The Best Filter Coffee Machines 2024
Filter coffee machines are now well and truly part of the specialty coffee brew method club.
Once heavily associated with American diners serving up bottomless coffee.
They also graced many kitchens over the years too, offering an easy push-of-a-button coffee for those early morning coffee subscribtion sippers that grab and go first thing.
Top 5 Filter Coffee Machines at a glance
Top of The Range Filter Coffee Machine - Sage - Precision Brewer
Best Compact Filter Coffee Maker - Morphy Richards - Verve
Baristas Favourite Filter Coffee Machine - Technivorm - Moccamaster
Most Stylish Filter Coffee Machine - Wilfa - Classic Pro
Most Intelligent Filter Coffee Maker - Smarter - Smart Coffee Maker
Over the last few years, there has been a sort of speciality renaissance of filter coffee makers and heavily tattooed baristas are using these machines to brew some of the best coffee on the menu.
Pour over is my go-to coffee. I find this method best highlights both the big bold flavours as well as the delicate subtle notes in certain coffees.
Serving and selling pour-over coffee in a cafe can sometimes be a challenge as there is quite a lot of labour involved.
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Filter coffee machines offer a much less labour intensive alternative that can be brewed with fairly minimal effort compared to a manual pour-over and served to customers within seconds.
Batch brew is now a fairly common offering in third-wave coffee shops, you will often be able to taste some of the roaster's finest coffee for usually cheaper and certainly less of your time.
How to choose a filter coffee machine?
Temperature and flow control
Most of the filter coffee machines that are around the middle price range and up will have temperature and flow control.
This means that the machine has been engineered to heat the water to an optimal brew temperature and then release the water on top of the coffee grounds at an optimal rate.
Many cheap filter coffee machines in the UK don’t have these controls built-in usually resulting in an under or over-extracted coffee.
Functionality
There are a few different functions that some coffee filter machines have built-in and depending on your taste in coffee and lifestyle may suit your needs. For example, if you’re an early riser and you love the thought of waking up to a coffee, then maybe look at purchasing a filter coffee machine with a grinder and a timer.
There are drip coffee makers that have one button to turn the brewing water on and off while others have pre-programmed brew cycles.
Hot Plate or Thermal Carafe?
Thermal Carafe
Pro: Keeps the coffee hot and doesn’t impair the taste of the coffee.
Cons: Can be quite heavy and you can’t see how much coffee is inside the carafe.
Hot Plate
Pros: Keeps the coffee warm and usually comes with a stylish glass coffee jug
Cons: Can impair the taste of the coffee, after 15 minutes the coffee may start to stew and taste bitter.
Capacity
The capacity of filter coffee makers can range from 1-2 litres of brewed coffee. It depends on how much coffee you consume and how many people you are making coffee for at once.
I wouldn’t recommend brewing coffee to sit for more than 2 hours in a carafe as the flavours will start to deteriorate.
1 litre of coffee will make around 4 decent sized coffees.
The 10 Best Filter Coffee Machines
Why Trust Me?
I’m Tom and I have been working in the coffee industry for over 10 years, starting my journey as a barista in Australia, working on coffee farms in South America and roasting coffee in The UK. Today I review and write about speciality coffee. I am the founder of Batch Coffee Club, which showcases the very best coffee from around the world.
Checkout our award-winning coffee subscription.
1. Sage - Precision Brewer
“Top of The Range Filter Coffee Machine”
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Capacity: 1.7 Litres
Coffee: Ground
Filter: Paper Cone, Mesh Filter, Manual Brewer
Dimensions (HxDxW): 36cm x 16.8cm x 39.5cm
Sage are a brand that produces high-quality robust kitchen appliances.
They are currently amongst the front runners in the domestic coffee brewing scene and showcase some really high-quality prosumer products including the Sage Barista Pro Espresso machine and the Sage smart grinder Pro coffee grinder.
The Sage precision brewer was finally released after a lengthy wait and burst onto the home coffee brewing scene.
Check out what James Hoffman uses at home:
The Sage coffee filter machine is priced at the top end but has some unique and super useful functions that justify the cost.
Firstly the Precision Brewer, like all the best Sage coffee machines is designed with the customers needs the primary focus.
It has multiple fittings for the brew basket so you can use cone filters or detach the inner cone to use flat bottom paper filters or the metal filter basket.
