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Get your caffeine fix with these top machines.

The Cuisinart 8 Cup Coffee Brewer on top of a wooden surface in a kitchen setting

Credit:Better Homes & Gardens / Will Dickey

you could easily achieve this reality with an automatic coffee maker right in your kitchen.

Shoppers should look for features that fit their specific needsdo they drink coffee?

Will they need a milk feature for lattes or cappuccinos?

Amazon Cuisinart PurePrecision 8 Cup Pour-Over Coffee Brewer

Credit: Amazon

These are a few of the important questions to ask yourself when choosing an automatic coffee maker."

For more on how we tested coffee makers, seeour testing processbelow.

The carafe is difficult to clean thanks to a narrow opening.

Cuisinart 8-Cup Coffee Brewer (CPO-850P1)

Credit: Better Homes & Gardens / Will Dickey

Its a 24-hour programmable option with auto shut-off and self-cleaning tweaks.

Judging by the 8-cup capacity, its a great option for one- or two-person households.

There are three extraction options: mild, medium, and bold.

Cuisinart 8-Cup Coffee Brewer (CPO-850P1)

We conducted taste tests using fresh and mass-produced coffee grounds.

Our cup using fresh grounds tasted much better than the mass-produced grounds, which turned out bitter.

The machine also brewed coffee more quickly than other options.

Cuisinart 8-Cup Coffee Brewer (CPO-850P1)

However, the carafe is difficult to clean thanks to the narrow opening.

The coffee maker comes with a three-year limited warranty.

The machine is mostly plastic and feels a bit cheap and flimsy.

Cuisinart 8-Cup Coffee Brewer (CPO-850P1)

It has a 12-cup capacitygood for a larger household or those who drink a high volume of coffee.

The pre-ground beans produced a very strong, bitter cup with minimal acidity.

We preferred the mass-produced results to fresh grounds, which tended to be weak and watery.

Cuisinart 8-Cup Coffee Brewer (CPO-850P1)

Its the best choice for those on a budget who dont grind coffee at home.

The coffee maker automatically pauses brewing once you lift the lid.

You have 30 seconds to pour a cup and replace the carafe before it starts brewing again.

Cuisinart 8-Cup Coffee Brewer (CPO-850P1)

But it comes with a two-year limited warranty if you have problems.

The minimum capacity brew was weak.

TheBreville Precision Breweris the best option if you want more control over your brew.

Cuisinart 8-Cup Coffee Brewer (CPO-850P1)

It features a thermo-coil heating and pump system, which lets you set precise temperatures and bloom times.

We were easily able to pour coffee without it splashing or dripping out the sides.

Throughout testing, the coffee we made tasted rich and well-balanced.

Cuisinart 8-Cup Coffee Brewer (CPO-850P1)

A stainless steel carafe with double walls keeps the brew hotter for longer than a glass carafe.

We found the configs and dials very intuitive and easy to use.

Both the freshly ground and pre-ground beans produced a solidly delicious cup of coffee.

Cuisinart 8-Cup Coffee Brewer (CPO-850P1)

There is no automatic pause function.

The SCA-certifiedCafe Specialty Drip Coffee Makerallows you to brew coffee from anywhere using Wi-Fi.

you’ve got the option to also adjust brew temperature options from 187F to 205F.

Cuisinart 8-Cup Coffee Brewer (CPO-850P1)

It was a favorite in terms of design during testing.

The appliance makes a gorgeous addition to ahome coffee station.

It comes in three finishes: matte black, matte white, and stainless steel.

Amazon Black+Decker 12-Cup QuickTouch Programmable Coffeemaker

Credit: Amazon

Plus it features a wide base, sleek exterior digital controls, and a shiny copper-colored handle.

We recommend using freshly ground coffee at a medium grind consistency for best results.

Despite the high capacity, we felt smaller amounts brewed better coffee.

BLACK+DECKER 12-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker (CM1160B)

Credit: Better Homes & Gardens / Will Dickey

The 14-cup capacity makes it ideal for a large household.

It features 24-hour programming and auto-shut-off functions so you could start brewing any time of day or night.

Surprisingly, the minimum brew resulted in a stronger flavor than the maximum.

BLACK+DECKER 12-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker (CM1160B)

The medium-capacity brew had the most body.

Still, we felt the results were consistently delicious for home-brewed coffee, especially when considering the price tag.

Mass-produced grinds resulted in a bitter flavor, but we felt it would be pretty drinkable with creamer.

BLACK+DECKER 12-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker (CM1160B)

Overall, we think its a complete steal for the quality.

It also comes with a three-year limited warranty to protect against damage.

When the carafe is full, its unwieldy and feels unevenly weighted.

BLACK+DECKER 12-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker (CM1160B)

There is also a special function to brew smaller amounts of coffee (1-4 cups).

Made from steel with powder-coated colored enamel and plastic chrome accents, its sturdy and well-constructed.

It also makes a delicious cup of coffee.

BLACK+DECKER 12-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker (CM1160B)

In fact, we found it to be one of the best we had during the entire test.

The resulting coffee was tasty, with soft fruity notes and no unpleasant bitterness.

The warming plate keeps coffee warm for an hour after the coffee is done brewing.

BLACK+DECKER 12-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker (CM1160B)

The Smeg comes with a two-year warranty.

Finally, we tested how they performed when using pre-ground, medium-roast coffee.

In this test, we checked whether or not the coffee makers had a pause brew or sneak-a-cup feature.

