Which Is The Best Drip Coffee Makers? Top Picks For Home & Office Use

best drip coffee makers review

As the culture around drip coffee continues to evolve, certain standards of the industry trend towards striking the balance between traditional offerings and interesting, new features.

With the mechanism for drip-brewing coffee being a fairly simple piece of machinery, brands must now compete at an elevated level to rank among the best drip coffee makers.

How do you know which features determine the best drip coffee maker?

Don’t worry, we’ve done the research on all the coffee makers that made our list for Top 10.

Not only will we show you a quick comparison of how each stacks up to the next, but we break down exactly how each coffee maker ranks according to our favorite industry standards.

There are so many ways to brew coffee, but drip coffee makers like these will always have a popular demand from home enthusiasts who want an easy and quick option for a traditional cup of joe.

We’ll walk you through how to make the most of these awesome coffee brewing devices for gourmet results and long-lasting use, plus answer all your frequently asked questions on the drip brew process.


Our Pick For The Best Drip Coffee Makers: Technivorm Moccamaster KBT 79112

The Technivorm Moccamaster is a drip coffee maker built for endurance and made with the perfect cup of coffee in mind.

We love its sleek, cafe-style design. As the best coffee maker on our list, the Moccamaster balances a simple, straightforward function with key features we love to see in any coffee brewing device.

This Dutch brand is known for its industry-savvy details, like a boiling element made of copper and an insulated carafe that keeps drip coffee hot for up to an hour without using a hot plate.

Technivorm Moccamaster puts you in the barista’s seat with a range of basket adjustments that you can control to get your preferred cup of drip coffee just right.

It has a stainless steel thermal carafe and accurate temperature controls via its copper boiling element.

Once the reservoir is empty, the boiling plate automatically switches off, helping you save energy.

This coffee maker also has a cone-shaped brew basket.

Its purpose is to regulate the steeping process so you can be assured of a flavorful and satisfying cup of coffee.

Technivorm is super confident in this product that they are willing to back it up with a 5-year manufacturer’s warranty.

When you see how it compares to the rest of the coffee makers on the list, you’ll understand why we picked the Moccamaster for the number one spot the best drip coffee maker in our review.

Pros

  • Handmade style with stainless steel and glass components
  • Insulated carafe with travel lid to keep brewed coffee hot
  • Three choices for brew-basket flow includes drip-stop service

Cons

  • Costly by comparison to similar coffee makers
  • Needs a lot of counter space
  • No programmable display

Best Drip Coffee Makers 2021 At A Glance

Coffee MakerProductFeaturesPrice
Editor's Choice
Technivorm Moccamaster 79112 KBT

Technivorm Moccamaster 79112 KBT

  • Best Value for Money
  • Best Quality Coffee Maker

Brewing Capacity: Up to 10 Cups 

Warming Plate: No, Thermal Carafe

Programmable: No

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3 Year Warrenty
BUNN 52700 CSB2G Speed Brew Elite

BUNN 52700 CSB2G Speed Brew Elite

  • Coffee in 4 minutes!
  • Multi-stream spray head for maximum extraction

Brewing Capacity: Up to 10 Cups 

Warming Plate: Yes

Programmable: No

VIEW CURRENT PRICE
Best for Single Serve
Keurig K-Classic Coffee Maker K-Cup Pod

Keurig K-Classic Coffee Maker K-Cup Pod

  • Best for Single Serve Brews

Brewing Capacity: Up to 10 Ounces 

Warming Plate: No

Programmable: No

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Bonavita BV1800SS 8-Cup

Bonavita BV1800SS 8-Cup

  • Best High-End Coffee Maker

Brewing Capacity: Up to 8 Cups 

Warming Plate: No, Thermal Carafe

Programmable: No

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BUNN BT Velocity Brew

BUNN BT Velocity Brew

  • Durable Build
  • Dependable Reputation

Brewing Capacity: Up to 10 Cups 

Warming Plate: No, thermal carafe

Programmable: No

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Breville BDC400BSS Precision Brewer