There is also an option to remove the filter attachment completely and place your pour-over brewer over the thermal jug.
The programmability is where the Sage precision drip coffee maker really justifies the price tag though.
There are a number of preset functions that brew great coffee straight out of the box, Gold, Fast and Strong have pre-programmed variables.
The best part about the Precision brewer for me though is the My Brew function that lets you program the bloom volume, bloom time, pour-over flow rate and temperature.
When you combine the precision of these variables as this filter machine does, it’s hard to even compete with a manual brew method.
If you’re a cold brew drinker the Sage precision brewer has an option for you to slowly brew with cold water for upto 14 hours.
There is also a timer so you can load up the basket with your finest ground coffee the night before and wake up to a jug of delicious filter coffee, perfect for early mornings.
Although it maybe doesn’t have the complete lazy boy coffee making approach like some bean to cup filter coffee machines the Sage Precision brewer has pretty much everything else.
Does the Sage Precision Brewer tick all of your boxes?
Rather than scouring the internet find the best price for a Sage Precision Brewer here.
2. Morphy Richards - Verve
“Best Compact Filter Coffee Maker”
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Capacity: 1.8 Litre
Coffee: Ground Coffee
Filter: Flat Bottom Filter Paper or Mesh Basket
Dimensions (HxDxW): 33.5cm x 23.5cm x 18cm
The Morphy Richards Verve is your streamlined compact filter coffee maker.
It will not only look fantastic in your kitchen but also produce some brilliant coffee.
Start the brew cycle and a small amount of water will drip over the coffee grounds, blooming the coffee. The rest of the water is then slowly released onto the bed of coffee resulting in an evenly extracted coffee.
The Morphy Richards coffee maker uses flat bottom filters, which are favoured amongst many coffee connoisseurs.
The extraction on flat bottom filters is slightly different to a cone-shaped filter and can result in a more balanced coffee.
There is a customary inbuilt timer, so you can program the filter coffee maker to activate first thing in the morning and easily adjust the quantity and strength of your brew.
A great small filter coffee machine in the UK, perfect for a kitchen work surface that doesn’t have a great deal of space.
Does the Morphy Richards Verve tick all of your boxes?
Rather than scouring the internet find the best price for a Morphy Richards Verve here.
3. Technivorm - Moccamaster
“Baristas Best Filter Coffee Machine”
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Capacity: 1.25 Litres
Coffee: Ground
Filter: Paper Cone
Dimensions (HxDxW): 41cm x 33cm x 17cm
The Moccamaster KBGT is a legend amongst batch brewing third-wave coffee shops throughout the world and is the OG batch brew machine.
The simplicity, durability, precision and fact that it comes with a pretty decent thermos have made it the number one choice to brew and serve filter coffee for a few years now.
The design and functionality of the Moccamaster is pretty simple. There is no LCD screen or dials to twist, simply an on/off switch on the side to start the flow of water.
The reason that this guy is popular amongst filter coffee drinkers is because the water temperature and the brew cycles have been designed for optimal water saturation that maximises the coffee's flavour.
The lid that covers the filter cone can be removed, which is great to observe the brewing so you’re able to make adjustments next time.
The button sensor at the button of the jug stand lets you disable the pour immediately if the coffee is ground too fine and the brewing coffee is overflowing.
Photo: Moccamaster
The thermos jug comes with two lids, one is fitted when filtering the coffee which has holes around the outside so coffee can then be poured after the brew.
A solid lid is also included for transport or keeping the brew hot.
Does the Moccamaster tick all of your boxes?
Rather than scouring the internet find the best price for a Moccamaster here.
4. Wilfa - Classic Plus
“Most Stylish Filter Coffee Maker”
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Capacity: 1 Litre
Coffee: Ground
Filter: Paper Cone
Dimensions (HxDxW): 41cm x 40.5cm x 22.5cm
Wilfa, much like Sage products, are pretty recognisable.
The matt black finish with a minimalistic and simple design make the Wilfa a great choice for those that enjoy good design.
The Wilfa classic plus isn’t all about style though. The switch underneath the brew basket lets you open and close the bottom of the filter effectively controlling the flow rate.
This gives you quite a lot of control in brewing and enables you to steep the coffee in the initial phase of brewing before opening the valve. This function gives you an option of a more hands-on brew.
