The Best Drip Coffee Machines
Drip coffee makers are robust machines capable of brewing without hands. They can be big and bulky, taking up valuable counter space or cabinet space.
The best drip machines have a simple design and are easy to use. Some come with extras that make a morning cup of coffee more customizable such as timers that are programmable and self-cleaning settings.
1. De'Longhi TrueBrew
The De'Longhi TrueBrew can be used to make coffee in one step - from whole beans to a carafe of coffee in just two presses. It comes with a built-in burr grinder (taken from De'Longhi espresso machines) which measures the correct amount of grounds. It then compacts them before brewing, removing plastic pods and filters.
It also comes with a variety of settings for the size and style, ranging from 3oz espresso-style drinks, to 16oz iced coffee or 40oz of a standard carafe. It is able to pour coffee into any vessel you choose, whether it's a large cup or a small espresso cup. It even makes tea!
Manufacturers love to dream up bizarre technical terms, and this one has the Bean Extract Technology which "adapts and precisely grinds" the beans according to your selection. This is all marketing. It's important to note that it's easy to use, pretty fast and doesn't make much of a mess while brewing. It is not able to brew either a short shot or a long shot of espresso as well as it doesn't come with a steam wand. If you're looking to get those features, I suggest looking into the Moccamaster KBGV Select instead.
2. Cuisinart MultiServe
This is among the top drip coffee makers on the market. It consistently produces delicious and hot cups of joe that are brewed efficiently and quickly from sleek, compact components that are easy to operate, all at an extremely affordable price.
We also liked the simplicity of customizing the making process. You can choose the size of your cup (from 5-ounce single servings up to a full carafe) and the strength you prefer by turning dials, as well as choose between either a french press or regular setting. You can make cold brew with the push of a button or choose from a variety of specialty options like 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 with a rounded design is for instance, and looks like an Easter egg and is a refreshing alternative to the traditional models. Its narrow opening and slender tank can be tricky to navigate, particularly in the dark when the brew is on. It takes a bit of time and thought to get going in the early morning.
3. Keurig K-Cup brewer
Keurig single serve coffee makers utilize K cups that come pre-packaged that eliminate the need to measure or grind grounds. They can also be controlled in the time of brewing. They can also brew coffee in under two minutes. This is a lot quicker than a drip machine.
However, the Keurigs we've tested create quite a mess, much more than drip machines. drip machine coffee , which spews hot coffee creates a two-inch splash zone, which leaves drops of water on the drip tray, machine, and counter. They also make a snarling loud sputtering noise while brewing.
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 for K-cups and three temperature settings and a menu that can be customized. It also has a dishwasher-safe milk frother that can froth skim, whole, and nondairy milk. This is a great option for those who wish to make different coffees each morning or for families with large numbers that need a larger capacity.
The Keurig Instant Pod is another ideal choice for anyone who is looking for a simple and easy-to-use single-serve device. It has a 78-ounce tank that can make multiple cups before needing to be filled. Additionally, it can brew a cup using the coffee you grind yourself, which is a unique feature of the world of Keurig. The controls are simple and straightforward however, the machine communicates via tones and chirps, not a display, which makes it difficult to know when a cup is ready.
4. Cuisinart Drip Machine
This dependable, mid-priced machine comes with everything you need to get started on your day. It has a large reservoir of 14 cups and a clear window to indicate the water level. The large, clearly labeled buttons make it intuitive to use. And the removable 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 handy brew strength selector, which lets you select from three different settings, including bold.
The reservoir also comes with charcoal filters that help to remove metals and other unpleasant odors and flavors in the tap water. This can cause coffee to taste dry or burned. This means less maintenance and a more enjoyable cup of coffee.
A second benefit: the programmability feature allows you to set your coffee's brewing time to a specific time. The pause button lets you to pour a cup or two of coffee before the whole pot has finished making coffee, which is beneficial for hectic mornings when you need an extra dose of caffeine. It's also a beautiful coffee maker with a sleek and attractive a sleek design that looks more at home on a kitchen counter than most boxy drip machines.
5. Ratio Six
The Ratio Eight is the older brother of the Six. It offers a premium experience with 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 warm the water and complete the brewing process in between five and six minutes. This is significantly faster than the majority of the cheaper models that we test. This rapid brew time is in part due to the bloom process, which allows grounds of coffee to settle before the shower head delivers the rest of the hot water for the best extraction.
The Six utilizes a heat shield that is unique in order to keep the water at a perfect 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 temperature of brewing throughout the brewing process.
The Six is minimalist, sleek and minimal in its design. It features an stainless steel carafe that sits on the top of a Melitta flat bottom filter holder. The carafe that is insulated keeps brewed coffee warm, without the need for heated plates. This helps preserve the flavor.
6. Gevi 10-Cup Coffee Maker
The Gevi produces great tasting coffee and has an elegant, compact design that doesn't need lots of counter space. The touchscreen has cute icons that let you select one-touch commands (such as Bold or, in the case of making just half a pot, you can use the One to Four cup option). The machine allows you to set the timer and switch off or on the audible tone that signals the end of the brewing cycle.
The built-in grinder and ability to control the grind size and strength of your coffee is a nice touch. It takes a little time to get used to the machine but once you've done it, the machine is easy to use. It also has many of the features that you'd expect to find on higher-end models.
The only downside is that it's unable to make an entire carafe at one time which could be a problem when you're serving a lot of people. It's a good choice if you want an espresso maker with a built in grinder and the ability to make different drinks. It comes with a one-year warranty and great customer service.
7. Moccamaster KBGV
The Moccamaster KBGV is a premium drip coffee maker designed to last. It's made by Technivorm in the Netherlands and comes with a five-year warranty. 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 work with a full pot or a half pot, and is certified to brew coffee at recommended temperatures and times by the Specialty Coffee Association. It also features a "practically invisible drip stop," which is a tiny lever below the brew basket that stops the flow of coffee if you take the carafe off during the brewing process.
The machine is more expensive than many other models 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 parts that come into contact with water or ground are easily accessible. Although the brewing process is longer than other models, it's faster than pour-over brewing. The Moccamaster's unique design of tools used in workshops and scientific equipment adds style to your kitchen.