Our Favorite Drip Coffee Maker
Ninja Hot & Cold Brew System
Sitting on my home counter right now is an amazing pseudo dual coffee machine from Ninja. Full disclosure – we received this item for free so we could test it out – and it has performed beautifully.
Versatility is the word that comes to mind, as this thing can make just about any drink you can think of with a built in milk frother, 6 different brew sizes, and 5 different brew styles that do completely different things based on whether you’re making a standard pot of coffee or a flat white.
In fact, lately I’ve been on a Bulletproof Coffee kick where I’m adding butter and coconut oil to my coffee. I’ve discovered that the frother on this Ninja eliminates the need for using a blender. I just put the butter and oil in my mug, fill it half full with coffee and then froth it with the built in wand. Finally, I top it off with more coffee and I’m ready to go.
So if you’re a Bulletproof Coffee maker, this is the coffee maker you want.
I’m telling you – this thing can do it all and it makes an excellent cup of coffee (which is all I use it for 90% of the time).
ON SALENinja Hot and Cold Brewed System, Auto-iQ Tea and Coffee Maker with 6 Brew Sizes, 5 Brew Styles, Frother, Coffee & Tea Baskets with Thermal Carafe (CP307)
Price: $168.95 BUY NOW ON AMAZONIf you click this link and make a purchase, we earn a commission at no additional cost to you.<span "="" style='box-sizing: border-box;flex: 0 0 50%;max-width: 50%'>Last Update: 07/29/2020
Breville Precision Brewer
Breville sent us one of these to try first-hand, and it’s another drip coffee maker you simply can’t go wrong with. If you like to keep things simple, there are a number of preset modes including Gold (uses temperature and brew time from SCA), Fast, Strong, Iced and Cold Brew. Just pick one and press a button.
If you’re a bit of a control freak, go nuts with controlling bloom time, water temperature, flow rate and even your local weather forecast! Ok, you still can’t control the weather, but for a drip coffee maker this thing has a ton of options while remaining simple to use.
Read our full review of this machine here.
ON SALEBreville BDC450 Precision Brewer Coffee Maker with Thermal Carafe
Price: $275.95 BUY NOW ON AMAZONIf you click this link and make a purchase, we earn a commission at no additional cost to you.<span "="" style='box-sizing: border-box; flex: 0 0 50%;max-width: 50%'>Last Update: 07/29/2020
Bonavita BV1900TS
Fans of pour over brewing rejoice! This drip coffee maker features a pre-infusion setting, which allows your coffee to bloom before brewing, mimicking the pour over method. It maintains perfect water temperature—between 195 and 205 degrees Fahrenheit—for optimal brewing.
The hot plate stays on for 40 minutes. And with the eight-cup, stainless steel carafe, your coffee will stay hot without burning for a good, long time.
ON SALEBonavita BV1900TS 8-Cup One-Touch Coffee Maker Featuring Thermal Carafe, Stainless Steel
Price: $87.50 BUY NOW ON AMAZONIf you click this link and make a purchase, we earn a commission at no additional cost to you.<span "="" style='box-sizing: border-box;flex: 0 0 50%;max-width: 50%'>Last Update: 07/29/2020
Technivorm Moccamaster KB 741
Created by Dutch industry leader Technivorm and backed by a five-year warranty, this drip coffee maker is built to last. The aluminum body and ten-cup glass carafe even have an industrial look to them. If you ever need stateside repairs, you can even get it serviced in their U.S. service center.
The Technivorm Moccamaster features a copper boiling element that keeps water at the perfect temperature and shuts off automatically after brewing. Manual drip stop control lets you stop flow to pour a quick cup, or restrict flow to slow brewing time. The separate hot plate element stays between 175 and 185 degrees Fahrenheit to keep your coffee piping without burning for 100 minutes.
Technivorm 59691 KB Coffee Brewer, 40 oz, Brushed silver
Price: $299.00 BUY NOW ON AMAZONIf you click this link and make a purchase, we earn a commission at no additional cost to you.<span "="" style='box-sizing: border-box;flex: 0 0 50%; max-width: 50%'>Last Update: 07/29/2020
Bunn Speed Brew Elite
Need your cup of go juice on the double, but don’t want to lose flavor? The Speed Brew Elite by BUNN is the perfect drip coffee maker for the person who sprints out the front door in the morning. All you need to do is add grounds, water, and touch one button, then just three minutes later you’ll have a fresh, ten-cup pot of coffee.
