Ask the coffee expert in your life “what’s the best drip coffee maker?” and chances are they’ll have a well-rounded answer about why drip coffee makers aren’t ideal. “For the best tasting coffee, you should operate a Chemex.” “You should really consider a coffee maker.” “I’m not rolling my eyes, I’m rolling my eyes.” With you.” Not only does none of this answer your question, it’s also not entirely true. When it comes to making a great cup of coffee, there are a lot of forceful opinions out there. We could go on and on about the myriad of rules and gadgets you absolutely must follow, and why different coffee lovers love them — but the truth is that many professional baristas (and Bon Appétit editors) agree that the easiest and most convenient way to make a truly delicious cup of coffee is to Actually drip coffee maker. What’s more, there are drip coffee makers that can compete with manual methods such as pour-over and Aeropress.
The best drip coffee makers
Today’s drip coffee makers aren’t the same Mr. Coffees of yesteryear. They’re packed with high-tech features—like customizable brewing modes and ultra-precise temperature controls—that allow them to achieve optimal flavor extraction and create a personalized coffee of your choosing with minimal effort on your part. And while making a good drip coffee is relatively uncomplicated, shopping for the best drip coffee maker can seem daunting. With so many brands, so many features, and so many bells and whistles, it can be difficult to know which features really matter. Below, we’ll lend a hand you cut through the noise. Whether you want a intelligent, high-end machine that gives you full control over your cup or a uncomplicated machine that does all the work for you, our top picks have everything you need.
Whenever BA food director (and lifelong coffee connoisseur) Chris Morocco needs to brew a gigantic pot of coffee, he reaches for the beloved Technivorm Moccamaster. There are a few key elements that make this coffee maker so great at its job: First, the copper heating element keeps the water temperature in the ideal range of 195-205°F. Second, there’s the conical filter basket that positions the ground coffee in a way that prevents water from pooling. What does all this mean for you, dear reader? Your coffee will never be over- or under-brewed, so its flavor will be polished and never bitter. Morocco really appreciates the Technivorm Moccamaster’s swift brewing cycle, which can brew a full pot in six minutes. This particular model, the KBGV, can also brew half a pot if you’re a morning coffee drinker.
Compared to some of the other coffee makers we recommend, this is a much simpler machine that is powered by a single on/off switch. While you can’t expect this coffee maker to have all the intelligent features or a million customization options, you can expect it to brew coffee in a consistent, perfectly brewed cup. Fun fact: This coffee maker literally set the standard for high-quality drip coffee, as it was the first coffee maker to receive Gold Cup Standard from the Specialty Coffee Association. This designation means the machine can recreate the same high-quality drink every time.
Morocco says: “The only real downside I would give it is the water distribution, as you have to stir the grounds by hand halfway through the cycle to get an even extraction, but that’s a pretty minor sacrifice.” He’s had his Technivorm Moccamaster for over 10 years and it still works like modern. If you’re a gigantic coffee drinker, you can often make a whole pot, and you have plenty of counter space, this is one of the best coffee machines you can buy.
