Buying guide for best coffee makers
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Coffee makers are must-have appliances in most households. If you want to make the perfect morning pick-me-up or after-dinner drink, finding the best coffee maker for your needs is essential. There are some great coffee brewers out there, but it's easy to get overwhelmed by the number of choices.
The right coffee machine for you depends on the type of coffee you like, whether that's espresso, artisanal or basic drip coffee. You might want a specialty machine to make drinks like lattes and flat whites, or a French press or pour-over dripper for hands-on control. Or you might want the convenience of a single-serve pod coffee machine.
We here at BestReviews have the information you need to help you make your decision. The BestReviews Testing Lab checked out a number of coffee makers to see how well they performed, and to gain greater insight, we interviewed coffee expert Kirkland Gee, cofounder of Perfect Extraction. Out of the dozens of coffee makers we considered, the Ninja 12-Cup Programmable Brewer ultimately took the top spot.
Which coffee maker is best?
Best of the Best
Brew Capacity (cups): 12 | Brew Time (minutes): 8 to 16 | Dimensions (inches): 8” D x 10” W x 14” H | Water Reservoir Size (oz): 60 | Brewing Temperature (°F): 200 to 205 degrees
If you’re searching for a great drip coffee maker that’s built to last, the Ninja 12-Cup Programmable Brewer is tough to beat. It features a durable, easy-to-operate design and makes consistently good coffee that you’ll love waking up to in the morning.
We love that this Ninja coffee maker comes with options for customization. You can brew either a full carafe or a smaller quantity from 1 to 4 cups. It also offers two brew-strength options: classic and rich, the latter of which makes a stronger cup.
You can set the delay-start timer before you go to bed, so your morning cup is ready when you need it. If you want to grab a cup while the coffee is still brewing, this machine will pause mid-brew. And you can go back for seconds later because the warming plate keeps coffee hot for up to four hours.
We appreciate the reusable filter basket that comes with this machine. The 60-ounce water reservoir is removable, so it's easy to fill. Plus, keeping it clean is simple, thanks to the integrated cleaning cycle.
Best Bang for the Buck
Brew Capacity (cups): 12 | Brew Time (minutes): 10 to 20 | Dimensions (inches): 8.25” D x 12.25” W x 11” H | Water Reservoir Size (oz): 60 | Brewing Temperature (°F): 193 degrees
The Black+Decker 12-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker is for anyone who wants a basic drip coffee maker and doesn't care about design or high-end features. It has a 12-cup carafe, and you can sneak a cup before it's done brewing. You can also keep your coffee warm with the built-in hotplate.
It takes paper filters, and we appreciate that you can remove the brew basket the filter sits in to clean it more easily. The timer lets you delay brewing for up to 24 hours so you can wake up or come home to fresh coffee.
Although it might not be anything special, this is a solid drip coffee maker at an affordable price. It's probably not going to last a decade like some high-end models will, but it's sturdy enough and simple to use.
Best for Large Households
Brew Capacity (cups): 12 | Brew Time (minutes): 3 to 8 | Dimensions (inches): 9.13” D x 11.39” W x 15.54” H | Water Reservoir Size (oz): 60 | Brewing Temperature (°F): 198 to 205 degrees
If you want a coffee maker that can brew specialty drinks as well as basic drip coffee, the Ninja DualBrew Pro Specialty Coffee Maker is an excellent choice. This coffee maker can make nine sizes of coffee, the smallest of which is 6 ounces and the largest of which is a full 12-cup carafe. So, whether you need to make just one coffee or several, this machine has you covered.
It also makes four strengths or styles of coffee: “Classic” is a standard cup of drip coffee, “rich” is a stronger brew, “over-ice” is for chilled drinks and “specialty” is concentrated for making cappuccinos, flat whites and so on. You can use ground coffee in a paper filter or K-cups in the pod adapter for single-serve brews.
The steamer arm is perfect for making frothed, milk-based coffee drinks. The independent hot-water system lets you boil water for instant soups or oatmeal as well.
We love how adaptable this machine is and how much choice it gives the user. Sure, its specialty drinks might not rival those made with an espresso machine, but they turn out pretty well.
