The Best Drip Coffee Machines

Drip coffee makers are workhorses capable of making coffee hands-free. However, they can be heavy and bulky, taking up valuable counter space or an area under cabinets.

The best drip machines are simple and easy to use. Some drip machines include extra features such as programmable clocks and self-cleaning mode to make your morning coffee more personalized.

1. De'Longhi TrueBrew

The De'Longhi TrueBrew is a one-stop shop for coffee. It can be made from whole beans to a large carafe using just a few presses. It has a built in burr grinder (taken from De'Longhi espresso machines) which measures the correct amount of grounds and then compacts them prior to brewing, removing plastic pods and filters.

It also offers a range of settings that can be adapted to the size and high end drip coffee makers style, from 3oz espresso drinks to 16oz of iced tea and 40oz for the standard carafe. It dispenses the coffee into your choice of vessel, from large cups to tiny espresso cups or tall travel mugs that do not normally fit under regular drip machines. It even creates tea!

Manufacturers are known to come up with ridiculous technical-sounding jargon, and this one has the Bean Extract Technology which "adapts and precisely grinds" the beans according to the beans you choose. However, it's really simply marketing. It's important that it's easy to use, fast and doesn't create a lot of mess when making coffee. However, it does not have the capability to brew an espresso shot that is either long or short of espresso and doesn't have a steam wand for milk. If you're looking for those features, I recommend checking out the Moccamaster KBGV Select instead.

2. Cuisinart MultiServe

This is one the best drip coffee makers available on the market. It makes consistently delicious hot cups of coffee that brew quickly and efficiently from sleek, relatively compact hardware that's turnkey to use, and all for a reasonable cost.

We also appreciated the ease with which we were able to customize the brewing experience. You can select the size of your cup (from 5-ounce single servings to a full carafe) and the strength you prefer by turning dials and also choose between a regular or french press setting. You can prepare cold brew at the touch of a button or choose from a wide range of special options, such as Over Ice and Roasted.

The only downside is that it's not quite as sleek as the more sophisticated models that we tried. The rounded Smeg high end drip Coffee makers maker, for example, looks like an Easter egg and is a nice contrast to the more boxy models. Its narrow opening and slim tank can be tricky to navigate, particularly in the dark when the brew is in. It requires a bit more thought and effort to get going in the early morning.

3. Keurig K-Cup brewer

Keurig single serve coffee makers use pre-packaged K cups, which eliminates the necessity of measuring or grinding grounds. They also allow you to control brewing time. These machines also brew the cup of coffee in less than two minutes, which is considerably faster than a standard drip machine.

But the Keurigs we've tested make quite a mess, much more than drip machines. The spout, which spews hot coffee creates a two-inch splash zone that leaves droplets on the drip tray, machine, and counter. They also produce an annoying loud sputtering noise while making filtered coffee makers.

The Keurigs that we tested performed very well, despite the mess. The K-Cafe Smart Keurig, the most advanced model, comes with a removable water reservoir, four K-cups sizes as well as three temperature settings and a customizable program. It also has an automatic milk frother that is dishwasher safe and can froth skim, whole and non-dairy milk. This is a great choice for those who wish to make different coffees every morning or for families with large numbers that need a larger capacity.

Keurig Instant pod is another ideal choice for those looking for a single-serve device that's easy to use and easy to use. It has a 78-ounce tank that can brew several cups before needing to be refilled. It can also make a cup with your own ground coffee--a unique feature of the world of Keurig. The controls are simple and straightforward however the machine communicates using tones and chirps, not a display, making it difficult to determine when a cup is ready.

4. Cuisinart Drip Machine

This reliable, mid-priced machine has all the features you require to begin your day. It has a large reservoir that holds 14 cups, and an open window that clearly shows the level of water. The large, clearly labeled buttons make it easy to use. Additionally, the filter and grinder can both be cleaned in the sink, removing the need to clean the grounds from difficult-to-access places. It also has a handy brew strength selector that lets you select from three different settings, including bold.

The reservoir comes with a charcoal-filter drip coffe maker which helps to remove metals and unpleasant flavors as well as odors from the tap water. This can cause your coffee taste flat or burned. This means less maintenance and a better-tasting cup of joe.

Another benefit: The programability feature makes it simple to set your coffee to brew at a certain time. The pause button lets you pour a cup or two before the whole pot has finished brewing. This can be helpful in busy mornings when you require an additional boost of caffeine. It's also a pretty attractive design coffee maker, with a sleek design that looks more at home on a countertop than the bulky drip machines.

5. Ratio Six

The Ratio Eight is the older sister of the Six. It offers an exceptional experience at an affordable price and a smaller footprint. Its single-button brewing process mimics the art of pour-over with precise metered flow of water and the ideal temperature for coffee. The machine makes use of 1400 watts of power to heat water and complete the brewing cycle in around five to six minutes--which is significantly less than many of the lesser models we tested. The rapid brew is largely due to the blooming cycle, which allows the coffee grounds to settle prior to the shower head that delivers the remainder of the water for maximum extraction.

The Six also features a distinctive heat shield to safeguard the spray head while making and to keep the water at an optimal temperature. This is one of only a few brewers that has been Golden Cup certified by Specialty Coffee Association. This means that it will maintain the proper temperature throughout the process of brewing.

The Six is elegant, minimalist and sleek in its design. It features a stainless steel carafe, which sits on top of a Melitta flat-bottom filter coffee maker with timer holder. The carafe that is insulated keeps the coffee warm without the necessity of a heated plate and helps preserve flavor.

6. Gevi 10-Cup Coffee Maker

The Gevi produces great tasting coffee and features a sleek, relatively compact design that doesn't need much counter space. The touchscreen features cute icons that let you choose one-touch commands. For instance, you can choose Bold or if you're making half a pot of coffee, you can select the One to four cups feature. The machine also lets you set the timer, and turn the brew cycle-finished tone that sounds audible on or off.

It's great to have a built-in coffee grinder that allows you to adjust the grind size and the intensity of your coffee. It can take some time to understand how the machine operates however, it's easy once you do. It includes many of the features that you would expect to find in more expensive models.

The only downside is that it can't brew an entire carafe at one time which could be a problem if you're serving multiple people. But it's a solid option if you're looking to buy drip coffee maker with an integrated grinder and the flexibility to make different kinds of drinks. It comes with a one-year warranty and a great customer service.

7. Moccamaster KBGV

The Moccamaster is a premium drip-coffee maker made to last. It's made by Technivorm in the Netherlands and comes with a five-year warranty. The stylish glass carafe is set on the top of a warmer, which keeps the coffee at a perfect temperature for as long as six minutes. It can be programmed to brew a full or half pot, and is certified to brew at ideal temperatures and times recommended by the Specialty Coffee Association. It also has a "practically invisible drip stop," which is a small lever beneath the brew pot that will stop the flow of coffee when you remove the carafe from the making coffee.

Although this machine is more expensive than most other machines on the market, it's worth the cost for those who wish to enjoy consistently delicious coffee without spending too much time in the kitchen. It's easy to clean, and all parts that are in contact with water or grounds are easily accessible. The brewing process is slower than other models but still much faster than pour-over making. The Moccamaster's unique design of workshop tools and scientific devices adds class to your kitchen.