Best Automatic Coffee Maker Reviews 2018

Looking to buy the best automatic coffee maker? We've narrowed the search down to the best 5 in the market. For coffee lovers, there is nothing like that first cup of java in the morning. The smell of a fresh pot brewing is enough to wake up your senses, even before you take a sip. With so many great options available, the choices can be overwhelming. In order to save you that time and frustration, we have compiled a list of some of the best automatic coffee maker brands, featuring a model from each – in a mixture of affordable prices. If you don’t find what you are looking for in the products we have featured, these trustworthy brands have other choices, or you can take a look at our other best coffee maker reviews by specific type!

Overview

PROS

CONS

SPECS

Capacity

Color(s)

Cup Size

Auto Off

Size

Our Top Choice

Breville Vertuo Coffee & Espresso Machine

Breville, founded in 1932, became a household name in Australia after the launch of the first sandwich toaster. Now, they manufacture a huge range of small kitchen appliances.

Makes 2 cup sizes. Uses patented Centrifusion technology, spins at 7000rpm. Free welcome set of capsules. Includes milk frother. Auto capsule recognition changes settings.

Some isolated complaints that it’s not hot enough.

40-ounce water tank

Black, chrome, red, titan

8oz and 1.35oz

Yes after 9 minutes

8.3 x 11.91 x 11.93” / 10.85lbs

Best Value

Hamilton Beach 2-Way Coffee Brewer

Hamilton Beach has made a household name for themselves in the small kitchen appliance industry. Their products include blenders, mixers, waffle makers, coffee makers and more.

2-in-1 machine. Makes single serve and whole pot coffee. Uses grinds or pods. Single serve fits a 14oz travel mug. Height adjustable. Large 12-cup carafe.

Some complaints of leaking water.

14oz single/12-cup carafe

Black

Makes whole pot

Yes programmable

13.9 x 12.23 x 11.08”

SharkNinja Coffee Bar System

Ninja is a SharkNinja brand, manufacturing high-quality, stylish and innovative small home appliances and cleaning products. From blenders to coffee makers, they’ve got your covered.

Stylish black, chrome and glass design. 10-cup carafe. Also makes single serve. Built in milk frother. Multiple coffee settings. Multiple brew sizes. Warming plate.

Some customers have had a problem cleaning the machine.

Not specified

Black, chrome and glass

6 cup sizes

Yes after 2 hours

11.34 x 15 x 16.34” / 12.7lbs

Cuisinart 14-Cup Coffee Maker

Cuisinart is a global brand, manufacturing small home appliances and kitchen products that help you to “savor the good life”. This of course includes high-end coffee makers.

Simple design. Easy to use. Large 14-cup carafe. Programmable timer. Self-cleaning. Can make 1-4 cups too. Keep warm temp control. Auto shut off.

Some suggest the durability of the machine is not up to usual Cuisinart standards.

Up to 14 cups

White, silver or copper

1-4 cup options or up to 14

Yes 0-4 hours

9 x 7.75 x 14”

Mr. Coffee Switch Coffee Maker

Mr. Coffee is focused solely on brewing excellent coffee and providing you with the specialized and functional machines to do it yourself right from home.

Small, compact and portable. Auto pause button. Simple to use. Dual water window. Removable filter basket. Stain resistant warming plate. Choose 4 or 5 cup model.

Carafe has a narrow top which can be difficult when cleaning.

4 or 5 cups

Black or white

1-5 cups

7.16 x 6.37 x 9.64” / 3.04lbs

(Updated June 12, 2018)

Skip ahead and go directly to the reviews.

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Watch Our Automatic Coffee Maker Review

How Do I Choose the Best Automatic Coffee Maker?

Let’s face it, in many cultures the day can’t start, or end, without a cup of well brewed hot coffee. You could keep spending your hard earned money at the coffee shop, or you can make a great investment for a good quality coffee machine. Some machines are very specialized and produce delicious coffee, sometimes even better than at a coffee shop. One product like that is the OXO On Barista Brain Coffee Maker. It uses a microprocessor-controlled brew cycle which imitates the pour over method for a perfect cup of coffee every time.

