Top Coffee Makers to Buy in 2026

Best overall coffee maker

OXO Brew 8-Cup Coffee Maker

Pros & Cons

Compact; attractive, sturdy design; brews excellent coffee quickly; thermal carafe pours cleanly without dripping; filter basket could be easier to fill.

Expert Take

What we liked:

The OXO Brew 8-Cup Coffee Maker meets Specialty Coffee Association Golden Cup standards, meaning it satisfies rigorous benchmarks set by coffee experts. This thoughtfully designed drip machine works with ground coffee and includes a single-cup filter basket for Kalita Wave filters. It stands out as a compact, stylish, and durable brewer, and its thermal carafe helps prevent drips and spills.

Who it’s for:

It is a strong fit for anyone who wants a high-quality coffee maker that is sturdy enough to last but small enough to store in a cabinet when needed. In testing, it matched or outperformed models priced at $300 and kept coffee at an ideal serving temperature for hours, thanks to its insulated stainless-steel carafe.

Who should avoid it:

It may not suit people who want coffee ready the moment they wake up, since there is no programmable option. It also does not include a hot plate, though the vacuum-insulated carafe keeps coffee warm.

Specs & Configurations

Dimensions

10.5"D x 7"W x 13.5"H

Capacity

8 cups

Carafe type

Stainless steel

Programmable

No

Brewing style

Drip

Warranty

2 years

Best coffee maker under $100

Ninja 12-Cup Programmable Coffee Brewer

Pros & Cons

Reliable performance at a reasonable price; many features, including programmable brewing; kept temperature steady for more than two hours; cleaning cycle included; plastic and glass feel less substantial than pricier models.

Expert Take

What we liked:

Often available for under $70, the Ninja 12-Cup Programmable Coffee Brewer makes smooth, balanced coffee without stretching your budget. It includes plenty of features, such as scheduling brew times in advance, adjusting the warming plate, and removing the water reservoir. Brewing did take longer than some others at 10 and a half minutes, but the programmable function helps make that less of an issue. A reusable filter is also included, which reduces another ongoing coffee expense.

Who it’s for:

This is the best choice among the tested drip brewers for people who want lots of settings. You can adjust several options, including whether you want a classic or rich cup, until you find the taste that works best. The design feels well considered, and the digital controls are easy to use.

Who should avoid it:

It is not ideal for someone who wants a very simple machine with only one or two buttons. The plastic pieces feel less solid and the glass is thinner than on more expensive models.

Specs & Configurations

Dimensions

8"D x 10"W x 14"H

Capacity

12 cups

Carafe type

Glass

Programmable

Yes

Brewing technology

Drip

Warranty

1-year limited warranty

Best cheap coffee maker

Mr. Coffee Simple Brew 12-Cup Switch

Pros & Cons

Affordable; very simple to use with one-button brewing; well suited to small kitchens; significant evaporation led to less coffee.

Expert Take

What we liked:

This straightforward coffee maker performed well in testing and is a good entry-level option for anyone who wants a low-maintenance machine. It took 12 minutes to brew a full pot and lost some water to evaporation, but the coffee came out smooth and the machine was easy to operate. It also kept coffee reasonably warm for more than an hour after brewing.

Who it’s best for:

Anyone looking to make coffee at home on a budget.

Who should avoid it:

People who want a feature-packed coffee maker or one that brews quickly. Its build feels somewhat flimsy, which is expected for a machine priced under $30. Water also evaporated quickly during brewing, leaving a smaller and more concentrated pot than some better-calibrated machines.

Specs & Configurations

Dimensions

9.2"D x 12.3"W x 13.6"H

Capacity

12 cups

Carafe type

Glass

Programmable

No

Brewing technology

Drip

Warranty

1-year limited warranty

Best for speedy pots

Breville Luxe Brewer Drip Coffee Maker

Pros & Cons

Easy to use; brewed faster than all but one of the coffee makers tested; digital timer display; many customization options; dedicated cold brew setting; more expensive than some alternatives; larger footprint.

Expert Take

What we liked:

This brewer performed quickly and efficiently in testing. It was the second fastest, just behind the OXO 8-Cup, and its timer display was easy to read. It includes three brewing settings, one of which is cold brew, making it a good option for people who want both hot and iced coffee possibilities.

Who it’s best for:

It is a strong choice for people who want full control over their coffee and need fast brewing for busy mornings. It comes in five colors, making it easy to match different kitchens.

Who should avoid it:

Anyone on a tight budget or with limited counter space, since it is larger than other picks here.

