In a rush? Our top pick is the Breville BDC450BSS Precision Brewer.
Love pour over coffee but hate making it?
For all the lazy pour over addicts out there, an automatic pour over coffee maker is the perfect coffee machine.
It lets you brew the perfect cup of pour over coffee, without the hassle of doing it yourself.
I’m lazy when it comes to making coffee, but the same can’t be said about researching machines that will do the entire brewing process themselves.
After hours of research to find the best automatic pour over coffee maker on the market, I’ve narrowed it down to 5 models that stand out.
So without further ado, here they are!
The 5 Best Automatic Pour Over Coffee Makers
- Breville BDC450BSS Precision Brewer (Overall Best Automatic Pour Over Coffee Maker)
- Cuisinart CPO-800P1 PurePrecision 8 Cup Pour-Over Coffee Brewer (Best Self-Cleaning Pour Over Coffee Maker)
- KitchenAid KCM0802OB Pour Over Coffee Brewer (Best Budget Option)
- OXO Brew 9 Cup Stainless Steel Coffee Maker (Easiest Pour Over Coffee Maker To Use)
- Brim 8 Cup Pour Over Coffee Maker Kit (Best Looking Automatic Pour Over Coffee Maker)
Breville BDC450BSS Precision Brewer
When Breville named this model the “Precision Brewer,” they really meant it.
This is a machine that lets you make your pour over coffee precisely how you like it.
Here’s what I mean by that:
There are 6 brewing modes: gold, strong, fast, cold brew, iced and my brew. Most are pretty self-explanatory. But the one that caught my eye is definitely the last one. The my brew option lets you choose the blooming time, brewing temperature and even the water flow rate.
This means that, once you find out what your perfect cup of coffee is, you can replicate it at home. While that seems like too many options for a casual coffee drinker, I’m sure that after a month of using this machine, you’ll know exactly what you want to make.
Speaking of options, this model comes with both a cone and flat bottom filter basket. So whichever type of filter basket you prefer, you already have it included.
One thing that would make me think twice before getting this machine is definitely the price. It’s more expensive than other models on the list. But that’s to be expected from a model with this many brewing choices.
Pros
- Thanks to 6 brewing options, you can make your coffee precisely how you like it
- Brewing temperature adjustment allows you to get the right extraction, whichever type of roast you’re using, meaning your coffee will always taste perfect
- A stainless steel body makes this a durable machine that will last you a very long time
- It has a 12 cup capacity, meaning you can serve all the guests at your house party in one go
Cons
- Quite pricey compared to most automatic pour over coffee makers
Cuisinart CPO-800P1 PurePrecision 8 Cup Pour-Over Coffee Brewer
The thing I love the most about this coffee maker is the fact that you can pick your preferred type of carafe.
Sure, the thermal option costs a bit more, but if you make large amounts of coffee at a time, this is definitely an option worth considering. A thermal carafe keeps your brew hot for longer, so you don’t have to keep it on a warming plate and ruin its taste.
Another thing I like about this coffee machine is the strength control.
You can choose between mild, medium or bold brew. This is especially cool if you like to switch between different types of coffee bean roasts.
This coffee maker has a 24-hour brew delay, so you can have a fresh cup of coffee planned in advance. No more waiting around for your morning coffee to brew. It’ll already be done before you’ve even gotten out of bed.
There’s also an auto shutdown that you can adjust to anywhere from 0 to 2 hours after the brew cycle is finished. This saves you money on your electricity bill and gives you peace of mind.
Pros
- Comes with both a stainless steel permanent filter and a pack of #4 paper filters, so you can make your coffee with more or less sediment, depending on how you like it
- A charcoal water filter saves you the trouble of purifying water beforehand
- Comes with a limited 3 year warranty on defects in materials and workmanship, so you can rest assured you won’t end up with a faulty machine
- A self-clean functions saves you the hassle of doing it yourself
Cons
- Made of plastic, so it isn’t as durable as stainless steel models
KitchenAid KCM0802OB Pour Over Coffee Brewer
The retro-futuristic design of this coffee maker definitely caught my eye.
And the fact that it comes in four color options always thrills me. I love when you can find an appliance that fits your esthetics and kitchen color palette.
Don’t let the tall and sleek design fool you. This is in no way a compact coffee machine. With dimensions of 11.3×8.7×15.1 inches, it takes up quite a lot of counter space. You should definitely measure your counters before getting this thing, just in case.
It offers two coffee brewing options – for medium and dark roasts. This means that your coffee will be brewed at the right temperature, whichever type of roast you’re using. In other words, you’ll always get the perfect brew.
Isn’t that what we’re all aiming for?
It makes anywhere from 2 to 8 cups at a time, so you can choose how much you want to brew.
No more pouring leftover coffee down the drain!
