Best Simple Coffee Maker 2022

Cuisinart 14-Cup Coffee Maker – Adjustable warming plate with three temperature settings.

The Cuisinart 14-Cup Coffee Maker offers a significant degree of control over your daily brew. A standout feature is the adjustable carafe temperature, which allows you to set the warming plate to low, medium, or high, ensuring your coffee stays just how you like it. The ability to choose between regular and bold brew strengths is another welcome customization.

For convenience, it’s fully automatic with 24-hour programmability and an adjustable auto-off function, which is great for busy mornings. The 1-4 cup setting is useful for when you don’t need a full pot. While the 14-cup capacity is generous, it’s important to note this is based on a 5 oz.

cup size. Features like the Brew Pause and a clear water window are practical additions that round out a very capable and user-friendly machine, making the brewing process straightforward from start to finish.

BLACK+DECKER 12-Cup Coffee Maker with Easy On/Off Switch – Vortex spray head ensures even water distribution for better flavor.

This coffee maker is a straightforward and functional appliance that handles the basics well. The Vortex Technology showerhead seems effective, as it produces a consistently well-saturated brew that extracts a good amount of flavor from the grounds. Standard convenience features are all present and work as expected.

The Sneak-a-Cup function is handy for impatient mornings, and the no-drip spout on the carafe genuinely helps prevent spills on the counter or the hot plate. Cleanup is simple, thanks to the removable filter basket which can be placed in the dishwasher. The keep-hot plate maintains a suitable temperature without scorching the coffee.

While it lacks advanced programming or strength settings, it reliably brews a large, flavorful pot of coffee, making it a solid choice for daily use if you prioritize simplicity and consistent results over complex features.

BLACK+DECKER 12-Cup Digital Coffee Maker – Programmable 24-hour auto-brew timer.

This coffee maker provides a solid range of features for daily, no-fuss coffee brewing. The 12-cup Duralife glass carafe feels sturdy and has helpful measurement markings, though it’s worth noting their ‘cup’ size is a small 5 ounces. The ‘Sneak-a-Cup’ feature is a convenient touch, allowing you to pour a cup mid-brew without any dripping.

Operation is straightforward, with a clear, front-facing water window for accurate filling and large, rubberized buttons that are easy to press. The digital screen clearly displays the time and programming options. The 24-hour auto-brew function is reliable for having coffee ready when you wake up, and the 2-hour auto-shutoff is a great safety feature for peace of mind.

It’s a functional appliance that reliably handles the basics of drip coffee.

Amazon Basics Coffee Makers – Compact size is excellent for small spaces.

This 5-cup coffee maker is a straightforward and compact appliance that delivers on its core promise: brewing a small batch of coffee. Its main strength lies in its simplicity. With a single on/off switch and an indicator light, there’s no learning curve involved.

The unit is small enough to fit comfortably on a crowded countertop, making it ideal for apartments, dorm rooms, or a small office. The keep-warm plate does its job, maintaining the coffee’s temperature without giving it a burnt taste. Cleaning is also quite simple, thanks to the removable and reusable filter basket, which is a nice touch for reducing waste.

The overheat protection provides some peace of mind. It’s a basic machine that performs its essential function reliably. While it lacks advanced features, it’s a solid choice for anyone needing a simple, no-fuss coffee brewing experience for one or two people.

Mr. Coffee Black Coffee Maker – Simple one-touch operation.

The Mr. Coffee 12-Cup Coffee Maker is a straightforward machine that delivers on its promise of classic, no-frills coffee brewing. Its design prioritizes simplicity and ease of use, making it accessible for anyone.

The on/off indicator light is a clear visual cue that the machine is operating. A standout convenience is the ‘Grab-A-Cup’ auto-pause feature, which works as advertised, letting you pour a cup mid-brew without making a mess. The removable filter basket simplifies both filling grounds and post-brew cleanup.

While it’s rated for 1 to 12 cups, it seems to perform most consistently when brewing at least 4-6 cups to ensure a balanced extraction. The integrated cord storage is a thoughtful touch for maintaining a tidy countertop. Overall, it’s a reliable workhorse for those who just want a simple pot of coffee without complex programming or settings.

Elite Gourmet EHC-5055 Automatic 5-Cup Brew & Drip Coffee Maker with Pause N Serve Reusable Filter – Compact size is ideal for small spaces or individuals.

