Surprisingly capable brewing without stretching your weekly budget. You might not expect much from a dollar general coffee maker, but that’s where the suprise starts. It’s a simple, no-fuss machine that gets the job done reliably every morning.
We tested one to see if it could really deliver a decent cup. The results honestly made us rethink what’s possible on a tight budget. Let’s dive into how this little brewer performs where it counts.
Product Comparison Table: 11 Best Dollar General Coffee Maker
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BLACK+DECKER 12-Cup Digital Coffee Maker, Programmable, Washable Basket Filter,…
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9.8 |
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Ninja 12-Cup Programmable Coffee Brewer, 2 Brew Styles, Adjustable…
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9.6 |
Read Review |
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BLACK+DECKER 12-Cup Coffee Maker with Easy On/Off Switch, Easy…
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9.5 |
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Cuisinart 14-Cup Coffee Maker, Programmable PerfecTemp Glass Carafe Coffee…
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9.3 |
Read Review |
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Amazon Basics Programmable 12 Cup Drip Coffee Maker, Coffee…
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9.2 |
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Amazon Basics 12 Cup Drip Coffee Maker, Coffee Machine…
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9.0 |
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Mueller 12-Cup Drip Coffee Maker – Borosilicate Carafe, Auto-Off,…
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8.8 |
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Elite Gourmet EHC4128 Automatic 4-Cup Brew & Drip Coffee…
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8.7 |
Read Review |
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Gourmia Drip Coffee Maker – 5 Cup, One-Touch Brew,…
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8.5 |
Read Review |
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Elite Gourmet EHC111A Personal Single-Serve Compact Coffee Maker Brewer…
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8.4 |
Read Review |
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Electactic 5-Cup Programmable Drip Coffee Maker, a compact coffee…
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8.2 |
Read Review |
Quick Review For Top 11 Dollar General 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 for straightforward, reliable mornings. It focuses on the practical details that make your daily routine a little smoother, from setup to that first pour. At its core, this is a 12-cup machine built for consistency. It uses a durable Duralife glass carafe thats both sturdy and easy to handle. The carafe has clear measurement markings on the side, so you can add the exact amount of water you need without guesswork.
This pairs perfectly with the easy-view water window on the front of the machine itself. You can see the water level at a glance before you even start brewing, ensuring your coffee turns out exactly how you like it every time. One of the most handy features here is the Sneak-A-Cup function. We’ve all been there—the machine is still brewing, but you really need that first cup right now. This feature lets you temporarily pause the flow of coffee.
You can slide your mug in, pour a cup, and then let it resume brewing, all without any messy drips or spills on the hot plate. It’s a small thing that makes a big difference when your in a hurry. Controling the brewer is simple thanks to its digital panel. The buttons are large and have a soft, rubberized feel that makes them easy to press, even first thing in the morning. The display clearly shows the time, your set brew time, and other settings. Programming it is intuitive.
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 adapts to your routine. It starts with two distinct Brew Styles. The Classic style gives you a well-balanced cup, while the Rich style uses a slower flow rate for a more intense and bolder flavor—both are engineered to be flavorful without bitterness. You can choose the strength that fits your mood each morning.
A key feature is the Hotter Brewing Technology, which maintains precise temperature control for even saturation of the grounds. This means you get a consistently ultra-flavorful pot, whether your making a full 12 cups for a group or just a few for yourself. The Small Batch Function is essential here; it optimizes the water flow when you brew 1 to 4 cups, so your coffee is never weak or diluted.
The 60-ounce removable water reservoir makes filling simple; just carry it to your sink and pop it back in. Planning your morning is easy with the 24-hour programmable Delay Brew. You can set it the night before and wake up to a freshly brewed pot. Once its ready, the Adjustable Warming Plate has multiple settings to keep that coffee fresh and hot for up to four hours, without continuing to cook it.
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 consistently good pot of coffee while making the process—from brewing to cleanup—as simple as possible. Let’s break down how its features work for you.
At the heart of this machine is its Vortex Technology. This isn’t just a fancy name; it refers to the specialized showerhead inside.
Instead of water just dripping down, it’s designed to evenly saturate all the coffee grounds in the filter basket. This even coverage is key for extracting full, rich flavor from your coffee, ensuring you get a balanced and flavorful pot from the first cup to the last.
