Our day doesn't start until a cup of coffee is being cradled in our hands. It's the ultimate sense of normalcy (and a little bit of indulgence) whether you're rushing to get the kids ready for carpool, heading off to a morning commute, or still on that work-from-home grind.
Coffee makers are a household essential in our eyes. While a leisurely trip to the coffee shop for a specialty latte is a treat that we wholeheartedly endorse, those trips add up. Meanwhile, a coffee maker at home is both practical when it comes to cost-savings, and gives you the luxury of being able to drink as little or as much coffee as you want, when you want. Out of all the coffee makers available, a drip coffee maker is the most ubiquitous. Drip coffee is beloved for its no-frills ways, but can still be dressed up with the addition of cream, sugar, or syrups.
The best drip coffee maker will brew a reliable and strong cup of coffee. Whether you're in need of a massive 12-cup pot to fuel a crowd, or just your solo caffeine habits, or a single-serving for that afternoon boost, we've researched and evaluated the very best drip coffee makers on the market. Read on for our picks.
When it comes to coffee, if you want the high-level view of what we think to be the best coffee makers (opens in new tab) on the market, be sure to check out our guide of the best of the best makers.
You're here to read about our list of the best drip coffee makers so surely our top pick has to be the best of the best, regardless of price. Though we admit, this Moccamaster is on the spendy side, it's well worth it if you're particular when it comes to coffee.
What we like about it
Snag a gourmet cup of coffee with minimal effort, literally the touch of a button. The Moccamaster drip coffee maker most closely resembles a gourmet pour-over experience with its exclusive 9-hole drip arm that ensures even extraction and a smooth flavorful cup of coffee. The KBGV Select includes the additional functionality to choose between brewing a half or full carafe to optimize brewing.
Everything about the Moccamaster is handcrafted, including the unique copper heating element that maintains that your coffee always heats between 196 and 206 degrees Fahrenheit, while the separate hot plate will maintain the glass carafe at temperatures between 175 and 185 degrees Fahrenheit for 100 minutes before shutting off.
It also has an extremely quiet operation and can brew a whole 10-cup pot in as little as six minutes. Together, the Moccamaster meets the qualifications set by the Specialty Coffee Association and the European Coffee Brewing Center as the perfect cup of coffee.
Finally, the sheer amount of color options is a true selling point for those who like to express themselves through color, or with appliances that match their kitchens.
Good to know
At over $300, the Moccamaster is without a doubt an investment in your morning routine, but it does come with a five-year warranty, giving you peace of mind should anything start to wear out. I did find the plastic parts to sometimes feel a little flimsy, but they are part of the modular pieces that make it so easy to replace without having to buy a new machine.
If you prefer thermal carafes to glass, the Moccamaster is also available in a thermal carafe, without the hot plate option.
Real Homes rated: 4.5 out of 5 stars
For the discerning coffee-drinking crowd, the OXO 8 Cup Coffee Maker is one of the few at-home coffee makers with the Specialty Coffee Association's Golden Cup Standard qualification. The certification means that a particular coffee machine meets the association's standards for water quality, coffee-to-water ratio, grind/particle size distribution with a temperature between 195 and 205 degrees, and a brewing time of fewer than 8 minutes. The OXO makes a whole pot in less than six.
What we like about it
OXO forgoes complicated settings and instead focuses solely on the coffee. It uses BetterBrew™ precision brewing to control water temperature, water volume, and brewing time, all of which contributed to its Golden Cup Standard rating. The signature rainmaker showerhead evenly distributes water over the grounds. OXO also skips out on a hot plate for a sturdy, leak-proof double-wall, vacuum-insulated thermal carafe that keeps your coffee's temperature, even if you remove it from the machine.
Its truncated and slim profile makes it ideal for small spaces and can fit underneath most overhead cabinets.
If you don't have the need to brew a whole carafe, the included optional single-serve accessory enhances the flavor of one-mug brewing.
Good to know
The OXO maker has a smaller capacity than most coffee makers; most on this list can make 10-12 cups. Most say a full pot satisfies two or three adult coffee drinkers, but if you need to brew more, a brew cycle doesn't take very long.
