Coffee Makers

Best coffee makers (glass carafe)

The least expensive automatic-drip coffee makers have glass carafes and use a warming plate to keep coffee hot. We found mixed reviews for cheap coffee makers of this type, mainly because reviews say they don't get the coffee hot enough for brewing (ideally between 195 and 200º F, according to Cook's Illustrated) or brew quickly enough (within 6 minutes). If you aren't picky about coffee temperature and don't mind mild, light-bodied coffee, Cook's Illustrated's review of budget coffee makers is very useful.

In the Cook's Illustrated tests, the Braun AromaDeluxe KF510 (*est. $35) got the brewing water hotter than most (186º F), though it still took too long to brew. This model scores points for solid build quality and a well-designed carafe with a good handle. The AromaDeluxe KF510 doesn't have a program feature, but experts say this is a feature that many people don't use anyway. It also does not have an auto shutoff feature. Owner reviews are more positive for this coffee maker than for other inexpensive models, saying it's a good basic coffee maker. The step-up version, the Braun AromaDeluxe KF590E (*est. $70) , does have auto shutoff and a gold-tone reusable filter.

Other basic coffee makers such as the Black & Decker DCM2000 (*est. $20) do get some good expert reviews but only lackluster owner reviews, many of which say it spits and leaks. The Mr. Coffee VBX23 (*est. $25) is also recommended by Cook's Illustrated, but we found mixed user reviews, several of which say that it's hard to pour from the carafe.

If you can budget a bit more and want a few extra features, we found consistently good reviews for the Cuisinart DCC-1200 Brew Central (*est. $80) . Experts give the Brew Central high marks for its flavorful coffee. It has several features owners find useful, such as a half-pot brew cycle, which changes the flow of water so that small batches of coffee are neither weak nor bitter. The Brew Central has two unusual settings: a three-setting hot plate and a time-to-clean indicator. Like most coffee makers in its price range, the Brew Central has automatic shutoff and a pause-and-serve function, which allows you to sneak a cup before brewing is finished.

Over 100 owners posting to Cooking.com give the Cuisinart Brew Central an extremely high average score. Most say that the machine is stylish enough to leave on the kitchen counter and is free of extraneous features. A few complain that the water-level indicator is difficult to read, and a handful say that the clock is too small. However, the vast majority are satisfied with this machine and say that they would buy it again. However, we didn’t find a review that specifically measures brewing temperature.

Although Bunn is synonymous with commercial coffee makers, we did find reviews for their consumer model, the Bunn NHB Professional (*est. $100 with a glass carafe, $150 with a thermal carafe) . The Professional, which earns a high average rating in owner-written reviews at Amazon.com, brews a 10-cup pot in 3 minutes. Such speed is possible only because the Professional keeps a reserve of hot water at the ready. According to experts, a 4-to-6-minute brew time is optimal for flavor extraction, and the Professional's shorter brew time makes for a weaker cup. Owners say they compensate by using more grounds, a practice that can be costly over time. In addition, hot water evaporates from the reservoir as it stands, resulting in a less-than-full pot. Owners also complain that it's wasteful (and expensive) to keep so much hot water in reserve, and a few say that fresh water yields a better-tasting brew. In general, however, owners like the Bunn coffee maker, and most people say it delivers a tasty brew. The Professional doesn't have a programmable timer, but with a 3-minute brew time, you may not need one. The model also has no small-batch setting, which means you'll have to brew at least four cups at a time.

If you want a home machine that really gets water hot enough for optimal brewing, the darling of enthusiasts posting to Coffeegeek.com is the Technivorm Clubline KB741 (*est. $185). Manufactured in the Netherlands, this model brews up to 10 cups of flavorful, "noticeably smooth" coffee, according to Domino magazine's testers. The difference lies in its ability to heat water to 200º F, the temperature experts say is optimal. According to Wine Spectator's Sam Gugino, it produces "superb coffee, rich and flavorful with exceptional balance." It's one of eight favorites in a large roundup at Food & Wine magazine as well. A few owners complain about the design of the carafe. The Clubline is difficult to find and bulky (it has two towers), but for connoisseurs, this coffee maker may be worth a closer look. We didn't see many reviews for it, but Technivorm now also sells a model with a thermal carafe instead of a glass carafe, the Technivorm Clubline Thermo KB741 (*est. $250). This model is also certified to brew coffee at 200º F.

