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Despite the rise in popularity of home espresso makers and coffee capsule machines, the drip coffee maker remains a firm favorite in many kitchens.
My ideal coffee maker has a 12-cup carafe, an automatic shut-off feature, and can be programmed to brew automatically. My sister needs her coffee maker to be compact, wants variable heat settings, and doesn’t want to spend more than $40.
What does your ideal coffee maker do?
I’m tired of reading articles about “The Best Drip Coffee Makers” because invariably the first option costs hundreds of dollars and has features I don’t need. That’s not the best for me! “Best” is subjective based on your circumstances, and there is no one clear winner.
My plan today is to lay out some of the best drip coffee makers that I’ve found, and who knows—maybe you’ll agree and find your match! Before we start shopping, let’s decide what you’re looking for in a coffee maker.
How to Select the Best Drip Coffee Maker
A drip coffee maker also called an automatic drip machine, is the most popular way to brew a cup of joe today. You fill a chamber with water, put the desired amount of coffee grounds into the filter basket, close the top, and hit a button to begin the brewing process. The average brew time is between five and six minutes, with most machines producing coffee between 195 and 205 degrees Fahrenheit.
Before you begin shopping for your ideal machine, ask yourself these questions:
How many cups do I need?
You might only drink a cup a day, but what about when you entertain? You need something big enough to handle both your regular routine and accommodate larger crowds.
How much counter space do I have to spare?
While even the biggest machines aren’t terribly large, they still will take up counter space in your kitchen. Before you begin shopping, decide where you want to put your coffee maker and write down the dimensions, including the height of the space, of where it will reside.
Many times, people forget that the cupboards above the counter can make using the coffee maker difficult if you regularly need to move it to add water. Also, taller models may not fit under low-hanging cupboards.
What are my must-have features?
Coffee makers today come with a variety of features that you must consider before your purchase. Here are just a few questions to ask yourself regarding features:
- Do I need an automatic shut-off feature?
- Do I want variable temperature settings for my water?
- Would I use a thermal carafe?
- Do I need a pause and serve feature?
- Is programmable brew-strength important to me?
- Would I like an automatic brewing feature?
Once you have answered all those questions—it’s time to start shopping!
The Best Coffee Makers Available Right Now
I have found the best coffee makers available right now based on reviews from online coffee fanatics and people in the coffee industry.
I’ll first give you a snapshot of two of the best: the best drip coffee maker for under $100, and the best one for under $50. Then I’ll highlight a couple more models that caught my attention for their value, size, and unique features. At the end of the piece, I’ll provide a cheat sheet to compare the models at a glance. Let’s get started!
The Best Drip Coffee Maker for Under $100
Cuisinart Brew Central DCC-1200 12 Cup Programmable Coffeemaker: $70
Cuisinart hit a home run with this affordable, yet stylish, 12-cup brewer. Over 4,500 reviewers on Amazon gave it 4.3/5 stars and the buzz online is that this is the coffee maker to beat. Here are the best five features that have people talking:
- 24-hour advance brew start
- Brew pause feature lets you enjoy a cup mid-brew
- Adjustable heat plate features low, medium, and high heat settings
- Programmable auto shutoff from 0-4 hours
- Charcoal water filter included purifying the water before brewing
I own this machine and love it. I’ve never been disappointed with the quality of the brew, and it’s easy to clean and maintain. It also looks great on my counter.
Personally, I had a great customer service experience with Cuisinart. I cracked the carafe by accident and called their customer service line to order a new one. The customer service representative insisted on sending me one free of charge, even though I made it clear it was my fault. I have since purchased several Cuisinart products because of that experience, and the quality of their products. And no, I am not in any way affiliated with Cuisinart; just a big fan.
This coffee maker boasts wake-up feature so you don't have to spend one waking moment caffeine-less, A glass carafe, heat adjustable warming plate and pause function are just some of the additional benefits of this coffeemaker.
Here are what other online reviewers say about this model:
PROS: Many people commented on how smooth the coffee tastes, with some accrediting it to the charcoal filter. They enjoy the brew-pause feature, especially first thing in the morning when it’s hard to wait for a cup. I read a lot of reviews of people that have purchased the same model twice (as have I) because they believe it’s the best drip model on the market.
CONS: Some people don’t like the five-beep notification that lets you know the coffee is ready after brewing. There were also people claiming that the carafe drips on the counter while pouring. That has happened to me occasionally; usually when I’m in a rush to fill my cup.
Verdict: If my Cuisinart bit the dust tomorrow morning, I would buy the same one again so yes, it’s worth the money if you want to spend this much on a coffee maker. Here it is in action:
Best Coffee Maker Under $50
Hamilton Beach 12-Cup Digital Coffee Maker: $49
Hamilton Beach delivers a great product with this easy-to-use automatic coffee maker. Here are the five best features of my choice for the best coffee maker under $50:
- Adjustable brew settings
- 1-4 cup options
- Programmable clock to schedule the automatic brew
- Automatic shut-off
- Swing-out brew basket for easy access
PROS: Reviewers online love how easy it is to use, program, and clean. They like how the water reservoir lifts out of the coffee maker so you can fill it at the sink rather than bringing water to it. It also has swivels on the bottom of the unit that makes it easy to move it on the counter. Many people said it made a good cup of coffee and claimed it has never let them down regarding reliability. There is a pause and serve feature, and an adjustable keep warm option that many users applaud.
CONS: Some people claim it takes a while for the coffee to brew. There were also some negative reviews because it does not come with a reusable filter.
Verdict: If you like your daily cup but don’t want to spend a fortune on a machine, this one is for you.
