Coffee is a necessity for most of the American homes. It’s an eye opener, especially when you wake up. At Friedcoffee, we’ve always praised the classic brewing methods like French Press and Pour Over, but there are sometimes, when we don’t want to go through the long manual process. The brief is to get an Automatic Drip Coffee Maker, now!
If you’ve no clue about where to begin and how to get the best coffee maker, don’t worry. We have done the home work for you and have compiled the best picks. The collection includes different brewers varying in size, price and water capacity, so there is something for everyone. Every coffee machine is top notch here and you can just match your needs to pick your perfect one.
Let’s Begin!
The Best Drip Coffee Makers
1. OXO On 9 Cup
Do you have that one coffee connoisseur friend who insists that only pour-over coffee is worth drinking? If you are a coffee snob but prefer the convenience of an auto drip, this machine has it all. A microprocessor-controlled brew cycle imitates the stop-and-start of manual pour-over brewing. It’s also a beautifully designed piece of equipment that will look great in your kitchen. The OXO On has been neglected by many reviewers, but it brews the tastiest coffee with all the looks of a beautiful machine. You won’t be disappointed by Oxo at any point and that’s why we have considered this machine at the top of our Automatic Drip Coffee Makers.
Features and Specifications:
Microprocessor controlled brew cycle ensures perfect extraction from 2-9 cups of coffee
SCAA certified brewer
Thermal Carafe to retain heat for longer span
Brew temperature is between 197.6 and 204.8 degrees
Fully programmable up to 24 brewing delay
Beautiful Back-lit LED interface
Single Dial Controller
Shower head spray evenly distributes water on grounded coffee
Only a few customers complained about leaks which were replaced then by the Service centers
OXO On 9 Cup can be easily sad as the best home coffee brewer above all. Though it’s the second most costly in our list, for sure it does all the precise work with perfection. Also, it has the least negative reviews among others and that is what actually says all. Hence, buy this one for complete peace of mind and awesome technology that brews consistent coffee every time.
2. Breville Precision Drip Brewer
Breville, with a lot of fame in high end espresso machines has recently launched its Precision brewer. It’s a rival to many of the old competitors like Technivorm Moccamaster and Oxo. The Breville brewer is tad fresh and modern in looks. It also has fine tuning options that controls many parameters of brewing and is a cold brew coffee maker too!
Features and Specifications
Dimensions – 13.5 x 9 x 16 inches
Weight – 13 Lbs
8 Liter/ 60 Oz capacity
6 Unique brewing modes
My Brew option – customized parameters for brewing
Intuitive Display
Gold cup option – brews coffee with SCA parameters
Over Ice and Cold brew option
Adjustable contact time of coffee and water
Makes 12 cup of coffee in 7 minutes
Cone filter basket for 2-8 cups
Brew basket for 8-12 cups
Auto on and off
Thermal Carafe
If you are really a fan of regular coffee, and can spare this much amount, then Breville Precision brewer is waiting for you. For sure, you will be amazed after trying coffee with the Gold brew setting. This smart companion even adjusts water temperature and brew time accordingly for the set quantity.
It comes with preset brewing modes particularly – Gold, Fast, Strong, Iced, Cold Brew and My Brew. With ‘My Brew’ option, we have control over the bloom time, flow rate and brewing temperature. We can even brew with our favorite pour over device like Chemex with a drip adapter provided with the package.
Thermal Carafe doesn’t retains the coffee hot for long
3. Bonavita BV1900TS
Here we have a beautiful creation by Bonavita and it’s been serving for long as former model BV1800. The brand has recently updated the product and it’s now known as BV1900TS. The whole focus of this product is to optimize the brew quality of coffee without introducing much of functionality. Bonavita is among the very reputed names in making quality coffee makers and BV1900TS is one of the best in the whole compilation.
Features and Specifications:
1500W thermal block heater
One-touch brewing with auto power-off
Optional pre-infusion system wets the grounds allowing degassing
Flat bottomed filter basket
Showerhead spreads hot water evenly on grounds
Brew time is just 5-6 minutes for 8 cups of coffee
Its powerful heating system maintains a stable water temperature between 195 – 205 Fahrenheit allowing proper extraction of flavors. Many other units claim to have this temperature band, but it’s not consistent in most. The unique showerhead design evenly spreads hot water over the coffee grounds and is one of the unique features of this coffee machine.
Bonavita is one of the best tasting coffee maker available in the market with a feasible price tag. If you don’t have the budget of Moccamaster or the OXO, this one can be the best pick for you.
