Best Drip Coffee Makers of 2021 – Reviews and Buyer’s Guide

What if I tell you, 52% of coffee lovers in the United States would rather go without a shower in the morning than give up on coffee. And about 49% would rather live without their cell phone for a month than go without the coffee, reports recent coffee statistics (1).

So, it’s no wonder that Americans have been obsessed with coffee and of course, there’s nothing like waking up to the aroma of a freshly-brewed cup of java before doing anything else.

But it’s not easy when often you’ve to face a zombied Starbucks queue to finally fix your caffeine crave before heading out to the work. And probably you don’t know, this daily caffeine habit skims about $2300+ yearly from your wallet.

Yikes!

Solution? It’s time to invest in a proper coffee machine to enjoy your daily cup of coffee in the comfort of your home. And the best part, it doesn’t require you to have prior knowledge for brewing a barista-worthy cup of java.

No matter, what your requirements are, there’s always a range of best coffee machines that:

• Are budget-friendly
• Make several types of coffee drinks
• Occupy less space on your kitchen counter
• Brew batches for large households
• Easy to clean and maintain

and many more…

But I won’t let those hundreds of listings on Amazon, eBay, and Walmart freak you out as I’ve already burnt the candle at both ends by scanning hundreds of coffee makers to give you only the top-rated coffee machines so you would enjoy hassle-free beans to cup experience.

Things You Need to Know Before Buying a Drip Coffee Maker

No doubt, it’s difficult to understand the world of coffee makers, it’s more like a cherry-pick as there are a lot of factors to consider before having your hands on the perfect machine that meets your requirements and satisfaction.

But you don’t need worry as I’ve taken all the guesswork out of the purchase to help you make a wiser decision before whipping out your credit card.

Here are factors that you’ve to consider before picking a drip coffee machine:

Size

This might be a minor concern but it can be troublesome if you choose a monstrous size coffee maker while having not enough space in your kitchen to slot it properly or leaving no space for other kitchen appliances.

The best is to look at the space you’ve available in your kitchen or office then compare it with the dimensions of the coffee maker to make sure if it could fit or not.

However, it’s recommended to pick a compact-sized machine as it’s easier to adjust even in small kitchenettes.

Capacity

This is an important factor as this plays a huge role in your requirements and convenience. To figure the right capacity best coffee machine, ask yourself, how many cups you want to brew at a time? Do you want a coffee maker for personal use, for family or office (of how many people)?

If you need for personal use then choose one with a normal brewing capacity of 1 to 2 cups at a time. On the contrary, pick a machine with a large water reservoir that brew a full batch (several cups) at a time if you’re a family of java drinkers or need it for office staff.

Brew Sizes

If you brew a variety of cup sizes, mugs, pots, thermos then make sure the coffee maker has an adjustable drip tray, nozzle, and sprouts. This saves your counter from messes due to the spilling of coffee and pretty useful for a family with different coffee needs.

Carafe (Thermal/Glass)

My personal recommendation is to use a thermal carafe as it keeps your hot for long without altering the quality and taste of the coffee. Conversely, a glass carafe keeps your coffee hot as long as it’s sitting on the warm plate but it negatively affects the taste of coffee – stale and burnt.

Easy to Clean

Nobody likes to have a coffee maker that needs to be clean immensely and more frequently as it makes your coffee experience full of mess and fuss. So, always look for a coffee maker with less movable and easily removable parts to make cleaning more convenient and hassle-free.

Price

Broadly speaking, normally a drip coffee maker is available even at $25 but of course, the price increases when we prefer to focus on more features and functionalities.

Not only you’ll have to pay for a coffee maker but you’ll also need to pay for coffee beans, pods, other cleaning types of equipment, etc, depending on the coffee maker you choose.

Let’s discuss in detail to know well about your favorite pick.

1. Technivorm Coffee Brewer – Top Rated + Travel Friendly

ven so, while it retails at a bit higher pricing, it still stands strong against the competition. It boasts some incredible features such as a copper boiling element that maintains the water at an optimal heat level (196 to 205 degrees Fahrenheit) as directed by the National Coffee Association (2). 

Besides being super easy-to-operate, its automatic drip-stop prevents the unwanted mess and nasty overflowing when you remove the carafe.

It’s very fast and optimizes the proper bloom within 4-6 minutes to fill in a 40 oz insulated thermal carafe and that too is efficient enough to keep the liquid hot for hours without causing the burnt taste. 

