Best Pause-and-Serve Coffee Makers of 2026

Rebecca Cantu Avatar
Rebecca Cantu
Last Updated: Jan 9, 2026

* We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.

Pause-and-Serve coffee makers are a popular choice for coffee lovers who want the convenience of being able to pause the brewing process and pour a cup of coffee before it's finished. These machines typically come equipped with a special valve that stops the flow of coffee when the carafe is removed, allowing the user to pour a cup and then return the carafe to the machine to continue brewing. This feature is especially useful for those who are in a hurry in the morning or who want to enjoy a fresh cup of coffee without having to wait for the entire pot to finish brewing. Many Pause-and-Serve coffee makers also come with programmable settings, making it easy to set the machine to start brewing at a specific time.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Mr. Coffee 5-Cup Coffee Maker Cover #TOP 1
Mr. Coffee 5-Cup Coffee Maker
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Cuisinart SS-16 Coffee Maker Cover #TOP 2
Cuisinart SS-16 Coffee Maker
ftb score rating icon 9.7
Nostalgia Retro 12-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker Cover #TOP 3
Nostalgia Retro 12-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker
ftb score rating icon 9.5

Top 3 Pause-and-Serve Coffee Makers

Mr. Coffee 5-Cup Coffee Maker

2191951
Black
Coffee Maker,
Mr. Coffee 5-Cup Coffee Maker Cover
Mr. Coffee Programmable Coffee Maker 5 Cups with Auto Pause Glass Carafe Compact Design Black

The Mr. Coffee 5-Cup Coffee Maker is a compact and programmable coffee machine with an auto pause and glass carafe. It features an ergonomic carafe designed for easy pouring and handling, a grab-a-cup auto pause, and an easy-to-view water window. Customers have praised its ease of use, good tasting coffee, and automatic shut-off feature, though some have noted difficulty finding the correct water filters and that it only makes about 1.5 cups of coffee.

What We Like
Easy to use and clean
Produces a good tasting coffee
Includes a timer and clock for convenience
#TOP 2

Cuisinart SS-16 Coffee Maker

SS-16
Stainless Steel
Coffee Center
Cuisinart SS-16 Coffee Maker Cover
Cuisinart 12-Cup Coffee Maker, Single-Serve Brewer Glass Carafe, Automatic Hot & Iced Coffee Machine, Brew Strength Control and Brew Pause, SS-16, Stainless Steel

The Cuisinart SS-16 Coffee Maker is a versatile and convenient coffee machine that allows you to enjoy both single-serve and carafe brewed coffee. With five serving sizes to choose from, you can customize your coffee experience to suit your preferences. The single-serve option is compatible with any brand of single cup pod, including Keurig K-Cup pods, and you can even use your own coffee with the optional reusable filter cup. The Extreme Brew feature delivers coffee up to 25% faster, saving you time in the morning rush. The 42oz removable water reservoir and flip-down shelf make it easy to brew coffee in shorter mugs. The glass carafe can serve up to 12 cups of coffee at once, perfect for entertaining guests. Other must-have features include the ability to control brew strength and adjust carafe water temperature. The Cuisinart SS-16 Coffee Maker simplifies your morning routine with its easy-view water window and Brew Pause feature, allowing you to pour a cup before the brew cycle is complete.

What We Like
Multiple serving sizes
Fast brewing speed
Versatile with single-serve and carafe options
#TOP 3

Nostalgia Retro 12-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker

RCOF12AQ
Aqua
12-Cup
Nostalgia Retro 12-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker Cover
Nostalgia Retro 12-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker With LED Display, Automatic Shut-Off & Keep Warm, Pause-And-Serve Function, Aqua

The Nostalgia Retro 12-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker is a stylish and functional addition to any kitchen. It features a 12-cup capacity, programmable 24-hour clock and delay timer, pause & serve function, two-hour automatic shut-off, automatic keep-warm function, and anti-drip carafe. The backlit LED display makes controls easy to read, and the interior reservoir tank has easy-to-read level markings. The reusable filter and removable filter basket are included.

What We Like
Stylish and functional design
Programmable 24-hour clock and delay timer
Pause & serve function
Two-hour automatic shut-off
Automatic keep-warm function
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can you pause a coffee maker?

With pause and serve, you can momentarily stop your coffee machine to pour yourself a cup of freshly-brewed coffee. For your machine to resume brewing, you must replace the coffee pot within 30 seconds.

2. What is a Dripolator coffee maker?

Report Ad. The drip coffee machine will heat the water to boiling or near-boiling, and the steam will rise through a tube system until it reaches a drip area where it is dispersed. The heated water evenly flows through the grounds and filter then into the waiting coffee pot.

Editor's Notes

During our pause-and-serve coffee maker research, we found 24 pause-and-serve coffee maker products and shortlisted 3 quality products. We collected and analyzed 237,247 customer reviews through our big data system to write the pause-and-serve coffee makers list. We found that most customers choose pause-and-serve coffee makers with an average price of $42.82.

The pause-and-serve coffee makers are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of pause-and-serve coffee makers, including Mr. Coffee, Cuisinart, Nostalgia. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 384 consumers with an average rating of 4.7.

Written by
Rebecca Cantu Avatar

Rebecca Cantu grew up in a family-owned retail store for home and kitchen products. She worked online and gave assistance to people to buy ideal products for their sweet home after graduating from Northwestern University with a marketing degree. She has been writing content for online shopping guides since 2011 with her professional knowledge and natural sensitivity of appliances.