When it comes to brewing coffee, we’ve become inundated with choices. Espresso, Latte, single serve, cold brew; it can be overwhelming. Some of us just prefer the simplicity of a good old-fashioned pot of coffee. The old-fashioned drip brewer has taken a little hit in prestige over the past few years as brewing technology has advanced and found its way into our homes; but a pot of drip coffee need not be associated with bland, stale tasting coffee. The technology for drip machines has also advanced and there are some great options available for someone who just wants a no frills cup of coffee in the morning.
1 – Bonavita BV1900TS
The Bonavita BV1900TS is consistently rated to be among the best coffee machines in blind tests, period. While the Moccamaster is praised by coffee enthusiasts as slightly better, at almost one third the price, it’s tough not to go with the Bonavita for the average person. This superb machine is certified by the SCAA and the SCAE (Speciality Coffee Associations of America and Europe) to brew only the highest quality coffee thanks to a few simple design tricks that go into the unit. For example, a precise 1,500 watt heater is used to make sure the water temperature is consistently maintained right around peak brewing temperature. In addition, the larger showerhead is designed to maximise even saturation of the coffee grounds ensuring you get the best extraction possible. Finally, a pre-infusion mode allows you to pre-wet the coffee grounds which can be especially useful for those who grind their own beans as it aids in the degassing process. At just $128 it’s easily the top pick.
2 – Technivorm Moccamaster KBT
The Technivorm is a beautiful machine, equally at home on your countertop as it would be in a science lab! It’s a really cool looking machine that is assembled by hand in the netherlands, and is a favorite of coffee enthusiasts the world over, as is evidenced by their near perfect Amazon score. Like the Bonavita BV 1900TA, it is certified by both the SCAA and the SCAE in recognition of the incredible craftmanship, as well as it’s ability to make a consistently excellent pot of coffee. Part of the magic is that it is able to maintain a constant temperature just around the ideal brewing temperature thanks to it’s copper brewing element which is able to heat water quickly and precisely. Another major technical advantage is the way their pre-emersion drip mechanism creates a “pulsing” motion. They claim that this produces the optimal coffee bloom and saturation time, which by extension leads to optimal coffee extraction. It’s also a speedy machine, being able to brew half a pot in 4-6 minutes. While it is undoubtedly the prettiest on the list, and one of the most technically impressive; at $309 it is also definitely the most expensive. Luckily though, that does include a 5-year warranty.
3 – Ninja Coffee Bar Brewer
I really can’t say enough about the Ninja Coffee Bar. Not only does it make a great cup of coffee, but at $146 it’s a fantastic bargain considering all the accessories you get along with the coffee maker. The package also includes an 18 oz glass which is suitable for hot or cold drinks, a plastic scoop, a reusable coffee filter, and even a milk frother! This is also a highly functional machine with various controls to modify drink size and drink strength, as well as features that include a self-cleaning function, and a delay brew function that can have you wake up to your favorite coffee in the morning. Furthermore, the double insulated carafe is sure to keep your coffee warm for hours.
4 – The Cuisinart Grind-and-Brew Automatic
This one is a personal favorite of mine as I am a huge believer in grinding the beans as close to brewing as possible. That ensures you always have the freshest breans, and the best cup of coffee. With that in mind, it’s only natural that a Grind and Brew type machine would rate highly on the list. While the $150 price tag may seem steep at first, you’ll see it’s not so bad when you realize it’s saving you the extra expense of a coffee grinder. On top of that, throw in a machine that can make a top notch cup of coffee and has all the programs and features you’d come to expect including programable brewing time and strength control. Naturally the grinder also has various grind sizes ensuring you’re always brewing in optimal conditions. It also has the brew-pause feature that allows you to grab a cub of coffee before the brewing process has completed. Finally, there is a charcoal filter included within the reservoir to ensure you always have the fresh water.
