Skip the coffee shop trip with these coffee machines that make drip coffee, lattes, pour-over and more.
We have tested hundreds of coffee makers over the years and continues to test coffee makers regularly. We’ve brewed more than 1,000 cups of coffee to find the best coffee makers to suit your needs.
Read on for more information about how we test coffee makers and what to know when shopping for one.
Table Of Contents
- How we test the best coffee makers
- 6 Top Rated Coffee Makers
- BEST OVERALL COFFEE MAKER – Breville Precision Brewer
- BEST VALUE COFFEE MAKER – BLACK+DECKER 12-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker
- BEST SMALL COFFEE MAKER – Capresso 5-Cup Mini Drip Coffee Maker
- BEST ICED COFFEE MAKER – Ninja Specialty 10-Cup Coffee Maker
- BEST COFFEE MAKER WITH THERMAL CARAFE – Wolf Gourmet Programmable Coffee Maker
- BEST COFFEE MAKER WITH GRINDER – Breville Grind Control Coffee Maker
- What to look for when buying the best coffee maker
- Do coffee makers really make a difference in flavor?
How we test the best coffee makers
To determine the best overall coffee makers, we brew at least two full pots of coffee in each drip machine and record the brew time, the brew temperature and how well the coffee keeps warm over a two-hour time span.
We also pay attention to consistency, as we do when we test espresso machines and single-serve coffee makers. As part of our brew tests, we also conduct a sensory test and get as many people as we can to taste the results and share their tasting notes.
In addition to performance, we assess ease of use by scoring a number of factors including the usefulness of the user guide and how easy it is to use the controls, access the water tank and brew basket, read the markings on the tank and carafe, clean the carafe and more.
6 Top Rated Coffee Makers
- BEST OVERALL COFFEE MAKER – Breville Precision Brewer
- BEST VALUE COFFEE MAKER – BLACK+DECKER 12-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker
- BEST SMALL COFFEE MAKER – Capresso 5-Cup Mini Drip Coffee Maker
- BEST ICED COFFEE MAKER – Ninja Specialty 10-Cup Coffee Maker
- BEST COFFEE MAKER WITH THERMAL CARAFE – Wolf Gourmet Programmable Coffee Maker
- BEST COFFEE MAKER WITH GRINDER – Breville Grind Control Coffee Maker
BEST OVERALL COFFEE MAKER – Breville Precision Brewer
PROS
- Highly customizable
- Includes both cone and flat-bottom filter baskets
- Sleek design
CONS
- Carafe requires hand washing
This drip coffee maker with a thermal carafe lives up to its name as a precision brewer by brewing coffee at exactly the right temperature in the right amount of time established by the Specialty Coffee Association. It made 12 cups of hot coffee in about eight and a half minutes, which was quick compared to others we tested and the coffee it produces was among the highest scoring for taste.
The Breville Precision Brewer is highly customizable with the option to brew up to 12 cups at a time, a single cup, iced coffee, cold brew and pour-over with the purchase of a separate attachment. It also comes with two different shaped baskets (a cone-shaped basket and a flat basket which bring out different flavor notes in the coffee) to allow users to pick which they think makes a better cup of coffee. The basket fully pulls out for easy filling and even easier emptying, and the water reservoir has a wide opening and easy-to-read measurement markings.
Coffee snobs will love that the water flow and bloom time can each be adjusted. The display features a count-up timer that lets you know how long the coffee has been keeping warm. In our tests, the thermal carafe proved to be highly effective as it kept coffee hot during the entire two-hour test period. It’s relatively easy to clean as well with a moderately sized opening that you can fit your sponge into (a bottle brush makes it even easier).