Moccamaster, hope you might already have heard this name. We simply can’t miss Technivorm Moccamaster, when we are talking about the top coffee makers. These machines might be a costly affair but the word ‘Perfection’, is embossed here.
Moccamaster’s are the product of Netherlands and are solely built for the quality brewing of coffee, that is perfect for all attributes. Every aspect that matters for the perfect tasting coffee cup (like temperature, speed, and pressure) are all controlled in a precise manner. Technivorm is SCAA certified and you might not find anyone disappointed with it. This one is for sure the best drip coffee maker if you have no budget constraints.
Features and Specifications
Copper heating element
40-ounce thermal carafe
Cone filter basket takes #4 paper or goldtone filter
Sturdy metal brewing housing comes in black or polished silver
Brew basket manually adjusts to stop drip, half-flow and full flow
Brew-through cover
Brewing shuts off automatically when finished
Brews between 196 and 205 Fahrenheit for Optimal Brewing
5-year warranty
Certified by the Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCA)
Certified by the Specialty Coffee Association of Europe (SCAE)
Moccamasters by Technivorm are specially made to do one thing, that is ‘brew perfect coffee’. Rather than fancy controls, this piece is just made with 2 controls: the on/off switch and the manual slider on the brew basket to adjust the drip rate. There is one more control for brew speed where one can choose full drip, half drip or no drip. The brew time is merely 4-5 minutes for optimum taste.
Moreover, this piece of perfection comes with a thermal insulated pot to keep your perfect coffee hot for a longer span. If you have some spare money to spend and desire to owe among the top rated coffee makers, this might be the one you are looking for. Along with SCAA, it is also SCAE certified. One of it’s other model is available in vivid colors like pink, green blue and more.
5. BUNN BT Velocity Brew 10-Cup With Thermal Carafe
This machine is even more minimalist in design than the Bonavita. The name says it all, ‘Velocity’ means it brews coffee too fast. Bunn has been making commercial coffee makers for decades, and their experience is reflected in the robustness of this model. It has no programmable features (not even a button to start brewing!) but brews very rapidly at a perfect temperature every time.
The spray head turbulence guarantees optimal coverage for a great tasting brew. Anyone who has used this machine before won’t be going anywhere else and that’s why it’s included in our best of drip coffee brewers list.
Last but not least is a machine that uses cutting-edge technology in an innovative way to imitate a very low-tech brewing style.
6. Braun KF7170SI BrewSense
Braun has recently launched an amazingly crafted brewer that looks both elegant and modern, with its intuitive controls. It’s one of the best drip coffee machine in the market as of now. The operation is easy and is understandable in one go. It’s PureFlavor system brews just at right temperature. Below are some of the features you must know before buying one.
Features and Specifications
Dimensions – 7.9 x 7.9 x 14.2 inches
Weight – 7.4 lbs
12- cup capacity
PureFlavor system brews at precise temperature
Unique carafe design retains flavor for longer
Anti-drip system allows to pour in mid of brew cycle
Large display
1-4 cup button for brewing smaller quantities
Hot Plate with controls – Low, Med and High
Strength control – Regular or Bold
On Timer – Just to wake up with coffee in the morning
Auto shut off
Auto clean
This coffee maker is priced for every budget. It’s neither too low and nor much expensive, and fits well if someone is serious about coffee. It has simpler controls and is made to give just great cup of coffee – nothing fancy about it.
Unique carafe that doesn’t lets flavors escape easily
Reasonably priced
Easy interface
Cons
No thermal carafe option
Water filling at back side
7. BUNN BXB Velocity Brew 10-Cup Home Coffee Brewer
This American-made coffee maker just squeaks in under $100, making it the most expensive model reviewed here. As its name suggests, this is the perfect coffee maker for people who don’t like waiting for their morning coffee fix. A reservoir keeps water hot and ready for brewing all the time, which allows the fast brewing time as well as ensuring an optimal brewing temperature. The Velocity Brew uses a flat-bottom basket filter for better filtration. The model is long lasting and is considered as the reputed one from Bunn.
If you don’t care about bells and whistles, but just want a solid, reliable machine that makes great-tasting coffee, than this model by Zojirushi is for you. Note that 5 cups is about the same as 2 mugs, so this isn’t a good choice for a family of coffee-drinkers. This machine uses cone filters, which many people feel is best for maximizing flavor.
The Zutto has no timers or automatic shut-off. One nice feature is the detachable reservoir that you can carry to the sink for filling. Otherwise, this coffee maker is all about the end product. The price of this model has gone up in with time and is one of the most successful model in brewing list.