The commercial-style, multi-stream spray head fully soaks grounds for better taste. It even has an always-hot stainless steel water tank, so it’s always ready to brew, but you can flip the vacation switch when you won’t need it standing by.
BUNN CSB2G Speed Brew Elite Coffee Maker Gray
Price: $125.99 BUY NOW ON AMAZONIf you click this link and make a purchase, we earn a commission at no additional cost to you.<span "="" style='box-sizing: border-box;flex: 0 0 50%; max-width: 50%'>Last Update: 07/29/2020
Cuisinart DCC-3200 PerfecTemp
If you’re looking for a capable drip coffee maker with a more accessible price tag, the PerfecTemp should be on your short list. It’s an improvement over previous models that gets coffee hotter without burning it. The stainless steel machine boasts a 14-cup glass carafe, but you can set it to brew one to four cups.
The charcoal water filter and bold brew option enhance taste, while a scale indicator light lets you know when to clean your coffee maker. If you like your coffee ready and waiting for you when you wake up, you’re in luck. The PerfecTemp lets you program brewing up to 24 hours in advance.
ON SALECuisinart DCC-3200P1 Perfectemp Coffee Maker, 14 Cup Progammable with Glass Carafe, Stainless Steel
Price: $90.99BUY NOW ON AMAZONIf you click this link and make a purchase, we earn a commission at no additional cost to you.<span "="" style='box-sizing: border-box;flex: 0 0 50%;max-width: 50%'>Last Update: 07/29/2020
Brew Express BEC-110BS
Imagine never again spilling water all over your counters at the crack of dawn. Purchase this drip coffee maker that will never run out of water, and say goodbye to spills. That’s right. The Brew Express is hooked up to your water line, so it refills on command. An infrared sensor even prevents overflows and allows pours mid-brew, but you won’t be able to use glass mugs or carafes.
It’s a sturdy machine, certified for both residential and commercial use. You can brew a half or full carafe, or single cup. It keeps water at a consistent brewing temperature, so you won’t have to wait between cycles. For the best brew, use an inline water filter like the ones for refrigerator ice makers.
ON SALEBrew Express BEC-110BS 10-Cup Countertop Coffee System, Stainless/Black
Price: $272.56 BUY NOW ON AMAZONIf you click this link and make a purchase, we earn a commission at no additional cost to you.<span "="" style='box-sizing: border-box;flex: 0 0 50%;max-width: 50%'>Last Update: 07/29/2020
Bonavita BV1901GW
Like its sister model, this drip coffee maker boasts a pre-infusion setting. Combined with a wide shower head and flat bottom filter basket, hot water evenly penetrates your grounds for the best possible extraction. The BV1901GW maintains water temperature in the ideal zone between 198 and 205 degrees Fahrenheit.
The transparent, easily accessible water tank makes refilling a breeze. This model brews eight cups with one touch and automatically shuts off after 40 minutes. The tempered glass carafe with its unique, narrow neck helps keep your coffee hot. And an audible signal lets you know when your coffee’s ready to drink.
Bonavita BV1901GW 8-Cup One-Touch Coffee Maker Featuring Glass Carafe and Warming Plate, 12.6 x 6.8 x 12.2 inches, chrome
Price: $93.17 BUY NOW ON AMAZONIf you click this link and make a purchase, we earn a commission at no additional cost to you.<span "="" style='box-sizing: border-box;flex: 0 0 50%;max-width: 50%'>Last Update: 07/29/2020
Breville The Grind Control™
Single-cup brewers are the second-most popular after multi-cup drip coffee makers for home use. The Grind Control™ has a seven-and-a-half-inch clearance, so you can choose to brew a whole carafe, or a single serving straight into a mug or travel mug. You can even choose between seven size options in single-cup mode to accommodate creamer. This amazing little machine lets you choose from 8 brew strength settings and grind fresh beans right before you brew them.
Switch to the pre-ground setting to use grounds from a bag. The liquid crystal display (LCD) screen shows real-time information, such as water level, grind size and time, strength selection, and brewing time. Wake up to fresh coffee with a programmable auto-start that will grind beans to your liking and heat your water to optimal temperature for brewing.
