The Best Thermal Carafe Coffee Makers of 2023

1. Our #1 Pick: Ninja Specialty Coffee Maker

Features

To kick off our collection of the best thermal carafe coffee makers, we have an affordable and versatile offering from Ninja. How does the Specialty Coffee Maker shape up, then?

Well, the main draw is the way this machine allows you to make coffee, tea, and iced coffee with push-button ease.

When you’re making iced coffee, you’ll get a great approximation of cold brew coffee in minutes rather than needing to wait for 24 hours.

You can also create rich coffee concentrate similar to espresso in intensity. This is great neat for a short, strong shot, or you could use it as the base for longer specialty coffees.

If you’re in the mood for latte, cappuccino, or macchiato, the integrated milk frother gives you complete control over the process. This folds away when not in use to give you a more streamlined setup.

You also get a great choice of brew sizes, offering you everything from a single cup to a half carafe or while carafe when you have lots of thirsty mouths around you.

Thanks to the stainless steel thermal carafe, your freshly brewed coffee will stay hotter for longer. This carafe has a 50oz capacity translating to 10 small cups of coffee.

Use your favorite coffee beans and grind them directly before brewing for best results with the Ninja, hands down one of the best thermal carafe coffee makers out there.

2. Breville Precision Brewer

Features

Next up comes an entry from kitchenware specialist Breville in the form of the Precision Brewer. What do you get for your money here, then?

The build quality of this machine stands out first and foremost. With brushed stainless steel throughout, the Breville looks great in both traditional and more modern kitchens.

You benefit from a stainless steel carafe, too. You can keep any leftover coffee warm for several hours, with the generous 60oz capacity giving you the scope to make up to 12 small cups of coffee at once.

If you don’t want a whole carafe, the steep and release technology baked in optimizes extraction for smaller brews.

PID temperature controls and variable flow rate means you can take charge over the brewing process, dialing in your coffee to your precise liking. If you simply want the perfect cup of joe at the push of a button, activate the Gold Cup Standard and enjoy your coffee brewed in line with SCA guidelines.

Choose from 6 handy presets including iced coffee to get the next best thing to a coffee shop at home.

With a pair of filter baskets included – one with a flat bottom and the other cone-shaped – you have everything you need to generate gourmet coffee right out the box.

3. Technivorm Moccamaster

Features

The Technivorm Moccamaster is an iconic thermal carafe coffee maker that certainly isn’t cheap but delivers fully in terms of performance and build quality. Also, if you move quickly, you can grab this coffee machine at a slight discount.

The design of the Moccamaster is the first thing that draws you in. Tall and slender with stainless steel accented with black plastic, this machine enhances the kitchen counter rather than cluttering it.

Super-simple to use, all you need to do is top up the water reservoir, load in some of your favorite freshly ground coffee beans, and then push a button for gourmet drip coffee.

You can whip up a 40oz batch of coffee in just 4 to 6 minutes, giving you speed of delivery comparable to a French press but without the messy cleanup.

The highly adjustable brew basket lets you take charge of the process to ensure you get your coffee just the way you like it.

Water temperature can be tweaked from 196F to 205F, allowing you to make coffee with your water heated to promote optimum extraction.

As long as you don’t mind digging deeper for a drip coffee machine, this thermal classic from Technivorm is one of the finest examples in a crowded field.

4. OXO Brew Coffee Maker

Features

OXO’s Brew is one of the best thermal carafe coffee makers that is also priced very keenly compared to much of the opposition. Fortunately, you don’t take a hit on performance or build quality to achieve a bargain either.

This machine comes certified by the SCA (Specialty Coffee Association), so you’re off to a strong start.

Choose to make single cups of coffee, whole 8-cup carafes so you have coffee for all occasions.

The BetterBrew system onboard optimizes the temperature and volume of the water as well as the brewing time so you can personalize your brewing experience completely.

Unlike many single-serve machines, you won’t need to rely on pods. This means you can grind your chosen coffee beans just before brewing to yield a superior cup of joe.

If you have coffee leftover, the thermal carafe will keep this warm for several hours thanks to the double-walled insulation.

The rainmaker showerhead on this unit is designed to encourage even saturation of your coffee grounds, resulting in a first-class extraction every time.