9. Cuisinart Brew Central DCC-2650
The Brew Central has enough bells and whistles to keep most people happy. You can program everything from the automatic shut-off to the brew start time. It has a 1-4 cup option, adjustable brew strength, a self-clean setting and adjustable temperature for the carafe warmer. Oh, and it makes great coffee too!
Features and Specifications:
12-cup glass carafe with ergonomic design
Brews Regular or Bold Strength coffee
Brew Pause allows you to pour a cup before the pot finishes brewing
Adjustable carafe warming plate temperature, low medium or high
This coffee maker can be found in many households due to its feasible price range and a host of features. Cuisinart has a good reputation for making many household appliances and also few of the very best coffee machines.
10. Cuisinart Perfect Temp DCC-3200
This model is a great choice if you’re tired of your coffee maker serving up a lukewarm brew that requires having microwave before drinking. The piping hot brew temperature and cone filter ensure that your coffee will always taste great. This machine is fully programmable, so you can wake up to freshly brewed coffee.
The model is more practical as it arrived after the older model Cuisinart 1200: more flavorful coffee, optimal brewing process, large capacity and a bigger water inlet for water filling. Cuisinart DCC3200 is one among the top rated drip coffee machines for its combination of price tag and features.
The Pause ‘N’ Serve function sometimes drips coffee on the warming plate
The next coffeemaker combines programmability with the option of grinding your own coffee right before you brew it.
11. Hamilton Beach Single 2-Way Brewer, 49980A
Nine times out of ten you might only want to brew a single cup of Joe, but you may also want to have the option of brewing a full pot while having guests. For these situations, the Hamilton Beach 49980A is the best dual coffee maker as it makes perfect cups all the time and is economic too.
It brews into a 12-cup glass carafe like a regular coffee machine but also allows you to brew directly into a single serve insulated travel mug keeping in mind of your travel habits. So, it’s a regular coffee maker as well as a one cup coffeemaker too. Though it costs on the higher side than the above coffee makers but ensures to last long with its great features. If you are a big mug drinker, then just don’t worry, it brews up to 14 ounces in the travel mug and can adjust shorter if you want.
Features and Specifications:
12 cup glass carafe
Single cup brewer takes soft pods or reusable gold tone filter
Fully programmable
Unique scoop to measure perfect amount of coffee
Automatic shut-off
Single-serve side brew basket comes with a mesh filter to hold ground coffee or pre-packaged soft pods.
Lid attached permanently so cleaning is difficult sometimes
No battery to keep the clock going
One point to note here is that the Travel Mug is not provided in the package and it has to be bought separately. But still, the machine is worth the package.
12. Cuisinart CHW-12 Coffee Plus Coffeemaker with Hot Water System
The next in our list is a coffee brewer by Cuisinart under range $100. This is another model that uses a hot-water reservoir to ensures the perfect temperature for brewing which is an essential aspect to look for before buying a coffee maker. The Cuisinart Coffee Plus has a lot of great features, including a 24-hour timer that lets you wake up to fresh coffee. At a capacity of 12 cups, this coffee maker is suitable for a household of coffee lovers or in the small sized office staff room.
As an added bonus, the hot water in the reservoir can also be used to make tea and other hot beverages. A charcoal filter purifies your water before brewing so that is again a good addon with this price tag.
13. Cuisinart Grind-and-Brew DGB-650BC
Who wouldn’t want to wake up to freshly ground and brewed coffee? The grinder takes the guesswork out of grinding, as it is set to the optimal grind to brew with this machine. You can also bypass this function if you want to use your own pre-ground coffee. Unlike some grind-and-brew machines, this model is easy to keep and clean. The DGB-650BC is the improved version of the older DGB-600 and hence has many flaws covered up.
Features and Specifications:
10 cup thermal stainless steel carafe
Completely programmable, including 1-4 cup setting and automatic shut-off
Grind-off option for using pre-ground coffee
Grind preset to medium grind optimal for this coffeemaker’s extraction
Purchase includes reusable gold tone basket filter
Showerhead distributes water evenly over the grounded coffee
Design of the thermal carafe doesn’t let you pour the last cup easily
Grinder makes a lot of noise and takes much time
The grinder needs to be cleaned after every use to prevent clogging
If you are looking for these type, then we would suggest you to read more about Coffee maker with grinder. There are more models to compare as per your needs.
Cuisinart has been doing wonderful jobs by providing great drip coffee makers under feasible prices. Pick any from this brand and you won’t be disappointed for your basic coffee needs.