With the liberal use of durable metal housing, BPA/BSF free plastics, and to some extent glass, Moccamaster looks beautiful on the countertop and ensures to keep your java free from toxic chemicals.

What’s more:

The parts are easy to clean and you’d rarely find any ground at the bottom of the carafe. Sweet!

PROS

• Brews delicious and piping hot coffee
• Faster brewing experience
• Keeps coffee hot for hours
• Built to last
• Easy to use and clean
• SCA-certified rating

CONS

• Expensive
• Lacks programmability

Bottom Line

Backed up by a 5-year money-back guarantee and appreciated as the best automatic drip coffee machine by America’s Test Kitchen, Moccamaster will probably be the last coffee maker you’ll buy.

2. Ninja Hot and Cold Brewed System – Most Diverse

For those who’d like to own a best tasting coffee maker that’s ready for anything, this Ninja’s model is truly remarkable to take the abuse.

Made with all plastic, piano black surface, and some silver highlights, Ninja Hot/Cold Brewed System looks very stylish on the countertop. It’s a little taller but compact enough to slide under the lower kitchen cabinets.

You’ll be surprised to see how versatile the coffee maker is: It’s capable of making anything from tasty drip-brewed coffee, lattes to hot teas, and chilled iced drinks. On top of that, it can also serve in multiple brewing sizes, ranging from standard cups to full carafes.

This countertop machine is efficient enough to extract the coffee at an ideal temperature level to make you true quality coffee, your tastebuds will surely be thankful for.

There’s no guessing for anything, Ninja System is fully automated and gives you your desired drink at just a few presses of buttons on its fully clear and illuminated symbols’ control panel.

What’s more:

There are two filter baskets, one for coffees and the other for teas. The water reservoir on the right side is fully removable for easy refilling while resting on the kitchen counter or with sink faucets.

PROS

• Compact footprint
• Makes hot and cold beverages
• Faster and efficient brewing
• Brews delicious quality coffee
• Keeps your coffee hot for up to 2 hours
• Looks great on the kitchen counter

CONS

• A bit expensive
• No manual setting for custom brewing

Bottom Line

If you love lattes, solid drip coffee, and perfect quality teas, Ninja Hot and Hot Brewed System make a lot of sense.

3. Cuisinart DCC-3200 14-Cup – Fully Programmable

Having state-of-the-art technology, this Cuisinart is capable of making the hottest coffee while retaining both the flavor and quality.

The glass and stainless steel carafe are able to hold 14 cups of wonderfully hot coffee goodness, and it is modernly designed with an easy to read display. 

Not only can you choose the brew strength of your coffee, but you can also adjust the controls to make sure your coffee stays at your preferred temperature for hours. 

The charcoal filter also gets rid of any acidic taste, so you have a great cup of coffee that tastes just right. 

There is also the ease of convenience with the Cuisinart, as it has a see-through window for adding just the right amount of water for your brew. 

And, if you are in a rush and can’t wait for the entire pot to finish, there is a Brew Pause button that lets you grab a cup of coffee before the brewing process is complete.

PROS

• Brews coffee super hot and stay hot for up to three hours
• Easy to read display
• A see-through window helps to add the right amount of water
• Great price

CONS

• Hard to clean
• The lid doesn’t open far enough when filling the water reservoir

Bottom Line

Although the Cuisinart isn’t the fanciest machine on the market, it is one of the easiest to use. And, if you like your coffee as hot as it can get, this might be the ideal home coffee maker for you.

4. Breville BDC450 Precision Brewer Coffee Maker With Thermal Carafe – Also Great

With its precise temperature and brewing time controls, the Breville is able to make any type of coffee taste good. 

Not only does it have a unique steep and release system, but you are able to customize the bloom time and the flow rate to assure your coffee is exactly how you want it, every single time. 

Coming with both a flat bottom and cone filter basket, you can brew any amount of coffee to your liking. 

This machine is also programmable, so you can have your coffee ready to go first thing in the morning or at the same time every day. 

Easy to use, precise, and just overall high in quality, this coffee maker will make coffee you can’t wait to drink. 

PROS

• Easy to use and easy to clean
• Well built with a high-quality feel
• Versatile, allowing you complete control over your coffee
• Great tasting brew
• Pours nicely and leaves no mess behind
• Programmable

CONS

• Can require frequent cleaning
• A bit on the louder side

Bottom Line

If you love having control over your coffee’s temperature, bloom time, and overall flow rate, Breville Precision Brewer might be the perfect choice to make your ideal brew.

