We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Shopping People Tested The 7 Best Drip Coffee Makers of 2024, Tested and Reviewed Our favorite is the OXO Brew 8-Cup Coffee Maker By Olivia Avitt Olivia Avitt Olivia is a writer and content creator that has written about a wide range of subjects, including health, beauty, relationships, culture, and music. When she's not working, you can find her perusing coffee shops, reading, or catching up on reality TV. People Editorial Guidelines Published on January 4, 2024 07:15AM EST In This Article Expand In This Article Our Top Picks ReviewsOthers We Tried Things to Consider How We Tested FAQ Why Trust Us? What Is PEOPLE Tested? Photo: People / Will Dickey Breakfast may be the most important meal of the day, but what’s a well-rounded start to the day without a good cup of coffee? For many of us, the first thing we do when getting out of bed is sauntering over to the coffee pot, so you want one that’ll get you through the often chaotic mornings (and the occasional afternoon slump). Drip coffee makers are a great option for people who want a more hands-off system or prefer making large batches they can sip on throughout the day. If you’re in the market for a new coffee maker but aren’t sure where to begin, the PEOPLE Tested team put 17 different ones to the test, each with varying settings and capabilities so you can find the best one for your needs. Read on for the best drip coffee makers that PEOPLE Tested. Our Top Picks Best Overall: OXO Brew Coffee Maker at Amazon ($200) Jump to Review Best Budget: Krups Simply Brew Drip Coffee Maker at Amazon ($40) Jump to Review Best Investment: BALMUDA The Brew at Amazon ($699) Jump to Review Best Capacity: Technivorm Moccamaster KBGV Select Coffee Maker at Amazon ($359) Jump to Review Best User-Friendly: Bonavita Enthusiast 8-Cup Drip Coffee Maker at Amazon ($230) Jump to Review Best Thermal: Technivorm Moccamaster KBT Coffee Brewer at Amazon ($339) Jump to Review Best at Amazon: Bunn GRB Velocity Brew at Amazon ($120) Jump to Review Best Overall OXO Brew Coffee Maker PHOTO: Amazon $200 at Amazon $200 at Target $194 at Wayfair Our Ratings Ease of Use 5/5 Performance 5/5 Ease of Cleaning 5/5 Design 5/5 Pros The double-walled stainless steel carafe feels well-made and well-insulated. It’s lightweight enough that it could be easily transported if stored in a cabinet. It has a single-serve feature. Cons It doesn’t have a pause brew feature. It has minimal programmable features, so if you want a more customizable coffee pot this may not be the best fit. This coffee maker won our vote for best overall because of how lightweight and high-quality it is. The double-walled stainless steel carafe and the thick, rigid lid cap work together for excellent heat retention so your coffee stays fresh after it’s done brewing. While its sleek appearance would make an excellent addition to your countertop, it’s lightweight enough that it wouldn’t be too much trouble to handle if you wanted to store it in a cabinet when it's not being used. Aside from all of this, our favorite feature is the single brew setting. Having the option of making just one cup or a whole pot for a crowd limits waste and maximizes efficiency. One drawback of this coffee maker is that it doesn’t have a pause brew feature. Although this isn’t a dealbreaker, it doesn’t have many programmable features which could be a problem for people that have more particular needs. While this is a great investment and upgrade for anyone who wants a clean and simple coffee maker, someone who is more well-versed in coffee may find the lack of settings underwhelming. Capacity: 5 cups | Single-Serve Capacity: Yes | Dimensions: 10.5" D x 13.5" W x 7" H | Weight: 10.29 pounds | Features: Cleaning mode, single-serve capacity, thermal carafe, removable well cover for tall mugs People / Will Dickey People / Will Dickey People / Will Dickey People / Will Dickey People / Will Dickey Best Budget Krups Simply Brew Drip Coffee Maker PHOTO: Amazon $35 at Amazon Our Ratings Ease of Use 4.5/5 Performance 4.5/5 Ease of Cleaning 4.5/5 Design 4.5/5 Pros This coffee maker is straightforward, with minimal settings and obvious water deposits that make brewing a pot easy. Its affordable price tag makes it a great value pick. It’s fairly compact and lightweight, so although it could easily live on a counter, it could also be stored in a cabinet. Cons It doesn’t produce a robust or balanced flavor, so don’t expect high-quality coffee. This coffee maker by Krupps is simple, straightforward, and perfect for anyone working on a budget. Since it doesn’t take up much more space than a box of cereal, it could fit nicely on a countertop or be stored in a cabinet in your