Buyer’s Guide: The Best Coffee Maker
This Old House Reviews Team
Historically, coffee makers used to simply percolate steaming water over ground beans, but updated coffee makers are now equipped with features like single-cup servings, automatic brewing, and milk frothers. While French press and pour-over methods persist, the convenience of an electric coffee maker is the preferred brewing method of most. To help you select a model that best matches your morning routine, the This Old House Reviews team researched the best coffee makers on Amazon and detailed the top factors that influence the machine’s performance. Here are our top picks.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B018UQ5AMS
Keurig K-Classic Coffee Maker
Pros
- Contains a 48-ounce water reservoir that makes around six cups of coffee before requiring a fill-up
- Features an auto-off feature that turns the coffee maker off after it’s been idle for two hours, helping you save energy
- Equipped with a light indicator that lets you know when it’s time to descale, or clean, your coffee maker
Cons
- Doesn’t have a digital clock
- Only available in two colors
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MVWGQX0
Cuisinart Perfectemp Coffee Maker
Pros
- Allows you to brew a stronger pot of coffee with its bold strength control option
- Brews coffee automatically with its 24-hour programmable setting
- Comes with a reusable coffee filter
Cons
- Doesn’t brew single-serve cups
- Many customers expressed frustration over the maker’s rusting hot plate
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076X55LWY
Technivorm Moccamaster
Pros
- Incorporates aluminum and stainless steel for a sleek and long-lasting design
- Protected by a five-year limited warranty
- Contains a hot plate switch that keeps your coffee hot
Cons
- More expensive than the other top-rated products in this review
- Many customers complained that the brewer made coffee that was too bitter
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07PFLM2LK
Ninja Specialty Coffee Maker
Pros
- Included frother allows you to make lattes, macchiatos, cappuccinos, and other specialty drinks
- Features a programmable delay brew feature for automatic brewing in the morning
- Comes with a smart scoop to accurately measure coffee grounds
Cons
- Doesn’t brew single-serve pods
- Many customers’ coffee makers stopped working after prolonged use
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01KIG4YNO
Cuisinart 12-Cup Coffee Center
Pros
- Contains a removable water reservoir and drip tray
- Allows you to select between a zero- and four-hour auto-off time limit
- Includes a clean function that helps descale your machine
Cons
- Its single-serve side spurts water during brewing
- Its back-facing, 12-cup water reservoir is difficult to fill with the included glass carafe
Buyer’s Guide
Before purchasing a coffee maker, it’s important to understand factors like brewing capacity, brewing method, and additional features to help you make a selection.
1. Brewing capacity
Brewing capacity refers to the amount of coffee your machine can make in one cycle. Single-serve brewers will only be able to serve one person at a time. Other coffee makers, like the 12-cup brewer from Cuisinart, will be able to satisfy the coffee needs of a few people.
2. Brewing method
When dealing with automatic brewers, select a model that brews in your preferred manner. Some models, like the Keurig K-Classic Coffee Maker, only brew single cups suited for one drinker. Other coffee makers, like the Cuisinart 12-Cup Coffee Center, brew both single cups and entire pots of coffee.
3. Additional features
While all coffee makers brew, some of them offer additional features that simplify the process. Some products, like the Ninja Speciality Coffee Maker and Cuisinart 12-Cup Coffee Center, allow you to wake up to a pot of coffee with their automatic brew feature. Others, like the Keurig K-Classic Coffee Maker, have an auto-off function that turns the machine off after a set period.
FAQs
What is the lifespan of a coffee maker?
The lifespan of a coffee maker varies from customer to customer, with factors like frequency of use and machine maintenance playing a factor. If you take proper care of your coffee maker and perform maintenance tasks like descaling your machine regularly, your coffee maker should last at least five years.
What should I look for when buying a coffee maker?
Consider factors like the machine’s brew size, brewing method, and additional operation features like auto shut-off or scheduled brewing before making a purchase.
How often should you replace a coffee maker’s water filter?
To remove impurities from your water, you should replace your coffee maker’s water filter every few months. Additionally, you should descale your coffee maker at this time to ensure that it’s free of mineral buildup.
The This Old House Reviews team provides overviews of select products that are top-selling on Amazon and/or popular in consumer searches. Our team evaluates the products based on industry research, consumer reviews, pricing data, hands-on testing in select cases, and other objective criteria unique to a given product line. Unless otherwise noted, these product reviews are intended to help inform buying decisions for DIY or other non-pro users only. Editor’s picks are made by members of the Reviews team, and do not imply an endorsement by the experts on This Old House or Ask This Old House.