Aside from a few complaints about the water temperature being too hot for some tastes, most user reviews for this model are overwhelmingly positive. See if it makes the right fit for your home kitchen.

5. Ninja Hot and Cold Brewed System

Features

Another entry from Ninja next with the Hot and Cold Brewed System. While this brand is perhaps best known for producing top-notch vacuum cleaners, they also manufacture a wide line of kitchenware like this coffee machine.

If you want maximum variety in your home coffee bar, this machine gives you a great deal of choice when it comes to beverages.

You get both a coffee and tea basket to widen your options right off the bat. The smart functionality means the machine recognizes which one you are using and displays drink options to suit.

The coffee concentrate you can make with this machine tastes rich and intense, much like espresso in its intensity and depth of flavor.

Iced coffee is another key selling point with this machine. If you’re partial to cold brew but can’t be bothered to wait 24 hours for it to brew, get similar results in just 10 or 15 minutes when you use the Over Ice function on this Ninja. This won’t taste weak and diluted either, so you’re up for a taste sensation on a hot summer’s day.

The carafe on this unit is glass, so you’ll need to handle this with care. The hot plate keeps any leftovers warm, although you will need the machine powered on for this.

Overall, this is one of the most versatile and cost-effective thermal carafe coffee makers out there, but you’ll need to do without a stainless steel carafe.

6. Keurig K-Duo Plus

Features

Keurig is a pioneer in the single-serve coffee vertical, and the K-Duo allows you to do much more than drink K-Cup pods.

If you enjoy the ease of capsule-based coffee, you can choose from hundreds of K-Cup pods compatible with this bestselling Keurig. In addition to proprietary Keurig blends, you can also enjoy your favorite coffee from Starbucks, Dunkin’ Donuts, and almost 100 other famous brands.

The K-Dup Plus also gives you the freedom to use freshly ground coffee when you’re in the mood for a longer cup of coffee. You can make up to 12 cups of smooth drip coffee. This brews directly into the stainless steel carafe, allowing you to keep any leftover coffee warm for a few hours.

If you like the idea of coming downstairs in the morning to freshly brewed coffee, you can program this machine through 24 hours.

Lovers of fuller-bodied coffee with more of a punch can extract a richer brew by pushing the Strong button.

Not only is this machine priced very reasonably, but it’s currently available at a steep discount. Act quickly and grab yourself a real bargain and one of the most flexible thermal carafe coffee makers out there. Make all types of coffee on demand without needing any special barista skills with the Keurig K-Duo Plus.

7. BLACK + DECKER Thermal Coffee Maker

Features

Famous worldwide for their stable of power tools, BLACK + DECKER also make surprisingly good coffee machines.

This drip coffee maker is easy to use, equally easy to keep clean, and capable of making up to 12 cups of smooth drip coffee in a matter of minutes.

If you are too impatient to wait for the brewing cycle to complete, you can hit pause and snatch a quick cup mid-brewing cycle.

The programmable nature of this machine allows you to access fresh coffee on demand without the wait. What could be better than returning from a stressful day at work to the enticing scent of fresh coffee and a cup ready to drink immediately?

During extraction, the impressive showerhead evenly saturates all your coffee grounds for a full-bodied and robust drip coffee that tastes great at any time of day – well, not too late in the day as this will interfere with your sleep. An auto shut-off feature baked in means you’ll have no niggling safety concerns either.

Intelligent spout design helps you to pour your coffee without cascading it all over the countertops.

Although the overall build is impressive, several disgruntled consumers report issues developing with the lid over time, so we suggest handling this coffee maker with care.

8. Bonavita 8-Cup Coffee Maker

Features

As we reach the midway point of our collection of the best thermal carafe coffee makers, we have another simple but highly effective solution, this time from Bonavita.

The rugged stainless steel build means this machine can withstand plenty of sustained use. Stainless steel extends to the carafe, so you will benefit from the thermal and insulating properties and your coffee will stay warmer for longer. The carafe is double-walled for added insulation.

Using this machine couldn’t be easier with one-touch operation taking the sting out of playing barista at home.

A 1500-watt element onboard heats the water to between 195F and 205F, recognized as the optimum temperature for coffee.