5. BUNN GRB Velocity Brew 10-Cup Home Coffee Brewer – Most Convenient 

If you need your coffee to be instant without using instant coffee grounds, the BUNN can make that happen. 

It is capable of brewing an entire 10 cup pot in about 3 minutes by using speed brew technology that doesn’t sacrifice taste and quality. 

Not only is the BUNN all about speed, but it has a simple set up. All you need to do is add coffee, pour in water, and close the lid. Your coffee will be ready before you know it. 

The drip-free carafe has a specially designed lid and spout design to make sure your coffee doesn’t dribble as you pour. Unlike other coffee makers that can leave a mess behind on the counter, the BUNN keeps things clean, simple, and easy. 

The large, flat-bottom filter also allows for greater contact between coffee and hot water, assuring your brew will have a higher quality flavor extraction. 

PROS

• Brews a full pot of coffee in 3 minutes flat
• Excellent flavored brew
• Easy to set up and easy to clean
• An automated system that is ready to go after initial setup
• Affordable

CONS

• Coffee may not get as hot as you would like it

Bottom Line

If you don’t have a lot of time to wait for your coffee to finish brewing, the 3 minute brew time on this coffee maker will put a smile on your face.

6. Ninja Speciality Fold-Away Frother (CM401) – Hot and Cold Friendly

Not only can the Ninja brew a great cup of hot coffee, but it has the ability to make wonderful, full flavor iced coffee that is brewed over ice to assure it won’t be watered down. 

With 6 brew sizes, you are able to make a single cup of coffee to a full pot with the push of a button. 

The fold-away frother is also a great feature, allowing you to turn hot or cold milk into a beautiful rich froth you can add to your many drink choices. The frother also allows for specialty brews like lattes, cappuccinos, and other drinks you would find in a high-end coffee shop. 

SCA-certified, this is a coffee machine where no pods are required, just darn good coffee and your imagination. 

PROS

• 6 different brew sizes
• Attached frother for variety and convenience
• No need to use filters
• Keeps the coffee hot for up to 4 hours
• Easy to use and easy to clean

CONS

• No warming plate
• Larger footprint

Bottom Line

If you love having the variety in your drinks you would find in a high-end coffee shop, this machine can make it happen.

7. Hamilton Beach 2-Way Brewer Coffee Maker – Good Alternative to the Keurig

Whether you are a full pot of coffee person or a grab a cup and go type, this coffee maker offers you both options. 

It is capable of making a single-serve cup or a full 12 cup carafe. And, for the single-serve option, you can choose to use either coffee grounds in the mesh filter brew basket, or you can quickly drop in a k-cup and let the coffee maker do its thing. 

The Hamilton Beach 2-way is also 24 hours, fully programmable, so you can wake up to hot coffee first thing in the morning. 

It also comes with smart features, so you are able to control the brew strength (regular or bold) and choose if you would like the warming plate to stay on or turn off. 

PROS

• Great for a single cup or an entire pot of coffee
• Shuts off once it is finished brewing
• Both practical and efficient
• Great value for your buck
• Can use either pods or coffee grounds

CONS

• Slower brewing time

Bottom Line

At a great price, this low-maintenance machine brews restaurant quality coffee at the touch of a button.

8. OXO Brew 9 Cup – Brews Consistently Delicious Coffee

With a sleek design, the OXO Brew 9 cup is SCA-certified and knows how to make a great cup of coffee.

It can brew 2 to 9 cups at the touch of a button. And, with its fancy rainmaker shower head, the ideal temperature water is poured over your coffee grounds to create a full flavor brew. 

Programmable and user-friendly, this machine uses a single dial for programming both the number of cups and the 24-hour timer. 

The double-walled, insulated carafe is especially nice, as it keeps your coffee hot and fresh for hours. 

This is a gold stand flavor machine that uses both time and temperature to produce high quality, consistently good, cups of coffee.

PROS

• High-quality and sleek design
• Produces consistently great cups of coffee
• Brews coffee at an ideal temperature
• A double-walled carafe assures your coffee is warm for hours

CONS

• Brew basket can have a defective drip vale which causes a mess
• A bit pricey

Bottom Line

A solidly good coffee maker with a sleek design, it’s ideal if you want your coffee maker to look good and make you a great cup of coffee at the same time.

9. Bonavita BV1900TS 8-Cup One-Touch Coffee Maker – Great Value For Money

At an affordable price tag, the Bonavita 8 cup uses power and precision to make great cups of coffee. 

