Quick answer: for the best drip coffee, get the Technivorm Moccamaster KBGT. For the best value, get the OXO Brew 9-Cup. For pods, get the Keurig K-Supreme Plus (K-Cups) or a Nespresso (espresso-style coffee).
I own a Breville Precision Brewer, have owned several Keurigs and Nespressos, and have researched most popular coffee makers in depth. This page brings everything together so you can find the right one quickly.
My Top Picks
1Technivorm Moccamaster KBGT
- Excellent coffee
- A machine that can last decades
2OXO Brew 9-Cup
- SCA-certified coffee
- Great at any batch size
- Reasonable price
3Keurig K-Supreme Plus
- The best-tasting K-Cup coffee I've tested
- Long brew times and multiple needles
- 4 oz setting for a stronger cup
4Ninja DualBrew Pro
- Brews K-Cups
- Single cups from grounds
- A full carafe too
Which Type of Coffee Maker Do You Need?
| Type | Best for | Start here |
|---|---|---|
| Drip / automatic pour-over | The best-tasting coffee, by the pot | Best automatic pour-over |
| Pod (K-Cup) | Convenience and variety | Best for K-Cups, Keurig hub |
| Pod (Nespresso) | Espresso-style drinks, fast | Nespresso hub |
| Single-serve (no pods) | One cup from ground coffee | Best single-serve |
| Dual (pods + carafe) | Households that want both | Best dual coffee makers |
| Grind and brew | Fresh grounds without a separate grinder | Best grind and brew |
| Espresso machine | Real espresso and milk drinks | Espresso machines hub |
What Makes a Good Drip Coffee Maker?
Three things matter far more than features:
- 1A steady brewing temperature of about 195°F to 205°F for the whole brew. Most cheap machines only get there at the end.
- 2A basket big enough for a proper coffee-to-water ratio at full capacity.
- 3A sensible brew time, roughly 4 to 8 minutes for a full pot.
The easiest shortcut is SCA certification, which tests all three. After that, choose a thermal carafe (no hot plate stewing your coffee) and check reliability in owner reviews.
Best-Of Guides
By type and feature
- Best automatic pour-over coffee makers
- Best coffee makers with a thermal carafe
- Best grind and brew coffee makers
- Best single-cup coffee makers with a grinder
- Best single-serve coffee makers without pods
- Best coffee makers for K-Cups
- Best dual coffee makers
- Best plastic-free coffee makers
By size
- Best 4-cup coffee makers
- Best 5-cup coffee makers
- Best under-cabinet coffee makers
By Brand
- Keurig: see my Keurig hub for every review, comparison and troubleshooting guide
- Nespresso: see my Nespresso hub
- Ninja: best Ninja coffee makers, DualBrew Pro review, CP301 vs CP307
- Technivorm Moccamaster: best Technivorm coffee makers, Moccamaster review, Moccamaster vs Bonavita
- Cuisinart: best Cuisinart coffee makers, Cuisinart single-serve review
- Breville: Precision Brewer review
- Bonavita: Bonavita review
- Zojirushi: Zojirushi review
- Spinn: Spinn review
Brand vs Brand
- Keurig vs Ninja
- Nespresso vs Keurig
- Nespresso vs Dolce Gusto
- Hamilton Beach FlexBrew vs Keurig K-Duo
Brew Better Coffee
- How to make coffee in a French press
- How to make cold brew
- Whole bean vs ground coffee
- Best espresso grinders
FAQs
What is the best coffee maker overall?
For drip coffee, the Technivorm Moccamaster: excellent coffee and decades of life. For the best value, the OXO Brew 9-Cup.
Are pod coffee makers worth it?
They're very convenient, but pods cost more per cup and usually taste weaker than drip coffee. They make sense if you drink one or two cups a day and value speed.
How often should I descale my coffee maker?
Every one to three months, depending on your water hardness and how often you brew.
Written by · reviewed by the Cicada Coffee Bar team
Daniel Voss
Lead Equipment Reviewer, Cicada Coffee Bar
Daniel leads the equipment-testing side of Cicada Coffee Bar. Every super-automatic, semi-automatic, and grinder featured on this site is bought or sourced independently, set up on the test bench, and brewed with daily for at least two weeks before a single word is written — tracking espresso quality, milk texture, ease of cleaning, and long-term reliability. Reviews are updated whenever pricing or firmware changes.
