The Best Drip Coffee Machines
Drip coffee makers can be powerful machines that allow for hands-free making. However, they can also be heavy and heavy taking up valuable counter space or a spot under cabinets.
The top drip machines are simple in design and are simple to use. Some have extra features that make your morning cup of coffee more flexible such as timers that are programmable and self-cleaning modes.
1. De'Longhi TrueBrew
The De'Longhi TrueBrew is the perfect place to buy coffee - it goes from whole beans to a complete carafe using just a few presses. It has a built-in burr grinder (taken directly from De'Longhi's espresso machines) which measures out the correct amount of coffee grounds, then compacts them prior to making coffee, eliminating the need for plastic filters and pods.
It also has a variety of settings to fit the size and style, ranging from 3oz espresso drinks to 16oz of iced tea and 40oz for the standard carafe. It can dispense coffee into any container you like whether it's a large mug or a tiny espresso cup. It can even make tea!
Bean Extract Technology is a jargony term that manufacturers love to employ. It "adapts and grinds" beans to suit your selection. That's all marketing. It's important that it's easy to use, efficient and doesn't cause many mess while making coffee. It is not able to brew either a short shot or a lengthy shot of espresso and does not have steam wand. If you're looking to get those features, I suggest looking into the Moccamaster KBGV Select instead.
2. Cuisinart MultiServe
This is one of the best drip coffee machines on the market. drip coffee maker produces delicious hot cups of coffee that brew quickly and efficiently using sleek, compact components that are easy to operate, all at an extremely reasonable cost.
We also appreciated the ease with which we were able to modify the brewing experience. With just a dial turn, you can choose your cup size (from a 5-ounce single-serving to a full-sized carafe), your desired strength and whether you want French or regular press setting. You can make cold brew with the touch of a button or choose from a variety of specialty options, such as Over Ice and Roasted.
The only issue is that it's not quite as sleek as the more sophisticated models that we tested. For instance, the rounded Smeg drip machine looks like an Easter egg and is a refreshing break from the traditional boxy designs of competitors. Its narrow opening and slender tank can be tricky to navigate, especially in the dark when the brew is running. It requires a bit more time and thought to start the process in the morning.
3. Keurig K-Cup brewer
Keurig single serve coffee makers make use of 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 can also brew coffee in less than two minutes. This is much faster than a drip maker.
The Keurigs that we tested made a lot more mess than drip machines. The spout spewing the hot coffee creates a 2-inch splash zone, which leaves droplets on the drip tray, machine, and counter. They also create a loud, irritating sputtering noise while making coffee.
The Keurigs that we tested worked well despite the mess. The Smart Keurig K-Cafe is the most sophisticated model, and comes with an easily detachable reservoir, four sizes for K-cups, three temperature settings, and a user-friendly menu. It also comes with a milk frother which can be used to froth whole, skim or non-dairy milk. It's an excellent choice for anyone looking to make a new cup of coffee each day or for families with large families that require a bigger capacity.
The Keurig Instant Pod is a ideal choice for anyone who is looking for a simple and easy-to-use single-serve device. 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 your own ground coffee, a unique feature of a Keurig. The controls are straightforward and easy to use, however the machine does communicate with tones and chirps instead of a screen, which makes it harder to determine when a brew is ready.
4. Cuisinart Drip Machine
This reliable, mid-priced machine has all the features that you require to start your day. It has a huge reservoir of 14 cups and a clear window to indicate the water level. The large buttons clearly labeled make it intuitive to use. Additionally, the filter and grinder can both be cleaned in the sink, eliminating the need to brush out the grounds from difficult-to-access places. It also has a convenient brew strength selector that lets you choose from three different settings that include bold.
The reservoir also comes with charcoal filtering that can help absorb metals and other unpleasant odors and flavors from the tap water, which can cause your coffee to taste dry or burnt. This means less maintenance, and a better tasting cup of coffee.
Another benefit: the programmability feature allows you to set your coffee brewing to a certain time. The Pause button allows you to pour a cup of coffee or two before the pot is done brewing. This can be helpful during busy mornings, or when you require an extra boost of caffeine. It's also a very attractive design coffee maker, with an elegant design that appears more at home on the kitchen counter than most boxy drip machines.
5. Ratio Six
The Ratio Eight is the older brother of the Six. It provides a premium experience with an affordable price and 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 heat 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. This rapid brew time is in part due to the bloom cycle which allows grounds of coffee to settle before the shower head releases the rest of the hot water for the best extraction.
The Six uses a heat shield that is unique to keep water at the optimal temperature and to protect the spray head. This is one of only few brewers to have been Golden Cup certified by Specialty Coffee Association. This means it maintains the right temperature of brewing throughout the entire process of brewing.
In terms of design, the Six is sleek and minimal It comes with a stainless-steel carafe that is placed on the top of a holder for filters that can accommodate Melitta flat bottom filters. The carafe that is insulated keeps the coffee warm without the necessity of heating plates, which helps to preserve flavor.
6. Gevi 10-Cup Coffee Maker
The Gevi is a small and sleek coffee maker that doesn't occupy much counter space. It brews a great tasting cup of coffee. Its touchscreen panel features cute icons that let you select one-touch commands (such as Bold or, when you're making just half a cup, the One to Four cup feature). The machine lets you set the timer, as well as turn on or off the audible tone that signifies the end of the brewing cycle.
It's great to have a built-in grinder that lets you adjust the size and the strength of your coffee. It takes a while to learn how the machine works, but it's intuitive once you do. It also has many of the features that you'd expect to see on more expensive models.
The only downside is that it can't brew a full carafe at once this could be a challenge if you're serving multiple people. It's a good choice if you want an espresso maker with a built in grinder, and the capability to create different drinks. It comes with a one-year warranty and great customer service.
7. Moccamaster KBGV
The Moccamaster is a high-end drip-coffee maker that is built to last. It comes with a 5 year warranty and is manufactured in the Netherlands by Technivorm. The stylish glass carafe is placed on top of a warmer which keeps the coffee at an ideal temperature for up six minutes. It can be programmed for a full pot or a half pot, and is certified to brew coffee using the recommended temperatures and times by the Specialty Coffee Association. It also features a "practically invisible drip stop," which is a small lever beneath the brew kettle that stops the flow of coffee when you remove the carafe while making coffee.
While this machine is more expensive than other machines on the market, it's worth the investment for those who want to enjoy consistently great coffee without spending too long in the kitchen. All components that come into contact with water or ground are easily accessible. The brewing process is slower than other models but still quicker than pour over brewing. Additionally, the Moccamaster's unique design that is reminiscent of tools used in workshops or other scientific equipment, adds the perfect touch of elegance to your kitchen.