Drip coffee makers are hard to beat for a traditional, piping-hot cup of coffee. The best ones are straightforward, easy to use and deliver on taste. Today, most drip coffee makers are designed with the Specialty Coffee Association of America’s standards in mind, brewing at a specific temperature and for a specific amount of time so you can enjoy what the SCA calls a “golden cup.”
When choosing a drip coffee maker, there are several key features to consider. These features can impact the quality and performance of the coffee maker. Some of the key features to look for in a drip coffee maker include:
- Grinding: Some drip coffee makers come with a built-in grinder, allowing users to grind whole coffee beans before brewing. Machines with an integrated blade grinder provide a consistent grind size, ensuring optimal coffee extraction.
- Capacity: The capacity of a drip coffee maker varies, ranging from single-serve to multi-cup options. It’s important to consider the brewing capacity based on your needs.
- Brewing Options: Drip coffee makers may offer additional features like strength customization, built-in grinders, or the ability to brew different types of coffee beverages, such as cold brew or iced coffee. These options cater to varying preferences and bring added convenience to the brewing process.
- Brew-Strength Control: This feature allows you to adjust the strength of the brew by changing the speed of water flow, giving you more control over the coffee’s flavor.
- Pause and Serve: This feature enables you to pause the brewing process to pour a cup of coffee before the full pot has finished brewing.
- Temperature Control: Some models offer full temperature control, allowing you to customize the brewing temperature to suit your preferences.
- Carafe Type: Drip coffee makers may come with thermal, glass, or double pots. The type of carafe can impact heat retention and serving style.
- Brew Performance: It’s important to consider the brew temperature and contact time when evaluating a drip coffee maker’s performance.
- Additional Features: Other features to consider include programmability, material and design of the carafe, ease of use, and maintenance requirements.
Here are some of the best drip coffee makers according to various sources:
OXO Brew 9-Cup Stainless Steel Coffee Maker
The OXO Brew 9-Cup Stainless Steel Coffee Maker is a drip coffee maker designed to regulate brew time, water temperature, and volume, which are the three variables that can make or break a pot of coffee. Some key features of the OXO Brew 9-Cup Stainless Steel Coffee Maker include:
- BetterBrew™ Precision Brewing System: This system ensures consistent and even saturation of the coffee grounds, allowing for a rich, flavorful coffee.
- Pause and Pour Feature: This feature lets you grab a quick cup before brewing is complete.
- Double-Wall Stainless-Steel Thermal Carafe: The carafe keeps coffee piping hot and ensures freshness.
- Fresh Timer: This feature indicates the brewing progress and helps you plan for future coffee-making sessions.
- Compact Design: The OXO Brew 9-Cup is compact and can easily fit on any kitchen counter.
However, it’s essential to note that some users have reported issues with the OXO Brew 9-Cup, such as a flimsy carafe and build quality problems. Despite these concerns, the OXO Brew 9-Cup remains a popular choice for those looking for a drip coffee maker that offers precise control over the brewing process.
Breville Precision Thermal Brewer
The Breville Precision Thermal Brewer is a drip coffee maker that is designed to brew craft filter coffee automatically with precision control. Some of the key features of the Breville Precision Thermal Brewer include:
- Thermal Carafe: The Breville Precision Thermal Brewer comes with a thermal carafe that keeps coffee hot for hours without the need for a hot plate.
- Precision Control: The coffee maker allows you to customize any of the parameters like bloom time, brew temperature, and flow rate to suit your flavor preference and the particular coffee bean you’re using.
- Different Basket Shapes: The coffee maker comes with different basket shapes that deliver different flavors, allowing you to discover your perfect brew with precision control.
- Volume Control: The Breville Precision Thermal Brewer allows you to brew any volume of coffee exactly how you like it, all at home.
- Sophisticated AR Technology: Using sophisticated AR technology, you can realistically envision the Breville Precision Thermal Brewer on your own kitchen counter.
