The best drip coffee maker for home, Rating 2021, which one to choose

To make the right choice of drip coffee maker, we studied its design and capabilities. We selected a rating of the best models of 2021 according to experts and customer reviews. Alexey Voronkov, a barista and expert representative of the coffee lovers community, helped compile the rating.

“Filtration” or “drip” coffee makers are among the most affordable devices on the coffee equipment market. However, you should not purchase them without understanding the characteristics, so as not to be disappointed later. Moreover, many do not even suspect that an inexpensive drip coffee maker, chosen “wisely,” can brew the perfect coffee (Americano).

All drip coffee makers have similar functionality, but if you take 4 coffee makers of different brands and add the same amount of coffee of the same grind, the resulting taste will be different for all competitors. Maybe only an expert will notice this difference, but it is there. And in the store, some models are more expensive, others are cheaper. This is explained by the peculiarities of the technology. For example, inexpensive coffee makers have an insufficiently thought-out water supply design. Because of this, some of the coffee remains in the filter without falling under the water jet. That is, the drink turns out less rich, and the ground grains are also wasted. Also, if you are a connoisseur of Americano, it is not recommended to buy cheap Chinese models. They often give coffee an unpleasant taste and a plastic smell. In some cases, it is possible to get rid of this if you run the empty coffee maker 2-3 times. However, these actions do not guarantee that the taste and smell of plastic will disappear. The quality of the build and the quality of the parts depend on the price. The difference in the finished drink is also due to the different temperatures of the supplied hot water, in some it is higher. And the higher the water temperature, the stronger the coffee is brewed. To get the perfect Americano, you need to experiment with grinding and the amount of water.

Based on the recommendations of the SCAA (Specialty Coffee Association of America), to obtain the ideal Americano coffee using a drip coffee maker, you need to take 90-120 grams. ground grains per 1.9 liters of water or 50 grams per 1 liter of water. This parameter is also important to consider when purchasing equipment.

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How does a drip coffee maker work?

The drip coffee maker includes the following structural parts:

heater;
water tank;
compartment for storing coffee;
a control element, in most cases represented by a single button;
stand for coffee mugs.

The equipment operates according to the following principle:

water flows from the reservoir to the heating element;
the water-steam mixture flows through the tube into the coffee compartment;
Condensation gets into the coffee and seeps into the coffee pot.

The temperature at the heater is 90-94 degrees Celsius. This is normal, since according to the rules, coffee cannot be brewed with boiling water.

Advantages and disadvantages

Drip coffee machines have the following advantages and disadvantages :

Low cost . Compared to capsule or carob coffee machines, drip coffee machines are much more accessible for use at home for many categories of the population.
Lightweight and easy to care for and use. The operating principle of the coffee machine is simple. Therefore, operation and maintenance will also not be difficult.
Possibility of preparing several servings of drink at once . This machine is suitable for a close-knit family with a large number of coffee lovers.
Presence of heating function . You can prepare several servings of the drink without worrying about it getting cold soon. In addition, you do not need to load the necessary ingredients into the coffee maker every time.
In addition to aromatic coffee, you can also make tea in a drip coffee machine .
There is no grounds left in the finished coffee .

As for the disadvantages and disadvantages of a drip coffee maker, these include:

needs to be changed regularly .
must be washed after each use .
Not very hot and not too strong coffee . But in this case, it all depends on individual preferences, because some people may consider these parameters to be advantages.
Large consumption of ground coffee . It’s too financially expensive for lovers of elite varieties of the drink.
After preparation there is no creamy foam , which many coffee lovers really appreciate.

Compared to the advantages of drip devices, the disadvantages are not so significant for some people.

That's why you need to know the functionality and operating principle of the device before purchasing .

Which is better: drip or carob coffee maker?

A carob coffee maker differs from a drip coffee maker in that not hot water passes through the ground coffee, but steam under a pressure of 9 - 12 bar. However, differences are present not only in the method of preparing the drink, but also in its taste. If you pour the same amount of ground beans into both coffee makers, the carob coffee will be stronger and richer. The pressure will release more flavors and oils from the coffee beans. In addition, such a drink will also have foam. In carob models you can prepare not only Americano, but also expresso, cappuccino, and latte.

The best carob coffee makers

The main advantage of a capsule coffee maker compared to a carob coffee maker is its ease of operation.

Instructions for use and preparation of coffee

Before you start working with a drip coffee maker, you need to study the instructions and also take into account several factors:

pour bottled water into the container;
Store ground coffee in airtight containers;
do not use a dirty filter;
Warm up the unit before brewing.

