As most coffee lovers already know, nothing beats brewing a fresh cup of coffee at home. These days, the market offers a ton of options when it comes to home coffee brewers. Depending on your coffee preference, it is possible to buy anything from a simple coffee maker for one or a few cups of coffee to a fully-automatic coffee maker with numerous programmable features.
It is normal to get overwhelmed by the choices in the market. Whether you prefer simplicity or a machine with all the bells and whistles, there are a few factors you can consider to be able to make an informed choice.
The best coffee makers buying guide
Image | Title | Learn more |
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![]() | Cuisinart DGB-900BC Grind & Brew Thermal 12-Cup Automatic Coffeemaker | Learn more |
![]() | BLACK+DECKER 12-Cup Thermal Coffeemaker, Black/Silver, CM2035B | Learn more |
![]() | Hamilton Beach FlexBrew Thermal Coffee Maker, Single Serve & Full Pot, Compatible with K-Cup Pods or Grounds, Programmable, Black and Stainless (49966) | Learn more |
A simple home coffee maker comes with simple to use features such as an on and off button to make operating the device easy. On the other hand, luxurious home coffee machines com with high-end technology to ensure you can automate the coffee brewing process. Most of the features available come in handy and can simplify your coffee-making experience.
Scheduled coffee brewing
This is one of the most useful features of a coffee maker. It is available in a wide range of coffee machines, even the simplest models. Schedules brewing allows you to set the coffee maker to brew at a specific time. You only need to ensure that there is enough coffee in the filter and water in the reservoir for the brewing. This is one of the most important features in a coffee machine, especially for people who prefer to have a coffee in the morning or the evening after a long day. With this feature, there will always a fresh cup of coffee waiting for you.
The freshness timer
This is a common feature with high-end coffee makers. No one wants to take a stale cup of coffee. The freshness timer ensures you do not do this by keeping track of the amount of time a batch has been sitting in the carafe. This will give you an idea of how fresh a coffee batch is. This way, you can set the machine to discard a batch and brew a fresh one after a specific time frame.
Coffee maker capacity
How many coffee servings you prefer to make at a given time is an important consideration when choosing a coffee maker. The market included home coffee machines options that can brew for one or as many as 16 people.
If your household has numerous coffee drinkers, a coffee maker that can brew at least 12 cups per cycle may be the best option. The best thing is that a large coffee machine can also be used to brew a few cups of coffee if you are not sure of your household’s daily coffee needs.
If you live alone, you should consider the single-serve coffee makers. These come as standalone units that can brew for one person per brew cycle. Some traditional coffee makers come as 2-in-1 appliances that include a single-serve coffee brewing side. It is always ideal to consider your household coffee needs before choosing a coffee maker based on brewing capacity.
The filtration system
Most new generations coffee makers come with a filtration system that filters water for impurities and mineral deposits before brewing your coffee. Most of these are carbon block filters built into the coffee maker. Having a machine with an inbuilt water filter is one of the best ways of improving the taste of your coffee. It eliminates the taste of minerals in your coffee to ensure you enjoy a high-quality batch. This type of coffee machine is especially suitable for coffee lovers who live in hard water zones.
Remember to replace the filter in the recommended time frame to continue enjoying the best tasting coffee. Also, replacing the filter ensures your coffee maker continues to functions at its best. This is one of the best ways to maintain a coffee machine.
Insulated coffee carafes
When it comes to carafe coffee machines, the type of carafe you choose can significantly shape your home coffee-making experience. Glass carafes are the best choice if you plan to brew and consume your coffee at a go. However, the fact that they remain on a hot plate long after the brew cycle has completed makes them unsuitable for anyone who needs to brew a batch to sip on throughout the day. This is because the coffee continues to cook, which causes it to burn. This is why hot plate coffee may have a bitter and burnt taste a few hours after brewing.
The best choice for carafe coffee makers is a thermal insulated coffee carafe. This is made with a double-lined interior wall that ensures there is minimum heat loss. This way, the coffee remains hot hours after the brewing process completes without needing a hot plate. Insulated carafe coffee machines are more expensive than glass carafe machines for this one benefit.
