Cusinart, Chemex, Mr. Coffee, and more

Splurging on an expensive coffee maker is pretty much the same idea as splurging on a “good” cup of coffee. Do you need to do it? No. Will you notice the difference if you do? Hopefully. That definitely seems to be the case with the Technivorm Moccamaster 59163 KBG Coffee Brewer.
Just check out how extra this thing looks.
Despite the hefty price tag, the Moccamaster doesn’t come with all the fancy bells and whistles of other, less expensive coffee machines. There’s no auto start, no option to adjust brew strength, or really any of the other cushy features one might expect. There are literally just two switches; one to turn it on and off, and the other to control the temperature of the hot plate. However, if buyer reviews are to be believed, the Moccamaster is a perfect example of “less is more.” 
The Moccamaster features a glass carafe, an automatic drip-stop brew-basket, and will brew a 40-ounce pot of coffee in six minutes, keeping the hotplate at a temperature of either 175° or 185°, so you can keep your coffee hot without worrying about it burning. The automatic brew-basket even allows you to pull the carafe away and pour a cup without dripping from the brew basket. (Win!)
The design of the machine is cool and modern looking, plus it comes in a whopping 17 colors, so you can really get creative if you want. (If you’re dropping $300+ on a coffee machine, might as well get it in your favorite color, amirite?) 
But the real price justification here definitely lies within the quality of the coffee it brews and the actual machine itself. And buyers are super vocal about it.
Amazon user Joshua M. writes:

“This is the best coffee maker available. Its perfection is in its simplicity… no unnecessary gadgetry or gimmicks… just 2 switches (on/off and high/low temp), a copper heating element, replaceable parts, and the best tasting coffee you’ve ever had. After reading reviews and watching videos all over the internet, I was convinced enough to spend the money and try it out. Now having had the Moccamaster for over 4 years, I know that I will never own another coffee maker. Aside from the initial price, there is nothing negative to be said about this product… and it really is a case of getting what you pay for… I would highly recommend the Technivorm Moccamaster to anyone without hesitation.”

Amazon user B. Smith writes: 

“OK, so this is really expensive and you don’t get even any of the basic modern features you’d expect on a $20 machine like auto start or ‘bold’ versus ‘regular’ setting. What you DO get, however, is what I consider to be a great coffee experience and a rather unique and fun to operate machine. The boiler kicks on with kind of a dull roar, and then bubbles come through the center column in the water tank. I was surprised at how quiet it was. I think this is because of the weird drip funnel thing that extends down into the carafe. I like being able to watch the water bubble up from the center column, and it’s also fun to be able to pull off the grounds cover and watch the coffee grounds become saturated with water. I was really worried about regretting my purchase because of the price, but to my surprise I’m enjoying the thing. I’ve had no problems with the machine at all. If you’re the kind of person that might impulse buy a $300+ coffee machine because it’s cool and made of metal and comes in pretty colors, I don’t think you’re going to regret this at all.”

The Chemex Classic Series Coffee Maker isn’t your typical drip coffee maker, as it’s non-electric and utilizes a simple pour-over method. (No fancy buttons or switches — you literally just pour hot water over the grounds in the coffee filter.) It goes without saying that brewing coffee with the Chemex will take a bit longer than an electronic coffee maker when you have to factor in the time to boil water on your own. But as Chemex says, “like all good things, full flavor takes time — and your own special touch.” And damn — with reviews like the ones the Chemex has, they very well may be right.
The Chemex Coffeemaker claims to deliver “only the elements essential to rich coffee flavor.” It’s simple but elegant design is made of non-porous Borosilicate glass (which won’t absorb odors or chemical residues) and is super easy to use. It even allows coffee to be covered and refrigerated for reheating without losing any flavor. Speaking of flavor, there’s a reason the Chemex has raked up over 2500 reviews, with 78% giving it a perfect five stars. The flavor of the finished brew is apparently incredible.
Amazon user Deal Grabber! writes: 

 “Time it takes to brew – Ok, the MAIN thing is that you have to boil water in a kettle, and manually feed it water of course. So, whatever time that takes on your stove to boil a kettle, that’s the time you can add to what it would normally take you to make coffee in an electric maker. For us, we timed both. What we found is that it takes us approximately 5 minutes longer to make a pot of coffee in the Chemex, due to the time it takes to boil the water, mostly. Manually pouring it is a sunk cost, obviously. As for the maker itself, it takes about the same time as an electric maker, or perhaps even less. BUT, the difference in the quality of coffee is AMAZING! We use Folgers Columbian and when brewing via the Chemex, it tastes, smells, and “feels” like Starbucks! No joke. Never got that quality out of an electric maker, ever. So, is it worth the extra 5 mins and a bit of labor? YEP!”