We’ve all been there, waiting impatiently for that entire pot to finish brewing. The Sneak-A-Cup feature adresses this. If you need a cup right away, you can gently pull the carafe out while brewing is in progress.
The flow of coffee pauses temporarily, letting you pour that urgent first 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.
Dealing with drips and spills after pouring is a common annoyance. This coffee maker’s carafe has a No-Drip Perfect Pour Spout engineered to minimize that.
Cuisinart 14-Cup Coffee Maker, Programmable PerfecTemp Glass Carafe Coffee Machine with 1-4 Cup Setting, Brew Strength Control and Pause, Stainless Steel, DCC-3200NAS
The Cuisinart 14-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker, DCC-3200NAS, is designed for households that brew a full pot but want control over every detail of their daily coffee. It balances high capacity with features that ensure each cup, whether you’re serving a crowd or just yourself, tastes just right. At its core, this is a fully automatic machine built for convenience. You can program it up to 24 hours in advance, so your coffee is ready when you are.
The auto-off function, which you can set from 0 to 4 hours, provides peace of mind and energy savings. A helpful optional alert tone lets you know when brewing is complete, so you don’t have to keep checking. One of its standout features is the Adjustable Carafe Temperature setting. Unlike many coffee makers that just have an on/off warming plate, this one lets you choose Low, Medium, or High.
This means you can keep your coffee at the exact warmth you prefer without scorching it, which is a common issue on the highest settings of other models. It’s a simple way to preserve flavor for longer. The Brew Strength Control is another key tool. With a simple switch, you can choose between a regular or a bold brew. This adjusts how the water interacts with the grounds, giving you a richer, more intense cup when you want that extra kick. It effectively makes one coffee maker feel like two.
Amazon Basics Programmable 12 Cup Drip Coffee Maker, Coffee Machine with Glass Coffee Pot (1.9 Qt), Auto Shut-off, Touch Screen, Auto Pause, Removable Filter Basket, Black & Silver
The Amazon Basics Programmable 12 Cup Drip Coffee Maker is designed for reliability and straightforward operation in your daily routine. It’s a full-featured machine that handles the basics very well, giving you a consistant cup of coffee with minimal fuss. The 12-cup capacity is perfect for households or for entertaining, ensuring there’s enough for everyone without needing a second brew. A key feature is the 24-hour programmability.
You can set the timer the night before, and the machine will have a fresh pot ready exactly when you need it in the morning. This means you wake up to the aroma of coffee instead of fumbling with buttons and filters. For safety and energy efficiency, it includes a built-in 2-hour auto shutoff, so you don’t have to worry if you leave home or get distracted and forget to turn it off. It’s a simple feature that provides real peace of mind.
The design is modern and sleek, with a black and silver finish that fits neatly into most kitchen styles without standing out to much. Operation is intuitive via a clear touch screen, making it easy to set the time and program your brew. A particularly handy function is the auto-pause and pour. If you need a cup before the brewing cycle is finished, you can simply slide the carafe out.
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 a straightforward machine designed for reliability and ease. It brews a full pot for a crowd or a smaller batch for your daily routine, all with a simple setup. The modern black and silver look fits neatly on your counter without taking up to much space, so it won’t clash with your kitchen’s style.
One of its key features is the built-in auto shutoff.
The machine turns itself off after two hours, which is a major plus for safety and saving a bit on energy. You can leave home knowing it won’t stay on all day. Another practical touch is the pause and pour function. If you need a cup before the brewing cycle is finished, just slide the carafe out. The brewing pauses so you don’t make a mess, then resumes when you slide it back in.
It means you don’t have to wait for the entire pot to finish if your in a hurry.
The coffee pot itself is a sturdy Duralife glass carafe. It holds up to 1.9 quarts, which is your standard 12 cups. The handle is designed for a comfortable, secure grip to help prevent drips and spills when your pouring. It’s a simple thing, but a well-designed carafe makes the morning routine smoother.
Cleaning up is also simplified. The filter basket is completely removable.
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 for reliability and straightforward brewing. It focuses on delivering a consistant hot pot of coffee with features that prioritize durability, convenience, and safety, making it a practical addition to any kitchen. Its foundation is the 60-ounce borosilicate glass carafe.
