Despite all of the features that you may see, automatic-drip coffee makers are relatively simple devices, all of which function in a similar manner and brew coffee. Water is first added to a reservoir, where it is heated and then dispersed over a pre-filled basket / filter of grounds. As the heated water travels through the grounds, it extracts flavor before it drips into your mug, coffee pot or carafe.

A somewhat new option with automatic drip coffee makers is the “coffee-on-demand” style machines. They brew coffee directly into an internal holding tank where the coffee is kept hot and ready for dispensing one cup at a time.

More than any other style, automatic-drip coffee makers offer many features:

• water reservoir
• filter holder
• screen filters
• built-in warming plate
• carafe
• carafe stand
• dripless carafes
• indicator lights
• cord storage
• automatic shutoff
• swing-out or lift-out filter baskets
• brew-pause feature
• digital control panels
• clocks with timers
• automatic shut-off
• water filtration systems
• flavor systems
• built-in grinding

The most popular feature on automatic-drip coffee makers is a digital clock/timer to allow you to preset a brew time – like in the morning. You can add water and ground coffee the night before and wake up to a freshly brewed pot of coffee. What a nice way to wake up!

Full-size automatic drip coffee makers can brew up to 14 cups but other, smaller machines make from a single up to four cups at a time. They work best when set to brew a full pot of coffee. A full pot is 8-14 cups of coffee and takes from 5-12 minutes for a complete brewing cycle.

Some popular brands of automatic drip coffee makers are:

• DeLonghi Drip Coffee Makers
• Saeco Coffee Makers
• Mr. Coffee Coffee Makers
• Hamilton Beach Coffee Makers
• Krups Drip Coffee Makers
• Bunn Coffee Makers
• Sunbeam Drip Coffee Makers

Online stores as well as local department stores are good places to look for the best automatic drip coffee maker.