Read Our Ratings of Coffee Makers to Make an Informed Choice
After years of use, your loyal coffee maker has finally given out. Which coffee maker do you choose? Which brands are the best? There are almost as many coffee brands as there are coffee makers – which doesn’t make your job any easier.
Keurig K55 Coffee Maker
|
Our favorite for 2020
|
BLACK+DECKER DCM18S Brew ‘n Go Personal Coffeemaker
|
A very close runner-up
|
Conair Cuisinart Brew Central DCC-1200 12 Cup Programmable Cofeemaker
|
A cool coffeemaker with high tech options
|
We’re going to help you find the best coffee machine for your home, but first, let’s talk about some of the most important things to look for when comparing coffee-maker brands.
- Reputation: The brand’s reputation is important because it gives you an idea of the coffee maker’s quality. Well-known brands are well-known for a reason – they produce good quality products. Research the company and reviews from users to see whether their product lasts and if they stand by their warranties.
- Experience: How long has the company been in business, and do they specialize in coffee makers? Some brands make a variety of small appliances (like Cuisinart, for example). That doesn’t necessarily mean their coffee machines are poor quality, but brands that specialize in coffee makers and have been in the business for a long time are usually the better option.
- Price Range: Most brands offer models in a specific price ranges, from entry-level to medium-range and high-end. Cost doesn’t necessarily indicate the quality of the machine, but most higher-end models do have a reputation for producing a better brew because the design and materials used are superior. Consider the price range of the brand, as some may be out of your reach.
To help you find the best coffee maker for your home, we’re going to review five models from some of the best brands in the industry.
The Highest Rated Coffee Maker Reviews for 2020
Hamilton Beach 12-Cup Coffee Maker – Simple, convenient and affordable. The Hamilton Beach 12-cup coffee maker gives you the option of brewing multiple cups of coffee at once, and dispensing the coffee one cup at a time.
In other words, you can brew enough coffee for the whole family, but without having to deal with messy carafes that drip everywhere.
With the touch of a button, you can choose between bold, regular, small-batch and even iced coffee. There’s also an automatic shut-off feature that keeps coffee warm and fresh for up to four hours.
The programmable timer and automatic shutoff feature are highly convenient, and the stainless steel design complements all kitchens.
Keurig K55 Coffee Maker – The Keurig K55 is one of the most affordable models in the Keurig line-up, and it’s extremely easy to use. With the touch of a button, you can brew 6, 8 or 10 ounce cups of coffee.
The auto-off feature allows you to program the machine to turn off at a certain time. And the removable drip tray makes cleanup a breeze.
The K55 brews K-Cups, but you can also purchase a permanent K-Cup adapter that you can fill with your own ground coffee.
Like other Keurig models, you have the option of choosing the brew temperature and cup size. The water reservoir is easily removable, too, for quick refilling and cleaning.
Gaggia 90500 Titanium – If you prefer a hot shot of espresso or a cappuccino in the morning, the Gaggia 90500 Titanium is the right coffee maker for you. This superautomatic espresso machine can brew two shots at once, and the cup warmer on top of the machine keeps your cups hot until you’re ready to brew.
A built-in grinder ensures that you have freshly ground beans for your brew every time. And with a 60-ounce water reservoir, you won’t have to make several trips to the sink if you’re brewing for multiple people.
The built-in frothing wand lets you create coffeehouse style drinks, like cappuccinos and lattes, with ease.
BLACK+DECKER DCM18S – The DCM18S is the most affordable coffee maker on our list, and while it’s simple, it’s a great option for single users who are on a tight budget.
Considered a personal coffee maker, this machine brews directly into the included 15-ounce travel mug.
A built-in permanent filter eliminates the need to use paper filters, which will further save you money. And the mug and filter are dishwasher safe, which makes cleanup a breeze.
An automatic shut-off feature also adds to the safety of this coffee maker.
The great thing about this machine is that it’s so versatile. You can use it to brew tea, soup and even hot chocolate.
Cuisinart Brew Central – The Brew Central is one of the top rated home coffee makers on the market, despite it being released over a decade ago. Able to brew up to 12 cups of coffee at once, this is a classic drip coffee machine, and it comes with a number of convenient features.
While you won’t be able to brew a single serving of coffee, this machine does have a brew pause feature that lets you pour a cup of coffee before the rest of the pot is finished. The adjustable heater plate is also a convenient feature, with the option of setting the heat to low, medium or high.
The low and medium setting prevents the hot plate from scorching the coffee and keeps your brew at your own desired temperature.
A 24-hour advanced brew start is built-in as well as a programmable auto shut-off feature, water filter and permanent gold-tone filter.
Buyer’s Guide – What’s The Best Coffee Maker for the Money?
Coffee makers are a staple in most kitchens, but buying a new one can be tedious. We’ve shared five excellent models, but if you’re having trouble picking just one, consider these factors:
- Size: The size of the coffee machine is important. Do you prefer a single-serve machine, or one that brews one big pot? If you have multiple coffee drinkers in your home, a machine that brews 10-12 cups at once may be the best option. But if it’s just you and one other person that drinks one cup a day, a single-serve machine may be best.
- Coffee or Espresso: If you enjoy a good espresso in the morning, you’ll need to purchase an espresso machine. An espresso machine uses bar pump pressure and a specially-designed internal system to brew espresso just as you would in a coffee shop. You’ll never get a good shot of espresso from a regular coffee machine.
- Programmable Features: Some machines can be programmed to turn on or off at a certain time. There are some units that can brew the coffee at a specific time, so you can wake up to a freshly brewed pot of coffee. If you tend to be in a rush in the morning, programmable features are a great thing to have.
- Water Filter: The quality of the water can also affect the taste of the coffee, so choose a model with a built-in water filter if possible.
- Price: Don’t forget to consider the cost of the coffee maker. Espresso machines tend to be more expensive because they have a more complex brewing system, especially superautomatic machines. But most conventional coffee makers are highly affordable.