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- Programmable coffee makers remain popular since they can be programmed to brew your coffee in advance.
- The best model overall, Cuisinart's Coffee Plus 12-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker, takes it a step further with a built-in hot water dispenser for making breakfast at the same time your coffee is brewing.
If you're the type who blearily wanders around the kitchen until you've had your first cup of coffee, a programmable coffee maker could be for you. Some machines allow you to program your coffee up to 24 hours in advance, ensuring that a fresh, hot cup of coffee is available as soon as you enter the kitchen in the morning. Heck, some will even grind the beans for you.
As with other variants of coffee machines, programmable coffee makers fit all types of budgets and coffee drinkers. You can start with a bare-bones model that lets you program a basic cup, or splurge on a pricier machine that lets you make specialty drinks.
Most programmable coffee makers have some sort of display, the most common being an LCD screen. There are generally buttons or dials that let you select the time you wish to program. Many machines also let you choose the desired strength and amount. Many programmable coffee makers on this list can brew up to 12 cups, although some have a capacity of 10 cups or less. You can choose to brew single servings as well.
Aside from programmability, size, and price, certain features can help make the decision easier. If flavor is crucial, you'll want to consider the brewing temperature. In general, coffee makers that reach a range of 195 to 205 degrees Fahrenheit deliver the most precise results. Some machines come with a warming plate to keep your beverages hot after brewing, which is particularly helpful if you're not going to be drinking your coffee right away, or you want the remaining coffee to stay warm.
Impurities in the water, such as chlorine, could also impact taste of the coffee; machines with carbon block filters work particularly well. However, they generally don't make a noticeable difference if your water tastes good to begin with.
Here are the best programmable coffee makers you can buy:
- Best programmable coffee maker overall: Cuisinart Coffee Plus 12-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker (CHW-12)
- Best value programmable coffee maker: Mr. Coffee Optimal Brew 10-Cup Thermal Coffeemaker (BVMC-PSTX95)
- Best programmable coffee maker with grinder: Krups Grind and Brew 10-Cup Coffee Maker (KM785D50)
- Best budget programmable coffee maker: Black & Decker Programmable Coffee Maker
- Best programmable coffee maker for specialty drinks: Ninja Hot and Cold Brewed System
Read on in the slides below to check out our top picks.
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