Drip filter coffee makers: how to choose, and models checked for your country
A drip filter coffee maker is the simplest way to make several mugs at once: ground coffee in a paper filter, water in the tank, one switch. Good ones heat the water properly and spread it evenly over the coffee, and that is what makes the taste.
What makes a good drip coffee maker
- Water temperature: coffee tastes best when brewed with hot water just below boiling. Cheap machines often brew too cool, which gives thin, sour coffee.
- Brew time: a full jug in roughly four to eight minutes is a good sign. Much slower can mean limescale.
- Even wetting: a shower head that spreads water over all the coffee works better than a single stream.
- Glass jug or thermal jug: a glass jug sits on a hot plate, and coffee left there for long starts to taste burnt. A thermal jug keeps it hot without heating.
- Certification: the Specialty Coffee Association tests home brewers against its brewing standards. A certified model has passed those tests.
Who a drip coffee maker suits
Great for households and offices that drink several mugs in the morning, people who like a regular cup of filter coffee, and anyone who wants the lowest cost per cup with very little effort.
Not for espresso, cappuccino or latte lovers: a drip machine makes filter coffee only. For milk drinks, look at an espresso, bean-to-cup or capsule machine.
Tips for a better jug
- Use freshly ground coffee, ground medium (like coarse sand).
- Start with the amount the maker's manual suggests, then adjust to taste.
- Use fresh, cold water and, if your water is hard, filtered water.
- Do not leave the coffee on the hot plate for long: pour it into a thermal jug instead.
Models we checked for your country
We have not yet checked specific models for your country, so we do not list any here. You can still search your local Amazon store:
Looking after a drip coffee maker
Rinse the jug and filter holder after each use and descale regularly as the manual explains. Limescale slows brewing and lowers the water temperature, so a machine that suddenly takes longer usually needs descaling.