- Drip coffee makers come in different forms, from basic brewers to those that can be programmed to your specific brew preferences.
- Our top pick is the Cuisinart's Coffee Plus 12-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker because it takes care of your coffee and the rest of your breakfast with its built-in hot water dispenser.
If you're the type who blearily wanders around the kitchen until you've had your first cup of coffee, you need a good coffee maker.
You can probably live with a basic model that just has an on/off switch, but there are many with helpful features such as scheduling, a built-in grinder, or the capability of creating specialty drinks.
The picks in our guide brew at least 10 cups of coffee and have some sort of display for programming. Here are the best coffee makers after hours of research and personal testing.
Here are the best coffee makers:
- Best overall: Cuisinart Coffee Plus 12-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker (CHW-12)
- Best with water filtration: Mr. Coffee Optimal Brew 10-Cup Thermal Coffeemaker (BVMC-PSTX95)
- Best with a built-in grinder: Krups Grind and Brew 10-Cup Coffee Maker (KM785D50)
- Best on a budget: Black+Decker Programmable Coffee Maker
- Best for specialty drinks: Ninja Hot and Cold Brewed System
Prices and links are current as of 10/26/2020. We are researching new models to consider for a future update, but we stand by these models as our current recommendations.
The best overall
The Cuisinart Coffee Plus 12-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker not only makes coffee, but its built-in hot water system also lets you make tea, oatmeal, and more.
The Cuisinart programmable coffeemaker comes with its own hot water system so it can brew coffee and get your favorite tea or snack ready at the same time with hot water on demand. The hot water is ready almost instantly, so all you need to do is press the lever down to dispense it. The hot water system is controlled via a power button and can be used even if you don't want coffee, or if you're already done brewing a cup.
The are also plenty of features you need, and none you don't. If your day can't start before you've had coffee, you'll appreciate this machine's 24-hour programmability so you can have a cup ready and waiting for you each morning. The machine also automatically turns on and shuts off so you'll never have to worry about it running after you've left the house.
You'll find low, medium, and high carafe temperature control settings for optimal results. When it's time for cleaning, just use the self-cleaning function. The machine comes with one charcoal water filter and a gold-tone filter to eliminate any impurities that can impact the taste of your coffee or other beverages.
If you placed a too-small cup under the spout and see that the coffee's just about to spill, the Brew Pause feature lets you remove the cup or carafe without making a mess.
This particular model brews up to 12 cups and has a one-to-four cup setting. A slightly smaller 10-cup model is also available. However, most models this size actually brew cups that are closer to five or six ounces, rather than the full eight ounces, according to Consumer Reports.
Pros: Separate hot water system, 24-hour programmability, carafe temperature control
Cons: Doesn't have a backlit display, awkwardly placed water fill container, not the quietest machine
The best with water filtration
From its high brew temperature to delay-brew and auto-pause features, the Mr. Coffee Optimal Brew 10-Cup Thermal Coffeemaker is a solid value.
If you're looking for overall value in a programmable coffee maker, consider this Mr. Coffee model. For starters, it's equipped with many features you'd expect on a higher-end coffee maker, such as the delay brew function and an auto-pause feature that lets you grab a cup of coffee before brewing is finished. The machine automatically shuts off after two hours, which is a big plus if you're the forgetful type.
A built-in water filtration system helps to remove up to 97% of chlorine, which is a huge plus if you find that your tap water doesn't taste great. The filter ensures that any mineral or elemental tastes don't make their way into your coffee.
If you can't get to your coffee right away or you want it to stay warm, you'll appreciate the double-walled stainless steel carafe. Unlike some models in this price range that come with a glass carafe, the extra insulation in this thermal carafe maintains a warm, but not scalding, temperature. Not only does this keep your coffee from tasting burnt, but you also won't have to rely on a warming plate or a microwave to get your coffee back to a drinkable temperature.
Whether you like your coffee strong or mild, the brewing temperature also plays a role. This machine brews up to 205 degrees Fahrenheit. According to the National Coffee Association, the ideal water brewing temperature is between 195 and 205 degrees Fahrenheit, with 205 being the optimal temperature. Anything less than 195 to improper extraction, while temperatures more than 212 will cause the water to boil and burn the coffee.
Pros: Delay brew feature, greatly reduces chlorine taste from water, high brewing temperature, stainless steel carafe keeps drink warm
Cons: Plastic construction cheapens the appearance, produces a fair amount of steam when brewing, doesn't have a permanent filter
The best with a built-in grinder
Not only is the Krups Grind and Brew 10-Cup Coffee Maker fully programmable, but you can grind your coffee at the same time for an even fresher brew.
The highlight of the Krups Grind and Brew 10-Cup Coffee Maker is its built-in grinder. Whether you're a bit short on space or you simply prefer the convenience, having a built-in grinder lets you grind beans and then brew all within one machine.
