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Drip coffee makers have become a staple in many households due to their convenience, ease of use and ability to brew a perfect cup of coffee every time. As with any appliance, the key to getting the best results lies in choosing the right one. The best drip coffee maker should be easy to use, produce a great-tasting cup of coffee, and ideally, have some additional features like programming and auto-shutoff. Using the wrong drip coffee maker can lead to bitter or weak coffee, inconsistent brewing and early appliance failure.
When purchasing a drip coffee maker, there are several factors to consider. Each model offers distinctive features, such as programming options, carafe type, size, speed of brewing, and thermal or glass carafe. The taste of the coffee it produces and its brewing consistency are of vital importance as well.
The aim of this article is to help you navigate through the different choices when buying the best drip coffee maker. We have personally tested various models to determine which ones successfully meet the criteria of being user-friendly, delivering top-quality coffee, and having useful additional features. By the end of this article, you will have all the information you need to select the best drip coffee maker for your needs.
Best Drip Coffee Makers
Selecting the right drip coffee maker is critical to ensuring a flavorful cup of coffee and longevity of the appliance. The coffee maker you opt for should be easy to use, produce consistent brews, and potentially offer some nice extra features. The market boasts a wide range of options to choose from, making the task of picking the right model challenging. To assist you, we have compiled a list of the best drip coffee makers, based on our firsthand experience and thorough testing.
Mueller 12-Cup Drip Coffee Maker – Borosilicate Carafe, Auto-Off, Reusable Filter, Anti-Drip, Keep-Warm Function, Clear Water Level Window Coffee Machine, Ideal for Home or Office
If you’re looking for a simple and effective coffee maker, the Mueller 12-Cup Drip Coffee Maker is definitely worth considering.
Pros
- The Borosilicate glass carafe is not only heat-resistant but also anti-scald, which means you can enjoy your coffee without worrying about getting burned.
- The coffee maker is equipped with a permanent stainless steel filter, which not only saves you money on disposable filters but also reduces waste.
- The coffee pot has a 1250W high-power heating element, which ensures that the coffee is brewed quickly and evenly. It also has a keep-warm function that keeps the coffee at the optimal temperature for up to 2 hours.
Cons
- The coffee pot is a bit bulky, so it may not be the best option if you have limited counter space.
- Some users have reported that the carafe can be a bit difficult to clean, especially around the spout.
- While the coffee maker is relatively easy to use, some users may find the instructions to be a bit confusing.
Overall, we were very pleased with the performance of the Mueller 12-Cup Drip Coffee Maker. It produced consistently good-tasting coffee, and the permanent filter was a nice touch. The only minor issues we encountered were with the size and ease of cleaning, but these were certainly not deal-breakers.
If you’re in the market for a new coffee maker and you’re looking for something that’s reliable, easy to use, and produces great-tasting coffee, the Mueller 12-Cup Drip Coffee Maker is definitely worth considering.
BLACK+DECKER CM0915BKD 12-Cup Coffee Maker with Easy On/Off Switch, Easy Pour, Non-Drip Carafe with Removable Filter Basket, Black
If you’re looking for a simple and reliable coffee maker, the BLACK+DECKER CM0915BKD 12-Cup Coffee Maker is a great option.
Pros
- The easy on/off switch makes it convenient to use.
- The non-drip carafe ensures that your coffee stays in the carafe and doesn’t make a mess on your countertop.
- The removable permanent filter saves you money on paper filters.
Cons
- The water reservoir is a bit small, so you may need to refill it more often than you’d like.
- The coffee may not be as strong as you’d like, even if you use more coffee grounds.
- The carafe may be a bit difficult to clean, especially if you let the coffee sit for too long.
We’ve been using the BLACK+DECKER CM0915BKD 12-Cup Coffee Maker for a few weeks now, and we’re generally happy with it. The easy on/off switch is a great feature, especially if you’re in a hurry in the morning. The non-drip carafe is also a plus, as it prevents coffee from spilling all over your countertop.
One thing to keep in mind is that the water reservoir is a bit small, so you may need to refill it more often than you’d like. Additionally, the coffee may not be as strong as you’d like, even if you use more coffee grounds. Finally, the carafe may be a bit difficult to clean, especially if you let the coffee sit for too long.
Overall, we think the BLACK+DECKER CM0915BKD 12-Cup Coffee Maker is a solid choice for anyone looking for a simple and reliable coffee maker. If you don’t mind refilling the water reservoir frequently and don’t mind weaker coffee, this could be the coffee maker for you.
BLACK+DECKER 12 Cup Thermal Programmable Coffee Maker with Brew Strength and VORTEX Technology, Black/Steel, CM2046S
If you’re looking for a simple, no-frills coffee maker that can handle up to 12 cups, the BLACK+DECKER 12 Cup Thermal Programmable Coffee Maker with Brew Strength and VORTEX Technology is a solid choice.
Pros
- The one-touch operation and permanent filter make brewing quick and easy.
- The programmable timer and 24-hour clock let you customize your brewing schedule.
- The carafe is double-wall insulated to keep your coffee hot for up to 2 hours.
Cons
- The coffee may not be as strong as you’d like if you prefer a bolder flavor.
- The water level indicator can be difficult to read at times.
- The carafe may be too wide to fit under some coffee mugs.
This coffee maker is a great choice for those who want a simple, reliable machine that can handle larger batches of coffee. The one-touch operation and permanent filter make brewing quick and easy, and the programmable timer and 24-hour clock let you customize your brewing schedule to fit your needs.
