In a rush? Our top pick is the Cuisinart DCC-3000 Coffee-on-Demand programmable coffee maker.
So you’re set on buying a Cuisinart coffee maker?
Good choice.
The first time I used one of their coffee makers, I fell in love.
Sleek, sturdy, practical… What’s there not to like about them?
The brand offers a variety of different models, so finding the best Cuisinart coffee maker seems like a Herculean task.
For that reason, I’ve thoroughly researched a bunch of different machines and compared them to one another to find the best models Cuisinart has to offer.
Let’s see how they fare!
Top Cuisinart Coffee Makers: Our 8 Choices
- Cuisinart DCC-3000 Coffee-on-Demand 12-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker (Best Overall Cuisinart Coffee Maker)
- Cuisinart DGB-550BKP1 Grind & Brew Automatic Coffeemaker (Best Cuisinart Grind And Brew Coffee Maker)
- Cuisinart SS-15P1 Coffee Center 12-Cup Coffeemaker and Single-Serve Brewer (Most Versatile Cuisinart Coffee Maker)
- Cuisinart EM-100NP1 1.66 Quart Stainless Steel Espresso Maker (Best Cuisinart Espresso Maker)
- Cuisinart DCB-10 Automatic Cold Brew Coffeemaker (Best Cuisinart Cold Brew Maker)
- Cuisinart DCC-450BK 4-Cup Coffeemaker with Stainless-Steel Carafe (Best Budget Option)
- Cuisinart SS-10P1 Premium Single-Serve Coffeemaker (Best Single Serve Cuisinart Coffee Maker)
- Cuisinart DCC-T20 14-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker Touchscreen (Largest Cuisinart Coffee Maker)
Cuisinart DCC 3000 Coffee-on-Demand 12-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker
At first glance, you might think this is a single serve coffee maker.
I mean, it features a drip tray, but doesn’t come with a carafe.
But actually, this is a 12 cup dispensing drip coffee maker.
My first thought was – where does all that coffee go?
Well, there’s a double-walled coffee reservoir inside. You can brew as much coffee as you need, be it a single cup or 12 of them.
To pour it, place a mug under the dispenser and press the lever – just like you would with a soda machine.
The machine is fully programmable. Aside from delaying the brew cycle up to 24h, this also means you can set it to turn off 0-4 hours after it’s done.
The coffee maker keeps your brew warm until it shuts down, so you can adjust the interval depending on how much coffee you have left inside.
The coffee reservoir is removable, which makes cleaning super easy. The same goes for the water reservoir. Just give them a quick rinse after each use, to keep your appliance in top condition.
Pros
- You can remove both water and coffee reservoir to rinse them under the sink, which makes cleaning a quick and easy task
- Thanks to the programmable auto shutdown feature, you don’t have to worry about whether you’ve turned the appliance off or not
- In case you forget to decalcify your coffee maker, a flashing “clean” light will remind you
- A coffee gauge shows how much coffee has left, so you can plan your next brew in advance
Cons
- You can’t brew coffee directly into a travel mug, because it won’t fit under the dispenser
Cuisinart DGB-550BKP1 Grind & Brew Automatic Coffeemaker
Flavor-wise, nothing compares to freshly ground coffee.
If you’re willing to spend a bit more on a Cuisinart coffee machine that both grinds and brews your coffee, then this model is definitely worth considering.
It’s a 12 cup capacity machine, but you can set it to brew anywhere from 2 to 12 cups at a time.
You can also choose the strength of your brew, whether it’s mild, medium or strong.
Want to use pre ground coffee?
No worries!
Just turn the grind feature off and you’re good to go.
It has important features like a 24-hour delay, brew pause and auto shutdown. What this means is that it works and shuts down exactly when you want it to.
And if you want it to stop brewing so that you can get a cup of coffee, all you have to do is pause it while you pour.
But my favorite thing?
The carafe.
It’s double-walled, made of stainless steel and keeps your coffee warm for hours!
The only thing I don’t like about it is the fact that it’s not dishwasher safe. But I guess a little bit of hand washing never killed anyone.
Pros
- It shuts down automatically after brewing, so you don’t have to worry about turning it off
- You can set it to brew your coffee as strong as you like it
- The manufacturer offers a limited 3-year warranty for defects in materials and workmanship, so you can rest easy knowing it’ll last
- The double-walled stainless steel carafe keeps you coffee warm for several hours
Cons
- The carafe must be hand-washed, which can be a bit inconvenient
- The coffee grinder is a blade grinder, which isn’t as good as a burr grinder
Cuisinart SS-15P1 Coffee Center 12-Cup Coffeemaker and Single-Serve Brewer
As soon as I saw this machine, I knew it would make the cut for this list. If you’re the black sheep of your household when it comes to coffee, you’re going to love this coffee maker.
