The Best Drip Coffee Makers
Cuisinart DCC-1200 Brew Central 12 Cup Programmable Coffeemaker
The Cuisinart DCC-1200 is a fully programmable unit, able to brew up to 12 cups at a time, or as few as one to four. The programmable function will allow you to set it up the night before and wake up to the aroma of your favorite brew wafting through the home. The adjustable heating plate allows the user to choose how warm they want their coffee. This feature is great if you’re planning on sipping coffee for a few hours, since you don’t have to worry about accidentally burning your brew if you keep the hot plate on.
Additional features include a brew pause for those who want a jump start on their morning, and a charcoal filter for added filtration and cleaning.
Overall, this coffee maker can’t be beat! It has all the basics you need for a good cup of coffee plus extra.
Pros
- Filters included
- Warmer keeps your coffee at the preferred temperature
- 1 to 4 cup feature for small brews
- Numerous color and finish options
Cons
- Requires some time to learn the machinery
Key Features
- Brew pause for mid-brew pours
- 3 setting adjustable warming plate
- Programmable with auto shutoff
- Self cleaning mode
Specifications
- Brand: Cuisinart
- Dimensions: 7.8 x 9 x 14 inches
- Weight: 6.8 pounds
Braun KF7170SI BrewSense Drip Coffeemaker
The Braun BrewSense model has a classy brushed stainless steel design that brings an air of modern sophistication to your kitchen. The built-in gold-tone filter is designed to enhance the flavor of your brew more than traditional paper filters, and the water passes through a charcoal water filter to ensure freshness with every single sip!
Control the strength of your brew as well as the output ranging from an 11 ounce cup to a full 12-cup pot. Water levels are bold and easy to see over four cups, however if looking to brew a single serving, it is more challenging to accurately measure the appropriate water level. Once brewed, the carafe lid is designed to seal in flavor for continued freshness throughout the morning.
Pros
- Dishwasher safe parts
- No need for paper filters
- Stainless steel design
Cons
- Difficult to measure water level below four cups
Key Features
- Brew pause option
- Charcoal water filter and gold-tone grounds filter
- Brew strength and variable output conrol
- 24 hour programmable with auto-shuttoff
- Carafe lid seals in flavor
Specifications
- Brand: Braun
- Dimensions: 7.9 x 7.9 x 14.2 inches
- Weight: 7.4 pounds
Mr. Coffee 12-Cup Coffee Maker
Many coffee makers are all about bonus features, but what if you just want a machine that simply makes coffee? You are in luck with Mr. Coffee, as it is designed with simplicity and transparency in mind.
The straightforward brewing process will make a barista out of even the least technologically savvy person you know. It can brew up to 12 cups of coffee at one time and features a few handy features such as a brew pause option and dual water window to help prevent overflow.
The unit does not come with an automatic shutoff which requires the user to remember to power down the unit when they are done. Mr. Coffee makes this easy to remember though, thanks to a power indicator showing when the pot is heated.
Pros
- Straightforward controls and easy for all users
- Cord storage system for easy storage
Cons
- No automatic shutoff and not programmable
Key Features
- Dual water window
- Cleanable filter basket
- Brew pause option
- Easily visible power indicator
Specifications
- Brand: Mr. Coffee
- Dimensions: 8.43 x 11.76 x 12.56 inches
- Weight: 3.6 pounds
Posame Electric 12-Cup Programmable Smart Drip Coffee Maker
Similar to the Mr. Coffee, if you are looking for a machine that is simple to use, the Posame drip coffee maker is a great option. Simply add water, coffee, and hit power and it will begin to brew.
The Posame coffee maker has a built-in clock and a 24-hour programmable feature so you can plan out your next brew no matter how early or late that may be. There’s nothing that beats coffee that’s ready even before your first alarm turns on, which is why we’re totally loving this machine. Plus, the machine and warming plate will automatically turn off after two hours.
