You’re an old-fashioned person - Who doesn’t really care for an espresso, latte or some other fancy coffee being sold at the modern coffeeshop. You just want an old-fashion cup of coffee brewed the normal way. Nothing fancy, just a good cup of coffee made simple.
We know most people know how to make a good cup of coffee. But there are still some out there who need a little help. They just have quite mastered brewing a great cup of coffee yet. It could be they are using the wrong machine.
Our reviews today will focus on the top-rated drip coffee makers. Times have changed and so have automatic drip coffee makers. The good news is that you can still get a cup of coffee the old-fashioned way. It will just come with a modern touch.
The drip coffee maker we liked best is Cuisinart Stainless Steel Coffeemaker Machine. Make sure you keep reading to find out why we chose that particular brand over the others.
How To Make a Great Cup Of Coffee
Again, we know you know how to do this. But just in case you do not know how to make a great cup of coffee, here are some tips. Also, even if you do know how, it never hurts to get some secrets other people use.
The last tip is very important. Some people think they can skip cleaning their drip coffee maker. They come to this conclusion because all they are running through the machine is coffee. We hate to say this, but old coffee does not add flavor to new brews.
Reviews Of The Best Drip Coffee Makers
Position | Product | Features | Editor’s rating |
---|---|---|---|
#1 | One-touch control, brews 10 cups, 3-year warranty | ||
#2 | Auto-shutoff, copper heating, BPA/BPS/BPF/Phthalate free, brews 10 cuos | ||
#3 | 12 cups, single serving option, digital display, button controls | ||
#4 | 14 cups, programmable timer, brew strength options, auto-shutoff | ||
#5 | 5 cups, boil dry protection, one button control, BPA free, 2-year warranty |
Some coffee pots are not designed very well. They drip coffee all over the place when you try to pour a cup or two. This unit has a specially designed pot that eliminates the drips and the mess.
You can pick how many cups of coffee you want to make but only between 4-10 cups. Its one-button control makes coffee making simple. Just add the coffee, the water and turn it on. In about 3 minutes you will have yourself a great tasting cup of coffee.
The shape of the funnel and filter are designed to provide more interaction between the coffee and the water. This will help you get all the rich coffee flavor out of your grounds or beans.
You can also order a flow restrictor that attaches to the water source head. This will help you control the flow of water a lot better. One of the best features that accompany this unit is its 3-year warranty.
If size is important to you, this unit measures in at 14.8 x 7.1 x 13.8 inches. Still, a safe bet to say that it will fit on your kitchen counter with ease. Another good feature about this unit is that it is made in the U.S.
One thing to watch out for. There is a one time set up process that needs to be done before you get great tasting coffee each time.
What We Liked
What We Didn't Like
If money is no object, then you might want to consider this unit. It carries a hefty price tag, but it is efficient, brews 10 cups in minutes and looks great. It also comes in a multitude of assorted colors. There is a color that will fit your kitchen décor.
What makes this unit stand out is its unique copper heating function. This element heats up your water to approx. between 195-205 degrees Fahrenheit. This is so this unit can provide you with the maximum amount of coffee flavor.
There is no need to worry about harmful chemicals seeping into your morning cup of coffee. This unit is BPA/BPS/BPF & Phthalate free. You get a healthy cup of coffee every time you use thus drip coffee maker.
Another good feature is the hot plate. Turn this on and the hot plate will keep your coffee warm (between 175-185 degrees Fahrenheit) for 100 minutes. There is no need to rush when drinking your coffee.
The unit is compatible with all types of pre-ground or grind your own coffee. The manufacturer uses top quality construction materials in making their drip coffee makers.
They even are environmentally friendly. The drip coffee makers are energy efficient, durable, long lasting and recyclable. It is also designed to last you your lifetime. But that is only if you treat it right. You need to clean and descale it on a regular basis. It also comes with a 5-year limited warranty.
What We Liked
What We Didn't Like
You really do not have to spend a lot to get a great cup of coffee. Being economical does not mean you have to rob yourself of a great tasting cup of coffee.
There is no need to purchase special coffee pods for this unit. It uses ground coffee, pre-ground or grind your own. But you can use the pods if you want. The single serving brew function holds pods or ground coffee.
Besides the coffee scoop, you get a unique dual action drip coffee maker. You can brew up to 12 cups at a time. Or you can put your freshly brewed coffee in a cup to go. It is your choice.
The automatic timer and programmable clock allow you to decide when you want your coffee. You can pre-set the brewing time up to 24 hours in advance. The hot plate will keep your coffee warm for up to 2 hours. Then it will automatically shut off.
You have a choice in brew strength as well. You can go with the regular option or for stronger coffee, you can select the bold function. It is up to you. This coffee maker is a little taller than others, 13.7 x 11.4 x 15.4 inches, but that is okay. There is still a spot somewhere on your kitchen counter for it.
One drawback to this unit is that it is not compatible with k-cups. Also, be wary. This is really two machines in one. The single serving and regular brewing sides each have their own water reservoir. You need to fill the right reservoir to fit your need.
What We Liked
What We Didn't Like
It seems that every manufacturer has developed some sort of drip-free coffee pot. Cuisinart is one of those who thinks about your pouring needs. Along with this technological upgrade, there are a lot of attractive features on this unit.
Those features include a 24-hour timer. You can have your coffee ready for when you get up in the morning. It brews 14 cups. No one is left out from tasting your perfect coffee. It uses two filters. A gold tone one for better coffee flavor and a charcoal one to help filter the water in the reservoir.
You can select between regular and bold brews. The multi-button control panel offers you many ways to control your next cup of coffee. The LED display makes viewing your selection easier.