The conical burr grinder has five settings, so you can choose between coarse and fine grounds, and anywhere in-between. A good quality burr grinder cuts beans into evenly sized particles, as opposed to powder or chunks. You can adjust the settings on this machine according to the type of bean you're using as well as your desired drink.
As far as built-in grinders go, this one stands out for its versatility. Many espresso drinkers find they can get the grind down to a fine powder that works well enough for homemade espressos. Or you can grind your beans a bit more coarsely for best use in this machine. Either way, the grinding process takes less than a minute. However, cleaning the storage container can be a bit of a chore. Using a smaller brush can help reach into tight spaces for easier cleaning.
If you're looking for user-friendly features to help make your mornings easier, you'll appreciate the straightforward controls on the Krups Grind and Brew. For starters, you can push a button to select anywhere from two to 10 cups. An auto-on feature allows you to program the machine to start at a time that's most convenient for you. After you put the beans in the grinder and add water, the machine automatically takes the correct amount of beans to grind depending on how many cups you want and the strength you choose.
Pros: Built-in burr grinder, auto-start function, three brew strength settings
Cons: Grounds can get stuck on the container walls, carafe lid prone to opening when pouring, can get loud when grinding coffee
The best on a budget
The Black+Decker Programmable Coffee Maker is a budget-friendly machine with a large capacity, digital control panel, and plenty of features for the price.
It's not the fanciest coffee maker around, but the Black+Decker Programmable Coffee Maker gets the job done. There's a lot to appreciate for such an affordable price, from the 12-cup capacity to a water window that lets you keep track of the amount.
The coffee maker stands 13.3 inches high and 8.4 inches wide, making it a good choice if you're looking for a compact coffee maker for your home, office, or both. You'll also find a digital control panel with soft-touch buttons. It's easy to program the machine to make coffee ahead of time thanks to its 24-hour programming functionality.
This programmable coffee maker puts out 975 watts of brewing power. In comparison, you'll need roughly 1,000 watts to get water to boil in five minutes. But since the machine doesn't need to boil water to make coffee, it will produce a cup in just a few minutes. Many owners find that this coffee maker also maintains an ideal temperature before and after brewing, even when the carafe is on the warming plate.
If you simply can't wait for the brewing cycle to finish, you can grab a cup before it's done thanks to the brew-pause function. And as long as the glass carafe is properly positioned underneath the basket, you shouldn't experience any dripping or leaking.
A handful of reviews suggest using a bit less ground coffee than usual for this coffee maker. If you use too much, grounds may make their way into the coffee pot.
Pros: Small footprint, the brew-pause feature makes it easy to sneak a cup, removable filter basket
Cons: Can be tough to see the water level, can't remove carafe lid for cleaning, warming plate surface may peel over time
The best for specialty drinks
The Ninja Hot and Cold Brewed System brews your favorite hot and cold coffee and tea, and it comes with a built-in milk frother and tea brewing basket.
With a coffee maker or espresso machine, you're only able to make just that — coffee or espresso. But if you're looking for a multitasker than can make several types of coffee and tea, and at different temperatures, try the Ninja Hot and Cold Brewed System.
It has a built-in frother and a tea brew basket, which you can use for loose leaf and bagged tea. There's a menu with options for hot or iced drinks, along with different drink varieties like rich (similar to espresso, but not quite) or cold brew coffee, or green or oolong tea.
Programming the machine may take a few minutes longer than expected, but the extended menu and sizing options ensure you get the drink you want when you want it. A delay brew option lets you make your favorite hot beverage in advance.
When the beverage is done, it's automatically kept warm via the hot plate. However, you can adjust the plate to a warm setting instead to ensure your drink doesn't get too hot.
Pros: Pull-out tray accommodates smaller mugs, makes specialty coffee and tea, one-touch technology
Cons: Stainless steel smudges easily, doesn't have an espresso setting, doesn't produce the hottest coffee
What to look for in a coffee maker
Aside from programmability, size, and price, certain features can help make the decision easier.
If the flavor is crucial, you'll want to consider the brewing temperature. In general, coffee makers that reach a range of 195 to 205 degrees Fahrenheit deliver the most precise results. Some machines come with a warming plate to keep your beverages hot after brewing, which is particularly helpful if you're not going to be drinking your coffee right away, or you want the remaining coffee to stay warm.
Impurities in the water you use to brew, such as chlorine, could also impact the taste of the coffee; machines with carbon block filters work particularly well. However, they generally don't make a noticeable difference if your water tastes good to begin with.
Check out our other great coffee guides
- The best espresso machines
- The best french presses
- The best stovetop espresso machines
- The best pour-over coffee gear
- The best cold brew coffee makers