BLACK+DECKER 12-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker (CM1160B)

If it was an automatic setting, we removed the carafe for five seconds to pause brewing.

If it was manual, we pressed the pause button and halted brewing for five seconds.

We then recorded how much drippage occurred.

BLACK+DECKER 12-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker (CM1160B)

It makes a great cup of coffee, but its significantly pricier than our splurge model.

But the similar-lookingSmeg 10-Cup Drip Coffee Makermade a far superior cup of joe.

Amazon Basics 12-Cup Digital Coffee Maker: This coffee maker is straightforward.

BLACK+DECKER 12-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker (CM1160B)

But we werent that impressed with the coffeewhich, lets face it, is a pretty big deal.

Are you brewing a single cup a day for yourself?

Does the whole household like a cup a day?

BLACK+DECKER 12-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker (CM1160B)

Most machines make drip coffee, but you have the option of making espresso in a machine as well.

Programmable Options

Coffee makers often feature programmable configs that streamline your coffee routine.

Youll also commonly find modes that allow you to brew stronger or lighter coffee to your taste.

Amazon Breville Precision Brewer Thermal

Credit: Amazon

More expensive models can often set specific water temperatures.

Your Questions, Answered

Where can you buy an automatic coffee maker?

Its always a great idea to do your own research before purchasing a coffee maker, Pergola says.

Breville Precision Brewer Thermal Coffee Maker, 60 oz. (BDC450BSS)

Credit: Better Homes & Gardens / Will Dickey

How long do automatic coffee makers last?

How much do automatic coffee makers cost?

Breville Precision Brewer Thermal Coffee Maker, 60 oz. (BDC450BSS)

Breville Precision Brewer Thermal Coffee Maker, 60 oz. (BDC450BSS)

Breville Precision Brewer Thermal Coffee Maker, 60 oz. (BDC450BSS)

Breville Precision Brewer Thermal Coffee Maker, 60 oz. (BDC450BSS)

Breville Precision Brewer Thermal Coffee Maker, 60 oz. (BDC450BSS)

Breville Precision Brewer Thermal Coffee Maker, 60 oz. (BDC450BSS)

Breville Precision Brewer Thermal Coffee Maker, 60 oz. (BDC450BSS)

Breville Precision Brewer Thermal Coffee Maker, 60 oz. (BDC450BSS)

Breville Precision Brewer Thermal Coffee Maker, 60 oz. (BDC450BSS)

Article image

Credit: Better Homes & Gardens / Will Dickey

Close up of someone pouring coffee beans (grounded) into the Cafe Specialty Drip Coffee Maker

Credit: Better Homes & Gardens / Will Dickey

Grounded coffee beans in a container used in the Cafe Specialty Drip Coffee Maker

A person pouring coffee from the Cafe Specialty Drip Coffee Maker into a mug

A person getting the temperature of the coffee from the Cafe Specialty Drip Coffee Maker using a kitchen thermometer

The Cafe Specialty Drip Coffee Maker in a kitchen setting

Close up of someone pouring coffee beans (grounded) into the Cafe Specialty Drip Coffee Maker

Grounded coffee beans in a container used in the Cafe Specialty Drip Coffee Maker

A person pouring coffee from the Cafe Specialty Drip Coffee Maker into a mug

A person getting the temperature of the coffee from the Cafe Specialty Drip Coffee Maker using a kitchen thermometer

The Cafe Specialty Drip Coffee Maker in a kitchen setting

Amazon Cuisinart 14-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker

Credit: Amazon

A person pouring grounded coffee beans inside the Cuisinart PerfecTemp 14-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker

Credit: Better Homes & Gardens / Will Dickey

Close up of the coffee brewing inside of the Cuisinart PerfecTemp 14-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker

Steam coming out of the Cuisinart PerfecTemp 14-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker

A person pouring freshly brewed coffee from the Cuisinart PerfecTemp 14-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker into a mug

The Cuisinart PerfecTemp 14-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker in a kitchen setting

A person pouring grounded coffee beans inside the Cuisinart PerfecTemp 14-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker

Close up of the coffee brewing inside of the Cuisinart PerfecTemp 14-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker

Steam coming out of the Cuisinart PerfecTemp 14-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker

A person pouring freshly brewed coffee from the Cuisinart PerfecTemp 14-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker into a mug

The Cuisinart PerfecTemp 14-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker in a kitchen setting

Amazon Smeg Drip Coffee Maker

Credit: Amazon

SMEG 10-Cup Drip Coffee Maker

Credit: Better Homes & Gardens / Will Dickey

SMEG 10-Cup Drip Coffee Maker

SMEG 10-Cup Drip Coffee Maker

SMEG 10-Cup Drip Coffee Maker

SMEG 10-Cup Drip Coffee Maker

SMEG 10-Cup Drip Coffee Maker

SMEG 10-Cup Drip Coffee Maker

SMEG 10-Cup Drip Coffee Maker

SMEG 10-Cup Drip Coffee Maker

SMEG 10-Cup Drip Coffee Maker

A person showing the inside of the Cuisinart PerfecTemp 14-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker

Credit:Better Homes & Gardens / Will Dickey

A person pouring coffee from the Amazon Basics 12-Cup Digital Coffee Maker into a clear mug

Credit:Better Homes & Gardens / Will Dickey

Close up of a few parts of the Cuisinart 8-Cup Coffee Brewer (CPO-850P1)

Credit:Better Homes & Gardens / Will Dickey