Breville BDC400BSS Precision Brewer

  • Trendy Design
  • Quality Brew

Brewing Capacity: Up to 60 Ounces 

Warming Plate: Yes

Programmable: Yes

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OXO Brew 9 Cup Coffee Maker

OXO Brew 9 Cup Coffee Maker

  • Proper Extraction Techniques
  • Replicating Pour Over Coffee

Brewing Capacity: Up to 9 Cups 

Warming Plate: No, Thermal Carafe

Programmable: Yes

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Cuisinart DCC-3200P1 Perfectemp Coffee Maker

Cuisinart DCC-3200P1 Perfectemp Coffee Maker

  • Low Maintenance

Brewing Capacity: Up to 14 Cups 

Warming Plate: Yes

Programmable: Yes

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Hamilton Beach (47950) Coffee Maker

Hamilton Beach (47950) Coffee Maker

  • 4 brewing options
  • Internal heater

Brewing Capacity: 12 ups

Warming Plate: Internal Warmer

Programmable: Yes

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Bonavita BV1900TS 8-Cup One-Touch

Bonavita BV1900TS 8-Cup One-Touch

  • Easy to clean

Brewing Capacity: Up to 8 Cups 

Warming Plate: No, Thermal Carafe

Programmable: Yes

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Braun Brew Sense Drip Coffee Maker

Braun Brew Sense Drip Coffee Maker

  • Excellent Consistency

Brewing Capacity: Up to 12 Cups 

Warming Plate: Yes

Programmable: Yes

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Ninja 3-Brew Hot and Iced Coffee Maker

Ninja 3-Brew Hot and Iced Coffee Maker

  • Espresso Bar Experience

Brewing Capacity: Up to 43 Ounces 

Warming Plate: Yes

Programmable: Yes

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OXO Coffee Maker 9-Cup

OXO Coffee Maker 9-Cup

  • Proper Extraction Techniques
  • Replicating Pour Over Coffee

Brewing Capacity: Up to 9 Cups 

Warming Plate: No, Thermal Carafe

Programmable: Yes

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Calphalon BVCLDCG1 Perfect-Brew

Calphalon BVCLDCG1 Perfect-Brew

  • Precise brewing design and temperature settings

Brewing Capacity: Up to 10 Cups 

Warming Plate: Yes

Programmable: Yes

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Cuisinart DCC-3000 Coffee-on-Demand

Cuisinart DCC-3000 Coffee-on-Demand

  • Dispenses Directly Into Your Cup

Brewing Capacity: Up to 12 Cups 

Warming Plate: Yes, Internal Reservoir

Programmable: Yes

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Ninja CP307 Hot and Cold Brewed System

Ninja CP307 Hot and Cold Brewed System

  • 5 brew styles.
  • Built-in milk frother.

Brewing Capacity: Up to 12 Cups 

Warming Plate: No, Thermal Karafe

Programmable: Yes

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BLACK+DECKER 12-Cup Mill and Brew

BLACK+DECKER 12-Cup Mill and Brew

  • Combined Brewer and Grinder

Brewing Capacity: Up to 12 Cups 

Warming Plate: Yes

Programmable: Yes

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Bonavita BV1800SS

The Bonavita BV1800SS cements its place as one of the best drip coffee makers in this price range by using high quality components that are built to last.

It also boasts of a one-touch brew operation system, which is great for all busy users who do not want any more complications in their day-to-day.

Though this coffee maker is a little pricey given how basic its functions are, the durability and compact style work great for a straightforward and solid brew cycle.

Its showerhead is also designed to complement that as it saturates the grounds and extract the coffee flavor with finesse.

To keep the coffee warm for longer, its thermal carafe has stainless steel lining that performs optimally. We expect consistency and long-lasting use with this model. Read our Bonavita coffee makers review for more options by this brand.

