Here's some useful info from CR:
Features that count
Some details make coffee-making a snap; others just sound good
A MATTER OF TASTE Thermal carafes and mugs, shown here, tend to maintain flavor better than glass carafes do.
Full-size coffeemakers can be full of features, but not all of them add much. Here, we separate the worthwhile from the so-so.
Programmable setting. Found on most of the full-size models, as noted in the Ratings, it lets you set the time the coffeemaker starts brewing--handy if fresh-coffee scent helps propel you out of bed.
Thermal carafe/thermal mug. An insulated carafe, found on some tested models identified in the Ratings, not only keeps coffee hot for hours but also helps keep flavor from deteriorating. Hamilton Beach (5) has a full-size thermal carafe plus two mini-carafes. Some one-cup coffeemakers, such as the Melitta (26) and Cuisinart (28), come with two thermal mugs that can travel with you.
Small-batch setting. It adjusts the flow of water through the coffee grounds to prevent you from getting a bitter or weak brew when making one to four cups. This setting is on a handful of coffeemakers called out in the Ratings.
Brew-strength control. Found on several tested models noted in the Ratings, it diverts water past the coffee grounds to produce a weaker brew or slows water flow for a stronger brew. Results are a bit more consistent with dark roasts and fine grinds than with light roasts or coarse grinds.
Pause and serve. Most machines let you pull away the carafe to fill a cup without flooding the countertop. But if you pour after only a cup or two is in the carafe, coffee can be too strong. Models that lack pause and serve: Hamilton Beach (5), KitchenAid (10), Bunn (20), Melitta (26, 31), Black & Decker (27, 33), Cuisinart (28), Gevalia (29), Toastess (30), and Senseo (32).
Auto shutoff. This feature turns off the heating element, compensating for human forgetfulness. Most have a preprogrammed time; others let you set the time. Models with no auto shutoff are Braun (1), Black & Decker (11), Farberware (13), Proctor Silex (15, 22), Bunn (20), and Toastess (30).
Controls on the side. Some people might appreciate a coffeemaker that you turn sideways, taking up less depth on the counter, such as the Zojirushi (16) and Proctor Silex (19).
Longer warranty. Most are for one year. The Cuisinart (7, 23, 28) and Bunn (20) are under warranty for three years; KitchenAid (10), Proctor Silex (15, 18), Toastess (30), and Senseo (32), two years; Proctor Silex (19, 22), only six months.
Spare carafe. A replacement for a broken glass carafe can cost $10 to $15, almost as much as some of the plain-Jane coffeemakers that use them. Replacement thermal carafes cost about $25 to $75. If you need a spare to serve guests who are split between caffeinated and decaf, consider buying a generic thermal carafe from a kitchen store.
Of dubious value
Self-clean cycle. Sending a mix of water and white vinegar through the machine usually cleans effectively. There's little need for a special cycle; it just holds the cleaning solution longer.
Water filter. It's supposed to eliminate off-tastes and odors. But you must replace it after a specified number of pots (at about $5 per filter) to prevent bacteria buildup. If water quality is a worry, a whole-house or faucet filter may be a better choice than a coffeemaker filter.
Carafe prewarm. This setting heats the carafe before the coffee drips in. In theory, that helps keep coffee warmer longer. In practice, it doesn't make much difference.
Grinder. Built-in bean grinders can be annoying to use and clean. Grounds tend to spill, and you may need to upend the machine to empty residues. A separate burr-type grinder should work better.
Temperature adjustment. You can set the temperature of some hot plates, from about 160 to 190 degrees. But we found that all plates kept coffee hot enough--about 175 degrees.
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