The Best Drip Coffee Machines
Drip coffee makers are reliable machines capable of hands-off brewing. But they can also be large and heavy taking up valuable counter space or an area under cabinets.
The best drip machines are simple and simple to use. Some come with extras that make your morning cup of coffee more customizable, like programmable timers and self-cleaning modes.
1. De'Longhi TrueBrew
The De'Longhi TrueBrew is a one-stop shop for coffee - it goes from whole beans to a complete carafe by pressing a few buttons. It has a built in burr grinder (taken from De'Longhi espresso machines) that calculates the proper amount of grounds. It then compacts them before making coffee, eliminating plastic pods and filters.
It also has a variety of settings to fit the size of your cup or style, ranging from 3oz espresso drinks up to 16oz of iced coffee and 40oz for the standard carafe. It pours the coffee in your choice of vessel, from big cups to tiny espresso cups or even tall travel mugs that wouldn't typically fit under drip machines. It can even make tea!
Manufacturers love to invent 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. It's actually simply marketing. It's important that it's easy to use, efficient and doesn't cause lots of mess when brewing. It's not able make a short shot or a long shot of espresso and does not include a steam wand. If you're looking for those features, I suggest checking out the Moccamaster KBGV Select instead.
2. Cuisinart MultiServe
This is one the best drip coffee makers available on the market. It consistently produces delicious hot cups of joe that brew efficiently and cleanly from sleek, compact hardware that's turnkey to operate, all at an extremely reasonable cost.
We also enjoyed the ease of customizing the brewing process. You can choose the size of your cup (from 5-ounce single servings to a full carafe) and the strength you want by turning a dial and also choose between the french press or a regular setting. You can even make cold brew using the press of an ice cube, or choose from a variety of special options such as Over Ice and Roasted.
The only issue is that it's not as sophisticated as the more sophisticated models we tested. The rounded Smeg drip maker is, for instance, shaped like an Easter egg and is a refreshing change from the boxy competitors. But its slender water tank and narrow opening could be difficult to navigate, particularly in the dark while the brew is in process. It takes a little more thought and effort than most customers would like to see as part of their morning routine.
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 also let you control brewing time. They can also brew coffee within less than two minutes. This is a lot quicker than a drip machine.
The Keurigs that we tested made a lot more mess than drip machines. The spout that spews hot coffee creates a 2 inch splash zone that leaves drops of water on 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 K-Cafe with Smart Keurig is the most advanced model, has a detachable water reservoir, four K-cups sizes, three temperature settings and a program that can be customized. It also comes with an automatic milk frother that is dishwasher safe and can froth skim, whole and nondairy milk. This is a great choice for those who want to brew different coffee every morning or for families with large numbers that require a larger capacity.
Keurig Instant pod is a excellent option for those looking for a single-serve machine that's easy to use and easy to use. It boasts a massive 78-ounce water tank that can brew many cups before needing to be refilled. Additionally, it can brew a cup using your own ground coffee--a rare feature for the form of a Keurig. The controls are easy and simple, though the machine communicates using tones and chirps rather than a screen which makes it more difficult to tell when a brew is ready.
4. Cuisinart Drip Machine
This dependable, mid-priced machine comes with all the features you require to begin your day. It has a huge reservoir of 14 cups and a clear window to indicate the level of water. It is simple to use thanks to the large buttons that have clearly labeled labels. The grinder and filter that can be removed can be cleaned easily 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 that lets you choose between three different settings including bold.
The reservoir also features a charcoal filter that helps soak up metals and other unpleasant odors and flavors from the tap water. This can cause your coffee to taste bland or burnt. This means less maintenance, and a more enjoyable cup of coffee.
Another benefit: The programability feature makes it simple to set your coffee to brew at a certain time. The pause button allows you to pour a cup or two before the whole pot is brewing. This can be helpful for busy mornings, when you require an additional 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 countertop than the bulky drip machines.
5. Ratio Six
Like its older sibling the Ratio Eight, the Six offers premium quality at a slightly more affordable price and a smaller footprint. The single-button system emulates a pour over, with a precision metered flow of water and the perfect temperature for coffee. The machine consumes 1400 Watts of power to warm the water and complete the brewing cycle in between five and six minutes. This is much more efficient than the lower-end models we tried. The speedy brewing time is partly due to the bloom cycle which allows grounds to settle prior to when the shower head is able to deliver the rest of the hot water needed for optimal extraction.
The Six also features a distinctive heat shield to safeguard the spray head during brewing and also to keep the water at the optimal temperature. It 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 elegant, minimalist and sleek in design. It has a stainless steel carafe on the top of a Melitta flat bottom filter holder. The carafe that is insulated keeps the coffee hot, without the use of a heated plate. This preserves the flavor.
6. Gevi 10-Cup Coffee Maker
The Gevi brews great-tasting coffee and has a sleek, relatively compact design that doesn't require any counter space. Its touchscreen panel features cute little icons that allow you to select one-touch commands (such as Bold or, when you're making just half a pot, you can use the One to Four cups feature). The machine allows you to set the timer, and toggle off or on the audible tone that signals the end of the brew cycle.
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 do the machine is easy to use. It also has many of features you'd expect to see on higher-end models.
It's not able to brew a whole carafe of espresso at once. This can be a problem if you're serving a lot of people. It's a great choice if you want drip coffeemaker that has an integrated grinder and the ability to make a variety of drinks. Coffeee comes with a 1-year warranty and a great customer service.
7. Moccamaster KBGV
The Moccamaster is a premium drip-coffee maker built to last. It comes with a 5-year warranty and is manufactured 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 for a full pot or a half-pot and is rated to brew coffee at the recommended temperatures and times by the Specialty Coffee Association. It also comes with a "practically hidden drip stop," that's a small lever beneath the brew basket, which stops the flow of coffee when you take the carafe off during the brewing process.
This machine is more expensive than other machines on the market, however it's worth it for anyone looking to have consistently great coffee without spending a lot in the kitchen. It's easy to clean and all parts that are in contact with water and grounds are easily accessible. The brewing process is slower than other models, but still faster than pour over brewing. The Moccamaster's unique design of tools for workshops and scientific devices adds class to your kitchen.