ON SALEBreville BDC650BSS Grind Control Coffee Maker, Brushed Stainless Steel
Price: $189.73 BUY NOW ON AMAZONIf you click this link and make a purchase, we earn a commission at no additional cost to you.<span "="" style='box-sizing: border-box;flex: 0 0 50%;max-width: 50%'>Last Update: 07/29/2020
Mr. Coffee CJX31
If you want a drip coffee maker that looks sleek, but is still easy on your wallet, get yourself the CJX31. With brushed chrome accents, a digital display, and function lights, this machine looks like its much more expensive competition. More importantly, features such as brew strength selection and a water filtration system ensure a rich-tasting cup of coffee from this little contender.
Other notable features include brewing up to 24 hours in advance with Delay Brew setting, two-hour automatic shut off, Fresh Brew™ Timer, which displays how long your finished coffee has been on the warming plate, and Pause ‘n’ Serve.
Mr. Coffee 12-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker with Brew Strength Selector - BVMC-CJX31-AM
Price:BUY NOW ON AMAZONIf you click this link and make a purchase, we earn a commission at no additional cost to you.<span "="" style='box-sizing: border-box;flex: 0 0 50%;max-width: 50%'>Last Update: 07/29/2020
OXO Barista Brain
The robust features in this nine-cup drip coffee maker will surprise and delight. The Barista Brain is designed with a microprocessor that brews in timed cycles, replicating the pour over brewing method. Water temperature is controlled between 197.6 and 204.8 degrees Fahrenheit throughout brewing.
A shower-style head evenly soaks coffee grounds. The backlit light-emitting diode (LED) display shows status and coffee freshness. A dial on the front lets you set an up to 24-hour timer and the number of cups you wish to brew.
ON SALEOXO BREW 9 Cup Coffee Maker
Price: $149.95BUY NOW ON AMAZONIf you click this link and make a purchase, we earn a commission at no additional cost to you.<span "="" style='box-sizing: border-box; flex: 0 0 50%;max-width: 50%'>Last Update: 07/29/2020
KitchenAid KCM1204
Are you a fan of retro kitchen style? Do matching appliances bring you inner peace? Well, if you’re in love with your classic KitchenAid stand mixer, you’re sure to fall for the KitchenAid KCM1204 drip coffee maker. It’s designed to look just like the iconic mixer, and you can even buy it in black or white.
You can brew the full 12 cups, or choose two or four. Inconspicuous buttons allow you to choose regular or bold brew strength and program automatic brewing up to 24 hours in advance.
KitchenAid KCM1204OB 12-Cup Coffee Maker with One Touch Brewing - Onyx Black
Price: $119.00BUY NOW ON AMAZONIf you click this link and make a purchase, we earn a commission at no additional cost to you.<span "="" style='box-sizing: border-box;flex: 0 0 50%;max-width: 50%'>Last Update: 07/29/2020
Capresso MT600
The minimalist, stainless steel design of this 10-cup coffee maker will blend in nicely with almost any kitchen. It lets you make enough for a crowd, brewing a full carafe in eight minutes, or you can brew just three to five cups. The charcoal water filter removes chlorine, odors, and other chemicals from your water before brewing. You can remove the drip-free stainless steel carafe to pour a cup at any time during the brewing process without making a mess.
The MT600 also has a small backlit LCD clock with timer, and 24-hour programmable automatic brewing. It will shut itself off in two hours, so you won’t have a fire hazard on your kitchen counter.
Capresso MT600 10-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker with Stainless-Steel Thermal Carafe
Price: $119.95 BUY NOW ON AMAZONIf you click this link and make a purchase, we earn a commission at no additional cost to you.<span "="" style='box-sizing: border-box;flex: 0 0 50%;max-width: 50%'>Last Update: 07/29/2020
DeLonghi BCO 430
Maybe you’re not rushing through your house every morning, but you still want to be able to brew a decent pot of coffee at home. And maybe you want to make lattes, espressos, and cappuccino too. The DeLonghi BCO 430 is a single machine that does it all. One side is a full cappuccino system with swivel jet frother. It has a 40-ounce water reservoir, so even if you’re entertaining a crowd, everyone can have a cappuccino without stopping to refill the water. It even has a cup warmer on top.
