The best programmable coffee makers you can buy

Why you'll love it: From its high brew temperature to delay brew and auto-pause features, the Mr. Coffee Optimal Brew 10-Cup Thermal Coffeemaker is a solid value.

If you're looking for overall value in a programmable coffee maker, consider this Mr. Coffee model. For starters, it's equipped with many features you'd expect on a higher-end coffee maker, such as the delay brew function and an auto-pause feature that lets you grab a cup of coffee before brewing is finished. The machine automatically shuts off after two hours, which is a big plus if you're the forgetful type.

If you can't get to your coffee right away (or you want it to stay warm for additional cups), you'll appreciate the double-walled stainless steel carafe. Unlike some models in this price range that come with a glass carafe, the extra insulation in this thermal carafe maintains a warm, but not scalding, temperature. Not only does this keep your coffee from tasting burnt, you also won't have to rely on a warming plate or a microwave to get your coffee back to a drinkable temperature.

Based on several user comments, the machine is a worthwhile pick for those who like strong coffee. "If you enjoy lethally strong coffee that can bend a spoon, then follow the instructions that came with the coffee maker. I use about half the grounds they recommend using for a normal pot of coffee," one owner suggested. Another said, "I am measuring my coffee for the first time ever, which makes for more consistent coffee." The same user suggests the deep filter holder makes it easy to produce coffee that's stronger than normal.

Whether you like your coffee strong or mild, the brewing temperature also plays a role. This machine brews up to 205 degrees Fahrenheit. According to Black Bear Coffee, the ideal water brewing temperature is between 195 and 205 degrees Fahrenheit, with 205 being the optimal temperature. Anything less than 195 degrees Fahrenheit leads to improper extraction, while temperatures more than 212 degrees Fahrenheit will cause the water to boil and burn the coffee. A built-in water filtration system helps to remove up to 97% of chlorine.

Pros: Delay brew feature, greatly reduces chlorine taste from water, high brewing temperature

Cons: Plastic construction cheapens the appearance, produces a fair amount of steam when brewing, doesn't have a permanent filter

Buy the Mr. Coffee Optimal Brew 10-Cup Thermal Coffeemaker (BVMC-PSTX95) on Amazon for $54.30 or $59.97 (originally $89.99)

Why you'll love it: Not only is the Krups Grind and Brew 10-Cup Coffee Maker fully programmable, you can grind coffee at the same time.

The highlight of the Krups Grind and Brew 10-Cup Coffee Maker is its built-in grinder. Whether you're a bit short on space or you simply prefer the convenience, having a built-in grinder lets you grind fresh coffee, and then brew it — all within one machine.

The conical burr grinder has five settings, so you can choose between coarse and fine grounds, and anywhere in-between. According to The New York Times, a good quality burr grinder cuts beans into evenly sized particles, as opposed to powder or chunks. You can adjust the settings on this machine according to the type of bean you're using as well as your desired drink.

As far as built-in grinders go, this one stands out for its versatility. Many espresso drinkers find they can get the grind down to a fine powder that works well enough for homemade espressos. One user commented: "The blades are sharp and very low in the grinder, allowing this unit to pick up and pulverize any stray beans," adding that it typically takes less than a minute to grind the beans. Another said it takes approximately 10 to 12 seconds to grind up beans to espresso consistency. Several owners mention that cleaning the storage container can be a bit of a chore. Using a smaller brush can help reach into tight spaces for easier cleaning.

If you're looking for user-friendly features to help make your mornings easier, you'll appreciate the straightforward controls on the Krups Grind and Brew. For starters, you can push a button to select anywhere from 2 to 10 cups. An auto-on feature allows you to program the machine to start at a time that's most convenient for you. One user commented on the overall user-friendly nature of the coffee machine, saying that after adding beans to the grinder, "you just add the water for the number of cups you need, select the cups needed, and the coffee pot does the work for you." Then, the machine will "automatically take the correct amount of beans to grind depending on how many cups you want and at the strength you choose."

