Things to Consider
Goodbye to overpriced coffee shop runs. Once you choose a drip coffee maker based on the criteria below, you’ll wonder why you didn’t start sooner.
Life’s too short to drink bad coffee, and upgrading to a quality brewer can elevate your mornings. With the right drip coffee maker or even one of the best espresso machines (if you want to stay in bed and let a machine do it for you), you can enjoy café-quality flavor at home every day.
Capacity
The FDA says most adults can safely enjoy up to 400 milligrams of caffeine a day, which works out to about two to three 12-ounce cups of coffee. If you’re a household of one, that means you can savor your daily brew without worry. But what kind of drip coffee maker should you choose to keep those perfect cups coming?
Drip coffee makers come in different sizes, from single-serve to 12-cup models. For a household of one, a 4–5 cup drip coffee maker is usually the best choice.
Think about how much coffee you and your family or guests drink, and choose a machine that can accommodate your needs.
Features
Do you want a simple or a fancy drip coffee maker? Some machines have basic functions, such as an on/off switch and a warming plate.
Others have more advanced features, such as programmable timers, brew strength selectors, pause-and-serve options, and automatic shut-off. Depending on your preferences and budget, you can opt for a more or less sophisticated machine.
Maintenance
How easy is it to clean and maintain your drip coffee maker? To ensure the quality and longevity of your machine, you should clean it regularly and follow the manufacturer's instructions. Some machines have removable parts that are dishwasher-safe, while others require manual cleaning. You should also check if the machine has a water filter and how often it needs to be replaced.
How to Pick the Best Drip Coffee Makers?
How do you choose the best drip coffee maker among the hundreds of models available on the market? And how do you ensure that your drip coffee maker will deliver consistent and flavorful results every time?
To answer these questions, we conducted extensive research on dozens of drip coffee makers from different brands, sizes, features, and price ranges. We evaluated each coffee maker based on several criteria, such as:
- Brewing performance: How well does the coffee maker extract the flavor and aroma from the coffee grounds? How hot is the brewed coffee? How fast is the brewing process?
- Ease of use: How intuitive and user-friendly are the controls and settings of the coffee maker? How easy is it to fill the water reservoir and the filter basket? How convenient is it to clean and maintain the coffee maker?
- Design and durability: How sturdy and reliable is the construction and material of the coffee maker? How attractive and compact is the appearance and shape of the coffee maker? How long is the warranty period and customer service support of the coffee maker?
- Additional features: What extra functions or options does the coffee maker offer, such as programmability, pause-and-serve, brew strength selector, water filter, thermal carafe, etc.?
Based on these criteria, we narrowed down our list to 5 finalists. We assessed how easy or difficult it was to operate and clean each coffee maker.
After comparing our results and ratings, we selected the best drip coffee makers in different categories, such as best overall, best value, best for small spaces, best for large families, etc.
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Final Thoughts
Choosing the right drip coffee maker depends on your needs, preferences, and brewing style. Whether you want something simple for everyday use or a high-end machine for the perfect cup, there’s an option for you.
- Best Overall: Technivorm Moccamaster KBGV Select Coffee Maker
- Best Overall, Runner-Up: OXO Brew Coffee Maker
- Best Value: Krups Simply Brew Drip Coffee Maker
- Best Splurge: Balmuda The Brew Coffee Maker
- Best with Thermal Carafe: Technivorm Moccamaster KBT Coffee Brewer
No matter which one you choose, a quality drip coffee maker can elevate your morning routine and help you enjoy rich, flavorful coffee at home.
FAQs
1. What is the difference between drip and pour-over coffee?
The main difference is that drip coffee uses a machine that automatically controls the water flow and temperature, while pour-over coffee requires manual pouring and more attention to detail.
2. How do I make the best drip coffee?
To make the best drip coffee, you should use fresh and high-quality beans, grind them right before brewing, and measure the right amount of coffee and water. You should also use filtered water, preheat your machine and carafe, and clean your machine regularly.
3. How long can I keep drip coffee in the carafe?
Drip coffee can stay fresh in the carafe for up to two hours, depending on the type of carafe and the warming plate. After that, the coffee might start to lose its flavor and aroma, or even become bitter or burnt. If you want to keep your coffee longer, you can transfer it to a thermal carafe or an insulated flask.
4. Can I use regular ground coffee for drip coffee makers?
Yes, you can use regular ground coffee for drip coffee makers, as long as it is suitable for the type of filter you are using. Most drip coffee makers use flat-bottomed filters, which work well with medium-ground coffee. If your machine has a cone-shaped filter, you might need to use finer-ground coffee to prevent under-extraction.
5. Can I make tea with a drip coffee maker?
Yes, you can make tea with a drip coffee maker, but you should be careful not to contaminate the flavor of your coffee or tea. You can either use tea bags or loose tea leaves in the filter basket, and brew them as you would brew coffee. However, you should wash your machine thoroughly before and after making tea, or use a separate machine for tea only.
