Looking For a Simple and Easy To Use Coffee Machine. Let Our Guide Help

When you drag yourself out of bed in the morning, where’s the first place you go? Unless you’re one of those lucky people who wake up with a pep in your step, you probably head straight for the coffee pot.

Conair Cuisinart Brew Central DCC-1200 12 Cup Programmable Cofeemaker	Our favorite for 2020
Hamilton Beach 12-Cup Coffee Maker	A very close runner-up
Zojirushi EC-DAC50 Zutto 5-Cup Drip Coffeemaker	A really nice drip coffeemaker

But when you’re in that morning-zombie state, the last thing you want to deal with is a coffeemaker that asks you more questions than an ATM before dispensing your morning fuel. All you want is a cup of coffee. And you don’t want to jump through more hoops than a circus tiger to get there.

There are plenty of simple coffee machines on the market, but finding the right one isn’t always easy. We’re going to review five great models with simple functionality to make your mornings easier. But first, here are some tips on how to compare these models:

• Pot Size: Do you prefer single-serve pots, or do you like brewing multiple cups at a time? There are simple machines that offer both options, so decide which one is more convenient for you. And there are various multi-cup pot sizes, too, ranging from 4 cups all the way up to 12. If you entertain guests regularly, you may want a coffee maker that can brew more cups.
• Functions: You want a simple machine, so look for coffeemakers that have only a few features. Programmable brew times and brew pause are two great features to have, but if the machine has a laundry list of functions, you may want to cross it off of your list.

The Best Rated Coffee Makers Reviews for 2020

Hamilton Beach BrewStation – Hamilton Beach’s 12-cup coffee maker is simple, affordable and incredibly easy to use. The great thing about this machine is that it manages to combine a single-serve brewer with the classic pot-brewing machine.

While the BrewStation brews 12-cups at one time, the unit only dispenses one cup at a time. There’s no carafe, so there’s no leaking, dripping or mess.

With the press of a button, you can choose between bold, regular and even iced coffee. If you want to brew a small batch of coffee, you can do that as well. The adjustable auto-off feature allows you to set the machine to automatically shut down after 0-4 hours.

A warming heater is built into the machine to maintain the coffee’s temperature. Because there’s no hot plate, you don’t have to worry about scorching the coffee.

If you want a simple coffee machine that gives you the convenience of a single-serve brewer, the BrewStation is the right choice.

Conair Cuisinart Brew Central – The Brew Central is a drip coffee maker with sleek classic brushed metal housing and simple functionality. You do get the option to program the brewing and there’s also a brew pause feature, but other than that, this is a very simple machine.

What the brew pause feature does is allow you to pour a cup of coffee before the entire pot is finished brewing (for those mornings you just can’t wait). The adjustable heater plate lets you set the warming temperature to low, medium or high.

The advance brew feature allows you to set the brew time up to 24 hours in advance, and a built-in charcoal water filter ensures the water is pure for the richest coffee flavor.

Zojirushi EC-DAC50 Zutto – The Zutto is made by a company that you’ve probably never heard of: Zojirushi. This 650-watt coffee machine brews just five cups at a time, which makes it ideal for smaller households.

Inside the decanter is a filter cone, so filling and brewing is extremely simple. The water reservoir is hidden and easily removable for easy cleaning and filling. There’s also an automatic warming feature to keep the coffee at the right temperature.

One thing we didn’t expect with the Zutto is the built-in water filter, which removes contaminants that may affect the taste of the coffee.

With its compact size and convenient 5-cup brewing feature, the Zutto is ideal for smaller spaces or homes with single coffee drinkers.

Cuisinart DCC-2650 Brew Central – The DCC-2650 Brew Central is an updated version of the second model on our list, and it comes at a very affordable price. Like its predecessor, this machine can brew up to 12 cups at a time, and the carafe is specially designed to prevent dripping.

Fully automatic, this machine features a 24-hour advanced brewing feature, so you can set it to brew a pot of coffee for you before you even wake up in the morning. It also has a self-cleaning feature, auto-shutdown and a built-in charcoal water filter to remove water impurities.

The carafe temperature is adjustable, so you can choose between high, medium and low. And the brew pause feature allows you to pour a cup of coffee before the whole pot is done brewing.

Cuisinart DCC-450BK – It doesn’t get much simpler than the DCC-450BK from Cuisinart. This coffee machine brews four cups at a time, and will only set you back around the amount for a budget unit.

The stainless steel carafe gives the machine a sleek look, but also works to keep the coffee warm. And the spout design prevents dripping.

Like other Cuisinart coffeemakers, this model has the brew pause feature that lets you enjoy a cup of coffee before it finishes brewing a full pot.

With just one button, this machine is incredibly simple. It brews coffee, and that’s about it. There’s no advanced programming – it doesn’t even have a clock built-in.

If you want a truly simple coffee maker, the DCC-450BK is the right choice.

Buyer’s Guide – How to Choose the Right Coffee Maker for You

Choosing a coffeemaker isn’t always easy, especially if all you want is a simple machine. Most brands pack their coffee brewers with more features than a spaceship to try and win over customers, which puts minimalistic machines in the minority. Finding a simple coffee machine can sometimes feel like you’re searching for a needle in a haystack.

We’ve reviewed five simple, affordable coffee makers from reliable brands, but if you’re still having trouble choosing just one, here are some things you may want to consider:

• Size: Earlier we talked about the importance of pot (or carafe) size, but it’s also important to think about the size of the machine itself. If you’re short on space, you’ll want a compact machine that brews just four or five cups at a time. If you entertain often or drink multiple cups of coffee in the morning, a large pot may be the better option.
• Programmability: Even if you prefer a simplistic machine, you may still want the convenience of having a programmable machine. Most models allow you to program an auto-off feature, and some even allow you to program the brewing time. If programmability is important to you, you’ll be happy to find that most simple models offer this feature.
• Price: Simple usually translates to a lower cost. But no matter the size of your budget, it’s important to determine how much you can spend on your new coffeemaker. All of the models we’ve reviewed are high quality, so it’s all a matter of choosing one that fits into your budget.