Cuisinart 14-Cup Coffee Maker
Best for Large Households
Brew Capacity (cups): 14 | Brew Time (minutes): 7 to 10 | Dimensions (inches): 7.75” D x 9” W x 14” H | Water Reservoir Size (oz): 70 | Brewing Temperature (°F): 198 to 205 degrees
Cuisinart products are usually top-notch in the kitchen, and the Cuisinart 14-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker fits right in with that reputation. With 24-hour programmability, a four-hour timer, brew and size options, and a satisfying 14-cup carafe, it’s a dependable drip coffee maker for bigger batches of coffee.
This sleek Cuisinart unit comes with a 70-ounce water reservoir, enough for 14 5-ounce servings or almost 9 8-ounce cups. Heating optimizations help its water reach the optimal 198- to 205-degree water temperature for brewing, while a built-in replaceable charcoal filter keeps the water as fresh as possible.
You can program a brewing cycle as much as a full day in advance and set the brewing size to 1 to 4 cups if you don’t need a full batch.
Brew strength can be customized between standard and “bold” settings for a richer cup. Additional features include a self-cleaning mode, blue-backlit display and its professional, smooth metallic design. It’s an excellent drip coffee maker for home or workplace settings.
Keurig K-Classic Coffee Maker
Brew Capacity (cups): 8 | Brew Time (minutes): Less than 1 | Dimensions (inches): 9.8” D x 13.3” W x 13” H | Water Reservoir Size (oz): 48 | Brewing Temperature (°F): 192 degrees
If you want just a single cup and you don’t want to futz with pour-overs and presses, the Keurig K-Classic Coffee Maker is for you. We loved the freedom of the disposable K-cup compared with messy grounds when we tested the Keurig ourselves.
The K-Classic is Keurig’s bestselling system. Its 48-ounce reservoir is removable for more convenient filling and can hold enough water for eight 6-ounce servings. It can brew 6-, 8- and 10-ounce servings at a time, and can fit taller travel mugs with its detachable spill guard.
We were happy with the preset sizes and didn’t find them limiting. An auto-off option helps if you rush out of the house in a hurry, and auto-descaling is also a button push away.
You won’t get the kind of subtleties or flavor from a Keurig you would from a pour-over or a French press. And like all single-pod coffee makers, the pods aren’t eco-friendly and can contain older, dryer grounds. But if you want fresh coffee, in a single serving, without a lot of boiling, pouring, measuring and timing — the Keurig K-Classic is for you.
OXO Brew 9-Cup Coffee Maker
Best with Thermal Carafe
Brew Capacity (cups): 9 | Brew Time (minutes): 4 to 8| Dimensions (inches): 8.3” D x 15” W x 17.2” H | Water Reservoir Size (oz): 45 | Brewing Temperature (°F): 197 to 204 degrees
We tested the OXO Brew 9-Cup Coffee Maker and loved its premium looks and feel. You have two size options to choose from: a smaller 2-to-4-cup setting and a larger 5-to-9-cup setting. In our testing, it took 5 minutes and 45 seconds to brew 4 cups. It took 8 minutes and 15 seconds to brew 9 cups.
We were impressed by how warm the coffee stayed, even without a hotplate. The temperature of the coffee after brewing was 185 degrees. After an hour in the thermal carafe, the temperature measured 175 degrees. And we liked the pause-and-pour feature, which lets you grab a cup before the brew cycle has completed.
Overall, this is a great drip coffee maker. It feels durable, and we were pleased with the quality of the coffee. Cleaning it was a little tricky, as it has quite a few parts that need to be washed, but that’s certainly not a deal-breaker.
OXO Brew Compact
Best for Cold Brew
Brew Capacity (cups): 4 | Brew Time: 12 to 24 hr | Dimensions (inches): 5.2” D x 5.3” W x 8.6” H | Water Reservoir Size (oz): 23.7 | Brewing Temperature (°F): 38 to 68 degrees
Cold brewing is an art that takes time, patience and enough space on your counter or fridge. The OXO Brew Compact smoothes away some of the mess and guesswork that comes with cold brew coffee and doesn’t take over your kitchen either.
