Coffee connoisseurs agree: there are three essential components to creating a great pot of drip coffee. For optimal flavor, look for machines with broad spray heads that distribute hot water evenly and accurately; calibrated temperature controls so the grounds can’t be burned and generously sized brew baskets for proper extraction. Without these features in place, your beans may go to waste!
The best drip coffee makers in 2023
Best drip coffee maker overall: Café Specialty Drip Coffee Maker
Nothing beats the Café Specialty Drip Coffee Maker for the ultimate in coffee brewing! This SCA-certified appliance combines a vacuum-sealed thermal carafe and app compatibility for an unbeatable experience. Its stainless steel design is sleekly layered with copper and titanium plating to take up several notches of your morning cup of Joe.
Best budget drip coffee maker: Kitchenaid 12 Cup Drip Coffee Maker
With the Kitchenaid 12 Cup Drip Coffee Maker, you can easily indulge in your favorite coffee style. Take charge by setting a timer for those early mornings, use the reusable filter to help save on costs and enjoy an optional cleaning cycle for quick cleanup – making this machine perfect for busy homes!
Best drip coffee maker for specialty drinks: Ninja Specialty Coffee Maker
This budget-friendly and space-saving wonder lets you make a classic cup of joe and whip up delicious specialty drinks like a pro, all minus the hefty expenditure on an expensive espresso machine.
Best luxury drip coffee maker: Breville Precision Brewer
Breville’s SCA-certified Precision Brewer is an absolute must if you’re dedicated to the perfect cup of coffee. This luxurious machine gives barista-like control over your brew and takes flavor extraction to a new level!
Best drip coffee maker and pod combo: Ninja Dualbrew Pro
The Ninja Dualbrew Pro is a coffee lover’s dream! This state-of-the-art machine offers all the benefits of legendary brewing options like specialty coffees, plus it also comes with an attachment to make delicious brews from pods. Now you can enjoy your favorite morning java in one convenient device – no need to choose between pod or drip ever again!
Best coffee maker overall
The Café Specialty is the cutting-edge of modern coffee technology, with its vacuum-sealed thermal carafe and app-based programming. It conjures luxury in a durable package; stainless steel wrapped in copper and titanium for a sublime brewing experience certified by the SCA – your café dreams come true!
Featuring a modern and sophisticated design, the Café Specialty Drip Coffee Maker is sure to make an impression. Crafted with stainless steel in a matte black finish, copper accents, a reusable titanium-plated filter, and a vacuum-sealed thermal carafe – the appliance promises effortless performance for your coffee-making needs.
This cutting-edge water reservoir has an array of features that make it a must-have for any coffee connoisseur. An impressive 10-cup capacity is complemented by added health benefits from the built-in carbon filter and temperature control options, providing delicious drinks free of mineral buildup. The convenience doesn’t stop there – wifi connectivity enables you to brew remotely via your phone app! Intuitive controls make this modern marvel user-friendly and accessible for all levels of expertise.
Café™ Specialty Drip Coffee Maker
- The Gold Cup Standard brews coffee to the highest level of quality at a preset temperature of 204°F.
- Select from 1–10 cups of coffee and store settings for future use with four strength settings: Gold, Light, Medium, and Bold.
- It can control the Wi-Fi-enabled appliance from a smartphone with the free SmartHQ™ app.
- It also connects with Alexa and Google Assistant for enhanced Voice-to-Brew controls.
- Auto Brew allows you to schedule brewing in advance, and the insulated thermal stainless steel carafe keeps coffee hot.
Pros
- Pros: Top build quality, very easy to use, a consistent performance
Cons
- Cons: Expensive if compared to competitors
Best budget drip coffee maker
This stylish machine provides an impressive range of brewing options, allowing you to customize your beverage precisely. Its intuitive design makes it easy to operate; from timed and auto brews, a reusable filter for a hassle-free cleanup, or the added convenience of a cleaning cycle – at-home coffee making just got simpler!
While searching for the perfect coffee maker, you may think that quality and reliability will cost a pretty penny. Thankfully, KitchenAid’s 12 Cup Drip Coffee Maker is an exception to this rule! With features on par with top-of-the-line machines but at less than one-third of the price ($99.99), it is both wallet-friendly & sure to meet all your java expectations without breaking the bank!
KitchenAid Drip Spiral Showerhead Coffee Maker
- This 12 Cup Drip Coffee Maker evenly saturates coffee grounds for optimal extraction, producing a flavorful cup of coffee.
- It features a variable brew strength selector to choose between regular and bold strengths.
- The 24-hour programmability allows you to set your desired brewing time so that your cup of joe is ready anytime, day or night.
- The pause and pour feature lets you enjoy a hot cup before the cycle has finished brewing.