The other side is a ten-cup drip coffee maker. It shuts off after 30 minutes, but has a warming function that keeps coffee hot for two hours without scorching. An exceptionally convenient feature is the front access to refill water and coffee grounds, so you won’t have to move the machine at all.
ON SALEDeLonghi BCO430 Combination Pump Espresso and 10-Cup Drip Coffee Machine with Frothing Wand, Silver and Black
Price: $119.99BUY NOW ON AMAZONIf you click this link and make a purchase, we earn a commission at no additional cost to you.<span "="" style='box-sizing: border-box;flex: 0 0 50%;max-width: 50%'>Last Update: 07/29/2020
Hamilton Beach 2-Way Brewer
If you find yourself caught between wanting a machine that does single-serve and a machine that can handle brewing a whole carafe, don’t sweat it. Either way, the Hamilton Beach 2-way Brewer has you covered.
This machine is fully programmable, offering pretty extensive user control. Plus, it adjusts to your cup, brewing anywhere from one stand-alone cup to a full, 12-cup carafe. The brew strength selector allows you. to choose between regular and bold and there’s even a warming-plate to keep things hot as you drink. Lastly, there’s an auto-shutoff function.
ON SALEHamilton Beach 2-Way Brewer Coffee Maker, Single-Serve and 12-Cup Pot, Stainless Steel (49980A), Carafe
Price: $56.24 BUY NOW ON AMAZONIf you click this link and make a purchase, we earn a commission at no additional cost to you.<span "="" style='box-sizing: border-box;flex: 0 0 50%;max-width: 50%'>Last Update: 07/29/2020
How Do Automatic Drip Brewers Work?
Also called a filtration method, there are a plethora of different drip methods. However, the items we’ve covered here are specifically automatic drip machines.
Chances are you’ve used one of these before. And while there is some variation in how users engage with the machine, the internal workings of how your coffee brews tends to be essentially the same.
It starts by putting grounds in a filter and water in the reservoir. Most models use basket-shaped paper filters, though some do have permanent ones or you can opt to get a reusable one separately.
After you turn it on and tell it what you want, the machine then heats the water from its storage and pumps it above the grinds. Sometimes there is simply a tube system in place that allows steam to rise there itself.
As the reaches the drip area, it goes through whatever shower head technology the machine has been built with. The purpose here is to wet the grounds and eventually soak through them. The hot water extracts coffee from the grounds as gravity brings it down, eventually reaching your carafe or cup.
Lastly, it’s pretty standard to have a hot plate or a thermal carafe. This helps to keep the coffee warm so you can enjoy your coffee without rushing.
Other Drip Methods
Manual Drippers
This category includes tools such as Chemex, Pour Overs, and the Clever Coffee Dripper (though this one also uses immersion). These methods are perfect for people who want a little more control over their brew than a drip brewer will allow.
With manual methods, you control the temperature and volume as well as speed. They usually require using gooseneck kettles for precise, thorough extraction. Those who like to revel in the artisanship of coffee brewing tend to gravitate towards these tools over the auto drip option.
However, they do require more work and effort to brew coffee. In the end though, the flavor you get from these methods tends to be superior to what you’ll get with an auto dripper.
CHEMEX Pour-Over Glass Coffeemaker - Classic Series - 6-Cup - Exclusive Packaging
Price: $42.19 BUY NOW ON AMAZONIf you click this link and make a purchase, we earn a commission at no additional cost to you.<span "="" style='box-sizing: border-box;flex: 0 0 50%;max-width: 50%'>Last Update: 07/29/2020
Percolator
Many coffee experts consider the dawn of auto drip brewers in the 1970s to be the death of the Percolator. This tool was first patented in the US in 1865, and it reached the home market in 1889.
The main thing that separates percolators from their auto brewing brethren is the fact that they cycle the water through the grounds multiple times. Thus, if left unattended they are known to over-extract the coffee.
These tools require babysitting to have their temperature and brew time monitored. In the end, they brew a strong cup that tends to have a pronounced bitterness. Most people prefer both the taste and convenience of using auto drip brewers in their homes. However, there are a few areas where the percolator wins out.
For example, because percolators come in self-heating and non-self-heating options, they can be a little more versatile on location. So, while you can use them in-house either on a stove-top or in a microwave, they are more frequently favored for on camping trips to be used over a fire. Also, while auto drip brewers aren’t typically expensive, percolators tend to be even more affordable.