Pros

  • Shower head style water flow fully saturates coffee grounds
  • Dishwasher-safe thermal carafe, brew basket and showerhead
  • The durable heating element provides a consistent temperature for brewing

Cons

  • Very basic model with no extra features
  • Reduced brewing capacity by comparison to similar coffee makers
  • The water reservoir cannot be removed for descaling

Ninja Hot & Cold Brew System

The Ninja Hot and Cold Brew System is within the same price range as the Bonavita and this coffee maker offers a beautiful performance.

The drip coffee making world will be at a loss without it.

Not only does this coffee maker provide delicious cups of coffee, it is highly versatile as well. After all, it has 6 brew sizes available, 5 brew styles, and a built-in milk frother.

That means that you can whip up your regular daily coffee or create more sophisticated brews depending on your needs.

Add to that its smart basket recognition system and you have a truly remarkable coffee maker right here.

Its system identifies the basket and displays tea or coffee options for you, ensuring that flavors are kept separate and delicious.

Pros

  • Brew strength selection for regular or bold flavor
  • You can brew directly into the cup or use 10-cup thermal carafe
  • Convenient hot and cold frother that you can fold away

Cons

  • The Ninja Hot & Cold Brew System does not work with well water
  • It does not come with a warming plate
  • Might need descaling from time to time

Braun KF7150BK Brew Sense

At this price point, the Braun KF7150BK Brew Sense is a great choice for an impressive gift to the budding drip coffee lover.

It is designed for consistency of flavor, with its Pure Flavor Brewing System ensuring that each drop tastes great.

The controls are easy to understand and operate, so none of that fuss when making your morning cup.

Any veteran of the basic brew will also appreciate the consistent high quality you can get from this coffee maker and the choice between single and small serving sizes and the larger full-pot capacity.

It has a 24-hour clock that’s fully programmable coffee maker and several cup functions to make sure you get the brewed coffee just right for you.

We wish Braun opted for a thermal carafe though.

The large and digital display makes up for that and its anti-drip system gives you the flexibility of pausing in the middle of brewing.

This means less to no mess on the pantry.

Pros

  • Brew strength selection for regular or bold flavor
  • LCD display clock with programmable timer
  • Small batch brew settings for 1-4 cups

Cons

  • Basic style without much flair
  • Non-thermal carafe
  • Brewing process inoperable if clock breaks

Breville BDC400 Precision Brewer

The sleek design of the Breville BDC400 Precision Brewer really stands out in a crowd of chrome-and-black designs.

The stainless steel and glass components boast a minimal design that doesn’t detract from its feature-rich functions.

Speaking of features, there are plenty to appreciate on this product. Customizable settings and automatic presets are available.

You have 6 brewing modes to choose from, including Fast, Strong, and Iced Coffee.

That means that you can whip up the kind of coffee you feel like drinking any time.

The Gold Cup Standard mode deserves special attention.

Set the coffee maker to this setting and it will adjust the temperature of the water automatically as well as the brew time.

The goal is to give you a cup of coffee that perfectly meets SCA standards. Sounds wonderful, doesn’t it?

The list of possible brew settings means anyone should get a great cup of drip coffee that suits their preferences once they figure it out.

Pros

  • Choice of cone or flat-bottomed brew container. Also has a pour over adapter
  • LCD display with several pre-programmed selections.
  • Pour-over function increases versatility

Cons

  • Learning how to use programmable coffee functions takes time
  • Some settings do not completely saturate grounds
  • The automatic valve may be prone to jamming

BUNN BT Velocity Brew

While the BUNN BT Velocity Brew may not look flashy or fancy, it’s a workhorse appliance from a trusted industry leader.

This 10-cup coffee brewer packs a punch and although it didn’t quite make it as the best drip coffee maker, holds its own in the drip coffee making market.

