But coffee drinkers know that an automatic drip coffee maker is a classic type of coffee maker for a reason: It can brew strong, full-flavored coffee in great quantities.
But not all coffee makers are created equally. That’s why we put over 30 drip coffee makers to the test in our Zerox24 lab and brewed over 600 cups of coffee:
It can take a little while to get to know the ins and outs of a new coffee makers. Each drip coffee maker we test brews roughly 65 cups by the time our engineers are through with it, and brewing is just one of many aspects we evaluate.
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We test for handling and convenience, too, so you can choose a model that helps you sail through morning madness.
To find the best models out there.
How we test Drip Coffee Makers
We test coffee makers for the water temperature during the brew cycle and the brewing time as well as the temperature of the coffee at the end of brewing and during the keep warm cycle.
In addition, we evaluate each brewer’s ease of use, including how easy it is to read and use the controls, access the water tank and brew basket, read the markings on the tank and carafe, whether or not it has automatic keep warm and shut off cycles, and the ease of cleaning the carafe.
Of the many models we’ve tested, these are the best drip coffee machines to buy:
The well-designed Braun BrewSense came closer to the gold standard for water brewing temperature than almost any other drip coffee maker in our testing, and delivered a rich, bold, hot cup of coffee.
It has settings to program the coffee to brew ahead of time and you can adjust the brew strength and the temperature of the warming plate. It’s also available in black.
Why we like it:
12-cup capacity
2-hour auto shut-off
Settings to program brew time, strength, and temperature
This Black & Decker coffee maker proves you don’t need to spend a fortune to make an excellent cup of coffee at home.
It was one of the few in our test that brewed coffee hot and kept it that way for a full two hours. It was also was one of the most user-friendly models we tested.
Why we like it:
12-cup capacity
2-hour auto shut-off; keeps coffee hot the entire time
For the freshest tasting cup of coffee, the Cuisinart Grind and Brew grinds your beans immediately before brewing, or use pre-ground coffee if that’s what you have on hand.
It features a burr grinder, which is designed to grind coffee very evenly. The hopper holds up to half a pound of beans and features a sealed lid to help keep them fresh.
In our tests, we liked how easy the water filter was to fill, from either the right or left side. It is also relatively quiet for a grinder, and grinds directly into the basket and auto rinses when done to help prevent clogs.
If you love a cup of cold brew coffee just as much as you love a mug of hot java or tea, Ninja’s new system is for you.
It makes a seemingly endless array of beverages. In addition to brewing coffee, tea, iced coffee, and cold brew, you can select from six sizes (from single-serve to a full carafe) and control the strength of your drink.
Our favorite part of this machine is the connected milk frother that lets you make creamy cappuccinos, flat whites, and more without having to add any extra gadgets to your counter top.
Why we like it:
10-cup capacity
1-hour auto shut-off
Brews specialty coffee drinks, tea, iced coffee, and cold brew in 6 size options
The high-end Technivorm MoccaMastergot top scores for making coffee super fast in our tests.
It has a tank that’s very easy to fill with clearly defined measurement markings, plus it’s a breeze to clean and operate the controls and comes in 17 (!) fun colors.
Breville’s Precision Brewer is stacked with features that allow you to fully customize your coffee, like adjustable brew temperature, bloom time, strength and more.
It has settings for making cold brew, iced coffee, or the Specialty Coffee Association’s standard Golden Cup. It’s beautifully designed thanks to its sleek brushed stainless steel exterior and LED-lit digital display.
Not only did it brew the best tasting coffee in under one and a half minutes, but the control panel has intuitive, simple buttons and five drink sizes for regular, strong, or iced brews.
Its 75-ounce water reservoir (about nine cups of coffee) means you won’t have to keep refilling. You can also pre-program the exact time it turns on in the morning.
Why we like it:
75-ounce water reservoir
5 drink sizes and options for bold, regular, or iced coffee
What else can we ask for from a drip machine that’s easy to prep, easy to use, and makes a good pot of coffee?
In our tests, we loved how easy the Mr. Coffee Easy Measure was to fill the water tank, thanks to the very large mouth.
The color-coded measuring scoop also made it very easy to scoop the right amount of coffee grounds into the filter based on the corresponding water level.
We also liked the rounded taste of the coffee, which came out hot but not burnt. As if these features weren’t enough, the control panel lets you know how long the coffee has been keeping warm: it guarantees a fresh cup every time.
Why we like it:
12-cup capacity
Color-coded scoop makes measuring grounds foolproof
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