Best Thermal Carafe Coffee Makers: Top 5 Picks for Your Favorite Cup of Joe

• Capacity. Firstly, you need to consider how much coffee you usually drink. For a healthy amount (which is up to 400 mg of caffeine, or around 4 cups of coffee per day) (1), a standard 8-cup carafe would be more than enough for two users. However, if you are an avid coffee drinker or your whole family drinks coffee too, there are models with larger carafes available, up to 14 cups. Keep in mind that there are dual coffee makers available, which can brew both a full carafe and a single cup, depending on what you need on any given day.
• Features and programmability. Now, the more extra features your coffee maker has, the more expensive it will be. But if you want superb programmability and controls, it will be worth the money. Many thermal carafe coffee makers include such functions as automatic brewing (so that you can wake up to freshly made coffee), adjustable brew strength, cold coffee, built-in grinder, pre-infusion, and so on. Even some of the best coffee makers under $100 aren’t that limited in terms of functionality and may allow for brew strength control (regular and bold) and might even have a programmable timer. However, this can vary depending on the model. Another interesting feature you might keep an open eye for is water dispersion. Some of the top-notch automatic pour-over coffee machines use a special system to saturate the grounds evenly. This results in a greatly improved flavor.
• Temperature settings. Being another handy feature that’s definitely worth your money, temperature adjustments can help you achieve the best tasting beverage. The optimal brewing temperature is considered to be no lower than 195 degrees Fahrenheit (with 200 degrees being ideal) (2). So, you may want your coffee maker to allow you to control that.
• Price. Now, for thermal carafe coffee makers, prices usually vary between $50 and $200. There are also high-end models that come packed with extra features, but you can get all the essentials within the limit of $200. It’s up to you to decide how limited (or unlimited) your budget is.
• Built-in grinder. If you want the freshest coffee, you may need a grind and brew coffee maker. This way, you will be able to not only enjoy freshly ground coffee but also control the size of the grind, which can determine the final taste of your beverage (3). However, if you buy ground coffee, a simpler coffee maker without an integrated grinder would suffice. 
• Brew time. Some models brew coffee faster than the others. If your mornings are usually hasty, this may be the decisive factor. In this case, you might want to consider getting yourself a capsule Keurig coffee maker, as this type is usually the fastest one when it comes to the brewing time. By the way, if you’re not pressed with time, you may want to try one of the cool Japanese coffee makers. To use one of them, you need to be patient, but the final brew is worth it.
• Water reservoir. Just like coffee machines come with different carafe capacities, their water tanks may also differ. If you are an avid coffee drinker (or share your machine with someone), you should consider a larger water tank (starting from 50 oz.). However, there’s another option, which would come in especially handy if you don’t want to bother with constant refills. There are many good coffee makers with a water line that can be connected to the main water supply in your home. Such machines do not store water in the reservoir. Instead, they pump the needed amount for each brewing cycle, allowing the users to forget about the refills.
• Portability. Do you often switch homes or travel? Then you may need a smaller coffee maker, something that’s easier to carry. But if you don’t require a more portable device, you are free to choose a bigger model, especially if you have a big family of coffee drinkers. Also keep in mind that a thermal carafe coffee maker would require enough counter space in the kitchen.
• Type of filter. Carafe pot coffee makers can use paper or reusable filters for brewing coffee and eliminating odors and mixtures from water. Single-use filters are cheap and disposable, but they will still end up in the landfill if you do not recycle them. Reusable filters are dishwasher-safe and more convenient to use, but they might not work with the finer grounds, so keep that in mind.
• Warranty coverage. Good warranty coverage makes you more protected in the case of an accident and shows that the company cares for its customers and believes in its products. Look for the warranties that cover at least 5-7 years of use, because you might want to upgrade your brewer within this timeframe for a model with more advanced features.

“If you are an experienced coffee drinker, you probably know that warming the beverage up on a thermal plate can really spoil the taste and reduce the freshness. That’s why a thermal carafe is a good choice. It will keep your coffee warm without exceeding the temperature and giving it an unpleasant flavor. It may also reduce your electricity bills (4).”