The Best Drip Coffee Machines
Drip coffee makers can be powerful machines that permit hands-free brewing. But they can also be heavy and heavy taking up valuable counter space or an area under cabinets.
The top drip machines are simple and easy to use. Some drip machines include additional features like programmable clocks or self-cleaning modes to make your morning coffee more personalized.
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 with just a couple of presses. It comes with a built-in burr grinder (taken directly from De'Longhi's espresso machines) which measures out the proper amount of coffee grounds and compacts them before making the coffee - eliminating plastic filters and pods.
It also offers a range of settings that can be adapted to the size and design, from 3oz espresso drinks, up to 16oz of iced coffee, and 40oz for the standard carafe. It is able to pour coffee into any container you choose whether it's a large cup or a small espresso cup. It can even make tea!
Bean Extract Technology is a technical term that manufacturers love to employ. It "adapts and grinds" beans based on the beans you choose. This is all marketing. It's essential that it's easy to use, efficient and doesn't cause a lot of mess when brewing. It's not able to make a short shot or a lengthy shot of espresso, and it does not have steam wand. If you're looking to get those features, I would suggest checking out the Moccamaster KBGV Select instead.
2. Cuisinart MultiServe
This is one of the top drip coffee machines available on the market. It makes consistently delicious, hot cups of coffee that are brewed efficiently.
We also liked the simplicity of customizing the brewing process. By turning a dial, you can choose the size of your cup (from 5 ounces single-serving up to a full-sized carafe) and the strength you want and whether you'd like a regular or French press setting. You can prepare cold brew at the touch of a button, or choose from a range of specialty options such as Over Ice and Roasted.
The only drawback is that it's not as sophisticated as the more sophisticated models we have tested. The rounded Smeg drip maker is for instance, and looks like an Easter egg and is a welcome contrast to the more boxy models. However, its slim water tank and narrow opening can be difficult to navigate, especially in the dark while the brew is underway. It takes some concentration and effort to get started in the morning.
3. Keurig K-Cup brewer
Keurig single-serve coffee makers use K-cups prepackaged and ready to use, eliminating the need to measure and grind grounds and control brewing times. These machines can also make the cup of coffee in under two minutes, which is a lot quicker than a standard drip machine.
The Keurigs that we tested made a lot more mess than drip machines. The spout that pours out the hot coffee leaves a two-inch splash area that leaves droplets all over the drip tray, machine and counter. They also create a bothersome loud sputtering sound when making coffee.
Despite the mess, the Keurigs we've tested perform well. The K-Cafe with Smart Keurig is the most sophisticated model, has a detachable water reservoir, four K-cups sizes as well as three temperature settings and a customizable program. It also comes with an milk frother that can froth whole, skim or non-dairy milk. This is a great choice for those who wish to make different coffees every morning, or for families who require more capacity.
The Keurig Instant Pod is another excellent option for those who wants a simple, easy-to-use single-serve machine. It comes with a 78 ounce tank that can brew several cups before having refilling. Additionally, it can create a cup of coffee using your own ground coffee--a unique feature of a Keurig. The controls are simple and straightforward, but the machine communicates via tones and chirps instead of a display, which makes it difficult to know when a cup is ready.
4. Cuisinart Drip Machine
This dependable, mid-priced machine comes with all the features you require to begin your day. drip brewer has a large reservoir that holds 14 cups, and an easy-to-read window to show the level of water. It is simple to use because of the large buttons and clearly labeled labels. The grinder and filter that can be removed can both be cleaned in the sink. This means that you don't have to scrub out the grounds from difficult to reach areas. It also has a handy brew strength selector, which lets you choose between three different settings including bold.
The reservoir also comes with charcoal filtering that can help to remove metals and other unpleasant odors and flavors from the tap water. This can cause coffee to taste flat or burned. This means less work and a more delicious cup of coffee.
Another benefit is that the programmability feature makes it easy to set your coffee to brew at an exact time. The Pause button lets you pour a cup of coffee or two before the entire pot is done brewing. This is useful in busy mornings when you require an additional boost 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 kitchen counter than most boxy drip machines.
5. Ratio Six
Like its predecessor, the Ratio Eight, the Six provides a premium experience at a slightly more affordable price and a smaller footprint. Its single-button process emulates an expert pour over, with precise metered water flow and the ideal temperature for coffee. The machine utilizes powerful 1400 watts to heat water and complete the entire brewing process in about five to six minutes, which is much less than the majority of the cheaper models we have tested. The speedy brewing time is largely due to the bloom process, which allows grounds of coffee to settle before the shower head delivers the remainder of the hot water for optimal extraction.
The Six features a shield of heat that is unique to keep the water at a perfect temperature and to protect the spray head. It is among few brewers to have been Golden Cup certified by Specialty Coffee Association. This means that it will maintain the proper temperature of brewing throughout the entire brew cycle.
In terms of design, the Six is sleek and minimalist, with a stainless steel carafe that sits on top of a filter holder that accepts Melitta flat bottom filters. The carafe is insulated, which helps keep the coffee hot, without the need for a heated plate. This preserves the flavor.
6. Gevi 10-Cup Espresso Maker
The Gevi brews great-tasting coffee and features a sleek, relatively compact design that doesn't need any counter space. The touchscreen display has cute little icons that allow you to 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 and toggle off or on the audible tone that signifies the end of the brewing cycle.
It's nice to have a built-in coffee grinder that lets you alter the size of the grind and intensity of your coffee. It takes a little time to learn to use the machine however once you've mastered it, the machine is easy to use. It also has many of the features you'd expect to see on higher-end models.
It can't brew an entire carafe of coffee at once. This could be a problem when you're serving several people. However, it's a great option if you're in the market for a drip coffee maker with an integrated grinder and the flexibility to make different kinds of drinks. It comes with a 1-year warranty and a great customer service.
7. Moccamaster KBGV
The Moccamaster KBGV is an excellent drip coffee maker that's built to last. It comes with a five-year warranty and is made in the Netherlands by Technivorm. The sleek glass carafe is set on top of a warming device that keeps the coffee at an ideal temperature for up to six minutes. It can be programmed to make a full or half pot, and it's certified to brew at ideal temperatures and times recommended by the Specialty Coffee Association. It also has a "practically invisible drip stop," an incredibly small lever that is located below the brew pot that will stop the flow of coffee when you take off the carafe when making.
This machine is more expensive than many 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. It's easy to clean and all parts that come into contact with water and grounds are easily accessible. The brew process is slower than other models, but still faster than pour-over brewing. In addition, the Moccamaster's distinctive design that is reminiscent of workshop tools or scientific devices will add an elegant touch to your kitchen.
