For most individuals, a steaming cup of coffee makes their mornings more bearable. Whether you love macchiato, cappuccino, latte, espresso, or flat white, most people cannot start their day without taking what they love. From time immemorial, coffee has been an important part of our culture and is very unlikely that coffee dependency will change anytime soon. As you probably know, you cannot make a delicious cup of coffee without high-quality coffee makers. In fact, the quality of the coffee maker makes the difference between a beautiful sip from heaven and a watery mess. This is where the best programmable coffee makers come in.
The best programmable coffee makers combine versatility, aesthetics, auto start timers, and programmable features. This enables you to set the machine night before and get a cup of steaming coffee waiting for you in the morning. Unfortunately, there are hundreds of coffee makers out there and not all will create a good brew. Read along to find the best models that enable you to make a mouth-watering cup of coffee each morning.
Best Programmable Coffee Makers 2022: Our Top Picks
Best Overall: Cuisinart DCC-1200 Brew Central 12 Cup Programmable Coffeemaker
Wake up each morning to a fragrant, fresh brewed cup of coffee with the Cuisinart DCC-1200 Brew Central coffeemaker. Striking retro-brushed metal finish coupled with an elegant industrial design makes this coffee machine to make a bold statement in any kitchen. This 12 cup coffee brewer comes with the latest brewing technology from Cuisinart and equipped with advanced features to ensure ease of use and flexibility. To begin this machine comes with a wake-up feature that enables you to enjoy a hot cup of coffee when you need it. It also comes with a beautiful glass carafe, warming plates that are heat adjustable as well as a pause function.
Users appreciate the Programmable start to finish performance with the adjustable temperature control that enables hands-free operation. In addition, this unit comes with a drip-less carafe spout and an alert when it is time to decalcify. Moreover, you will love the brew pause feature that lets you enjoy a cup of coffee before brewing is finished. Lastly, you will find the auto shutoff from 0-4 hours and 1 to 4 cup feature quite helpful.
Pros and Cons
- Programmable shut-off
- Heat-adjustable warming plate
- Dishwasher-safe coffee pot
- Comes with a Brew-pause feature
- Many features can be somewhat intimidating for starters
Best Runner-Up: Ninja 12-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker
Featuring a custom brew technology the Ninja Coffee Brewer is a fully programmable coffee machine that ensures that your coffee is hot and flavorful. This machine will help you prepare a small batch to a full carafe and get to choose between rich or classic strength. This unit also comes with a removable water reservoir that allows for mess-free filling and easy cleaning. It also loves the brew basket lid that prevents the coffee grounds to get in the reservoir. Thanks to the thermal flavor extraction technology, this machine also enables you to unlock the full flavor potential of your favorite ground coffee.
Another unique feature that comes in this unit is the extra large showerhead that ensures that the coffee grounds are evenly saturated for uniform flavor extraction. Also by combining the consistent temperature, even saturation and blooming you get to enjoy mild to rich flavors. Plus, this model comes with a pull away design that enables you to fill the reservoir mess free. What’s more, with this unit you will also get to enjoy using the 24-hour programmable delay brew.
Pros and Cons
- Removable Water Reservoir
- Comes with an extra large Showerhead
- Custom Brew Technology
- Precision Temp Warming Plate
- Takes some time to assemble
Best Value: Hamilton Beach 49980A Coffee Maker
If you are a coffee lover who despises the long queues at a coffee shop, the Hamilton beach 49980A makes a decent choice. This is low maintenance and an affordable coffee machine that is designed to prepare basic and premium roast coffee in a fraction of the cost and time when compared to getting coffee from a coffeehouse. Different from the cheap knock-offs from China, this coffee maker from Hamilton Beach comes with a stylish and durable stainless steel construction.
The machine also comes with twice the brewing options when compared to other models. Actually, this model comes with a 2-way brewer functionality that enables it serves as a compact single serve coffee maker as well as a full 12-cup pot machine. Thanks to the programmable functionality you can now sleep for five, more minutes as your machine do all the work.
Pros and Cons
- Brew in Advance and Wake Up to Hot Coffee
- Large water reservoir
- Two ways to brew full 12-cup or single cup glass carafe
- Fully programmable with auto shutoff
- No permanent mesh filter in the carafe
Best for Beginners: Breville BDC450 Precision Brewer Coffee Maker
Breville Brand main objective is to make a versatile, durable, and stylish kitchenware. Along with these lines, the Breville BDC450 coffee maker is nicely put together to allow you to enjoy a delicious cup of coffee whenever you need it. As you would expect, this coffee machine has an exceptional built quality that makes it stands out in any kitchen. It is equipped with a powerful motor that allows for lightning fast brew times.
For added user convenience, this unit also boasts of presets that offer unmatched versatility. This makes it an ideal choice for beginners. It also works with the cone filters, flat bottom filters and comes with a pour over attachment that allows for mess-free pouring. Unlike the common models, you can also brew cold coffee. Additionally thanks to the customizable settings, this machine is a great choice for people who are keen on experimenting with coffee.
Pros and Cons
- Brew craft filter coffee automatically
- Precise and Adjustable Temperature
- Dual Filter Baskets
- Automatic Presets and Customizable
- The price is high but compared to what you get, it’s not a problem of value
Best for a Quick Cup: Braun KF7170SI BrewSense Coffeemaker
Once the aroma of freshly brewed coffee hits your nostrils, you can expect a cup of hot steaming coffee with the Braun KF7170SI coffee maker. This machine doesn’t not only stand out when it comes to preparing delicious coffee but also offers you a timeless and stylish design. Featuring a stainless steel design and an extra-wide display, this coffee maker will add a modern touch to your kitchen. It is also equipped with a pure-flavor system that enables you to brew the coffee at the right temperature and time for you to extract the best flavor and aroma.