You also get a pre-infusion mode. This replicates the intricate pour-over brewing method automatically. By lightly wetting the grounds first, they have time to degas properly before brewing.

A combination of the flat-bottom filter and the neatly-designed showerhead delivers the perfect extraction after saturating the coffee grinds fully during brewing.

Setting aside a few gripes about build quality issues developing over time, this is one of the best thermal carafe coffee makers on the market, and it’s also pretty keenly priced.

9. Zojirushi Coffee Maker

Features

Zojirushi is a legend in the rice cooker vertical and the brand brings their expertise to bear on the coffee maker space with this substantial drip coffee maker.

Firstly, choose between this 10-cup model and a beefier 12-cup carafe if you have a larger family to consider.

Whichever size you opt for, the carafe is made from highly insulated stainless steel so you can keep any leftover coffee warm for hours, ideal if you are working from home and sick of continually making coffee throughout the day.

The resuable filter you need comes bundled, so all you’ll need is a stash of your favorite fresh coffee beans. Blitz these directly before brewing for best results as the flavor and aroma of coffee beans deteriorates rapidly once you grind them.

This machine heats the water to 200F, within the SCA recommendations for a perfect golden cup of coffee.

You can also use this machine to make lip-smacking iced coffee. The machine adjusts the coffee/water ratio automatically, so you’ll enjoy ice cold coffee that doesn’t taste watered down.

Despite the drip prevention technology baked in, we found a few complaints from users about the mess this machine can make. Do your due diligence here.

Overall, this is one of the best thermal carafe coffee makers for anyone looking for no-nonsense drip coffee that will stay warmer for longer. If you want more variety with your beverages, explore some of the more flexible models we review above and below.

10. Hamilton Beach FlexBrew Trio

Features

Hamilton Beach has a hard-earned reputation for making great coffee machines at a budget price point. Unlike many cheap thermal carafe coffee makers, though, you won’t end up stiffed in terms of build quality or performance.

As a 2-way coffee maker – also known as a dual-brew coffee maker – you can use both freshly ground coffee and K-Cup pods. Not only do you save space on the kitchen counter with this combo appliance, but you’ll also be free to enjoy both convenience and gourmet coffee when the mood takes you.

The 80oz water tank means you won’t need to constantly top this thing up, and when you’re making fresh coffee you can generate up to 10 small cups. Any leftovers will stay warm for hours in the highly insulated stainless steel carafe.

If you’re in the mood for single-serve coffee, you can enjoy this using pods or freshly ground coffee to taste. In all respects, this is among the most versatile machines in a glutted space.

Use any K-Cup pod if you want coffee with push-button ease. You can choose from over 400 Keurig blends, as well as offering from over 50 major brands like Starbucks and Dunkin’ Donuts.

Another hidden bonus of the single-serve side is the fact you can slide a travel mug underneath, giving you everything you need to liven up your morning commute.

11. Keurig K-Duo Plus

Features

Keurig coffee machines polarize opinion. Detractors point to the low water temperature and economic impact of the pods, but there is no denying the convenience factor of these machine. If you want push-button ease when you’re making coffee but you don’t want to sacrifice freshly brewed coffee to achieve this, read on.

The K-Duo Plus, as the name hints, is a 2-way coffee maker affording you the ability to make pod-based coffee at the press of a button, or a full carafe of freshly ground coffee if you have more time to spare.

For single-serve coffee, you can use any Keurig K-Cup pods, as well as any of the K-Cups offered by partnering brands like Lavazza, Starbucks, and Green Mountain.

When you want to use freshly ground coffee, take advantage of the permanent filter bundled and brew any of the following options:

• 6oz cup
• 8oz cup
• 10oz cup
• 12oz cup
• 6oz carafe
• 8oz carafe
• 10oz carafe
• 12oz carafe

The stainless steel thermal carafe in place ensures any leftovers remain warmer for longer.

You can position the 60oz water reservoir in a number of positions, allowing you a great deal of freedom with placement on the kitchen counter.

The carafe side of this brewer is highly programmable through 24 hours, so you can always enjoy fresh coffee on demand without any waiting around. And if you forget to set the machine, you can always fall back on that single-serve.

Not only is this one of the best thermal carafe coffee makers, but it’s also one of the most convenient and user-friendly.