Also, this coffee maker really focuses on the coffee. It has minimal settings, so it does not have a programming feature, but if you're truly all about the coffee's integrity, you probably wouldn't let the grounds sit overnight anyway.
Real Homes rated: 4.7 out of 5 stars
- Read our OXO 8 Cup Coffee Maker review to see why we're such fans
If you're looking for fresh coffee and lots of it, without spending a fortune on a fancy machine, then you'll want the Cuisinart Grind & Brew 12-Cup Automatic Coffee Maker. Why? It does it all: grinds fresh coffee beans, and makes great coffee whether you want one cup or 12.
What we like about it
When it comes to coffee, our motto is "the fresher, the better," so we're drawn to this machine's built-in grinder. That said, there's the option, as with most models of this type, to use pre-ground coffee, too. The 12-cup capacity is another obvious plus.
We also like that both the grind and brew features can be programmed, so you can have your fresh cup of coffee ready for you as soon as you open your eyes. Rise and grind, indeed. And if you're really in a caffeine pinch, the machine has a pause function so you can sneak a cup before the entire pot is ready.
Good to know
The coffee maker grinds the beans to a medium coarseness level, and then automatically uses them for your coffee, taking out the step of you having to transfer grounds from one machine to another. However, reviewers say the grinder needs to be cleaned out after each use for the best results, as the steam from the machine gets into the grinder chamber. The grinder is also quite loud, but that is expected of a grinder.
Also, due to the fact that the grinder and water tank are accessed through the top lid, low-hanging overhead cabinets could make it difficult to access. Therefore, you will want to make sure it has ample clearance to add coffee beans and water.
Real Homes rated: 4.5 out of 5 stars
- Read our Cuisinart Grind & Brew review to get a further glimpse of how this bean-to-cup machine is the ultimate in both convenience and luxury.
First the hard news: if you're in need of a compact machine, prepare to exchange footprint for cups of coffee. However, that doesn't mean you need to sacrifice quality. Whether you only need a small amount of coffee (but more than the one-cup of a single-serve) or have a small space to dedicate to caffeine, this compact machine from Krups (opens in new tab) makes 5 cups
What we like about it
It's a simple machine that makes an effective cup of coffee. The 5-cup size is great for small households, occasional coffee drinkers, and of course, those with a small kitchen. Core features include an easy to fill water tank with fill indicator, a hot plate to keep your pot hot long after it's finished brewing, dishwasher safe parts, and a pause-and-serve function.
Users of the Krups Simply Brew remark about its ease of use, quiet operation, and that it brews a decent cup of coffee.
Good to know
Coffee will stay hot for as long as you need. Don't forget to switch off the coffee maker when finished using the hot plate feature! The machine has a simple on/off button, which means it is not programmable in advance, and there's no option to adjust your brew strength.
If you're looking for a reliable, no-frills filter coffee maker, that will also satisfy the tea drinkers in your family, then we can highly recommend this one from Cuisinart, (and so can the more than 5,000 reviewers on Amazon who gave it either four or five stars).
What we like about it
This coffee maker is everything you need, nothing you don't. Program it to make your coffee any time of the day, or simply fill up the water tank, add coffee to the filter, and hit start for a smooth brew.
The machine can make up to 12 cups of coffee (perfect for entertaining or for those who need a few cups to get going in the morning), but also has a 1-4 cup setting for when you're enjoying a solo cup of 'jo. It also features a separate 56 oz. hot-water reservoir that can dispense hot water anytime you want to make tea or hot chocolate.
One of the features reviewers loved most about this coffee maker is its carafe temperature setting, which keeps the coffee at the exact temperature you like it until the pot is gone. Choose from low, medium, or high settings. The machine also has an auto-off function so you don't have to worry about forgetting to shut it off. Another safety feature of note is the lock lever on the hot water dispenser so no one can accidentally trigger the hot water to pour out.
Finally, we love the no-drip carafe which pours coffee mess-free.
Good to know
In addition to the auto-clean feature, all of the removable parts of this coffee maker can go in the dishwasher.
For those looking for the ultimate control over their coffee, this particular Cuisinart only offers the one brew strength setting... so if you like to choose your brew strength, you may need to look elsewhere.
