The Best Drip Coffee Maker: 10 Picks for Quality-Obsessed Coffee Aficionados

Coffee is a morning ritual for many people, and there’s nothing quite like a fresh cup of drip-brewed coffee to start the day off right. Discover the best drip coffee maker for getting your caffeine fix, whether you’re a seasoned coffee aficionado or a casual drinker.

Are you more committed to your morning cup of Joe than your personal hygiene? If so, you aren’t alone. In fact, 52% of coffee lovers in the United States would rather go without a shower in the morning than give up on coffee. That’s why you have to make sure the best drip coffee maker out there is sitting on your counter.

But if you are having trouble deciding, don’t worry. We’ve got you covered.

Table of Contents

• 7 Things to Consider When Picking the Best Drip Coffee Maker
• Drip Coffee Maker Reviews
• Functions and Features
• FAQ
• Final Thoughts

There’s nothing like waking up on the aroma of a freshly-brewed cup of java before doing anything else.

But it’s not easy when you’re facing down a zombified Starbucks queue. Plus, that daily caffeine habit skims about $2300+ yearly from your wallet.

Yikes!

Solution? It’s time to invest in a proper coffee drip coffee machine to enjoy your daily cup of coffee in the comfort of your home. And the best part? Most coffee makers don’t require you to have prior knowledge for preparing a barista-worthy cup of java.

Best Drip Coffee Maker Brands

No matter, what your requirements are, there’s always a range of drip coffee makers that:

• Are budget-friendly
• Make several types of coffee drinks
• Occupy less space on your kitchen counter
• Brew batches for large households
• Easy to clean and maintain

and many more…

But we’ll save you from those hundreds of listings on Amazon, eBay, and Walmart. After scanning hundreds of coffee machines, we’ve compiled a shortlist to give you only the top-rated coffee drip coffee machines so you would enjoy hassle-free beans to cup experience.

7 Things to Consider When Picking the Best Drip Coffee Maker

Okay, so before I delve into the nitty-gritty of 10 of the best drip coffee makers, what makes a great drip brewer? What should you consider when browsing?

1. SCA Certification

The Speciality Coffee Association certifies only a few coffee machines each year. This is basically a seal of approval from the coffee gods! If it says SCA, it’s definitely a safe pick.

2. Size

There are different sizes out there for a range of lifestyles. Whether brewing from a studio apartment or a fully-equipped kitchen with room to spare, you need the right size to match your space and needs.

The best is to look at the space you’ve available in your kitchen or office then compare it with the dimensions of the coffee machine to make sure if it could fit or not. However, picking a small drip coffee maker is recommended as adjusting even in small kitchenettes is easier. Or maybe you need a dual coffee maker.

3. Capacity

To figure out the right capacity best drip coffee maker, ask yourself, how many cups do you want to brew at a time? Do you want a drip brewer for personal use, family, or office (of how many people)?

Choose a single-serve coffee maker with a normal brewing capacity of 1 to 2 cups if you need it for personal use. On the contrary, pick a 4-cup coffee maker with a large water reservoir that brews a full batch (several cups) at a time if you’re a family of java drinkers or need it for office staff.

4. Brew Sizes

If you brew a variety of cup sizes, mugs, pots, thermos then make sure the coffee maker has an adjustable drip tray, nozzle, and sprouts. This saves your counter from messes due to the spilling of coffee and is pretty useful for a family with different coffee needs.

5. Carafe (Thermal Glass)

My personal recommendation is to use a thermal carafe as it keeps things hot for long without altering the quality and taste of the coffee. Conversely, glass carafes keep your coffee hot as long as they’re on a hot plate. But adding heat back into your coffee negatively affects the taste if left too long, making it stale and burnt.

6. Easy to Clean

Nobody likes to have a drip coffee maker that is full of mess and fuss. So, always look for a coffee machine with easily removable parts to make cleaning more convenient and hassle-free.

7. Price

Drip coffee makers tend to be cheaper than other coffee machines. But remember, that there are also a lot of secondary costs to consider – coffee beans, pods, other cleaning equipment, etc, depending on the coffee maker you choose.

So take a serious look at what your budget is and exactly what kit you think you’ll need. A drip coffee machine is significantly cheaper than an espresso machine.