The Kitchen Aid Pro Line KPCM050NP (*est. $200) has a commercial look that's liked by many owners. Its housing is die-cast metal, and it weighs 25 pounds. Like the Clubline, this KitchenAid model has a high-wattage heat pump, and it boasts a 2-year warranty.

Although reviews say the Pro Line makes very good coffee, some say that its LED readout can fog and that the filter basket holder tends to drip water when it's removed for emptying. Overall, the Technivorm Clubline looks like a better performer for the price, as long as you can live with its utilitarian appearance. You may see the Pro Line coffeemaker bundled with an additional glass carafe and hotplate (*est. $250) , but owners wish the second carafe were a thermal model.

Mark Prince of Coffeegeek.com tested the Krups 468-42 Moka Brew (*est. $115) , which is a cross between a standard automatic-drip coffee maker and a stovetop moka pot. He found it relatively easy to clean and reports that the coffee has an "intensity and a completeness you don't get from drip." Like the Technivorm Clubline, the Moka Brew gets water hot enough to extract maximum flavor from coffee grounds. Owners posting to Amazon.com give the Moka Brew a very high average rating, though a few owners wish it had a timer and automatic shut-off. However most owners are very pleased with this coffeemaker, which they say is sturdy and brews an especially robust, full-bodied cup.

Automatic-drip coffee makers with thermal carafe

Experts say that thermal carafes trump glass carafes set on hot plates when it comes to keeping coffee warm without scorching. Corby Kummer, author of The Joy of Coffee, goes so far as to lambaste "evil" hot plates that "burn coffee." Thermal carafes' only drawback is that they work best when the carafe is warmed in advance with hot water -- swishing around some hot tap water will do.

In The Wall Street Journal's test of five thermal-carafe coffee makers, the Capresso MT500 (*est. $180) earned top marks. Not only did the MT500 produce the best-tasting coffee, it kept it hot for four hours. Owners posting to Cooking.com and Amazon.com say that the Capresso MT500 brews quickly and fairly quietly. They praise its non-drip spout, large water reservoir, auto-shutoff feature and reusable gold filter, which experts say yields better-tasting coffee than paper filters. Owners also say that the Capresso MT500 thermal coffee maker is sleek and easy to clean.

According to owners posting to Amazon.com, the Capresso CoffeeTEC Digital (*est. $210) performs similarly to the MT500. While both the MT500 and the CoffeeTEC have a 10-cup capacity, the latter includes a milk frother. Several owners say that the CoffeeTEC requires a finer grind than other drip coffeemakers, but it delivers great coffee in return. We read a few complaints about leaking water reservoirs, but overall the CoffeeTEC seems like a good (if pricey) choice if you're in the market for a coffee maker with a steam wand.

In tests by The Wall Street Journal, the less expensive Zojirushi Fresh Brew (*est. $90) kept coffee hottest over a four-hour period. Owners posting to Cooking.com give the Fresh Brew average scores overall. While they say the 1.5-liter carafe keeps coffee tasting fresh for hours, the lid is difficult to unscrew. Owners at Amazon.com also note the fussy lid, but give the Zojirushi higher ratings overall. For those who don't mind its height (15 inches) and lack of small-batch setting or built-in water filter, the Zojirushi is a good budget choice in the thermal-carafe category. You may also want to consider buying a less expensive coffee maker with a glass carafe, transferring coffee to a separately purchased thermal carafe after brewing.

