10 Best Drip Coffee Makers UK 2024 | Smeg, De'Longhi and More

Whether you just grab one cup a day for a caffeine boost on your commute or you're frequently catering to large groups of family and friends, the capacity of your coffee maker may be one of its most important features. A drip machine's capacity is determined by how large the carafe (the pot under the filter) is.

Drip carafes tend to hold between 4 and 14 cups, a size that refers to a small coffee cup of around 150 ml. So, a 4-cup machine will actually produce more like 2-3 mugs of coffee. This is fine for one or two people, but you should always size up to the largest you might possibly need. After all, you don't have to fill the pot every morning, but when you do need to make more, a larger capacity will come in handy. 

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The style of the carafe is also important when it comes to thermal retention, flavour and cost. There are two main materials used, each with pros and cons. Read through the details to decide which will be best for you. 

• Glass: Usually the cheaper option, glass carafes are preferred for their lower price tag and classic appearance. However, they don't retain heat particularly well, even though they have warming plates beneath the pot. These use additional energy and can cause a bitter taste in the coffee. 
  

• Steel/Thermal: Steel carafes provide excellent heat retention for up to 1-2 hours and protect the coffee from over-brewing and becoming bitter. Without the need for a thermal plate, they are more energy-efficient, which could save money over time – but the initial investment will be larger. 

Keep your coffee hot all morning long with an insulated travel mug.

The programming of your coffee maker will determine how much you can get out of it, so make sure you check exactly what a product has to offer before purchasing. If you're often rushed or want to wake up to the smell of coffee in the morning, look for a machine with a timer function that will brew a cup at a specific time. 

Internal timers also allow machines to regulate warming plates so that the coffee stays warm for a specific length of time, while auto-shutoff means you can rest assured knowing you didn't leave the machine on in your hurry out the door! Don't forget to check whether it has a reusable, washable filter or whether you'll need to keep buying paper ones, too.  

A pause function is especially important if you opt for a larger carafe. If you're running late or you're itching for your caffeine fix, there's no sense in waiting for 14 cups to brew, so some machines will allow you to pause brewing while you pour yourself a cup, and then resume once the carafe has been returned to its place. 

We're lucky that the tap water in the UK is good quality and we don't need to filter it to make it drinkable. However, if you live in a hard-water area or you prefer filtered water for its taste and other benefits, picking up a drip machine with an inbuilt water filter will cut out any additional steps in the brewing process. 

As with any filter-containing device, however, these machines will require extra maintenance as the filters will occasionally need to be changed or cleaned. Plus, frequent replacements will add extra costs. But, if purified water is important to you, this is a great option to consider. 

For cleaner-tasting drinks, also consider a water filter jug or a kettle for hard water.