Enjoy a great cup without a major investment. Finding a reliable cheap coffee maker can feel like a real challenge. You don’t want to waste money on something that brews a bitter pot, but you also don’t need all the bells and whistles. The good news? There’s some fantastic options out there that prove affordable doesn’t mean awful.
We tested several popular models to find the ones that truly deliver. This review cuts through the noise to show you which budget-friendly brewers are worth your counter space—and which ones you should skip. Let’s find your perfect morning companion.
Product Comparison Table: 11 Best Cheap Coffee Maker
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BLACK+DECKER 12-Cup Digital Coffee Maker, Programmable, Washable Basket Filter,…
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9.9 |
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Ninja 12-Cup Programmable Coffee Brewer, 2 Brew Styles, Adjustable…
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9.7 |
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BLACK+DECKER 12-Cup Coffee Maker with Easy On/Off Switch, Easy…
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9.6 |
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Amazon Basics Coffee Makers, 5-Cup Coffee Machines with Reusable…
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9.4 |
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Amazon Basics 12 Cup Drip Coffee Maker, Coffee Machine…
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9.3 |
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Amazon Basics 5 Cup Drip Coffee Maker, Coffee Machine…
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9.1 |
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Mueller 12-Cup Drip Coffee Maker – Borosilicate Carafe, Auto-Off,…
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8.9 |
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Elite Gourmet EHC4128 Automatic 4-Cup Brew & Drip Coffee…
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8.8 |
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Elite Gourmet EHC9420 Automatic 5-Cup Brew & Drip Coffee…
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8.6 |
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Mr. Coffee® 5-Cup Mini Brew Switch Coffee Maker, Black
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8.5 |
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BELLA 12 Cup Programmable Coffee Marker, Reusable Dishwasher Safe…
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8.3 |
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Quick Review For Top 11 Cheap Coffee Maker
BLACK+DECKER 12-Cup Digital Coffee Maker, Programmable, Washable Basket Filter, Sneak-A-Cup, Auto Brew, Water Window, Keep Hot Plate, Black
The BLACK+DECKER 12-Cup Digital Coffee Maker is designed to be a reliable and straightforward part of your morning routine. It focuses on delivering a full pot of coffee with features that adress common annoyances and add a layer of convenient automation. At its core is the 12-cup Duralife glass carafe. It’s built to be sturdy with clear measurement markings on the side, so you can accurately fill it with the right amount of water everytime.
The handle is shaped for a comfortable, secure grip which makes pouring a full pot much easier and safer. Remember, a “cup” here is about 5 ounces, which is a standard coffee serving size, so this machine is really built for households or offices that go through a pot a day. One of the standout features is the Sneak-A-Cup function. We’ve all been there, waiting impatiently for the entire pot to finish brewing just to get that first, crucial cup.
This feature lets you temporarily pause the flow of coffee directly into the carafe. You can slide your mug in, get your coffee, and let the brewing resume without any drips or mess on the hot plate. It’s a small thing that makes a big difference when your in a hurry. Programming your brew is simple with the digital controls. The buttons have a rubberized feel that’s responsive, and the screen is clear and easy to read.
Ninja 12-Cup Programmable Coffee Brewer, 2 Brew Styles, Adjustable Warm Plate, 60oz Water Reservoir, Delay Brew – Black/Stainless Steel
The Ninja 12-Cup Programmable Coffee Brewer in Black/Stainless Steel is designed for coffee drinkers who want a reliable, customizable machine that fits into their daily routine. It’s built to give you control over your brew, from the strength of the flavor to the timing of when it’s ready. This brewer offers two distinct brew styles. The Classic style is your go-to for a well-balanced cup, while the Rich style intensifies the flavor for a bolder experience.
