Coffee Maker Review

Coffee makers: The good, the bad and the very ugly

This report covers traditional coffee makers designed for home use, which typically make between four and 12 cups of coffee. A few high-capacity models can brew up to 14 cups in a single session. Some newer home-use coffee makers are designed to produce a single cup at a time; we cover one-cup coffee makers in a separate report.

Coffee makers come in different styles. Automatic drip coffee makers are the most common, consisting of a water chamber, filter basket and a glass or thermal carafe. Some models are programmable and can be set to brew at a specific time. Thermal coffee makers also fall into the automatic-drip category, but they use a thermal carafe instead of a glass carafe to maintain the temperature of brewed coffee.

Grinder-brewer combos are growing in popularity among consumers who prefer to grind their own coffee beans. Coffee connoisseurs say coffee tastes best when it's made from freshly ground beans, and although coffee grinders are sold as separate units, a grinder-brewer combo eliminates the need for two separate appliances. That said, most grinder-brewer combos receive mediocre reviews; stand-alone coffee grinders tend to do a better job of grinding to the right consistency. Check out our report on coffee grinders for the best models.

Brew-and-dispense coffee makers brew between four and 12 cups of coffee into a holding chamber instead of a carafe. Users dispense a single cup of coffee at a time, and the remaining coffee remains heated inside the chamber.

ConsumerReports.org conducts the most thorough coffee-maker review we found, testing a whopping 52 automatic drip coffee makers, four brew-and-dispense models and six grinder-brewer combos. Also included in this roundup are a few single-serve coffee makers. Each coffee maker is evaluated on brew temperature, convenience and carafe handling (how easy it is to pour coffee from the carafe into a mug without making a mess.)

Cook's Illustrated magazine last reviewed coffee makers in 2008, and though the review is older, most of the eight models covered are current. Editors conduct a blind taste test, asking panelists for feedback on taste, aroma, texture and bitterness. They also measure brew temperature and brewing time. A similar review from 2007 evaluates eight coffee makers costing less than $50 each. Good Housekeeping  also conducts a blind taste test to identify the best coffee makers, naming five models as best picks in various categories, such as "best brewer" and "chic and easy." A total of eight models are evaluated, although a few are the single-serve variety.

Beyond expert testing, we found a slew of owner-written reviews. Amazon.com has by far the greatest volume of coffee maker reviews; some models have feedback from thousands of owners. Cooking.com, Target.com and Epinions.com are also good sources for user feedback. Walmart.com and Viewpoints.com don't have as many reviews, but many commenters offer thorough feedback on these sites.

Finally, we turned to coffee enthusiast sites, such as CoffeeGeek.com and WholeLatteLove.com. There aren't as many reviews on either site as there are on Amazon.com, but contributors are generally coffee connoisseurs, so feedback leans to the expert side.

Coffee makers are the occasional subject of recalls by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). In January 2011, about 145,000 Kenmore and Kenmore Elite Coffee Makers (sold at Sears and Kmart stores) were recalled due to a fire hazard. The wiring inside the units could overheat, burning consumers or starting fire, which could damage countertops, cabinetry or worse. In October 2010, about 900,000 General Electric Coffee Makers were recalled for a similar issue. Coffee maker recalls aren't common, but it's a good idea to check the CPSC.gov website before making a purchase.