For the purpose of this review, we’re going to take a look at some of the very best multi-serve, automatic coffee machines -- in a variety of price ranges that have the features to ensure that you get a delicious mug of coffee every time. While each of these machines can brew small quantities of coffee as well, there are some people who prefer making one cup at a time; for that you would want to take a look at single-serve coffee machines.

When it comes to choosing the right coffee maker, a lot of factors do play a role in the end product you are going to go home with. Even though they may fall under the same category, programmable coffeemakers vary remarkably in terms of size, price and lastly the features they have to offer to the consumer. For example -- the number of cups they can brew in a single session, the time it takes, if it has an option to choose the coffee strength, if it can brew more than just coffee are some of the options you may want to look at to pick the best. Some coffee makers take grinds and others take pods, like Keurig coffee makers. Keurig is a globally famous name in the coffee maker industry thanks to their high-end, innovative and stylish products. One of their awesome automatic coffee makers that’s worth a look is the Keurig Office Pro Single Cup Pod Coffee Maker.

We’re just getting started though, there’s tons of coffee makers on the market in all shapes and sizes. Read on to understand some of the important consideration factors you need to know before making a decision.

Price

You can choose to spend $150 or even more to purchase a coffee maker that is stylishly made with a sleek finish and great features that will definitely wow your friends and visitors. However that doesn’t mean if you go for a coffee machine that is priced lower than $50 with minimal features like a single button then you won’t be able to enjoy a delicious cup of piping hot coffee. With a budget of between $35 to $200, you should be to find a programmable coffee machine that brews a great cup of coffee to your desired strength.

Features

One of the main things that every coffee lover looks out for in a coffee machine is the ability to brew a cup of coffee that is awesomely delicious. For some people any cup irrespective of how strong or hot it is, will pass as “good enough.” But for the coffee experts, spending extra dollars to get a coffeemaker that brews coffee to optimal strength and retains the right temperature for a couple of hours is worth it.

A few other features to consider when shopping for a coffeemaker are the number of cups you are able to brew at a time, how many parts need to be cleaned and how often and most importantly if it has a carafe and the materials used to make it (for those who are always breaking glass, avoiding a machine that has a glass kettle pot might save you on doing numerous replacements).

Construction and Design

When shopping for a coffee machine, you need to ask yourself a couple of questions-- How much is it worth to wake up to a freshly brewed delicious cup of coffee? How many cups would you like to brew in one go? How often do you need to go back for a refill?

Within the category of automatic coffee machines, there are two main types – drip and thermal.

Drip Coffee Maker – A drip coffee machine is designed to brew several cups of coffee at once. The brewed coffee “drips” down into a glass carafe that sits atop a hot plate that will keep the coffee warm. Programmable coffee makers let you determine how much coffee to make at a time, which is important for people who don’t like the taste of coffee that has been sitting on “warm” for too long.
Thermal Coffee Maker – Thermal coffee machines are becoming much more common within the every day coffee machines, whereas there was a time when you could only find this feature in high end coffee makers. Rather than the brewed coffee going into a separate carafe, it’s stored in a specially designed thermal container. There are two types of containers – external thermal carafes which can keep a pot of coffee warm for a few hours, or within a container that is built in to the machine. For the latter, coffee is dispensed from the machine as you need it.

In addition to these two types of automatic coffee machines are the ones that are designed to brew one cup of coffee, fresh when you want it.

Performance and Ease of Use

Most coffee makers currently in the market are programmable. This makes it easier for one to choose their preferred model. Brewing options and being programmable are the major factors that affect the quality of your coffee. Some of the machines have an inbuilt strength feature that lets you choose a brew that matches your preferred taste. Other devices also have a timer that allows you to program it in a way that it brews your delicious coffee cup a few minutes before you wake up making your morning a hassle free one.

In addition to the quality of coffee and how user-friendly the machine is to use, another thing that you want to look for is a machine that is easy to clean and maintain. Some of the really high quality machines even include self-cleaning features.

What is the Best Automatic Coffee Maker?

Ok, now we know the important things to look for when choosing an automatic coffee machine, let’s take a look at five different brands that got our vote of approval.

