Drip coffee maker: testing different models

Due to their relative cheapness and ease of operation, drip, or filtration, coffee makers are widespread throughout the world. We decided to evaluate them in terms of convenience, speed of work, safety and efficiency of the structure, taking into account the design and the availability of additional options.

All coffee makers did a fairly good job of making coffee and spent about the same amount of time on it. What are the most important conclusions we can draw? Slightly more time to prepare a drink went away from the Philips and Bosch models, because they used paper filters, which slightly increase the filtration time, but give a well-filtered drink. When receiving a drink from unboiled water the highest quality result was provided by the AromaPassion KF 550 (Braun) coffee maker equipped with a Brita filter. For lovers of strong coffee you should pay attention to the VT-1503 BK Grace (Vitek), AromaPassion KF 550 (Braun), HD7690 (Philips), Solitaire TKA 8SL1 (Bosch) models. The latter two provide for the possibility of adjusting the strength of the resulting drink, which makes them more versatile. In terms of preserving taste The Solitaire TKA 8SL1 thermos coffee pot (Bosch) has proven itself well. For “breakfast for two” the tiny VT-1503 BK Grace (Vitek) model will do just fine. For a large company, it is better to choose a model with a capacious water tank, for example, BCB2 Divinys (Moulinex).

VT-1503 BK Grace (Vitek), 600 руб.

Description. Filtration type coffee maker. Power – 450 W. The volume of the water tank is 0,2 liters. Permanent nylon filter. Case material – plastic. Black colour.Consumer analysis. This coffee maker attracts attention with its small size (the most compact in the review) and original design. It provides only the most essential functions. There are no, for example, a flask for prepared coffee (the drink is poured immediately into cups), a heating system for a tray for cups, a water level indicator. But the set includes two very convenient cups with a capacity of 100 ml each.Test. Since the volume of the water tank does not hold the “standard” 0,5 liters, which we used in other models, we had to choose 0,2 liters. The design, providing for the simultaneous preparation of two cups of the drink, significantly limits the circle of potential buyers of this coffee maker. But for two, it fits perfectly. The coffee brewed with it turned out to be quite strong.Summary. With all the simplicity of its design, it is a very convenient coffee maker “for two”. Advantages: compactness and stylish appearance, low price. Disadvantages: non-removable water container, no water level indicator.Ergonomics – 4, functionality – 3, design – 5, test – 4

NCM-1014 (Novex, Austria), 820 rubles.

Description. Filtration type coffee maker. Power – 1000 W. The volume of the water tank is 1,4 liters. Temperature maintenance function. Permanent nylon filter. Case material – plastic. The material of the coffee pot is glass. Weight – 1,53 kg. Black colour.Consumer analysis. The coffee maker is designed to prepare 10-15 cups of coffee. Practical design with removable nylon filter and glass coffee pot. There is a function of maintaining the temperature of the prepared drink (warming up the coffee pot). The device is also equipped with a two-way water level indication system. The measuring scale is graduated in cups, which is not very convenient. There is no indication on the coffee pot (although it is drawn with a graduation scale on the packaging box).Test. It took 0,5 minutes to prepare 4 l of coffee. The drink turned out to be of medium strength. During operation, the glass coffee pot became very hot, but the handle remained cold. I was pleasantly pleased with the anti-drip mechanism – when removing the coffee pot, two or three drops fell on the pallet.Summary. A practical and inexpensive coffee maker. The advantage is a good anti-drip system. A design flaw can be considered a non-removable container for water.Ergonomics – 4, functionality – 4, design – 3, test – 4

BCB2 Divinys (Moulinex), 1 100 руб.