Specs & Configurations

Dimensions

6.98"D x 14.65"W x 16.05"H

Capacity

10 cups

Carafe type

Stainless steel or glass

Programmable

Yes

Brewing technology

Drip

Warranty

2-year repair or replacement warranty

Best for coffee connoisseurs

Technivorm Moccamaster

Pros & Cons

Brews excellent coffee consistently; elegant design that looks almost like lab equipment; keeps coffee hot for 6 hours; more expensive than other picks; takes up considerable space; not programmable.

Expert Take

What we liked:

Technivorm, a Dutch company, has made standout drip coffee makers for decades. The Moccamaster’s clean lines and sharp angles reflect the original 1968 design. Beyond its retro styling, the Moccamaster KBT 741 reliably produces superb coffee that should satisfy serious coffee drinkers. Its stainless-steel thermal carafe also keeps coffee hot for a full 6 hours.

Who it’s best for:

People who take their morning coffee seriously and do not mind giving up valuable countertop space. Its laboratory-like appearance also makes it a conversation piece.

Who should avoid it:

Anyone seeking a compact, easygoing drip machine or a budget-friendly choice.

Specs & Configurations

Dimensions

6.75"D x 11.5"W x 15.25"H

Capacity

10 cups

Carafe type

Stainless steel

Programmable

No

Brewing technology

Drip

Warranty

5 years

Best cold brew coffee maker

Oxo Brew Cold Brew Coffee Maker

Pros & Cons

Simple to use; an easy way to steep and strain grounds at room temperature; consistently strong coffee; paper filters add another layer of filtration; cannot brew with hot water; requires 12 to 24 hours of steeping.

Expert Take

What we liked:

Cold brew is delicious, but making it can be inconvenient. OXO’s cold brew maker removes much of that hassle by letting you load in ground coffee and let the machine do the work. It saturates the grounds evenly and makes it relatively easy to drain the finished brew into its glass carafe.

Who it’s best for:

People who mainly drink cold brew and want to make it in batches.

Who should avoid it:

Anyone who wants single servings or does not have room for a dedicated cold brew machine. For a single-serving option, the Breville Luxe Brewer Drip Coffee Maker includes dedicated features for making strong coffee over ice.

Specs & Configurations

Dimensions

9.53"D x 9.53"W x 14.72"H

Capacity

5 cups

Programmable

No

Brewing technology

Cold brew

Warranty

Lifetime limited warranty

Best pour-over coffee maker

OXO Good Grips Pour-Over

Pros & Cons

Easy manual brewing; consistent results; simple to clean and all parts are dishwasher safe; made of plastic rather than glass, metal, or wood.

Expert Take

What we liked:

Great-tasting coffee from a product that costs less than $20 may sound unlikely, but that is exactly what the affordable OXO Good Grips Pour-Over delivers. It makes one drink at a time and requires you to supply hot water and ground coffee. The simple brewer turns a complicated pour-over process into something easy, tidy, and nearly foolproof.

Who it’s best for:

People who want a dependable pour-over brewer at a low price.

Who should avoid it:

Anyone who does not want a plastic pour-over device.

Specs & Configurations

Dimensions

5.25"D x 5.25"W x 5.25"H

Capacity

12 ounces

Programmable

No

Brewing technology

Pour over

Warranty

OXO's Better Guarantee

Best splurge and best plastic-free coffee maker

Caraway Coffee Maker

Pros & Cons

No plastic in the brew path; sleek design; sturdy build; expensive.

Expert Take

What we liked:

Caraway’s 10-cup coffee maker is the brand’s first appliance, and it is the only drip brewer tested with a plastic-free brew path. That means the hot water never touches plastic, which greatly reduces exposure to microplastics.

The machine also has a sturdy, stylish build and comes in four Caraway colors: cream, stone, clay, and midnight.

Who it’s best for:

This is a good fit for anyone who wants to remove plastic from their coffee routine while still enjoying the convenience of a drip machine. A food-grade silicone trim surrounds part of the carafe lid, but no plastic touches the water or coffee during use.

Who should avoid it:

At nearly $500, it is a major purchase that will not fit every budget. It also has no programming or scheduling features because it uses a simple one-knob design, so it is not ideal for people who like to set coffee up ahead of time.

Recent updates

Update notes

The Caraway Coffee Maker was added to the list after testing.