So if your mornings are a bit more country, and a little less rock ‘n roll, the Chemex Pour-Over Coffee Maker could be an excellent choice.

Instant-coffee machines are convenient, but any self-proclaimed coffee snob will tell you they rarely deliver the same caliber of flavor as a drip-coffee machine. When you’re a chronic rusher (some call it poor time management, I call it life), every second, especially in the morning, is crucial. That said, knocking a few minutes off of your morning coffee routine can be a real game changer, especially if you don’t have to compromise by using coffee pods. So thank you to the Bunn NHS Velocity Coffee Brewer, AKA the closest thing you’ll get to an “instant-coffee” maker in the form of a drip coffee machine.
The Bunn NHS Velocity claims to be the “fastest 10-cup home coffee maker,” brewing a full pot in a mere three minutes (which is seriously impressive for a drip coffee maker.)
It features an always-hot stainless steel hot water tank, so all you have to do is keep it plugged in, and when you’re ready for your coffee, it can brew a full pot without spending the extra time to heat up the water (hence the 3-minute output.)
The Bunn also comes with a drip-free carafe with a proprietary lid and spout design that arcs to prevent escaped droplets, so no need to worry about a mess on the counter. 
Amazon user CherylNien writes:

“So simple and easy to use. I’ve had the older version for 10 years, tested out and researched so many to try something different only to return to this one and I have no regrets. I LOVE IT! Most coffee makers put out a lot of steam at the top which is unfortunate when stored under a cabinet. This has zero steam on top of the coffee maker. Also, most water reservoirs have a lid that flips open which is also inconvenient when stored under a cabinet. This lid slides side to side. Brews a whole pot of coffee in about 3 minutes. Very convenient for busy on the go impatient people like me.”

When it comes to “best value,” the Cuinsinart DCC-3200 PerfecTemp Programmable Coffee Maker takes the cake, considering all of the sweet features it includes while still remaining at a reasonable price. 
The Cuisinart really makes it possible to have your coffee how you want it and when you want it. Its large glass carafe can hold up to 14 cups, or a small batch of one to four cups, basically making it perfect for any occasion, whether you’re hosting company or just want to make a small pot for yourself in the morning. 
One of the most convenient features of the Cuisinart is that it also comes with a 24-hour brew timer, so you can schedule your coffee to start brewing any time within 24 hours. That means you can set your timer for 10 minutes before your alarm the next morning, and literally wake up to the smell of a fresh pot of coffee. 
It comes with two brew strength control settings (regular or bold), is self-cleaning, and has an auto-off setting that you can set anywhere between zero and four hours. 
It also has adjustable keep-warm temperature control, so you can set the warmth of the hot plate to keep your freshly brewed coffee at whatever temperature you like. 
It’s simple, affordable, and packed with great features, leaving you with a straightforward cup of coffee that has impressed a lot of reviewers. 
Amazon user artyone writes: 

“I wasn’t sure about all of the bells and whistles that come with this pot. I didn’t think I would need them, but now that I have them I love them! The filter makes a huge difference in the taste. I also love that you can set how long you want your coffee to stay warm- burner immediately off, 1, 2, 3, or 4 hours (this comes in handy on those long work from home days). Also, the pot doesn’t leak or pour water all over the place, not sure what those reviewers were referring to. The 1-4 cup option adjusts the coffee perfect for small batches too. If I were to criticize anything it would be that the pot doesn’t pour into the maker well if you’re left handed, but hey, I’m used to a lot of design flaws in this world so it’s just another. If you’re right handed there is no issue because your hand would be on the outside edge of the maker. Even with that, 5 stars!”

As it turns out, it’s completely possible to brew coffee on-the-go, and the Coffee Gator Personal Coffee Brewing Travel Mug is making it possible to take the drip coffee experience with you.
The convenient coffee mug (which will fit in most cupholders) comes with a military-grade stainless steel coating and mesh filter, which isn’t only convenient (say goodbye to constantly buying new coffee filters), it also makes it environmentally friendly and super easy to clean. When you’re ready to brew, just add coffee grounds to the filter and pour over the hot water to make drip coffee directly into the portable cup. The cup is also a vacuum-layered cup and has a copper lining, so it traps heat inside for longer in order to keep your coffee hot. 
And as for the important question: How’s the coffee?
Surprisingly really good. Peep the reviews — a whopping 80% gave this thing a perfect 5-star rating.
The Coffee Gator Personal Brewer probably won’t replace your counter coffee maker (unless you never plan on brewing more than a cup), but for less than 30 bucks it makes a great addition to your kitchen, and an awesome gift.
Amazon user Rick Whitehouse writes: 