Our Top Choice

The Breville Vertuo Coffee & Espresso Machine uses Nespresso capsules and patented Centrifusion technology that spins the capsules at 7000rpm. If espressos are your thing, then you might want to get a dedicated Nespresso Expert Espresso Maker instead!

Breville Vertuo Coffee and Espresso Automatic Coffee Machine – Available in Multiple Colors

Breville Automatic Coffee Maker BNV250CRO1BUC1 - Chrome

Features

Breville was founded in Australia in 1932 but they didn’t reach huge success until the launch of the first sandwich toaster. This was in 1974 and it propelled Breville to become a huge household name in Australia and worldwide. Their range of products includes juicers, coffee grinders, kettles, ovens, grills and waffle makers as well as some commercial hot plates too.

The Breville Vertuo Coffee & Espresso Machine is a stylish, functional coffee maker that uses Nespresso VertuoLine coffee capsules. It couldn’t be easier to create delicious coffee at home with this machine’s one touch operation. Simply press the button, wait 15-20 seconds for it to pre-heat and that’s all! The capsule will even eject itself after use.

Let’s check out some more features you can expect:

Two cup sizes; 8-ounce coffee and 1.35-ounce espresso
Uses centrifusion technology patented by Nespresso that spins the capsule up to 7000 times a minute
Automatic blend recognition means the machine changes settings automatically to suit each capsule
Includes a welcome set of 12 Nespresso capsules
Capsules are made from recyclable aluminum
Overall there are 12 coffees and 4 espresso capsules to try and find your perfect blend
40-ounce water tank capacity
Measures 8.3 x 11.91 x 11.93” and weighs 10.85lbs
Comes with a Aeroccino 3 milk frother

If you love the look of this coffee maker then go ahead and choose from the five colors available; chrome, black, matte black, red or titan.

If you’re looking for something a little different, check out more awesome options from the Breville line up!

Best Value

The Hamilton Beach 2-Way Coffee Maker is perfect for making single serve coffee in a travel mug on your way out the door or making a whole 12-cup pot for the whole family. If you don’t need the single serve coffee function, you could save a few bucks by getting the Hamilton Beach 12-Cup Coffee Maker instead!

Hamilton Beach 2-Way Single Serve Coffee Brewer and Full Pot Coffee Maker

Hamilton Beach Automatic Coffee Maker 49980A

Features

Hamilton Beach is a household name in the small home appliance industry, selling 34 million appliances every year. Their “Good Thinking” approach can be found in homes across the US, Mexico and Canada. Their product range includes blenders, fryers, mixers, ice cream makers, pizza makers and coffee makers, amongst others.

Today we’re featuring the Hamilton Beach 2-Way Coffee Brewer. It’s a 2-in-1 machine that can make single serve coffee and a whole pot too, so you’re always sorted for your morning coffee fix whether it’s just you or your whole family. There’s not only two sizes of coffee, but also two brewing methods; either put grinds directly into the mesh filter or use a coffee pod if that’s your preferred method.

Here’s some more features to enjoy:

Large 12-cup capacity pot
Single serve side brews up to a 14-ounce travel mug (not included)
Choose the brew strength; bold or regular
Programmable auto shutoff for peace of mind
Built-in clock and timer so you can always have freshly brewed coffee as soon as you wake up
Extra-large water tank capacity so you don’t need to fill up all the time
Cup rest on single serve side is adjustable to fit different sized cups

This automatic coffee maker has a lot going for it, and it’s stylish black and chrome finish will fit seamlessly in any kitchen.

If you want a coffee maker with some different features, Hamilton Beach has got tons to choose from!

The SharkNinja Coffee Bar System is a stylish machine that can make single serve coffee as well as full carafes and it has a built in milk frother. If you never need a full carafe of coffee, you’re probably better off getting the Ninja Coffee Bar Single-Serve System. And don’t worry! It also has a built-in milk frother too.

SharkNinja Coffee Bar Brewer System with Glass Carafe

SharkNinja Automatic Coffee Maker CF091

Features

Ninja is one of the brands under the SharkNinja umbrella. It manufactures small appliances and cleaning products, attempting to ease some of the burden of a busy lifestyle. From high-end blenders to easy-to-use steam mops, Ninja covers a wide range of innovative products.

