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6 Most Reliable Coffee Makers of 2024

By Eugene WilliamsLast update: 2024-11-25

Equipping the kitchen with a coffee maker is an effective solution for coffee addicts who want to save time and money to drive to a nearby coffee shop and effort on manually brewing coffee. But if you are new to this market, we have simplified the search process.

Here are the most reliable coffee makers you can buy in 2024:

  • Single-Serve Coffee Maker (Fast Brewing): Cuisinart SS-10P1
  • Best For Espresso (Single-Serve Coffee Maker): Nespresso BEC220BLK
  • Best For Iced Coffee (Single-Serve Coffee Maker): Keurig C K-Elite
  • Best For Robust Brew (Multi-Cup Coffee Maker): Cuisinart DCC-3400P1
  • Best For Cappuccino (Multi-Cup Coffee Maker): Ninja CM401
  • Easy To Clean (Multi-Cup Coffee Maker): BUNN 55200 CSB3T
6 Most Reliable Coffee Makers
Single-Serve Coffee Maker
Cuisinart SS-10P1
  • Fast Brewing
Best For Espresso
Nespresso BEC220BLK
  • Single-Serve Coffee Maker
Best For Iced Coffee
Keurig C K-Elite
  • Single-Serve Coffee Maker
Best For Robust Brew
Cuisinart DCC-3400P1
  • Multi-Cup Coffee Maker
Best For Cappuccino
Ninja CM401
  • Multi-Cup Coffee Maker
Easy To Clean
BUNN 55200 CSB3T
  • Multi-Cup Coffee Maker

Single-Serve Coffee Maker: Cuisinart SS-10P1

Cuisinart SS-10P1
Cuisinart SS-10P1
Pros
  • Under a minute to brew a 4-ounce coffee cup
  • Easy to use at night - the fully programmable digital display with backlit
  • Great control – multiple cup size options, water temperature settings, auto-rinse, etc.
Cons
  • It is still under-brewing your coffee
  • The finish attracts fingerprints

The Cuisinart SS-10P1 can brew a 4-ounce cup of coffee in less than a minute once turned on - an unmatched record. At larger cup size options, the unit will take more time to heat the water but the maximum range is always no longer than 3 minutes.

And, if you need more than one coffee cup at a time, this model doesn't take too long to wait.

Our second favorite feature of the Cuisinart SS-10P1 is the fully programmable digital display with backlit for ease of use in low light conditions. There, you've got many adjustable settings to choose like the auto-rinse, temperature settings, cup sizes, and auto on/off switch.

Cuisinart SS-10P1 Specifications

Dimension

11.03 x 9.33 x 12.13 inches

Material

Plastic

Filter Style

built-in charcoal water filter

Capacity

0.35 Liters/72 oz.

Highlight Features

Under a minute to brew a 4-ounce coffee cup

the fully programmable digital display with backlit

Verdict

With a fast heat-up time, the Cuisinart SS-10P1 over-performed during our Lab tests while we pulled countless espresso shots.

Best For Espresso: Nespresso BEC220BLK

Nespresso BEC220BLK
Nespresso BEC220BLK
Pros
  • Dedicated for espresso-brewing – the extraction system and the one-touch operation
  • More compact and lightweight than other versions in the Nespresso by Breville series – the dimensions of 3.3 x 8 x 12.9 inches & the weight of 5.1 pounds
  • Energy-saving - auto-shutoff switches after 9 minutes
Cons
  • Wish there were more cup size options

The latest version of the Nespresso by Breville series, this single-serve espresso brewer is designed for those who want a more compact and lightweight option at a lower upfront cost than the two previous siblings (the Pixie and the Inissia).

It measures 3.3 x 8 x 12.9 inches and weighs 5.1 pounds, which fits nicely into any tight corners.

But there are some minor sacrifices on such a compact and affordable brewer, such as a smaller capacity reservoir and less cup size options. Compared to the Pixie and the Inissia, this model doesn't have the "Fast 25" heat-up" function or the foldable drip tray, either.

Still, it features auto-shutoff switches for energy saving.

Nespresso BEC220BLK Specifications

Dimension

8 x 4.3 x 12.8 inches

Material

Plastic

Capacity

0.6 Liters

Highlight Features

the extraction system and the one-touch operation

the dimensions of 3.3 x 8 x 12.9 inches

the weight of 5.1 pounds

Verdict

If you are a genuine espresso lover, then consider the Nespresso BEC220BLK

Best For Iced Coffee: Keurig C K-Elite

Keurig C K-Elite
Keurig C K-Elite
Pros
  • Able to create iced coffee – the Iced Coffee button
  • Giving bold taste of the coffee flavor – the Strong Brew button
  • Travel-friendly – a removable drip tray & compatible with a 7.2” travel mug
Cons
  • No LCD screen

The Keurig C K-Elite is a worthy investment for those who are a big fan of iced coffee with strong flavors.