The Best Drip Coffee Maker (Reviews)

Let’s discuss the best drip coffee maker brands in detail:

1. Technivorm Moccamaster 79112 KBT Coffee Brewer – Top Rated

Carefully hand-crafted in heart of the Netherlands, Moccamaster has been refined for over 50 years to make the best coffee with a little know-how.

Even though it retails at a bit higher price, the Technivorm Moccamaster 79112 KBT still stands strong against the competition. It boasts some incredible features such as a copper boiling element that maintains the water at an optimal heat level (196 to 205 degrees Fahrenheit), as proved by the National Coffee Association.

Besides being super easy-to-operate, its automatic drip-stop prevents the unwanted mess and nasty overflowing when you remove the carafe.

It’s very fast and optimizes the proper bloom within 4-6 minutes to fill in a 40 oz insulated thermal carafe and that too is efficient enough to keep the liquid hot for hours without causing the burnt taste.

With the liberal use of durable metal housing, BPA/BSF-free plastics, and to some extent glass, Moccamaster is a BPA-free coffee maker that looks beautiful on the countertop and ensures to keep your java free from toxic chemicals.

What’s more:

The parts are easy to clean and you’d rarely find any ground at the bottom of the carafe. Sweet!

PROS

• Brews delicious and piping hot coffee
• Faster brewing experience
• Keeps coffee hot for hours
• Built to last
• Easy to use and clean
• SCA-certified rating

CONS

• Expensive
• Lacks programmability

2. Breville BDC450BSS Precision Brewer Thermal (Brushed Stainless Steel) – Best for Travel

With its precise temperature and brewing time controls, the Breville is able to make any coffee taste good.

This top-end offering from Breville benefits from a patent-pending steep and release valve to help make perfect single cups of coffee, as well as a ‘gold cup’ mode that sets temperature and steep time to SCA standards automatically.

Its clean, modern looks can’t really be argued with and a selection dial is the main control for all the BDC450’s features, making it pretty easy to use. That being said, its display screen is on the smaller side, so could be difficult to use when tired, or for those with poor eyesight.

Precision is quite literally this drip coffee maker’s middle name since you can control everything, from temperature to flow rate to the volume of coffee. Dual filter baskets allow the choice of flat and cone brewing, depending on your preference. Plus, steep and release technology makes sure flavor and aroma are perfectly extracted from your coffee beans.

This machine does it all, but that may well be too much for some coffee lovers. It’s a more expensive drip coffee maker, and while it comes with plenty of features that explain the price, it’s not one for bargain hunters or minimalists.

PROS

• An excellent portable coffee maker
• Easy to use and easy to clean
• Well built with a high-quality feel
• Versatile, allowing you complete control over your coffee
• Great tasting brew
• Pours nicely and leaves no mess behind
• Programmable

CONS

• Can require frequent cleaning
• A bit on the louder side

3. OXO Brew 9-Cup Stainless Steel Coffee Maker – Best Budget

This offering from OXO is SCA certified, and that’s on top of being from a trusted brand.

The OXO-Brew isn’t ostentatious, but it does boast modern, sleek looks that would fit most newer kitchens and certainly beat many drip coffee makers. Some companies don’t seem to have updated their design since the late 70s!

And it’s not just a pretty face. The OXO-Brew has a rainmaker showerhead, a thermal carafe to maintain coffee temperature for hours, and a large, bright LED display. The rainmaker and a bloom cycle mimic pour-over coffee-making techniques, meaning your coffee will have clarity not often achieved with a drip coffee maker.

Although easy to use, the OXO-Brew has plenty of programmable features. You can set it the night before you need coffee and wake to the smell of a pot brewing, and you can control the amount of coffee you want by simply selecting a number of cups.

The only thing I can find wrong with the OXO-Brew is it’s slightly smaller than the usual carafe. If you want a real statement coffee maker, it may not be for you, but if you want a high-end, practical drip coffee maker then the OXO-Brew is perfect.

PROS

• High-quality and sleek design
• Produces consistently great cups of coffee
• Brews coffee at an ideal temperature
• Double-walled carafe assures your coffee is warm for hours

CONS

• Brew basket can have a defective drip vale which causes a mess
• A bit pricey

4. Ninja CP307 Hot and Cold Brewed System – Most Versatile Drip Coffee Maker

If you need a coffee maker that can go as hot and cold as your caffeine-deprived mood swings, this Ninja’s model is here to be your ride-or-die.