While you may not have as many options as some of the other favorites on our list, we included this model for the durable build and its dependable reputation.

It also has a unique spray head, which helps users extract the right amount of flavor from their coffee beans.

It even has a specially engineered thermostat just in case you’re going to use this at above 5000 ft.

There is also hot water available for tea making.

The water reservoir is stainless steel and is heated at optimum levels of 200 degrees Fahrenheit.

Brewing of 4-10 cups of coffee can take as quickly as 4 minutes.

Not bad at all if you are always in a hurry in the morning.

Read on to learn more about our opinions about using cone versus flat-bottomed filters like this one uses.

Pros

  • The internal thermostat monitors water temperature as it heats
  • Insulated thermal carafe keeps the coffee hot for upto 2 hours
  • Water disperses in a spray for complete saturation

Cons

  • Not a programmable model
  • The plastic build can feel cheap and lacking in durability
  • No drip-stop for pouring while coffee brews

OXO Brew 9 Cup Coffee Maker

This 9-cup coffee maker from OXO provides convenience through its thoughtful features.

Users will be delighted by the timer function, which enables you to set the coffee maker to start brewing even before you wake up.

Groggy from the previous day’s activities?

Step out of bed and grab your cup of joe without breaking stride.

An additional convenient feature is the count-up timer.

This tells you how long the pot of coffee has been sitting there since it was brewed.

Just in case you forgot about that pot, you’ll know that it isn’t the freshest anymore and you can just brew another cycle.

To ensure optimal extraction of flavor, the OXO Brew 9 Cup Coffee Maker even has a pre-infusion cycle.

Overall, this coffee maker is designed to give you a wonderful cup of energy on the daily.

Pros

  • Has a microprocessor controlling the brew cycle to deliver SCA certified coffee.
  • Its LED interface displays status and freshness stats for ease of use.
  • Insulated carafe and streamlined design.

Cons

  • Might be too tall for some kitchen counters with overhanging cabinets
  • The tank can fog up sometimes
  • Carafe isn’t clear so you may forget that there is some leftover coffee before making another pot

Cuisinart DCC-3200 PerfecTemp

We don’t hold it against the Cuisinart DCC-3200 that its boxy shape looks a little old school since the bright LCD display and backlit buttons provide a range of smart choices.

It’s PerfecTemp technology ensures that the process from water heating to making the coffee goes smoothly.

It heats water from the filtered reservoir.

Then, the coffee maker makes sure that the hot water passes through the grounds evenly.

This guarantees a smooth extraction of flavor and aroma.

The price for what you’re getting with this brand’s drip coffee maker hits the right mark.

Its solid heating element and permanent filter are both components that add to any coffee maker’s longevity.

If you are quite particular with the taste of your coffee, this product provides you the control adjustability you need.

Whether you prefer milder tasting coffee or bold tasting ones, the brew strength control features will not let you down.

Pros

  • Compact design fits easily in small spaces
  • Easy to read LCD display and backlit buttons
  • Customizable settings and programmable memory

Cons

  • Steam condensation can build to the point of dripping
  • Wash cycle may end prematurely at times
  • Can be clumsy to pour water into the container

Hamilton Beach BrewStation 12 Cup Coffee Maker

The Hamilton Beach BrewStation is all about customization and convenience.

Do you like your coffee to have a bold flavor?

Perhaps you prefer iced coffee?

That is no problem for this coffee maker and its 4 brewing options – small, regular, bold, and iced coffee.

Its design does away with usual hot plate. Instead, it goes down the internal heater route, which helps keep your coffee from going stale fast.

As its name suggests, you can brew up to 12 cups in one cycle using this drip coffee maker.

But the coffee is held inside its internal tank, so that means there is no carafe involved.

The coffee maker dispenses one cup of coffee at a time. Simply press the dispense button and enjoy your drink.