The OXO Brew Compact comes with a brewing vessel and a serving carafe that conveniently nest together when not in use. Grounds and water go into the nearly 24-ounce brewing container and are allowed to steep at room temperature or in the refrigerator for anywhere from 12 to 24 hours. To serve, attach the brewing vessel to the carafe. Cold brew coffee filters into the carafe for storage or serving.
The OXO produces concentrated cold brew that’s best diluted with water, ice or milk. The glass carafe can go in the dishwasher, but it’s best to wash the rest by hand to maintain the stainless steel filter and seals.
Its 24 ounces of cold brew may not seem like much, but you can always make more, and since it’s concentrated, it can go a long way.
Keurig K-Slim Single-Serve Coffee Maker
Best Single-Serve
Brew Capacity (cups): 4 | Brew Time (minutes): Less than 1 | Dimensions (inches): 12.1” H x 4.7” W x 15.2” D | Water Reservoir Size (oz): 46 | Brewing Temperature (°F): 192 degrees
If you’re a single-serve-pod aficionado but you don’t have the counter space to fit a standard machine like the Keurig K-Classic, the Keurig K-Slim may be the answer. It uses the same pods and has almost the same reservoir size in a profile that’s less than 5 inches wide.
Like the K-Classic, the K-Slim is designed for push-button simplicity. The water reservoir holds 46 ounces, almost as much as the full-size machine, and is also removable, so it’s easier to fill and clean.
Pop a single-serve coffee pod into its extraction chamber, close it up, and press a button on its top control panel. A multi-nozzle head injects the pod with heated water to better extract flavors from the grounds inside, and coffee pours into your mug below.
The K-Slim supports 8-, 10- and 12-ounce serving sizes, ideal for mugs, and also can fit travel mugs with its removable drip tray. It doesn’t support the Keurig Reusable filter attachment for using your own ground coffee, but there are third-party options available.
Espro P3 French Press
Best French Press
Brew Capacity (cups): 5.3 | Brew Time (minutes): 4 to 5 | Dimensions (inches): 6.1" D x 4.33" W x 9.45" H | Water Reservoir Size (oz): 32 | Brewing Temperature (°F): 200 degrees
We recently tested a selection of French presses, and the Espro P3 came out on top. Espro’s innovative double-filter plunger made a cleaner brew than any other French press we tested, and the P3’s easy-going glass and plastic design made it a better value than Espro’s other models.
Espro’s presses have a two-stage micro-mesh filtering system that visibly reduces sediment from the coffee compared to standard French presses, resulting in a bold, flavorful but clean-feeling brew. The filters are also sealed, keeping grounds away from the finished coffee to minimize over-extraction.
We also liked its simple but stylish glass and plastic-frame construction, which looked great sitting out on our breakfast table.
That said, we had a few minor complaints with the design. Due to the seal on its filters, the Espro P3 always kept a small amount of liquid coffee from being poured. Its carafe is also loose in its frame despite a hook that keeps it in place while being poured. Like most glass French presses, it doesn’t retain heat particularly well. But the quality of its coffee makes up for these qualms.
Chemex Pour-Over Glass Coffee Maker
Brew Capacity (cups): 8 | Brew Time (minutes): 4 to 5 | Dimensions (inches): 6.4” D x 9.6” W x 1.3” H | Water Reservoir Size (oz): 40 | Brewing Temperature (°F): 195 to 205 degrees
No roundup of the best coffee makers is complete without the Chemex. This iconic glass pour-over coffee maker is so beautifully designed it’s in the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. We tested the Chemex ourselves and found that once you master the process, it’s easy to produce wonderfully clean and flavorful coffee.
The Chemex is inspired by chem-lab equipment. It combines a dripper and carafe into a single, elegant glass decanter that we found ideal for pouring.
The Chemex’s special folded filters extract almost all the bitterness out of even pre-ground coffee, resulting in a smooth brew in which we could discern individual flavor notes from the beans. A wooden collar is both decorative and helps you grip the hot glass.
The Chemex’s narrow neck helps reduce heat loss, but if you want to keep your coffee warm, you’ll need a separate warmer or Chemex’s electric stovetop stand; you can’t set it directly on a burner. Unfolding and placing its filters correctly also takes a few moments of practice. The filters are readily available online, in kitchenware stores and in many coffee shops.