Made with all plastic, piano black surface, and some silver highlights, Ninja Hot/Cold Brewed System looks very stylish on the countertop. It’s a little taller but compact enough to slide under the lower kitchen cabinets.

You’ll be surprised to see how versatile the Ninja Hot and Cold is: it’s capable of making anything from tasty drip-brewed coffee, lattes to hot teas and iced coffee. On top of that, it can also serve in multiple brewing sizes, ranging from standard cups to full carafes.

This countertop drip coffee machine with a cold brew setting is efficient enough to extract the coffee at an ideal temperature level to make you true quality coffee, which your tastebuds will surely be thankful for.

There’s no guessing for anything, Ninja System is fully automated and gives you your desired drink at just a few presses of buttons on its fully clear, illuminated control panel.

What’s more:

There are two filter baskets, one for coffees and the other for teas. The water reservoir on the right side is fully removable for easy refilling while resting on the kitchen counter or with sink faucets.

PROS

• Compact footprint
• Makes hot and cold beverages (including iced coffee)
• Faster and efficient brewing process
• Can brew amazing coffee (including cold brew)
• Maintains hot coffee for up to 2 hours
• Looks great on the kitchen counter

CONS

• A bit expensive, especially for a nearly 100% plastic build
• No manual setting for custom brewing

5. BUNN GRB Velocity Brew 10-Cup Home Coffee Brewer – Most Convenient Drip Coffee Maker

This is a beast of a drip coffee maker. It might look like it belongs in a truckstop, or maybe in an actual truck, but the GRB is insanely practical for at-home or at-work coffee brewing.

The BUNN’s stainless steel tank keeps water constantly warm, which means that you can have fresh, hot coffee at the touch of a button any time of the day or night.

That’s it. No fancy, programmable features, no add-ons or color options, just coffee. Fast. When you need it.

A multistream head and flat filter mean flavor will always be evenly extracted from your grounds, and the glass carafe pours really well. You can also select a brew between 4 and 10 cups, and keep excess warm on the hot plate. But why brew more than you need when it’s this easy?

The BUNN is also of great value and very hardy, but in case anything does go wrong it also comes with a 3-year warranty as standard.

PROS

• Brews a full pot of coffee in 3 minutes flat
• Excellent flavored brew
• Easy to set up and easy to clean
• Automated system that is ready to go after initial setup
• Affordable

CONS

• Coffee may not get as hot as you would like it
• Aesthetics may seem a bit dated for some

6. Ninja CM401 Specialty 10-Cup Coffee Maker – Hot and Cold Friendly

If you want a coffee maker that’s like a gift that keeps on giving, check out the Ninja Specialty. This thing has plenty of tricks up its sleeve to keep your morning routine exciting.

Available with a glass or thermal carafe, the Ninja Speciality Fold-Away Frother is a one-stop-shop of a drip coffee maker that makes 6 sizes and 5 strengths of coffee. It also makes cold brew coffee.

There is also a fold-away milk frother, so you can make a decent approximation of a latte, iced coffee, or even a cappuccino when you brew coffee.

The slimmed-down machine is going for sleek looks, but its busy control panel ruins that a bit. In all honesty, this is really more of a practical than an aesthetic purchase, but we don’t mind.

Spring for the thermal carafe if you think you will make whole pots of coffee, as glass carafes with a hot plate could compromise flavor. The additional cost is a little steep, but it does make a difference.

PROS

• 6 different brew sizes
• Built in milk frother for variety and convenience
• No need to use filters
• Maintains hot coffee for up to 4 hours
• Easy to use and easy to clean

CONS

• No auto-pause (must wait for the brewing to finish before pouring a cup)
• Larger footprint

7. Hamilton Beach 2-Way Brewer Coffee Maker – Best Alternative to Keurig

Good old Hamilton Beach provides great value as usual with this 2-way drip coffee maker.

Fill either a mug/travel mug or a glass carafe with this classic drip coffee maker, the Hamilton Beach 2-Way Brewer.

It’s not the smallest drip coffee maker on the market but will fit on most countertops and with a steel and black plastic body should blend into most kitchens.

Despite being a value product, this is a fully programmable coffee maker. This includes an auto-shutoff, which means that despite the glass carafe coffee should never get scalded waiting on the hot plate, and the ability to set it to brew ahead of time.

You can also adjust the brew strength and serving size, meaning that the Hamilton Beach 2-way has equivalent features to some much more expensive machines!