Finally, I love the fact that there’s a visual display that shows each step of the coffee brewing process, from heating, to pouring and steeping. With this, you’ll always know how much longer you have to wait until you can have a cup of your favorite drink.
Pros
- There are 4 color choices, so you can match your kitchen color palette
- The serving size selector allows you to make the precise amount of coffee you need, so you won’t waste any precious coffee beans
- The clip that secures the paper filter prevents it from accidentally folding over, so you don’t have to worry about making a mess
- Thanks to the visual display, you know exactly when your coffee will be done
Cons
- Mastering the controls requires studying the manual, which is pretty time consuming
- Doesn’t come with a permanent filter, so you’ll have to buy it yourself
OXO Brew 9 Cup Stainless Steel Coffee Maker
Let’s be real.
If you’re paying a lot for a coffee maker, you want it to last.
And in terms of durability, nothing beats stainless steel. That’s the main thing I love about this coffee machine. Unless you drop it on the floor, you’re pretty much set for years to come.
Using this machine couldn’t be any simpler.
There’s a single knob that lets you set everything, from the number of cups to the wake up timer. There’s practically no need to waste time flipping through the manual.
It comes with a 9 cup double-wall stainless steel thermal carafe. It keeps your coffee hot for up to 5 hours, meaning you can brew once and you’re set for half the day.
What a way to save time.
This is a rather fast coffee maker. You don’t need to wait more than 6 minutes to get a full carafe of excellent coffee. This is handy in the morning, because you can switch it on when you wake up and it’ll be done before you finish getting ready.
Pros
- Settings are controlled with a single knob, so you don’t have to spend time studying the manual
- The double-walled steel carafe keeps your coffee warm for up to 5 hours, which saves you the hassle of brewing coffee every time you want another cup
- Thanks to the stainless steel body and a 2-year warranty, you’ll have peace of mind knowing this is a quality coffee machine that won’t break quickly
- The smart display tells you if the carafe isn’t in position, which prevents possible spillages
Cons
- Taller than most models, so it might not fit under your cabinets
Brim 8 Cup Pour Over Coffee Maker Kit
The thing that makes this coffee maker stand out from the rest is definitely the carafe.
Have you seen this thing?
It’s gorgeous!
If you’ve never used a no-handle carafe before, it might feel weird at first. But don’t worry – you’ll get used to it in no time.
The warming plate keeps the coffee in the 8 cup carafe hot for 30 minutes, after which it shuts down automatically. That’s more than enough time to drink it bottom up before it gets that burnt coffee taste.
The machine is made of stainless steel and comes in two color options – silver and copper. I love the fact that you can choose the shade that fits your kitchen better. In case you haven’t noticed, I’m a sucker for machines that esthetically match your counter colors.
It doesn’t have a brew delay option. But, it makes a full carafe of delicious coffee in just 5 minutes!
So if you start it when you get up in the morning, your coffee will be done before you finish brushing your teeth.
Pros
- The warming plate shuts down automatically, which prevents fire hazards
- Thanks to its compact footprint, this coffee maker will fit anywhere – even in a cramped kitchen
- Brews 8 cups of coffee in just 5 minutes, so you don’t have to wait long for a fresh batch of your favorite brew
- Comes with a reusable metal cone filter which is great for making a bold coffee
Cons
- It isn’t programmable, so you can’t set your brew time in advance
How To Choose The Best Automatic Pour Over Coffee Maker
At first glance, an automatic pour over coffee maker might seem no different than a drip coffee maker.
The main difference between these two types of machines lies in the way they saturate grounds with water. An automatic coffee maker showers the grounds in pulsing motions, with water heated up to a specific temperature.
This results in an even extraction.
A drip coffee maker, on the other hand, isn’t such a try-hard. They simply push hot water through the grounds and hope for the best. The final result might, or might not be good.
That’s why an automatic pour over coffee maker should be your go to machine.
But how do you choose the right model?
Let’s look at some of the most important features.
Capacity
Automatic pour over coffee makers come in different capacities, but most models on the market fall into the 8 to 12 cup category.
If you’re buying this type of coffee maker, you’ll probably end up with a large machine, regardless of the number of java drinkers in your household.
But some of these larger models can also brew smaller amounts as well.
If you only drink a cup of coffee every now and then, then go for a model that can brew only a cup or two at a time. That way, you have the option of making yourself a single cup, or brewing a whole carafe for the entire family.
If you’re the only coffee lover in your house, but you drink it religiously, I’d definitely recommend going for an 8 cup model. After all, the entire carafe is practically just two travel mugs of coffee.
But if there are other members of your household that also enjoy drinking coffee, then you should go for a large machine, such as a 12 cup coffee maker.
Size & Footprint
When buying a new appliance, this feature is no less important.
I mean, what would you do with an oversized coffee machine that you can’t fit anywhere?