How we tested the best coffee makers
We tested a number of coffee makers on our list, notably the Keurig K-Classic, OXO Brew, Espro P3 French press and Chemex. Our process evaluated each model on features such as setup, ease of use, brewing time, water temperature, cleaning and, most importantly, taste and flavor of the coffee produced.
- Setup: From unboxing to first use, we noted how easy or difficult it was to set up each coffee maker, including any accessories, implements and options we had to use or that came in the box. We also paid attention to things like cord length for electric coffee makers.
- Ease of use: We tracked the process of each coffee maker tested, from filling their reservoirs to adding coffee grounds, through the brewing process, to finally serving and pouring the coffee. We noted recurring pain points, if any, and parts of the process that we felt took time or effort beyond what we expected.
- Brewing time: For all tested coffee makers, we measured how long it took to make a full batch of coffee, from the moment brewing started to the final drop. We also noted any features such as automation, brew delay, auto shut-off and how long the warming plate, if any, stayed active.
- Temperature: Water temperature is key to flavorful coffee. We took the temperature of the coffee after brewing, noting temperature differences in the half and full carafe. We also took temperature readings after set lengths of time to test the hot plate or thermal carafe.
- Water dispersion: For automated drip coffee makers, we measured how evenly they dispersed water over the coffee grounds. More even water dispersion helps extract more flavor from the grounds.
- Cleaning: We cleaned the coffee makers according to manufacturer instructions to see how easy or difficult the process was for each. We noted any pain points and potential annoyances and what parts, if any, could be cleaned in the dishwasher or had to be hand-washed.
Types of coffee makers
The first decision is what type of coffee maker is right for you. Let's examine the most common varieties.
Drip coffee makers
- How it works: In a drip coffee maker, water from a reservoir is heated before being distributed through a filter filled with ground coffee. Once saturated, coffee drips into a waiting carafe. Drip coffee makers are among the most common small kitchen appliances.
- Pros: Drip coffee makers are generally easy to use. They can make a large quantity of coffee, and many models are programmable for automated or delayed brewing.
- Cons: There’s less control over the brewing process than other methods, and the water temperature and saturation can vary widely between models, resulting in weak or ineffectively extracted coffee.
Our top picks: Drip coffee maker
- The Ninja 12-Cup Coffee Brewer is an excellent example of a full-featured drip coffee maker with dual brew strength settings, reliable water heating and simple, automated operation.
- The OXO Brew 9-Cup Coffee Maker is a premium option that impressed us with its style and performance during testing.
- The Cuisinart 14-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker also offers a sleek design with a generous 70-ounce capacity.
Espresso makers
- How it works: An espresso machine forces steam through finely ground coffee at high pressure. The resulting coffee, espresso, is a highly concentrated liquid that comes in small amounts, commonly called shots.
- Pros: It’s ideal for espresso lovers who want small, intense shots of flavor and caffeine and necessary for making espresso drinks like lattes or cappuccinos. Some models offer milk-frothing features.
- Cons: True espresso machines can be extremely expensive. Properly pulling a shot of espresso takes a certain level of expertise or practice that can be impractical at home.
Our top picks: Espresso makers
- While not strictly a true espresso machine, the Ninja DualBrew Pro can produce a concentrated coffee suitable for espresso-based drinks at home and includes a steam wand.
Single-serving coffee makers
- How it works: Single-serve coffee makers use pressurized heated water to quickly make coffee from either ground coffee in small containers or, more commonly, presealed cups or pods.
- Pros: As single-serve machines, they’re perfect for individuals who just want one serving of coffee at a time — and they usually get the job done fast. Pods or capsules are easy to buy and use without the mess and fuss of ground coffee.
- Cons: Single-serve models using pods can be more expensive, especially over the long term. Pods and capsules create a lot of waste, and the most popular pods, like Keurig, are not easily recyclable.
Our top picks: Single-serving coffee maker
- The Ninja DualBrew Pro is compatible with single-brew pods as well as ground coffee.
- The Keurig K-Classic is one of the most popular single-serve pod coffee machines available and can make multiple sizes of single-serve drinks.