Checkout this review of the Wilfa Classic Plus by coffee legends Dark Arts.
The coffee is brewed and collected in the stylish glass carafe on a heated tray. If the coffee is left on the tray for a significant amount of time, the flavour of the coffee will start to decline as the coffee stews.
The brewing in the Wilfa classic plus is so easy, I would recommend you make the amount of coffee you will consume in one sitting and brew again later rather than making one coffee to last all day.
The Wilfa Classic plus is one for the home barista that enjoys a coffee Instagram post from time to time.
The style is matched with substance and is a purchase you won’t regret.
Does the Wilfa Classic Plus tick all of your boxes?
Rather than scouring the internet find the best price for a Wilfa Classic Plus here.
5. Smarter Coffee - Smart Coffee Maker
“Most Intelligent Filter Coffee Maker”
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Capacity: 1.5 Litre
Coffee: Coffee Beans
Filter: Paper Cone or Mesh Basket
Dimensions (HxDxW): 42.5cm x 26.5cm x 20.5cm
‘Alexa brew me a coffee’
Is a phrase that can now be heard in kitchens throughout the world (although this may not be an new phrase if your name is Alexa).
The Smarter coffee maker is, as you may have guessed one of the sharpest tools in the shed. Simply download the Smarter coffee app and communicate directly with the machine.
The Smarter coffee maker filter is all about convenience and eliminating time stood around waiting for the coffee to brew.
Select ‘Home Mode’ and the drip coffee machine will start brewing your coffee the second you walk through the door or opt for an extra few minutes in bed while coffee is brewing through your snooze alarm.
This guy is a bean to filter coffee machine with a grinder built in, so you not only get to enjoy your coffee straight away but also freshly ground.
Alter and adjust each variable either manually via the LCD screen or on the app.
Style has not been forgotten with the Smarter drip filter coffee machine either, each unit comes with interchangeable colour panels for the front, choose between a black, red or white filter coffee machine to match your kitchen.
Does the Smarter Coffee Maker tick all of your boxes?
Rather than scouring the internet find the best price for a Smarter Coffee Maker here.
6. Bonavita - One Touch
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Capacity: 1.3 Litre
Coffee: Ground Coffee
Filter: Cone Filter Paper
Dimensions (HxDxW): 31.5cm x 17.27cm x 30.99cm
The Speciality Coffee Association approved brewer, meets all the Gold standards in brewing performance.
Firstly the showerhead creates an even spread of water on the coffee grounds ensuring the optimal extraction.
The water temperature maintains a constant temperature between 93-96 degrees C which again will lead to a superior cup.
The stainless steel carafe that sits underneath the brew cone is one of the best in the business at heat retention and has a well designed spout for mess-free pouring.
There is a built in bloom (pre-infusion) setting that sets this machine apart from the rest. This enables the ground coffee to release unwanted trapped CO2 which results in a less bitter tasting coffee.
Like the look of the Bonavita One Touch?
Why not find the best price for a Bonavita One Touch Filter Coffee Maker here.
7. Melitta - AromaElegance
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Capacity: 1.2 Litre
Coffee: Ground Coffee
Filter: Cone Filter Paper
Dimensions (HxDxW): 33.5cm x 30cm x 28cm
Melitta are the German coffee filter giants.
They have many of the best filter coffee machines in the UK on the market today alongside a few manual pour-over cones.
The first-ever filter papers were invented by the founder Melitta Bentz in 1908, so these guys are the founding fathers of filter coffee.
The Aroma Elegance is in the top range of Melitta filter coffee machines. It has a couple of functions that set it apart from other Melitta drip coffee machines plus it comes with a thermal carafe which is superior to a hot plate when it comes to taste.
Just swing out the filter basket and tip in your ground coffee. Fill the tank up to the desired amount of coffee you’d like to brew.
The Melitta Aroma Elegance has a timer function so you can wake up to that smell of coffee otherwise just hit go.
If you are brewing less than around 750ml then hold the button for 2 seconds to activate aroma control.
This ensures that the optimal volume of water is used at each stage of the brewing so you won’t end up with a weak coffee.
There is a light that will activate when you need to descale the filter machine, which is as simple as running a cleaning cycle.