Pros

  • Has a display menu that is intuitive to use 
  • Different brew options, including one for iced coffee
  • You can operate this coffee maker with just one hand

Cons

  • The cup size is fixed 
  • The absence of a carafe might not sit right for some people
  • Does not come with a temperature control

Bonavita BV1900TS 8-Cup One-Touch Coffee Maker

The Bonavita BV1900TS is a quiet drip machine that is great for early risers who wish to fix themselves great-tasting coffee without waking everyone else in the house.

But do not let its quiet hum trick you.

It is a powerful coffee maker that can brew up to 8 cups with just one touch.

You’ll be the hero of the day once the others wake up and find a pot of delicious coffee waiting for them.

This coffee maker is also easy to clean and provides reusable filters. That will help you cut down costs on the paper filters you buy.

Pros

  • Showerhead, carafe lid, and the filter basket are all dishwasher safe 
  • Has an optional pre-infusion mode to give you that tasty coffee
  • Precise heating mechanisms for optimal saturation and extraction

Cons

  • Can produce a lot of steam so you need to place this somewhere with plenty of space above the unit 
  • The brew basket needs to be taken off after brewing
  • Carafe doesn’t keep the coffee warm for very long

Calphalon Special Brew BVCLDCG1

As far as best drip coffee makers go, this is another great choice for the discerning buyer.

It is especially great for those who want full control on their coffee’s strength and taste.

Flavor is guaranteed by its precise brewing design and temperature settings.

This is one of those coffee machines that come from a brand known for its reliability.

So it is no surprise that it has a Fresh Brew Timer that lets you track when you last made a fresh pot of coffee.

It even has a nifty Delay Brew Function, which allows you to schedule brewing for later in the day or for the next day.

The Calphalon BVCLDCG1 has has a boiling system that extracts more out of coffee beans.

It also has a 4-hour warming plate that will keep your coffee warm.

Pros

  • The hot plate is non-stick and super easy to clean 
  • This drip machine extracts 20% more flavor compared to Calphalon’s best-selling coffee maker)
  • Adjustable coffee strength for the best coffee drinking experience

Cons

  • No replacement carafe available for this model under Calphalon brand 
  • The delay brew prevents the turning off of the coffee maker when activated
  • The settings may need some extra attention before you can get the perfect coffee making setup

Keurig K55 K-Classic

As one of the newest innovations in the drip coffee machines market, the Keurig’s K-Classic model sticks with the best features that originally made the brand a household name.

Pod brewing isn’t for everyone, especially if they want a lot of coffee brewed all at once.

But for those who prefer that process, then this coffee maker does not disappoint.

You can brew different types of K-cup pod sizes – 6, 8, 10 oz – so there is flexibility there. [1]

Overall, coffee lovers who want single-serving cups as fresh as can be can’t go wrong with a Keurig coffee maker.

This machine’s water reservoir is also large, which means you don’t have to refill right away after brewing a cup.

The program controls are easy to use and, although it will require descaling from time to time, this Keurig is a breeze to clean.

Pros

  • Hot water passes through a filter to improve flavor quality 
  • Cup size and strength selections for brew fine-tuning
  • Removable water tank for easy filling and cleaning

Cons

  • No brewing temperature or drip-stop adjustment settings 
  • Only capable of brewing one cup at a time
  • A limited amount of grounds fit inside prepackaged or refillable pods

BUNN CSB2G Speed Brew Elite

As its name suggests, this product is for the coffee lover who is always on the go and wants to have that delicious cup of energy quick.

Operating this coffee maker is as simple as adding the coffee grounds, water, and touching a button.

3-4 minutes later, you’ll have your coffee and you can be ready to face your day. One brewing cycle produces 10 cups of tasty coffee.

You don’t have to worry about the taste of your fresh brew because the BUNN CSB2G’s multi-stream spray head ensures its deliciousness.

The spray head will fully soak the coffee grounds, giving you that hearty and full-bodied coffee that you deserve.