At just over 10lbs, some people might find the machine a little flimsy. But at this price point, that seems like a given. The build quality is decent, and as long as you don’t do anything unexpected (taking a seat on your drip coffee maker, maybe) then the Hamilton Beach should last just fine.

PROS

• Great for a single cup or an entire pot of coffee
• Shuts off once it is finished brewing
• Both practical and efficient
• Great value for your buck
• Can use either pods or coffee grounds

CONS

• Slower brewing time

8. Cuisinart DCC-3200P1 PerfecTemp 14-CupC – Fully Programmable

Having state-of-the-art technology, this Cuisinart is capable of making the hottest coffee while retaining both the flavor and quality.

Despite being available in a range of colors, this Cuisinart’s looks are more functional than high fashion.

The Cuisinart DCC-3200 14-Cup is compact and modern looking and would fit neatly on a countertop or a desk that’s been repurposed as a coffee corner!

As you’d expect from Cuisinart, it’s solidly built, with intuitive controls and a large and easy-to-use display and simple buttons. Your grandma could probably work this drip coffee maker, and yet it has a showerhead water dispenser and includes a longer extraction option to ensure a very modern cup of coffee!

The glass carafe and hot plate are a slight negative, but certainly not a dealbreaker. Especially as the machine is not only pre-programmable 24-hours in advance but also features an alarm when it’s ready. You can brew the amount you want, and be reminded to drink it before it has been sat around.

If practicality is what you most need from a drip coffee maker, look no further than the Cuisinart DCC-3200.

PROS

• Brews coffee super hot and stay hot for up to three hours
• Easy to read display
• See-through window helps to add the right amount of water
• Great price

CONS

• Hard to clean
• The lid doesn’t open far enough when filling the water reservoir

9. Bonavita BV1900TS 8-Cup Coffee Maker with Thermal Carafe – Great Value for Money

This is a small, compact coffee maker packs a powerful punch that’s backed up by a coveted SCA certification.

This Bonavita machine features a showerhead water dispenser that ensures an even steep for your grounds, plus there’s a pre-soak setting that allows coffee to bloom, mimicking a pour-over brew. These are really modern features on a small, unassuming machine.

The Bonavita BV1900TS 8-Cup One-Touch is an intentionally simple drip coffee maker. It’s optimized to the Gold Cup Standard defined by the SCA, including keeping water temperature between 196 and 205F. You can’t program much, but the idea is that you don’t need to! It makes perfect coffee, and you barely lift a finger.

The OneTouch is quiet and easy to use. It’s specifically designed for small spaces, as well as for super-easy operation.

And as there’s no auto shut-off or timer feature, and it’s small and quiet, you should try not to forget the One Touch! Luckily, a thermal carafe means you can shut off the machine but still keep your coffee warm.

PROS

• Precise heating creates a great brew
• SCA-Certified
• Easy to use and easy to clean
• Modern design that is easy on the eyes

CONS

• A bit difficult to get all the coffee out of the carafe

10. Brew Express  BEC-110 Countertop Automatic Filling Coffee System – Best for Black Coffee

Want a truly set-and-forget brewer? Brew Express can connect a line straight from a water source to your brewer, so you never have to measure it out again.

The Brew Express is not messing around. A great option for an office, a busy kitchen in a shared house, or a big coffee-loving family, the BEC-110 plugs right into your water line to provide a steady stream of hot and fresh coffee! That might sound intense, but it will plumb in just like a fridge with an ice maker.

This is a commercial quality drip coffee maker with commercial machine looks. It’s not exactly dainty, but who needs dainty from a functional piece of kitchen equipment when you brew coffee?

The initial expense for the Brew Express may seem like a lot, but it should last years. This drip coffee maker offers brewing range and mechanical reliability to ensure your boss gets plenty of productive bang for their buck, so don’t hesitate to pass this suggestion along.

PROS

• Brews smooth coffee, no matter what brand you use
• Carafe keeps hot coffee for hours
• High-quality and durable
• Can program a single cup or a full pot

CONS

• A bit on the pricier side
• Has a tendency to need repairs after the two-year mark with heavy use

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Figuring out the Functions and Features

You may notice a variety of common features in a vast majority of coffee makers but still, there are some features that set different models apart and are worth keeping an eye on while shopping for the best coffee maker:

Programmable Settings

If you’re a type who loves to enter the kitchen as soon as your fresh and delicious cup of coffee is available, then programmability should feature high on your list. It allows you to get your hands on a freshly prepared cup of coffee right at the time you desire to have it. Heck, some of them even grind beans for you. In fact, you should also check out the top grind-and-brew coffee makers.