12. BUNN Thermal Carafe Coffee Brewer

Features

BUNN coffee makers continue to fly off the shelves worldwide, and if you’re looking for simple drip coffee in a stylish chassis, the BT Speed Brew is well worth popping on your shortlist.

While this coffee machine is reasonably expensive, you’ll benefit in terms of the stainless steel build, capable of standing up to sustained daily use.

You can use your preferred blend of fresh coffee beans, ground directly before brewing for best results. The BUNN will generate up to 10 small cups of drip coffee in just 3 minutes, giving you almost the speed of a single-serve machine but without forcing you to rely on pod-based coffee.

As with all the best drip coffee makers, this one comes equipped with a precision-engineered showerhead so all the coffee grinds are evenly saturated for the optimum extraction.

Stainless steel extends to the internal hot water tank. This keeps your water at 200F, ideal for a perfect golden cup of coffee, per SCA guidelines.

For anyone who likes drinking more than just coffee, the hot water on demand function allows you to enjoy tea, hot chocolate, and infusions as well as lip-smacking coffee.

Any leftover coffee will stay warm for a few hours in the highly insulated stainless steel carafe, giving you convenience all the way and one of the best thermal carafe coffee makers you’ll find.

13. Cuisinart Stainless Steel Coffee Maker

Features

Another great coffee machine from Cuisinart is up next in the form of this stainless steel thermal carafe.

There are several configurations available with this machine. This iteration has a 12-cup thermal carafe finished in stainless steel. You can also opt for a glass carafe, and a larger 14-cup model, too. What do you get for your money with the thermal 12-cup iteration, then?

Well, you can use your favorite coffee beans in this machine and then enjoy push-button convenience. Brew from 1 to 4 cups at the press of a button and then keep any leftovers warm for hours in the stainless steel carafe.

If you are making a larger brew and you’re impatient for a caffeine fix, hit brew pause and snatch a cup midway through brewing.

The highly programmable nature of this machine affords you the convenience of returning home or waking up to fresh coffee ready to drink. Even better, it will still be warm if you’re late due to the highly insulated carafe.

With the exception of some isolated complaints about the warming plate on this model, almost all user testimony is positive.

14. Mr Coffee Thermal Coffee Maker

Features

As we near the end of our collection of the best thermal carafe coffee makers, we have an entry from the highly reputable Mr Coffee. This brand produces no-nonsense coffee machines at very keen prices, so read on if you fancy a bargain without compromising quality.

The simple button and dial interface is a cinch to navigate and requires no tech skills at all.

Load in your favorite freshly ground coffee beans and top up the 50oz water reservoir and you can then enjoy tasty drip coffee on demand.

If you love your coffee piping hot, you’ll appreciate the 205F upper end on this machine, and you will also enjoy super-swift brewing times, taking all the waiting around out of drip coffee.

You can select strong brew if you prefer a more intense cup of coffee, and the brew pause allows you to snatch a quick cup as your carafe is brewing.

The stainless steel carafe is equipped with double-walled insulation, ideal for keeping any leftover coffee warm for hours on end.

The water filtration system on this machine helps to remove any impurities to deliver the crispest and cleanest tasting coffee in your cup.

Overall, this is among the best cheap thermal carafe coffee makers out there, and it looks great into the bargain.

15. Melitta Coffee Maker

Features

To round out our showcase of the best thermal carafe coffee makers, we have a manual model from the industry heavyweight Melitta. How does this unit shape up, then?

Well, if you’re on the trail of a portable coffee maker for camping, hiking, or RV trips, this is tailor made. You won’t need any electricity, yet you can still reap the benefits of fresh coffee on the go.

As well as the stainless steel carafe, you get a brewing cone, and also a supply of filters to get you going right out the box.

Make up to 10 small cups of coffee with the Melitta by simply pouring your off-boiling water over the coffee grounds. Despite the simplicity of this method, you’ll get a balanced and even extraction with none of the bitterness that can taint low-quality pour-over coffee.

A few users complain about the awkwardness of pouring, so be prepared for a slight initial learning curve.

For anyone looking to get a taste of the pour-over method without taking all morning and without mastering a new skill, this Melitta is a great alternative to the more traditional thermal carafe makers out there. It’s also the most portable solution on our shortlist.