In the latest issue of Cook’s Illustrated, the Test Kitchen’s equipment testing team put 8 popular automatic drip coffee makers through the ringer—and, after much caffeine-fueled research, declared a winner.
Want all the behind-the-scene details? Watch our coffee maker testing video. I explain what we looked for in a perfect coffee maker, how each model sized up, and which ones truly delivered a rich, smooth, consistent brew. (Spoiler: It involves thermocouples!)
Even though we love our winning automatic drip coffee maker, we are also quite fond of manual coffee and espresso makers at the Test Kitchen. They’re simple to use, comparatively inexpensive, and don’t require any electricity. Here are 5 of our favorites.
Incred ’a Brew by Zevro
In a Nutshell
This pour-over brewing device uses a built-in wire mesh filter (similar to a French press) instead of paper filters. Using this product means that we’ll never have to worry about running out of filters—a big plus.
Details
This pour-over coffee brewer has a brewing chamber that you fill with ground coffee; you add 195- to 205-degree water and then let it steep. After steeping, place the carafe atop a mug to open the valve that releases the coffee (and closes when lifted from the mug’s rim). The tool produced 2½ cups of flavorful, full-bodied coffee with some sediment, just like from a French press.
One caveat: It won’t work with mugs wider than 3½ inches in diameter, since they won’t engage the valve to dispense the coffee. If your mug is not the right size to release coffee automatically, it's also easy to release the coffee by pushing up the valve with a finger (where the mug's rim would have pressed).
Where to Buy
Zevro
Clever Coffee Dripper
In a Nutshell
The Clever Coffee Dripper uses a regular coffee filter, giving you full-bodied coffee without sediment.
Details
Like the Incred ’a Brew, it has a lid to keep things hot, as well as a shutoff valve that holds back the dripping coffee so that it can steep more fully. The coffee releases only when you place the cone on a cup, and it stops flowing when you lift it off.
One quibble: The manufacturer claims that the Clever Coffee Dripper can make 10, 15, or 30 ounces of coffee. We brewed 10 ounces with good results; 15 ounces was trickier, as the amount of fluid lifted the grounds dangerously close to the rim. For 30 ounces you must fill it twice with water, making the first half of the coffee turn out too strong, the second too weak. But for smaller batches, the Clever Coffee Dripper is a success.
Where to Buy
Elemental Coffee Roasters
AeroPress Coffee and Espresso Maker
In a Nutshell
The AeroPress produces a deep, rich brew that combines the slightly heavier body of French press coffee and the cleanness of drip coffee. And with good reason—it mimics the technology of both.
Details
The machine is simple to use and makes a flavorful, intense brew quickly and easily from freshly ground beans. To make a cup, you insert a disk-shaped paper filter, add coffee to the chamber with hot water, mix, and press. The AeroPress is designed to make a small, intense cup the size of an espresso; to make it into an American-type coffee, add hot water to your cup of espresso after brewing.
Where to Buy
Sur La Table
ROK Espresso Maker
In a Nutshell
Attractive and functional, this machine produced rich, flavorful espresso and velvety crema with the pressing down of two levers.
Details
Like the AeroPress, the ROK is designed for simplicity. The 11-inch tool consists of two long, curved levers attached to a wishbone-shaped body, a clear hot-water chamber with markings for single and double shots, and a portafilter for grounds. Also included are a measuring scoop that doubles as a tamper, an adapter for making two single shots simultaneously, and a syringe-like milk foamer (you simply stick it into milk and pump the plunger to froth).
The instructions were clear, and the superb result—rich, full-bodied espresso topped with a nice crema—had test cooks lining up for shots.
Note: The ROK is the newest incarnation of the Presso Espresso Machine
Where to Buy
Importika
Bodum Chambord French Press Coffee Maker
In a Nutshell
Coffee connoisseurs rave about the complex flavors created by a French press. And few drip coffee makers can beat its price. Our favorite, the 8-cup Bodum Chambord, costs just $39.99.
Details
Our tasters enjoyed the French press coffee’s rich aroma and flavor. Steps for brewing: separately heating the water to 195-205 degrees, then pouring, stirring, waiting 4-6 minutes (according to manufacturer instructions), stirring one last time, and pressing.
Where to Buy
Target
About the Author: Lisa McManus
3 Comments
Leave a Comment
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Another great review and presentation !! Very complete and trustworthy. I purchased the Technivorm Mocca Master two years ago and it has consistently made the best coffee from day one right up until this morning. Keep up the good work !!
Any difference between the incredabrew and ingenuitea? Can I just buy one for both tea and coffee?
What a great question! They certainly work similarly, letting you control the water temperature, steeping time, and dispensing. I’d compare the mesh screens to see if there’s a big difference in terms of what they allow to pass through, but otherwise, they should both work. I will try to find time to check this out… we’re pretty busy just now, but I’m intrigued.