Best Coffee Makers For 2022
Best Coffee Makers for 2022
For coffee drinkers, the day doesn't officially begin until their first sip of joe in the morning -- and don't you dare try to start it before then. A good coffee machine is essential for that morning pick-me-up, so you get a great cup every time. There are several variables that go into brewing the perfect cup: You need the water to be heated to a precise temperature range when it hits those coffee grounds, and the brewing process needs to happen within a specific window of time. Because of all this, it can be a daunting process to pick out the right machine. That's why we've collected the very best coffee makers and compiled them for you below.
We have, however, found some noteworthy exceptions on the market that brew great coffee. Even better, you don't need to spend an arm and a leg to get a great coffee maker. Sure, you could drop almost $500 on a tricked-out Ratio Eight that's as gorgeous as it is capable, or put a dent in your wallet with monthly K-cup purchases for your Keurig. But all it takes is less than 20 bucks to get the single-serve Oxo Pour-Over funnel, which makes a first-rate cup and easily bests your typical Keurig coffee pod.
And those aren't the only brewers that a coffee lover might want to check out. There's also the Oxo Brew 8-Cup, a winner of our Editors' Choice award and our pick for all-around best automatic coffee brewer. Another is the KitchenAid Siphon Brewer, which uses an ancient technique to achieve dramatic and outstanding results. No matter your budget or preferred brew strength, there's a machine on this best coffee makers list that'll fit your drip needs perfectly. We update this list periodically with new coffee brewing products as we test them, so you'll always have access to good coffee. We promise, you'll never have to drink coffee from pods or an ancient coffee pot again.
Think of this kitchen appliance as the Swiss Army knife of the drip coffee maker world. The Ninja programmable brewer (with frother, thermal carafe and reusable filter) offers an uncanny degree of flexibility, making it the best coffee maker for those who don't always want the same cup. This coffee machine can create everything from solid drip to perfect cold brew or iced coffee to latte-style drinks with its milk frother, and it will adjust the temperature according to your choice. Its thermal carafe will keep tea or coffee hot for up to 2 hours. This programmable coffee maker even lets you brew iced coffee and hot coffee in multiple sizes, from small cups all the way up to full carafes.
Read our Ninja Hot and Cold Brewed System review.
Dutch company Technivorm has sold exceptionally good drip coffee makers for decades. Its Moccamaster drip coffee machine sports a design with clean lines and sharp angles that harkens back to 1968, the year the first Moccamaster hit stores. Retro design aside, the Moccamaster KBT 741 consistently puts out perfect freshly brewed coffee that will satisfy coffee connoisseurs. Its stainless-steel thermal carafe also keeps its contents hot for a full 6 hours.
Read our Technivorm Moccamaster KBT 741 review.
How we tested the coffee makers
Evaluating the performance of a coffee maker is trickier than it might sound. The first step is to know what good drip coffee actually is. According to the Specialty Coffee Association, there are criteria critical to brewing quality java. Mainly these are brewing time and water temperature. Hot water should come into contact with grounds for no fewer than 4 minutes and no more than eight. The ideal water temperature range is between 197 degrees Fahrenheit (92C) and 205 F (96C).
To see how well each coffee maker meets that challenge, we log the length of their brew cycles. We also employ thermocouple heat sensors connected to industrial-grade data loggers. That enables us to record the temperature within the coffee grounds while brewing is underway.
We measure the temperature inside the brewing chamber of every coffee maker we test.
Brian Bennett/CNETAfter brewing coffee, we take sample readings of the produced coffee liquid with an optical refractometer. Given that we factor in the amount of water and freshly ground coffee used, that data lets us calculate the Total Dissolved Solids percentage of each brew. From there we arrive at the extraction percentage. The ideal range is commonly thought to be between 18% and 20%.
We also back up measured data with a good old-fashioned taste test. If the taste of a cup of coffee is bitter, there's a good chance it was overextracted during the drip. On the opposite end, an underextracted cup of coffee will typically taste weak -- it can taste sour or have the flavor of soggy peanuts. And to be certain, we brew identical test runs a minimum of three times to get a sense of the average results.
Coffee maker FAQs
How long do coffee makers last?
If cared for properly a coffee maker can last for years. That said, with the exception of Technivorm Moccamasters that are covered under a five-year warranty, most coffee makers come with one-year limited warranties. Regardless of their length, all these warranties cover manufacturing defects, not ordinary wear and tear or misuse of the item.
How do coffee makers work?
Even the most sophisticated coffee makers perform the same simple task. That's to run hot water over ground coffee, then collect that liquid inside a container. To achieve the perfect balance of strength and flavors for excellent coffee, however, is difficult. Most machines fail because either they lack quality water-heating systems, run water through the grounds too slowly, or can't brew with enough grounds to begin with. Some coffee makers suffer from a combination of these issues -- or all three.
How do you clean a coffee maker?
Besides removing external dirt, stains and dust, all coffee makers require periodic deep cleaning. Specifically, their internal water heating systems should be descaled regularly. Some manufacturers instruct you to do this with a vinegar-and-water solution. Others don't specify except to say to use a store-bought descaling solution. For example, Technivorn says to use products like Durgol to descale its machines.
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