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Mornings begin with coffee, from the first rejuvenating sips before work to cozy book-in-hand weekends. Now, imagine the waft of a fresh pot before you even get up, stretch your arms, and slog to the kitchen to make it. That’s the luxury of programmable coffee makers. With the touch of a button, they let users pre-set a brew time, usually up to 24 hours in advance. In this round-up, we list our favorite devices and sort them into a number of convenient categories, like best budget, best single serve (yes, those can be programmable too!), and more. To start the day a little brighter, here are the best programmable coffee makers.
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Strong, consistent coffee
Adjustable brew strength
Temperature control keeps coffee hot
Slightly expensive
Difficult to fill the water reservoir
For the perfect cup of coffee every morning, get the Cuisinart 14-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker. This modern, stainless steel appliance will look great on your kitchen counter, and it has a number of sought-after features that make a delicious brew every time.
This coffee maker can whip up anywhere from one to 14 cups of coffee, so it’s perfect for those who live alone, large families, and avid hosts alike. You can set a brew time up to 24 hours in advance, and you can also choose between a regular or bold flavor profile.
After testing the product, our reviewer especially praised the the 1-4 cup setting. "We usually don't make more than four cups of coffee in the morning," she wrote, "so we found this feature really helpful. The strength was exactly what we expected."
The Cuisinart machine also has an auto-off setting, a temperature-adjustable hot plate, as well as a permanent filter that you can use again and again. There’s even a self-cleaning mode to decalcify the interior of the machine.
"An investment in this product will transform your morning cup of coffee routine forever." — Lambeth Hochwald, Product Tester
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Brews at optimal temperature
Sleek dial and LED interface
Thermal carafe retains heat well
Small capacity
Takes up counter space
Does not include permanent filter
If you rely on coffee to get you through the day, you might want to splurge on a high-end coffee pot such as the OXO Brew Coffee Maker. This sleek machine is an absolutely stunning centerpiece for your kitchen, and you’ll love the delicious pot of coffee it makes.
This coffee maker uses a microprocessor-controlled brew cycle to replicate the pour-over coffee-making method, and it can make between two and nine cups of delicious java. Water is heated and held at the ideal temperature, and the rainmaker shower head evenly disperses the liquid over your favorite coffee grounds to maximize flavor. It comes with a double-wall stainless steel carafe that will keep your coffee warm for hours, and the OXO Brew Coffee Maker is even certified by the Specialty Coffee Association!
According to reviewers, this high-end coffee maker produces consistently delicious cups of joe at the perfect temperature. Many enjoy that the controls are easy to use, allowing you to program it to start brewing at any time of day.
"This is one of the few coffee makers certified by the Specialty Coffee Association. To achieve that standard, the OXO 9-Cup is guaranteed to brew at the optimal temperature and extraction percentage, all under six minutes." — Derek Rose, Coffee and Tea Expert for The Spruce Eats
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Removable filter basket
Automatic shutoff
Large capacity considering the price
Some users say clock is inaccurate
Grounds can spill, end up in coffee
Certain budget coffee makers, such as the BLACK+DECKER 12-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker, come with an auto-brew option. This inexpensive model can make up to 12 cups of coffee in its glass carafe, and it boasts many of the same features as high-end models.
This coffee maker has QuickTouch programming that lets you set a time for your coffee to brew. It also includes a two-hour auto shutoff, nonstick hot plate, and “sneak-a-cup” technology for those times you just can’t wait for it to finish brewing. Reviewers love the simple, easy-to-use design, saying that it makes a nice, hot cup of joe for a truly affordable price. While it's never easy to choose a coffee maker, this is the perfect option for those on a budget, college kids, or even an office space.
Five-setting burr grinder
Multiple strength settings
Adjustable cup size
Durability concerns
Loud grinder
Like to grind your own beans? Then you need a product like the KRUPS Grind and Brew Auto-Start Coffee Maker with Burr Coffee Grinder, which has a conical burr grinder built into the machine. It can make anywhere from two to 10 cups of coffee, and the grinder has five settings from fine to coarse that you can tailor depending on your beans and coffee preferences.
You can schedule this coffee maker to start at any time, and it will keep the brew warm for two hours. You can choose between three brew strengths, and the machine has a pause-and-serve option that lets you pour a cup while it’s still working. Plus, the glass carafe has a curved spout to prevent drips, and the coffee maker has a reusable grounds basket, too.
Reviewers say this grind-and-brew coffee maker takes a little practice to get used to, but most agree it makes a great cup of coffee. You can’t beat the taste of freshly ground beans!
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Automatic shutoff
GoldTone filter included
Two coffee strength options
Fairly expensive
Too tall for some cabinets
If you want to do away with paper coffee filters forever, pick up the Ninja 12-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker. This programmable machine comes with a permanent filter that you can simply rinse and reuse each morning. It even has a coffee scoop that snaps onto the side of the machine—how’s that for convenience?
This coffee maker has a 60-ounce reservoir and can make up to 12 cups of coffee, and if you want to make a small batch, it has a special 1-4 cup setting. The machine uses thermal flavor extraction to give you a rich, delicious cup of coffee, as well as a bold flavor option, delay brew setting, and mid-brew pause feature. Reviewers love how easy to use this Ninja Coffee Maker is, and many say it makes delicious and hot coffee.
