Many people think that choosing a coffee maker is simply going to the store and buying one, only to find out once they get there that there are a number of options available that they hadn't even considered. In order to make sure that you do not end up with a coffee maker that has extra features that you do not want and will not use, take the time to consider exactly what it is that you need from the coffee maker that you buy before you even go shopping. Here are some simple tips to help you decide what to look for.

Essential Features

There are some features you just can't do without, though many of these have become standard features on most brands of coffee makers. These features include digital timers with auto-start capability (because you'd be surprised how much easier your morning can flow if you get back those few extra minutes that it takes to brew a pot of coffee yourself), stop-and-pour brewing (which lets you remove the pot from the coffee maker while it's brewing to pour yourself a cup without spilling coffee everywhere), and permanent coffee filters (though these metal filters can also be bought separately if your coffee maker does not come with one.) Other features such as an in-line water filter are useful, but are not essential if cost or maintenance time is a potential issue. The benefit of the in-line water filter can be replicated by other means at a reduced cost and without the extra parts a water filter has which need to be cleaned or checked regularly for optimal brewing and flavor.

Look and Style

The coffee maker you buy should be able to brew great coffee, but it should be something you like looking at as well. Make sure that you choose one that goes well with everything else that's in your kitchen. Also, take some time to consider the functionality of some of its design points. If the coffee pot features a screw-on lid for easy transport, make sure that you'll actually need to transport it before you choose that coffee maker over one with similar features that doesn't cost quite as much.

Consider the coffee maker's capacity as well. A coffee maker that brews two pots of coffee at once is not going make much sense if you only have one cup per day, and a two-cup coffee maker is going to be nothing but a hassle if it takes you three cups to really get your morning started. Try your best to match the size and capacity of the coffee maker to your estimated usage, keeping in mind any friends, relatives or co-workers who might visit regularly drink a lot of coffee.

Cost

In an ideal world cost would not even be a consideration. Take the time to shop around and compare the prices of not only different models but also of different stores and websites that sell coffee machines; you may be able to find a better deal elsewhere. Shop online to get an idea of the different types of coffee makers that are on the market, the sort of features that may be available, and the price of different models that have the features that you want. This can help you to have a better idea of what you'll be looking for even before you start your shopping in earnest.

Other Tips

Remember that you are going to need to perform some routine maintenance on your coffee maker from time to time, so make sure that you do not choose one that has a lot of extra features and will be difficult to maintain. Some coffee makers feature additional components such as built-in coffee grinders which may seem like an excellent idea at first but in the long run would work better as a separate component. Once you have selected the coffee maker that's right for you, take the time to read through the instruction manual to get an idea of how to properly use all of its features as well as to learn about any warranties or guarantees that it might have from the manufacturer. You should also be able to find information on how to order replacement parts if you need them down the line.