Both are engineered to be flavorful without bitterness, thanks to Ninja’s Hotter Brewing Technology. This system manages water temperature and saturation carefully, aiming for a consistently ultra-flavorful pot every time you brew. Whether your making a full 12-cup carafe for a group or just a few cups for yourself, the technology adapts. The dedicated Small Batch Function is key here—it adjusts the brewing parameters when you make 1 to 4 cups, so your coffee isn’t weak or watered down.
Planning your morning is easy with the 24-hour programmable delay brew. You can set it the night before and wake up to freshly brewed coffee. Once it’s ready, the adjustable warming plate lets you choose how hot to keep it, helping maintain flavor for up to four hours. Need a cup before the cycle finishes? The mid-brew pause function lets you sneak a pour without messing up the rest of the batch.
BLACK+DECKER 12-Cup Coffee Maker with Easy On/Off Switch, Easy Pour, Non-Drip Carafe with Removable Filter Basket, Vortex Technology, Black
The BLACK+DECKER 12-Cup Coffee Maker is designed to be a straightforward, reliable part of your morning routine. It focuses on delivering a good cup of coffee without complicated settings, and it includes several thoughtful features that adress common annoyances.
At its core is Vortex Technology. This isn’t just a fancy term; it refers to the specially designed showerhead inside the machine.
Instead of water just dripping down, it’s distributed to evenly saturate the coffee grounds in the filter basket. This even saturation is key for a full, rich flavor extraction, helping to ensure you get the most out of your favorite coffee blend with every brew.
We’ve all been there, waiting impatiently for the pot to finish. The Sneak-a-Cup feature is a simple solution. If you need that first cup right away, you can gently pull the carafe out from under the spout.
The flow of coffee pauses temporarily, letting you pour a cup without a mess. Just remember to slide the carafe back onto the heated plate within 30 seconds so brewing can resume and you avoid any overflow. It’s a small thing that makes a big difference when your in a hurry.
Cleanup and daily use are made easier with other smart designs. The Removable Filter Basket is completely dishwasher-safe, so you can just rinse it out or toss it in the dishwasher for a thorough clean.
Amazon Basics Coffee Makers, 5-Cup Coffee Machines with Reusable Filter, Coffee Pots, Black & Stainless Steel
The Amazon Basics 5-Cup Coffee Maker is a straightforward machine designed for simplicity and reliability. It’s built for those who need a good, hot cup of coffee without complication or taking up much space. With its 5-cup capacity, it’s a practical fit for small households, dorm rooms, or office kitchens where counter space is valuable. You won’t have to rearrange your whole kitchen to make room for this brewer.
Operation is as simple as it gets.
You just add water and coffee, then press the single ON/OFF switch. An indicator light lets you know it’s working, so there’s no guesswork. The machine then drips fresh coffee directly into the glass carafe below. It’s a no-fuss process that gets you from beans to brew quickly, which is perfect for mornings when you need efficiency.
The design in black and stainless steel offers a clean, neutral look that blends into most settings without drawing to much attention.
Once your coffee is ready, the integrated warming plate kicks in. It keeps the pot warm for you, so you can enjoy a second cup without it going cold. The plate is designed to maintain heat without scorching the coffee, which helps preserve the flavor. This feature means you’re not rushed to finish the pot the moment it’s done brewing.
Amazon Basics 12 Cup Drip Coffee Maker, Coffee Machine with Glass Coffee Pot (1.9 Qt), Auto Shut-off, Auto Pause, Removable Filter Basket, Black & Silver
The Amazon Basics 12 Cup Drip Coffee Maker is designed for reliability and straightforward operation. It focuses on delivering the essential features you need for a consistent morning routine without unnecessary complexity. This machine brews a full 12 cups, or 1.9 quarts, into its included glass carafe, making it suitable for both individual use and serving a small group. A key feature is the built-in auto shutoff.
The machine will automatically turn itself off after two hours, which provides peace of mind for safety and helps conserve energy if you ever forget to switch it off manually. This is a fundamental safety net for busy mornings. Alongside this, the pause and serve function allows you to interupt the brewing cycle to pour a cup as soon as some coffee is ready. You don’t have to wait for the entire pot to finish, and it resumes brewing without creating a mess when you put the carafe back.