| Type of coffee maker | Drip coffee maker |
|---|---|
| Cup capacity | 12 cups |
| Type of carafe | Thermal carafe |
| Dimensions | 14 x 9 x 16 inches |
BEST VALUE COFFEE MAKER – BLACK+DECKER 12-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker
PROS
- User-friendly controls
- Keeps coffee warm for two hours
- Can schedule machine to brew coffee at a specific time
CONS
- It didn’t brew at a high enough temperature
The Black and Decker 12-cup programmable coffee maker impressed our experts with its lower price and top performance scores for brew time and temperature. It’s fairly simple compared to other coffee makers, but that also makes it easy to use. While it doesn’t have as many features as some pricier coffee makers, it has a digital display, 24-hour auto-brew feature and has a keep warm function, which we found kept the coffee warm for the entire two-hour period in our tests. It brews up to 12 cups of coffee and if you want to have a cup immediately, the sneak-a-cup feature allows you to snag a cup before it’s done brewing without making a mess.
| Type of coffee maker | Drip coffee maker |
|---|---|
| Cup capacity | 12 cups |
| Type of carafe | Glass carafe |
| Dimensions | 8.25 x 12.25 x 11 inches |
BEST SMALL COFFEE MAKER – Capresso 5-Cup Mini Drip Coffee Maker
PROS
- Compact footprint
- Easy to use and clean
- Two-hour keep warm and automatic shut-off
CONS
- Does not brew as hot as other coffee makers
For those that don’t need a 12- or even 10-cup coffee maker, this Capresso five-cup Mini Drip coffee maker comes in handy, brewing up to five cups and saving counter space with its small design. In our tests, it brewed five cups of coffee in less than 10 minutes and kept the coffee warm for two hours with automatic shut-off. It’s also programmable so you can set it to make coffee at a later time.
It didn’t brew quite as hot as other coffee makers in our tests, but small coffee makers often have a hard time reaching high temperatures, so we weren’t surprised and it wasn’t a deal breaker. The carafe is dishwasher-safe (one of our favorite things about glass carafes) and the flip-top lid is detachable for easy cleaning.
| Type of coffee maker | Drip coffee maker |
|---|---|
| Cup capacity | 5 cups |
| Type of carafe | Glass carafe |
| Dimensions | 8 x 6.25 x 10 inches |
BEST ICED COFFEE MAKER – Ninja Specialty 10-Cup Coffee Maker
PROS
- Makes iced coffee concentrate
- Makes a 4-ounce concentrated size for espresso-style drinks, like cappuccinos and lattes
CONS
- Classic brew was mild-bodied
No matter if you’re in the mood for hot or iced coffee, or maybe a latte or cappuccino, the Ninja Hot & Iced Coffee maker has you covered. This machine can make classic hot drip coffee and also has settings for Rich (for those that like a stronger tasting coffee), Over Ice and Specialty Concentrated. The Specialty Concentrated setting makes a very strong, smaller dose of coffee which mimics espresso to make drinks like lattes or cappuccinos. While technically it’s not a true latte or cappuccino, testers still thought it made a tasty latte-like drink.
Options for brew sizes include a full 10-cup carafe, half carafe or single serving which brews directly into the cup. Our pros found it had a fast brew time, brewing a full carafe in less than eight minutes. We also appreciate thoughtful features like a shelf for brewing into single cups to prevent splatter and storage for the coffee scoop on the side of the unit so it doesn’t get lost. The water tank is removable for easy filling and the control panel is easy to read.
| Type of coffee maker | Drip coffee maker |
|---|---|
| Cup capacity | 10 cups |
| Type of carafe | Glass carafe |
| Dimensions | 112 x 8.75 x 15 inches |
BEST COFFEE MAKER WITH THERMAL CARAFE – Wolf Gourmet Programmable Coffee Maker
PROS
- Makes hot coffee and keeps it warm for hours
- Easy to use
- Carafe has wide opening for easy cleaning
CONS
- Pricey
Wolf’s high-end programmable coffee maker scored a five, our highest score, for brew temperature as well as its ability to keep coffee warm, thanks to the thermal carafe that kept the coffee hot for two hours. Tasters noted the coffee was piping hot and strong. We also particularly appreciated the wide opening on the thermal carafe, which allows you to clean it more easily than other thermal carafes that typically have narrow openings.