This 5-cup coffee maker is a straightforward and compact appliance, well-suited for small kitchens, dorm rooms, or individuals. Its operation is incredibly simple, relying on a single on/off switch with an indicator light, which removes any guesswork. The semi-transparent water reservoir is a helpful feature, allowing you to easily see the water level up to its 5-cup capacity.

I appreciate the inclusion of a reusable filter, which is not only better for the environment but also saves money on disposable paper filters over time. The Pause ‘N Serve function works as advertised, letting you pour a cup mid-brew without making a mess. While it lacks advanced features like a timer or auto-shutoff, its core function of brewing a small, fresh pot of coffee is handled reliably.

It’s a no-frills machine that consistently delivers on its basic promise.

BLACK+DECKER 12-Cup Thermal Programmable Coffee maker – Thermal carafe keeps coffee hot for hours without a warming plate.

This coffee maker performs reliably and is a great option for those who prefer a thermal carafe over a glass pot. The standout feature is the 12-cup stainless steel carafe, which successfully keeps coffee hot for a couple of hours without the burnt taste that can come from a warming plate. The programming functions are straightforward; setting the 24-hour auto-brew is simple, and the brew strength selector is a nice touch for those who enjoy a more robust cup.

The Vortex water distribution system seems to do a good job of evenly saturating the grounds. Cleaning is also quite manageable, thanks to the removable, dishwasher-safe filter basket and the automated cleaning cycle. Be aware that the 12-cup capacity is based on a smaller 5 oz.

cup size, which is standard for most coffee makers but good to know for managing expectations.

Mueller 12-Cup Drip Coffee Maker – Borosilicate Carafe – Large 12-cup capacity with smaller 2 or 4-cup brewing options.

The Mueller 12-cup coffee machine is a straightforward and functional appliance for daily use. Its 60oz glass carafe is generously sized for families or small offices, and the option to brew smaller 2 or 4-cup batches is a convenient feature. The borosilicate glass construction feels solid, retains heat reasonably well, and doesn’t hold onto old coffee odors after cleaning.

A key benefit is the included permanent filter, which helps reduce waste and the ongoing cost of paper filters, though you can still use them if preferred. The keep-warm plate maintains a good temperature for a reasonable period, and the 2-hour auto shut-off is an essential safety feature for peace of mind. Overall, it’s a reliable machine that performs its core functions exactly as described, with practical touches like a non-drip spout and stable feet.

Keurig K-Mini Single Serve K-Cup Pod Coffee Maker – Extremely compact and slim design fits in tight spaces.

The Keurig K-Mini is a solid choice for anyone with limited counter space. Its slim profile, at less than 5 inches wide, allows it to fit neatly in dorm rooms, small apartments, or cluttered office kitchens. Operation is straightforward: add water to the single-cup reservoir, insert a K-Cup pod, and brew a cup between 6 and 12 ounces in just a few minutes.

The single-use reservoir means the water is always fresh, though it does require refilling for every brew. Practical features like the removable drip tray, which accommodates travel mugs up to 7 inches tall, and the built-in cord storage are nice touches for convenience and tidiness. The auto-off function is also a welcome energy-saving feature.

While it lacks advanced settings like temperature control, it excels at its primary function of delivering a quick, simple cup of coffee in a minimal footprint.

SimplyGoodCoffee Coffee Maker / Coffee Machine. 8 Cup Automatic Drip Pour Over Coffee Brewer. Easy To Use – Brews a full 8-cup pot in approximately 6 minutes.

This coffee maker focuses on the fundamentals of brewing, and it does them well. It consistently heats water to the optimal temperature range of 195°F-205°F, which makes a noticeable difference in flavor extraction. The brew cycle is impressively fast, producing a full 8-cup pot in about six minutes.

Operation is straightforward with a single button, though the optional ‘Bloom’ function is a nice touch for those who enjoy a pour-over style taste. The design is compact and features a classic stainless steel and black look that fits well in most kitchens. Cleaning is also simplified, thanks to the removable, dishwasher-safe components and the glass carafe.

While it lacks some of the bells and whistles of more expensive models, it reliably produces a quality pot of coffee with minimal fuss. The included hot plate is a standard but welcome feature for keeping the coffee warm.