The best drip coffee makers to buy

Until the advent of capsule coffee machines, drip coffee machines were the widespread coffee machines in homes worldwide. Drip coffee machines are practical and affordable, producing an especially flavorful coffee for those who want to appreciate all the aroma and notes that coffee offers.

In this guide, we will look at the most important factors that affect the choice of a drip coffee maker. As everyone is different, people will have different preferences; therefore, no two people will have the ideal drip coffee maker.

What are the features of a good drip coffee machine?

You always think you are an expert in something until you must choose a related product among many brands and models. In theory, choosing a drip coffee machine shouldn’t be that difficult, should it?

We will now describe the key aspects that define a drip coffee machine. Based on these characteristics, you can make the best-informed decision.

Programmable drip coffee machines – Freshly brewed coffee at any time

Most mid-range drip coffee makers include a timer that turns it into a programmable drip coffee maker. The function of the timer is that the coffee machine starts by itself at the most convenient time.

The advantage is clear: to enjoy freshly brewed coffee at any time without having to wait, for it to be ready for breakfast when we get up in the morning.

Unlike other coffee machines, such as espresso machines, the coffee grind should be medium, like beach sand or sugar granules. If it is too fine, the water will not be able to pass through it properly, and the result will be a coffee with little flavour.

To get a perfect coffee, take note of these two tips. Use two tablespoons of ground coffee for every cup, and fill the tank with bottled water at room temperature.

Reusable filter – The long-term saving

Drip coffee machines can operate with either a single-use filter, paper or a reusable filter. When concern for environmental conservation is on everyone’s mind, the drip coffee maker with a permanent filter is the choice.

Reusable filters can be made of different materials, but stainless steel mesh is usually the most common.

The main advantage of using permanent filters is the long-term savings, both economically and environmentally. The only thing to be careful about is to clean it thoroughly after each use. Otherwise, the oily components of the coffee would stick to the filter and eventually cause a rancid taste.

Built-in grinder drip coffee machine – Preserving the aroma of coffee

One of the fundamental elements when it comes to tasting good coffee is to grind it right at the moment of brewing. Because when ground coffee comes into contact with oxygen, it oxidises.

The advantage of having a built-in grinder: This guarantees that the aroma and properties of the coffee remain intact. So, with drip coffee machines: buy a separate grinder or a drip coffee machine with a built-in grinder. Don’t think twice, and choose one with an integrated grinder.

This is a slightly more evolved version than the basic one we are used to seeing, but very practical. The price of this coffee maker is perhaps a little higher than that of a standard drip coffee maker, but it more than makes up for it and saves us space by not having a separate grinder to grind the coffee.

Thermal carafe drip coffee machine – Always hot coffee

The glass carafe has been replaced by a stainless steel one in the most advanced versions of the drip coffee machines.

In addition to an aesthetic change, this version of the drip coffee maker offers other practical advantages: the thermal carafe allows us to make more coffee and keep it hotter for longer than just the glass carafe and the heating element.

Energy is saved since the coffee machine can be switched off immediately after brewing.

Drip coffee maker carafe size – A size for every need

The normal capacity of a drip coffee machine is 1 or 1.25 litres, i.e. enough coffee for 8-10 cups. These coffee machines are ideal for small offices or large families.

However, there is also the possibility of buying drip coffee machines with only 4-6 cups, ideal for people living alone or families who drink little coffee.

Our top 3 brands of drip coffee machines

There are many brands of filter coffee machines on the market to choose from, and one of the factors that savvy buyers look for is the manufacturer.

This section will give you a brief overview of 3 favourite brands of filter coffee machines to help you get your bearings.

Russell Hobbs drip coffee machines

Russell Hobbs is a British company in the coffee industry that specialises exclusively in this segment of drip machines. They are a real reference in the market, and their catalogue is the widest and most varied in Europe for this type of machine.

We urge you to visit their website to learn more about them. Below is a small sample of all the Russell Hobbs filter coffee machines on sale today.

Melitta Drip Coffee Machines

Melitta is of German origin and is another of the world’s great references in the filter coffee sector. Melitta filter coffee machines are medium-high range, and if you’re looking to spend as little money as possible, this may not be the brand that suits you best.

This is one of the best brands of drip coffee makers, without a doubt, whose standard is the Melitta Look model (with many versions available). Here are some of them:

In short, a brand of filter coffee makers aimed especially at the most demanding users and those who really enjoy this method of making coffee in their day-to-day lives.

Philips Drip coffee machines

There are two flagship models from the manufacturer Philips in this segment of drip coffee machines: the Philips Gaia and the Philips Grind&Brew.

The first is a drip coffee machine with a thermal carafe, and the second is one of the few filter coffee machines with a built-in grinder priced at the top of the range in this sector. Each of them is a leader in its segment. But don’t expect to spend too little money on one of these. Quality has to be paid for, and Philips filter coffee machines are no exception to that rule.

The most basic is the Philips Daily Collection line, available in various sizes and capacities.

Three comprehensive drip coffee machines for everyone

If you’ve ever wondered which is the best drip coffee maker on the market, the answer will vary depending on your budget and needs. By far, the most powerful filter coffee machines with a built-in grinder are the best, but they also represent an investment that not all consumers on the Internet can afford.

To help you decide which drip coffee maker to buy, here are some of the best filter coffee makers you can find on Amazon Internet today. We can assure you that they are all good drip coffee machines, but if you want, you can click on their respective review buttons to find out more about each one.

Melitta Look Therm Deluxe

The Melitta Look model is one of the great European standards for filter coffee machines. It comes in many versions, from the most basic to the most advanced, and the one we highlight in this ranking of the best is the top of the range of all Melitta Look drip coffee makers: the Therm Deluxe.

It is characterised and distinguished from the rest by its stainless steel thermal jug, 1.25-litre tank, and impeccable finishes characterising the German company.

Philips Grind&Brew: with grinder

If you are looking for the best filter coffee machine, surely, in absolute terms, the answer is one with an integrated grinder. And in the market, there are two practically identical ones with this function: one from the Russell Hobbs firm and this 1.2 litre Philips Grind&Brew filter coffee maker.

This very long-lived model has been on the market for many years and has been updated many times (so don’t be surprised if you come across different nomenclatures).

The grinder allows you to enjoy the unmistakable aroma of freshly ground coffee in every cup. You can also use the timer (to set the coffee maker at the time you want), and it’s an exclusive spraying technique that allows the water to filter evenly over the entire surface of the filter.

Russell Hobbs coffee machine with grinder

We finish with Russell Hobbs, which also has a wide range of filter coffee machines on the market, and from all of them, we highlight its Russell Hobbs coffee machine with a grinder. This drip coffee machine is a high-capacity machine with an integrated grinder.

Related: Delonghi drip coffee makers troubleshooting.