In addition to what some might call the basics (that is, brewing a good cup of coffee and a high-performing carafe), this coffee maker is loaded with features that make it among the easiest to use. Its brew basket slides out so you can fill it without fussing with lids and its water reservoir is removable. It has a digital display and an “accubrew” setting that uses a built-in scale to weigh the coffee grounds as you add them to the basket so you can make the perfect cup based on the amount of water and strength setting you select.
| Type of coffee maker | Drip coffee maker |
|---|---|
| Cup capacity | 10 cups |
| Type of carafe | Thermal carafe |
| Dimensions | 11 x 9 x 14.4 inches |
BEST COFFEE MAKER WITH GRINDER – Breville Grind Control Coffee Maker
PROS
- Highly customizable
- Makes hot coffee that stays hot
- Multiple grind settings for different flavors
CONS
- Basket holder needs to be rinsed after every use
Coffee makers with built-in grinders don’t have the best reputation. They’re known to clog and require a bit more upkeep than typical drip coffee makers. But after testing a handful, we know why people buy them: They deliver a fresh and consistent cup of coffee with little effort. This coffee maker with a built-in grinder from Breville stands out for having multiple grind settings that impact the flavor of your coffee. It also has a digital display that measures the amount of water you add to the reservoir located on the front of the unit, which makes the whole process a breeze. It then allows you to choose from one of eight strength settings and calculates the time of brewing.
Coffee brewed hot and stayed warm for our entire two-hour test time, and when we tested at home, it stayed hot all day! This coffee maker scored the highest in our taste test when compared to four other coffee makers with grinders. In addition to brewing a full carafe, it also allows you to brew a single cup or travel mug size coffee.
| Type of coffee maker | Drip coffee maker |
|---|---|
| Cup capacity | 12 cups |
| Type of carafe | Thermal carafe |
| Dimensions | 12.5 x 8.5 x 16.3 inches |
What to look for when buying the best coffee maker
✔️ Type of coffee maker: Coffee makers range in variety from drip coffee makers to cold brew coffee makers and espresso machines. Consider what type of coffee you drink most and if you’d like a coffee machine that can make different styles of coffee, including single-serve sizes, full pots of coffee and sometimes even espresso. It’s becoming increasingly popular for coffee makers to offer multiple ways to enjoy your coffee.
✔️ Strength preference: If you prefer your coffee mild or strong, look for a coffee maker that has adjustable strengths. Many of the models we tested have two to three strength options available. Espresso in general also has a stronger flavor as does coffee made in stovetop coffee makers.
✔️ Number of servings: Most drip coffee makers will make 10 to 14 cups of coffee, but if you don’t need that much, look to smaller coffee makers that make four to five cups or single-serve options that can brew one cup at a time. Manual coffee makers are also great for making small amounts of coffee because you can more easily control the brew times.
✔️ Convenience: If you’re pressed for time or don’t want to prep your coffee, a single-serve machine may be a benefit as there’s little to no prep or cleaning up. A drip machine takes longer to brew coffee since it’s making a larger quantity, but this also allows for more customization. If you have plenty of time on your hands, pour-overs and French presses take longer to brew and require a more hands-on approach, but the flavor is typically richer, smoother and worth the fuss.
Do coffee makers really make a difference in flavor?
Yes, coffee makers can affect the flavor of the coffee. Different brewing methods such as drip coffee, espresso, cold brew, French press and more require different coffee and espresso makers to make them properly. These methods of brewing use different grind sizes, water temperature, pressure and contact time with the grinds, all of which influence the coffee’s taste.
This is why some prefer the bold taste of cold brew or a concentrated shot of espresso, among other types of coffee. Just keep in mind that the coffee bean itself will impact the coffee flavor, and some beans are better suited for certain methods than others. If you’ve only tried one brewing method, you may have to experiment to find the best one for you.