Real Homes rated: 4.5 out of 5 stars
- Read our full Cuisinart Coffee Plus Hot Water review
If you want a quality machine, the ability to make a variety of coffees, from espressos, to flat whites and lattes, to iced coffee, and a price that is really reasonable, we've found that the Ninja Specialty Coffee Maker is not too tall of an order. In fact, it's one of the few brewers to have been certified with the Golden Cup Standard Brewing from the Specialty Coffee Association.
What we like about it
As we mentioned, the biggest selling point is that this coffee maker can do it all. It comes with a glass carafe (or a thermal carafe option) for brewing a pot of drip coffee. Or, change the brew strength and make a single-serve espresso-style drink. It's even got a built-in milk frother that conveniently folds in and out, plus an iced coffee setting when only chilled beverages will do. And all of it is super easy to operate, by selecting a few straightforwardhttps://www.realhomes.com/reviews/ninja-specialty-coffee-maker-review settings.
The included measuring spoon makes it easy to calculate just how much coffee you will need for the machine and has a convenient storage spot on the side, so you never have to worry about misplacing it.
Good to know
While you can use the machine to make lattes and cappuccinos, we'd stop short of calling it an espresso maker. In addition to the classic and rich brew types ( a stronger brew), the specialty brew is more or less a "coffee concentrate," which could certainly be enjoyed on its own, but is best used for creating specialty coffee drinks. The specialty setting also only brews 4 ounces of coffee concentrate at a time, for a single latte at a time, rather than a full pot.
While there are plenty of single-serve options, it doesn't take pods, which can be a pro or a con, depending on who you are.
Real Homes Rated: 4.5 out of 5 stars
- Get clued into the various drink recipes you can try with our Ninja Specialty Coffee Maker review
A colorful, eye-catching coffee machine is sure to snag some likes and comments in the background of the 'gram, but Smeg's retro Drip Filtered Coffee Machine also makes a great carafe of coffee. It's available in eight colors to match any other Smeg appliances you're lucky enough to collect.
What we like about it
This drip coffee maker does exactly what is intended: makes a smooth drip coffee. And the filter coffee is really nice, at that.
When the coffee is made it is easy to clean and maintain the coffee machine once, like everything, you get used to it.
Good to know
Be mindful NOT to switch off the machine at the plug after each use because all settings will be cleared so you'll need to run through the set-up process again. We found the set-up to be a little tricky, and the water tank is done from above, so make sure you have nothing blocking you from opening it (like a low-hanging cabinet).
Real Homes rated: 4 out of 5 stars
- Read our Smeg DCF02 Drip Filter Coffee Machine review for the whole experience.
If you're not looking to spend a lot of money on a coffee machine, you can still find a reliable machine, like the Hamilton Beach Programmable Coffee Maker, which clocks in at under $50. For a basic machine, it still offers a range of features including three brewing options, programmable options, and thoughtful design features like a front access water fill.
What we like about it
It may be an inexpensive coffee maker, but you're not sacrificing much here in terms of features. This Hamilton Beach maker has a Front Fill water tank and brew basket for no-fuss setup, Pause & Serve functions, a 2-hour automatic shut-off to keep your coffee hot for longer, but not so long that you could forget about it, and three brewing options including regular, bold, and a convenient 1-4 cup option for single-serving sizes, should you decide you don't need a full 12-cup pot.
Good to know
This Hamilton Beach maker brews coffee at one temperature, with no option to change the brew temperature, and for those who like their coffee scalding, this one brews coffee around a more temperate 160 degrees Fahrenheit.
Users also noted that the unit was on the tall-side and had issues of it not fitting under cabinets (measure before purchase please) and that the power cord was short, at about 10-inches.
The convenience of pods can never truly be overlooked. Even though some question the wastefulness and plastic build-up that comes from pod machines like this Keurig style, their fool-proof methods are essential for the coffee novice in need of a caffeine boost.
What we like about it
Truth be told, there are a lot of Keurig models out there that serve different needs, from small-space solutions for college students needing a basic cup of coffee to office-friendly machines ready to caffeinate a steady stream of cafe-style choices. The K-Supreme Plus falls in the middle of the spectrum and can make up to five 12 ounce coffees in one fill. For such a large water reservoir, you'd imagine the K-Supreme to be quite bulky, rather it is pretty slim.