We’ve discussed more about these coffee machines in our BUNN coffee maker reviews.

Pros

  • Faster coffee making process compared to other products in the market
  • Stainless steel hot water tank that is commercial grade and easy to maintain
  • 25 coffee filter starter packs included

Cons

  • The hot plate can get too hot and leaving it on for too long might result in a more bitter-tasting coffee
  • Some users reported their carafes smelling weird
  • The initial setup can take some getting used to

Ninja Coffee Maker CF080Z

Considering the price point for a Ninja Bar when compared to many of the other models on our list, it’s a steal of a deal to get this many functions and features in one device.

Ninja wants to bring you an espresso bar experience without the expense of an espresso coffee maker, and with this model, they really nail it.

One of the highlights of this coffeemaker is the ability to choose a cup size.

You can brew for a cup or a full carafe. Options for half-carafe and travel mug brewing are also provided.

As for flavor, you can have control as well. You can go for a classic or rich brew.

If you prefer to create frozen blends and other fancy coffee drinks, this coffee maker will still not disappoint.

However, all the bells and whistles can be overwhelming for the average drip-brew drinker.

So if you do not want to deal with so many things, simply take full advantage of its Auto-iQ One-Touch Intelligence system.

No more water measuring and refilling after pouring a single serve.

Checkout our Ninja coffee bar reviews for more options by this brand.

Pros

  • Highly versatile capacity and strength selections
  • Accommodates carafe or single-serving cups
  • Milk frother adds cafe-style richness and flavor

Cons

  • Could be confusing for some users
  • Costly if features are not a factor
  • Uses hot dish rather than a thermal carafe

OXO On Barista Brain 8710100

While the OXO On Barista Brain brewer may not be impressive at first glance, this brand has taken the time to really think about what matters most when drip-brewing coffee.

To have a wonderful tasting cup of coffee each day, you need to get the water temperature, volume, and brew time just right.

The Oxo Barista Brain eliminates all the guesswork involved in all three.

All you have to do is add the coffee grounds and fill the tank.

Then, select the number of cups you wish to brew and let the OXO On Barista Brain handle the rest of the job.

By replicating the pour-over coffee practice of letting the grounds bloom before a full brew, OXO gives you a chance to experience proper extraction techniques without as much trial and error.

It is so good at what it does that the SCA has recognized it as a great home brewer.

We’ll explain why good saturation is so pivotal to your cup of drip coffee a little later on.

Pros

  • Staggered pump brewing allows coffee to bloom
  • Stainless steel insulated thermal carafe keeps coffee hot
  • Wake-up timer allows users to schedule brewing

Cons

  • The pause-and-pour mechanism can sometimes leak
  • Bulky body and design
  • Water pump timer can cause slow the brew time

Cuisinart DCC-3000

What we like most about Cuisinart’s DCC-3000 model is the balance between single-serve dispensing and full-pot brewing.

By using an internal coffee reservoir, it saves you the step of jostling a full carafe to pour yourself a cup of joe.

It’s a simple feature, but surprisingly convenient, especially in addition to the other programmable coffee features this model provides.

It can dispense only one cup per brew, but it does have an advanced brew programming system, which you can set up to 24 hours beforehand.

There is also a shutoff and cleaning system that you can program so that everything will be automatic later.

Another great thing about this coffee maker is that it has a charcoal water filter.

On top of that, it comes with a gold-tone coffee filter. All those filters mean a flavorful, aromatic, and delicious tasting cup of coffee every pour.


Black+Decker Mill and Brew Coffeemaker

Want fresh coffee every time? The Black+Decker Mill and Brew is the answer.

It grinds the coffee beans right before brewing them, so none of that bland tasting coffee for you.

The best part is that this coffee maker does all that in a highly streamlined process.

You are guaranteed a full-flavor pot of coffee and great aroma without waiting forever for the whole grinding and brewing process to be done.

