Not Ninja, Not Cuisinart: The Best Drip Coffee Maker, Per Consumer Reports

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There are oodles of fancy coffee machines on the market for java lovers who like cosplaying barista at home with milk steaming wands and temperature control knobs. But, if you like a no-fuss cup of coffee without all the confusing bells and whistles, a drip coffee maker is the solution. Plus, they tend to be more affordable and easier to clean. If you're looking to invest, the best drip coffee maker surprisingly isn't made by big hitters like Ninja and Cuisinart. According to Consumer Reports, it's Bunn HB Heat N Brew that's the ultimate champ.

Priced at $175, this machine took the top spot based on key factors like brew performance, ease of use, brew time, and brew strength control. It also scored well on owner satisfaction, brand reliability, and carafe handling, outpacing the Cuisinart Perfect Temp and the Ninja Fresh Brew.

The Bunn HB Heat N Brew features a digital clock with a programmable start time, which means you can set it and wake up to a fresh carafe of coffee each morning (it can brew 20 ounces of java in six minutes). Meanwhile, the auto warmer plate keeps the coffee warm for up to two hours. When you pour water into the appliance, it uses heat and release technology to only begin brewing the coffee once the liquid has reached the correct temperature. While the coffee is brewing, the carafe can't be removed, but it did receive praise for being easy to use, hold, and pour from.

The Bunn HB Heat N Brew has a four-star rating on Amazon, highlighting its consumer appeal. One shopper, who awarded the coffee maker five stars, said, "There's a lot I like about this coffee maker. In short, it is EASY to use, brews DELICIOUS coffee and is actually pretty FAST considering how it works. This is a relatively unique coffee maker given all the options out there. It's a great design conceptually and practically." Meanwhile, another reviewer said, "I've been using Bunn brewers for the past 30 years because Bunn brews the best pot of coffee hands down. Each brewer I purchased lasted about 10 years. Definitely got my money's worth. This new model is by far their best!"

However, there were some negative comments regarding the height of the machine. One reviewer said it's too tall to fit on the counter under a kitchen cabinet, while another described it as a "cumbersome giant of a coffee maker." Some shoppers felt the brew time was slower than advertised and described it as overpriced. 

Indeed, the runner-up in the report — the Haden 14-cup Programmable coffee maker — costs just under $100, which is significantly cheaper than Bunn's $175 price tag. The options from Cuisinart and Ninja were also more affordable. Meanwhile, if you don't need a carafe of coffee, the best single-serve coffee maker, per consumer reports, is Keurig's K-Cafe Smart.