It’s a 12 cup coffee maker and a single-serve brewer, all in one machine.
You can make yourself a cup of coffee, or fill the carafe to serve everyone at your brunch party.
Let’s start with the single serve side.
You can choose your mug size, between 6, 8 and 10 ounces.
You can also choose what type of coffee you’re using, whether it’s a K-Cup or just regular grounds.
Still, I like the other side better.
It’s fully programmable, so you can set it to brew your coffee minutes before your alarm goes off in the morning.
It has an auto shutdown feature, which you can set anywhere from 0-4 hours after brewing. That means the machine will keep your coffee warm up until it shuts down, and you don’t have to worry about forgetting to turn it off.
One great feature that’s unique to this machine is the carafe temperature knob. You can set the warming plate on either low, medium or high heat. That way, you can avoid getting that burnt coffee taste caused by a searing hot plate.
Pros
- You can brew the exact amount you need, whether it’s a single cup or a full carafe
- If you don’t like pods, you can insert the coffee filter and use grounds instead
- Thanks to the carafe temperature knob, you can choose how warm you want your coffee to be
- An auto-clean option lets you avoid the hassle of cleaning by hand
Cons
- Coffee will sometimes splash while it’s brewing, since the cup holder can’t be adjusted for different sizes
Cuisinart EM-100NP1 1.66 Quart Stainless Steel Espresso Maker
As someone who worships espresso, I simply had to include this coffee maker in the list.
It blows my mind that you can find a decent espresso machine at this price. You go Cuisinart!
It allows you to use either ground espresso or pods, whichever you prefer.
You get three filter baskets: double serving, single serve, and one for pods. You also get a measuring scoop with a tamper, so you can press down the grounds before you make coffee.
I love the fact that you also get a stainless steel frothing cup for your milk. This is important for steaming milk, as steel keeps the temperature consistent. If you don’t already own one, this saves you the trouble of buying it.
This is a manual machine, so it might seem a little complicated to use. But don’t worry – it works on a simple principle.
It has a function knob with three settings: steam, hot water and making coffee. A red light indicates that the machine is heating up. Once it stops glowing, the espresso maker is ready for use.
Simple as that!
And cleaning it is pretty straightforward, too. You even get cleaning pins to remove excess milk stuck in the wand, or coffee grounds stuck inside the filter basket.
Another great feature is the warming cup tray located at the top. You don’t often see this on machines in this price range, yet every espresso coffee lover knows the importance of having a prewarmed cup.
Pros
- It features a 53-ounce removable reservoir, so you don’t have to refill it that often
- With a single on/off button and a 3-function knob, this is one of the simplest machines to use on this list
- The temperature of coffee drops when it’s poured into a cold porcelain cup; thanks to the warming tray, this won’t happen to you
- You get a tamping tool that helps you press the grounds into the filter for better extraction
Cons
- Makes quite a lot of noise
Cuisinart DCB-10 Automatic Cold Brew Coffeemaker
Unless you live under a rock, you’ve probably noticed that cold brew coffee has become incredibly popular in recent years.
But still, machines that make this type of coffee aren’t as popular as other coffee makers.
Why?
Because of the slow, complicated brewing process. People like quick and easy, and cold brew is anything but that.
I won’t lie – I was skeptical about this coffee maker at first. But now I can safely say it’s earned its place on this list.
It makes cold brew in an incredibly short amount of time. Depending on the strength, the brew time ranges from 25 to 45 minutes.
Compared to the traditional 12 hours it usually steeps for, this is basically a blink of an eye.
The machine comes with a 7 cup glass carafe. This is probably the best looking carafe on this entire list. It’s sleek and minimalistic, and you can use it to store your coffee in the refrigerator, for up to 2 weeks.
I also love the fact that the brewing chamber is clear. You can see your coffee maker in action. There’s something strangely amusing about watching the extraction process.
The water tank and coffee filter basket are removable. These two parts, along with the carafe, are all dishwasher safe. This saves you precious time you’d otherwise spend washing them in the sink.
Pros
- This machines allows you to make your brew as strong as you like it
- You can have your favorite cup of cold brew coffee ready in less than 45 minutes
- There’s no need to wash any parts by hand since all removable parts can be washed in the dishwasher
- In case you get a machine with defects, you can replace it in the first 3 years
Cons
- The filter is rather fragile, so you might need to replace it more often than you would on other models
Cuisinart DCC-450BK 4-Cup Coffeemaker with Stainless-Steel Carafe
If you’re looking for a simple machine that gives you a daily dose of your favorite drink, you don’t have to spend a lot on it.
