Best Overall
OXO Brew Coffee Maker
- This has a high-quality double-walled stainless steel carafe that will maintain a hot temperature over time—a great feature for batching coffee throughout the day.
This has a high-quality double-walled stainless steel carafe that will maintain a hot temperature over time—a great feature for batching coffee throughout the day.
- We would have liked to see this model with a "bloom cycle" feature to further enhance the flavor.
We would have liked to see this model with a "bloom cycle" feature to further enhance the flavor.
Constructed with a stainless steel exterior at the base and thick plastic for the water reservoir and brew basket, the Oxo Brew 8-Cup Coffee Maker is sturdy and well-made. A double-walled stainless steel carafe and screw-on lid (with a mark indicating that it's lined up correctly) improve heat retention.
During testing, we found the coffee maker simple to use. Adding water to the reservoir is easy thanks to the wide opening, and we didn't experience any overflow from the brew basket or coffee grinds in the carafe during the tests we performed.
All of the batches we made, aside from the pre-ground medium roast coffee, were consistently impressive. The most notable difference was the quality jump from the standard brew suggestions to the SCA-recommended ratio, which was significantly better and took us through a well-balanced flavor journey.
We also didn't notice any flavor or quality change from the initial brew time to the 60-minute mark—ideal for those who plan to batch their coffee for the day. Although the coffee remained hot in the thermal carafe, the exterior wasn't hot to the touch, so it's a safer option for families with small children.
Finally, the Oxo coffee maker scored high marks when it came to cleaning. Even after putting it through multiple tests, we didn't see or smell any residual coffee odors or stains on the carafe, lid, or brew basket post-cleaning.
While the coffee maker's non-obtrusive design makes it practical to keep on a countertop, it's lightweight and easy enough to handle for those who prefer to keep it stored on a top shelf or cabinet.
There's not much we can complain about when it comes to this coffee maker other than it left us wanting more programmable features—specifically, a "bloom cycle" feature to let the carbon dioxide escape from the coffee and make for a fresher cup.
Product Details: Dimensions: 10.5 x 7 x 13.5 inches | Number of Cups: 8 | Carafe Type: Vacuum-insulated thermal | Features: Rainmaker shower head, removable well cover, cleaning mode | SCA Certified?: Yes
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / RUSSELL KILGORE
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / RUSSELL KILGORE
Key Terms to Know
- Carafe: The container or vessel that the coffee is brewed into.
- Brew basket: The basket that holds the coffee filter.
- Bloom cycle: A feature available on some advanced coffee makers that releases carbon dioxide from the coffee.
Best Budget
Krups Simply Brew Drip Coffee Maker
- Compact, budget-friendly, and foolproof, this coffee maker is great for coffee novices and single-person households.
Compact, budget-friendly, and foolproof, this coffee maker is great for coffee novices and single-person households.
- True coffee enthusiasts may not feel that the machine provides well-balanced or full-bodied flavor.
True coffee enthusiasts may not feel that the machine provides well-balanced or full-bodied flavor.
Prioritizing affordability? The Krups Simply Brew Stainless Steel Drip Coffee Maker is a no-frills option that'll serve up a suitable cup of coffee. While it doesn’t have the bells and whistles of a higher-priced model (there's only one button to turn the coffee maker on and off), it makes a nice brew.
Design features like rubberized feet to ensure stability and markings on the side that make it easy to measure out your coffee prove the machine was made with attention to detail. The glass carafe does get hot to the touch, but the handle is big enough to keep your hands safe and out of the way.
No bigger than a box of cereal, it could easily live on your countertop without taking up too much real estate — for that, we think it'd make a great addition for smaller kitchens.
During testing we found that pouring was easy due to the spouted shape of the mouth at the rim of the carafe. In terms of taste, the coffee maker produced a thinner-bodied brew with a muted flavor—it didn't taste overly bitter, sweet, or acidic, but it also wasn't anything to write home about.
Some coffee grounds were left behind in the carafe and filter, but it wasn't enough to affect the overall flavor. To clean, we popped the carafe into the dishwasher and washed the components with a sponge and mild dish detergent. While the carafe didn't retain any coffee odors, we noticed a slight odor coming from the brew basket.
We recommend this coffee maker for a one- to two-person household who drinks coffee everyday but doesn't want the hassle of working with a large coffee maker or wasting a big batch. Keep in mind that if you're brewing a smaller batch, you'll likely lose a few ounces of yielded coffee (at most, half a cup) due to evaporation.
Product Details: Dimensions: 5.71 x 8.07 x 10.08 inches | Number of Cups: 5 | Carafe Type: Glass | Features: Keep warm function, pause and brew system, reusable coffee filter | SCA Certified?: No
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / RUSSELL KILGORE
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / RUSSELL KILGORE
Best Splurge
Technivorm Moccamaster KBT Coffee Brewer
- It produces a balanced cup of coffee and has a large, 10-cup capacity along with a travel lid that makes it great for on-the-go usage.
It produces a balanced cup of coffee and has a large, 10-cup capacity along with a travel lid that makes it great for on-the-go usage.
- It isn't ideal for non-experienced users as there's little hand-holding (unmarked carafe and lack of sounds alerting you that brewing is complete).
It isn't ideal for non-experienced users as there's little hand-holding (unmarked carafe and lack of sounds alerting you that brewing is complete).
Out of all of the drip coffee makers we tested, the Technivorm Moccamaster produced some of the better tasting notes and overall better-bodied brews—perfect for the avid coffee drinker looking for a great extraction of flavors.