It features "Strong Brew" and "Iced Coffee" - which are the two add-ons hardly found on lower-end options, meaning that you can effortlessly create a cup of iced coffee in a few minutes through just a press of a button.

The unit still provides a "Hot Water" function for those who love both hot and cold drinks. Last but not least, the removable drip tray is friendly for take-away coffee.

Keurig C K-Elite Specifications

Dimension

12.7 x 9.9 x 13.1 inches

Material

plastic

Filter Style

Reusable Filter

Capacity

75 oz./ 8 Cups

Highlight Features

the Iced Coffee button

the “Strong Brew” button

a removable drip tray

Verdict

The Keurig C K-Elite is the best choice for flavorful iced coffee that's never watered down.


Best For Robust Brew: Cuisinart DCC-3400P1

Cuisinart DCC-3400P1
Cuisinart DCC-3400P1
Pros
  • Offering robust brew – the Bold button
  • Allowing you to have a coffee cup before the brewing cycle has ended – the Brew Pause button
  • Allowing for setting up the night before - the 24-hour timer with 1-4 cup options
Cons
  • The pouring spout of the carafe needs improvement
  • It makes noise when working to keep the coffee warm

Want to brew coffee with a bold flavor? It's not a hard task with the Cuisinart DCC-3400P1! Just press the "Bold" button on the control panel and let the machine do the rest for you.

You can also enjoy a coffee cup before the brewing cycle has ended by pressing the "Brew Pause" button - which is Cuisinart's trademarked add-on, meaning that you cannot find elsewhere for this wonderful function.

Some other practical features that you'll benefit from this model are the auto-off after a preset period of time ranging from 0-4 hours and the 24-hour timer with 1-4 cup options.

Cuisinart DCC-3400P1 Specifications

Dimension

9 x 7.75 x 14.25 inches

Material

stainless-steel

Filter Style

built-in charcoal water filter

Carafe

12 Cup Thermal Carafe

Capacity

3 Quarts

Highlight Features

the “Bold” button

the "Brew Pause" button

the 24-hour timer with 1-4 cup options

Verdict

We found the Cuisinart DCC-3400P1 to be the best option for robust brew. If you want a cup of coffee with stronger flavors, check out this option!

Best For Cappuccino: Ninja CM401

Ninja CM401
Ninja CM401
Pros
  • Able to brew cappuccino at the right concentration - four brewing styles and a built-in frother
  • Space-saving – foldable frothed design
  • Flexible – no pods required
Cons
  • Big and bulky

Offering up to four brewing styles and featuring a built-in frother, the Ninja CM401 can easily create your favorite cup of coffee at the desired concentration whether it's cappuccino, macchiato, or latte.

The frother design, on the other hand, is foldable when not in use to save extra space.

One small bonus is this coffee brewer doesn't require pods like most other multi-cup coffee makers would do.

Ninja CM401 Specifications

Dimension

11.99 x 8.75 x 15.04 inches

Material

Stainless Steel

Filter Style

permanent filter

Carafe

Half Carafe & Full Carafe.

Capacity

40 ounces

Highlight Features

four brewing styles

a built-in foldable frothed

no pods required

Verdict

Providing four separate brewing styles and a built-in frother, we believe that any cappuccino addicts will fall for the Ninja CM401.

Easy To Clean: BUNN 55200 CSB3T

BUNN 55200 CSB3T
BUNN 55200 CSB3T
Pros
  • Easy to clean – removable and dishwasher-friendly design
  • Rust-resistant & durable - commercial-grade stainless steel construction
Cons
  • No carafe safety switch

When using the BUNN 55200 CSB3T, you will get a pot of delicious coffee in 1/2 shorter time than standard multi-cup coffee makers in the market, no matter you choose the 50-ounce or the 20-ounce size setting.

But the best part is all the parts that require hygiene are removable and dishwasher-friendly, which means you will spend less time on cleaning and more time on enjoying your coffee.

Its commercial-grade stainless steel construction will not be prone to rust or corrosion during use. Besides, this unit is supported by the manufacturer’s 3-year warranty.