kitchen. It also has minimal buttons and controls — there’s not much to figure out besides the on and off buttons. The water deposits are on either side of the brew basket inside the coffee maker itself, so you don’t have to worry about learning a complicated system. With all this being said, you get what you pay for. Since this coffee maker is under $50, don’t expect anything revolutionary. The flavor profile of the coffee we tested with this one was lackluster at best — if you are an avid coffee drinker and like a high-quality taste you might be disappointed. But if you want an inexpensive drip coffee maker that gets the job done, this is a solid pick. Capacity: 5 cups | Single-Serve Capacity: Yes | Dimensions: 5.71" D x 8.07" W x 10.08" H | Weight: 2.78 pounds | Features: Pause and brew system, keep warm function, reusable coffee filter, no-drip carafe People / Will Dickey People / Will Dickey People / Will Dickey People / Will Dickey People / Will Dickey Best Investment BALMUDA The Brew PHOTO: Williams Sonoma $699 at Amazon $699 at Nordstrom $700 at Williams-Sonoma Our Ratings Ease of Use 5/5 Performance 4.5/5 Ease of Cleaning 5/5 Design 4.8/5 Pros Its small-batch size makes it perfect for a single person who doesn’t want to make a whole pot of coffee. The sleek, simplistic design makes this ideal for smaller kitchens. The open basket means you can watch the coffee bloom and brew. Cons The pour spout on the lid is large considering the carafe size, so heat escapes from it pretty easily. The max batch size of three cups means this isn’t ideal for a household of coffee drinkers. If you don’t want to go to the trouble of brewing coffee via the pour-over method but like the process of watching it brew in real time, you’ll love this coffee maker from Balmuda. The open view of the basket means you can watch the grounds bloom so you get the experience of the pour-over method without the extra work. Although it’s tall and may not fit in most standard cabinets, it’s narrow, sleek, and simplistic, which means it could live on a kitchen counter easily. It makes a maximum of three cups, which isn’t ideal for bigger households, but it’s perfect for a single person who likes the taste of freshly brewed coffee and doesn’t want to make a whole pot. With all that being said, we can’t deny that this is an incredibly expensive coffee maker. Some smaller flaws stand out, like the large pour spout that allows heat to escape from the carafe quickly. And then there are the bigger issues, like the fact that it only brews three cups at a time. That alone made us balk at the price a little bit. We will say that this does make a great cup of coffee, the flavors are well balanced, and it maintains its richness, even when left on the warm setting. Capacity: 3 cups | Single-Serve Capacity: Yes | Dimensions: 5.5” D x 11.75” W x 15” H | Weight: 7.8 pounds | Features: Unique clear brewing method, single-serve capacity, open drip design, three brewing modes, self-clean mode, detachable water tank People / Will Dickey People / Will Dickey People / Will Dickey People / Will Dickey People / Will Dickey Best Capacity Technivorm Moccamaster KBGV Select Coffee Maker PHOTO: Amazon $359 at Amazon $359 at Nordstrom $360 at Williams-Sonoma Our Ratings Ease of Use 5/5 Performance 4.8/5 Ease of Cleaning 5/5 Design 5/5 Pros The carafe is very well-insulated so you don’t have to worry about dramatic temperature losses. The flavor profile isn’t sacrificed when kept warm in the carafe for extended periods of time. All of the parts are easy to clean. Cons It’s very tall and deep so it takes up more countertop space. The showerhead doesn’t cover enough of the basket, so the saturation is a little uneven. Do you find yourself brewing large batches of coffee, only to find that it takes on a bitter and burnt taste before you can even finish the pot? If so, you’ll love the Technivorm Moccamaster. One thing we love about it is not only how well-insulated the carafe is, but how it manages to keep coffee warm without diminishing its flavor profile. For each coffee maker we tested, we sampled its respective brew 30 minutes after being on the “Hold” setting and 60 minutes after. While most took on a bitter, burnt flavor, this one’s brew stayed close to fresh. Although it has several detachable parts (like the water nozzle), it’s very easy to clean which makes maintenance a breeze. One thing we did want to note is that it’s a bit cumbersome in size, in large part due to its depth. If you’re pressed on space in your kitchen this could be a tight fit on a countertop or cabinet. Another thing we noticed during testing was that the showerhead didn’t cover enough of the basket, so the saturation of the grounds was a