The best Cuisinart coffee makers can be quite hard to find because there’s such a huge range on offer from this brand. Cuisinart covers the whole spectrum, from entry level models, to more premium designs, and its products are known to be some of the best coffee makers out there. There’s all sorts of features to consider from built-in grinders to adjustable brew strengths, but which would be best for you?
That’s why we’ve pulled this handy guide together — to compare like-for-like and single out the Cuisinart coffee makers that are worth your investment. Here, we will look at the strengths and weaknesses behind each design and compare specifications, from personalization options to auto-timer settings. We consider overall value for money as well, so however much you want to spend and whatever features you’re after, there’s one here to suit every kitchen. These are the best Cuisinart coffee makers.
- Need something stronger? Check out the best espresso machines
The best Cuisinart coffee makers you can buy today
Have to brew a pot for a crowd? The Cuisinart DCC-T20 TouchScreen 14-Cup Programmable is the best coffee maker for the job. It makes more coffee than any other programmable automatic-drip coffee maker in the marketplace. That makes the machine ideal for large households, people who return for cup after cup throughout the morning, or for entertaining guests. This is a brand-new version of the PerfecTemp with a touchscreen instead of buttons. When you’re not using it, the panel “goes to sleep” giving it a sleek look.
If a ding telling you your coffee is ready annoys you (especially before you've had your morning Joe), you can turn off the sound. You can control how hot you want your coffee to be as well as how long you want the coffee maker to remain on before it shuts itself off which means you won't have to worry about whether the machine's on when you leave the house. This Cuisinart comes only black.
If you're looking for the best value from the brand, this 12-cup model is the one to choose. In spite of its relatively low price, the Cuisinart DCC-1100BK is attractive and offers the same basic perks as the more expensive models. It's programmable, so you can set it to have the coffee ready the minute you wake up or walk into the house.
With this machine, you get both a reusable coffee filter to save you the bother and expense of buying paper ones and a water filter to improve the taste of tap water. A light comes on to let you know when the DCC-1100BK needs an internal cleaning. Our only gripe is that it can be difficult to fill the tank with water without splashing. It's available in black or white, as well as in a smaller, 10-cup model.
If you like to grind the beans right before you brew, the Cuisinart Grind & Brew is the best coffee maker for the task. It has a built-in grinder that after grinding, transfers the ground coffee directly into the filter. However be warned. tWhen the grinder goes off in the morning, it'll be loud enough to wake up anyone who's still sleeping - even one floor above the kitchen. And you'll have to clean the grinder occasionally, which is an additional chore. If you ever want to use pre-ground coffee, you have the option to turn the grinder off.
As you would expect, you get the ability to program the Grind & Brew to start the brewing process just when you wake up or walk in the door. It will keep your coffee hot for up to 4 hours before turning itself off.
The Cuisinart SS-15 Maker Coffee Center is designed to give you lots of choices with just one machine. For those days when you need a single cup to wake you up before you drive the kids to school, there's a single-cup brewer that works with K-cups or your own reusable coffee filter. You even have your choice of 3 different cup sizes so you can down a small dose at home or take a travel mug with you. This Cuisinart can also deliver a 12-cup carafe that’s great for when you're hosting a weekend brunch or book club meeting.
While you are getting two appliances in one, the SS-15 does cost twice as much as and take up more counter space than most single-function brewers. Before you shell out big bucks and clear counter space, make sure you really need the double functionality.
If there are both coffee and tea lovers in your house, the Cuisinart CHW-12 Coffee Plus is your machine. In addition to brewing a 12-cup pot of coffee, it can dispense a shot of hot water for quick cuppas, mugs of cocoa or bowls of instant oatmeal.
The CHW-12 has a safety lock to prevent hot water from being accidentally dispensed. On this model, you can up the temperature of the coffee in the carafe, which is a handy feature if you’re one of those people who never thinks your coffee is hot enough. It’s a bit tricky to access the filter basket and the water tank when the lid is fully opened. As the coffeemaker is taller than the space below cabinets when the top is opened, you will need to move it to pour in water and add ground coffee.