Extra busy and want to sort out your schedules in advance? You can do that with this coffeemaker, too.

Take advantage of the QuickTouch Programming system, which lets you program a 224-hour auto brew setup.

Make sure that fresh and delicious coffee is waiting for you the moment you wake up.

Pros

  • Innovative design that guarantees coffee freshness and cleanup ease
  • Feel free to use whole beans or grounds according to your needs
  • Has a brew strength selector to give you more flexibility in brewing the perfect cup for you

Cons

  • Standard-sized replacement carafe does not work with this model
  • The grinder settings might require a few more adjustments before you can find the right grind level for your tastes
  • The feature settings can be a bit complicated but will be easier to use in time

Things to consider before buying a drip coffee maker

Even though drip-brew coffee makers all function around a simple extraction process, you need to know how to recognize which features will serve your use the most.

Ultimately, the preferences you and the other coffee lovers who may be sharing use of the drip coffee maker with you in the home or office will determine which of our best coffee makers works the higher preference.

1. Brewing Capacity

The average brewing capacity for most automatic drip coffee makers is between 10-12 cups.

According to industry standards, a single serving cup of coffee measures around 8 fluid ounces.

For single serve options you can read our detailed review on best single cup coffee makers.

With these parameters in mind, consider how much coffee needs to be prepared on a regular basis for one brewing cycle.

If you’re caught up wondering when to choose an insulated carafe over a heating plate, check out our frequently asked questions section down below.

2. Programmable Coffee Maker Features

Because coffee is such a popular get-up-and-go drink for the morning, many coffee drinkers prefer coffee makers that have brewing timers that they can set up the night before.

Waking up to the smell of freshly brewed coffee is one of life’s most comforting pleasures for the at-home aficionado.

The ability to program a timer and set a memory feature for repeated brews are almost entirely unique to drip-brewing devices in the coffee making market.

3. Price

As with many products, an impressive price tag doesn’t always equal long-lasting and amazing quality.

When it comes to some of the best home coffee makers, it’s almost impossible to judge a device’s quality by the price alone.

Some models on our best coffee maker review may cost more than others, but we’re confident in our research that the features, design and durability are worth it in each case.

We included a wide variety of price points in our review so that there’s something for every budget to consider.


Making the most of your drip coffee maker

No matter which coffee maker you choose for your home or office, there are some important considerations to make in order to make best cups of coffee each time.

Read through these tips and make sure to check out our answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about drip-brew coffee makers right after.

1. Use filtered water

If your coffee maker does not come with a water filter, consider keeping a full pot of filtered water handy for refilling the reservoir while brewing. Fresh, filtered water is an essential component of great coffee.

2. Wipe down the heating plate

If you choose a device with a hot plate, be sure to keep it clean of drips and puddles between uses to prevent rusting, short-circuiting, or corrosion.

3. Freshly ground beans

Using freshly ground coffee beans or storing coffee grounds in airtight canisters can make all the difference no matter which coffee maker you choose.

4. Coffee maker cleaning cycles

Cleaning your coffee maker, or descaling it, not only helps maintain its longevity, it is necessary for preserving the purity of flavor.

For heavy use, clean it once a week.

Once a month wash is fine for moderate to light use.

5. Wash carafe and brew basket regularly

When using coffee makers with a carafe or permanent filter, clean them after each use for the best results every time.


Drip Coffee Maker Cleaning Tips

Proper cleaning of your drip coffee maker is essential to keep it in top shape and to make sure it stands the test of time.

Since there are a huge variety of coffee brewing machines out there, cleaning one can be confusing, if not downright overwhelming.

To make things a bit easier for you, here is a basic guideline on how to carefully and effectively clean your drip coffee machine.

Empty the pot

Any leftover coffee should be dumped.

Clear out the grounds left in the filter as well.

Make sure that to remove most if not all off the used grounds.