The OXO Brew 8-Cup Coffee Maker was retested and remained the best overall pick. The Ninja Programmable XL 14-Cup Coffee Maker was removed as the best coffee maker under $100 and replaced by the Ninja 12-Cup Programmable Coffee Brewer. Wilfa Performance Coffee Maker was replaced by Aarke Coffee Maker in the most stylish category. The Bunn Velocity Brew BT was replaced by the Breville Luxe Brewer Drip Coffee Maker in the speedy pots category. The OXO Brew Cold Brew Coffee Maker was retested and kept its place as the best cold brew pick. The Mr. Coffee Simple Brew 12-Cup Switch Coffee Maker was tested and added to the list.

Drip coffee makers compared

What to consider when buying a coffee maker

Capacity and size

A single-serve machine is a good choice for personal use. But if you want a larger machine for all-day coffee or have a household of coffee drinkers, a bigger model makes more sense. You should also make sure it fits comfortably on your counter.

Customization and features

Some machines offer close control over brew strength, temperature, or even a built-in grinder. Those extras often raise the price, so focus on the features you actually need.

Ease of use and cleaning

Programmable timers and auto-cleaning functions can make long-term use easier and may justify a higher price. At the same time, it is important to choose a machine that is simple to operate and clean.

Running costs

A low-cost coffee machine can become expensive if maintenance is hard or replacement parts are difficult to find. Look for good warranty coverage, repairability, and easy access to spare parts.

Pod-based machines have the highest ongoing cost because each serving pod can cost between 40 cents and $1.10, which is much more than making coffee from bagged beans in a manual brewer.

How we tested the coffee makers

Judging a coffee maker is more complicated than it may seem. Good drip coffee depends on meeting key standards identified by the Specialty Coffee Association, especially brew time and water temperature. Hot water should stay in contact with the grounds for at least 4 minutes and no more than 8, and the ideal brewing temperature falls between 197 and 205 degrees Fahrenheit.

To see how well each machine met those standards in our original testing, we recorded brew times. We also used thermocouple heat sensors linked to industrial data loggers, allowing us to track the temperature of the coffee grounds while brewing.

After brewing, we measured the liquid with an optical refractometer. Since we account for the water and coffee used, that data helps calculate Total Dissolved Solids, which in turn lets us determine extraction percentage. The generally accepted ideal range is 18% to 20%. To confirm accuracy, we repeated identical tests at least three times.

In the most recent round of testing, we evaluated nine coffee makers, including both previously tested models and newer ones. Each test used one cup of ground coffee and 8 cups of water. We considered features, ease of use and cleaning, and coffee temperature immediately after brewing and up to an hour later to see how well each machine held heat.

Brewed coffee temperatures compared

Coffee maker FAQs

How long do coffee makers last?

If maintained properly, a coffee maker can last for years. Aside from Technivorm Moccamaster models, which carry a five-year warranty, most coffee makers come with one-year limited warranties. Regardless of length, these warranties cover manufacturing defects rather than normal wear and tear or misuse.

How do coffee makers work?

Even the most advanced coffee makers are built to do the same basic thing: run hot water over ground coffee and collect the brewed liquid. Getting the right balance of strength and flavor is not easy. Many machines fall short because they have poor heating systems, move water through grounds too slowly, or cannot brew with enough grounds. Some suffer from several of these problems at once.

How do you clean a coffee maker?

In addition to cleaning off dust, stains, and grime, coffee makers need periodic deep cleaning. Their internal water-heating systems should be descaled regularly. Some brands recommend a vinegar-and-water mixture, while others specify a store-bought descaling solution. Technivorm, for example, recommends products such as Durgol.

Is it worth buying an expensive coffee maker?

More expensive coffee makers are often a worthwhile investment because they can produce better coffee. They usually provide better control over water temperature and flow, both of which are important for a better cup.

Other coffee makers we’ve tested

Aarke Coffee Maker: This model has a sleek Scandinavian look and a stainless-steel finish. It brewed a pot in 6 minutes and kept temperatures within a degree or two over the hour after brewing. It suits someone who wants an easy-to-use machine that performs consistently and looks attractive on the counter.

Cuisinart PerfecTemp 14-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker: In testing, this was one of the slowest machines to brew a full pot, and the top of the unit became very hot.

Ninja DualBrew Xl Grounds & Pods Hot & Iced Coffee Maker: It brewed a full pot in six and a half minutes, but the coffee actually got hotter while resting in the carafe, rising nine degrees over one hour.

Melitta Vision 12-Cup Coffee Maker: Like the Cuisinart model above, this machine took 12 minutes to brew a full pot, though its temperature remained steady afterward.