Espresso

To prepare this drink you will need 9 g of ground coffee and 30 ml of water. The sequence of actions is as follows:

Pour the powder into the filter.
Pour in liquid.
Turn on the coffee maker.
Pour the finished product into cups.

Espresso is black coffee prepared in a special coffee maker.

Latte

This drink is prepared from existing espresso, into which milk whipped with a blender (200 ml) is poured. The surface is sprinkled with chopped nuts (3-50 g) and cinnamon.

Viennese cappuccino

You need to heat the milk, then pour in the finished espresso. Add 50 ml of whipped cream on top and decorate with chopped chocolate.

Viennese cappuccino is made from a mixture of cream and milk.

Irish coffee drink

To prepare it you need:

60 ml espresso from a coffee maker;
sugar syrup;
30 ml whiskey.

Mix the ingredients and spread whipped cream on top.

Which is better: drip or geyser

Geyser coffee makers look like a regular kettle.
The most important difference lies in the drink itself. Drip machines are designed for preparing classic Americano, while geyser machines are designed for strong espresso. These are two drinks that differ in taste and strength.

The best geyser coffee makers

After starting the drip coffee maker, heated water gradually flows into the reservoir with the powder, after which the liquid is filtered through a filter and enters the jug. That is, there is no additional effect on the coffee, so the taste and aroma of the drink will be mild. The geyser device has a more complex brewing principle, so the drink has a brighter taste and pronounced aroma, but not as strong as in the carob one.

More about filters

Filters for drip coffee makers come in more than just bleached or unbleached paper.

Melitta's filters also differ in the thickness of the paper itself.

Original - basic filters that can be bought at Torrefacto.
Gourmet - the manufacturer claims that filters in this series allow coffee oils to pass through better.
Gourmet Intense - made from thicker paper, they allow water to pass through more slowly and brewing lasts longer, which means the coffee is bitterer and richer.
Gourmet Mild - filters made of less dense paper than Original. Even dusty fractions of ground grain can pass through the pores of such filters; the drink may be cloudier, but softer in taste.

What kind of coffee does a drip coffee maker make?

Drip coffee makers are designed to prepare only one type of drink: classic Americano. The strength of the drink can be adjusted by the amount of ground beans added and the grind size. However, such coffee makers will not be able to prepare cappuccino or latte with airy foam. If you drink exclusively Americano, then drip models will be the most rational solution for you, since there is no point in overpaying for more expensive models that can prepare other types of drink.

Factors affecting the taste of coffee

To prepare a delicious drink in a coffee maker, you need to fulfill several conditions:

use beans that were roasted no more than 2 months ago;
do not store the powder in open packaging for more than 7 days;
remove the granules remaining in the coffee grinder from the last time;
heat water with a mineralization not exceeding 75-150 mg/l;
do not use household filters to soften water;
monitor the quality of grinding;
Clean equipment regularly.

To make coffee you need to use fresh beans.

How to choose a drip coffee maker

When choosing a drip coffee maker, there are a number of important characteristics to consider. Each of them has certain characteristics and therefore deserves separate consideration.

Volume and structure of the water container

There are 2 main requirements for a liquid container:

Its volume should correspond to the volume of coffee that you want to prepare at one time.
Easy to care for. It is desirable that the water container can be removed. Only in this case can it be thoroughly washed, which is important for preparing a tasty drink. But only expensive models have this function.

Preferably, the container is transparent and visible to users. This allows you to control the level of remaining liquid.

Housing material

Most drip models belong to the budget class. The body of such coffee makers is made of food-grade plastic (ABS). However, more expensive models are also available. They have a body covered with stainless steel.

It is worth noting that the metal body does not affect thermoregulation and the quality of the drink. However, such models look more aesthetically pleasing and respectable.

It is better to see the model live in the store before purchasing. On the quality of connections. So that all parts fit correctly, without unnecessary play.

Flask material and volume

Glass is most often used to make a jug. Its size corresponds to the volume of the water container. That is, having a full container of water, you can get a full jug of coffee. The flask itself is equipped with a spout and a plastic lid. There are also marks on it, thanks to which you can measure the required amount of liquid in the cups.

There are also thermos flasks that will allow you to maintain the temperature of the drink for 2-4 hours.

It is important to consider that if the flask is damaged, you will have to buy a new device. This is explained by the use of a special anti-drip system, which is difficult to match with a jug from other models.

Filter material

The purpose of the filter is to prevent ground beans from getting into the drink itself. Most often, drip models are equipped with a reusable nylon filter. However, there are also “golden” ones. This filter is also made of nylon, but an additional layer of titanium nitride is applied on top of it. Its main advantage is easy maintenance and increased service life (compared to conventional nylon).

