How To Know If You're Prepared To Go After Drip Coffee Machine

The Best Drip Coffee Machines

Drip coffee makers are robust machines capable of hands-off brewing. However, they can be heavy and heavy taking up valuable counter space or an area under cabinets.

The best drip machine coffee machines feature a simple design and are easy to use. Some come with extras that make your morning cup of coffee more customized 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 just one step from whole beans to a carafe full of coffee in only a couple of presses. It has a built-in burr grinder (taken from De'Longhi espresso machines) that calculates the correct amount of grounds. It then compacts them prior to making coffee, eliminating plastic pods and filters.

It also has a range of options for your preferred cup size and style, ranging from 3oz espresso-style drinks, to 16oz iced coffee or 40oz of the standard carafe. It is able to pour coffee into any container you like, whether it's a large cup or a small espresso cup. It even creates tea!

Manufacturers love to dream up bizarre technical terms, and this one has the Bean Extract Technology which "adapts and precisely grinds" the beans based on the choice you make. However, it's really nothing more than marketing. What matters is that it's a breeze to use, fairly quick and doesn't create a lot of a mess while brewing. However, it does not have the capability to brew a short or long shot of espresso and lacks steam wands for milk. If you are seeking these features, I recommend checking out the Moccamaster KBGV Select.

2. Cuisinart MultiServe

This is one of the top drip coffee machines on the market. It consistently produces delicious hot cups of coffee that brew efficiently.

We also loved the ease with the ability to customize the brewing experience. You can choose the size of your cup (from 5-ounce single servings to a full carafe) and the strength you want by turning an dial as well as select between either a french press or regular setting. You can make cold brew at the push of a button, or choose from a wide range of special options, such as Over Ice and Roasted.

The only drawback is that the design doesn't match some of the other more sophisticated models we've tried. For example the Smeg drip's rounded machine resembles a sparkling Easter egg and is a welcome departure from boxy competitors. But its slender water tank and narrow opening can be difficult to navigate, particularly in the dark when the brew is in process. It requires a bit more thought and effort than most customers would like to see as part of their daily routine.

3. Keurig K-Cup brewer

Keurig single serve coffee makers make use of pre-packaged K cups, which eliminates the necessity of measuring or grinding grounds. They also allow you to control the time of brewing. These machines can also brew coffee in under two minutes. This is much faster than a drip machine.

But the Keurigs we've tested have created lots of mess, and are much more than drip machines. The spout, which spews hot coffee creates a 2-inch splash zone that leaves drops of water on the drip tray, machine and counter. They also make an irritating, loud popping sound while making coffee.

The Keurigs that we tested worked well despite the mess. The Smart Keurig K-Cafe is the most advanced model, featuring a detachable reservoir, four sizes for K-cups and three temperature settings and a user-friendly menu. It also has an automatic milk frother that is dishwasher safe and can froth skim, whole and nondairy milk. It's an excellent choice for anyone looking to make a different cup of coffee every morning or for families with large families who need a bigger capacity.

The Keurig Instant Pod is also a ideal choice for anyone who wants a straightforward single-serve machine that is easy to use. It comes with a huge 78-ounce water tank that can brew several cups before it has to be refilled. Additionally, it can make a cup with the coffee you grind yourself, which is a unique feature of the form of a Keurig. The controls are simple and straightforward, but the machine communicates via tones and chirps rather than a display, making it difficult to know when a brew has been ready.

4. Cuisinart drip filter coffee Machine

This reliable, mid-priced machine has all the features you need to start your day. It comes with a large reservoir of 14 cups and an open window that clearly shows the water level. It is easy to use because of the large buttons and clearly labeled labels. And the removable filter and grinder can both be cleaned in the sink, eliminating the need to clean the grounds from difficult-to-access places. It also has a handy brew strength selector that lets you choose between three different settings including bold.

The reservoir has a charcoal-filter coffe machine that helps remove metals as well as unpleasant flavors and odors from the tap water. This could make your coffee taste bland or burnt. This means less maintenance and a better tasting cup of coffee.

Another perk: The programming feature makes it easy to set your coffee to brew at an exact time. The pause button lets you pour a cup or two before the pot is done making coffee. This is useful in busy mornings when you require an additional boost of caffeine. It also has a sleek and modern design that looks more at ease on the counter of your kitchen compared to other drip coffee makers.

5. Ratio Six

Like its older sibling the Ratio Eight, the Six offers premium quality with a more affordable price and a smaller footprint. The single-button system emulates the concept of pour-over, with a precision metered flow of water and the perfect temperature for coffee. The machine utilizes a powerful 1400 watts to heat water and complete the entire brewing process in about five to six minutes, which is far shorter than most of the cheaper models we have tested. This speedy brewing is largely due to the bloom cycle which allows grounds of coffee to settle before the shower head releases the remainder of the hot water to ensure the best drip coffee maker extraction.

The Six also features a distinctive heat shield to protect the spray head during brewing and also to keep the water at an optimal temperature. This is one of only a few brewers that has been Golden Cup certified by Specialty Coffee Association. This means it maintains the right temperature throughout the process of brewing.

The Six is elegant, minimalist and sleek in its design. It has an stainless steel carafe that sits on the top of a Melitta flat bottom filter holder. The carafe is insulated, which keeps the brewed coffee warm without the necessity of a heated plate, which helps to preserve the flavor.

6. Gevi 10-Cup Espresso Maker

The Gevi produces great tasting coffee and comes with an elegant, compact design that doesn't take up lots of counter space. The touchscreen display has cute little 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 feature). The machine allows you to set the timer, and switch off or on the audible tone that signifies the end of the brewing cycle.

It's nice to have a built-in grinder that allows you to adjust the grind size and intensity of your coffee. It can take some time to learn how the machine operates, but it's intuitive once you've mastered it. It has many of the features that you would expect to find in higher-end models.

It can't brew an entire carafe of espresso at once. This can be a problem if you're serving several people. It's a good option if you want drip coffeemaker that has a built-in grinder and the ability to make different drinks. It also comes with a one-year warranty and a great customer service.

7. Moccamaster KBGV

The Moccamaster is a premium drip-coffee maker built to last. It comes with a five-year warranty and is made in the Netherlands by Technivorm. The elegant glass carafe can be placed on the top of a warmer that keeps the coffee at a perfect temperature for up six minutes. It can be programmed for either a full or half-pot and is rated to brew coffee at the recommended temperatures and times by the Specialty Coffee Association. It also has a "practically invisible drip stop," a small lever located beneath the brew kettle that stops the flow of coffee when you remove the carafe while making coffee.

This machine is more expensive than many others on the market but it's worth it for those who want to have consistently great coffee without having to spend a lot in the kitchen. It's easy to clean and all components that come into contact with water or grounds are easily accessible. While the brew process takes longer than other models, it's quicker than pour-over making. The Moccamaster's unique, reminiscent design of tools for workshops and scientific equipment adds style to your kitchen.