Having been on the market for a long time, the manufacturer has perfected the art of making superior coffee makers that delivers reliable performance. This machine will bring out the nuances of flavor offering with a satisfying cup of coffee. To ensure the optimal precision, this unit comes with a unique carafe lid that seals in the flavor while the anti-drip system allows for mess-free serving. Besides, thanks to the automatic 24 hours programmable timer you can be sure to have a delicious cup of coffee awaiting you whenever you need it.
Pros and Cons
- Control at your fingertips
- Wake up to a fresh pot thanks to the 24-hour programmable timer
- A digital control panel allows for easy control
- Dishwasher-Safe Parts
- There is no pause feature
Best Customizable: Cuisinart DCC-3200 14-Cup Glass Carafe
The Cuisinart DCC-3200 14-Cup Glass Carafe brings you with everything that you want in a high-quality coffee maker. Doing one of the best customizable options available on the market, this machine lets you select between the bold or regular coffee flavor without actually have to change the number of grounds used. Interestingly this machine will not only assist you in making up to 14 cups of coffee but can also help you make just one cup. This makes it a great choice for a home as well as office use.
The front panel comes with intuitive controls that allow for customization as well as self-cleaning. Some of the other features we love in this model include the auto shutoff for up to 4 hours later and 24-hour programmable timer. This is not all; the machine also features a keep warm temperature feature that is adjustable ensuring that it doesn’t overcook the coffee. What’s more, this unit comes with a light that indicates when you need to clean the machine.
Pros and Cons
- 14-Cup Glass Carafe
- Cuisinart Styling makes it a decent modern and stylish addition to your kitchen
- Full Automatic with 24-hour programmability
- Features Brew strength control that lets you select either bold or regular coffee flavor
- This is not the quickest coffee maker because it is more focused on quality than speed
Best Budget: Kenmore 12-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker
Love a freshly brewed cup of coffee at the comfort of your home but you don’t want to spend a fortune? With the Kenmore Coffee Maker, you can now forget of having to depend on the office coffee maker for a cup of steaming coffee. This machine prepares a perfectly brewed cup of coffee before you get out of bed thanks to the programmable timer. It is also customizable allowing you to enjoy the flavor you enjoy. Therefore, whether you want a light, strong, dark or mild flavor, this machine is up to the task.
Moreover, this coffee maker is equipped with a state of the art brewing technology that steeps the grounds before actually releasing the coffee into the carafe. This ensures that you will get a richer and more satisfying cup. Additionally, this is a low maintenance coffee maker as it comes with a reusable gold tone filter paired with a carbon water filter. This ensures that no impurities will alter the taste of your coffee.
Pros and Cons
- Comes with gold-tone filter and carbon filter to remove impurities
- Decent capacity, 12-cup glass
- Programmable Timer
- Non-stick coated plate keeps coffee warm.
- Somewhat more complex to get used to
Basic Guide to Make a Tasty Coffee Cup using a programmable coffee maker
Before winding up our review of the best programmable coffee makers, we would want to give a brief guide on how you can get the best from your machine. Since there are many coffee machines it is not easy to give a definitive guide on the best way to use each one. However, despite their different functionality we are going to offer some general advice that holds well.
The programmable design that enables you to set and forget means that there are some certain things out of control. For this reason, it pays to get the basics right as this will maximize the chance of getting the best possible cup of delicious coffee.
Before Brewing
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Beans
As you probably know, it is crucial to select the freshest possible beans. You should also avoid having them ground as they lose their flavor. For this reason, ensure that you stick to the whole beans for you to get the results you want.
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Grind
The coffee gets its aroma and flavor in the extraction process. This is done when the hot water goes through the beans that are ground. Quicker extraction process results in light coffee. Taking more time in this process offer you with full and rich bitterness. If you love a medium grind, we advise going for coffee machines with flat bottom and gold filters.
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Water
Remember the largest part of the cup of coffee is comprised of water. For this reason, you should do your coffee justice by ensuring that you use filtered water.
After Brewing
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Remove Pot
After brewing the coffee, it is advisable to remove the glass carafe from the warming plate. This will help you to serve nicely. Additionally, if you decide to leave, it there ensures the machine you are using can keep the coffee at the right temperature without scorching it.
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Regular Cleaning and Maintenance
For a delicious tasting cup of coffee, you should ensure that is cleaned on a daily basis and conduct fuller maintenance on a monthly basis. The cleaning procedure is different from one brand to the other so you should follow the manual for precise results.
Conclusion
Purchasing the best coffee machine is the first step to preparing a delicious cup of coffee at your home’s comfort. It is important to note that brewing coffee is a skill that is acquired over time. It needs patience, freshly ground coffee, and sometimes a spoon of sugar. The best thing about selecting any of the above programmable coffee makers is that they are easy to customize. This should help you to experiment and get that delicious cup of coffee that you have always loved.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Which ground coffee or coffee beans are best to be used with programmable coffeemakers?
A: Programmable coffee makers are designed to offer an authentic taste of the coffee being used. For this reason, only, use the freshest beans available.
Q: What agent should I use to decalcify my coffeemaker?
A: Any commercially available decalcifying agents are a nice solution. However, you should ensure that it doesn’t the construction materials. White distilled vinegar is also another great decalcifying agent.
Q: Should I use a programmable coffee maker with a Glass or thermal carafe?
A: the programmable coffee machines use either thermal or glass carafe. The thermal carafe is designed to retain the brewed temperature thanks to its insulated walls. On the other hand, the glass carafe uses hot plated to keep the brewed coffee warm.