As a bonus, you can also set up your preferred coffee strength, cups of coffee, and the perfect temperature to deliver the perfect results. This is great for those of you who appreciate the artistry of manual brewing, but often don’t have the time to indulge.

Built-in Grinder

If you prefer fresh coffee beans over coarse ground coffee, then an in-built is a must feature to consider. However, these generally come with some hefty price tags, so we suggest getting a separate coffee grinder if you don’t have a massive budget. Nonetheless, having a drip coffee maker with a built-in grinder adds more convenience.

Strength Settings

While this technically fits into programmability, we wanted to highlight strength settings in particular because they can be so important. If you’re a family with different coffee strength preferences then it might be worth considering the strength settings feature. This feature allows you to switch between strength preferences (regular or bold) so you don’t need to compromise for your taste by restricting yourself to limited to strength controls.

Temperature Control

Again, this one deserves its own section because the temperature is a HUGE deal when it comes to coffee quality. A drip coffee maker with adjustable temperature lets you ensure your brew is hitting that 195 degrees Fahrenheit sweet spot. Anything below than perfect temperature will extract under-extracted coffee that will taste like water with a hint of coffee. And if brewed at extremely high temperatures, it may burn the coffee and will taste bitter due to over-extraction.

Auto-Shutoff

An auto-shutoff is also a valuable feature to appraise as it not only saves your coffee maker from unwanted damage but also saves unnecessary consumption. It keeps your mind at ease if you somehow forgot to hit the switching before heading out to the work.

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Drip Coffee Makers (FAQ)

Discover more useful details about drip-brewed coffee makers:

What makes a drip coffee maker good?

The best drip coffee makers have features like digital timers and auto shut-offs that make it easy to brew great coffee without any fuss. They also come with thermal carafes to keep hot coffee for hours.

Do drip coffee makers make good coffee?

There is no definitive answer to this question. Some drip coffee makers produce great coffee while others produce mediocre coffee. Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference. Some people prefer the taste of drip coffee, while others find it too acidic or bitter.

How do you make homemade drip coffee?

Heat up water to around 200 degrees Fahrenheit, add the coffee grounds to your filter (2 tablespoons for every 6 ounces of water), slowly pour the hot water over the coffee grounds, give the coffee a few stirs, and let it steep for 4-5 minutes. It’s the equivalent of using a traditional drip coffee maker.

How long do drip coffee makers last?

It totally depends on the coffee maker you choose and how you take care of it. Aim for picking top-of-the-line coffee makers from top brands like Technivorm, Ninja Coffee Bar, Cuisinart, or Breville. These brands are found to be the top choice of coffee drinkers because of their excellent performance both for features and durability.

How often should you replace a drip coffee maker?

It’s recommended to replace a drip coffee maker every 6-8 months for ensuring optimal performance.

Are drip coffee makers easy to clean?

Yes, most drip coffee makers are easy to clean. Just toss or compost the coffee grounds and wash all the essential components underwater. However, DO NOT put your entire coffee maker under the water. With squeaky clean parts, you will enjoy great-tasting coffee.

How to make your coffee taste better?

To ensure great-tasting coffee, always use high-quality water and fresh ground coffee, which you can brew at an optimal temperature.

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Final Thoughts

For my personal coffee needs, I tend to go for simple and well-built when I’m choosing a drip maker. I want it to last, but I don’t want to break the bank. It shouldn’t be ugly, but it’s not supposed to be a feature piece either.

• For that reason, my favorite drip coffee maker is the Breville Precision Brewer. It’s practical, simple, well designed and it has just enough modern features to draw me in (and make the great coffee I want).

However, my runners up are:

• Technivorm Moccamaster: This one has a real draw and is great for experienced at-home baristas hoping for some flair.
• Ninja Hot and Cold: While versatility isn’t my personal jam for a drip brewer, if you are looking to knock out several brewing birds with one machine, this one has you.

Of course, if you’re getting a drip coffee maker for work, the Brew Express BEC-110BS makes total sense.

As ever, assess your needs before you make a purchase, then enjoy your constant flow of drip coffee!