No more worrying about replacing a broken carafe – this machine dispenses with the carafe altogether. Instead, it brews into an internal tank which gently heats the coffee and keeps it warm for hours without scorching. Dispense it directly into serving mugs at the press of a button.
This coffee maker also has a function for making iced coffee. It has all BPA parts which come in contact with water and coffee. The parts of this coffee maker are dishwasher safe making it easier to clean. Hamilton 48464 is one of the highest selling drip coffee brewers in the market and comes with a very feasible price tag.
Features and Specifications:
Internal insulated tank holds 12 cups; no carafe required
Programmable with digital display
Dispensing bar allows you to serve yourself one-handed
Settings for 1-4 cups as well as regular or bold brewing
Heating function, just press the power button for 2-3 seconds to bypass brewing
Gentle Heating system maintains optimal temperature without scorching the coffee making even the last cup taste like freshly brewed
Coffee tastes like burnt when kept for 30 minutes after brew
15. Black & Decker Brew ‘N’ Go DCM18S
This machine works well if you’re the only coffee drinker at your house. It’s a single serve coffee maker in which you can easily brew a serving into the included travel mug on your way out the door every morning. With its easy-to-clean reusable filter, this model is an affordable and environmentally friendly option for brewing single servings. It almost offers many of the benefits of pod brewing systems without any of the drawbacks.
Features and Specifications:
Includes permanent reusable filter
Tapered 15-ounce travel mug fits most cup holders
Mug, filter, filter basket and mug lid are dishwasher-safe
Thorough cleaning required every time as coffee grounds seep at water reservoir and overhead
Finally, this one is basically for those who are in rush every morning. Just brew in the provided thermal mug and move away with it. Drink your coffee on the way!
16. Hamilton Beach 12-Cup 46205
Maybe this is not the fastest machine out there, but if you’re looking for something affordable, attractive and programmable that makes excellent coffee at the right temperature, it’s a good choice. The model comes with under $60 price tag. It is designed to be easy to use and clean, and it gives you a plenty of options. You can set it to brew 1-4 cups if you don’t want a full pot, and you can choose between two brewing strengths.
The reviews of this model simply point that this model brews an excellent cup of coffee. The reason for including this coffee maker in this list is the combination of affordable price with great tasting coffee.
Features and Specifications:
12-cup glass carafe
Programmable clock
2-hour automatic shut-off
Removable Water Reservoir for easy cleaning
Automatic Pause and serve option
1-4 cup brewing option; choice of regular or bold brew
People have sometimes complained about the weaker coffee
The coffee is also not very hot as it should be.
Buying Guide – Automatic Drip Coffee Maker
Whether you consider making coffee a daily chore or a gratifying ritual, there is no denying that drinking a hot cup of coffee is a pleasurable experience that prepares us for a hectic day ahead. If you want to enjoy a great everyday cup of coffee with a bold flavor, there is no better option than a drip coffee maker.
Drip coffee makers offer some of the simplest approaches to brewing. So, if you are looking to buy a drip coffee maker, here is a comprehensive buying guide for you. Let’s get started:
If you want to leave mediocre coffee behind and start drinking superb drip coffee, first you must find the right brand that fits your needs. That being said, you must also know about types of drip coffee makers before buying one for yourself.
Even though there is the use of same brewing technique in all drip coffee makers, it is important for you to buy the one that comes with some extra features, settings and precision.
Precise Temperature
It is recommended to buy a drip coffee maker that comes with the feature of precise temperature control. This feature ensures the water is heat up to optimum temperatures as it helps roast the coffee to its flavorful potential.
There are many coffee makers that face the issue of temperature fluctuations that can affect the aroma, acidity,and flavor of the coffee. Therefore, it is best to invest in a coffee maker with no temperature fluctuations.
Hot Plate or Thermal Carafe
Thermal Carafe –These are highly recommended to people who do not like making coffee every now and then. A thermal carafe not only brews a big pot of coffee but also keeps it hot and flavorful for several hours. And the pot is sturdy and portable – making it perfect for families and offices.
Given that the carafe is insulated, there is no need to place your coffee on a hotplate to keep it warm. This helps in averting the coffee from overcooking or burning and ensuring that there is no compromise on taste.
Hot Plate –The glass carafe drip coffee maker cannot stay warm for too long because it is not insulated. Since the coffee remains only warm when the carafe sits on a hotplate, it is best for people who do not consume too much coffee. It is because the flavor and taste are compromised as a result of keeping the coffee on a hotplate for too long.
If you really want to go with this, it is best to choose a glass carafe machine that is equipped with the feature of temperature or timing mechanism that enables the user to control the temperature of the hotplate or set timing for the hotplate to turn off. However, with a glass carafe, you can actually see the whole brewing process.