5 – Mr. Coffee 10-Cup Thermal Coffee Maker System PSTX91
Next is a more budget friendly option that doesn’t sacrifice much in the way of performance. At just $60, it will surely be the model that many of you end up opting for. Honestly, it’s a little hard to recommend otherwise. This little machine brews a great pot of coffee, as can be verified by the thousands of very happy customers on Amazon. The unit features a relatively sleek design that will not look out of place in your kitchen. It is also programable and has many useful features such as a delay brew timer, which can have you waking up to a fresh pot of coffee in the morning! There is also a freshness timer that can help you keep track of how long a pot of coffee has been sitting there. There is even an option to pause the brewing cycle in the event that you just need to grab a quick cup before the brewing is complete. Cleaning is easily done at the push of a button and there is even an indicator light that lets you know when it’s time for a cleaning, making sure you’re always brewing an optimal cup of coffee. For just $60 it is certainly an enticing option.
6 – The OXO On Barista Brain
The OXO On Barista Brain is a really great machine that you’ll be sure to appreciate if you’re a lover of premium or specialty coffee. Where the OXO really sets itself apart is in the way it mimics a typical pour over brew method. A “Rainmaker” shower head housed within the unit ensures the water is evenly dispersed over the coffee grounds, producing optimal coffee extraction. Furthermore, the machine is able to keep water temperatures at optimal levels, to make sure you’re always getting the best result. For all these reasons, this machine has received the coveted SCAA certification of excellence.
7 – Hamilton Beach 12-Cup 48464 Brewstation Summit Dispensing Coffee Machine
Another great option at an even better price. Clocking in at just $32 this is definitely the machine to buy for the shopper on a budget. While Hamilton Beach would never be mistaken for a premium product, they do make consistently good products at a price that’s almost always too good to ignore. With the Hamilton Beach you get a good little machine that has a lot of the feature everyone loves about the more expensive machines. It has programable brew time, so you can wake up to coffee in the morning, and adjustable brew strength so you can get your coffee perfectly to your liking. There is one nifty little trick this machine has which is that there is no pot or carafe, instead, it stores up to 12 cups of coffee within the machine itself; allowing you to just walk over and pour out a cup whenever you want instantly. It is able to keep the coffee within this compartment warm for several hours.
8 – Cuisinart DCC-3200
The Cuisinart DCC-3200 is definitely among the most liked on Amazon. With over 2,600 reviewers leaving it a nearly perfect rating. This machine is great for larger households or extreme coffee drinkers as it is able to brew up to 14 cups of coffee at once! It also includes all the advanced features you’d expect to find on a modern coffee machine like programable brew time, hot plate, brew strength customization, and a self cleaning function. It’s also available in multiple stylish colors so it’s sure to fit in with your décor. Furthermore, users have noted a distinct improvement in flavor, and body in comparison to previous models. For $78, this is a really good mid-range coffee maker.
9 – The Hamilton Beach 49980A
Another great entry from Hamilton Beach who I still think don’t always get the recognition they deserve. With this model, you’re able to easily make either just a single serving of coffee, or a full pot; whatever the situation calls for. Thanks to it’s well thought out design, the single cup brewer is able to easily fit up to a 14oz travel mug beneath it for easy brewing. Unfortunately, this machine is not compatible with K-cups, thought it is compatible with SenseoPods. Luckily, it does allow for the use of any ground coffee by using the included mesh filter basket, meaning even lovers of specialty coffee can make use of it. This option is really useful if you’re like me and take your coffee to go in the morning. One the carafe side, it is a typical drip machine which can brew up to 12 cups of coffee. At $55 it is definitely starting to get on the pricey side, but it has thousands of happy amazon customers who have left it with 4.5 out of 5 stars.
10 – BUNN NHS Velocity Brew 10-Cup Home Coffee Brewer
This is another machine that is extremely well liked on Amazon. It seems like drip coffee fans have more great choices than ever before! This machine claims to be the fastest to brew 10 cups of coffee, clocking in at about 3 minutes. Like the OXO, this one features a showerhead diffuser which is intended to evenly spread the water all over the coffee beans, ensuring a perfect extraction. At 113 dollars with a 3 year warranty, it can be a really enticing option. But given you get some other machines with advanced features for that price it would not be my first choice from this list .