Pros
- Pros: Great capacity, multiple brew-strength settings
Cons
- Cons: Mainly plastic construction, fewer settings than similar models
Best drip coffee maker for specialty drinks
Craft your favorite coffee drinks at home with this brewer – ideal for anyone looking to save on a four-figure espresso machine cost and space. This easy, all-inclusive device will make regular drip brews and specialty milky concoctions that rival the real thing!
Versatility is critical for coffee makers, and the Ninja Specialty hits all the marks — from the paper filter or reusable option for brewing your cup of joe, ranging in size from a single serving up to an 18-ounce carafe. Plus, you’ll love its bonus feature – the one-touch retractable platform designed specifically for holding mugs! Truly make mornings run smoother with this convenient must-have gadget.
Ninja Specialty 10-Cup Coffee Maker
- The Ninja Specialty Coffee Maker has four brew styles: Classic, Rich, Over Ice, or Specialty Brew.
- With the Specialty Brew setting, you can make a rich coffee concentrate that can be used to create lattes, macchiatos, cappuccinos, and other coffeehouse-style drinks.
- The Ninja Coffee Maker also has a built-in frother to turn hot or cold milk/milk alternatives into a silky smooth froth.
- It is easy to clean with all dishwasher-safe parts and has an automatic shutoff after one hour of inactivity.
Pros
- Pros: “Specialty” brew setting and milk frother to brew espresso-style coffee, a wide variety of brewing options
Cons
- Cons: Not a great build quality (plastic)
Best luxury drip coffee maker
For coffee lovers who want to take their cup of joe up a notch, Breville’s SCA-certified precision brewer is the ideal choice. With its superior level of control and attention to detail, you’ll be enjoying next-level java in no time!
Brew perfection just the way you like it with the Breville Precision Brewer. It’s a 12-cup coffee powerhouse crafted from stainless steel, clear plastic, and an intuitive backlit display screen to provide complete control over every variable of your brew. Whether making small or large batches of java – experiment away as customizing is a breeze thanks to a straightforward dial!
Breville Precision Brewer Drip Coffee Maker
- The Gold Cup–certified brewer of the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA)
- A digital temperature (PID) thermo-coil heating and pump system allows precise and adjustable water temperature control.
- A steep & release valve that provides exceptional control over water-coffee contact time for consistently excellent coffee.
- Six brewing modes: Fast, Gold, Strong, Over Ice, Cold Breor My Brew
Pros
- Pros: Highly customizable brewing, high-quality build (stainless steel)
Cons
- Cons: Most useful for more experienced coffee drinkers
Best drip coffee maker and pod combo
The Ninja Dualbrew Pro takes your morning coffee routine to the next level, giving you access to the same brewing options as its predecessor and then some. An attachment lets you brew barista-style drinks straight from pods for a cafe experience in your kitchen!
Ninja DualBrew Pro Coffee Maker
- Too coarse a grind, too little coffee, or insufficiently tamping the grounds before brewing can all lead to inadequate pressure for a proper brew.
- It is important to note that the amount of espresso extracted will vary depending on the grind size and amount, and reprogramming may be needed when the size and amount are adjusted.
- The DUAL COFFEE MAKER is a grounds and pods coffee system with nine grounds brew sizes in addition to 4 standard pod brew sizes.
- There are 4 BREW STYLES: Classic, Rich, Over Ice, or Specialty for your grounds or coffee pods.
- The machine brews a super-rich coffee concentrate that can be used to make lattes, macchiatos, cappuccinos, and other coffeehouse-style drinks.
- It has a separate hot water dispenser from the coffee dispenser, with two temperature settings (Hot and Boil) for making instant soups, oatmeal, or hot cocoa.
- The built-in frother turns hot or cold milk/milk alternatives into silky-smooth foam; it is removable for easy cleaning.
- The water reservoir is multi-positioned and 60 oz., plus it is removable for easy refilling.
- Thermal flavor extraction delivers perfect flavor for grounds and pods with even saturation and precise temperature control for ultra-flavorful coffee.
What else we tested
Technivorm Moccamaster ($264.20): The Technivorm Moccamaster may be pricey, but it certainly delivers when it comes to consistently brewing a delicious cup of coffee. Temperature levels remain steady throughout the process, and there are no off-tastes in your brew–the perfect reward for those willing to pay that little bit extra! For customizability or even more value for money, you’d do better with Breville’s Precision model.
Braun Multiserve ($159.96): With the Braun Multiserve ($159.96), making coffee has never been easier! Offering flexible batch sizes and three brewing strength options, this machine can make anything from one cup to ten cups of your favorite java – with a heated plate that keeps it warm for hours on end — perfect for busy office environments. Unfortunately, compared to other machines within its price range, the brews produced weren’t quite up-to-par in terms of taste.