Take this 4 cup coffee maker.
It’s simple, affordable and gets the job done.
I love the fact that this machine comes with a stainless steel carafe. That’s not something you often see on low cost coffee makers.
It has a dripless pour spout and a knuckle guard, so there’s no way you’ll spill when pouring – even when it’s full.
And this machine is super easy to use. You turn it on with one press of a button. And 30 minutes after brewing, it shuts down automatically, so you don’t have to worry about forgetting to switch it off.
It doesn’t take a long time to brew 4 cups of coffee. But if you’re that impatient, you can pour yourself a cup before brewing is finished. The machine pauses the process as you take out the carafe, and when you put it back, it picks up where it left off.
This machine might not have all the cool features some models on this list do, but it does a great job at making coffee. And for the price it’s sold at, that’s all you can really ask for.
Pros
- The stainless steel carafe keeps you coffee warm hours after brewing
- A 30-minute auto shutdown gives you one less thing to worry about
- The brew-pause feature lets you pour a cup before brewing has finished
- A small footprint makes this machine suitable for small counter spaces
Cons
- If you’re not careful when you’re inserting it, the filter basket can get stuck
Cuisinart SS-10P1 Premium Single-Serve Coffeemaker
Cuisinart makes a couple of single-serve coffee makers, but this one is definitely the best.
It’s extremely versatile. And who doesn’t like to change up their coffee game every once in a while?
It’s compatible with any brand of single serve pod. But if you prefer ground coffee, you can use that instead. Just make sure to put in the reusable coffee filter that comes with it.
This coffee maker features a large, 72-ounce water reservoir. It’s great not having to refill every time you want a cup of coffee. The reservoir is also removable, which makes both refilling and cleaning an easy task.
There are five different cup-size settings, ranging from 4 to 12 ounces. So whether you need a small cup or a large travel mug, you can make exactly how much coffee you need. This means no more wasting grounds and pouring leftover coffee down the drain.
You can also adjust the brewing temperature, which is a cool feature for coffee know-it-alls to play around with.
Another neat feature is the hot water button. One click gets you a cup of steaming hot water for your tea, soup, hot cocoa or whatever else. It saves you the time you’d otherwise spend waiting for it to boil.
I love appliances with self cleaning functions, and this one doesn’t disappoint.
The “rinse” button does just what it says – it flushes out residual flavors from the brew chamber. So if you’re grabbing a cup of hot water, there won’t be any coffee residue in it.
Pros
- If you hate cleaning a filter, you can use single serve pods instead
- The hot water dispenser saves you time when making soup, tea or hot cocoa
- Thanks to the brew delay function, you can set the machine to make your morning coffee while you’re still in bed
- Having a large reservoir means you don’t have to refill very often
Cons
- The reusable filter is not very durable, so you’ll need to stock up on replacements
Cuisinart DCC-T20 14-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker Touchscreen
There’s something so sophisticated about a coffee maker with a touchscreen.
This one in particular looks especially modern and luxurious, and I was surprised that it’s actually quite affordable.
Especially considering all the cool features it has.
The control panel is easy to navigate. Just click on the icon that indicates what you need. You can set the time, delay brew, turn the audio alert on/off and even set the auto shutdown interval.
Once the machine goes idle, the control panel becomes invisible, which is pretty neat.
As for the coffee, you’ve got plenty of options.
You can set your coffee strength to either bold or regular. You can also choose the size. Brew 1 to 4 cups, or just go for the entire carafe.
Speaking of which, this one has a 14 cup capacity!
Because of this, it’s a great choice for bigger households and offices.
Another cool thing about this coffee maker is the carafe temperature feature. This allows you to set the warming plate on low, medium or high temperature, depending on how hot you like your coffee to be.
Finally, I must mention the self cleaning feature. It really makes cleaning this machine a total walk in the park.
All you have to do is add a vinegar and water mixture to the water reservoir and press the button. The coffee maker then does all the dirty work for you.
There’s a cleaning indicator that lights up whenever this needs to be done. So, it’s a no brainer!
Pros
- The sleek design with a shiny black finish and no buttons is great for modern kitchens and offices
- You can set the warming plate to keep your coffee hot or warm, depending on how you like it
- An auto-clean function is a real time saver
- A whopping 14 cup carafe can cater to the whole family
Cons
- Touching the shiny finish leaves fingerprints on it
Choosing The Best Cuisinart Coffee Maker – A Comprehensive Buying Guide
With tons of different Cuisinart models on the market, it’s tough choosing the right one.
