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Don’t you just like your morning coffee? It gives us the needed alertness needed to start the day productively. A good coffee maker makes this possible without the stress they had to go through 300 years ago. A great coffee maker, however, makes this process a breeze, with simple to use automation that allows your coffee to be brewed with as little input from you as possible.
Coffee makers are counter top appliances that take coffee grounds into a filter, boil water from a different section, and channel the boiled water into the filter to deliver ready-made coffee drinks, with control to adjust each step of the way to your liking.
Without further ado, let’s consider the top America’s Test Kitchen best coffee maker
See also:
Reviews of The Best Coffee Maker America’s Test Kitchen
Here are top rated coffee maker consumer reports
Top 1 – Cuisinart Stainless Steel Thermal Coffee maker
Cuisinart’s thermal coffee maker is rather simple in design, with a rectangular frame bearing the brew pot on the anterior. In most parts, the machine has a stainless steel body, highlighted with black plastic materials in a few regions, such as on the top and around the brew pot region. The brew pot is 12-cup in size.
The machine offers a feature called “brew-strength control,” which basically lets you adjust the flavor of your coffee. Hence you get to select how bold you want your coffee to be; it might take a while to synchronize your preferences and the machine’s control. Another impressive feature in the coffeemaker is its “expert coffee-making technology,” which ensures that your hotter coffee is brewed without compromising on the flavor.
The coffee maker can be programmed to start brewing at specific periods each day. It has an auto-off feature that stops brewing automatically once the programmed variable has been reached, as well as an optional alert tone, that notifies you of this development.
Pros:
- – Amazing brew-strength control
- – Brew pause feature
- – Impressive notification system
- – Fully programmable features
Cons:
- – The warming plate is subject to corrosion
- – Questionable material quality
Top 2 – Hamilton Beach (49976) FlexBrew Coffee Maker
At first glance, you will quickly notice the 2-in-1 purpose of this excellent machine. On the right side, you get a system compatible with K-cup pods/grounds, and on the left, you get the regular coffee maker, with its brewing pots and filter. This offers two different ways to brew your coffee. This is great for users who enjoy K-cup pods, giving you the best of both worlds.
This coffeemaker is intentionally designed to serve a group of people with differing tastes making it ideal for offices. Everyone can get what they enjoy in a single coffee maker. With this device, you can brew a pot of coffee in about 3 minutes, delivering great tasting coffee. The machine is easy to use as well, with two water reservoirs, one each for the two different brewers. The reservoirs feature a transparent window that allows keeping track of the amount of water left, after which you can refill in quick and easy movements.
Pros:
- – Multipurpose functionality
- – Programmable timer
- – Impressive auto shut-off feature
- – LED display
- – Adjustable cup-hold
Cons:
- – Water leak issues
- – Users are not impressed with its durability
Top 3 – America’s Test Kitchen Espresso Machine by Breville (BES870XL)
This is a high-end Barista Espresso machine, mainly for coffee shops, but if you can afford it and you are a big fan of espressos, and you would like to have it home-made regularly, then it will serve you well to invest in this stallion of a device.
This machine gives you the ability to grind your coffee to precise granules with its integrated conical burr grinder. Which delivers just the perfect amount of fresh coffee granules into the portafilter according to your preferences and choice of roast beans.
The machine has a digital temperature control that ensures that water temperature is just right for optimal Espresso extraction. All this and more are worked together in seamless unison to bring out the best flavor from your coffee beans.
Your espresso machine is not only capable of precise flavor extraction, but it also gives you control over the appearance of your coffee. Micro-foam milk texturing is designed to let you hand-texture micro-foam milk, which in turn enables the creation of latte art.
Pros:
- – Maximum flavor extraction
- – Precision control
- – Hands-free operation
- – Adjustable grind amount
- – Enables micro-foam milk texturing
Cons:
- – Very expensive
- – Problematic pressure gauge
Top 4 – America’s Test Kitchen Coffee Grinder BY Capresso (560.01)
This is another rather simple burr grinder that is easy on the eyes and performs seamlessly. It features a coffee bean bowl on the top with a mostly plastic machine base in all black or stainless steel in silvery white. The burr grinder simply helps you grind your coffee beans and does not deliver you a cup of morning coffee as most coffee makers do.
With this machine, you get precision grinding as well, which delivers quality coffee granules before filtering. The coffee maker has a wide grinding range of coffee granules, giving you the control to choose from ultra-fine to Turkish to French Press Coarse with everything in between those.
Your coffee’s flavor and aroma are guaranteed with an impressive extraction process. The machine works seamlessly with little to no noise with its Gear reduction motor that grinds slowly to reduce the noise and static build-up that would otherwise threaten to pollute your morning with awful grind noises.
It has a large enough capacity to fill 8.8 ounces of bean in its transparent container, as well as enough room for 4 ounces of ground coffee. The device is just as easy to clean, requiring you to remove the upper burr for access simply with the included cleaning brush.
Pros:
- – Impressive precise control grind
- – Seamless and noiseless operation
- – Preserves aroma and flavor
- – Large coffee bean capacity
Cons:
- – Doesn’t make a cup of coffee
- – Requires frequent cleaning
Top 5 – Keurig K-Cafe Coffee Maker, K-Cup Coffee, Latte and Cappuccino Maker
Keurig’s coffee maker is a multipurpose device that gives you the versatility to make a wide range of coffee drinks with several inputs. It has a rather sophisticated design, all aimed at maximum functionality in a compact machine. You can make regular coffee, lattes, and cappuccinos in this device. It is also capable of using k-cup pods to brew your coffee. You can also brew your own ground coffee.
