The Best Drip Coffee Machines
Drip coffee makers can be powerful machines that allow for hands-free making. But they can also be large and heavy, taking up valuable counter space or an area under the cabinet.
The top drip machines feature a simple design and are easy to use. Some have extra features that make your morning cup of coffee more customizable, like programmable timers and self-cleaning settings.
1. De'Longhi TrueBrew
The De'Longhi TrueBrew is an all-in-one shop for coffee. It can go from whole beans to a full carafe using just a few presses. It has a built in burr grinder (taken from espresso machines made by De'Longhi) that measures out the correct amount of grounds. It then compacts them prior to brewing, removing plastic pods and filters.
It also offers a variety of options for the size and design, ranging from 3oz espresso-style drinks, to 16oz iced coffee, or 40oz of a standard carafe. It dispenses the coffee in your choice of vessel, from large cups to tiny espresso cups, or even tall travel mugs that don't normally fit in regular drip machines. It even makes tea!
Manufacturers are known to come up with absurd technical jargons and this one includes the Bean Extract Technology which "adapts and precisely grinds" the beans according to the choice you make. However, it's really simply marketing. It's essential that it's easy to use, fast and doesn't cause many mess while brewing. However, it does lack the ability to brew a short or long shot of espresso and doesn't have steam wands for milk. If you're looking to get those features, I recommend taking a look at the Moccamaster KBG Select instead.
2. Cuisinart MultiServe
This is among the best drip coffee machines on the market. It consistently produces delicious hot cups of joe that brew efficiently and cleanly using sleek, compact hardware that's turnkey to operate--all for an incredibly reasonable cost.
We also loved the ease at the ability to customize the brewing experience. You can select your cup size (from 5-ounce single serving to a full carafe) and the strength you prefer by turning an dial, as well as choose between either a french press or regular setting. You can even make cold brew using the push of the button, or select from a variety of special options such as Over Ice and Roasted.
The only issue is that the design doesn't resemble some of the other more sophisticated models we've tried. The Smeg drip maker that is rounded is for instance, and looks like an Easter egg and is a refreshing change from the boxy competitors. However, its slim water tank and narrow opening can be difficult to navigate, especially in the dark while the brew is underway. It requires a bit more time and thought than many consumers would want as part of their morning routine.
3. Keurig K-Cup brewer
Keurig single serve coffee makers make use of K cups that come pre-packaged which eliminate the necessity of measuring or grinding grounds. They also let you control brewing time. These machines can also brew coffee within less than two minutes. This is much quicker than a drip machine.
However, the Keurigs we've tested have created lots of mess, and are much more than drip machines. The spout that spews hot coffee creates a 2 inch splash zone, which leaves droplets on the drip tray, machine and counter. And they produce an irritating, loud popping sound while making coffee.
Despite the mess, the Keurigs we've tested perform well. The K-Cafe Smart Keurig is the most sophisticated model, comes with a removable water reservoir, four K-cups sizes as well as three temperature settings and a customizable program. It also comes with a dishwasher-safe milk frother that can be used to froth skim, whole and nondairy milk. This is a great option for those who wish to brew different coffee every morning, or for families who require the capacity of a larger.
The Keurig Instant Pod is another excellent option for those who wants a straightforward, easy-to-use single-serve machine. It comes with a 78 ounce tank that can make multiple cups before having to be refilled. It also has the ability to brew grounds from your own coffee this is a feature that is not often found in Keurig. Keurig. The controls are straightforward and easy to use, however the machine communicates with tones and chirps instead of a screen, which makes it harder to know when a cup is ready.
4. Cuisinart Drip Machine
This dependable, mid-priced machine comes with all the features you need to start your day. It comes with a large 14-cup reservoir as well as an easily-readable water level indicator window. It is simple to use because of the large buttons with clearly labeled labels. The filter and grinder that are removable can both be cleaned in the sink. This removes the need to scrub out the grounds from hard-to reach areas. It also has a handy brew strength selector that lets you pick from three different options including bold.
The reservoir also features a charcoal filter that helps absorb metals and other unpleasant odors and flavors from the tap water, which can cause coffee to taste bland or burned. That means less maintenance and a more delicious cup of coffee.
A second benefit: the ability to program allows you to set your coffee brewing to a certain time. Also, the pause button lets you to pour a cup or two of coffee before the whole pot is brewing, which can be helpful in busy mornings when you require an extra dose of caffeine. It's also a pretty attractive coffee maker with a sleek and attractive an elegant design that appears more at home on a counter than the majority of boxy drip machines.
5. Ratio Six
The Ratio Eight is the older brother of the Six. It provides an exceptional experience at an affordable price and a smaller footprint. Its single-button brewing process mimics the art of pour-over with precision metered water flow and a perfect temperature for coffee. The machine utilizes a powerful 1400 watts to heat water and complete the brewing process in about five to six minutes--which is far shorter than most of the less expensive models we tested. This speedy brewing is partly due to the bloom cycle, which allows grounds of coffee to settle before the shower head releases the rest of the hot water to ensure optimal extraction.
The Six also uses a unique heat shield to safeguard the spray head while making and to ensure that the water is kept at the optimum temperature. It is among few brewers to have been Golden Cup certified by Specialty Coffee Association. This means that it will maintain the proper temperature throughout the process of brewing.
The Six is minimalist, sleek and minimal in design. It comes with a stainless steel carafe, which sits on the top of a Melitta flat-bottom filter holder. The carafe that is insulated keeps the coffee warm without the need for a heated plate, which helps to preserve flavor.
6. Gevi 10-Cup Coffee Maker
The Gevi produces great tasting coffee and comes with an elegant, compact design that doesn't take up any counter space. The touchscreen features cute icons that allow you to choose one-touch commands. For instance, you can choose Bold or If you're only making a half-pot of coffee, you can choose the One to Four Cups feature. The machine allows you to set the timer, as well as switch off or on the audible tone that signals the end of the brew cycle.
It's great to have a built-in grinder that allows you to adjust the grind size and the intensity of your coffee. It takes some time to become familiar with the machine, but once you do it is intuitive. It has plenty of features you'd expect to see on higher-end models.
It can't brew an entire carafe of espresso at once. This could be a problem when you need to serve several people. But it's a solid choice if you're looking for drip coffee maker with a built-in grinder and the ability to make a variety of types of drinks. It has a one year warranty and excellent customer support.
7. Moccamaster KBGV
The Moccamaster is a high-end drip-coffee maker made to last. filtered coffee makers comes with a five-year warranty and is made in the Netherlands by Technivorm. The sleek glass carafe is placed on top of a warmer which keeps the coffee at an ideal temperature for as long as six minutes. It can be programmed to work with a full pot or a half-pot and is rated to brew coffee using the recommended temperatures and times by the Specialty Coffee Association. It also has a "practically invisible drip stopper," that's a small lever beneath the brew basket that stop the flow of coffee when you remove the carafe while brewing.
This machine is more expensive than other machines on the market, however it's worth the cost for anyone who wants to enjoy consistently great coffee without spending too much in the kitchen. All components that come into contact with water or ground are easily accessible. The brew process is slower than other models, but still much faster than pour-over brewing. The Moccamaster's unique, reminiscent design of tools used in workshops and scientific devices adds class to your kitchen.