- The Keurig K-Slim fits into narrow spaces and has multiple nozzles for more even water distribution.
Pour-over coffee makers
- How it works: Pour-over coffee makers are designed to hold a cone or basket filter filled with ground coffee and are set over a cup or carafe. The user heats water separately in a kettle and then slowly pours the water over the coffee, which flows into the cup or carafe.
- Pros: It offers personal control over every step of the brewing process, from water temperature to brew time. The extremely simple design doesn’t require any electricity or electronics; all you need is a way to heat water to the right temperature.
- Cons: This manual method takes time, attention and precision for the best results and reproducibility, which might not be easy first thing in the morning.
Our top picks: Pour-over coffee makers
- The Chemex coffee maker not only looks fabulous, but it produced some of the best coffee we tasted in our testing process, despite some initial difficulty learning the setup and technique.
Cold brew coffee maker
- How it works: Making cold brew coffee involves steeping coarsely ground coffee in cool or cold water for an extended period of time, usually 12 to 24 hours. The resulting smooth, concentrated liquid is then filtered and stored or served. Any vessel can be used to make cold brew, but a dedicated cold brew coffee maker includes the filter and takes the guesswork and mess out of the process.
- Pros: It can make large quantities of concentrate at a time. The included parts reduce mess. It can brew and store more conveniently than ad hoc cold brewing equipment.
- Cons: Brewing time is measured in hours or days. It requires counter or fridge space.
Our top picks: Cold brew coffee maker
- The OXO Brew Compact Cold Brew Coffee Maker’s size makes it one of the most convenient cold brew makers around and won’t take up too much space. It also comes with a carafe.
French press
- How it works: Hot water is introduced to coffee grounds in the press and allowed to steep for a short period of time, usually four to five minutes. Then a press with a filter is lowered over the brew, separating the grounds from the coffee.
- Pros: A French press requires no electricity, just a source of hot water. Complete immersion of coffee grounds provides rich flavor. It’s simple to learn and use.
- Cons: Expect this manual method to leave some sediment in the brew. Reaching and maintaining optimal temperature for brewing and serving can be difficult.
Our top picks: French press
- The Espro P3 French Press reduces the grit problem with a double filter of micro-mesh and silicone seals, producing visibly less grit than typical French presses in our testing.
Factors to consider when selecting a coffee maker
Brewing capacity
Single-serve vs. multi-cup
Do you drink your coffee one mug at a time, or do you need to make a bigger batch for yourself or others? Aside from single-serve coffee makers and espresso machines, which are meant for only one serving at a time, French presses and pour-overs are also suited to making one or two cups of coffee at a time, while drip coffee makers are usually made for larger batches. Some automatic coffee makers, like drip machines, have settings that give you the option of brewing smaller quantities than their typical capacity.
Take note: Coffee makers usually use a 5-ounce measure of cup capacity rather than the 8 ounces of a standard cup. If a coffee maker says it can make 4 cups of coffee, that means 20 ounces — the same as a single Starbucks venti. A mug is usually 12 to 16 ounces.
Adjustable brewing sizes
If you’re considering a single-serve machine, look for one with adjustable brewing sizes. Many single-serve coffee makers can brew coffee for 6-ounce, 8-ounce or 10-ounce servings.
Our top picks: Brewing capacity
- The Cuisinart 14-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker has the largest capacity among our drip machine picks, making up to 70 ounces of coffee at a time. It can also be set to make 1 to 4 cups for smaller batches.
- Both the Keurig K-Classic and Keurig K-Slim allow you to adjust their brew sizes, with the K-Classic topping out at 10 ounces and the K-Slim at 12 ounces.
- The Ninja 12-Cup Programmable Brewer and the Black+Decker 12-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker have a pause mode that lets you pause brewing to pour some coffee early.
- The Chemex comes in several sizes. We’ve picked the 8-cup model so you can make and serve up to 40 ounces of nuanced pour-over coffee for yourself or others.
Customizability
Brew strength control
When considering an automatic coffee maker such as a drip machine, it’s helpful to look for ones with the option to change brew strength to get a lighter or bolder coffee. Manual brewing methods, such as French press or pour-over, let you control brew strength directly by adding more or less coffee or water.