There are also disposable paper filters. They come in different sizes and have specific markings: 1, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 12. The numbers indicate the number of cups the filter is designed to prepare.

We highly recommend using only paper filters, so you will get a better quality drink than with nylon ones. If you haven't used a paper filter before, be sure to try it and you will immediately notice the difference. The price per package is 150-200 rubles. One filter costs 2-3 rubles.

Power

The coffee maker starts working after the heater reaches a certain temperature. Heating water does not require much power, so 700 watts will be sufficient. However, when choosing among low-power models, there is a risk of stumbling upon a coffee maker that does not heat the water strongly enough.

Automatic shutdown

Devices of this type are designed in a special way. Initially, the entire volume of water in the tank is spilled, then heating is turned on, which lasts 30-60 minutes. Based on this, manual shutdown will only be relevant if the user wants to use a certain part of the water from the tank.

Reviews

Real owners are ready to share with our readers their impressions and experience in operating devices from different manufacturers.

Vitalina, 42 years old, owner of VITEK VT-1503

— I bought a coffee maker quite recently, to replace an old one. I was used to drips and wanted the same one. I chose this one because of its low price, familiar design, and heated platform. Quite happy with the purchase. It makes excellent coffee, doesn’t smell like plastic, and has been working for 2 years almost without a break. She got her money's worth a long time ago!

Anna, 36 years old, owner of PHILIPS Daily Collection

— Gave it to work colleagues for their last birthday. Convenient coffee pot with a good handle. Disposable filters, on the one hand, are convenient - you don’t need to get dirty, but on the other hand, there are additional costs, which is not very pleasant. There is a drawback - the prepared coffee splashes a lot. Maybe my marriage is like this? In general, I didn’t use it myself, I gave it to my husband at the office. It suits him.

Andrey, 28 years old, owner of MAXWELL MW-1650

— To be honest, I chose it because of the price. But I didn’t regret it. Brews coffee normally, convenient reusable filter, heats the flask so it doesn’t get cold. It works quickly, enough for 4 cups - very convenient for family use. My brother, however, doesn’t like that the coffee is not scalding, but just hot. But you can't please everyone!

Irina, 31 years old, owner of TEFAL CM

— A good model, holds more than a liter of coffee. I bought it precisely because of its spaciousness for a large family. Cooks quickly and doesn't spill anything. No permanent smells or tastes. The only negative that was noticed after six months of use is that it is inconvenient that there is no indicator. It is not clear whether it is on or off.

Coffee makers with a coffee grinder: features and benefits

Among the more expensive models there are coffee makers with advanced capabilities.
Many of them are equipped with a built-in coffee grinder. Thanks to it, you can prepare a flavorful drink from freshly ground beans in one click. Drip machines with burr coffee grinders deserve special attention, giving the user the opportunity to choose the degree of grinding of the beans. Their budget counterpart is knife coffee grinders. However, the quality of Americano in this case will be worse.

Drip coffee makers with a coffee grinder have many advantages:

you can make coffee from freshly ground beans with the press of one button;
A 2-in-1 machine allows you to save not only money on buying a separate coffee grinder, but also space in the kitchen;

If you like Americano made from freshly ground beans, then it makes sense to immediately buy coffee makers with a coffee grinder.

Brand selection

As for manufacturers, you should choose from those who have been on the market for a long time: Redmond, Polaris, Vitek, Tefal. Less well-known, but no less high-quality ones include:

Jura - Switzerland. It produces elite equipment that is of high quality. It is expensive, but the drink has an unforgettable taste.
Redmond - their professional machines can be found in almost all coffee shops and bars. The best drip coffee maker will be from this brand.

Before buying the model you like, it is advisable to study the reviews of the owners. Only they can honestly say about the disadvantages of a particular line.

What does taste depend on, and which coffee maker makes coffee taste better?

Today there are a wide variety of drip models on sale, and the taste of different models with the same coffee will be slightly different. This is explained by the fact that with the filtration brewing method, the temperature of the water and the completeness of the ground coffee flow are important. The taste of the coffee will also depend on what type of ground beans you use and how much you put in the coffee maker. On two different models, you can achieve the same taste by changing the grind or the amount of coffee added.

Many cheap models from unscrupulous manufacturers have a too small or crooked compartment for ground beans. Also, some budget-class coffee makers may be incorrectly equipped with a water outlet and supply tube, or have a too narrow opening in the feed nozzle spout. Due to such manufacturer errors, water enters the filter with ground grains unevenly over the area. As a result, not all the coffee in the device is used. The drink itself turns out less rich and not strong.