One potential downside is that the coffee may not be as strong as you’d like if you prefer a bolder flavor. However, the brew strength selector allows you to adjust the strength of your coffee to your liking.
Another potential issue is that the water level indicator can be difficult to read at times, which may require some trial and error to get the right amount of water in the machine. Additionally, the carafe may be too wide to fit under some coffee mugs, which may be an issue for those who prefer to use larger mugs.
Overall, if you’re looking for a simple, reliable coffee maker that can handle larger batches of coffee, the BLACK+DECKER 12 Cup Thermal Programmable Coffee Maker with Brew Strength and VORTEX Technology is a solid choice.
BLACK+DECKER 12-Cup Digital Coffee Maker, CM1160B, Programmable, Washable Basket Filter, Sneak-A-Cup, Auto Brew, Water Window, Keep Hot Plate, Black
If you’re looking for a coffee maker that is easy to use and clean, then the BLACK+DECKER 12-Cup Digital Coffee Maker, CM1160B, might be the one for you.
Pros
- The one-touch operation and programmable timer make it easy to brew coffee at your convenience.
- The washable basket filter saves you the trouble of buying paper filters.
- The keep-warm plate ensures that your coffee stays warm for up to 2 hours.
Cons
- The water window can be a bit tricky to read, so you might need to pay close attention when filling the water tank.
- The carafe might not be big enough for some people who need more than 12 cups of coffee.
- The sneak-a-cup feature might not work as well as you’d like, since it only fills the cup up to the 6-ounce mark.
We’ve been using the BLACK+DECKER 12-Cup Digital Coffee Maker for a few weeks now, and we’re pretty satisfied with its performance. The one-touch operation and programmable timer are great features that make it easy to brew coffee without having to worry about the details. We also appreciate the washable basket filter, which saves us the hassle of buying paper filters.
One thing to keep in mind is that the water window can be a bit tricky to read, so you might need to pay close attention when filling the water tank. We also noticed that the carafe might not be big enough for some people who need more than 12 cups of coffee. Finally, the sneak-a-cup feature might not work as well as you’d like, since it only fills the cup up to the 6-ounce mark.
Overall, we think that the BLACK+DECKER 12-Cup Digital Coffee Maker is a solid choice for anyone who wants a coffee maker that is easy to use and clean. If you’re in the market for a new coffee maker, this one is definitely worth considering.
Mr. Coffee Coffee Maker with Auto Pause and Glass Carafe, 12 Cups, Black
If you’re looking for a basic coffee maker that gets the job done, the Mr. Coffee Coffee Maker with Auto Pause and Glass Carafe is a solid choice.
Pros
- The auto pause feature allows you to pour a cup before brewing is complete.
- The glass carafe is durable and easy to clean.
- The coffee maker is relatively easy to use and clean.
Cons
- The coffee maker can be a bit noisy during the brewing process.
- The water reservoir can be a bit difficult to fill without making a mess.
- The coffee maker doesn’t have a lot of extra features, so if you’re looking for something with a lot of bells and whistles, this may not be the right choice for you.
We’ve been using the Mr. Coffee Coffee Maker with Auto Pause and Glass Carafe for a few weeks now, and overall, we’re pretty satisfied with it. The auto pause feature is definitely a plus, as it allows you to pour a cup of coffee before the brewing process is complete. This is especially helpful if you’re in a hurry in the morning or if you just want a cup of coffee before the whole pot is finished brewing.
The glass carafe is also a nice feature, as it’s durable and easy to clean. We’ve had no issues with it breaking or chipping, which is a concern with some other coffee makers we’ve used in the past.
One thing to keep in mind is that the coffee maker can be a bit noisy during the brewing process, so if you’re sensitive to noise or if you have a light sleeper in the house, you may want to consider a different model. Additionally, the water reservoir can be a bit difficult to fill without making a mess, so you may want to use a measuring cup or something similar to help you fill it accurately.
Overall, if you’re looking for a basic coffee maker that gets the job done, the Mr. Coffee Coffee Maker with Auto Pause and Glass Carafe is a solid choice. It’s easy to use and clean, and the auto pause feature is definitely a plus. If you’re looking for something with more features, you may want to consider a different model, but if you’re just looking for a reliable coffee maker to make your morning cup, this one is definitely worth considering.
Buying Guide
When looking for the best drip coffee maker, there are several factors to consider. Here are some key features to look for:
Capacity
The capacity of the coffee maker is an important consideration. It should be able to make enough coffee for your needs. If you are the only one who drinks coffee, a small capacity may be sufficient. However, if you have a large family or entertain guests frequently, a larger capacity may be necessary.
Brew Strength
Brew strength is another important factor to consider. Some coffee makers have a strength control feature that allows you to adjust the strength of the coffee. If you prefer a strong cup of coffee, look for a coffee maker that allows you to adjust the strength to your liking.
Heating Element
The heating element is an essential component of a drip coffee maker. It should be able to heat the water to the optimal temperature for brewing coffee. Look for a coffee maker with a heating element that is made of high-quality materials and is durable.
Carafes
The carafe is the container that holds the coffee after it has been brewed. It should be made of high-quality materials that are heat-resistant and durable. Look for a carafe that is easy to clean and does not retain any odors or flavors.
Additional Features
Some drip coffee makers come with additional features such as a timer, automatic shut-off, and a pause and serve function. These features can be convenient and make the coffee-making process easier. However, they may not be necessary for everyone.
In summary, when looking for the best drip coffee maker, consider the capacity, brew strength, heating element, carafe, and any additional features that may be important to you. By taking these factors into account, you can find a coffee maker that meets your needs and preferences.