Pros
- Smaller profile and yet still a 12-cup machine
- Easy to use
- Removable filter basket
Cons
- Simplistic by design
Key Features
- No drip brew pause option
- Automatic shutoff after 2 hours
- Programmable up to 24 hours in advance
Specifications
- Brand: Posame
- Dimensions: 9.4 x 5.6 x 11.8 inches
- Weight: 4.3 pounds
Ninja 12-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker
The Ninja 12-cup coffee maker has an upgraded boiler to ensure your morning coffee can be as hot as you prefer it, with an adjustable warming plate to keep your coffee at the perfect temperature. The removable water reservoir is a handy feature for those that struggle with spilling.
Other promising features include a brew strength option enabling full flavor in small batches, and a permanent built-in filter that eliminates the need to purchase disposable filters, a huge win if you are a conservationist. The unit is taller than many other drip coffee makers and may struggle to fit under some cabinets, but overall it’s a great option for your kitchen.
Pros
- Avoid spills with removable water reservoir
- No need for disposable filters
- Even heating and saturation through thermal flavor extraction
Cons
- Taller than other units
- Reusable filter needs regular cleaning
Key Features
- Brew pause option
- Adjustable warming plate
- Brew strength selection
- Removable water reservoir, permanent filter, and self-cleaning function
- Automatic shutoff
Specifications
- Brand: Ninja
- Dimensions: 8.74 x 9.94 x 14.61 inches
- Weight: 6.48 pounds
BLACK+DECKER CM1160B 12-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker
The BLACK+DECKER 12-cup coffee maker is great for those who like a straightforward and simple design on their coffee maker.
The QuickTouch programming allows you to set a brew time quickly (pun intended). If you set your brew time for 6:00 and you can’t wait for it to get done, you can utilize the Sneak-a-cup feature that pauses brewing so you can pour yourself a cup before the pot fully brews.
The nonstick carafe plate will keep your fresh coffee warm for an hour after the initial brewing time, and will shut off completely after two hours.
For you, all this information means is that it’s pretty much as easy as clicking brew and moving on with your day!
Pros
- Removable brew basket
- Easy-pour pot
- Simple to use
Cons
- Difficult to read the level of water
- No alert when coffee is ready
Key Features
- 2-hour automatic shutoff
- “Sneak-a-cup” feature to pause brewing
- QuickTouch programming
Specifications
- Brand: BLACK+DECKER
- Dimension: 8.2 x 12.2 x 11 inches
- Weight: 4.45 pounds
Drip Coffee Maker Buying Guide
Drip coffee makers all serve the same purpose and yet they are certainly not created equal. It is important to consider your needs carefully to ensure you get the product you desire. Important considerations include filtration options, brew strength, and safety settings.
Filtration Options
Many of the more entry-level options make use of disposable filters for the coffee making process. Paper filters are generally inexpensive but require replacement after each run so the running costs of these machines can add up over time. Some machines include a reusable filter that eliminates the need for replacement paper filters, which is a cost savings, as well as an eco-friendly option. Units with reusable filters have a higher markup but may cost less to run over their life, though at the cost of needing to regularly clean the filter.
Brew Strength
The strength of your brew is dependent on a number of factors, primarily by the coffee to water ratio in each cup. Some machines that can brew a single cup may struggle to maintain a rich, flavorful taste due to inconsistent brewing. Look for a model that allows you to adjust the brew strength with each brew session as well as a reservoir large enough to accommodate more grounds to ensure the flavor matches your needs each time.
Programmable Delay
If you are not a morning person, you do not have time to sit and wait for coffee to brew in the morning. Many models include a programmable setting that allows you to set your maker to begin brewing at a pre-determined time in order to wake up to a deliciously hot cup of joe.
Safety Settings
Any product with a heating element can be a fire hazard if not used correctly, or if left to run unattended. For this reason, most models have a built in automatic shut off feature that will shut down if you forget to turn it off. Some find this setting to be a frustration if they would prefer to keep their coffee pot warm for longer periods of time. So ensure you know the features in place in each machine to find the best balance of safety and convenience for your needs.