In this unusual brewer, a whole "pot" of coffee is brewed at once, but rather than dripping into a carafe, the Cuisinart DCC-3000 Coffee on Demand fills up an internal reservoir. You then dispense just one cup at a time, the way you would from an urn or a soda machine. It's a great choice if people in your household drift into the kitchen for their morning java at various times or if you find yourself returning throughout the morning to refill your mug. On Amazon, reviewers customers report that they find the coffee tastes just as good a few hours later as it does right after it was brewed.
The water tank is removable and can easily be filled at the sink. As this machine eliminates the need to pour from a carafe, you don't get those otherwise-inevitable splashes to wipe up.
This good-looking, stainless-steel brewer is designed to mimic pour-over coffee, which usually requires that you boil water in a kettle and then slowly and carefully pour it over ground coffee in a filter set over a carafe. The Cuisinart CPO-850, however, does the work for you yet still delivers the same great beverage. That’s because this brewer is certified to meet the Specialty Coffee Association's Gold Cup Standard, which means that the machine brews with water at the perfect temperature for the optimal time to give you the ideal results.
You can adjust the strength of your coffee as well as the serving temperature. However, as is often the case, "the best" comes at a price. This machine costs almost twice as much as other Cuisinart coffee makers and far more than a non-electric pour over model.
How we tested the best Cuisinart coffee makers
Our results are based on extensive online research which factors in consumer reviews as well as specifications. First, we look for products which demonstrate consistent reviews and top ratings, keeping an eye out for any recurring faults or complaints. We shortlist products which consumers would ultimately recommend and buy again.
We take specifications into account as well to find the Cuisinart coffee makers which have the most to offer. We compare cup capacity, strength controls and any special features to find the most versatile and functional designs. Finally, we consider value for money to produce a final list of the best Cuisinart coffee makers.
What is the warranty on a Cuisinart coffee maker?
Cuisinart offers a three year limited warranty on most of its coffee makers, but these machines are well known for their long-term durability. You'll need to register your machine with Cuisinart to make the most of that warranty period, but following the tips and advice below will also ensure that your coffee maker lasts much longer as well.
How do I maintain my Cuisinart coffee maker?
- Wash all the removable parts thoroughly in the dishwasher or by hand with soapy water. Coffee can leave behind an oily residue that builds up over time and gives a bad taste to your beverage.
- When the clean alert light comes on or your coffee maker begins to take longer than usual to brew, it's time to descale, which means removing mineral deposits that build up inside the machine. Start by removing the charcoal water filter. Run a mixture of equal parts white vinegar and water through the machine. Follow up with a cycle of plain water. Then, replace the charcoal filter.
- On single-serve coffee makers, the needle may get clogged, resulting in grounds in your coffee or a smaller cup of coffee than the size you selected. To fix this, begin by unplugging the machine. To unclog the exit needle, remove and disassemble the pod holder and then use a paper clip to clear away any debris. You lift the head and use the paper clip to clean the entrance needle. Refer to your manual for complete instructions with diagrams.
Three things to consider before buying a coffee maker
Will it fit?
Before you buy, be sure to measure the space where you plan to keep your coffee maker, as well as how much room you have below your cabinets. Keep in mind that even if your machine fits under the cabinet, most Cuisinart coffee makers need to be pulled forward so you can load them with water and ground coffee.
Cup size
When you're deciding what size brewer to buy, remember that coffee-maker cups are the equivalent of 5 ounces, or an old-fashioned teacup that isn't filled to the brim, leaving room for milk. Today, most of us use mugs that hold 8 ounces or more, which means a typical 12-cup coffee maker brews enough coffee for about seven mugs at the most.
What kind of carafe?
You'll pay a premium for a model with a thermal carafe. If you entertain a lot, such a model is worth the extra dollars, as you can bring the carafe to the table, where it will keep coffee hot for second cups. While Cuisinart's insulated servers are top-rack dishwasher safe, they may not actually fit on the top shelf and the machine may not be able to thoroughly clean inside them. The narrow opening makes hand-washing difficult.
If you want to check out the competition, take a look at our guides to the best Nespresso machines and the best Keurig coffee maker. Or, for something more budget friendly, take a look at the latest cheap coffee maker deals. If you're not using pre-ground beans, it might also be worth checking out the best coffee grinders available right now.
