Which Drip Coffee Maker is Best

By: James Butler      Revised by: Mark Cambell   Last updated: Feb 4, 2024

When I was asked to write an article on the best coffee maker, I jumped at the opportunity. As a self-proclaimed coffee expert, this was right up my alley. Or should I say, right up my mug. I set out on a mission to test and review the top drip coffee makers available. I'd share my expertise to help you find the perfect brewing companion. 

I started my research by scanning the internet for the most popular models. Countless "best of" lists pointed to the same 5 top drip coffee makers: the Bunn GRB Velocity Brew, the Technivorm Moccamaster, the Oxo Brew 8 Cup, the  Bonavita Connoisseur and the Mr. Coffee Optimal Brew. Armed with my notepad and a bag full of coffee beans, I set out to put these brewers to the test.   

The first victim was the Bunn Velocity. This industrial-strength brewer promised a fast and even pour. I filled the reservoir and hit "Brew." The machine roared to life like a jet engine. Coffee poured into the glass carafe at a dizzying speed. The smells coming from my kitchen could wake the dead! After several pots, I determined that while the Bunn produced a good, bold brew, it's heavy-duty design made it better suited for commercial use.    

Next up, the beautiful Technivorm Moccamaster. This sleek machine looks like a prop from a space age sci-fi film. I measured out the coffee and hit "Start." The Moccamaster quietly whirred and soon a stream of coffee flowed into the glass funnel. The brew was rich and balanced. However, after multiple pots I noticed that the Moccamaster favored a medium-dark roast. While a solid choice, it may not suit fans of a lighter brew.

The Oxo Brew 8 Cup coffee maker delivers a simple, yet effective brewing experience for busy mornings. Its one touch brewing and modern, streamlined design allow you to make up to eight cups of consistently good coffee with minimal effort. The permanent gold tone filter ensures proper water flow for optimized extraction, while the glass carafe with pour spout provides a great view of your coffee as it brews. Combining affordability with truly essential features, the Oxo Brew 8 Cup coffee maker proves that you don't need all the bells and whistles to create a delicious cup of coffee - just good fundamentals and reliable performance, which this model definitely delivers.

The Bonavita Connoisseur coffee maker delivers the promise of 'the perfect cup every time' through precise water temperature control and an even shower head that saturates grounds uniformly for optimal flavor extraction. The thermal carafe keeps coffee hot for hours without the typical 'cooked' flavor of other types of carafes. Simple programming options and an accurate time to ensure your coffee is ready when you are make this an ideal choice for early risers or those who like to time their brew the night before. All of these well-engineered features combine to produce delicious, consistent coffee that is truly worthy of the title 'connoisseur.' The Bonavita leverages smart design and high-quality materials to deliver on its promise of the perfect brew.

Last but not least was the simple Mr. Coffee Optimal Brew. Though basic, this workhorse promised to "make every cup as good as the last." I'll admit, I wasn't expecting much. But I was stunned by the results. With a dual-wall filter and optimal water temperature, the Optimal Brew produced a rich, balanced cup in just the right amount of time. Better yet, the machine was dead simple to use and clean, and the coffee never tasted worse after sitting. 

So there you have it - the humble Mr. Coffee model proved the ultimate winner in my coffee maker testing experiment. While some of the more expensive models offered bells and whistles, none produced a consistently better cup of coffee. In  choosing your machine, remember:

• Simple design often wins - Don't overthink it. The less complicated, the better.

• Function over form - Look for key features that impact taste, like water temperature and filter options. Aesthetics are secondary.  

• Think scalability - Consider how easy it is to brew multiple cups at once for your typical needs.

• Ease of use - The less effort required to operate and clean the machine, the better your long-term experience will be.

• Budget - You don't need to spend a fortune to get a good cup. Affordable options like the Mr. Coffee Optimal Brew can punch above their weight.

In the end, choose the machine that reliably makes the kind of coffee you enjoy most - whether that's a simple 4-cup model or an expensive 12-cup thermal carafe machine. But remember, it's what's inside the maker that matters most - the fresh coffee grounds patiently waiting their turn to transform into the perfect morning pick-me-up. Now if you'll excuse me, I think I'll brew myself another cup. This article has me craving a robust blend of words and caffeine!