Serving Size
While choosing a drip coffee maker, one of the most important factors to consider is the serving size. It is because if everyone in your house loves to kick-start their day with coffee then it is not the best choice to buy a drip coffee maker with a serving size of 4. Depending on the daily consumption of coffee in your house, you can buy the one with a serving size of 14 or more.
Unit Size
If you are the only person in your house that is addicted to coffee and cannot live without it, then it is best to purchase a drip coffee maker that is specifically designed to brew small pots. And also make sure that the coffee maker enables you to regulate the speed of water flow over the coffee grounds.
A coffee maker that enables the user to adjust the flow is definitelythe best choice. It is because if the flow is not adjusted, the extraction time is limited and the flavor gets damaged. So, make sure you consider this important point before investing in a drip coffee maker.
Temperature Control
There are machines that do not come with temperature control feature. Make sure you buy a drip coffee maker that boasts a steady temperature control of 195°F to 205°F. A machine with steady temperature control makes sure your coffee isn’t too cold or too hot.
Ease of Cleaning
If you are in the league of those people who loves coffee but absolutely hates cleaning the coffee makers, you are still going to experience some trouble here. From washing removable parts of daily use to decalcifying your machine every month, the whole cleaning process is not something to be afraid of.
Programmable Features
There are machines that enable the user to pre-set the time for the brewing process to commence. It provides the convenience to the user as the machine does all the work and coffee is prepared at the set time.
It is best to look for a machine that comes with more features. Machines with more features tend to be expensive but then again, you’ll get convenience and quality. For instance, there are machines with built-in coffee grinders that make a great, freshly brewed coffee that is unquestionably more divine than pre-ground coffee.
Auto Shut Off
Look for a brewer that can be automatically shut off after a certain amount of time. This feature can become handy if you’re a type of person who forgets to turn the coffee maker off every now and then. In addition, this feature saves the electricity bill as well.
Durability
Drip coffee makers with glass carafes are not even close to thermal carafes when it comes to durability. If you are not good with breakable objects, you need to invest in a drip coffee maker with a thermal carafe. Simply look for a brand that is reliable, affordable, and covers all the basics.
Pricing
You can get a drip coffee maker under the price of $100 and you can also get one that is over $500. However, with the extra price, it is guaranteed that you will get to enjoy more features and quality.
FAQs
Which drip coffee maker makes the hottest coffee?
Though every coffee maker brands claims about perfect temperature, the few we found making hottest coffee were Technivorm Moccamaster, Oxo On and Bonavita 1900TS.
Which drip coffee machine makes the best tasting coffee?
If you are looking for the best tasting drip coffee, we would suggest to go with Breville Precision brewer, Technivorm, Oxo or Braun Brewsense. They are the leaders in the market for great coffee experience.
How much coffee do you put in a drip coffee maker?
It depends on how you want your coffee. But as a general rule of thumb, 1 tbsp of coffee for each 6 oz cup of coffee. So if you are brewing 4 cups, put 4 tbsp of coffee.
Are all drip coffee makers the same?
The brewing method is all same in drip coffee machines, only optimization differs. The quality of brewed coffee largely varies if the temperature is consistent, the water spreads evenly on the coffee and the extraction cycle.
How long does a drip brewer takes to brew?
A typical coffee maker takes anywhere from 5 to 12 minutes depending upon the brewer and the quantity of coffee.
How do you use a drip brewer?
Fill the water reservoir with adequate amount. Than put the filter in the coffee basket and then fill it with 1 tbsp of coffee grounds per 6 oz cup. Set to your preferred settings like how strong you want and then press the brew button. Put the carafe in place and wait for your coffee.
Wrap Up
A drip coffee maker is just perfect for families, offices, and people who like to invite friends and colleagues to their home. Finding the best one is not a difficult process if you look for features rather than price.
Depending on your needs, you can buy it in different brew sizes that range from 4 to 20 cups. However, if you are the only person in your home that drinks coffee, it is best to buy a drip coffee maker that has a capacity of brewing 10-14 cups of heavenly coffee. While buying a drip coffee maker, look for programmable features such as temperature control and auto shut off.
Now that you’ve read about the best coffee makers in the auto drip category, it’s time to decide which one is suitable for you. Hamilton Beach, Cuisinart and Mr Coffee are straight to use machines that don’t require much know how whereas if you are a passionate coffee drinker and want to bring brew quality to perfection – Oxo, Bonavita, Technivorm, Breville and Braun might be your best companions.