The Breville Precision Thermal Brewer has received positive reviews for its precision control, thermal carafe, and customizable features. It has been voted the Best Upgrade Coffee Maker by GearPatrol
Braun BrewSense Drip Coffee Maker
The Braun BrewSense Drip Coffee Maker has been highly rated, with CNN Underscored naming it the best drip coffee maker overall in 2023. It is known for its ability to brew a strong, delicious cup of coffee with no sediment, thanks to the gold tone filter designed to remove the bitterness from coffee. Here are some key details about the Braun BrewSense Drip Coffee Maker:
- FlavorCarafe: The BrewSense Drip Coffee Maker features a glass FlavorCarafe that seals in the fresh flavor by minimizing air exposure.
- PureFlavor Technology: Braun’s PureFlavor technology ensures that your coffee is made at the right temperature and brewing time to extract the best flavor.
- Capacity: It can brew up to 12 cups of coffee, and the carafe can keep the coffee warm for hours.
- Programmable Features: The coffee maker comes with a programmable 24-hour timer, auto shutoff feature, and an easy-to-read clock.
- Descaling Indicator: The machine has a descaling indicator to maintain the best coffee aroma.
- Water Level Indicator: A unique water level indicator lets you brew an 11-oz. mug or up to 12 cups of coffee.
Café Specialty Grind and Brew
The Café Specialty Grind and Brew Coffee Maker is a combination of a coffee grinder and brewer designed to help you achieve a Gold Cup Standard cup of coffee at home. Some key features of the Café Specialty Grind and Brew Coffee Maker include:
- Adjustable Burr Grinder: The coffee maker offers 6 grind settings to ensure each bean is precisely ground for the ideal brew, every time.
- Single-Serve Option: The Café Specialty Grind and Brew Coffee Maker brews single-serve coffee pods, making it convenient for those who prefer pod-based coffee.
- Built-in Wifi and SmartHQ Connectivity: The coffee maker can be connected to WiFi for real-time feedback, optimized performance, and alerts. It also works with the SmartHQ app, which allows you to control and manage your Café appliances.
- Thermal Carafe: The Café Specialty Grind and Brew Coffee Maker comes with a thermal carafe that keeps coffee hot for hours without the need for a hot plate.
- Gold Cup Standard Experience: The coffee maker aims to provide a barista-quality cup of coffee right from your own counter.
- Convenient Single-Serve Brewing: The Café Specialty Grind and Brew Coffee Maker brews the perfect amount of freshly-ground coffee directly into your travel mug without using wasteful pods or having to brew an entire pot.
- Attractive Design: The Café Specialty Grind and Brew Coffee Maker is available in a matte black finish, with clean curves, a modern palette, and glam details.
The Café Specialty Grind and Brew Coffee Maker is designed to provide consistent, high-quality coffee at home, offering a range of features to help you achieve the perfect brew.
Precision Brewer Thermal Drip Coffee Maker
The Breville Precision Brewer Thermal is a 60-ounce drip coffee maker designed to brew craft filter coffee automatically. Some key features of the Breville Precision Brewer Thermal include:
- Brewing Modes: It offers six unique brewing modes, allowing for customization to achieve the desired taste.
- Brewing Options: The coffee maker is capable of brewing options like Gold Cup, Fast, Strong Brew, Ice Coffee, Cold Brew, and My Brew, providing a range of choices for different coffee preferences.
- Temperature Control: It provides precise temperature control within the range of 197-204°F, as per SCA guidelines, ensuring optimal brewing conditions.
- Construction: The coffee maker is constructed with brushed stainless steel, and the thermo-coil heating and pump system has PID digital temperature control, providing adjustability.
- Pour Over Compatible: It is designed to fit Hario V60 and is the only coffee maker known to allow customization of flow rate and bloom time options.
The Breville Precision Brewer Thermal is known for its precision and versatility, making it suitable for coffee enthusiasts who appreciate the ability to customize their brewing experience.
These drip coffee makers were chosen based on rigorous testing and evaluation by experts in the field. They vary in features, design, price, and quality, so it’s important to consider your needs and budget when choosing the right one for you.
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