Best hot coffee maker reviews
Cuisinart DGB-900BC Grind & Brew Thermal 12-Cup Automatic Coffeemaker
- 24-hour fully programmable coffeemaker with auto shutoff, brew-pause feature, and Grind off function
- Double-wall insulated stainless steel thermal carafe with comfort grip handle holds up to 12 cups of coffee
- Built-in automatic burr grinder and 8-ounce bean hopper holds a half pound of beans. Strength selector and grind control fine-tune intensity and volume
- Includes: Charcoal water filter and permanent gold tone filter that ensures only the freshest coffee flavor flows through. Measuring scoop. Instruction book
- Product Built to North American Electrical Standards.Please refer the set up/ troubleshooting details provided in the video under images section and the manual under product description field for the smooth usage of the product
- Note: Pg 10 from the user manual notes the proper way to place and lock the carafe lid for brewing and pouring
This is a 24-hour fully programmable coffeemaker with auto shutoff, brew-pause feature, and Grind off function. It is made with a double-wall insulated stainless steel thermal carafe with a comfort grip handle that can hold up to 12 cups of coffee. The built-in automatic burr grinder and 8-ounce bean hopper hold a half-pound of beans, while the strength selector and grind control fine-tune intensity and volume. It has an inbuilt charcoal water filter and permanent gold-tone filter that ensures only the freshest coffee flavor flows through.
BLACK+DECKER 12-Cup Thermal Coffeemaker
- 12-Cup Thermal Carafe - The large capacity carafe is double-walled and vacuum-sealed to keep your coffee at optimal drinking temperature for hours
- Customizable Brewing Options - Drink your favorite coffee every morning using features like the brew strength selector and the option for small-batch (1-4 cup) brewing that maintains all the flavor of a full brew
- Evenstream Showerhead - The Evenstream Showerhead dispenses water evenly over the packed coffee, extracting maximum flavor and wasting less
- No-Drip Perfect Pour Spout - Don’t put up with annoying spills, the carafe spout is designed to prevent spills and drips while pouring
- Wide-Mouth Carafe Opening - The carafe is designed with a wide opening for fast, easy cleanup with a damp towel. The washable brew basket can easily be removed and washed after brewing, and is top rack dishwasher safe
- Tips: 1.Consumer will need to flush properly with vinegar water solution to remove hard water scale from the heater. 2. . Consumer will need to switch to a screen basket filter or move away from using softened water
- Note: Cup equals approximately 5 oz. (varies by brewing technique)
The 2-Cup Thermal Carafe comes with a double-walled and vacuum-sealed large capacity carafe to keep your coffee at optimal drinking temperature for hours. The customizable Brewing Options allow you to drink your favorite coffee every morning using features like the brew strength selector and small-batch brewing that maintains all the flavor of a full brew. The Evenstream Showerhead dispenses water evenly over the packed coffee, extracting maximum flavor, and minimizing waste.
Hamilton Beach FlexBrew Thermal Coffee Maker
- Two Ways to Brew: Brew a Full Pot Using Your Favorite Grounds on the Thermal Carafe Side or Make a Cup for Yourself Using a Keurig* K-Cup* Pod or Grounds on the Single-Serve Side With This 2-In-1 Coffee Maker
- Stainless Steel, 10-Cup Thermal Carafe: Thermal Carafe Keeps Coffee Hot and Fresh. Features Programmable Timer, Auto Pause & Serve and Auto Shutoff
- Single-Serve-Brew With K-Cup* Pods or Without: Pod Holder and Single-Serve Grounds Basket Are Included. Features Cup Rest That Adjusts to Fit Tall Mugs and Doubles as Storage. Pod-Piercing Needle Removes for Easy Cleaning to Prevent Clogging
- Separate Water Reservoirs: Each Brewer Has Its Own Water Reservoir That’s Easy to Fill and Features a Water Window so You Always Know Which Brewer Has How Much Water
- Brewing Flexibility: The Hamilton Beach Flex Brew 2-Way Coffee Maker Has the Option to Please Fans of All Types of Coffees and Quantities, Making It the Perfect Gift for a Home With Multiple Coffee Drinkers
- Single Serve Brew Time: In About 3 Minutes, Flex Brew Make a Strong, Great-Tasting Cup of Coffee. and You Save Energy Because Rather Than Heating Water Continuously, Flex Brew Only Heats the Water When Youre Ready to Brew
- Keep Coffee Hot Longer: Always Rinse Inside of Carafe With Hot Water Before Brewing
- *Keurig and K-Cup* are registered trademarks of Keurig green Mountain, Use of the Keurig and K-Cup* Trademarks does not imply any affiliation with or endorsement by Keurig green Mountain, Inc
This is a Stainless Steel, 10-Cup Thermal Carafe coffee maker that Keeps Coffee Hot and Fresh. It features Programmable Timer, Auto Pause & Serve, and Auto Shutoff. It comes with a Single-Serve-Brew technology that can make your coffee with or without the K-Cup Pods. Features Cup Rest That Adjusts to Fit Tall Mugs and Doubles as Storage. The removable Pod-Piercing Needle allows for Easy Cleaning to Prevent Clogging. Each Brewing side has its own easy to fill water reservoir and features a water window, so you always know when the brewer needs refilling.
Conclusion
It is always a good idea to take your time to explore the numerous options in the market before settling for the best coffee maker for your needs. With the best hot coffee makers reviews like this one, you have all the information you need to make an informed choice.