The most delicious coffee is obtained when using freshly ground beans. This is why it is recommended to choose coffee makers with a coffee grinder. Grinding the beans immediately before preparing coffee significantly improves its taste.

The finer the grind, the more coffee in the bookmark and the less water spilled - the richer and stronger the drink will be. The coarser the grind, the fewer coffee beans and the more water spilled, the more watery and lighter it is.

Factors for choosing drip devices

Each buyer needs to take into account several important characteristics of coffee makers:

Power level . The higher this indicator, the faster the drink will brew, the richer the taste will be. To do this, choose a coffee maker with a power of at least 750 W. Larger machines require longer coffee preparation times. But if you find a device with a function for selecting the strength of the drink, feel free to buy it!
Design . The best drip coffee makers have a glass flask for filling with water. Most often it is made in the form of a round or trapezoidal bowl.
Filter . Modern models are equipped with a permanent nylon or metal filter. Disposable filters are found in capsule coffee makers, but the taste of the drink in them is brighter and richer.
Functionality . Popular models are equipped with additional “bonuses” in the form of a heating system, auto shut-off, water filtration, and, of course, an anti-drip system.

To choose the right equipment, first of all, determine for yourself the purpose of its use.

The best automatic drip coffee machines

Philips HD7767 Grind & Brew

Rating:5.0

drip
for beans and ground coffee
coffee grinder with adjustable grinding degree
coffee strength control
shutdown when not in use

Average price: RUB 10,900

A good drip coffee machine for home. Suitable for lovers of real Americano made from coffee beans. The machine will require minimal human intervention in preparing the coffee drink. The beans are poured into the upper hopper, from where they fall into the burr coffee grinder. A full jug is ready in 10 minutes. You can count on a warm drink within 2 hours after it is ready. 2 year warranty.

Water tank 1.2 liters. This is enough for 10 cups of ready-made Americano coffee.

Capacity for grains 350 gr.

Peculiarities:

presentable design - a combination of black and metallic;
high power – 1000 W;
works with both ground coffee and beans;
Aroma twister function for a richer taste;
9 coffee grind levels;
there is a strength adjustment;
The coffee grinder's millstones are not ceramic, but steel, which significantly increases the service life of the equipment;
a special nozzle inside the jug ensures optimal strength of the drink;
The parts can be washed in the dishwasher.

Users consider the disadvantages to be noisy and lack of a timer. However, this is not so important when used at home, in the office, at presentations and conferences.

Kitfort KT-720

Rating:4.9

drip
for beans and ground coffee
coffee grinder with adjustable grinding degree
coffee strength control
setting start time

Average price: RUB 11,190

Drip coffee machine. As in the previous one, it prepares coffee by pressing one button. Unlike the previous model, Kitfort has a delayed start timer. In the evening, you can pour in the beans, set the time, and in the morning the smart machine will wake you up with a sound signal that the aromatic Americano is ready. A one and a half liter reservoir will allow you to prepare coffee for 12 people at once.

One coffee brewing cycle uses up all the water in the tank. So pour as much water into the tank as you want to get the drink.

Peculiarities:

coffee strength control function in nine modes;
High power – 1050 W;
Grain hopper for 200 g;
possibility of adjusting the number of cups;
at the end of the coffee brewing process, the equipment switches to heating mode;
extremely simple control with two buttons;
The water tank cannot be removed, otherwise cleaning the equipment is very convenient.

There is no removable tray for collecting drops. You can only count on warm coffee within half an hour after it is ready. If you need a coffee machine that maintains temperature for two hours, you should pay attention to the previous model.

Kitfort KT-737

Rating:4.8

drip
for ground coffee
coffee grinder
setting start time
shutdown when not in use

Average price: RUB 9,010

The coffee machine from the famous Russian brand Kitfort is equipped with a delayed start function. Just like the previous model, the water tank is non-removable. Filling is done using a jug through the hole on top under the lid. Water tank volume – 1.5 l. After using the equipment for some time, a red flashing light will remind you to descale.

Peculiarities:

consumes water from the tank according to the set number of cups;
High power – 1000 W;
choice of one of nine degrees of grain grinding;
You can put already ground coffee into the machine;
Three strength adjustment values are available;
a special shutter stops the flow of coffee when the coffee pot is removed;
The heated platform automatically turns off after 2 hours.

You have to be prepared for the fact that a coffee grinder with steel millstones grinds quite loudly and quite coarsely.