Most automatic pour over coffee makers are bulky. You should definitely measure the size of your counter space before you go all ham shopping for a new appliance.
This is especially true if you have upper cabinets – you need to make sure this thing can fit in between your cabinets and countertops.
Don’t be lazy, it’ll only take a few minutes.
And that short amount of time can save you the trouble of storing your coffee machine in a box because you can’t fit it anywhere in your kitchen.
Carafe
Automatic pour over coffee machines come with either a glass or stainless steel carafe.
Glass carafes have been around since the invention of the first coffee maker.
They look stylish – retro even.
But glass cools down rather fast, which is why models with this type of carafe have a heating plate. But you can’t keep that thing on for a long time either, or your coffee will taste burnt.
In any case, it seems like glass is not the go-to material if you make large amounts of coffee at a time.
Stainless steel costs more, but for obvious reasons.
Steel carafes are insulated, so they’ll keep your coffee warm for a long time. The best part is they don’t require a heating plate, so you don’t run the risk of burning your brew.
And if you accidentally drop it – if no one saw you, no one will know.
You can’t say the same for a glass carafe, can you?
Being as clumsy as I am, the fact that I can’t break something easily is always a plus for me.
This doesn’t mean that steel carafes are heaven sent.
For one thing, it’s definitely harder to clean than glass.
Plus, I don’t like the fact that you can’t see how much coffee you have left.
Whichever type of carafe you choose, you should always pay attention to the shape of the spout. Make sure it’s wide and with an elongated tip. This prevents spilling when you’re pouring coffee.
Related reading: Best Bunn Coffee Maker
Brew Basket
There are two types of brew baskets – conical and cupcake style.
If this was any other type of coffee maker, I’d say go for conical all the way. That’s because the shape assures all the grounds get saturated with water. With flat-bottomed filters, some areas might not get wet.
But an automatic coffee maker already does a pretty good job at saturating your grounds.
So, the choice of brew basket isn’t as straightforward.
As you already know, an automatic pour over coffee machine uses a shower head to saturate your grounds. Because of this, either type of brew basket will perform well.
But if you’re looking at a large machine, you should definitely go with the cupcake style, since it can hold more grounds than a cone-shaped one.
Brewing Temperature Control
When it comes to pour over coffee, this is the most important feature in a machine.
You want a coffee maker that can heat the water to the optimal brewing temperature – ranging from 195F to 205F.
Anything higher, and your coffee will taste burnt.
And anything lower, and your coffee beans won’t get completely extracted.
What’s more, it should keep the water hot while it’s brewing.
To make sure your model meets this requirement, check for the SCA seal of approval.
The acronym stands for the Specialty Coffee Association. They give the seal to models that consistently meet this standard.
Additional Features
If your mornings are super busy, a 24-hour brew delay is a feature worth considering.
It allows you to set the time of your brew a whole day in advance. So you can have a fresh cup waiting for you in the morning as soon as you open your eyes.
If you go for a model with a glass carafe, it will come with a warming plate, too. Most of them shut down after a certain amount of time. This is mainly a safety feature, as it prevents the possibility of fire hazard in case you forget to turn the machine off.
But you shouldn’t keep your coffee warm for too long anyway. A warming plate that’s constantly hot will cause evaporation inside the carafe, which creates lots of airflow.
And you know what that airflow will do?
Oxidise your coffee. Eww.
So it’s always better to go for a machine with a hot plate that shuts down automatically. If you can choose how long it stays on for, even better.
Related reading: Best Coffee Urn – Our Top Choices
Ease Of Maintenance
Aside from a special few, I’m sure most of us hate washing dishes.
The last thing we need is another 15 pieces to add to the pile.
Well, that’s the thing – the more components your coffee maker has, the more difficult it is to clean.
But I’m not telling you to go for the simplest machine possible. Instead, look for models with removable parts that are dishwasher safe.
This will save you precious time you’d otherwise have to spend at the sink.
A self-cleaning option is always handy. And if you do it on a regular schedule, it’ll prolong the life of your coffee maker significantly.
Affordability
Automatic pour over machines make some pretty damn great coffee.
But that certainly doesn’t come cheap.
If you’re looking for a coffee maker that costs less than your monthly internet bill, then this might not be the coffee maker for you.
For a decent pour over machine, you have to set aside a bit more money.
By more, I mean like at least 3 times more.
But hey, the final result is definitely worth it.
The Final Verdict
Not going to lie, I’m in love with the Breville BDC450BSS Precision Brewer.
It lets you make great coffee precisely how you want it.
You haven’t been developing your coffee palate to spend your days drinking average coffee, now have you?
But this is a rather pricey coffee machine, so it might not be within everyone’s budget.
If it feels like too much for your wallet, you can opt for one of the other models on this list instead. They’re all top notch appliances, so any one of them is a great choice.
