The Best Drip Coffee Machines
Drip coffee makers are reliable machines capable of making coffee hands-free. They can be huge and bulky, occupying valuable counter or cabinet space.
The best drip machines are streamlined and simple to use. Some drip machines have extra features such as programmable clocks and self-cleaning mode to make your morning coffee more personalised.
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 two presses. It has a built in burr grinder (taken from De'Longhi espresso machines) which measures the proper amount of grounds, and then compacts them before brewing, removing plastic pods and filters.
It also comes with a variety of settings to suit your preferred cup size and style, ranging from 3oz espresso-style beverages to 16oz iced coffee or 40oz of standard carafe. It pours the coffee into a variety of vessel, ranging from large cups to tiny espresso cups or even tall travel mugs that don't normally fit under regular drip machines. It even creates tea!
Bean Extract Technology is a technical term that manufacturers love to use. It "adapts and grinds" beans according to your preferences. That's it for marketing. What matters is that it's easy to use, pretty quick and doesn't cause a lot of a mess when making coffee. It is not able to make a quick shot or a long shot espresso, and it does not have steam wand. If you're looking for those features, I recommend taking a look at the Moccamaster KBG Select instead.
2. Cuisinart MultiServe
This is one of the best drip coffee machines on the market. It consistently produces delicious hot cups of coffee that brew quickly and efficiently from sleek, compact components that are easy to operate--all for an incredibly reasonable price.
We also liked the ease of customizing the brewing process. With a simple dial turn, you can choose your cup size (from 5 ounces single-serving up to a full-carafe), your desired strength and whether you want a regular or French press setting. You can even make cold brew at the touch of the button, or select from a variety of special options such as Over Ice and Roasted.
The only drawback is that the design doesn't match the other more sophisticated models we tested. The Smeg drip maker that is rounded is for instance, and looks like an Easter egg and is a welcome alternative to the traditional models. However, its slim water tank and narrow opening can be difficult to navigate, especially in the dark while the brew is in process. It requires a bit more time and thought to start the process in the early morning.
3. Keurig K-Cup brewer
Keurig single serve coffee makers make use of pre-packaged K cups which eliminate the need to measure or grind grounds. They also let you control the time of brewing. They can also brew coffee in under two minutes. This is much faster than a drip maker.
However, the Keurigs we've tested have created a lot of mess--much more than drip machines. The spout that spews the hot coffee creates a 2 inch splash area, which creates droplets all over the drip tray machine, counter and. They also create a bothersome, loud sputtering sound while making coffee.
The Keurigs that we tested performed well despite the mess. The K-Cafe with Smart Keurig is the most sophisticated model, and comes with an easily detachable reservoir, four sizes for K-cups with three temperature settings and a customizable menu. It also comes with a milk frother which can be used to froth skim, whole or non-dairy milk. It's a great choice for those who want to make a different cup of coffee each morning or for families with large families who need an extra capacity.
Keurig Instant pod is another excellent option for those looking for a single-serve machine that is easy to use and simple. It comes with a 78-ounce tank that can brew several cups before having to be refilled. It also allows brewing using grounds from your own coffee, a feature that is rare in a Keurig. The controls are simple and straightforward however the machine communicates with tones and chirps, not an LCD, making it difficult to determine when a brew has been ready.
4. Cuisinart Drip Machine
This dependable, mid-priced machine comes with all the features you require to begin your day. It has a large 14-cup reservoir as well as an easily-readable indicator of the level of water. It is easy to use due to the large buttons that have clearly labeled labels. Additionally, the filter and grinder can both be cleaned in the sink, removing the need to clean grounds from hard-to-reach places. It also comes with a handy brew strength selector that lets you pick from three different settings, including bold.
The reservoir also has charcoal filters that help to remove metals and other unpleasant odors and flavors from the tap water, which can cause your coffee to taste dry or burnt. This means less work and a better-tasting coffee.
Another benefit is that the programability feature makes it simple to set your coffee to brew at a specific time. Also, the pause button lets you to pour one or two cups of coffee before the entire pot is making coffee, which is useful for busy mornings when you need energy. It also has a sleek and modern design, which will look more at home on the counter of your kitchen compared to most boxy drip coffee makers.
5. Ratio Six
The Ratio Eight is the older brother of the Six. It offers a premium experience with the same price, but a smaller footprint. The single-button controls mimic the pour-over process, and comes with a precision metered flow of water and the ideal temperature for coffee. The machine makes use of 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 lesser models we tested. The speedy brewing time is largely due to the bloom process, which allows grounds to settle prior to when the shower head releases the remainder 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 a few brewers that has been Golden Cup certified by Specialty Coffee Association. This means it maintains the right temperature throughout the brew cycle.
In terms of design In terms of design, the Six is sleek and minimalist, with a stainless steel carafe that sits on the top of a filter holder that can accept Melitta flat bottom filters. The carafe is insulated, which keeps the brewed coffee warm without the necessity of heating plates and helps keep the flavor intact.
6. Gevi 10-Cup Coffee Maker
The Gevi is a small, sleek coffee maker that doesn't take up much counter space. It produces a delicious tasting cup of coffee. The touchscreen panel has cute icons that let you select single-touch commands. For instance, you can choose Bold or if you're making a half-pot of coffee, you can use the One to four cups feature. The machine also allows you to set the timer and switch the brew cycle-finished tone that sounds audible on or off.
It's nice to have a built-in coffee grinder that lets you adjust the size and the strength of your coffee. It can take some time to understand how the machine works, but it's intuitive once you've mastered it. It also has many of the features that you'd expect to see on more expensive models.
It's not able to brew a whole carafe of coffee in one go. This could be a problem when you're serving several people. It's still a good option if you're looking to buy drip coffee maker with an integrated grinder and the flexibility to make different types of drinks. It comes with a one-year warranty and great customer service.
7. Moccamaster KBGV
The Moccamaster KBGV is a top drip coffee maker built to last. It comes with a 5 year warranty and is manufactured 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 brew a whole or half pot, and is certified to brew at optimal times and temperatures suggested by the Specialty Coffee Association. It also comes with a "practically hidden drip stop," which is a tiny lever below the brew basket that stop the flow of coffee when you remove the carafe during the brewing process.
Coffeee UK 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 spending too much in the kitchen. All components that come in 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 distinctive, reminiscent design of workshop tools and scientific devices adds class to your kitchen.