(checked 2026-10-10)One listing pools all KBGV Select colors (about 5,100 ratings).
Tom's Guide's top coffee maker for fast, hot, SCA-approved brewing and a 5-year warranty. But it costs well over $300, has no timer, and keeps coffee warm on a glass-carafe hot plate that Serious Eats says can't compete with a thermal carafe.
Top complaints
- Expensive, with no timer or extras
Tom's Guide calls it expensive at $369, and its one listed con is the lack of a delayed-brew mode. Food Network's cons are 'Expensive' and 'No auto start'. Value for money is a mixed aspect in Amazon's review summary, with some owners saying it isn't worth the premium.
- Glass carafe on a hot plate
Serious Eats left the KBGV off its list because a glass carafe on a hot plate can't compete with thermal carafes, and picked the thermal KBGT instead. Wirecutter's pick is also the thermal KBT. Tom's Guide says the US model keeps coffee warm for 100 minutes. Build quality is mixed on Amazon, where some owners call the glass carafe handle flimsy.
- Narrow showerhead, plastic parts
Serious Eats says the narrow Moccamaster showerhead only wets part of the coffee bed and causes channeling, and it was never satisfied with the KBGV's showerhead. Tom's Guide notes that the parts are mostly plastic, must be attached in a set order, and that the water tank isn't removable.
Source: Serious Eats, Tom's Guide review
What owners love
- Fast and hot
Tom's Guide says the copper element heats water to 196-208°F and brews a full 10-cup carafe in about 6.5 minutes (a half batch in about 4). Food Network lists a 4-6 minute brew time.
- 5-year warranty and repairs
Tom's Guide calls the 5-year warranty plus lifetime repair service the best it has seen on any coffee machine. Wirecutter says Technivorm brewers have a reputation for lasting a long time.
Source: Tom's Guide review, Wirecutter - Rich coffee, simple controls
Tom's Guide found it strong and complex without bitterness. Performance, coffee quality and ease of use are positive aspects on Amazon.
- You want coffee ready when you wake up (no timer)
- You want coffee to stay hot for hours (the hot plate shuts off after 100 minutes)
- You're on a budget
- Buying one brewer that lasts (5-year warranty plus repairs)
- Simple one-switch brewing
- Fast full pots of about 4-6.5 minutes
Scores (tap for why)
What experts say
- Tom's Guide: Best coffee maker overall (re-tested in early 2026). The only con it lists is that there is no delayed-brew mode.
- Serious Eats: Dismissed: the glass carafe and hot plate can't compete with thermal carafes, and the narrow showerhead disappointed. It picks the thermal KBGT instead.
- Wirecutter (NYT): Its top pick is the thermal sibling KBT. It calls the KBGV Select an excellent machine too, but it costs more and its brew basket lacks the KBT's manual drip-stop switch.
- Food Network: Best for craft coffee: fast and SCA certified, but expensive with no auto start.