The Black & Decker TCM830 (*est. $60) costs a lot less than the Zojirushi Fresh Brew, but its carafe is smaller. Some say it's not as well made or as sturdy as the Zojirushi coffee maker. Nonetheless, most owners posting to Amazon call it a good value. They say that the carafe keeps coffee hot long enough and that coffee tastes fine. This coffee maker is not without its flaws -- reviews say that the carafe's small opening makes it tough to clean -- but it is one of the least expensive thermal-carafe coffee makers on the market.

At the other end of the price spectrum sits the Technivorm KBTS (*est. $225) and KBT741 (*est. $250). Reviews say that these coffee makers do just about everything right: they brew at the perfect temperature and dispense coffee into thermal carafes, which do an excellent job of keeping coffee fresh and flavorful. The main difference between the two models lies in the carafe: the KBTS' rounded carafe holds one liter, and the KBT741's carafe holds 1.25 liters. Reviews say that neither carafe is perfect -- the KBTS's carafe can dribble, and the KBT741's taller carafe doesn't fit under the filter basket when the stopper is in place. Neither of the thermal carafe Technivorm coffee makers has a clock or timer. Despite these drawbacks, most owners are thrilled with the quality of the coffee. Reviews say that both models do a superb job and are built to last.

Grinder/brewer combo coffee makers

For maximum coffee flavor, experts say, you should use freshly ground beans. That usually means buying two appliances: a grinder and coffee maker, at an average combined cost of around $100 for budget models. Savvy manufacturers have found a way to merge the two, but the convenience comes at around twice the price.

Cook's Illustrated tested three grind-and-brew coffee makers and recommended all three with reservations. Editors found that the Cuisinart Grind 'N Brew (*est. $150) made good coffee, but that the machine was a chore to clean. Owners posting to Amazon.com give the Grind 'N Brew middling scores. Although some like the convenience and ease of use, others complain of weak coffee and an inconsistent grind.

Unlike the Cuisinart Grind 'N Brew, which uses a blade grinder, the Capresso CoffeeTeam-S (*est. $200) employs a conical burr grinder, which coffee experts say does a better job at grinding beans. Editors at Real Simple like the convenience of the CoffeeTeam, as do owners posting to Cooking.com, who give the CoffeeTeam high average scores in about 30 reviews. This model has a programmable timer and auto shutoff. A few owners complain that they're unable to control the amount of ground coffee, which makes it impossible to brew a pot at the strength they prefer.

If you're willing to spend a bit more time cleaning in exchange for the convenience of all-in-one grinding and brewing, and if you don't mind sacrificing control of brew strength, a combo model may be right for you.

Vacuum brewers and French presses

If you prefer your coffee without a side of beepers, timers and indicator lights, you could consider a low-tech vacuum brew or French press. Although these deliver a strong, flavorful brew, they are more labor-intensive than automatic drip machines.

Testers at Cook's Illustrated and Real Simple like the Bodum Santos (*est. $85) electric vacuum brewer, which, unlike its glass forebears, comes in heat- and shatter-resistant plastic. Editors at both magazines like the "theatrical" aspect of the vacuum pot, but editors at Cook's Illustrated and owners alike say that the pot's narrow mouth makes it tricky to clean. Still, the Bodum Santos is easy to set up and use, and it cuts a striking figure on the countertop.

To make French-press coffee, you simply add grounds to a glass pot, pour hot water over them, allow coffee to steep, and depress a metal filter, which strains the coffee. French presses take up little counter space, but they tend to lose heat quickly. Bodum has remedied this problem by introducing a stainless thermal model (*est. $50) .

Important Features: Coffee makers

Reviews say you should look for the following features when choosing a coffee maker:

• Look for auto shutoff if you're the type who forgets to turn off the coffee maker. Another option is to go for a thermal-carafe coffee maker, since these turn off after brewing.

• A programmable timer lets you set up the coffee maker in advance. This way, you can instruct the coffee maker to brew coffee at a specific time. This timer strategy doesn't work as well for thermal-carafe coffee makers, which perform best the carafe is warmed with hot water before brewing.