Description. Filtration type coffee maker. Power – 900 W. The volume of the water tank is 1,5 liters. Permanent nylon filter. Case material – plastic. The material of the coffee pot is glass. White colour.Consumer analysis. This coffee maker differs from most models of other manufacturers in the color of the body – white. The device is equipped with a capacious water tank, a nylon filter and a fairly effective anti-drop system “drop-stop”. The water tank has an indication system (graduation, alas, in cups). The coffee pot has no indication, but it has a special protection against breaking – a plastic rim.Test. It took 0,5 minutes to prepare 3,5 l of coffee. The drink turned out to be above average strength. When removing the glass container, the drop-stop system was triggered – only a few drops of coffee were spilled. The coffee stains were easily removed from the white plastic.Summary. A productive, convenient and reliable coffee maker. Poorly readable graduation can be considered a disadvantage.Ergonomics – 4, functionality – 4, design – 4, test – 4

AromaPassion KF 550 (Braun), 1 650 rubles.

Description. Filtration type coffee maker. Power – 1100 W. The volume of the water tank is 1,25 liters. Permanent nylon filter. Replaceable cartridge water filter. Case material – plastic. The material of the coffee pot is glass. Color – black and silvery gray.Consumer analysis. The coffee maker looks very impressive thanks to the combination of black and silver-gray plastic. The coffee pot is equipped with a handle made of non-slip plastic. The model is comfortable in terms of ergonomics. I would especially like to note the thoughtful way of replacing the nylon filter, the floating filter basket with overfill protection, large buttons on the control panel, a well-readable scale. In addition, the coffee maker is equipped with a quick brewing system and a Brita water filter, which is unique for this type of device.Test. It took just over 0,5 minutes to prepare 3 l of coffee. When the glass container was removed, the drip-stop system worked reliably. All components of the coffee maker were easily cleaned of traces of coffee.Summary. One of the most successful, in our opinion, models. It’s a pity, the water container is not removable.Ergonomics – 4, functionality – 5+, design – 5, test – 5

HD7690 (Philips), 2 500 rubles.

Description. Filtration type coffee maker. Power – 1400 W. The volume of the water tank is 1,2 liters. Disposable paper filter. Case material – plastic and stainless steel. The material of the jug is glass. Color – black, silver, red inserts.Consumer analysis. The case, in the design of which combines three colors, looks rather unusual. Like many premium coffee makers, it comes with a flask heating system, a drop-stop system and a comfortable ergonomic handle. In addition, it is possible to adjust the strength of the prepared drink (MyAroma regulator). Also, the coffee maker is equipped with an LCD display with a timer and an electronic clock. If the appliance needs to be descaled, a message appears on the display. The technique is easy to use. The removable water container with a pull handle is especially good.Test. It took 3,5 minutes to prepare the drink (we decided to brew it stronger). The coffee is strong and well-filtered. The anti-drip system allowed a slight “leak”.Summary. The HD7690 coffee maker successfully combines design and design innovations. It is very convenient that you can set the strength of the drink in advance.Ergonomics – 4, functionality – 5, design – 5, test – 5

Solitaire TKA 8SL1 (Bosch), RUB 4

Description. Filtration type coffee maker. Power – 1100 W. The volume of the water tank is 1 liter. Disposable paper filter. Case material – stainless steel, plastic. Color – silver gray, dark blue.Consumer analysis. This model belongs to the famous Solitaire line of breakfast appliances and looks very presentable. The device is equipped with a removable water tank, a swivel holder for the filter (the filter is easy to change or clean), automatic shutdown systems when boiling and control of the strength of the drink (it can be preset). To collect ready-made coffee, a thermos coffee pot is used, which allows you to preserve the taste of the drink (it does not need to be constantly heated). True, the thermos coffee pot has one drawback: it is opaque, so you can’t see how much coffee is inside. The lid of the thermos closes tightly, the likelihood of accidental opening is small.Test. We preferred strong coffee. It took about 4 minutes to prepare it. The drink turned out to be excellent in taste, strength, and aroma. The anti-drip system worked reliably. All parts of the device can be easily removed and washed. The problem may arise only with the appearance of the coffee maker, since fingerprints are clearly visible on the stainless steel. Summary. A very elegant device. Advantages: coffee strength control, removable water tank, thermos coffee pot. Disadvantage: Fingerprints remain on stainless steel.Ergonomics – 4, functionality – 5, design – 5+, test – 5