In case of a power failure, this unit has a 60 second memory function. It won’t immediately forget your brewing preferences if it loses power. There is another unique feature that comes with this unit. It allows you to brew only 1-4 cups of coffee. There is no need to make 14 cups every time you use it.
There is also a 5-beep tone telling you that the unit has finished brewing and you can program the auto-shutoff to fit your schedule. You can also choose the hot plate temperature. You get to select between low, medium and high.
All of this in a little 16.1 x 10.8 x 10.2 inches frame. One comforting thought is that this unit comes with a 3-year warranty.
What We Liked
What We Didn't Like
Who says great tasting coffee had to come in large amounts? This unique drip coffee maker fits those single or two-person households. It is great for romantic times as well. It only brews 5 cups.
Other features include the standard keep warm hot plate and the no drip pouring system. As well as a water window and removable filter basket. The filter basket is dishwasher safe. The one button control keeps coffee making simple.
You also get an easy grip handle. This keeps the pot in your hand. Its 6.7 x 5.7 x 9.6-inch size & less than 2 pounds of weight makes this small coffee maker a great travel buddy. You can get a good cup of coffee in your hotel room before you are ready to meet the day.
There are a couple of drawbacks to this unit. The cone shaped filter is a little small, so you need to be careful. Plus, the water reservoir is in a difficult position. Refilling it can be a bit of a chore.
The fact that it is ETL and FDA approved, BPA free makes up for these drawbacks. As does the worry free 2-year warranty. You can use pre-ground or grind your own coffee. But it is not compatible with coffee pods.
The hot plate will keep your coffee warm for up to an hour after brewing.
What We Liked
What We Didn't Like
Different Types Of Coffee Makers
You may have grown up with only one style of coffee makers but there are many different types of coffee makers on the market. They all make a great tasting cup of coffee their own way. Here are a few of the different types available:
Other coffee makers include the popular espresso machines, Nespresso machines, moka pot and the pour over variety. How you get your coffee depends on your coffee tastes. We are sure these are not the only ones available today. They just give you an idea of how varied coffee making can be.
The Advantages Of Using The Best Automatic Drip Coffee Makers
Every coffee maker has some advantage over another. That is because they are designed to fill different niches. The drip coffee maker is no different. Its advantages appeal to a certain niche. Here are a few of its benefits:
- 1Usually one button operation
- 2Uses pre-ground or grind your own coffee
- 3They have timers
- 4They have a pause and serve feature, sometimes
- 5They can brew large amounts of coffee at one time
- 6Adjustable brew strength
- 7Many other features
Pre-ground vs Grind Your Own
One of the advantages of the best rated drip coffee makers is that they can use different types of coffee. You can use either your favorite pre-ground brand. Or you can use the coffee grounds you grind yourself. Here are some facts about both:
Pre-ground:
Grind your own:
What To Look For When Purchasing a Drip Coffee Maker
If you want the best automatic drip coffee maker, then you need to look at what the unit offers. Not all the top-rated drip coffee makers are made the same. Here are some key items to look at when you are ready to buy your next coffee maker:
- 1How many cups does it brew - keep in mind coffee maker manufacturers measure the size of cups in 5 ounces not 8.
- 2Does it have a timer and other programmable features?
- 3Can you pause it and serve while it is still brewing?
- 4Is it easy to clean and dishwasher safe?
- 5Hat kind and types of filters does it use? Are they manufacturer specific?
- 6Is there a water filter?
- 7Brand name - brand trust is also important.
What We Found
In our research, we found that the best drip coffee makers under $100 are just as good as the expensive models. As we were preparing our drip coffee maker reviews, we saw that the inexpensive units had as many or more great features as the more expensive varieties.
The only difference between them was what they were made of and the price. That is the one drawback we found with the lower priced coffee makers. They are not built as well as those costing hundreds of dollars more.
Of course, one does not need to pay a lot for a best rated drip coffee maker to get good coffee. The little units also make great coffee for their owners. A lot of the taste comes from the coffee bends you buy, if you grind your own or not. And if you clean your machines regularly.
Price has little to do with how great your coffee will taste. Don’t break your budget just to impress your friends or relatives. You can get a good cup of coffee from the inexpensive machines.
To Buy Or Not To Buy
That is the question. Of course, the answer depends on your lifestyle and how you like your coffee. The big reason to purchase a drip coffee maker is convenience. They are usually very simple to use and with built in timers, you can get a good night’s rest when using them.
Drip coffee makers also provide auto-shutoff, indicator beeps, and many other features. This means you do not have to stand over the stove and wait for the coffee to brew. You can fill the basket with coffee, fill the water reservoir, turn it on and go do something else. It is a very simple procedure.
The other factor is that these coffee makers are inexpensive. You do not have to put a dent in your savings to buy one.
Our Decision
Choosing the best automatic drip coffee maker was not an easy task. There were a lot of great competitors and we left quite a few off the list as well. But when it came right down to it we felt that the Cuisinart Stainless Steel Coffeemaker Machine was the top-rated drip coffee maker.
It simply had everything it needed to be the top dog. The 24-hour timer, it brews 14 cups of coffee at one time and the filters are great features. So were the 5-beep finish brewing indicator, the 1-4 cup option and the control panel.
The whole package just made it a better option than even the one high priced model we included in the review. We know that you may not agree with our selection, but we are used to that. Just make sure you get the one that is right for you.
Some Final Words
Our drip coffee maker reviews are over. The model you buy is now in your hands. The search is never easy even when you have a little help from people like us.
Get all the information you can. You do not want to buy a unit just because a friend says they are the best. Finding the best drip coffee makers takes a little work. The key is being satisfied and content with the one you purchased. You are the one who has to live with it. Good luck in your search.