Some coffee makers are better than others. Allow me to share with you some of the most common features of the better coffee makers. Try to find a machine with as many of these features as possible.

The correct brewing temperature should be consistently maintained. The ideal coffeemaker should be able to maintain an optimum brewing temperature between 195°F and 205°F, according to the Specialty Coffee Association of America. It will be hard to test this by yourself, so check the wattage of the coffee maker to be sure that it has at least 1000 watts. The length of brewing time is also important, and the cycle for regular grant coffee should be between 6 to 8 minutes.

A properly designed coffeemaker will allow you to adjust the strength of your coffee to some degree. Some coffee makers, such as the French press or the vacuum, allow for precise control. Others, such as the drip coffee maker, will ideally have at least two or three settings.

If you usually brew only a couple of cups of coffee at a time, a machine with a small batch setting will be advantageous. What this setting does is adjust the water flow so that smaller batches of coffee (that have less water) still retain a robust flavor.

A thermal carafe is practically a necessity for anyone who doesn't drink the entire pot of coffee in one shot. A regular class carafe can cook the coffee, if left too long on the warming plate. A thermal carafe, on the other hand, keeps coffee warm with out the risk of cooking.

The auto shutoff feature is a common one, and practically a necessity. In the early morning rush to get out of the house, it's too easy to forget to turn off the coffee maker. The auto shutoff turn the coffee machine off before the coffee burns in the bottom of the glass carafe.

A programmable timer is an absolute timesaver. It allows you to set up your coffee machine the night before, so that you can have a freshly brewed pot of coffee ready in the morning when you wake up. This certainly helps when you're short on time.

If your coffee maker has a pause and serve feature, you don't have to wait for the brewing cycle to finish. You can sneak a cup even while the coffee is still brewing. That's great for those that can't wait.

Reusable filter baskets have their pros and cons. The advantage, to some, is that they produce better tasting coffee. The disadvantage is that they are not as fine filter as paper. The end result is more residue accumulating in the cup.

A self-cleaning feature is a good idea if you regularly brew your coffee with hard water. Mineral deposits build up gradually over a period of time and slow the flow of water inside the coffee machine. Some coffee machines feature a light to indicate when the scaling is required.

Ideally, your coffee machine should have all of these features. Though some may be more important than others, if you can get all of them in one machine at a good price, you've got a winner.