CNET85
An exceptionally good, fast drip brewer with precise temperature control and a premium look, but the sky-high price makes it hard to recommend over the cheaper Oxo.
Café Specialty Drip Coffee Maker
4 expert reviewsChecked 1 Nov 2026
Quick answer
The Café Specialty Drip Coffee Maker has a critic score of 84 out of 100 from 4 professional reviews, including CNET, Business Insider and Homes and Gardens. 4 of 4 recommend it, and scores range from 83 (Homes and Gardens) to 85 (Business Insider). 1 of the scores are printed by the outlets and 3 are our estimates from the review text. Most praised: cooking results (2 of 4); design (2 of 4). Most common complaints: price (4 of 4). It ranks #2 of the 4 coffee makers we score.
Reviews checked 1 Nov 2026
Photo coming
Best for: Best for temperature control
Our verdict
4 professional reviewers tested the Café Specialty Drip Coffee Maker, and 4 recommend it. Most praised: cooking results and design. Most common complaint: price.
The catch: Very expensive, and the smart features add little.
Critic agreement: Medium
Scores run from 83 to 851 printed scores, 3 estimated
Early score: only 4 professional reviews so far. Expect it to move as more reviews come in.
3 of these 4 outlets print no score. We estimated theirs from the review text and corrected for the known tendency of estimates to run high.
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What do critics say about the Café Specialty Drip Coffee Maker?
Business Insider85est.
Named best overall drip maker after repeated testing, thanks to fast brewing, consistent flavor and a thermal carafe that keeps coffee hot.
Homes and Gardens83est.
The reviewer found this a gorgeous, easy-to-use brewer that makes delicate, well-balanced coffee and offers many settings.
Epicurious83est.
Described as a still-fantastic former top pick with SCA certification, adjustable strength and temperature, and a carbon filter.
Scores are converted to 0–100. "est." means the outlet gave no number, so we estimated one from its verdict. How we score
What critics praise most
Cooking results2 of 4
Design2 of 4
What critics dislike most
Price4 of 4
Alternatives
Not sure about the Café Specialty Drip Coffee Maker?
Common questions
Is the Café Specialty Drip Coffee Maker worth it?
Most critics think so: 4 of 4 recommend it. Very expensive, and the smart features add little.
Do critics agree about the Café Specialty Drip Coffee Maker?
Agreement is medium: scores range from 83 (Homes and Gardens) to 85 (Business Insider), a spread of 2 points across 4 reviews. Most reviewers land close together, with some outliers.
What do critics dislike about the Café Specialty Drip Coffee Maker?
Price (4 of 4 reviews).
What is the best alternative to the Café Specialty Drip Coffee Maker?
The Breville Luxe Brewer (critic score 85), best overall.