BUNN 55200 CSB3T Specifications

Dimension

13.9 x 8.3 x 14.9 inches

Material

Stainless Steel

Filter Style

BUNN filters

Carafe

double walled, vacuum insulated carafe

Capacity

50 Fluid Ounces

Highlight Features

removable and dishwasher-friendly design

commercial-grade stainless steel construction

Verdict

During our lab testing, the BUNN 55200 CSB3T was quickest to steam, easiest to clean, and the most durable.

How To Choose The Most Reliable Coffee Maker?

We believe that the most reliable coffee maker should be consistently good in quality and performance.

Nowadays coffee makers are constructed of food-grade stainless steel and BPA-free plastic – which is reassuring about the quality, so our experts will primarily focus on the features related to performance in this guide.

Here are the things to determine to pick the right unit that custom-fits you:

Number Of Cups

If you only need one cup of coffee to get your day started, then a single-serve machine will be the best option.

Should you drink more? Select a multi-cup coffee maker with larger reservoir capacity. Most large options brew 8-12 cups. But take note that each unit provides specific cup size ranges: Some coffee makers are only available in one cup size while others offer more options.

This is a preference issue! If you live alone and need a certain amount of coffee every day, then pick a model with one cup size because the more the customization, the pricier the price.

A coffee maker with multiple cup sizes should be perfect for a family or a group of people who have different cup size preferences.

Your Preferred Kind Of Coffee

Do you like cold brew, cappuccino, latte, iced coffee, or espresso?

Again, each machine is only capable of brewing some certain kinds of coffee, so it is important to determine what you like.

If you’re a big fan of the concentrated brew, it is ideal to pick a cold-brew machine. A cappuccino lover? Then, choose a cappuccino model.

If the coffee maker is going to serve different people with different tastes. Or, if your coffee tastes change according to the season – i.e. iced coffee during summer and hot coffee during winter. Then, go for an option with more custom brewing options (which is costlier, of course).

Some good examples are the Keurig C K-Elite - Single-Serve Coffee Maker with “Iced Coffee” button and “Strong Brew” button. Or, the Cuisinart DCC-3400P1 - Multi-Cup Coffee Maker with “Bold” button.

Dimensions

A good coffee maker should fit well to your counter space. Not all machines are made with the same size, so you should determine the surface area of your counter to find the right one.

Pay attention to the position of the surrounding outlets and the specific distance to choose a model with the right cord length.

Automatic Features

If setting up a coffee maker in the morning is too much to handle for you, then an auto machine might fit you.

Many high-end models offer a timer with auto-on/off function to automatically brew coffee in the preset time frame in the day so that the user doesn't have to wake up early in the morning to fill and turn it on. These features also come in handy for those who are forgetful.

Which Brands Make The Most Reliable Coffee Maker?

Cuisinart

Cuisinart has been managed by Conair Corporation since 1989 and is a globally known name for delivering a full-service culinary resource with a diverse range of goods that are appreciated by chefs and customers alike.

Keyrig

Keurig Dr Pepper (NASDAQ: KDP), launched in 2018, is a significant North American beverage corporation. Their coffee maker lineups are well-loved by coffee enthusiasts all around the world since they produce several types of coffee with realistic tastes.

Ninja

Ninja® is a pioneer in cleaning products and compact home equipment that fit the lives of busy people all over the world, and is one of numerous house-care brands established by SharkNinja Operating LLC. They take pride in their inventiveness, user-friendliness, and competitive price.

FAQs

How much should I spend on a coffee maker?

For the assurance of quality and functionality, we recommend you to spend at least $150 on a coffee maker.

What can I put in coffee instead of sugar?

Instead of sugar, you can put unsweetened cocoa powder, maple syrup, coconut sugar, stevia, honey, or agave in coffee.

How do I make my coffee maker taste better?

To make your coffee maker taste better, try these tips:

  • Use other coffee beans
  • Store them properly to keep them fresh
  • Use filtered water
  • Check the machine’s temperature
  • Utilize cold water
  • Do a trial run
  • Maintain the machine properly

Can I leave coffee in the coffee maker overnight?

Yes, you can. But don’t leave coffee in the coffee maker overnight too usually because it can cause the risks of potential contamination, depositing minerals, water staleness, and bacteria growth.

How often should I chemical clean a coffee maker?

You should chemical clean a coffee maker daily.

Conclusion

We know that the decision to buy a coffee maker is difficult. Anyway, this machine is not cheap at all. That’s why we share this ultimate buying guide, aiming to make your big decision more effortless.

All the recommendations here are the most reliable coffee makers that our experts have tested days and months to come to the final conclusion. So, please be reassured when you’re shopping for any of them.


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