Temperature control
Coffee should be made with water between 195 and 205 degrees, and there’s good reason to get it right. Coffee expert Kirkland Gee, cofounder of Perfect Extraction, explains, "In order to release the complete variety of tastes locked inside a coffee bean, conditions like the exact temperature range of 195 degrees to 205 degrees and the grind size suited to the brewing method are crucial."
Look for a coffee maker that heats water to this temperature range and maintains it throughout the brewing process. When making coffee with a manual method, use an electric kettle with specific temperature settings, or use a thermometer to make sure your coffee has reached the optimal range. It can help to prewarm French presses and carafes to minimize heat loss from pouring.
Programmable settings
Automatic drip coffee makers can offer programmable settings. These include a clock and timer that allows them to begin brewing at a specific time, which is very helpful if you want to wake up to the smell of freshly brewed coffee and don’t want to bother making it right after waking up. Other programmable features may include brew delay and temperature adjustments.
Our top picks: Customizability
- The Ninja 12-cup Programmable Brewer, as its name implies, offers 24-hour delay-brew control and two options for brew strength.
- The Black+Decker 12-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker also has a 24-hour auto-brew option.
- The Cuisinart 14-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker has 24-hour auto-brew with an alert tone and two brew strength settings.
Grind compatibility
Built-in grinder
The more recently your coffee beans are ground, the fresher they are. Some high-end coffee makers include built-in grinders for the freshest possible brew, as long as the beans themselves haven’t been out too long. However, we think your own dedicated coffee grinder is a more versatile option.
Pre-ground coffee compatibility
Ground coffee varies in grind size from coarse to fine. French presses and cold brew makers do best with coarse ground coffee, while espresso machines demand the ultra-fine espresso grind. Drip machines and pour-over coffee makers do well with medium or medium-fine grinds. If you buy pre-ground coffee from a supermarket and aren’t interested in having beans ground to your specifications or grinding them yourself, you’ll do best with a drip coffee maker or pour-over.
Our top picks: Grind compatibility
- The Ninja 12-Cup Programmable Brewer, Black+Decker 12-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker and Cuisinart 14-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker can make the most of store-bought pre-ground coffee.
- The OXO Brew Compact Cold Brew Coffee Maker and Espro P3 French Press do best with coarsely ground coffee.
- The Chemex can bring out the flavors of both store-bought and freshly ground coffee.
Water reservoir capacity
Larger water reservoir
For frequent coffee drinkers and large households or groups, having a large water reservoir in a coffee maker makes brewing batches more convenient, as you won’t need to refill it so often.
Removable water tank
Built-in water reservoirs could be hard to reach and fill, causing spills and mess if you weren’t careful. In auto-drip machines and single-serve models, look for a water tank that’s removable, so you can fill it at the faucet or counter and then return it to the coffee maker.
Our top picks: Water reservoir capacity
- The Ninja 12-Cup Programmable Brewer’s removable reservoir is a standout among the drip coffee makers in our roundup.
- Both Keurig models, the K-Classic and K-Slim, have removable water tanks that also hold enough water for multiple servings.
Carafe
Glass carafe
Most drip coffee makers come with a glass carafe. The nonreactive nature of glass keeps the coffee’s flavor pure compared to metal or plastic containers, and glass doesn’t have any chemicals to leach into hot liquid. Glass also lets you see how much coffee you have left. Of course, glass is fragile, and poorly made glass can shatter from thermal shock. Look for carafes made of borosilicate or heat-proof glass when considering a coffee maker carafe.
Thermal carafe
Higher-end coffee makers sometimes offer thermal carafes, which are insulated metal vessels that can keep coffee warm for extended periods of time without losing flavor.
Our top picks: Carafe
- The OXO Brew 9-Cup Coffee Maker comes with an insulated stainless steel thermal carafe.
- The Cuisinart 14-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker’s glass carafe has a stainless steel accent handle that looks stylish and grips well.
- The Chemex is both a pour-over cone and a heat-resistant glass carafe in one.