Ratio Six ($295): The Ratio Six may look good, but its inflexibility comes with a steep price tag. Fumbling to make coffee from the awkward design is not worth it, so if you’re looking for more options and convenience, we recommend upgrading to either Breville Precision or Café Specialty.
Cuisinart Pure Precision Pour-Over Thermal Coffee Brewer ($171): Enjoy barista-style coffee drinks in the comfort of your own home with Cuisinart’s PurePrecision Pour Over Thermal Coffee Brewer. Its stainless steel construction and thermal carafe keep beverages hot. At the same time, its innovative pre-infusion cycle, variable water temperature control, and adjustable brew styles offer more power for creating unique flavor profiles to suit any taste! The 8-cup capacity is excellent for gatherings or just enjoying a few cups yourself – mainly when you use the “Bold” setting to get that café quality experience without breaking the bank.
Drip coffee maker FAQs
How do you make the perfect cup of coffee?
Crafting the ideal cup of coffee can be tricky, but with a few simple tips, you’ll soon be brewing like an expert! Start by honing in on your perfect water-to-coffee ratio. As long as it fits within the Specialty Coffee Association’s recommended parameters (1:18), feel free to adjust up or down according to taste preference—try 15 g per every 225 ml for starters and build out from there. Before you know it, you won’t have time enough in the morning hours to accommodate all those fragrant cups of deep-roasted flavor goodness that await!
What’s the best drip coffee?
Do you want your drip coffee to taste its absolute best? Freshly roasted beans and freshly ground are the key. Make sure the bags have a roast date within two weeks of when you brew, or even better, get that bean grinder out for optimal flavor! With these few extra steps, your coffee will peak deliciousness every time.
Do fresh grounds in coffee makers really make a difference?
Gaultieri is adamant that freshly ground coffee makes a world of difference. Roasted beans lose their flavorful oils and sugars, resulting in an unappealing flat taste if pre-ground long before brewing. Grinding the beans quickens this process by exposing soft organic compounds and releasing gasses into the atmosphere, something Gaultieri calls “spoiling.” So don’t delay – get grinding!
What variables affect the coffee brewing process?
If you’re a coffee lover, it’s essential to understand the variables that affect your cup of joe. Freshness is at the top of any barista’s checklist; make sure only freshly roasted, and ground beans are used! The best results also come from adjusting grind coarseness, water temperature, coffee-to-water ratio, and brewing time, depending on which method suits you best. Ultimately, however, “It all starts with quality,” according to Gualtieri – so get brewing!
Why is water temperature so important for brewing coffee?
Coffee brewing is all about the temperature, and if you ignore it—you’ll be left with a lackluster result! Hotter temperatures lead to an expedited extraction process. Make sure your water falls between 195° – 205°F (or 90-96 °C) for that perfect brew every time.
What is blooming and why is it important?
Brewing coffee is complex and nuanced, but pre-infusing the beans with hot water can make all the difference. Thanks to modern technology, we now have coffeemakers programmed with precisely timed pre-infusions guaranteeing you get a luscious cup packed full of taste every time! Known as blooming, this technique helps to release carbon dioxide bubbles that would otherwise disrupt the brewing experience by rendering an uneven extraction of flavor.
Why should I buy an electric coffee maker?
An electric coffee maker is a perfect choice if you want a cup of coffee that always tastes the same. Rodriguez states it will do its job consistently from brew to brew – and remember added features such as timed brewing for those mornings when time (and caffeine!) are in short supply!
Our drip coffee maker testing methodology
I’ve spent the past 10 years honing my specialty coffee skills, moving from being a barista to helping open up my own cafe and even learning about packaging and distribution. To enhance this knowledge base further, I consulted with industry experts Max Gaultieri – an esteemed barista, roaster & founder of Joules & Watts Coffee in Malibu California – as well as Jessica Rodriguez who spearheads the Certified Home Brewer program at The SCA (Specialty Coffee Association).
Coffee Makers were tested on the following objective criteria:
- Construction: The coffee makers were compared based on their primary material, the type of carafe each used, and whether it was thermal or glass kept warm with a heating plate.
- Capacity: Capacity ranged from 8 to 12 cups.
- Ease of setup and use: Ease of setup and use was taken into account during testing, paying attention to how easy each coffee maker was to assemble and use and whether there were any awkward controls or components on each machine.
- Type of filtration: Most coffee makers use plastic mesh, stainless steel, or paper filters. Some models are compatible with all three options.
- Tested coffee makers against each other to find the best one
- Used the Peru Eufemio Dominguez Aguilar Cajamarca from Joules and Watts coffee roasters in Malibu, California
- Ground fresh at a medium coarseness with a Capresso Infinity conical burr grinder
- The water used in each test was tap water filtered by a standard Brita filtration pitcher
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