The 5 Best Automatic Coffee Machines We Tested for Great-Tasting Coffee at the Push of a Button

Other Automatic Coffee Machines We Tried

• Ninja 12-Cup Programmable Coffee Brewer: Though this machine worked relatively well, it emitted a ton of steam while brewing, so it’s not ideal for use under wooden cabinets. Special features (like the programming function) worked nicely, but the carafe felt clunky.
• Black and Decker 12-Cup Thermal Coffee Maker: Though this machine was easy to use, we weren’t overly impressed by the coffee it produced. It also felt cheaply made, so it might not last as long as other models we tested.
• Amazon Basics Programmable Coffee Maker: This is a simple, easy-to-use, and affordable machine, but it produced mediocre coffee.

What to Know About Automatic Coffee Machines

Design

Whether you're looking for a single-serve machine like a Keurig coffee maker or a brewer fit to fuel a crowd, choose a machine that’s intuitive to use and made of durable materials — especially if you’re using it every day (or multiple times a day!). Since you’re likely to keep this machine on the counter, look for one that matches your home aesthetic that you’ll be happy to see on display. Automatic coffee makers are simpler to operate than more complex, high-tech manual espresso machines. Look for a machine with a simple interface that’s clearly labeled and easy to learn. 

Also, consider any extra functionality beyond simply brewing a pot of coffee. If you like to set up your coffee the night before so it’s hot and ready in the morning, choose a programmable machine. If you tend to leave coffee in the carafe to refill your cup throughout the morning, opt for a maker with a stainless steel carafe rather than a glass one.

Extra Features

Many of the products we tested come with additional features in addition to 24-hour programming and automatic shut-off. Several of our top picks include temperature and brew strength controls and “pause brew” functionality. The Breville model even has an iced coffee option.

Price Range

Many automatic coffee machines we tested performed well in multiple assessments, so price became an important factor in choosing the winners. The priciest model, which received a perfect score across the board, was the Breville model at $330. The least expensive, the $59 Beautiful by Drew Barrymore machine, still scored well in all our tests. If you’re looking for something in the middle, our overall favorite from Cuisinart costs a reasonable $100.

Behind the Scenes 

The PEOPLE Tested team spent 24 hours trying out 21 best-selling automatic coffee makers, scoring each machine on five attributes: performance, ease of use, design, durability, and ease of cleaning.

• Design: We first set up each model by adding water to the reservoir using the included carafe. We considered the reservoir capacity, how easy the machine is to fill without spilling, and whether you can see the amount of water added.
• Ease of Use: We then tested the functionality of the control panels. We measured how intuitive the controls are to use and how easy it is to use special features like programming a brew. We noted any handy features like alarms or lights that indicated a completed brewing cycle.
• Performance: We brewed coffee at every strength offered by the machine and tasted each batch to assess strength and flavor. We scored the coffee on taste, noting any bitterness or sweetness, and considered body and mouthfeel. We also noted if any grounds leaked into the brew. We then left a pot of brewed coffee for an hour and checked if it stayed hot in the carafe, and whether the flavor or quality was affected by sitting around. 
• Ease of Cleaning: Most coffee drinkers use their coffee machine at least once a day, so ease of cleaning is essential. We cleaned each carafe and brew basket according to the manufacturer’s instructions and brew basket and graded how easy the process was.
• Durability: We assessed any damage during testing and considered the quality of the materials and general construction. 

Why Trust PEOPLE? 

Laura Denby is a contributing shopping writer and product tester for PEOPLE. With a degree in culinary arts from the Institute of Culinary Education and years of professional cooking under her belt, Laura uses her experience as a chef to methodically assess kitchen products for use in home kitchens. For this article, she used the insights and methodology from our lab test on automatic coffee machines to create this roundup of the best automatic coffee makers for every budget.

Lizzy Briskin is a contributing food, lifestyle, and shopping writer for PEOPLE. Previously, she was the food editor at Food Network Magazine and before that, at Real Simple Magazine. She has a culinary degree from Cambridge School of Culinary Arts and goes to bed every night looking forward to her morning cup of joe from her trusty automatic coffee maker.

What Is PEOPLE Tested? 

We created the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval to help you find the very best products for your life. We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs.

But we don’t stop there: We also regularly re-review the categories in which we’ve awarded the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval — because the best product of today might not be the best of tomorrow. And by the way, companies can never buy our recommendation: Their products must earn it, fair and square.

In short, PEOPLE Tested provides recommendations you can trust — every day, every purchase.