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Compatible with K-Cups and ground coffee
Large, removable water reservoir
Fast brewing
Prone to leaking
Grounds often spill into cup
Durability concerns
Making coffee for one? The Cuisinart Premium Single-Serve Coffeemaker is the ideal solution for those who live alone, as it makes single cups of coffee in minutes. This machine boasts a 72-ounce reservoir, and you can make five different beverage sizes, ranging from 4 to 12 ounces. It’s fully programmable, and it comes with a reusable filter cup so you don’t have to rely on K-cups (though you can use those in it, as well!).
According to reviewers, this single-serve coffee maker is an unbeatable value and more versatile than a Keurig. Many say it’s fast and makes a great cup of coffee, and you can’t beat the auto on/off feature, which can save you precious time in the morning.
Affordable
Option for glass or thermal carafe
Convenient front fill
Carafe drips
Doesn't brew at optimal temperature
Caffeine addicts will love this extra-large coffee maker from Hamilton Beach. Most programmable machines make 12 cups of coffee, but this one can brew up to 14 cups at a time.
It's not all brawn and no brain, however. The item is equipped with a litany of features and customers give it high marks in ease of use, easiness to clean, and, most importantly, flavor. You can program your coffee to brew 24 hours in advance and adjust the strength to either regular or bold. The automatic pause-and-serve feature is handy when you need to grab a cup and go before the whole pot is finished brewing. There's also an automatic shut-off feature, which you can program in 10 minute intervals up to 4 hours total. Customers also have the choice between a glass carafe and a slightly more expensive thermal carafe. All in all, this is a reliable and highly reviewed coffee maker that comes with the added bonus of extra coffee each time you brew.
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Removable water reservoir
Unique dispensing lever
Automatic shutoff up to four hours
Mixed reviews on coffee temperature
Coffee gauge is sometimes inaccurate
Must remove drip tray for travel mugs
One of the latest trends in coffee makers is to have a dispenser-style pouring mechanism instead of a carafe. If you like this feature, you’ll love the Cuisinart Coffee-on-Demand 12-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker, which lets you pour out one cup at a time using the dispensing lever.
This coffee maker is packed with features, including a double-wall coffee reservoir that can hold up to 12 cups of java, a gauge to let you know how much brew is left, as well as cleaning and 1-4 cup settings. It comes with a coffee scoop, water filter, and commercial-style permanent filter, and all its materials are BPA-free.
Great for tea drinkers
Automatic shutoff up to four hours
Thermal carafe retains heat well
Faint coffee taste on hot water side
A little noisy
Not the easiest to fill
Want a coffee pot that can do it all? Then look no further than the Cuisinart 10-Cup Thermal Programmable Coffeemaker, which has a 10-cup carafe, as well as a separate hot water system that’s perfect for making tea, hot chocolate, or even oatmeal.
This coffee maker is fully automatic, thanks to its auto on/off, self-clean option, and 1-4 cup setting. It comes with a water filter and permanent filter, and when you’re making coffee, you can choose between regular and bold flavor profiles, as well as set the brew-time up to a day in advance. It includes a 56-ounce reservoir, and with the push of a lever, you can dispense hot water—even if there’s coffee brewing!
There's a lot to like with the Cuisinart 14-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker—consistent flavor, a large carafe, versatile settings—which is why it lands in our top spot. At a higher price point, the OXO Brew 9-Cup Coffee Maker is also worth consideration, especially for the coffee fanatic. The SCA-certified brewer takes up a decent amount of counter space but produces a nearly unparalleled cup of joe.
Why Trust The Spruce Eats?
Camryn Rabideau is a full-time freelance writer living in Rhode Island. She covers all topics related to the home, contributing to popular sites like Martha Stewart, InStyle, and Food52.
This piece was edited by Derek Rose, the coffee and tea expert for The Spruce Eats. He uses the Bialetti Moka Express to shake up his everyday coffee routine and make café-style drinks, like lattes and Americanos, right from home. It’s the perfect partner to his primary coffee maker, the Bodum BRAZIL French Press.
Features: If you're interested in a programmable coffee maker, there's a good chance you'll enjoy a variety of other features. Think about your ideal coffee maker. Does it have automatic shutoff? Multiple strength settings? While programmable coffee makers tend to be more advanced, some might lack features you simply can't live without—just be prepared for a higher price tag with more features included.
Size: If space is limited, you might have to rule out a few options. Fortunately, programmable coffee makers aren't any larger than standard machines. Remember to check height, depth, and width to ensure an item will fit properly. And if the machine has a compartment that lifts, keep that in mind when taking your measurements.
Capacity: While larger capacity coffee makers generally sound more appealing, a 14-cup carafe might not always be best for your coffee needs, especially if you only drink one or two cups a day. Consider the number of coffee drinkers in your home, as well as your own coffee intake. If you're primarily purchasing a drip machine for personal use, keep an eye out for items with a 1-4 cup setting.
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