The Best Drip Coffee Machines
Drip coffee makers are powerful machines that allow for hands-free brewing. They can be huge and bulky taking up valuable counter space or cabinet space.
The best drip machines are streamlined and easy to use. Some drip machines have additional features like programmable clocks or self-cleaning mode to make your morning coffee more personalized.
1. De'Longhi TrueBrew
The De'Longhi TrueBrew is a one-stop shop for coffee. It can go from whole beans to a complete carafe with a few presses. It has a built in burr grinder (taken from the espresso machines of De'Longhi) that measures out the proper amount of grounds. It then compacts them prior to brewing, removing plastic pods and filters.
It also comes with a variety of settings for your preferred cup size and design, ranging from 3oz espresso-style drinks to 16oz iced coffee, or 40oz of a standard carafe. It pours the coffee into your choice of vessel, ranging from large cups to tiny espresso cups, or even tall travel mugs that don't typically fit under drip machines. It can even make tea!
Bean Extract Technology is a jargony term that manufacturers love to employ. It "adapts and grinds" beans to suit the beans you choose. This is all marketing. What matters is that it's easy to use, fairly quick and doesn't create a lot of a mess when brewing. It's not able make a short shot or a lengthy shot of espresso as well as it doesn't come with steam wand. If you're looking to get those features, I recommend looking into the Moccamaster KBGV Select instead.
2. Cuisinart MultiServe
This is one of the top drip coffee machines available on the market. It produces consistently flavorful, hot cups of coffee that are brewed efficiently.
We also loved the ease at that we could alter the brewing process. With just a dial turn you can select your cup size (from 5-ounce single-servings to a full-sized carafe) as well as the strength you prefer and whether you want French or regular press setting. You can even make cold brew using the press of an ice cube, or choose from a variety of special options such as Over Ice and Roasted.
The only downside is that it doesn't match the more sophisticated models we tested. The Smeg drip maker that is rounded is, for instance, shaped like an Easter egg and is a welcome alternative to the traditional models. However, its slim water tank and narrow opening can be difficult to navigate, particularly in the dark while the brew is underway. It takes a little more thought and effort than most consumers might want to make part of their daily routine.
3. Keurig K-Cup brewer
Keurig single-serve coffee makers make use of K-cups prepackaged and ready to use, eliminating the necessity of measuring and grinding grounds, and also control the brewing time. They can also brew the cup of coffee in under two minutes, which is considerably faster than a standard drip machine.
The Keurigs that we tested produced quite a mess than drip machines. The spout that pours out hot coffee creates a 2 inch splash area that leaves droplets all over the drip tray, machine and counter. They also make an annoying, loud popping sound while making coffee.
The Keurigs that we tested performed well, despite the mess. The Smart Keurig K-Cafe is the most advanced model, featuring a removable reservoir, four sizes for K-cups and three temperature settings and a user-friendly menu. It also comes with a milk frother that can be used to froth whole, skim or non-dairy milk. This is an excellent option for those who want to make different coffees every morning or for large families who require more capacity.
The Keurig Instant Pod is also a good choice for anyone who is looking for a simple single-serve machine that is easy to use. It comes with a 78 ounce tank that can make multiple cups before needing to be filled. Additionally, it can brew a cup using your own ground coffee, a rare feature for a Keurig. The controls are simple and easy to use, however the machine communicates with tones and chirps, instead of a screen which makes it difficult to determine when a brew is ready.
4. Cuisinart Drip Machine
This reliable, mid-priced model has all the features you require to begin your day. It comes with a large reservoir of 14 cups and an open window that clearly shows the water level. The large, clearly labeled buttons make it easy to use. And the removable filter and grinder can be cleaned in the sink, removing the need to clean ground from difficult-to-access areas. It also has a convenient brew strength selector that lets you choose from three different options including bold.
The reservoir comes with a charcoal-filter that removes metals as well as unpleasant flavors and smells from the tap water. This can make your coffee taste bland or burnt. This means less maintenance and a more delicious cup of joe.
Another benefit is that the programmability feature makes it easy to set your coffee to brew at a certain time. Also, the pause button lets you to pour a cup or two of coffee before the whole pot is brewing, which can be helpful in hectic mornings when you need energy. It's also a pretty attractive design coffee maker, with an elegant design that appears more at home on a countertop than the bulky drip machines.
5. Ratio Six
Similar to its older sibling, the Ratio Eight, the Six offers a premium experience with a more affordable price and smaller footprint. Its single-button operation mimics an expert pour over, with precise metered flow of water and the ideal temperature for coffee. The machine uses a powerful 1400 watts to heat water and complete the entire process in five to six minutes, which is far shorter than most of the less expensive models we have tested. The rapid brew is largely due to the blooming cycle which allows grounds of coffee to settle prior to the shower head that delivers the rest of the water for optimal extraction.
The Six features a shield of heat that is unique to keep the water at a perfect temperature and protect the spray head. This is among the few brewers who have been Golden Cup certified by the Specialty Coffee Association, which means that it maintains the correct temperature of brewing throughout the brew cycle.
The Six is sleek, minimal and minimalist in its design. It has a stainless steel carafe, which sits on the top of a Melitta flat bottom filter holder. The carafe that is insulated keeps the coffee hot, without the use of heating plates. This helps preserve flavor.
6. Gevi 10-Cup Coffee Maker
The Gevi produces great tasting coffee and has an elegant, compact design that doesn't need much counter space. The touchscreen has cute icons that let you choose one-touch commands. For instance you can select Bold or if you're making a half pot of coffee, you can use the One to four cups feature. The machine also lets you set the timer and switch the brew-cycle tone tones that sound audible or off.
The built-in grinder and ability to control the size and strength of your coffee is a nice feature. It takes a bit of time to learn to use the machine but once you've done it, the machine is easy to use. It has plenty of features you'd expect to find on more expensive models.
The only downside is that it's not able to brew a full carafe at once which could be a challenge if you're serving a lot of people. It's a good option when you're looking for drip coffeemaker that has a built in grinder and the ability to make different drinks. www.coffeee.uk has a one year warranty and a great customer service.
7. Moccamaster KBGV
The Moccamaster is a top drip-coffee maker built to last. It comes with a 5-year warranty and is manufactured in the Netherlands by Technivorm. Its sleek glass cup sits on top of a warming device that keeps the coffee at an optimal temperature for up to six minutes. It can be programmed to brew a full or half pot, and it's certified to brew at the ideal temperatures and times recommended by the Specialty Coffee Association. It also comes with a "practically invisible drip stop," a small lever located beneath the brew kettle that will stop the flow of coffee when you take off the carafe while making coffee.
The machine is more expensive than other models on the market, but it's worth it for anyone looking to enjoy consistently great coffee without spending a lot in the kitchen. All components that come in contact with ground or water are easily accessible. Although the brewing process is longer than other models, it's faster than pour-over making. Additionally, the Moccamaster's unique design, which is reminiscent of workshop tools or scientific instruments will add an elegant touch to your kitchen.