“cheapism helps you find the cheapest "best buys"” — lifehacker
Home » Kitchen » Coffee Makers » Coffee Maker Reviews
Subscribe

Coffee Maker Reviews

Cheapism
Mid-range
High end
$13
$50
$100
...+
In this review:
  1. Best Cheap Coffee Makers
  2. Coffee Maker Reviews
  3. 12-Cup Coffee Makers
  4. Automatic Coffee Makers, Programmable Coffee Makers
  1. Stainless-Steel Coffee Makers, Coffee Maker Design
  2. Single-Cup Coffee Makers, Pod Coffee Makers
  3. Discount Coffee Makers Features Comparison Table
Sign up for our
Free Newsletter
Related Guides: Coffee, Coffee Grinders and Espresso Machines

Coffee Makers Performance

Experts and consumers posting coffee maker reviews range from those who revere an artisanal brew to those just in it for the caffeine rush, and their expectations vary accordingly. America's Test Kitchen concludes that no inexpensive model brews a perfect cup, a finding that's backed up by consumers and other experts.

However, coffee maker reviews also indicate that most frugal consumers just want a decent, hot cup of coffee, and overall our picks deliver. Consumers also appreciate useful features such as programmability and automatic shutoff.

Brewing Time.

A common complaint in coffee maker reviews is that budget models brew too slowly. Fast brewing isn't only a matter of convenience; it also prevents the coffee from becoming too bitter. However, a brewing time that's too short can result in weak, watered-down coffee. The best coffee makers strike a balance. Experts say that a pot of coffee should take no longer than five or six minutes to brew, but larger low-cost machines in particular don't hit that mark. An expert at HowStuffWorks reports that the 12-cup Mr. Coffee JWX27 takes about 13 minutes to brew a full carafe. Other budget 12-cup machines appear comparable -- for instance, a consumer posting a coffee maker review on Amazon finds that the Hamilton Beach Ensemble 43254 (starting at $38, Amazon) takes about 10 minutes.

The smaller, 4-cup Cuisinart DCC-450 (starting at $21, Amazon) makes a full batch in about five minutes, according to Whole Latte Love. The Black & Decker Brew 'n Go Personal DCM18S (starting at $19, Amazon) takes only about three minutes, says one consumer who posted a coffee maker review on Amazon.

Review continues below

Temperature.

Experts agree that the best-tasting coffee is made with water that's just under the boiling point. Budget coffee makers generally do not hit that mark -- some not by a long shot. The Mr. Coffee JWX27 (starting at $35, Amazon) is one low-cost model touted by experts for having a brewing temperature consistently over 195 degrees.

To a certain extent, the temperature of the coffee itself is a matter of personal preference. But when numerous people posting coffee maker reviews say their coffee doesn't come out hot, you know there's a problem. One coffee drinker who posted a review of the Mr. Coffee TFTX85 (starting at $40, Amazon) on Epinions has to heat the coffee in a microwave after brewing to get it up to the desired temperature.

In coffee maker reviews at Macy's, several users say the Cuisinart DCC-450 can make hot coffee; however, it automatically shuts off after 30 minutes instead of keeping coffee warm throughout the morning. A few users say the coffee doesn't stay hot even that long. On the other hand, the Hamilton Beach Ensemble earns raves from users posting coffee maker reviews on Amazon for coffee that stays piping hot (although purists might lament that coffee left sitting on a burner becomes bitter and often tastes burnt). The Hamilton Beach BrewStation Summit 48464 (starting at $47, Amazon) stores coffee in an internal tank instead of in a carafe on a hotplate, so it stays hot for hours without acquiring that burnt taste, according to users who have posted coffee maker reviews on Amazon, although a few complain their brew is lukewarm.

Review continues below

by Elizabeth Sheer (Google+ Profile)

Back to top »

Best Cheap Coffee Makers

Hamilton Beach Ensemble 43254

 Read why »
Where to buy

Black & Decker Brew 'n Go Personal DCM18S

 Read why »
Where to buy

Good Cheap Coffee Makers

Hamilton Beach BrewStation Summit

 Read why »
Where to buy

Mr. Coffee JWX27

 Read why »
Where to buy
 
 
Cheapism.com on Facebook
 

Don't Bother Cheap Coffee Makers

Mr. Coffee TFTX85

The thermal pot on this 8-cup programmable coffee maker would be useful for keeping coffee hot -- if the coffee that came out was hot to begin with. Users find the lid difficult to get on and off and the pot hard to clean. Read more »

Cuisinart DCC-450

At first glance, this 4-cup pot with a cone filter and durable stainless-steel carafe is ideal for couples who make two mugs of coffee in the morning. However, reviewers complain of messy pouring, leaking, and wear on the heating plate. Read more »

 
6 Cheap and Practical Grilling Accessories

To make your outdoor cooking experience even more enjoyable, load up with these cheap grilling accessories.

Weekly Update: Best Cheap Air Conditioners, Budget BBQ Tips & More

As the temperatures rise across the country the need for a window air conditioner hits home hard. ...

Easy BBQ Tips for the Grillmaster

Grilling season is here! We have cheap BBQ recipes to tantalize your taste-buds.