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Reviewed / Jackson Ruckar
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Credit:
Reviewed / Jackson Ruckar
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With thousands of choices available, shoppers looking for the best drip coffee maker may be overwhelmed. A great coffee brewer should be easy to set up, durable, and easy to clean. Most importantly, it needs to make a really mean cup of joe.
That's why we tested some of the most popular full-size coffee makers on the market. We narrowed the field down to drip machines that ranged in price from less than $20 to over $300, and could brew at least eight cups and keep your coffee hot.
After testing, we determined that the Technivorm Moccamaster KBG (available at Williams-Sonoma) is the best coffee maker on the market. While pricey, the Moccamaster brews a complex and smooth pot of coffee.
If the Technivorm isn’t in your budget, we found other affordable drip coffee makers that still brew a quality pot.
These are the best coffee makers we tested ranked, in order:
The Moccamaster received high marks across the board.
This Black & Decker is our new best value pick.
This Breville Precision Brewer is the most versatile coffee maker we've tested.
This De'Longhi brews great iced coffee without sacrificing flavor.
Smart
Sleek design
Easy to clean
Pricey
Compact size
High brew quality
Easy to use
Lacks safety features
No auto time-off
Lightweight
Easy to use
Keeps beverages warm
Lack of features
14-cup brewing capability
Sleek, stainless exterior
Programmable
Weak coffee
Different brewing options
Stylish, solidly built
Programming isn't intuitive
Brews bitter coffee
Easy setup process
Elegant design
Keeps coffee warm
Average brew quality
Difficult to refill
Easy to maneuver
Relatively smooth coffee
Not durable
Two brewing options
Brews bland coffee
We brewed cup after cup of coffee to find the best coffee makers.
I’m Valerie Li, Reviewed’s kitchen and cooking staff writer. From single serve coffee makers to espresso machines, I’ve tested the most popular gadgets using scientific testing—as well as my own palate. In addition to testing, I also like to write about how to improve the brewing experience at home and how to make trendy coffee drinks.
In addition to making regular coffee, we also tested special features like iced coffee.
After narrowing the field to the most promising coffee makers, we evaluated each machine for ease of use and setup, reliability, and overall design. We also held taste tests where coffee enthusiasts helped us decide which had the most nuanced flavors. We brewed two full carafes of coffee with each machine during these tests to check for consistency and brew quality.
Despite the growth in popularity of single-serve, espresso, and cold brew coffee makers, the drip coffee maker still reigns supreme in many households.
When it comes to buying a coffee maker, the number of options could seem endless. But choosing the right one for you comes down to what you need and want from your coffee maker. We’ve taken note of a few important aspects to consider when shopping for your ideal coffee machine.
The price of a drip coffee maker can vary widely—you can pay as little as $20 for cheap coffee makers, while others will cost hundreds of dollars. If you don't have hundreds of dollars to spend, then there are options that can brew a good cup of joe but won't break the bank. For those who choose to invest more money in their coffee makers, higher-end machines can deliver drinks that rival what you can find at your favorite coffee shop.
Don't forget to consider your kitchen space when selecting a coffee maker. To ensure a perfect fit, you can measure the counter space where you plan to keep your coffee maker and cross check these measurements with the dimensions of any coffee machine you’re considering purchasing. This will help ensure it will fit on your countertop without taking up too much room.
Some machines will grind your beans while others have milk frothers. If you can't think in the morning without your caffeine fix, make sure your coffee maker is programmable. The number of cups you want to drink, brew time, and carafe preference also should be considered.
One of the biggest factors that goes into selecting the right coffee maker is the type of coffee you prefer. Cold brew drinkers should not buy a machine that doesn't have that function. The same goes for iced coffee or espresso fans, or those who prefer pour over coffee.
For most people, a typical drip coffee maker will get the job done. But for those who only drink one cup of coffee in the morning, a single-serve coffee maker may be the best option. If you love all different types of coffee, then a multi-function maker like the Breville Precision Brewer (available at Williams-Sonoma) is the way to go. Whatever type of java you prefer, there's an option out there for you.
To start brewing, you’ll need to fill the reservoir with filtered water, twist a filter into the brewing head, and add the right amount of coffee grounds into the brew basket.
To cut the bitterness of the coffee, our editor recommends adding a pinch of salt in the grounds before brewing starts.
You may also consider investing in a burr grinder, which can significantly improve the taste of your coffee.
To improve the taste of your coffee, you should grind the beans yourself at home.
When it comes to brewing, most people tend to overlook the importance of coffee beans. Freshly roasted beans taste more robust, vibrant, and flavorful than pre-packaged grounds. For drip coffee, the ideal grind size ranges from medium to fine because of the brewing mechanism that lets hot water run through the grinds.
Due to differences in temperature, pressure, and extracting method, different brewing methods may require the grounds to be at various degrees of fineness. For example, French presses make the best coffee when the fresh coffee grounds are coarse.
Another thing to consider is the brew ratio. The Specialty Coffee Association recommends 9 to 11 grams of coffee per every 6 ounces of water for the best flavor and smoothness. Although it’s fine to use a coffee scoop to measure the grounds, SCA suggests using a kitchen scale for precise measurements.
Just like many other appliances, your drip coffee maker needs regular cleaning. To clean it, fill the water reservoir with water and white vinegar (at a 1:1 ratio) and let it brew until the carafe is half-filled. Then rinse out any remaining vinegar-water residue.
If you like your machine to be more thoroughly cleaned, you can repeat the process as many times as you'd like. You may also consider descaling and deep cleaning the water tank regularly, as mineral buildup can clog your machines.
Valerie Li Stack is a senior staff writer for Kitchen & Cooking. She is an experienced home cook with a passion for experimenting with the cuisines of countries she's visited. Driven by an interest in food science, Valerie approaches the culinary scene with a firm grasp of cooking processes and extensive knowledge of ingredients. She believes food speaks to all people regardless of language and cultural background.
Our team is here for one purpose: to help you buy the best stuff and love what you own. Our writers, editors, and lab technicians obsess over the products we cover to make sure you're confident and satisfied. Have a different opinion about something we recommend? Email us and we'll compare notes.
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