The Best Drip Coffee Machines
Drip coffee makers are reliable machines capable of brewing without hands. But they can also be big and bulky and take up valuable counter space or even a spot under the cabinet.
The best drip machines are streamlined and easy to use. Some drip machines come with extras like programmable clocks and self-cleaning modes to make your morning coffee more personalized.
1. De'Longhi TrueBrew
The De'Longhi TrueBrew is a one-stop shop for coffee. It can go from whole beans to a large carafe using just a few presses. It has a built-in burr grinder (taken from the espresso machines of De'Longhi) that calculates the correct amount of grounds and then compacts them before brewing, removing plastic pods and filters.
It also comes with a variety of settings for your preferred cup size and design, ranging from 3oz espresso-style beverages to 16oz iced brewed coffee or 40oz of a standard carafe. It can dispense coffee into any vessel you choose whether it's a large cup or a small espresso cup. It can even make tea!
Bean Extract Technology is a word that manufacturers love to employ. It "adapts and grinds" beans based on your selection. However, it's really simply marketing. The most important thing is that it's simple to use, fairly quick and doesn't create a lot of a mess while brewing. It does not have the capability to brew 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 looking into the Moccamaster KBGV Select.
2. Cuisinart MultiServe
This is among the top drip coffee makers on the market. It produces consistently flavorful, hot cups of coffee that brew efficiently.
We also liked the simplicity 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 a dial, as well as choose between a regular or french press setting. You can prepare cold brew at the push of a button, or choose from a wide range of special options like Over Ice and Roasted.
The only downside is that the design isn't as elegant as some of the other more sophisticated models we've tested. For instance the rounded Smeg drip machine looks like an Easter egg and is a welcome departure from boxy competitors. Its narrow opening and slender tank can be difficult to navigate, particularly in the dark when the brew is in. It requires a bit more time and thought than many consumers might want to make part of their daily routine.
3. Keurig K-Cup brewer
Keurig single serve coffee makers make use of K cups that come pre-packaged, which eliminates the need to measure or grind grounds. They can also be controlled in the brewing time. They can also brew a cup of coffee in less than two minutes, which is considerably faster than a standard drip machine.
The Keurigs that we tested produced a lot more mess than drip machines. The spout that spews the hot coffee leaves a two-inch splash area, which spills out droplets all over the drip tray, machine and counter. They also make a snarling loud sputtering sound when making coffee.
The Keurigs that we tested worked very well, despite the mess. The Smart Keurig K-Cafe is the most sophisticated model, with a detachable reservoir, four sizes of K-cups and three temperature settings and a customizable menu. It also has a safe dishwasher-safe milk frother which can be used to froth skim, whole, and nondairy milk. It's a great option for those who want to make a different cup of coffee every morning or for large families who need an extra capacity.
The Keurig Instant Pod is also a excellent option for those who wants a simple, easy-to-use single-serve machine. It boasts a massive 78-ounce water tank that can make several cups before it has to be filled. And it can also make a cup with the coffee you grind yourself, which is a unique feature of the form of a Keurig. The controls are straightforward and easy to use, however 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 big 14-cup reservoir, as well as a clear indicator of the level of water. It is easy to use because of the large buttons with clearly labeled labels. Additionally, the filter and grinder can both be cleaned in the sink, removing the need to scrub out ground from difficult-to-access areas. It also has a handy brew strength selector, which lets you choose between three different settings, including bold.
The reservoir comes with a charcoal-filter which helps to remove metals and unpleasant flavors as well as smells from the tap water. This could make your coffee to taste dull or burnt. This means less maintenance and a better-tasting coffee.
Another benefit is that the programability feature makes it simple to set your coffee to brew at a certain time. The pause button lets you pour a cup of coffee or two before the whole pot is done making coffee. This can be helpful during busy mornings, or when you require an extra boost of caffeine. It's also a beautiful looking coffee maker, with sleek design that is more at home on a kitchen counter than most boxy drip machines.
5. Ratio Six
Similar to its older sibling, the Ratio Eight, the Six provides a premium experience with a lower price and a smaller footprint. Its single-button process emulates a skilled pour over with precision metered water flow and ideal coffee temperature. The machine uses 1400 watts of power to heat the water and complete the brewing process within five to six minutes. This is significantly faster than the majority of the less expensive models we tried. This rapid brew is partially due to the blooming process which allows the coffee grounds to settle prior to the shower head that delivers the rest of the water for optimal extraction.
The Six uses a heat shield that is unique in order to keep water at the optimal temperature and protect the spray head. This is one of only a few brewers that has been Golden Cup certified by Specialty Coffee Association. This means it maintains the right temperature of brewing throughout the entire process of brewing.
The Six is minimalist, sleek and minimal in design. It features a stainless steel carafe, which sits on the top of a Melitta flat-bottom filter holder. The insulated carafe keeps brewed coffee warm without the necessity of heating plates and helps preserve the flavor.
6. Gevi 10-Cup Coffee Maker
The Gevi produces great tasting coffee and features a sleek, relatively compact design that doesn't require much counter space. The touchscreen display has cute icons that allow you to choose one-touch commands (such as Bold, or when you're making just half a pot, the One to Four cups feature). The machine also allows you to set the timer, and turn the brew cycle-finished tone that sounds audible on or off.
The built-in grinder and the ability to dial in the grind size and strength of your coffee is a nice feature. It takes a little time to get used to the machine but once you've done it, the machine is easy to use. It has many of the features you would expect to find on higher-end models.
The only drawback is that it's unable to make a full carafe at once which could be a problem if you need to serve multiple people. But it's a solid choice if you're looking for drip coffee maker that has an integrated grinder and the flexibility to make different types of drinks. It also comes with a one-year warranty and excellent customer service.
7. Moccamaster KBGV
The Moccamaster KBGV is a premium drip coffee maker that's built to last. It comes with a 5 year warranty and is made in the Netherlands by Technivorm. The sleek glass carafe is set on top of a warmer, which keeps the coffee at an optimal temperature for up to six minutes. It can be programmed to brew a full or half pot, and it's certified to brew at the ideal times and temperatures recommended by the Specialty Coffee Association. you can try here has a "practically invisible drip stopper" which is a tiny lever beneath the brew basket that stops the flow of coffee if you take the carafe off during the brewing.
Although this machine is more expensive than most other models on the market it's well worth the investment for anyone who wants to enjoy consistently delicious coffee without spending too much time in the kitchen. All components that come into contact with water or grounds are easily accessible. The brewing process is slower than other models but still quicker than pour over brewing. Additionally, the Moccamaster's unique design, which is reminiscent of workshop tools or scientific instruments and adds an elegant touch to your kitchen.