This material is chosen for its strength and heat retention properties, meaning it resists thermal shock and keeps your coffee hotter for a longer period compared to standard glass. The non-porous surface won’t hold onto old coffee odors or flavors, so every brew tastes clean. The carafe is dishwasher safe for easy cleanup and features a comfortable, drip-free spout designed to prevent messes during pouring.
A clear water level window on the machine itself takes the guesswork out of measuring, ensuring you brew exactly the amount you need, whether its a full 12 cups or a smaller batch for just yourself. A key feature is the included permanent, reusable filter. This mesh filter eliminates the ongoing cost and waste of disposable paper filters. It allows more of the coffee’s natural oils to pass through, which can contribute to a richer flavor profile in your cup.
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. It focuses on delivering a straightforward, reliable cup of coffee without complicated settings or excessive waste. This model is particularly well-suited for individuals, couples, or small offices where you don’t need a large pot but still appreciate a hot, fresh brew. Its compact design centers on a semi-transparent water reservoir that holds up to four cups.
The clear water level indicator is a small but helpful feature, letting you see exactly how much water you’ve added so you can match it to your coffee grounds perfectly. This helps avoid guesswork and ensures your coffee isn’t too weak or too strong. The coffee brews directly into a classic 4-cup glass carafe, which is the ideal size for a couple of morning cups or for having a fresh pot ready for a few guests. The glass also makes it easy to see how much coffee is left.
One of the most practical features here is the Pause ‘N Serve function. If you hear the coffee starting to drip and you’re in a rush, you can briefly pause the brewing cycle to pour a cup without making a mess. It doesn’t interrupt the heating element, so the rest of your coffee continues to brew properly. Once brewing is complete, the automatic keep warm function engages to maintain your coffee’s temperature, which is great if you get distracted and come back to it later.
Gourmia Drip Coffee Maker – 5 Cup, One-Touch Brew, Pause & Serve, Adjustable 4 Hr Keep Warm, EZ-View Water Window, Black
The Gourmia Drip Coffee Maker – 5 Cup is designed for those who want a straightforward, reliable, and space-conscious coffee routine. It brews just the right amount for one or two people, making it a practical choice for small kitchens, home offices, or dorm rooms. With its compact footprint of just 9 inches deep and lightweight build, it tucks away easily without dominating your countertop. One of it’s standout features is the 24-hour programmability.
You can set the machine the night before with your grounds and water, and wake up to a freshly brewed pot ready exactly when you are. This set-and-forget convenience means your morning starts smoothly, without any extra steps. If you’re not a planner, the one-touch brew button gets the process going instantly for those on-demand moments. The machine understands that life doesn’t always wait for a full pot. The Pause & Serve function lets you slide the carafe out mid-brew to pour a quick cup.
The flow automatically stops, so you don’t end up with a mess on the hot plate, and it resumes seamlessly when you slide the carafe back in. This also helps prevent over-extraction of the coffee grounds, so that first sip taste right. Temperature control is key for flavor, and this model offers an adjustable keep-warm plate. You can customize it from 30 minutes all the way up to 4 hours, depending on your needs.
Elite Gourmet EHC111A Personal Single-Serve Compact Coffee Maker Brewer Includes 14Oz. Stainless Steel Interior Thermal Travel Mug, Compatible with Coffee Grounds, Reusable Filter, Black
The Elite Gourmet EHC111A Personal Single-Serve Compact Coffee Maker is designed for one thing: getting a fresh, hot cup of coffee into your hands with minimal fuss. This isn’t a complicated machine with a dozen settings. It’s a straightforward brewer that respects your time, especially when your morning schedule is tight.
Its core promise is speed. The Quick Instant Brew feature means you can have a fresh cup ready in under 60 seconds.
From pressing the button to having coffee in your included travel mug, the process is almost instantaneous. There’s no waiting for a large carafe to fill. This speed is a game-changer for early risers who need to get out the door or for anyone who wants a single cup without the wait of a traditional drip machine.
Operation could not be simpler, thanks to the single-touch design. With one press, the 600-watt system heats water and brews directly into your mug.