• A small-batch setting lets you make smaller amounts with a full-sized coffee maker. Small-batch settings adjust settings so that a small batch turns out as well as a whole pot.

• Thermal-carafe coffee makers keep coffee warm without cooking on a hot plate. If you like to enjoy a pot of coffee all through the morning, consider a thermal-carafe coffee maker. Since the pot doesn’t sit on a hot plate, coffee stays fresher.

• A pause-and-serve feature is nice. This lets you sneak a cup in mid-brew.

• Decide how strong you like your coffee. Reviews say that automatic drip coffee makers don't let you exercise much control over coffee strength. You can make stronger coffee with vacuum pots and French presses.

Some features may be unnecessary. Reusable filter baskets save you money and reduce waste, but they must be cleaned after each use to avoid residue buildup. Some experts say reusable basket filters produce better coffee than paper filters.

Some higher-end machines also include water filters. However, you shouldn't need one unless your water has a lot of minerals and tastes bad. If that's the case, adding a whole-house or kitchen-sink filter makes more sense. Coffee-maker water filters need to be changed every few months and cost $3.50 to $7.00 each. Of course, you can always choose not to use the filter.

Machines that brew at temperatures between 195 and 205 degrees Fahrenheit make the best coffee, according to experts. In order to hit this target, they say that you should look for a coffee maker with at least 1,250 watts of power. Unfortunately, few machines reach this standard (the Technivorm Clubline is a notable exception). Experts say that 4 to 6 minutes of brew time is ideal.

Coffee enthusiasts say they get around the problem of scorching by turning the hot plate off the moment the coffee is finished brewing and reheating coffee in a microwave. In order to protect their coffee from the hot plate, some owners disable the hot plate altogether or use a heat barrier. If you choose a coffee maker with a glass carafe, you might consider buying a thermal carafe and transferring coffee to it immediately after brewing. With the exception of specialty or designer models, carafes that will keep your coffee hot and tasty range from $10 to $75.

Our Consensus Report shows how many times products are top-ranked by reviewers included in our
All The Reviews Reviewed chart.

# of Picks	Model(With Retailer Links)	Details from Amazon.com
4	Capresso MT500 (*est. $180)	details
3	Technivorm Clubline (*est. $185)	-
2	Braun AromaDeluxe KF510 (*est. $35)	details
2	Black & Decker SmartBrew DCM2000 (*est. $20)	details
2	Zojirushi Fresh Brew (*est. $90)	details
2	Cuisinart Brew Central DCC-1200 (*est. $80)	details
2	Cuisinart Grind and Brew (*est. $150)	details
2	Braun Impressions KF600 (Discontinued)	-
1 each	Black & Decker SmartBrew DCM2500 , Mr. Coffee FTX25 , Mr. Coffee VBX23, Hamilton Beach BrewStation 47114 , Capresso CoffeeTEC , Rowenta Jasper Morrison , Keurig B100, Dualit 10-cup , Cuisinart Coffee On Demand , Black & Decker TCM830

Among standard drip coffeemakers, the Cuisinart DCC-1200 gets the best reviews in the full-featured category. The Braun KF510 is a good, no-frills machine. While the Black & Decker DCM2000 is recommended in a couple of professional reviews, owners don't rate it nearly as highly. The mid-priced Capresso MT500 is the highest-rated thermal-carafe model, while the Zojirushi Fresh Brew is less expensive. We also found good user ratings for the Black & Decker TCM830, another thermal-carafe coffee maker that's even less expensive.

We found a few recommendations for the Cuisinart Grind and Brew, which has an integrated coffee grinder, but we also found many detractors for this particular model. The Technivorm Clubline is expensive, but this Dutch coffee maker gets high scores from connoisseurs, who say it's one of the few home coffee makers that brews at a hot enough temperature and for a short enough time.

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