The Duralife glass carafe is built to be sturdy and features an ergonomic handle designed for a secure, comfortable grip. Its spout is shaped to promote drip-free pouring, helping to keep your countertop clean. Cleaning up after brewing is simplified by the removable filter basket. You can easily lift the entire basket out to dispose of the used coffee grounds, and it’s dishwasher safe for even easier maintenance.
Amazon Basics 5 Cup Drip Coffee Maker, Coffee Machine with Glass Coffee Pot (0.8 Qt), Auto Shut-off, Auto Pause, Removable Filter Basket, Matte Black
The Amazon Basics 5 Cup Drip Coffee Maker is a straightforward machine designed for your daily routine. It focuses on simplicity and reliability, offering just what you need for a consistent pot of coffee without any complicated features. With a compact 5-cup (0.8 quart) capacity, it’s ideal for individuals, couples, or small kitchens where counter space is valuable.
The matte black finish gives it a clean, modern look that fits easily into most kitchen decors.
One of it’s key features is the built-in auto shutoff. This function turns the machine off automatically after two hours, providing peace of mind if you get distracted or need to leave in a hurry. It’s a practical safety feature that also helps manage energy use. Alongside this, the pause and serve function is incredibly handy.
If you need a cup before the full brew cycle is finished, you can simply slide the carafe out. The brewing pauses temporarily so you don’t make a mess, then resumes when you slide it back in place.
The coffee maker includes a durable Duralife glass carafe. It’s designed with an ergonomic handle that aims for a comfortable, drip-free pour everytime. The carafe sits on a black warming plate to keep your coffee hot.
Mueller 12-Cup Drip Coffee Maker – Borosilicate Carafe, Auto-Off, Reusable Filter, Anti-Drip, Keep-Warm Function, Clear Water Level Window Coffee Machine, Kitchen Essentials & Accessories
The Mueller 12-Cup Drip Coffee Maker is designed to be a reliable and thoughtful centerpiece for your daily routine. It focuses on delivering a consistant, hot pot of coffee with features that prioritize durability, convenience, and safety, all without unnecessary complication. Starting with the carafe, this is where the machine’s quality is immediately apperant. It’s made from borosilicate glass, a material known for its strength and excellent heat retention.
This means your coffee stays hot longer without the risk of absorbing old flavors or odors from past brews. The 60-ounce capacity lets you brew up to twelve cups, perfect for a full household or for ensuring you have plenty for the morning. The comfortable handle and anti-drip spout make pouring clean and easy, and the entire carafe is dishwasher safe for simple cleanup. The brewing system includes a reusable, permanent filter.
This not only reduces waste and saves you money on paper filters over time, but many users find it allows for a richer, fuller-bodied coffee. Of course, if you prefer the taste with a paper filter, you can still use one. The clear water level window on the side of the machine takes the guesswork out of measuring, so you can add exactly the amount of water you need for your desired number of cups. Once brewing is complete, the keep-warm function activates to maintain your coffee’s temperature.
Elite Gourmet EHC4128 Automatic 4-Cup Brew & Drip Coffee Maker with Pause N Serve, Glass Carafe, Reusable Filter, On/Off Switch, Keep Warm, Water Level Indicator, Black
The Elite Gourmet EHC4128 Automatic 4-Cup Brew & Drip Coffee Maker is designed for simplicity and efficiency in your daily routine. This compact machine focuses on delivering a straightforward, reliable cup of coffee without taking up much space on your counter. It’s built for individuals or small households who value a no-fuss approach to their morning brew.
Its semi-transparent water reservoir holds just enough for four cups, featuring a clear level indicator so you can easily see how much water you’ve added. This helps prevent overfilling and ensures you have the right amount for your brew everytime. The coffee drips directly into a classic 4-cup glass carafe, which is the perfect size for enjoying a couple of cups yourself or sharing with a friend or two.