While not overly large, it’s better off stored on the countertop, as placing it in a cabinet with other appliances may be difficult due to its shape. The good news? Its aesthetic appeal may be something you'll actually want to show off.
There are several components to the machine (showerhead, brew basket, and reservoir lid, all of which are removable), but don't let the fancy looks intimidate you—setting up and using the coffee maker was foolproof.
The entire reservoir lid is removable so adding water was quite easy—plus, the carafe has the ability to pour while the lid is closed to ensure heat retention and less risk of over-pouring. The Moccamaster can brew up to 10 cups, making it great for entertaining or larger households.
What we found most impressive are the design efforts to minimize heat loss. The machine features a copper heating element for consistent temperature as well as a Brew-Thru lid that allows the coffee to drip into the carafe, which is double-walled stainless steel.
It also comes with a travel lid so that you can take your coffee on the go. This coffee maker was very easy to clean other than the brew basket, which has ridges in it that prolonged drying time.
Just note that Technivorm recommends using medium coarse ground coffee in the machine (though we did find it impressive that there were no loose grounds or sediment left in the carafe after the pre-ground test).
Product Details: Dimensions: 6.75 x 11.5 x 15.25 inches | Number of Cups: 10 | Carafe Type: Stainless steel | Features: Brew-Thru lid to minimize heat loss, copper boiling element, travel lid | SCA Certified?: Yes
Best Hot and Cold
Chemex Ottomatic 2.0 Coffee Maker
- The elegant design includes a glass body and a wood detail—great for those looking to minimize plastic in their home with an easy-to-clean machine.
The elegant design includes a glass body and a wood detail—great for those looking to minimize plastic in their home with an easy-to-clean machine.
- The coffee is best enjoyed fresh, as the flavor lost some vibrancy after our prolonged "keep warm" test.
The coffee is best enjoyed fresh, as the flavor lost some vibrancy after our prolonged "keep warm" test.
Hot and cold coffee lovers will appreciate the versatility of the Chemex Ottomatic 2.0 Automatic Pour-Over Coffee Maker. A switch on the base allows you to go from hot to iced brewing cycles, perfect for those who like to change things up or make pour-over coffee for a crowd.
Across all of our tests, the Chemex delivered. The batches brewed at maximum, minimum, and middle capacities exuded well-balanced, consistent flavors that we thoroughly enjoyed drinking—even the pre-ground coffee we brewed was overall pleasurable for what it was.
After 30 and 60 minutes, though, we noticed a significant change in flavor, so it's best to drink the coffee fresh. Design-wise, it ranked high on our list. The glass pear-shaped carafe has a wide, martini-like top that acts as the brew basket and holds the coffee filter in place.
The wood accent at the narrowest part of the carafe acts as the handle (and adds something special to the look, we think). While the glass got hot to the touch, the wooden part maintained room temperature and we had no concerns about accidentally touching the hot glass.
While there are no sounds to indicate brew cycle completion, the glass design lets you see when the water stops dripping. The machine also comes with a glass lid for placing on the carafe after brewing to further trap heat.
However, as nice as it is to look at, we experienced some flaws due to the design. The maximum capacity brew originally bloomed well, but by the end of the cycle it was waterlogged and the liquid rose with the grinds dramatically, especially with the finely ground, mass-produced coffee.
Still, design has upsides that make it worth the price. Aside from looking high-end, the carafe was comfortable to hold and easy to pour. We didn't notice water loss (the reservoir markings actually align with the expected amount), which lets you know how much brewed coffee to expect without accounting for evaporation.
Also, because it's glass, the carafe was the only thing needing to be cleaned and simply required a long bristled brush—easy! Product Details: Dimensions: 12.5 x 7.5 x 13 inches | Number of Cups: 6 | Carafe Type: Glass | Features: Easy switching from ice to hot coffee | SCA Certified?: No
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / WILL DICKEY
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / WILL DICKEY
Best 10-Cup
Bunn GRB Velocity Brew
- Unlike some other models we tested, the coffee that was kept warm didn't lose its flavor, meaning you could brew a batch early in the day and continue to enjoy it.
Unlike some other models we tested, the coffee that was kept warm didn't lose its flavor, meaning you could brew a batch early in the day and continue to enjoy it.
- We had issues with overflowing while attempting to pause the brew.
We had issues with overflowing while attempting to pause the brew.
Upon first glance, the Bunn Velocity Brew 10-Cup Home Coffee Brewer looks like a traditional, short-kettle coffee maker. But there are features that set it apart, like the drip-free pour spout that helps control the stream of coffee and prevent it from splattering or leaking down the side of the carafe.
Also, the handle is wide enough to get an ergonomic grip, and it remains cool even when the carafe sits on the warmer. Set-up wise, the coffee maker was intuitive and simple to put together, without the fluff of extra components or intricate add-ons.
We were more or less pleased with the coffee, rating the maximum and minimum capacity tests the highest, and we enjoyed the subtle tartness and light floral notes we tasted. After 30 and 60 minutes, the coffee retained most of its flavors, meaning it could be brewed earlier for later consumption.
The coffee maker doesn't have a pause feature but the manual states that you can stop the brewing process by opening the lid. However, when we tried this, the basket overflowed and the machine continued to pour hot water all over the table, even when the machine was unplugged.
Product Details: Dimensions: 7.1 x 13.8 x 14.3 inches | Number of Cups: 10 | Carafe Type: Glass | Features: Warmer plate, large flat bottom filter and funnel | SCA Certified?: No
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / WILL DICKEY
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / WILL DICKEY