So let’s go one step at a time and talk about the most important features to look for in the ideal machine for your kitchen.
Size & Capacity
If you have plenty of counter space, then size isn’t that important.
But if your kitchen is small, or you’re getting a machine for your RV, then the size of the coffee maker matters.
If you’re not 100% sure the new machine will fit your counter space, measure it. It’s only a couple of minutes of your time, and could possibly save you the drag of returning an oversized coffee maker.
In terms of capacity, if you’re the only coffee drinker in your household, there’s no point in getting a 14 cup machine.
And vice versa, a single serving appliance in a big coffee-loving family will constantly be brewing.
This might seem obvious, yet you’d be surprised how many people buy a coffee maker with insufficient capacity. As a result, half of the household has to wait for the second round of brewing to get their first morning cup.
When choosing the right capacity, there’s one thing to keep in mind.
One cup equals 5 ounces. That’s basically the size of a cappuccino. A classic tea and coffee mug that most people use is 11 ounces. The size of a travel mug ranges from 15 to 20 ounces.
What does this mean in terms of coffee maker capacity?
Well, a 4 cup coffee maker will make enough coffee for your travel mug. This machine is obviously not suitable for a large family of coffee drinkers.
On the other hand, a 12 cup appliance can produce enough coffee in one go to satisfy the entire family’s morning caffeine fix.
Related reading: Best 5 Cup Coffee Maker Available Today
Carafe
Most Cuisinart coffee makers come with either glass or thermal carafes, and certain models even let you choose between the two.
Which one is better?
A thermal carafe beats glass any day when it comes to heat retention. It’s also better in terms of durability.
But when it comes to looks, in my opinion, a glass carafe looks so much better. Plus, I like knowing how much coffee is left inside at all times.
So it really comes down to your personal preference. If esthetics are important to you, then go with whichever material you find more appealing.
If you care about keeping your coffee warm for a longer period of time, then thermal is definitely a better option for you.
Additional Features
Aside from brewing coffee, what else do you want your machine to do?
Cuisinart makes coffee makers with all kinds of features. Some are programmable, meaning you can set them to brew your coffee up to 24 hours in advance. This can be really handy on busy mornings.
One feature I particularly like is the auto shutdown. This means the machine turns off automatically after a certain period of idleness. So even if I’ve left the house without shutting it down, I’ll have peace of mind knowing the coffee maker will do that itself.
Finally, brew-strength control is another cool feature to have. Usually, you can find this on more expensive models. But if you find regular coffee to be too weak for you, you should definitely check out some models in a higher price range.
Related reading: Best Automatic Pour Over Coffee Maker
Coffee Beans Or K-Cups?
Do you prefer coffee grounds or K-Cups?
Whichever the answer is, there’s a Cuisinart model for you.
In fact, if you can’t decide between the two, there are certain models that can do both!
In terms of coffee quality, grounds are the best choice. Due to the extraction process, K-Cups will always produce a weaker and somewhat stale coffee.
They also produce a lot of waste, and they can’t be recycled as a whole. Instead, you have to separate all the pod components and throw each of them away in the designated bin.
With that being said, there are certain brands that offer biodegradable or compostable K-Cups.
Still, most of them can’t be composted at home. Instead, you need to take them to a composting facility.
What’s more, they’re not one-size-fits-all, so you need to look for K-Cups that are compatible with your machine.
There’s a lot of ways ground coffee beats K-Cups.
But at the end of the day – when it comes to convenience, K-Cups are the ultimate winner.
They’re quick and easy to use, and even easier to clean up. When you’re in a hurry in the morning, they’re definitely the most practical option.
Affordability
Cuisinart makes coffee makers for everyone’s budget.
Obviously, their features correspond with the price they’re sold at.
There are some amazing models at a low-to-mid range price point.
Sure, they only come with basic features, like single-button brew and sneak-a-cup. But for an average coffee drinker, that’s more than enough.
And of course the higher your budget, the cooler the features.
So if you’re willing to pay a couple of hundred bucks for a coffee maker, you can find a Cuisinart model that does a lot of things. That includes grinding coffee beans, choosing your brew strength and even making espresso.
The Final Verdict
The Cuisinart DCC-3000 Coffee-on-Demand coffee maker has definitely earned its place in the first spot on this list.
What really makes it stand out from the rest is its unique dispensing system. It’s also super easy to use and clean, so it’s an all-round great machine.
If you prefer a coffee maker with a carafe, other picks are also worth considering. Whichever you go for, you won’t regret your choice.