The glass design means it won’t retain old coffee flavors, keeping your coffee tasting clean. A particularly handy feature is the Pause ‘N Serve function. If you need a cup before the full brewing cycle is complete, you can briefly pause the machine to pour a cup without making a mess. This is ideal for those mornings when you’re short on time and can’t wait for the entire pot to finish. Once brewing is done, the integrated keep warm function automatically activates.
Elite Gourmet EHC9420 Automatic 5-Cup Brew & Drip Coffee Maker with Pause N Serve Reusable Filter, On/Off Switch, Water Level Indicator
The Elite Gourmet EHC9420 Automatic 5-Cup Brew & Drip Coffee Maker is a straightforward machine designed for simplicity and efficiency. It brews just the right amount for your personal use or for sharing with a couple of friends, making it a practical choice for smaller households, offices, or dorm rooms. Its compact size means it won’t dominate your counter, and its operation is refreshingly uncomplicated. A key feature is its semi-transparent water reservoir, which holds up to five cups.
The built-in water level indicator lets you easily see exactly how much water you’ve added, so you can always ensure you have the correct amount for brewing without any guesswork. This feeds directly into the 5-cup glass carafe, which is the perfect size for a few mugs of fresh, hot coffee without any waste. The carafe sits on a warming plate to keep your coffee at a good temperature after the brew cycle finishes. We’ve all been in a hurry and needed a cup before the pot is completely full.
Thats where the Pause ‘N Serve function comes in handy. If you need to grab a quick coffee fix, you can simply pause the brewing process, carefully pour a cup from the carafe, and then let it resume. It’s a small feature that makes a big difference in your morning routine. Another thoughtful inclusion is the re-usable, permanent filter housed in a swing-out basket. You simply add your ground coffee, brew, and then just rinse the filter out.
Mr. Coffee® 5-Cup Mini Brew Switch Coffee Maker, Black
The Mr. Coffee® 5-Cup Mini Brew Switch Coffee Maker, Black is designed for simplicity and efficiency in your daily routine. Its compact footprint is ideal for small kitchens, dorm rooms, offices, or any spot where counter space is precious. You won’t have to sacrifice a full pot of coffee for the convienience of a smaller machine.
One of the standout features is the Grab-a-Cup Auto Pause function.
If you’re in a hurry and need to sneak a cup before the brewing cycle fully finishes, just lift the carafe. The machine pauses pouring so you can grab that early cup without making a mess. It then resumes brewing once you place the carafe back, ensuring you still get every last drop. The updated ergonomic carafe is made of glass and fits comfortably in your hand, offering better control for pouring.
Clear ounce markings on the side help you measure water perfectly, which is key for getting your preferred coffee strength just right.
Cleanup is straightforward, thanks to the Lift & Clean Filter Basket. You can easily remove the entire basket—filter and all—to dispose of used grounds. This minimizes spillage and makes rinsing the component a quick task.
BELLA 12 Cup Programmable Coffee Marker, Reusable Dishwasher Safe Accessories, Easy LCD diaply, Auto Shutoff, 900 watt, Oatmilk
The BELLA 12 Cup Programmable Coffee Maker is designed to make your morning routine simpler and more sustainable. It’s a straightforward appliance that focuses on convenience, letting you focus on starting your day rather than fiddling with complicated settings. Waking up to a freshly brewed pot is the main event here. You can program the machine up to a full day in advance, so your coffee is ready and waiting exactly when you need it.
This is a genuine game-changer for busy mornings or when you just want to roll out of bed to the smell of coffee. The 900-watt system ensures a quick and thorough brew, getting that pot ready efficiently. And for peace of mind, the auto shutoff feature kicks in after two hours, so you can leave for work without a second thought. We know mornings can be hectic, so this coffee maker includes thoughtful features to keep things moving. The pause and serve function is a simple lifesaver.
