Most and Least Reliable Coffee Makers

We heard from CR members about their experiences with 81,568 coffee makers purchased between 2017 and 2025

By Althea Chang-Cook
Home & Kitchen Writer

Updated March 12, 2026

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Zojirushi Dome Brew Programmable EC-ESC120 Coffee Maker on kitchen counter — Our most recent coffee maker surveys have reliability ratings for dozens of brands, including Zojirushi.

A coffee maker can be one of the most unassuming yet essential items on your kitchen countertop. Buy an unreliable one, and you risk having to make a desperate run to the local coffee shop because your appliance isn’t working.

No one wants that. So in addition to our lab tests, which evaluate things like brew performance, carafe handling, ease of use, and ease of cleaning for drip coffee makers and brew speed for pod coffee makers, Consumer Reports surveys its members every other year about whether they’ve experienced a problem with the coffee makers they own. We use the data to calculate a reliability score that represents the likelihood that a newly purchased coffee maker will have a problem within four years of ownership. We also give brands an owner satisfaction rating, which is based on the proportion of members who are extremely likely to recommend their coffee maker to friends and family.

In this article

Most Reliable Coffee Makers: Drip Single-Serve Dual

Most Reliable Drip Coffee Makers

Drip coffee machines, especially lower-priced models built mostly of plastic, can sometimes seem less worthy and disposable. But according to their track records in the homes of our members, drip machines, as a group, are quite reliable.

Become a member to read the full article and get access to digital ratings.

We investigate, research, and test so you can choose with confidence.

Althea Chang-Cook

Althea Chang-Cook writes about kitchen appliances and cookware for Consumer Reports. Previously, she led diverse content development and contributed articles about diverse cuisines and other food topics. Prior to joining CR in 2018, Althea covered food, health, technology, product safety, autos, and more at CNN, CNBC, Forbes, TheStreet, and other publications.