode that can make your morning coffee more personalized.
1. De'Longhi TrueBrew
The De'Longhi TrueBrew can be used to make coffee in just one step - from whole beans to a carafe full of coffee with just two presses. It has a built in burr grinder (taken from De'Longhi espresso machines) that measures out the correct amount of grounds. It then compacts them prior to brewing - eliminating wasteful plastic pods and filters.
It also comes with a variety of settings for your preferred cup size and style, ranging from 3oz espresso-style drinks, to 16oz iced coffee, or 40oz of a traditional carafe. It pours the coffee into a variety of vessel, from big cups to tiny espresso cups or tall travel mugs that wouldn't typically fit under drip machines. It can even make tea!
Bean Extract Technology is a jargony term that manufacturers love to employ. It "adapts and grinds" beans based on your preferences. It's actually just marketing. It's essential that it's easy to use, quick and doesn't create a lot of mess when brewing. It does lack the ability to brew a short or long shot of espresso and lacks a steam wand for milk. If you are looking for these features, I recommend checking out the Moccamaster KBGV Select.
2. Cuisinart MultiServe
This is among the top drip coffee makers available on the market. It consistently produces delicious and hot cups of joe that are brewed efficiently and quickly using sleek, compact equipment that is easy to use, and all for a reasonable cost.
We also enjoyed the ease of customizing the brewing process. You can select the size of your cup (from 5-ounce single servings to a full carafe) and the strength you want with the simple turn of a dial and also choose between a regular or french press setting. You can prepare cold brew at the touch of a button, or choose from a variety of specialty options such as Over Ice and Roasted.
The only issue is that it's not as sophisticated as the more sophisticated models that we tried. For example, the rounded Smeg drip machine looks like a gleaming Easter egg and is a welcome departure from boxy competitors. Its narrow opening and slim tank can be difficult to navigate, particularly in the dark when the brew is on. It requires a bit more thought and effort to start the process in the morning.
3. Keurig K-Cup brewer
Keurig single serve coffee makers use K cups that come pre-packaged which eliminate the requirement to measure or grind grounds. They can also be controlled in the time of brewing. They can also brew coffee in less than two minutes. This is a lot quicker than a drip machine.
But the Keurigs we've tested make quite a mess, much more than drip machines. The spout spewing the hot coffee creates a 2 inch splash zone that leaves drops of water on the drip tray, machine and counter. They also make a loud, irritating sputtering noise while making coffee.
Despite the mess, the Keurigs we've tested are very efficient. The K-Cafe Smart Keurig, the most advanced model, comes with a detachable water reservoir, four K-cups sizes, three temperature settings and a customizable program. It also has an automatic milk frother that is dishwasher safe and can be used to froth skim, whole and non-dairy milk. It's a great option for anyone who wants to make a new cup of coffee each morning or for large families who need a bigger capacity.
The Keurig Instant Pod is another good choice for anyone who is looking for a simple, easy-to-use single-serve machine. It comes with a 78 ounce tank that can brew multiple cups before needing to be refilled. It also has the ability to brew your own coffee grounds this is a feature that is rare in a Keurig. The controls are straightforward and simple, though the machine communicates using tones and chirps instead of a display, which makes it harder to know when a cup is ready.
4. Cuisinart Drip Machine
This reliable, mid-priced machine has all the features you need to start your day. It has a large, 14-cup reservoir and an easy-to-read water level indicator window. It is easy to use thanks to the large buttons that have clearly labeled labels. The removable filter and grinder are both easily cleaned in the sink. This removes the need to scrub out the grounds from difficult to reach places. It also comes with a handy brew-strength selector, which lets you choose between three different settings including bold.
The reservoir also has charcoal filtering that can help absorb metals and other unpleasant odors and flavors from the tap water, which can cause your coffee to taste flat or burned. This means less work, and a more enjoyable cup of coffee.
Another benefit: the programmability feature lets you to set your coffee brewing to a specific time. The Pause button lets you pour a cup or two before the entire pot has finished brewing. This is a great feature in busy mornings when you need an extra boost of caffeine. It's also a very attractive coffee maker with a sleek and attractive an elegant design that appears more at home on the counter than the majority of boxy drip machines.
5. Ratio Six
The Ratio Eight is the older brother of the Six. It offers a premium experience with a slightly lower price and a smaller footprint. Its single-button brewing process mimics a skilled pour over with precise metered water flow and a perfect temperature for coffee. The machine uses 1400 watts of power to heat the water and complete the brewing process in between five and six minutes. This is much more efficient than the less expensive models we test. The speedy brew is partly due to the blooming cycle, which allows the coffee grounds to settle prior to the shower head, which then delivers the remainder of the water to ensure optimal extraction.
The Six also uses a unique heat shield to protect the spray head during brewing and to ensure that the water is kept at the optimum temperature. This is among the few brewers to be Golden Cup certified by the Specialty Coffee Association, which means that it maintains the correct temperature of brewing throughout the brew cycle.
The Six is minimalist, sleek and minimal in design. It comes with a stainless steel carafe on top of a Melitta flat-bottom filter holder. The carafe that is insulated keeps the coffee hot without the use of heating plates. This helps preserve flavor.
6. Gevi 10-Cup Coffee Maker
The Gevi makes great tasting coffee and comes with a sleek, compact design that doesn't require lots of counter space. The touchscreen has cute little icons that allow you to choose one-touch commands (such as Bold, or if you're making only half a pot, the One to Four cup option). The machine allows you to set the timer and switch off or on the audible tone that signals the end of the brew cycle.
drip coffee machines built-in grinder and the ability to adjust the grind size and strength of your coffee is a nice touch. It takes a bit of time to become familiar with the machine but once you've done it, the machine is easy to use. It comes with many of the features you would expect to find in higher-end models.
The only drawback is that it's not able to brew an entire carafe at one time which could be a challenge if you're serving a lot of people. It's still a good choice if you're looking for drip coffee maker with a built-in grinder as well as the ability to make various kinds of drinks. It also comes with a 1-year warranty and excellent customer service.
7. Moccamaster KBGV
The Moccamaster KBGV is an excellent drip coffee maker built to last. It's made by Technivorm in the Netherlands and comes with a five-year warranty. The stylish glass carafe is set on the top of a warmer, which keeps the coffee at an ideal temperature for as long as six minutes. It can be programmed to brew a full or half pot, and it's certified to brew at the optimal times and temperatures suggested by the Specialty Coffee Association. It also has a "practically invisible drip stopper," which is a tiny lever below the brew basket that stops the flow of coffee if you take the carafe off during brewing.
Although this machine is more expensive than others on the market, it's worth the investment for those who want to enjoy consistently great coffee without spending too long in the kitchen. It's easy to clean and all parts that are in contact with water or grounds are easily accessible. The brew process is slower than other models but still faster than pour-over making. In addition, the Moccamaster's distinctive design, which is reminiscent of workshop tools or other scientific equipment, adds an elegant touch to your kitchen.