little uneven. However, if your priority isn’t perfection and you just want a high-quality and easy-to-use coffee maker that won’t burn when held in a warming pattern throughout the day, you can’t go wrong here. Capacity: 10 cups | Single-Serve Capacity: No | Dimensions: 6.5" D x 12.75" W x 14" H | Weight: 6.25 pounds | Features: Automatic drip-stop, automatic shut-off, brew capacity selector, 23 color options People / Will Dickey People / Will Dickey People / Will Dickey People / Will Dickey People / Will Dickey People / Will Dickey Best User-Friendly Bonavita Enthusiast 8-Cup Drip Coffee Maker PHOTO: Williams Sonoma $230 at Amazon $250 at Williams-Sonoma Our Ratings Ease of Use 4.8/5 Performance 4.8/5 Ease of Cleaning 4.8/5 Design 4.8/5 Pros It has an alarm system that tells you when your coffee is finished brewing. From descale to brew to bloom, maneuvering this coffee maker is easy. The double-walled carafe traps heat and keeps coffee warm for hours. Cons The plastic lid expands when it gets hot, so it’s hard to remove after brewing. It’s at a fairly high price point considering the brew quality. If you look at the complex coffee makers on the market and don’t know what to do with all their obscure settings and buttons, you’ll appreciate that this one by Bonavita keeps it simple. This is perfect for amateur coffee drinkers because it has lots of instructional material for caring for your coffee maker and making the perfect cup, like a cleaning and descaling guide and even a water-to-coffee ratio chart. As far as the hardware of the coffee maker itself, it has lots of straightforward buttons for things like brewing and descaling, so you know exactly what to do and what to press. It even takes the guesswork out of when the coffee is ready — when the brew is done, it will let out a little chime sound so you know when it’s time to pour yourself a cup. During testing, we noticed that the plastic lid expands in size quite a bit when exposed to heat, to the point that it’s hard to remove after brewing. Additionally, the brew quality is good but not great. However, this would be ideal for an office setting since it’s user-friendly and easy to maintain, or in a household where there aren’t any particular coffee preferences. Capacity: 8 cups | Single-Serve Capacity: No | Dimensions: 6” D x 13” W x 12” H | Weight: 6.13 pounds | Features: Thermal carafe, pour-over brewing method, one-touch brew operation, auto shut-off People / Will Dickey People / Will Dickey People / Will Dickey People / Will Dickey People / Will Dickey Best Thermal Technivorm Moccamaster KBT Coffee Brewer PHOTO: Amazon $339 at Amazon $340 at Williams-Sonoma $339 at Sur La Table Our Ratings Ease of Use 5/5 Performance 5/5 Ease of Cleaning 5/5 Design 5/5 Pros There were no overflowing issues when brewing at capacity, so if you make large batches of coffee this is a great option for you. It’s easy to use, thanks to the removable reservoir lid, showerhead, and brew basket. No grounds made it through the basket when brewing. Cons The rigid brew basket was hard to clean, and the stainless steel carafe had to be washed by hand. The flavor loses some of its body when using finely ground coffee. From the minute we opened this coffee maker we knew that avid coffee makers would appreciate its advanced settings and quality. The detailed instruction manual includes everything from recommended techniques and grind sizes to special instructions for brewing at high altitudes. During testing, we made brews at minimum, middle, and maximum capacities — even at maximum capacity there wasn’t any overflowing, which makes this ideal for brewing large batches of coffee. It’s also easy to use, largely because the reservoir lid and showerhead are fully removable, so filling it up with water and coffee grounds is a breeze. While brewing during our various tests, no grounds made it through the basket, so you don’t have to worry about getting bites of coffee grounds in your morning cup. Oftentimes it’s hard to make a large batch that also maintains rich flavor. Although we were impressed by how well each batch turned out, we must note that when using pre-batched, finely ground coffee, it didn’t taste as balanced. It is stated in the manual that coarse grounds do better, so if you usually purchase finely or pre-ground coffee this coffee maker may not be worth the spend. Aside from that, the brew basket has deep ridges that make it hard to clean, and the stainless steel carafe has to be washed by hand, so it’s a bit high maintenance. However, if you like higher-quality coffee and want something you can use to make large batches, this is a great option. Capacity: 10 cups | Single-Serve Capacity: No | Dimensions: 6.75" D x 11.5" W x 