The Aroma Elegance Melitta coffee maker comes in at a mid to high-end price range. The cost is justified by the simplicity of brewing coffee while offering added functionality for those that want a timer or to brew different amounts of coffee.
Does the Melitta AromaElegance tick all of your boxes?
Rather than scouring the internet find the best price for a Melitta AromaElegance here.
8. Chemex - Ottomatic
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Capacity: 3 - 5 Cup Chemex
Coffee: Ground Coffee
Filter: Cone Filter Paper
Dimensions (HxDxW): 32cm x 33cm x 19cm
The Ottomatic from Chemex is their entry into the automatic scene.
Chemex coffee makers are one of the finest pour-over brew methods on the market.
The filter cone sits perfectly in the upper section of the carafe which creates the perfect pour-over environment, the density of the paper always guarantees that you will achieve a delicious clean cup every time.
The Ottomatic is designed to fit either the 3 cup or 5 cup Chemex carafe.
Start by placing your pre-ground coffee in the presoaked paper filter and activate the automatic pour-over.
There is a bloom function that pre-infuses the coffee grounds before the brew cycle starts.
The brew head contains 9 holes to ensure that there is an even spread of water.
The pulsing water bath maintains a constant brew temperature, which is often a variable in a coffee filter dripper that is overlooked but can really affect the end brew.
Does the Chemex Ottomatic tick all of your boxes?
Rather than scouring the internet find the best price for a Chemex Ottomatic here.
9. Behmor - Brazen
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Capacity: 1.2 Litre
Coffee: Ground Coffee
Filter: Flat Bottom Filter Paper
Dimensions (HxDxW): 38.7cm x 22.9cm x 22.9cm
Behmor is a really interesting brand.
Founded by John Behm, his mission was to introduce roasting coffee in small batches at origin.
He found that after visiting many coffee farms many of the producers had never tasted the end product.
This is something that is extremely important in refining each harvest.
The Brazen Plus is a coffee filter machine that enables craft brewing at home. Although the machine may not ooze the style of a Wilfa or Chemex machine it definitely excels in functionality and control.
As you would expect with a coffee roaster brand their focus is on temperature. Use the controls to adjust the water by 1 degree at a time.
You can also adjust the timings of the presoak and the brew cycle. You basically have full control of temperature and time which is quite rare in filter coffee makers.
The jug is also a thermos that will keep your coffee tasting better for longer.
Does the Behmor Brazen tick all of your boxes?
Rather than scouring the internet find the best price for a Behmor Brazen here.
10. Delonghi - Clessidra
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Capacity: 1.25 Litre
Coffee: Ground Coffee
Filter: Cone Filter Paper
Dimensions (HxDxW): 33cm x 28cm x 19cm
The slick hourglass design of this Delonghi filter coffee machine.
Makes it one of the more appealing filter coffee makers when it comes to design and the unique shape enhances the pour-over coffee experience.
The water tank heats the water to the precise temperature for brewing and the removable coffee filter that sits inside the carafe makes the whole experience super easy and quick to clean.
The stylish yet simple filter coffee maker is a great choice for those that are seeking a push of a button coffee in the morning.
The heat mat underneath the jug keeps your brew warm for 40 minutes so you are caffeinated all morning.
Does the Delonghi Clessidra tick all of your boxes?
Rather than scouring the internet find the best price for a Delonghi Clessidra here.
11. Breville - Mostra
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Capacity: 1.8 Litre
Coffee: Ground Coffee
Filter: Flat Bottom Filter Paper
Dimensions (HxDxW): 36cm x 30cm x 23cm
The Breville Mostra is an easy to use coffee filter maker that has the added benefit of a timer.
Simply program the exact time you would like your coffee and the Mostra will start the brew cycle ready for you to drink at your pace.
The Breville filter coffee machine has a pretty large capacity of 1.8 litres which is enough to make everyone in the family a coffee.
If instead, you’re the type who just can’t go without a pint and half of coffee every morning the LED lights on the bottom of the heat plate indicate how long the brew has been sitting there.
It comes with a mesh filter so you don’t have to buy paper filters and has a built-in water filter to reduce impurities to better your coffee even more.
Does the Breville Mostra tick all of your boxes?
Rather than scouring the internet find the best price for a Breville Mostra here.
Why Buy a Filter Coffee Machine?