Easy to clean, easy to use, this machine comes with a one-touch button to get your coffee going, and has an auto-off feature. 

Originally developed to mimic the artisan pour-over brewing method, this Bonavita pauses water flow and gives your coffee a chance to bloom to its full potential. 

The pre-infusion mode on this maker also wets your freshly ground coffee so it can degas before it starts to brew. 

With the perfect bloom and degassing, you will absolutely have a great-tasting cup of coffee no matter the time of day. 

PROS

• Precise heating creates a great brew
• SCA-Certified
• Easy to use and easy to clean
• Modern design that is easy on the eyes

CONS

• A bit difficult to get all the coffee out of the carafe

Bottom Line

If you want a great value machine that still knows how to make a great cup of coffee, the Bonavita machine won’t let you down.

10. Brew Express BEC-110BS 10-Cup Countertop Coffee System. Stainless Steel/Black

Being able to brew a single cup to a full pot, the Brew Express connects directly to a water source so it’s self-filling and won’t leave you with a watery mess. 

It comes with an adjustable cup selector, making it easy to choose between a single mug, a half pot, or a full carafe. 

It is also capable of producing a smooth tasting cup of java and is programmable so you can set it for any time of the day or night. 

With a beautiful and functional 10 cup thermal carafe, your coffee will stay hot for hours. 

This machine is also able to brew tea and hot chocolate, making it versatile and family-friendly. 

PROS

• Brews smooth coffee no matter what brand you use
• Carafe keeps coffee hot for hours
• High-quality and durable
• Can program a single cup or a full pot

CONS

• A bit on the pricier side
• Has a tendency to need repairs after the two-year mark

Bottom Line

If you want a well-built, durable coffee maker that no longer requires you to pour water into it, this machine will be right up your alley. The single-cup feature also makes it an ideal machine for the person on the go.

Some Extra Features You Can Also Consider

You may notice a variety of common features in a vast majority of coffee makers but still, there are some features that set different models apart and worth keeping an eye on while shopping for the best coffee maker:

Programmable Settings

If you’re a type who loves to enter the kitchen as soon as your fresh and delicious cup of coffee is available then the programmability feature is worth considering as it allows you to get your hands on a freshly prepared cup of coffee right at the time you desire to have it. Heck, some of them even grind beans for you. 

As a bonus, you can also set up your preferred coffee strength, cups of coffee, and the perfect temperature to deliver the perfect results.

Built-in Grinder

If you prefer fresh beans over pre-ground coffee for brewing your flavorful cup of joe then an in-built is must feature to consider. Of course, you can buy a separate coffee grinder but having the one with a built-in grinder adds more convenience, saves your counter space, and most importantly saves your an additional $200 to $300.

Strength Settings

If you’re a family with different coffee strength preferences then it might worth considering the strength settings feature. This feature allows you to switch between strength preferences (regular or bold) so you don’t need to compromise for your taste by restricting yourself to limited to strength controls.

Temperature Control

Besides concentration, strength, there’s also a factor that plays a huge role to make or break your coffee taste. It’s always great to prefer a coffee maker with adjustable temperature settings to make sure, you always brew your coffee at a perfect temperature (195 degrees Fahrenheit).

Anything below that perfect temperature will extract under-extracted coffee that will taste like water with a coffee hint. And if brewed at an extremely high temperature, it may burn the coffee and will taste bitter due to over-extraction.

Auto-Shutoff

An auto-shutoff is also a valuable feature to appraise as it not only saves your coffee maker from unwanted damage but also saves unnecessary consumption. It keeps your mind at ease if you somehow forgot hitting the switching before heading out to the work.

Frequently Asked Questions About Drip Machines

How long does a drip coffee maker last?

It totally depends on the coffee maker you choose and how you take care of it. Aim for picking top of the line coffee maker from top brands like Technivorm, Ninja Coffee Bar, Cuisinart, or Breville.

These brands were found to be the top choice of coffee drinkers because of their excellent performance both for features and durability.

Are they easy to clean?

I’d say, drip coffee makers are mainly popular for convenience, just get rid of coffee grounds and wash all the essential components underwater. Just never ever put your entire coffee maker under the water. Make sure you clean all the parts properly so the taste won’t affect negatively.

How to make your coffee taste better?

In order to ensure the great-tasting coffee, always use high-quality water, freshly ground coffee, and brew at an optimal temperature.