“I’ve owned a regular Coffee Gator pore over filter for over a year now. I make such consistently good coffee with my Coffee Gator. When I saw the same great idea in a travel mug, I thought this would be great, a Coffee Gator Travel Mug. This travel mug keeps my coffee hot for over 21/2 hours, and the coffee is still so hot I have to sip the coffee. The construction is of heaven, durable metal on the outside. It seems way more rugged than the more expensive Starbucks travel mugs. I like the clear plastic top, I haven’t dropped the coffee mug yet. Hopefully the plastic top won’t shatter or break. The heavy outter metal will difinitely withstand a good drop. It’s still a bit too soon to tell, but I think this mug is a winner. I recommend this travel coffee maker, made by Coffee Gator.”

The size of your coffee maker is a big thing to consider. Because what good is a big fancy coffee maker if you literally don’t have the space for it? For those looking for the best machine with a small footprint to complement a lack of counter space in your apartment, dorm, or office, look no further than the Black+Decker 5-Cup Coffee Maker. 
It doesn’t get more simple in terms of use: the Black+Decker model has one simple start/stop button for brewing. But its 25-ounce carafe with measurement markings, easy-grip handle, and removable filter basket make use and cleanup a breeze. It also has a keep-hot carafe plate that will keep coffee warm for an hour after brewing is complete. 
This petite little machine is just under three and a half pounds, and is about the size of one of those mini coffee makers you’d see in a hotel room. But don’t underestimate it. This little guy is a major fan favorite.
 Amazon user Drama Mama writes:

“This coffee maker is what most of us refer to as a “travel size” (like the smaller ones often provided in motels) and yes it is quite a bit smaller than a standard pot. So if you are looking for a pot to provide coffee for the whole family, or guests – this isn’t the one for you. HOWEVER – if you just need a pot for one or two people to have a cup or 2 in the morning, it’s perfect. It has a small footprint, and I can get at least 4 ‘standard mug” cups out of this. It makes about 36 ozs per pot if you fill it to the top. Each pot takes just 5 minutes to brew. Even though this is a smaller pot, STANDARD FILTERS DO FIT – But, if you get the chrome/black model, you should get a metal mesh reusable filter like I did. If you are single or just want a few cups in the morning like me – this is the best pot you will find.”

Amazon user Jillian Roberts writes:

“This coffee maker has been one of the greatest purchases of my Amazon history. If you are looking for a simple coffee maker that doesn’t require much space than this is the one for you and for the price it’s hard to beat. As I said in the title perfect for small spaces or the college student that needs a coffee maker but can’t afford a crazy expensive one.”

Leave it to Mr. Coffee to know how to give the people exactly what they need in a coffee maker and nothing more. 
The Mr. Coffee 12-Cup Coffee Maker keeps it super simple: just set it up, turn it on, and watch it brew. The one-button machine is hardly extravagant, but if you’re looking for a straight-forward coffee maker from a trusted brand that’s at the top of its game for its price range, this is it. This no-frills gem does come with one nice little perk, which is the Grab-A-Cup Auto Pause button, AKA the button that lets you pause mid-brew to steal a cup instead of having to wait until the entire 12-cup brew is done. (This is a true blessing for impatient coffee-guzzlers everywhere.) 
This coffee maker comes with a dual water window (which allows visibility as you fill to avoid overflows), a lift and clean filter basket for easy cleanup, and easy cord storage so you don’t have stray wires hogging your counter space. The Mr. Coffee 12-Cup Coffee Maker is pretty fool-proof to use, and if we’re judging just by reviews, it’s well worth the $25 price tag.   
Amazon user review sense writes:

“We are very happy (so far) with this coffee maker – it is pretty basic, which is exactly what we needed. Our last coffee maker gave out, and it like several before it did not last long, we had paid a lot for them and never needed or used half the extras. This coffee maker makes good coffee and stays hot till we are done with the pot. It serves our needs and is not wasted money for extras we won’t use.”

Another Amazon Customer writes:

“We love this coffee maker. First of all it is inexpensive and you don’t have to spend a fortune for a nice hot cup of coffee. The window viewer to see how much water you are placing in unit is large and conveniently placed on both sides. I love that I don’t have to put my glasses on to see how many cups of water I need in unit or even to move unit due to viewer only being on one side. It is not programmable but my last coffee maker was and not once did I use that feature. It does not turn on or off by itself but again I truly don’t need help with pushing one simple little button. I see the green light when it is on. Quite simple. We are avid coffee drinkers and the coffee is good, hot and fresh. No risk here.”