The Best Drip Coffee Machines
Drip coffee makers are powerful machines that allow hands-free coffee making. They can be huge and bulky, occupying valuable counter or cabinet space.
The best drip machines feature a simple design and are simple to use. Some drip machines have extra features such as programmable clocks and self-cleaning mode that can make your morning cup of coffee more customized.
1. De'Longhi TrueBrew
The De'Longhi TrueBrew is an all-in-one shop for coffee - it goes from whole beans to a large carafe using just a few presses. It comes with a built-in grinder (taken directly from De'Longhi's espresso machines) that measures out the right amount of coffee grounds, then compacts them prior to brewing – eliminating wasteful plastic filters and pods.
It also comes with a variety of options for your preferred cup size and style, ranging from 3oz espresso-style beverages to 16oz iced brewed coffee or 40oz of standard carafe. It dispenses the coffee into a variety of vessel, ranging from large cups to tiny espresso cups or tall travel mugs that do not normally fit under regular drip machines. It can even make tea!
Manufacturers love to invent absurd technical jargons, and this one has the Bean Extract Technology which "adapts and precisely grinds" the beans based on your selection. That's all marketing. It's important that it's easy to use, fast and doesn't create many mess while making coffee. It does not have the ability to make a short or long shot of espresso and doesn't have a steam wand for milk. If you're looking for these features, I would suggest checking out the Moccamaster KBGV Select instead.
2. Cuisinart MultiServe
This is among the top drip coffee makers on the market. It makes consistently delicious hot cups of coffee that are brewed efficiently.
We also liked 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 your desired strength with the simple turn of an dial, as well as choose between a regular or french press setting. You can make cold brew at the touch of a button or select from a variety of specialty options like Over Ice and Roasted.
The only downside is that it's not as sophisticated as the more sophisticated models we tested. For example the rounded Smeg drip machine looks like an Easter egg and is a refreshing departure from boxy competitors. But its slender water tank and narrow opening could be difficult to navigate, particularly in the dark when the brew is in process. It requires a bit more time and thought than many customers would like to see as part of their morning routine.
3. Keurig K-Cup brewer
Keurig single serve coffee makers make use of K cups that come pre-packaged that eliminate the need to measure or grind grounds. They also let you control brewing time. dripping coffee can also brew coffee within less than two minutes. This is a lot faster than a drip machine.
But the Keurigs we've tested have created a lot of mess--much more than drip machines. The spout that pours out the hot coffee creates a 2 inch splash area that creates droplets all over the drip tray, machine and counter. They also create a bothersome loud sputtering noise while making coffee.
Despite the mess, the Keurigs we've tested perform well. The Smart Keurig K-Cafe is the most sophisticated model, comes with a removable water reservoir, four K-cup sizes, three temperature settings and a customizable program. It also has a dishwasher-safe milk frother that can be used to froth skim, whole, and nondairy milk. It's a great choice for anyone who wants to brew a different cup of coffee every morning or for large families that require an extra capacity.
Keurig Instant pod is a great choice for anyone seeking a single-serve machine that is easy to use and easy to use. It has a 78-ounce tank that can make multiple cups before needing refilling. It can also brew using grounds from your own coffee, a feature that is rare in a Keurig. The controls are simple and easy to use, but the machine communicates with tones and chirps rather than a display, making it difficult to know when a brew has been ready.
4. Cuisinart Drip Machine
This reliable, mid-priced model comes with all the features you need to get started on your day. It has a large reservoir of 14 cups and an open window that clearly shows the level of water. It is easy to use due to the large buttons and clearly labeled labels. The removable filter and grinder can both be cleaned in the sink. This removes the need to scrub out the grounds from hard-to reach places. It also comes with a handy brew-strength selector, which lets you select from three different settings including bold.
The reservoir has a charcoal-filter that removes metals, unpleasant flavors and odors from tap water. This can cause your coffee taste flat or burned. This means less maintenance, and a better tasting cup of coffee.
Another benefit is that the programmability feature makes it easy to set your coffee to brew at a specific time. And the pause button allows you to pour a cup or two of coffee before the full pot is making coffee, which is useful for busy mornings when you need a boost of caffeine. It also has a sleek and modern design, which is more comfortable on the kitchen counter compared to other drip coffee machines.
5. Ratio Six
Like its predecessor, the Ratio Eight, the Six offers premium quality with a more affordable price point and smaller footprint. Its single-button brewing process mimics the art of pour-over with precise metered water flow and ideal coffee temperature. 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 lower-end models we tried. The speedy brew is partly due to the blooming process which allows grounds of coffee to settle before the shower head delivering the rest of the water for optimal extraction.
The Six features a shield of heat that is unique in order to keep water at the optimal temperature and protect the spray head. This is among the few brewers who have been Golden Cup certified by the Specialty Coffee Association, which means that it maintains the right temperature for brewing throughout the brew cycle.
The Six is elegant, minimalist and sleek in its design. It comes with a stainless steel carafe on the top of a Melitta flat-bottom filter holder. The carafe is insulated, which keeps the brewed coffee warm without the necessity of heating plates, which helps to preserve flavor.
6. Gevi 10-Cup Coffee Maker
The Gevi is a compact and sleek coffee maker that doesn't take up much counter space. It produces a delicious tasting cup of coffee. The touchscreen panel has cute icons that let you choose one-touch commands. For instance you can select Bold or if you're making a half-pot of coffee, you can select the One to Four Cups feature. The machine lets you set the timer and turn the audible brew-cycle-finished tone on or off.
The built-in grinder and the ability to control the grind size and strength of your coffee is a nice feature. It takes some time to learn to use the machine but once you've done it, the machine is easy to use. It comes with many of the features that you would expect to find on higher-end models.
It's not able of brewing an entire carafe of coffee in one go. This could be a problem if you're serving a lot of people. However, it's a great option if you're in the market for a drip coffee maker with a built-in grinder as well as the ability to make various types of drinks. It comes with a 1-year warranty and excellent customer support.
7. Moccamaster KBGV
The Moccamaster is a high-end drip-coffee maker that is built to last. It comes with a 5 year warranty and is made in the Netherlands by Technivorm. The elegant glass carafe can be placed on top of a warmer which keeps the coffee at an ideal temperature for up to six minutes. It can be programmed to work with a full pot or a half pot, and is certified to brew coffee at the recommended temperatures and times by the Specialty Coffee Association. It also comes with a "practically hidden drip stopper" which is a small lever beneath the brew basket that stops the flow of coffee when you take the carafe off during the brewing.
Although this machine is more expensive than most other models on the market it's worth the cost for those who wish to enjoy consistently delicious coffee without having to spend too long in the kitchen. It's easy to clean and all parts that come into contact with the ground and water are easily accessible. Although the brewing process takes longer than other models, it's still faster than pour-over brewing. The Moccamaster's unique design of workshop tools and scientific instruments adds sophistication to your kitchen.