Bessie Moser

The Best Drip Coffee Machines

Drip coffee makers are powerful machines that permit hands-free brewing. But they can also be big and heavy and take up valuable counter space or a spot under the cabinets.

The top drip machines are streamlined and simple to use. Some drip machines come with extra features such as programmable clocks and self-cleaning mode that can make your morning coffee more personalized.

1. De'Longhi TrueBrew

The De'Longhi TrueBrew is the perfect place to buy coffee. It can be made from whole beans to a full carafe by pressing a few buttons. It has a built-in burr grinder (taken directly from De'Longhi's espresso machines) that measures the right amount of coffee grounds and compacts them prior to making the coffee - eliminating plastic filters and pods.

It also has a variety of settings that can be adapted to your preferred cup size or design, from 3oz espresso drinks up to 16oz of iced tea and 40oz for the standard carafe. It can pour coffee into any container you prefer whether it's a large cup or a small espresso cup. It even creates tea!

Manufacturers are known to come up with absurd technical jargons and this one includes the Bean Extract Technology which "adapts and precisely grinds" the beans according to the beans you choose. That's all marketing. What matters is that it's a breeze to use, pretty quick and doesn't cause a lot of a mess when making dripping coffee maker. It's not able to brew either a short shot or a long shot of espresso as well as it doesn't come with a steam wand. If you're looking for these features, I recommend checking out the Moccamaster KBGV Select instead.

2. Cuisinart MultiServe

This is one of the best drip coffee machines available on the market. It makes consistently delicious hot cups of joe that brew quickly and efficiently from sleek, relatively compact hardware that's turnkey to operate, all at an extremely reasonable price.

We also enjoyed the ease with the ability to alter the brewing process. With just a dial turn, you can choose your cup size (from 5-ounce single-servings to a full-carafe) and the strength you want and whether you want either a French press or a regular setting. You can prepare cold brew at the press of a button or choose from a wide range of special options like Over Ice and Roasted.

The only downside is that it doesn't match the more sophisticated models that we tested. For instance the rounded Smeg drip machine resembles a sparkling Easter egg and is a welcome departure from boxy competitors. But its slender water tank and narrow opening could be difficult to navigate, especially in the dark when the brew is in process. It requires a bit more time and thought to get going in the early morning.

3. Keurig K-Cup brewer

Keurig single-serve coffee makers utilize prepackaged K-cups, which eliminate the necessity of measuring and grinding grounds and control brewing times. They can also brew a cup of coffee in less than two minutes, which is a lot quicker than a standard drip brew machine.

The Keurigs that we tested made much more mess than drip machines. The spout that spews hot coffee creates a 2-inch splash zone, which leaves droplets on the drip tray, machine, and counter. And they produce a loud, irritating sound when you're making coffee.

Despite the mess, the Keurigs we've tested are very efficient. The K-Cafe with Smart Keurig is the most sophisticated model, with a detachable reservoir, four K-cup sizes with three temperature settings and a customizable menu. It also comes with a safe dishwasher-safe milk frother which can froth skim, whole and non-dairy milk. It's a great choice for anyone looking to make a new cup of coffee each day or for families with large families who need more capacity.

Keurig Instant pod is a ideal choice for those looking for a single-serve machine that's easy to use and simple to use. It has a 7unce tank that can make multiple cups before needing refilling. It can also make a cup with your own ground coffee--a unique feature of a Keurig. The controls are easy and easy to use, however the machine communicates using tones and chirps, instead of a display, which makes it harder to tell when a brew is ready.

4. Cuisinart Drip Machine

This reliable, mid-priced machine comes with everything you need to start your day. It has a big 14-cup reservoir, as well as a clear indicator of the level of water. The large, clearly labeled buttons make it intuitive to use. The removable filter drip coffee maker and grinder can both be cleaned in the sink. This removes the need to scrub out the grounds from difficult-to reach places. It also has a handy brew strength selector that lets you pick from three different options including strong.

The reservoir also features a charcoal Filter & drip coffee that helps to remove metals and other unpleasant flavors and odors in the tap water. This can cause filter coffee makers to taste bland or burned. That means less maintenance and a better tasting cup of coffee.

Another benefit is that the programmability feature allows you to set your coffee brewing to a specific time. The pause button lets you make a cup of coffee or two before the whole pot is making coffee. This can be helpful in busy mornings when you require an extra boost of caffeine. It also has a sleek and modern design that is more comfortable on the counter of your kitchen compared to most boxy drip coffee machines.

5. Ratio Six

The Ratio Eight is the older sister of the Six. It offers an exceptional experience at a slightly lower price and smaller footprint. The single-button system emulates a pour over, with a precision metered flow of water and the perfect temperature for coffee. The machine requires 1400 watts of power to heat the water and complete the brewing cycle within five to six minutes. This is much faster than the majority of the less expensive models we tested. The speedy brew is partly due to the blooming cycle, which allows grounds of coffee to settle prior to the shower head delivering the remainder of the water for optimal extraction.

The Six also uses a unique heat shield to protect the spray head while brewing and also to keep the water at the optimum temperature. This is among the few brewers that have been Golden Cup certified by the Specialty Coffee Association, which means it keeps the correct brewing temperature consistently throughout the brew cycle.

In terms of design in terms of style, the Six is sleek and minimalist It comes with a stainless-steel carafe that sits on the top of a holder for filters that can accept Melitta flat bottom filters. The carafe that is insulated keeps the coffee hot without the use of heated plates. This helps preserve flavor.

6. Gevi 10-Cup Espresso Maker

The Gevi is a compact elegant coffee maker that doesn't take up a lot of counter space. It brews a great tasting cup of coffee. The touchscreen panel has cute icons that allow you to select single-touch commands. For example you can select Bold or If you're only making a half-pot of coffee, you can select the One to four cups feature. The machine also allows you to set the timer and switch the audible brew-cycle-finished tone on or off.

It's great to have a built-in coffee grinder that lets you adjust the grind size and the strength of your coffee. It takes a little time to learn to use the machine but once you've done it, it is intuitive. It has many of the features you would expect to see in more expensive models.

The only downside is that it's not able to brew the entire carafe in one go, which can be a challenge if you're serving a lot of people. It's a great choice when you're looking for an espresso maker with an integrated grinder, and the capability to make different drinks. It has a one year warranty and a great customer service.

7. Moccamaster KBGV

The Moccamaster KBGV is a premium drip coffee maker that's built to last. It comes with a five-year warranty and is made in the Netherlands by Technivorm. The sleek glass carafe is set atop a warmer that keeps the coffee at an optimal temperature for up to six minutes. It can be programmed to brew a whole or half pot, and it's certified to brew at optimal times and temperatures suggested by the Specialty Coffee Association. It also features a "practically incognito drip stopper," that's a small lever below the brew basket that stop the flow of coffee when you remove the carafe while the brewing.

The machine is more expensive than other models on the market, but it's worth the cost for those who want to enjoy consistently excellent coffee without having to spend a lot in the kitchen. All components that come in contact with water or grounds are easily accessible. Although the brewing process takes longer than some other models, it's still faster than pour-over making. The Moccamaster's distinctive, reminiscent design of workshop tools and scientific devices adds class to your kitchen.