Ease of cleaning and maintenance
Removable parts
Cleaning coffee makers can be tricky. Many automated units, including drip machines and single-serve machines, can’t be cleaned thoroughly without being disassembled. Look for a machine with removable, easily accessible parts for user-friendly cleaning. As coffee expert Gee says, "In order to make sure that their coffee maker is a friend rather than a challenge, buyers are advised to take into account not just the capacity or features but also the convenience of use and cleaning."
Dishwasher-safe components
Not every component of a coffee maker is dishwasher safe. Glass carafes are typically dishwasher-friendly, as are stainless steel parts, but plastics and aluminum are not. It’s smart to know which components of a coffee maker you can put in a dishwasher and which to wash by hand.
Descaling function
Many of us live in regions where tap water comes with dissolved minerals, or hard water. This water leaves mineral deposits on appliances like coffee makers with regular use. Descaling helps keep water flow and flavor working at optimal levels. It’s handy for an automated coffee maker to have a descaling function that automates the process for you to some extent.
Our top picks: Ease of cleaning
- The Chemex is all glass and could go straight into the dishwasher once we removed its wood collar.
- The Ninja 12-Cup Programmable Brewer has dishwasher-safe parts, including its carafe.
- The Cuisinart 14-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker has a descaling function, as does the OXO Brew 9-Cup Coffee Maker.
- Both Keurig machines, the K-Classic and K-Slim, include descaling functions.
- The carafe on the OXO Brew Compact Cold Brew Coffee Maker is dishwasher-safe, but not the brewing pot.
Tips
- Keep it clean: Regardless of the type of coffee maker you choose, keeping it clean can help it work properly for years to come. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for proper cleaning.
- Fast brew: If you’re typically in a hurry when brewing your morning coffee, look for a machine with a speedy brew cycle. For example, some single-serve models can brew a cup of coffee in about 60 seconds.
- Choose quality beans: Perhaps the easiest route to better coffee is choosing the right beans. Consider buying from small, independent roasteries, as they tend to put a lot of thought and effort into selecting and processing beans.
- Temperature settings can vary: Keep in mind that some coffee makers have adjustable brewing temperature settings. This comes in handy when making different types of coffee beverages.
- Consider your needs: The best coffee machine is one you'll actually use. It might be tempting to go for a machine with all the bells and whistles, but consider whether it's hard to use or difficult to clean, which might put you off.
Best coffee maker FAQ
Q. Can I make specialty coffees like lattes and cappuccinos with a regular coffee maker?
A. Specialty coffees start with espresso. So, if you want to make drinks such as flat whites, lattes and cappuccinos, you'll need a machine that can craft espresso or coffee of comparable strength.
Espresso makers are the obvious choice for this, but good ones are expensive. A Moka pot, AeroPress or Nespresso machine can produce espresso-like coffee more simply and cheaply. You'll also need to be able to foam or steam milk. Some espresso machines have steamer arms specifically for this. Alternatively, you could buy a milk frother.
Q. Is a coffee maker with a built-in grinder better?
A. Some people prefer the convenience of a built-in grinder. In addition to convenience, these machines can save you some counter space. Plus, it can be cheaper to buy them together. If you decide to buy a separate grinder, you’ll have more options.
It's also worth mentioning that if a built-in coffee grinder breaks, you’d either have to buy a separate grinder or replace the entire appliance.
Q. What is the average lifespan of a coffee maker?
A. An average coffee maker lasts around five to 10 years. That said, high-end coffee makers can last well over a decade, while cheap models might break after a couple of years. Cleaning and descaling your coffee machine will help it last longer. You should also empty the carafe after every use. Sources
- We tested two of the coffee makers in this story firsthand
- Interview with Kirkland Gee, cofounder of Perfect Extraction
- How to Make Your Favorite Coffee Drinks at Home, Randi Gollin
- Pros and Cons of Having a Built-In Grinder, Felicia Kloewer
- Useful Tips for Maintaining Your Coffee Maker at Home, Big Island Coffee Roasters
Our expertise
Jmar Gambol has written over 100 articles for BestReviews, from tech to household appliances to kitchenware. He has been drinking coffee since he was very young and is never far from a coffee maker. He has tested multiple French presses for BestReviews and uses both a pour-over cone and a Chemex at home. Lauren Corona, a longtime writer for BestReviews and coffee lover, also contributed reporting.