It lets you sneak a cup mid-brew without creating a mess or having to wait for the entire cycle to finish. When your schedule is tight, those saved seconds really do add up. Operating the machine is just as easy, thanks to a clear LCD display. The screen is simple to read, even before your first sip, making it easy to set the timer or check the clock without any squinting. This model also considers everyday practicality and waste reduction.
Cheap Coffee Maker Buying Guide
A cheap coffee maker should not compromise on safety. Look for models with automatic shut-off features and sturdy, heat-resistant carafes. Beyond that, a good budget machine simply needs to brew a reliable cup and fit your daily routine. Let’s look at what really matters.
Brew Size and Carafe Type
How much coffee do you actually drink each morning? If it’s just you, a compact 4-cup model eliminates waste and saves counter space. For a family or office, a full 12-cup pot is essential. Also, consider teh carafe: a classic glass pot is fine, but a thermal carafe keeps coffee hot for hours without a warming plate, which can sometimes give coffee a burnt taste.
Brew Speed and Convenience
Are you rushing out the door? Brew time can vary wildly. Some basic drip machines take nearly 10 minutes for a full pot, while others are much quicker. If every minute counts, check the specs. Also, a programmable timer is a game-changer. You can set it up the night before and wake up to a ready pot—no fumbling with filters and grounds when you’re half asleep.
Cleaning and Maintenance
A cheap machine that’s hard to clean isn’t a bargain. Look for accessible, removable parts like the water reservoir and brew basket. Some have a alert light to remind you to descale, which is a simple but crucial step. A machine with a built-in water filter can improve taste and reduce mineral buildup, making maintenance easier over time. Afterall, you want to enjoy your coffee, not constantly service the machine.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cheap Coffee Maker
What is considered a cheap coffee maker?
A cheap coffee maker usually costs under $50. These are basic machines that get teh job done. They are perfect if you just want a simple, reliable cup of coffee without any fancy features.
Will a cheap coffee maker make good coffee?
Yes, it can! The taste depends more on your coffee grounds and water than the machine itself. A cheap model brews at a good temperature for extraction. Using fresh, quality coffee makes the biggest difference.
What features should I look for?
Focus on the essentials. Look for an automatic shut-off for safety and a programmable timer if you want coffee ready in the morning. A pause-and-serve function is handy, too. Avoid models with to many complicated parts that can break.
Are thay durable?
Many are surprisingly durable if you take care of them. Descale regularly with vinegar to prevent mineral buildup. Cleaning the carafe and filter basket after each use also helps it last longer.
What type is best: drip, single-serve, or French press?
Drip machines are great for brewing multiple cups fast. Single-serve pods are convenient but cost more per cup. A French press is very cheap and makes strong coffee, but it requires manual effort. Choose based on your daily routine.
Is it expensive to run?
No, cheap coffee makers are generally energy efficient. They use less power than your microwave. The main cost is just buying your coffee. Reusable filters can also save you a little money over time.
Can I make other drinks with it?
Primarily, it’s for coffee. But you can use the hot water to make tea or instant oatmeal. Some people even use it to quickly heat water for other purposes, which is a nice bonus.
How do I clean it?
Clean the carafe and basket with soapy water. Run a brew cycle with equal parts water and white vinegar every month or two to clean the inside. Then run a few cycles with just water to rinse. This keeps your coffee tasting fresh.
Final Take
Great coffee doesn’t require a big investment. As we’ve seen, there are plenty of reliable machines that prove you can get a solid, satisfying cup every morning without spending a fortune. It’s all about finding the right balance of features for your routine and trusting that a simpler machine can still do the job well. Your daily brew should be a highlight, not a hassle or a budget-buster.
So, take a look at what matters most to you. Whether it’s programmability, carafe style, or just sheer simplicity, your perfect cheap coffee maker is out there. Remember, the best machine is the one you’ll use consistently to make a coffee you genuinely enjoy. It’s a small upgrade to your day that pays for itself quickly, proving that great mornings don’t have to cost a lot.