Standard Coffee Makers

Automatic-drip coffee makers

Standard coffee makers, also called automatic drip coffee makers, operate by heating water and dripping it through a basket containing a filter and coffee grounds into a glass carafe. The carafe rests on a hot plate, which remains heated after coffee is brewed to help maintain the temperature of the coffee. These basic coffee machines don't have built-in grinders and typically make between 4 and 12 cups of coffee. Automatic drip coffee makers are the most inexpensive style, typically costing less than their thermal counterparts, which substitute a thermal carafe for a hot plate.

The most frequently recommended coffee maker in reviews is the Cuisinart Brew Central DCC-1200 (*Est. $80) , which earns very good scores from one independent testing organization for temperature and convenience. Editors also say the carafe is easy to handle. More than 2,300 owners posting to Amazon.com agree, contributing to an overall average rating of 4 stars (out of a possible 5) for the Cuisinart coffee maker. This stainless-steel finished coffee maker is programmable with automatic shutoff and features a variable temperature-controlled plate to keep brewed coffee hot. Users can choose from 1 to 4 cups or 5 to 12 cups per batch, reducing waste if you don't need a large quantity every time.

The Cuisinart Brew Central DCC-1200 auto-drip coffee machine comes with two built-in filters: A charcoal filter, which filters water before it's dripped through the coffee grounds, and a gold-tone filter used in the basket in place of paper disposable filters. An indicator light signals it's time to decalcify the coffee filter, and Cuisinart recommends replacing the charcoal filter every 60 days or 60 uses (you can also skip using the water filter entirely). The Cuisinart Brew Central DCC-1200 coffee maker also has a pause feature, which halts brewing if the carafe is removed from the warming plate.

Owners posting to Amazon.com, CoffeeGeek.com and WholeLatteLove.com praise the Cuisinart Brew Central DCC-1200 for its easy-to-pour carafe and great-tasting coffee. It's a bit tall at 14 inches, so it may not fit under some cabinets, and the water reservoir isn't the most convenient to access, say some users. Still, most owners agree that the Cuisinart DCC-1200 coffee maker is easy to use and keeps coffee hot. Most users report that the carafe doesn't spill during pouring, though we did see some user complaints about the carafe's performance. The Cuisinart Brew Central DCC-1200 has a three-year limited warranty.

Also earning substantial feedback from posters to Amazon.com is the Bunn Velocity Brew NHBB (*Est. $100) , which earns an average rating of 4.5 stars out of 5 in approximately 500 owner-written reviews. This Bunn coffee maker works a bit differently; instead of heating water and brewing a whole pot of coffee at once, the Bunn Velocity includes a stainless-steel reservoir that keeps water preheated. When you're ready to brew, the actual process takes only about three minutes because the water is already preheated. You can also use the hot water on its own for making tea or hot cocoa. The Bunn Velocity coffee maker is a good choice for a small office or for dinner parties, where you'd want to be able to brew pots of coffee quickly. However, for occasional use, it's an energy waste because the machine is always "on," keeping water in the reservoir preheated. A "vacation switch" allows the unit to be turned off completely if it won't be used for a longer period, although it will then require 15 minutes to fully reheat the tank.

Some owners report getting great-tasting coffee from the Bunn Velocity Brew NHBB and say coffee holds up well over several hours in the carafe. Others say coffee flavor is inconsistent or weak, and there are some reports of leaky carafes. Opinions are divided one ease of use; some love having water always ready to go, but others find it a waste and say the actual process of refilling the tank is cumbersome.

If you want programming features at a budget price, one foodie magazine recommends the Mr. Coffee VBX-23 (*Est. $40) , which has a 12-cup capacity. One tester says the Mr. Coffee VBX-23 is "easy and straightforward," but user reviews at Amazon.com are mixed. Overall, the Mr. Coffee VBX-23 coffee maker earns an average rating of 2.5 stars out of 5 (in about 40 reviews). Owners like the two-hour automatic shutoff feature, reusable filter and clear water reservoir to indicate when it's time to refill. However, there are numerous complaints about the carafe leaking when filling the water reservoir or a mug. Further, there are a few small holes in the back of the water reservoir to prevent over-filling, but this means if you happen to overfill, you're essentially pouring water all over your countertop.

Basic coffee makers don't have programming features

Without programming features or constantly maintained hot water, you'll be waiting for your coffee to brew before you can enjoy it. If you don't need instant gratification, editors of Good Housekeeping  recommend the Mr. Coffee SKX-23 (*Est. $40) , identical in features to the Mr. Coffee VBX-23 coffee maker, but with a slightly different design. Owner feedback is also in line with opinions on the Mr. Coffee VBX-23; in less than 15 reviews posted to Amazon.com, the Mr. Coffee SKX-23 coffee machine has an average rating of just two stars out of five. There are complaints of leaky pots and water reservoirs, and a few owners say the pause brewing feature (automatically activated when removing the carafe from the plate) is worthless, because condensation releases when the carafe is lifted and creates a mess.

Mr. Coffee makes a number of other standard automatic-drip coffee makers. We found recommendations for the Mr. Coffee Switch DW12 (*Est. $25) and DW13; the two coffee makers have the same features, but the DW12 has a white housing while the DW13 comes in black. The Mr. Coffee Switch coffee makers aren't tested in professional reviews, but they get plenty of feedback from owners. In about 75 reviews posted on Viewpoints.com, owners contribute to an overall rating of 4 stars (out of 5). Most say the Switch coffee maker is a good, basic machine that produces good-tasting coffee. However, there are a number of complaints about leaking, and the carafe tends to spill when the user attempts to pour coffee quickly.

Mr. Coffee makes a mini version of a basic coffee maker as well. The Mr. Coffee Switch TF-4 (*Est. $25) has a four-cup carafe instead of a 12-cup capacity. Otherwise, simple features are the same for both versions: An on/off switch and a pause-and-serve feature. Note that none of these coffee makers has an automatic shut-off feature, which may be important to you. The mini Mr. Coffee Switch TF-4 comes in white or in black as the TF-5.

Nearly 70 owners contribute to an average rating of 4.18 stars out of 5 for the Mr. Coffee Switch TF-4 on Viewpoints.com. Consumers say it's easy to use, and many prefer the smaller four-cup capacity. However, the pause-and-serve feature is criticized; condensation buildup inside the unit drips out, leaving a mess, according to some owners.

In a test of eight inexpensive coffee makers conducted by one cooking magazine, the Black & Decker SmartBrew Plus DCM2000 (*Est. $25) beats the competition for its ease of use, ease of cleaning and easy-to-pour carafe. It features a removable filter basket for easy cleaning, a viewing window to monitor the level in the water reservoir and a one-piece, flip-open lid. The Black & Decker SmartBrew Plus is backed by a two-year limited warranty.

In about 100 owner-written reviews on Amazon.com, the Black & Decker SmartBrew Plus DCM2000 averages 3 stars out of 5, with one-third of owners giving it a single-star rating -- a lower overall score than the Mr. Coffee Switch DW12 and DW13 coffee makers. Many reviewers praise the Black & Decker SmartBrew for its mess-free pouring and stylish design, but there are a number of complaints about malfunctioning units. Small pieces inside the unit, such as screws and springs, tend to come loose, say unhappy owners. Some also add that if the carafe and basket are improperly positioned, coffee may spill all over the counter during brewing.