You can dump all of these into the trash or set aside the used coffee grounds for composting or as an odor remover later.

If you are using a single-serve coffee makers, make sure to remove any leftover coffee pod.

Vinegar and water solution

Vinegar is a well-known household cleaning ingredient because of its acidic properties.

It can help remove any icky build-up in your coffee maker and is also great at killing germs.

But since it is super acidic, you need to dilute it a bit.

This is why it is necessary to mix it with water.

For regular-sized to large machines, the general rule of thumb is to mix 6 cups of water with 3 cups of white vinegar.

For smaller coffee makers, adjust the vinegar-water solution by keeping a 1:2 ratio in mind.

For single-serve machines, mix half a cup of vinegar and half a cup of water.

Once you have the solution, pour this into the coffee maker’s water tank or reservoir.

Then, brew a pot. After that one brewing cycle, turn off the coffee maker.

Leave it alone for 15-30 minutes, depending on how dirty you think your coffee brewer is.

Wash away the vinegar

Afterwards, brew another cycle using water only.

Shut off the coffee maker for around 15 minutes.

Then, brew a second cycle with water only still.

This process will wash away the vinegar taste and smell.

Wash all dishwasher-safe parts

Check the manual and identify all the parts that are safe to put in the dishwasher.

Wash them there as needed. Wipe clean and dry before putting them back onto the coffee maker.

Follow these tips and you can keep your coffee maker functioning smoothly.

Keep it clean and in good condition so it continues to have accurate brewing time and give you excellent cups of coffee.

Make sure to clean it regularly and check the parts from time to time to spot minor damages or prevent any malfunction.


Frequently asked questions

Is a hot plate or thermal carafe better for keeping brewed coffee warm?

Conventional coffee wisdom notes that a heating dish can overheat a carafe of coffee if left to sit for longer than half an hour.

For homes and offices where a pot of coffee doesn’t last that long, it’s not a concern.

If you know a pot of coffee tends to linger, choose a maker with an insulated carafe to keep coffee hot without losing out on flavor.

Is a cone or flat-bottomed filter better?

Some coffee drinkers say that if there is a difference between a cone or flat-bottomed filter, it’s hard to taste it in the finished cup.

However, there’s some sense to the debate that favors a cone-shaped filter basket over any other.

As hot water moves through the cone of coffee grounds, it stays in contact with a higher volume of grounds.

This can mean a fuller, stronger flavor profile if the brew is timed correctly.

If it’s not, it can become bitter more easily than a flat-bottomed filter.

What is the benefit of using a permanent filter basket?

Environmental impact and convenience aside, one of the main reasons consumers choose a permanent filter basket over disposable paper ones is flavor.

With paper filters, many of the important volatile oils that give coffee its unique and powerful flavor are left behind in the brew container.

Permanent mesh filters allow these oils to make it to the cup, much like a French press or some other BPA free coffee makers would.

How hot should water be for drip-brewed coffee?

While some enthusiasts insist on a fixed number, we find that anywhere between 195 to 205 degrees will properly extract flavor when using a drip brew coffee maker.

On average, drip-brew devices hover around 200 degrees, which is just fine.

What is the optimal coffee grounds to water ratio for a drip-brew device?

Because there are so many roasts and each coffee maker disperses water differently, it’s hard to pin it down to an exact ratio that will work every single time.

When measured by weight, general advice says it takes about 7 grams, or 1 tablespoon, of ground coffee for every fluid ounce of water.

How do brew baskets and pod capsules compare?

The biggest difference is simply the flexibility of serving size between the two.

A brew container allows for larger capacity brews and typically doesn’t function well for single-serving cups.

A pod capsule of coffee, whether prepackaged or refillable, will only provide one serving of coffee.

If you’re serving more than one person at a time regularly, like in an office or a busy home full of coffee drinkers, it’s worth the convenience of using an automatic drip-brew coffee maker with a brew basket.

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