Best High End Drip Coffee Maker
Bonavatia 1900TS: $135
PROS: Reviewers love this coffee maker because of its compact design and for its consistency in never failing to brew a quality cup. There is a “bloom” feature that soaks the grinds during the brewing process that brings out the flavor of the beans and enhances the taste of the coffee. Some reviewers claim that the thermal carafe doesn’t allow the coffee to burn as it does in similar glass carafes.
CONS: One reviewer said you must hold it upside down to get the last drop of coffee out of the carafe which he found to be annoying. Another said he questioned whether the coffee reached the water reaches 195 degrees Fahrenheit. There is also only a two-year warranty.
Verdict: If you have the money to spend, this is an excellent drip coffee maker. The bloom feature alone makes me want to buy it.
With a Bonavita coffee brewer, you're just one press of a button away from a perfect cup of Coffee. We've refined our brewers down to the essential elements so it's simple to consistently brew great Coffee.
Best Quick Brew Drip Coffee Maker Option
BUNN NHS Velocity Brew: $85
PROS: The BUNN NHS claims to be the fastest 10-cup home coffeemaker brewing a full pot of coffee in three minutes. After trying several different brands, one reviewer claims this is the closest commercial-grade coffee brewer available for use in the home. Many reviewers said the coffee is exceptional, creating a flavorful cup each time.
CONS: For optimal use, the machine must always remain on to keep the reservoir water warm for the next time you brew. If not, the coffee won’t be hot after your three-minute brew.
Verdict: If you need your coffee fast and hot in the morning, this one is for you (as long as you don’t mind leaving it on). For more information on the heated water tanks look at this from BUNN:
Best 2-for-1 Automatic Drip Coffee Machine
Hamilton Beach 49980A Single Serve Coffee Brewer and Full Pot Coffee Maker: $56
PROS: This offers two ways to brew with a 12-glass carafe option or a single-serve option. The single-serve can brew up to 14 oz. perfect for a travel mug (the one pictured is not included) and it has an adjustable stand for shorter mugs as well. Reviewers like the versatility of this unit and its programmable features that include a brew strength selector and scheduled brewing capabilities for up to 24 hours beforehand.
CONS: There is no permanent mesh filter on the carafe side unless you purchase it separately. Some people assumed they could use K-Cups in this single-serve side which is not the case.
Verdict: If you need a versatile option, this drip coffee maker is perfect for you! Here it is in action:
Best Small Drip Coffee Maker Option for Limited Spaces
Mr. Coffee 4-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker: $20.00
PROS: The size, price, and utility of this machine have more than 3,500 Amazon reviewers giving it on average a 4.2/5 rating. This maker is ideal for those not looking to brew regularly, but like to have it available when they want it. Many call it simple, compact, efficient with some saying they purchased it specifically to use it while traveling.
CONS: Some say it is too small and that it needs to be cleaned more often than its larger counterparts.
Drip Coffee Maker Comparison
| Brand | Price | Best feature | 2nd Best | 3rd Best | Dimensions | Amazon Ratings |
| Cuisinart DCC-1200 | $70 | Adjustable heat plate | 24-hour advance brew | Brew pause | 7.8 x 9 x 14” | 4.3/5 stars from 4,573 reviews |
| Hamilton Beach 12-Cup Digital Coffee Maker | $49 | Adjustable brewing | Easy-access design | Removable reservoir | 11.5 x 16 x 9.5” | 3.8/5 stars from 2,988 reviews |
| Bonavatia 1900TS | $135 | Small but mighty | Pre-infusion brewing | 8-cup thermal carafe | 6.8 x 12.4 x 12.2” | 4/5 stars from 1,375 reviews |
| BUNN NHS Velocity Brew | $85 | Fast- 10 cups in 3 minutes | Always hot water feature | Drip-free carafe | 11.6 x 13.7 x 9.1” | 4.3/5 stars from 859 reviews |
| Hamilton Beach 49980A Single Serve and Full | $56 | Two ways to brew | Programmable brew strength | Auto on and off functions | 11.44 x 13.69 x 15.44” | 4.3/5 stars from 2,676 reviews |
| Mr. Coffee DRX5 | $20 | Compact | Brew pause | Dual water window | 7.1 x 9.6 x 10.7” | 4.2/5 stars from 3,512 reviews |
How did it go? Did you find your next coffee maker? I hope so. Here’s something else to consider:
The Daily Grind
If you genuinely care about brewing the best cup of coffee, you must grind your own beans. Sure, it’s easy to buy a bag of pre-ground beans and call it a day; but you sacrifice taste. After grinding, volatile flavor chemicals oxidize and degrade in hours.
Manufacturers try to lock in the freshness with fancy bags, but the reality is, once you open these bags at home you have one, maybe two good pots before the entire bag of coffee grinds go stale. Trust me. If you don’t have a burr grinder and want the best one available, check out this one from KRUPS:
The KRUPS GX5000 professional electric coffee burr grinder is loved by coffee enthusiasts for its precision grinding and variable settings. There are nine grind levels to choose from whether you need an extra-fine grind for espressos or a coarser grind for a French press brew. This grinder features a clear bean container that can hold two to twelve cups at a time.
Reviewers love that the burr mill system has an automatic stop function that prevents the grinder from overheating, and praises the grinder for its dependability. One user said he’d used it ten times a week for over twelve years and it still works great. Overall, 9,916 reviews gave it 4.3/5 stars.
This burr grinder sells for $49.99 and is worth every penny, in my opinion. You can buy the best coffee machine money can buy, but your coffee will only be as good as the bean you brew. Invest in your cup! You’re worth it!
I hope you found this information useful, and you are ready to buy your next coffee maker (and grinder). Happy shopping!