The coffee maker utilizes simple button controls to brew different coffee types. It has a large water reservoir that is capable of holding 60 ounces of water, which will deliver 6 cups of coffee before requiring a refill. The smart start feature heats the coffee maker while it’s brewing, cutting time by running the two processes simultaneously. In addition to its time-saving features, this device is also energy efficient with its auto-shutoff feature.
It is capable of accommodating travel mug sized cups that are not more than 7.2 inches tall. The entire machine can be washed in a dishwasher but on the top rack alone, which you will know when to do thanks to its maintenance reminder.
Pros:
- – Great flavoring
- – Impressive automation: timer & auto-shutoff
- – Dishwasher friendly
- – Time-efficient with smart start feature
- – Large water capacity
Cons:
- – Poor frother functions
- – Short Lifespan
Top 6 – Hamilton Beach 2-Way Brewer Coffee Maker, Stainless Steel (49980A)
Hamilton’s beach 2-way brewer is a multi-functional coffee maker that allows you to enjoy both brewed and single-serve coffee. It is a tall machine with a 12-cup pot on the right and a left side that features the single-serve, which accommodates sized cups. The external body is made of stainless steel with inner regions coated in plastic. It has a small LED display on its upper surface with small dials that allows you to adjust its settings and program new ones.
The coffee maker supports a fully programmable function that allows you to set your coffee maker to particular times of the day so you can get coffee at your preferred time. An auto-shutoff feature is also included, which turns the machine on when it has not been in use for a set period to save power.
Pros:
- – Includes convenient single-serve feature
- – Fully programmable automation
- – Impressive design
- – Very affordable
- – Smart features offer incredible precision control
Cons:
- – Unreliable parts
- – Long brew time
Top 7 – Cuisinart DCC-1200BKS 12 Cup Brew Central Coffee Maker, Black Stainless Steel
This is an elegantly designed coffee maker with a modern design that is easy to use. The exterior is plated in either plastic or stainless steel available in 9 different colors. The brew pot is sized 12-cups, enough to make coffee for a family in a single brew.
The cup has an as to grip handle that makes pouring a bliss, all thanks to its ergonomic design. Its knuckle guard facilitates dripless pouring. The coffee maker features a brew pause feature that lets you take a quick cup of coffee before brewing is complete. It also has programmable automation such as the 24-hour brew start that makes you wake up to a pot of already brewed coffee, as well as an auto shut-off feature from 0 – 4 hours.
The machine has excellent flavor extracting filters, as well as those that ensure the quality of the water used.
Pros:
- – Very easy to use
- – Large water capacity
- – Fast brew time
- – Impressive automation
- – Extensive auto-shutoff duration
Cons:
- – Poor customer support
- – Electrical design flaws
Things to Consider When Buying a Best Coffee Maker
1. Your Budget
Of course, we don’t want you to spend more than you can afford. Our daily lives involve making decisions based on simple economic principles of sacrificing certain expenses for the others.
When working with a budget, you must decide which features and automation you can do without – as they are the most important contributors to the prices of popular coffee makers. In its basic form, all you need is an element to heat your water to boiling point. A coffee ground filter, and a coffee pot/carafe. The next factor discusses the additional features to consider.
2. Features and Functionality
Several features and functions accompany coffee makers in the modern world. All to make our life more comfortable and convenient. From simple design as well crafted handles on coffee pots that support great grip to automation like auto-shutoff, keep warm as well as programmable brewing time, that automatically starts brewing at preset times of the day.
In addition to this, you get precision control features that set water temperature levels, coffee ground coarseness, flavor extraction, and so on. And These are great features to look for when getting your coffee maker.
3. Brewing Process
Different coffee makers utilize various brewing processes to bring you your morning coffee. The brewing process often determines the taste and flavor of your coffee. It also influences the efficiency of the output, that is, the number of coffee drinks you can get from each fill of coffee beans or ground.
Many manufacturers give you a k-cup model, accepting ground coffee packets. Typical coffee maker types include drip, espresso machines, and single-serve coffeemakers, each with different brewing processes resulting in a difference in taste and flavor.
4. Durability
Coffee makers do one thing, and to justify their prices; they just have to do this well. Hence, it is worthy of consideration to put in your purchase’s durability and lifespan under careful consideration before pulling out your cash. High-quality materials are great insurance as well as a well designed electric circuit that ensures not only the lifespan of your device but also its safety.
But regardless of our will, things sometimes just don’t go to plan. That is why soulful customer support is vital.
5. Types of Coffee Maker
Electric
- Drip Coffee Makers
- Thermal Coffee Makers
- Espresso machines
- Percolators
- Siphon Coffee Makers
Manual
- French Press Coffee Makers
- AeroPress
- Cold Brew Coffee Makers
Conclusion
With the above information, we are confident that you are fully armed with the know-how of buying a great and valuable coffee maker that will not only bring you the best flavors but also make your morning routine more convenient without compromising on durability.
We should also mention that you should not set your hopes too high, while a high-quality coffee maker should work seamlessly for 3-5 years, most seldom lasting longer than this. This is vital to know, especially when you are thinking of investing in a high priced coffee maker.