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The Best Drip Coffee Makers

Machines that brew a hot, flavorful pot of coffee every morning without fuss.

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The Best Drip Coffee Makers

Photo: Pexels

Our picks at a glance

Our pick

OXO Brew 8-Cup Coffee Maker

Consistently good coffee with a thermal carafe and one-button simplicity.

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Upgrade pick

Technivorm Moccamaster KBGV Select

Handmade, extremely durable, and brews a superb pot in about six minutes.

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Budget pick

Cuisinart 14-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker

A programmable, large-capacity machine at a fair price.

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Pot or single cup

Hamilton Beach FlexBrew

Brews a full pot or a single cup, including pods.

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A great drip coffee maker heats water to the right temperature, wets the grounds evenly, and keeps coffee hot without burning it. Many machines fail at least one of those jobs; these don't.

Why you should trust us

Nivef guides are written to answer one question clearly: which one should you buy? We compare specifications and prices, read long-term owner reviews, check warranty and customer-support policies, and use products hands-on wherever possible. Manufacturers never pay for placement, and they don't see our guides before they're published. Read more about how we test.

Who this is for

These picks are for people who drink several cups a day or brew for a household. If you only drink one cup at a time, consider a pour-over cone or single-serve brewer.

How we picked

Here's what we looked for:

  • Brewing temperature in the ideal 195 to 205 °F range
  • Even saturation of the coffee grounds
  • A thermal carafe or a warming plate that doesn't scorch
  • Simple controls and an easy-to-fill reservoir
  • Easy cleaning and descaling
  • A reliable build that lasts years

Our picks in detail

Our pick

OXO Brew 8-Cup Coffee Maker

Consistently good coffee with a thermal carafe and one-button simplicity.

OXO's machine brews at the right temperature, showers grounds evenly, and keeps coffee hot in a thermal carafe instead of a burner. It's simple to use every morning.

What we like

  • Excellent, consistent coffee
  • Thermal carafe
  • Simple controls

Flaws but not dealbreakers

  • Carafe lid takes practice to clean
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Upgrade pick

Technivorm Moccamaster KBGV Select

Handmade, extremely durable, and brews a superb pot in about six minutes.

The Moccamaster is built to last for many years and is easy to repair. It brews quickly at precise temperatures and is a favorite of coffee enthusiasts.

What we like

  • Built to last
  • Fast, precise brewing
  • Repairable

Flaws but not dealbreakers

  • Expensive
  • Glass carafe on warming plate
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Budget pick

Cuisinart 14-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker

A programmable, large-capacity machine at a fair price.

For big households on a budget, Cuisinart's programmable machine brews a full pot on schedule and lets you choose a bolder brew strength.

What we like

  • Large capacity
  • Programmable timer
  • Affordable

Flaws but not dealbreakers

  • Warming plate can make coffee bitter over time
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Pot or single cup

Hamilton Beach FlexBrew

Brews a full pot or a single cup, including pods.

If your household splits between pot drinkers and single-cup drinkers, the FlexBrew handles both in one machine.

What we like

  • Flexible brewing
  • Inexpensive
  • Compact

Flaws but not dealbreakers

  • Coffee quality is good, not great
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What to look for

Fresh beans and a burr grinder

Freshly ground beans make a bigger difference than any machine. A burr grinder gives an even grind.

Thermal carafes keep flavor

Warming plates slowly cook coffee. A thermal carafe keeps it hot without bitterness.

Descale regularly

Mineral buildup slows brewing and changes taste. Descale every one to three months.

Frequently asked questions

How much coffee should I use?

A good starting point is 1 gram of coffee for every 16 grams of water, or about 2 tablespoons per 6 ounces.

Why does my coffee taste bitter?

Common causes are over-extraction from too-fine grounds, old beans, or coffee sitting on a hot plate.