15.25" H | Weight: 6.5 pounds | Features: One-button operation, manual adjust brew basket, thermal carafe, manual drip-stop People / Will Dickey People / Will Dickey People / Will Dickey People / Will Dickey People / Will Dickey People / Will Dickey Best at Amazon Bunn GRB Velocity Brew PHOTO: Amazon $120 at Amazon $120 at Target $120 at Walmart Our Ratings Ease of Use 4.8/5 Performance 4.8/5 Ease of Cleaning 4.8/5 Design 4.8/5 Pros It has a lot of subtle design features that make a difference, like a reversed channel that helps minimize steam blowback, leakage, and splashing. It had a quick brew time, so it’s perfect for when you’re in a hurry. It has minimal components and parts, so the setup is straightforward. Cons There are consistent overflow issues in the basket, especially when brewed at capacity. There’s no pause feature, so it won’t stop brewing even when it’s unplugged. This coffee maker has some nice features that seem subtle but make a big difference, like the reverse channel in the carafe that prevents leakage, splashing, and steam blowback when pouring a cup. It’s also fairly compact and has minimal components, so it’s easy to store on a countertop and straightforward to use. Another thing we liked was the quick brew time — it moved faster than most other coffee makers we tested, which you’ll appreciate on days you’re in a rush. However, there were a few issues with this one, the biggest being overflow. In our initial tests, the brew basket overflowed to the point that grounds and hot water spilled over the sides. We figured out that it was because we needed to use a Bunn-branded filter. After replacing it with the proper filter and trying again, it didn’t overflow out of the coffee maker itself, but the grounds did spill out of the filter and onto the side of the basket. Aside from that, there isn’t a pause feature. The manual says that it will automatically stop brewing when the lid is open, but when testing we found that it continued to brew anyway, even when the machine was unplugged. With all this in mind, we were fairly surprised to find that the flavor quality of the coffee was decent when brewed with coarsely ground beans — it had a heavy extraction and rich body, and that flavor stayed pretty consistent even after brewing and left on the warm setting. When brewed with prepackaged, finely ground beans on the other hand, the coffee had a sour and sludgy taste. With its simple, straightforward design, quick brew time, and thoughtful design features, it’s a good option. Capacity: 10 cups | Single-Serve Capacity: Yes | Dimensions: 7.1" D x 13.8" W x 14.3" H | Weight: 0.5 pounds | Features: Drip-free carafe, switch-activated warmer plate, 4-minute brew time People / Will Dickey People / Will Dickey People / Will Dickey People / Will Dickey People / Will Dickey Other Drip Coffee Makers We Tried Ratio Six Coffee Maker: There were quite a few things we liked about this coffee maker. It feels hefty and high quality, the tight lid on the carafe keeps heat trapped inside, and it doesn’t make an obnoxious amount of noise while brewing. However, there are a few things that caused us to ultimately decide it wasn’t worth the $330 price point. For one thing, there’s no pause brew feature so you can’t pause the brew to pour yourself a cup if you just can’t wait until the pot is finished. Also, after it’s finished brewing, the flavor doesn’t keep inside the carafe and becomes aggressively bitter quickly. Because it doesn’t have many customizable features and the flavor didn’t have much integrity, it just doesn’t align with the high price point, and didn’t earn a spot on our list of favorites. Things to Consider Before Buying a Drip Coffee Maker Ease of Cleaning The best way to prolong the life of your coffee maker or any coffee machine is to take care of it between uses, and that includes cleaning it after each use. We’re all in a hurry in the mornings, so picking a coffee maker that doesn’t require too much upkeep is key. If you want something easy to clean, pay attention to how many parts and compartments it has. For example, the Technivorm Moccamaster KBT has ridges in its brew basket that are harder to get into, so it’ll inevitably take more time to clean. Design Just like an espresso machine, a drip coffee maker is a larger appliance that is certainly a focal point in your kitchen if you or someone in your household is a coffee drinker. If it’s going to be stored on your counter, you want it to fit in with the look and feel of your kitchen — and if you’re working with limited space, you want it to take up minimal space (or be easily stored in a cabinet). You should pay attention to the dimensions, specifically the depth, height, and the material it’s