Filter coffee machines are a great option for people who like black filter coffee that don’t have the time or the desire to brew a pour over coffee. Some of the best home filter coffee machines also usually have a larger capacity than a manual pour over method so they’re great if you’re making coffee for 2 or more people.
What’s The Best Type of Filter For a Coffee Filter Machine?
This depends on a couple of factors.
Taste - There will be a difference in taste, moreso body of the coffee. A paper filter will stop many of the soluble oils entering the coffee as well as any fine grounds reusulting in a cleaner cup which is great for lighter roasts or more complex coffees. A permanent filter is usually stainless steel or plastic with tiny holes. The end result will be a more full bodied coffee which is great if you’re a fan of rich darker notes in your brew.
Environment - There is obviously the waste factor when throwing away a coffee filter rather than just cleaning out a plastic of stainless steel permanent filter. Most paper filters however are biodegradable so you can just throw them onto your compost pile along with the nutritious coffee.
Cost - There is also a cost involved in filter papers. When you buy in bulk it works out as pennies per filter but certainly a factor to think about if you’re on a budget.
Do I Need a Programmable Coffee Filter Machine?
There are various levels of programmability in a filter coffee machine. Some have just an on or off button that gradually pours water on the grinds until the tank is empty while others…
It is all about preference and many of the more expensive, professional machines don't have much functionality but brew the coffee with precise volumes of water at the perfect temperature.
How About Filter Coffee Machines With a Grinder?
This can be an even more convenient option when you’re weighing up the particular type of coffee filter coffee machine to purchase. Make sure that the grinder is of a decent quality though as it doesn’t matter what coffee/equipment you have, if the coffee is ground using a low quality coffee grinder then the end result will always be below par.
How Do Filter Coffee Machines Work?
Ground coffee is emptied into a cone shaped filter (usually either paper or stainless steel). A lid usually covers the ground coffee that is fitted with a shower. The filter machine is then turned on and hot water drips from the shower pouring over the coffee. The brew is then collected in the coffee pot with filter coffee ready to enjoy.
What Are The Different Types of Filter Coffee Machines?
A coffee filter machine can make from 1 cup of coffee up to 12 cups of coffee. Cup sizes do vary though and some machines measure a cup much smaller than I would personally class as a cup of coffee.
What Type Of Coffee Do You Put In A Filter Coffee Machine?
First and foremost coffee typically needs to be ground for a filter coffee machine unless you own a filter coffee maker with a grinder.
You should use coffee that is ground to a medium coarse setting. If you are familiar with the feel of various coffee grounds it should be finer than a cafetiere setting and coarser than an Aeropress or Moka pot.
Regarding the best type of coffee to use in a coffee filter machine this is completely up to you and is down to taste and preference.
Any brew method that uses a paper filter does lend itself to lighter or medium roasted coffees as the paper will reduce the amount of oils that pass through into the cup and result in a clean and bright coffee that can highlight more delicate flavours notes that can be found in light roasted coffee.
That said, darker roasted coffees can be equally delicious in your filtered coffee machine. You won’t have the rich velvety body that you would otherwise be able to obtain in other brew methods such as a cafetiere or stovetop but the filter coffee machine can highlight sweeter notes while still holding depth.
What's The Water Temperature in a Coffee Filter Machine?
The water temperature of a coffee filter machine should be from 90 - 94 degrees.
Water temperature is very important when you are brewing coffee in any brew method. If the water is too hot the coffee will be over extracted and bitter while too cold and the coffee will be under extracted and sour.
Filter coffee machines are often culprits of inconsistent water temperature and for this reason can sometimes produce average tasting coffee, although higher quality filter machines now regulate the temperature.
How Many Cups Does a Coffee Filter Machine Make?
A coffee filter machine can make from 1 cup of coffee up to 12 cups of coffee. Cup sizes do vary though and some machines measure a cup much smaller than I would personally class as a cup of coffee.
What Are The Best Drip Coffee Maker Filter Papers?
It completely depends on the type of machine you have to start with as many machines will only take a certain size and shape of coffee drip filter papers. There are sometimes different options to choose from like the type of paper and the density of the filter paper. It again is about preference. Some of the heavier papers will filter more oils out of the brew , resulting in a clean bright cup of coffee while the thinner papers may lead to weaker brews.