Now, the most game-changing aspect about the Supreme is the incorporation of its new MultiStream technology that extracts more flavor and aroma in every brew. Rather than the singular puncture in the center of the k-cup, the MultiStream uses 5 entrance needles instead of one to saturate the grounds more evenly throughout with water.
It also has easily define features like a strong brew button for increased flavor, an iced setting for when only iced coffee will do, and hot water on demand button for tea, soup, or oatmeal.
In less than a minute, you can have a delicious cup of coffee, in one of five cup sizes. Unlike other Keurig machines where the amount of water you fill, is the amount of your beverage, the K-Supreme Plus can automatically measure out how much water you selected, taking out much guesswork.
Another area where you don't have to question: the K-Supreme alerts you when it is time to descale your coffee maker (after 250 cycles), so you'll never go too long without icky calcium build-up disrupting your coffee's taste.
Good to know
The iced coffee is not cold brew but brewed hot over ice. However, selecting the iced coffee button ensures that it will be the right strength and not get too diluted by the ice cubes.
Real Homes rated: 5 out of 5 stars
- Read our full Keurig K-Supreme Plus review (opens in new tab) as to why this may be our favorite Keurig ever
How to choose the best drip coffee maker?
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When looking to purchase a coffee maker, there are a few things you'll need to consider when choosing the best drip coffee maker for you.
How much should I spend on a drip coffee maker?
If you couldn't already tell, drip coffee makers wildly vary in price from a budget maker costing under $50 to luxury units costings over $300. Add in specialty features like frothers or espresso, and the price creeps up even further. We think that allotting between $100 and $150 is perfectly acceptable for a quality machine.
How many cups can it make?
Drip coffee makers are preferred by many for their ability to make an abundance of coffee, whether to satisfy your caffeine needs or that of a crowd. Most will be around 10-12 cups, but some compact machines will offer carafes for just four cups. Most coffee manufacturers label a cup as five ounces, so take that into account when trying to figure out how much coffee you consume in a day. If it's just you, a single-serve machine is particularly useful, though many of these larger capacity makers have 1-4 cup options so you don't have to run full cycles or waste any coffee.
Carafes: Glass versus Thermal
Drip coffee makers are available in either glass or thermal insulated carafes. Coffee makers with glass carafes typically make use of an external hot plate to keep coffee hot for long periods of time. They are usually dishwasher safe but prone to breaking. The heat plate can also over-extract oils and lead to bitter or burnt coffee. Meanwhile, a thermal carafe can be sturdier against cracking and will keep drinks hot for longer without the use of a hot plate. However, they can not be reheated. Thermal carafes are usually more expensive than glass and will be reflected in the coffee maker's price.
Filters: Permanent versus Paper
The big thing that can make or break a machine for some is the filter. Some come with their own permanent, washable, and thus reusable filter, rely on disposable paper filters or a mixture of both. Reusable filters mean less waste, so they’re better for the environment, and they cost less in the long run, as you don’t have to keep buying disposable ones, but these machines tend to be a little more expensive to buy.
Programs and Features
If waking up and smelling the coffee is what gets you going in the morning, having the option to program the coffee maker ahead of time can win big with some. You just have to remember to have the grounds all ready to go. Some advanced models even connect to your smart home or an app so you can activate a brew cycle from a different room.
Another feature you might want to consider when selecting your machine is your ability to choose the temperature or brew strength, which gives you a degree of customization over your at-home brewing experience. The ability to pause brewing to sneak a cup is a popular feature for those who don't want to wait for an entire pot of coffee to brew or even extra water filters. Typically the more features you require will drive up the price of your machine.
When to buy a new drip coffee machine?
When you're in need of a machine, it's always a good time to buy, if you want to hold out for a deal, there always seems to be a sale on coffee makers happening at one point or another.
To recap, what is the best drip coffee make you can buy
If you're after the best of the best, few make a machine as reliable as the Technivorm Moccamaster KBGV Select (opens in new tab). When it comes to quality, it is truly unparalleled. Though, if you're looking for something a little less flashy, the OXO Brew 8 Cup (opens in new tab) has upended the Golden Cup Standard (opens in new tab) as one of the most affordable makers on their list of certified at-home coffee machines.
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