made of to make sure it fits in with the aesthetics of your space. Ease of Use Making coffee in the morning shouldn’t be a hassle, especially if you’re in a hurry. Having a coffee maker that’s easy to maneuver is key — if you can’t figure out how to work the one you bought, you won’t want to use it and you’ll end up wandering back to Starbucks. When you’re shopping, look at the product page and see what settings it has, and look at reviews to see what others say about how comprehensive the manual is, and if any weird quirks come with it. The OXO Brew 8-Cup Coffee Maker keeps things simple with a clean control panel and minimal features, which isn’t ideal for the more advanced coffee drinkers, but perfect for someone who wants to keep it simple. How We Tested Our team of editors, from professional chef to food editors, selected 17 best-selling coffee makers for testing. Testers spent more than 80 hours testing each coffee maker, and the testing procedure was designed to mimic real-life use as closely as possible. They tested each brew to see how the flavor profile changes after sitting on the “warm” setting for extended periods of time, evaluated the brew quality at low, medium, and full capacity, and even tested each coffee maker's performance with varied grind settings. Reviewers were instructed to evaluate each coffee maker on their ease of use, design, performance, ease of cleaning, and durability. The highest-ranked coffee makers are the ones that are featured here. Frequently Asked Questions What are the disadvantages of automatic coffee machines? While automatic coffee machines are a great option for getting a pot of coffee going quickly and without too much effort, they aren’t the best choice if you’re interested in the science of a perfectly balanced cup. The biggest issue with automatic coffee makers is the lack of control — it’s almost a given that they won’t evenly saturate the grounds with water, which leads to a less balanced, more diluted flavor. Also, automatic coffee makers generally don’t get hotter than 195 degrees, which isn’t conducive to proper extraction and optimal taste (it’s recommended that your water temperature sits between 195-205 degrees for the best results). What is the difference between a French press and an automatic coffee maker? A French press brews coffee by immersing grounds in boiling water and compressing the grounds with a filtered plunger that carefully extracts the flavor as you push down on the grounds. This method is more hands-on and allows full control of the brewing process, so it yields a richer flavor. Automatic coffee makers, on the other hand, have a more hands-off, “automated” system. You place the grounds loosely in a basket that sits right under a spout that drips pre-heated water over the grounds and through a filter. The main difference in results is that automatic coffee makers are less time-consuming and great for when you’re in a hurry, but won’t get you the same level of taste or concentration. This is mostly because the water isn’t boiling, but rather shot through an electric heating tube that doesn’t get enough for proper extraction to occur. What kind of coffee grinds go in an automatic coffee maker? This varies depending on the machine, but during our testing, we found that setting a medium-coarse grind on the coffee grinder got the best results. The pre-blended, finely ground coffee tasted noticeably worse. If you’re not sure how to know if coffee is ground at a medium-coarse level, a good rule of thumb is to aim for the texture of rough sea salt. Why Trust Us? This article was written by Olivia Avitt, a freelance writer for PEOPLE who specializes in thorough, honest product reviews. For many, a cup of coffee is the way you kick off your day, so having a coffee maker that meets your needs is key for starting each day on the right foot is a game changer. When writing this roundup, she analyzed each product’s testing results thoroughly to find the need-to-know bits of information so shoppers can feel empowered in their purchase. What Is PEOPLE Tested? We created the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval to help you find the very best products for your life. We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs. But we don’t stop there: We also regularly re-review the categories in which we’ve awarded the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval — because the best product of today might not be the best of tomorrow. And by the way, companies can never buy our recommendation: Their products must earn it, fair and square. In short, PEOPLE Tested provides recommendations you can trust — every day, every purchase. PEOPLE Tested: The 7 Best Espresso Machines of 2024