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The Best Drip Coffee Machines
Drip coffee makers are workhorses capable of brewing without hands. They can be huge and bulky, taking up valuable counter or cabinet space.
The best small drip coffee maker drip machines are streamlined and simple to use. Some drip machines include extras like programmable clocks and self-cleaning mode to make your morning cup of coffee more customized.
1. De'Longhi TrueBrew
The De'Longhi TrueBrew is a one-stop shop for coffee - it goes from whole beans to a full carafe by pressing a few buttons. It has a built-in burr grinder (taken from De'Longhi espresso machines) that calculates the correct amount of grounds, and then compacts them prior to brewing - eliminating wasteful plastic pods and filters.
It also offers a variety of options for your preferred cup size and design, ranging from 3oz espresso-style drinks to 16oz iced brewed coffee or 40oz of a traditional carafe. It dispenses the coffee into your choice of vessel, from large mugs to the tiny espresso cups, or even tall travel mugs that don't normally fit in regular drip machines. It can even make tea!
Manufacturers love to dream up bizarre technical terms and this one comes with the Bean Extract Technology which "adapts and precisely grinds" the beans based on the beans you choose. That's it for marketing. It's essential that it's easy to use, fast and doesn't create a lot of mess when making coffee. It does, however, not have the capability to brew either a long or short shot of espresso, and it doesn't come with steam wands for milk. If you're looking for these features, I recommend checking out the Moccamaster KBGV Select instead.
2. Cuisinart MultiServe
This is among the best drip coffee machine drip coffee machines on the market. It produces consistently flavorful, hot cups of coffee that brew efficiently.
We also liked the simplicity of customizing the method of brewing. You can choose your cup size (from 5-ounce single servings to a full carafe) and the strength you want by turning dials, as well as choose between the french press or a regular setting. You can also make cold brew at the touch of an ice cube, or choose from a range of specialty options like Over Ice and Roasted.
The only downside is that the design doesn't resemble some of the more sophisticated models we tested. For example, the rounded Smeg drip machine looks like a gleaming Easter egg and is a welcome contrast to the boxy models. 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 some consumers might want to make part of their morning routine.
3. Keurig K-Cup brewer
Keurig single serve coffee makers use 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 one cup of coffee in less than two minutes, which is significantly faster than a traditional drip machine.
However, the Keurigs we've tested create lots of mess, and are much more than drip machines. The spout that pours out the hot coffee leaves a 2-inch splash area that creates droplets all over the drip tray, machine and counter. They also make an annoying, loud sound when you're making coffee.
Despite the mess, the Keurigs that we've tested have performed well. The K-Cafe with Smart Keurig is the most sophisticated model, with a removable reservoir, four sizes for K-cups with three temperature settings and a customizable menu. It also comes with a milk frother that can froth whole, skim or non-dairy milk. It's an excellent choice for those who want to make a new cup of coffee each day or for families with large families that require an extra capacity.
Keurig Instant pod is another great choice for anyone seeking a single-serve machine that is easy to use and simple to use. It comes with a 78 ounce tank that can brew several cups before having to be refilled. And it can also create a cup of coffee using 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, not an LCD, making it difficult to know the moment when a coffee is ready.
4. Cuisinart Drip Machine
This reliable, mid-priced model comes with everything you need to get started on your day. It has a large 14-cup reservoir as well as a clear indicator of the level of water. It is easy to use due to the large buttons and clearly labeled labels. The flavoured filter coffee (http://www.annunciogratis.net/) that is removable and the grinder can 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 that lets you choose between three different settings, including bold.
The reservoir also has charcoal filtering that can help absorb metals and other unpleasant odors and flavors from the tap water. This can cause coffee to taste dry or burnt. This means less maintenance and a better-tasting cup of joe.
Another benefit: The programability feature makes it simple to set your coffee to brew at a certain time. And the pause button allows you to pour one or two cups of coffee before the whole pot is finished making it, which can be beneficial for hectic mornings when you need an extra dose of caffeine. It's also a very attractive design coffee maker, with a sleek design that looks more at home on a counter than the majority of boxy drip machines.
5. Ratio Six
The Ratio Eight is the older sister of the Six. It offers the best experience, but at a slightly lower price and a smaller footprint. The single-button controls mimic the concept of pour-over, with a precision metered flow of water and the ideal temperature for coffee. The machine uses 1400 watts of power to heat the water and complete the brewing process in between five and six minutes. This is significantly quicker than the less expensive models we test. This rapid brew is partially due to the blooming cycle which allows the coffee grounds to settle prior to the shower head delivering the remainder of the water for optimal extraction.
The Six utilizes a heat shield that is unique to keep water at the optimal temperature and protect the spray head. This is one of the few brewers to be Golden Cup certified by the Specialty Coffee Association, which means it keeps the correct brewing temperature consistently throughout the brew cycle.
In terms of design, the Six is sleek and minimalist and comes with a stainless steel carafe that sits on top of a filter holder that accepts Melitta flat bottom filters. The carafe that is insulated keeps the coffee warm without the need for a heated plate, which helps to preserve the flavor.
6. Gevi 10-Cup Espresso Maker
The Gevi produces great tasting coffee and comes with an elegant, compact design that doesn't take up any counter space. The touchscreen has cute icons that let you select single-touch commands. For example you can select Bold or, if you are only making half a pot of coffee, you can choose the One to four cups feature. The machine also lets you set the timer and turn the brew-cycle tone tones that sound audible or off.
It's nice to have a built-in coffee grinder that allows you to alter the size of the grind and the strength of your coffee. It takes a while to get used to how the machine operates but it's easy when you've done. And it has a lot of the features that you'd expect to find on higher-end models.
It's not able to brew a whole carafe of coffee at once. This can be a problem when you need to serve several people. It's still a good option if you're in the market for drip coffee maker with a built-in grinder as well as the flexibility to make different kinds of drinks. It comes with a one-year warranty and great customer service.
7. Moccamaster KBGV
The Moccamaster KBGV is a premium drip coffee maker built to last. It comes with a 5 year warranty and is made in the Netherlands by Technivorm. Its sleek glass cup sits on top of a warming device that keeps the coffee at a perfect temperature for up to six minutes. It can be programmed to make a full or half pot, and it's certified to brew at the ideal times and temperatures recommended by the Specialty Coffee Association. It also has a "practically invisible drip stop," an incredibly small lever that is located beneath the brew pot that stops the flow of coffee when you remove the carafe from the making.
This machine is more expensive than many others on the market but it's worth the cost for anyone who wants to enjoy consistently great coffee without having to spend a lot in the kitchen. All components that come in contact with ground or water are easily accessible. The brewing process is slower than other models but still quicker than pour-over brewing. The Moccamaster's unique design of workshop tools and scientific equipment adds style to your kitchen.