The SharkNinja Coffee Bar System looks like something that belongs in a high-end, fashionable coffee shop. It’s black, chrome and glass design will fit perfectly into any modern home. This coffee system offers single serve and carafe coffee, making it ideal for all situations.

Let’s look at some more of the awesome features:

Comes with a 10-cup glass carafe
Built-in milk frother
Many coffee settings; classic, rich, over ice, specialty or café forte
Multiple brew sizes; cup, XL cup, travel mug, XL multi-serve, half carafe or full carafe
Thermal Flavor Extraction technology
Auto-IQ One Touch Intelligence
Warming plate to keep your carafe coffee warm

If that’s not enough, Ninja are also throwing in a 20-recipe inspiration guide to get you going.

If you’re undecided, that’s okay! Check out more coffee makers from SharkNinja before you make your decision!

The Cuisinart 14-Cup Coffee Maker can be programmed up to 24-hours before to make coffee when you wake up. There’s nothing like waking up to the smell of freshly brewed coffee automatically made for you. If you live alone you probably don’t need 14 cups of coffee to yourself (hopefully anyway!) so in that case you can opt for the Cuisinart 4-Cup Coffee Maker.

Cuisinart 14-Cup Glass Carafe Programmable Coffee Maker

Cuisinart Automatic Coffee Maker DCC-3200

Features

Cuisinart is a famous small kitchen appliance brand around the world. Cuisinart introduced the food processor to America in 1973, which was hailed by Julia Childs and James Beard. Now, Cuisinart makes much more than just food processors. Their line up includes bakeware, dinnerware, blenders, mixers, kettles, toasters and coffee makers, and that’s just to name a few.

The Cuisinart 14-Cup Coffee Maker uses a new and innovative technology to give you a hotter cup of coffee but without compromising on the taste. And with the large, 14-cup glass carafe you can make enough coffee to fuel an entire office.

Let’s check out some more features:

Select regular or bold settings depending on your taste preference
24-hour programmability for setting timers
Can brew as little as 1-4 cups
Self-cleaning; need we say more?
Auto shut off 0-4 hours
Includes a reusable gold tone filter
Keep warm temperature is adjustable

This simple, stylish coffee maker has all the features you need to have a full pot of freshly brewed coffee waiting for you every morning.

With tons of coffee makers to choose from, feel free to browse more from Cuisinart before making a decision.

The Mr. Coffee Switch Coffee Maker is a small, easy-to-use coffee maker ideal for an individual or couple. Alternatively, if you need more than a few cups at a time, you could opt for the Mr. Coffee 12-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker instead!

Mr. Coffee Simple Brew Switch Coffee Maker – Available in 2 Colors & 4 or 5-Cup

Mr. Coffee Automatic Coffee Maker TF5-RB – Black, 4-cup

Features

Mr. Coffee was founded in 1972 in Cleveland, Ohio. They originally focused on delivering coffee however they soon came up with the idea to produce an automatic drip coffee maker. Now, Mr. Coffee manufactures coffee makers in a range of sizes as well as grinders, specialty coffee makers, iced tea makers, espresso machines and more.

The Mr. Coffee Switch Coffee Maker is a compact, easy to use automatic coffee maker. This one comes in two sizes so you can choose between a 4 or 5-cup capacity and also between black and white machines, depending on which one suits your kitchen best.

There’s more than that though:

On/off indicator light
Auto pause button “Grab-a-Cup”
Dual water window
Filter basket is removable for cleaning
Warming plate is stain resistant
Simple and easy to use
Measures 7.16 x 6.37 x 9.64” and weighs just 3.04lbs

If you need a simple coffee maker to use with your favorite coffee grinds, this is the one for you.

If you want something more specialized or with more features, check out more from the Mr. Coffee range now!

Get the Best Automatic Coffee Maker of 2018!

If you’re looking for an affordable coffee maker, without having to sacrifice on quality, our research and the voice of many satisfied customers shows that any of these would be a great choice.

Our Top Choice

Breville Vertuo Coffee & Espresso Machine

Best Value

Hamilton Beach 2-Way Coffee Brewer

SharkNinja Coffee Bar System

Cuisinart 14-Cup Coffee Maker

Mr. Coffee Switch Coffee Maker