What we liked:

The Oxo Brew 8-Cup Coffee Maker coffee is approved by the Specialty Coffee Association Golden Cup, an independent program that determines if brewers meet the rigorous requirements of industry experts. The thoughtfully designed machine takes ground coffee and also comes with a special single-cup filter basket for Kalita Wave filters. The Oxo Brew is the best drip coffee maker that’s compact, stylish and sturdy. Plus, it comes with a thermal carafe that doesn’t drip or spill.

Who it’s for:

This is the perfect coffee maker for anyone who wants a quality coffee machine that is sturdy and compact enough to tuck away in a cabinet when needed. It performed as well or better than models that cost $300 and kept coffee at an ideal serving temperature (160 F) for hours after brewing, thanks to the insulated stainless-steel carafe.

Who should avoid it:

This might not be the best choice for those who want their coffee ready when they wake up, as there is no programmable option. It should also be noted that this coffee maker does not have a hot plate, but the coffee stays warm thanks to the vacuum-insulated stainless-steel thermal carafe.

What we liked:

Often found at a sale price of less than $70, the Ninja 12-Cup Programmable Coffee Brewer makes pots of smooth, balanced coffee and bringing it home won’t bust your budget. This coffee maker offers plenty of bells and whistles so you can schedule your coffee brew a day ahead, adjust the warming plate and remove the water reservoir. It did take longer to brew than others — 10 and a half minutes — but that’s where the programmable function can come in handy. With a reusable filter in the box, you can also cut down on one more coffee expense.

Who it’s for:

If you’re looking for a drip coffee maker with plenty of settings, this is the best option of the models we tested. You can make numerous adjustments, including whether you want a classic or rich cup, until you find the perfect setting for your taste buds. We found the design thoughtful and the digital controls intuitive.

Who should avoid it:

Someone who wants a simple machine with only one or two buttons. The plastic parts feel flimsier and the glass thinner than those of more expensive coffee makers on our list.

What we liked:

This simple coffee maker held its own during testing and is a great starter pot for those who want a no-fuss machine. It took 12 minutes to brew a full pot, and there was a decent amount of evaporation, but the coffee was smooth, and the operation was easy. It also held the coffee’s temperature reasonably well for more than an hour after brewing.

Who it’s best for:

Someone who wants to make coffee at home and on a budget.

Who should avoid it:

Those who are looking for a coffee maker with a lot of features or one that makes speedy pots. Its build is somewhat flimsy, as you might expect from a machine priced under $30. Water also evaporated faster during brewing, resulting in a smaller, more concentrated coffee than some better-calibrated coffee makers.

What we liked:

This coffee maker brewed quickly and efficiently in our tests. It was the second fastest, right below our top pick, the OXO 8-cup, and it has a handy timer display that we found easy to read. There are three brewing settings, including cold brew, so it’s a good choice for those who want hot and cold coffee options.

Who it’s best for:

This is a great option for those who want total control over their coffee and require a fast brew for those rushed mornings. It’s available in five colors, so there is a match for every kitchen.

Who should avoid it:

Someone on a tight budget or with limited space, as it is larger than other options on our list.

What we liked:

The Dutch company Technivorm has sold exceptional drip coffee makers for decades. Its Moccamaster drip coffee machine sports a design with clean lines and sharp angles that harkens back to 1968, the year the first Moccamaster hit stores. Retro design aside, the Moccamaster KBT 741 consistently delivers perfectly brewed coffee that will satisfy true coffee connoisseurs. Its stainless-steel thermal carafe also keeps its contents hot for a full 6 hours.

Who it’s best for:

Someone who takes their morning coffee seriously and doesn’t mind giving up the countertop space this machine demands. Its design makes it look like laboratory equipment, giving it a conversation starter quality.

Who should avoid it:

Anyone who want a simple, compact drip coffee maker or budget-friendly options.

What we liked:

Cold-brew coffee is delicious, but it can be a pain to make. Oxo’s cold-brew coffee maker takes much of the headache out of the process — just load it up with ground coffee and let it do its thing. This Oxo Brew coffee maker saturates coffee grounds evenly and lets you drain cold-brewed coffee from them into its glass carafe with relative ease.

Who it’s best for:

Someone who drinks mostly cold brew coffee and is interested in making it in batches.

Who should avoid it:

Those who want single servings of cold brew coffee or don’t have kitchen space for a dedicated cold brew maker. For single-serving cold brew, the Breville Luxe Brewer Drip Coffee Maker has dedicated features to make strong coffee to serve over ice.

What we liked:

Delicious coffee and great-tasting drip from a product that costs less than $20? It sounds unlikely, but that’s just what the affordable OXO Good Grips Pour-Over offers. It only makes coffee one drink at a time and requires you to provide hot water and ground coffee. Looking for a great electric kettle? We’ve got the best electric kettle options right here. That said, the simple brewer transforms the otherwise complex task of making a pour-over into one that’s easy, clean and almost foolproof.

Who it’s best for:

Those who want a consistent pour-over for an affordable price.

Who should avoid it:

Someone who doesn’t want a plastic pour-over.

What we liked:

Caraway’s new 10-cup coffee maker is the brand’s first-ever appliance, and it’s the only drip maker we’ve tested that has a plastic-free brew path. That means the hot water used to make your coffee never comes into contact with plastic, which significantly reduces your exposure to microplastics. 

It also features a sturdy and stylish build and is available in four Caraway colors: cream, stone, clay and midnight.

Who it’s best for:

This drip coffee maker is the ideal choice for someone who wants to eliminate plastic from their coffee routine, but still wants the convenience of a drip coffee maker. While there is a food-grade silicone trim around the lid of the carafe, no plastic touches the water or coffee at any time when this coffee maker is in action. 

Who should avoid it:

At nearly $500, this coffee maker is a major investment that doesn’t align with everyone’s budget. It also doesn’t have any programming or scheduling options since it uses a simple, one-knob design, so keep that in mind if you like to prepare your coffee ahead of time.