Pros: Built-in burr grinder, auto-start function, three brew strength settings

Cons: Grounds can get stuck on the container walls, carafe lid prone to opening when pouring, can get loud when grinding coffee

Buy the Krups Grind and Brew 10-Cup Coffee Maker (KM785D50) on Amazon for $124.25

Why you'll love it: The Black & Decker Programmable Coffee Maker is a budget-friendly machine with a large capacity, digital control panel, and plenty of features for the price.

It's not the fanciest coffee maker around, but the Black & Decker Programmable Coffee Maker gets the job done. There's a lot to appreciate for such an affordable price, from the 12-cup capacity to a water window that lets you keep track of the amount.

The coffee maker stands 13.3 inches high and 8.4 inches wide, making it a handy choice if you're looking for a compact coffee maker for your home, office, or both. You'll also find a digital control panel with soft-touch buttons. It's easy to program the machine to make coffee ahead of time thanks to its 24-hour programming functionality.

This programmable coffee maker puts out 975 watts of brewing power. In comparison, you'll need roughly 1,000 watts to get water to boil in 5 minutes. But since the machine doesn't need to boil water to make coffee, it will produce a cup in just a few minutes. Many owners find that this coffee maker also maintains an ideal temperature before and after brewing, even when the carafe is on the warming plate.

One user said the machine will "maintain a nice, hot temperature while the burner is on without tasting burnt." If you simply can't wait for the brewing cycle to finish, you can grab a cup before it's done thanks to the brew-pause function. And as long as the glass carafe is properly positioned underneath the basket, you shouldn't experience any dripping or leaking.

As far as taste is concerned, the machine tends to yield agreeable results. "I still use my French presses for brewing premium roasts, but for Folgers, Maxwell House, and other mainstream brands, this is all the machine you will ever need," said one user. However, a handful of user reviews suggest using a bit less than usual for this coffee maker. As one user noted, the coffee pot "tends to 'explode' the coffee grounds into the water reservoir if you use too much."

Pros: Small footprint, brew pause feature makes it easy to sneak a cup, removable filter basket

Cons: Can be tough to see the water level, can't remove carafe lid for cleaning, warming plate surface may peel over time

Buy the Black & Decker Programmable Coffee Maker on Amazon for $27.99

Why you'll love it: The Ninja Hot and Cold Brewed System brews your favorite hot and cold drinks, and it comes with a built-in frother for even more fun.

The only machine I can compare the Ninja Hot and Cold Brewed System to is an espresso maker I had several years ago. While that old machine also had a built-in frother, its capabilities were limited to making one delicious cup of espresso at a time. This combination machine works equally well for making coffee and tea. In fact, it comes with its own tea brew basket, which you can use for loose leaf and bagged tea. There are equally numerous options for making different types of coffee and tea.

When it comes to making coffee, a specific menu illuminates to show your options. Start with a basic cup, or go for more flavor with the rich-brew setting. You can opt to make coffee over ice, as well as cold brew and specialty drinks. Programming the machine may take a few minutes longer than expected, but the extended menu and sizing options ensure you get the coffee you want, when you want it. A delay brew option lets you make your favorite hot beverage in advance. When the beverage is done, it's automatically kept warm via the hot plate. However, you can adjust the plate to a warm setting instead to ensure your drink doesn't get too hot.

Ninja doesn't specifically state the brewing temperature, but at least one avid coffee drinker believes the water temperature lies somewhere in the sweet spot between 195 and 205 degrees Fahrenheit. "Brewed at the perfect temperature, you can brew cheap coffee grounds or high-end fresh ground beans and both come out with outstanding well-balanced flavor," the coffee drinker claims. Ninja recommends a medium grind for best results when making your cup of coffee.

The model we tried comes with a thermal carafe, which helps to keep your coffee warm, but you can also opt for the model with a glass carafe, which knocks the price down to $159.98 on Amazon.

Pros: Pull-out tray accommodates smaller mugs, makes specialty coffee and tea, one-touch technology

Cons: Stainless steel smudges easily, doesn't have an espresso setting, doesn't produce the hottest coffee

Buy the Ninja Hot and Cold Brewed System on Amazon for $179.99