The Best Drip Coffee Makers for Your Caffeine Kickstart, According to Our Tests

Our Favorite Drip Coffee Maker

You can’t beat the OXO Brew 8-Cup Coffee Maker for its price-to-performance ratio, and we love its sleek looks and insulated carafe. But the Technivorm Moccamaster KBGV 10-Cup Coffee Maker always has a spot on our countertops, too.

How We Tested Drip Coffee Makers

To find the best drip coffee makers on the market, we tested 18 models side by side to evaluate their performance, design, and ease of use:

Performance: First, we put each coffee maker through its paces by brewing freshly ground, medium-roast coffee. While brewing, we used a stopwatch to record the length of the brew cycle. We also used a thermometer to record the temperature. Once the temperature cooled to 125 degrees Fahrenheit, we tasted the coffee and recorded our tasting notes. After 30 and 60 minutes, we again took the temperature of the brewed coffee in the carafe and repeated the taste test. Next, we evaluated the coffee maker’s performance in brewing the minimum capacity of freshly ground medium-roast coffee.

Our next step was to perform the same test, but this time to evaluate the coffee maker’s performance in making freshly ground medium roast at mid-range capacity, with a standard ratio (per the SCA) of coffee to water volume. Finally, we repeated this step using pre-ground coffee. In further regards to performance, we also looked to see how well the carafes maintained heat and if the taste of the coffee kept warm in Test 1 changed after 30 and 60 minutes. Did the flavor become bitter, astringent, burnt-tasting, flat? Did any grinds or sediment end up in the coffee carafe? If so, how much?

Design: During testing, we paid special attention to the design of each coffee maker as well, noting whether the materials and construction seemed well-made and sturdy or cheap and flimsy. We looked for the same attributes in the carafe, including the lid and the handle. We also looked at the coffee maker’s footprint. Is it large and bulky (likely meant to live permanently on a counter) or smaller and more compact (something that can be conveniently taken in and out of a cabinet)? And if applicable, we noted how the coffee maker indicated that the brew cycle is complete (such as a light or sound).

Ease of Use: To get a sense of each coffee maker's ease of use, we observed whether the setup process was simple or a headache, including adding water to the reservoir, if the carafe secured the lid while pouring, or if it got hot to the touch. Finally, we assessed how easy the coffee carafe and brew basket were to clean and if the carafe held onto strong coffee odors after washing. 

Factors to Consider

Programmability

If it’s important to you to wake up to a fresh pot of coffee each morning, then be sure to look for a machine with programming functionality. There’s no workaround for this one, so your coffee maker will either have it or it won’t.

Size and capacity

Are you brewing coffee just for yourself? For two or three people? For a busy office? Needless to say, the smaller the capacity, the more frequently you’ll need to brew coffee. If you live alone, a single-serve coffee maker is a great option, and if your family consumes several cups a day, reach for a drip coffee maker with a 10- to 14-cup capacity.

Carafe type

Glass is standard — and most machines have a keep-warm function — but thermal carafes are handy for keeping coffee hot independently, allowing you to take the carafe to the table or otherwise turn off your coffee maker. Thermal carafes are also, of course, more durable than glass.

Added features

The features of coffee makers vary depending on their price point and purpose. If you value sustainability, look for a coffee maker that comes with a reusable filter, so you don't have to use disposable ones. Other helpful features are a self-cleaning mode, iced coffee function, strength settings, temperature control, and versatile cup sizes. Consider what’s important to you and shop accordingly.

Ease of cleaning

Cleaning a coffee machine is pretty straightforward, but fewer nooks and crannies will mean a machine is easier to clean. That said, heated coffee beans give off some of their oil, and that oil builds up in coffee-making equipment, which can often lead to a burnt, bitter smell and taste. Read over the care instructions in the manufacturer's manual to learn how to disassemble and reassemble the many different parts and whether they need to be hand-washed or if they can be placed in the dishwasher. Plus, your machine might even have a self-cleaning system if you're lucky. Either way, it’s important to note that a wide-mouth carafe will also be easier to clean than one with a narrow opening.

Why Buy a Drip Coffee Machine?

Drip coffee makers are your best bet when it comes to brewing coffee with ease. These machines are the workhorses of the coffee world, capable of hands-off brewing — well, at least after you’ve pushed the button.

Some drip coffee makers have built-in grinders, which is helpful for ensuring you’re always sipping freshly ground coffee without having a second appliance. Others are also fully programmable, so you can get everything situated for the perfect pot the night before and have the coffee waiting for you in the morning.  And many high-end coffee makers, for example, offer more exacting standards and features.

Now, if you prefer lattes or if you’re more of a double espresso type of person, you might be better off investing in an espresso machine. For a simpler espresso experience, Nespresso has a wide variety of machines available to suit any space or budget.

Our Expertise

• This article was written by Summer Rylander, a food and travel journalist who has written about food, beverage, and cooking products for Food & Wine, Allrecipes, Serious Eats, and The Kitchn.
• She made her selections based on in-depth research, our tested insights, and conversation with coffee roasting expert Heather Calatrello.