The Best Drip Coffee Machines
Drip coffee makers are reliable machines capable of making coffee hands-free. They can be huge and bulky taking up valuable counter or cabinet space.
The best drip machines feature a simple design and are easy to use. Some are equipped with extras that make your morning cup of coffee more customizable with timers that can be programmed and self-cleaning settings.
1. De'Longhi TrueBrew
The De'Longhi TrueBrew is an all-in-one shop for coffee - it goes from whole beans to a full carafe using just a few presses. It comes with a built-in grinder (taken directly from De'Longhi's espresso machines) which measures out the proper amount of coffee grounds and compacts them prior to brewing – eliminating wasteful pods and filters made of plastic.
It also offers a range of settings to suit the size and style, from 3oz espresso drinks up to 16oz of iced tea and 40oz for the standard carafe. It pours the coffee into your choice of vessel, from big cups to tiny espresso cups or even tall travel mugs that don't normally fit under regular drip machines. It can even make tea!
Manufacturers are known to come up with absurd technical jargons and this one comes with the Bean Extract Technology which "adapts and precisely grinds" the beans according to the choice you make. That's it for marketing. It's important that it's easy to use, quick and doesn't create lots of mess when making coffee. It is not able to brew either a short shot or a long shot of espresso, and it does not have steam wand. If you're looking for these features, I would suggest taking a look at the Moccamaster KBG Select.
2. Cuisinart MultiServe
This is among the top drip coffee makers on the market. It consistently produces delicious, hot cups of coffee that are brewed efficiently.
We also liked the ease of customizing the brewing process. You can choose your cup size (from 5-ounce single serving to a full carafe) and the strength you want by turning dials as well as select between a regular or french press setting. You can also make cold brew with the push of an ice cube, or choose from a range of specialty options such as Over Ice and Roasted.
The only downside is that it's not quite as sleek as the more sophisticated models that we have tested. The rounded Smeg drip maker is for instance, and looks like an Easter egg and is a welcome alternative to the traditional models. Its narrow opening and slender tank can be difficult to navigate, particularly in the dark when the brew is running. It requires a bit more time and thought to get started in the morning.
3. Keurig K-Cup brewer
Keurig single serve coffee makers utilize K cups that are pre-packaged that eliminate the need to measure or grind grounds. They can also be controlled in the time of brewing. These machines also brew a cup of coffee in less than two minutes, which is considerably faster than a traditional drip machine.
However, the Keurigs we've tested have created quite a mess, much more than drip machines. The spout that spews hot coffee creates a two-inch splash zone that leaves drops of water on the drip tray, machine, and counter. They also create a loud, irritating sputtering noise while brewing.
Despite the mess, the Keurigs that we've tested have performed well. The K-Cafe with Smart Keurig is the most sophisticated model, with an easily detachable reservoir, four sizes for K-cups, three temperature settings, and a user-friendly menu. It also has an automatic milk frother that is dishwasher safe and can froth whole, skim, and non-dairy milk. This is a great choice for those who want to make different coffees every morning or for families with large numbers that need a larger capacity.
The Keurig Instant Pod is another good choice for anyone who wants a simple single-serve machine that is easy to use. It comes with a 78 ounce tank that can make multiple cups before needing to be filled. And it can also make a cup with your own ground coffee, a rare feature for the world of Keurig. The controls are simple and easy to use, however the machine communicates using tones and chirps instead of a display, which makes it harder to tell when a brew is ready.
4. Cuisinart Drip Machine
This reliable, mid-priced machine has all the features that you require to start your day. It comes with a large reservoir of 14 cups and an open window that clearly shows the level of water. It is simple to use due to the large buttons and clearly labeled labels. The filter and grinder that are removable are both easily cleaned in the sink. This removes the need to scrub out the grounds from difficult-to reach places. It also includes a handy brew-strength selector, which lets you select from three different settings, including bold.
The reservoir comes with a charcoal-filter which helps to remove metals, unpleasant flavors and odors from the tap water. This can cause your coffee taste flat or burned. This means less maintenance and a more delicious coffee.
Another benefit: the programmability feature allows you to set your coffee brew to a particular time. The pause button allows you to pour a cup of coffee or two before the pot has finished brewing. This is a great feature in busy mornings when you require an extra boost of caffeine. It also has a sleek design, which will look more at home on the counter of your kitchen compared to the majority of drip coffee makers .
5. Ratio Six
Like its older sibling the Ratio Eight, the Six offers a premium experience with a more affordable price and a smaller footprint. Its single-button operation mimics the art of pour-over with precise metered flow of water and the ideal temperature for coffee. The machine consumes 1400 Watts of power to heat the water and complete the brewing process within 5 to 6 minutes. This is significantly faster than the majority of the less expensive models we tested. The rapid brew is largely due to the blooming cycle that allows the coffee grounds to settle prior to the shower head that delivers the rest of the water for optimal extraction.
The Six also has a unique heat shield to protect the spray head while making and to keep the water at the optimal temperature. This is among the few brewers that have been Golden Cup certified by the Specialty Coffee Association, which means it keeps the correct temperature of brewing throughout the brewing process.
The Six is elegant, minimalist and sleek in design. It has a stainless steel carafe on the top of a Melitta flat-bottom filter holder. The carafe is insulated, which helps keep the coffee hot, without the use of heating plates. This helps preserve the flavor.
6. Gevi 10-Cup Coffee Maker
The Gevi is a small elegant coffee maker that doesn't take up a lot of counter space. It produces a delicious tasting cup of coffee. The touchscreen has cute icons that allow you to select one-touch commands (such as Bold, or in the case of making just half a pot, the One to Four cup option). The machine allows you to set the timer and switch the audible brew-cycle-finished tone on or off.
It's great to have a built-in grinder that allows you to alter the size of the grind and the strength of your coffee. It can take some time to get used to how the machine works, but it's intuitive when you've done. It has many of the features you would expect to find in higher-end models.
It's not able to brew a whole carafe of espresso at once. This can be a problem if you need to serve several people. But it's a solid option if you're in the market for a drip coffee maker with an integrated grinder and the ability to make various kinds of drinks. It also comes with a one-year warranty and excellent customer support.
7. Moccamaster KBGV
The Moccamaster is a high-end drip-coffee maker built to last. It comes with a 5 year warranty and is manufactured in the Netherlands by Technivorm. The elegant glass carafe can be set on the top of a warmer that keeps the coffee at a consistent temperature for up six minutes. It can be programmed to brew a full or half pot, and it's certified to brew at ideal temperatures and times recommended by the Specialty Coffee Association. It also features a "practically invisible drip stopper" an incredibly small lever that is located beneath the brew kettle that stops the flow of coffee when you remove the carafe from the brewing.
The machine is more expensive than many other machines on the market, however it's worth it for those who want to have consistently great coffee without having to spend a lot in the kitchen. All components that come into contact with water or ground are easily accessible. While the brew process takes longer than some other models, it's still quicker than pour-over making. The Moccamaster's unique design of tools for workshops and scientific equipment adds style to your kitchen.