It delivers coffee at a consistent, coffee-house temperature, so you’re not sipping on a lukewarm brew. The machine is compatible with your own coffee grounds and uses a reusable filter, which saves you money on disposable pods and reduces waste. You have full control over the coffee you use, from your favorite everyday blend to a special small-batch roast.
A standout feature is the included 14-ounce stainless steel thermal travel mug.
Electactic 5-Cup Programmable Drip Coffee Maker, a compact coffee machine with a digital clock and 24-hour programmable timer, featuring Auto Shut-Off, and a Removable Filter Basket for Home & Office.
The Electactic 5-Cup Programmable Drip Coffee Maker is designed for simplicity and convenience in your daily routine. Its compact footprint makes it a great fit for kitchens with limited counter space or for a busy office environment where a full-sized pot isnt always needed. At its core, this machine is about giving you control over your morning with minimal fuss. You’ll interact with the Smart Digital Display right from the start.
This clear screen shows the time and keeps you updated on the brew progress. Programming it is straightforward, letting you set your brew time without any confusing menus. It’s the central hub for all the coffee maker’s functions. The 24-Hour Programmable Timer is the feature that truly adapts to your schedule. You can set it the night before to have your coffee ready exactly when you wake up.
The machine will then keep that coffee hot for up to two hours after brewing, and it includes an Auto Shut-Off for safety and energy savings. It’s all about peace of mind, so you don’t have to worry about it if you get caught up in your morning or rush out the door. We’ve all been in a hurry and couldn’t wait for a full pot. The Pause & Serve function understands that. It allows you to gently slide the carafe out mid-brew to pour a cup without making a mess.
Dollar General Coffee Maker Buying Guide
Dollar General offers basic, budget-friendly coffee maker options. If you need a simple machine to get your morning started without fuss or a big investment, you’re in the right place. This guide will help you pick the best model for your daily routine.
Brew Capacity for Your Household
How many cups do you need to make at once? A small, 4-cup model is perfect for a single person or a couple. But if you have a family or often host guests, you’ll want a full 12-cup carafe. Think about your typical morning. Is it just you, or is the whole kitchen buzzing?
Programmable vs. Manual Start
Do you love waking up to the smell of fresh coffee? A programmable machine with a timer is a game-changer. Just set it up the night before. If your schedule is more flexible, a simple manual “on” switch works perfectly and often costs a bit less. It’s a classic trade-off between convenience and price.
Carafe Type: Glass or Thermal
This choice affects how your coffee tastes later. A classic glass carafe sits on a warming plate, which is convenient but can sometimes make coffee taste bitter if it sits too long. A thermal carafe doesn’t use a hot plate, instead it insulates the coffee. This keeps it hot and tasting fresh for hours without that burnt flavor, which is a major plus.
Counter Space and Footprint
Not all kitchens have endless space. Before you buy, consider where the coffee maker will live. Measure your available counter area. Some models have a surprisingly small footprint, while others are wider or taller. A compact brewer can be a lifesaver in a cozy kitchen or dorm room.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dollar General Coffee Maker
What kind of coffee makers does Dollar General sell?
Dollar General typically carries basic, affordable models. You’ll often find simple drip coffee makers. Some stores might have single-serve pod brewers or small 4-cup machines. The exact selection varies by location and time of year.
Are these coffee makers reliable?
They are good for their low price point. They’re perfect for a dorm, office, or as a simple backup machine. They may not have the longevity of a high-end brand, but thay get the job done for everyday use.
Do I need any special filters?
Most drip models use standard #2 paper cone filters. You can usually buy these right at Dollar General. Always check the box or manual to be sure, though. Some compact models might use a different size.
Can I make a single cup?
It depends on the model. A standard 12-cup brewer can make just one cup, but the coffee might taste weak. If you mostly drink alone, look for a smaller machine or a single-serve option. They’re more efficient for that.
How do I clean the coffee maker?
Regular cleaning is important. Run a cycle with just water and vinegar every month or so to descale it. Always wipe the outside with a damp cloth and empty the carafe after use. The filter basket should be rinsed too.
What if it breaks? Is there a warranty?
Most come with a limited manufacturer’s warranty. Keep your receipt! Your best bet is to contact the brand directly if there’s an issue soon after purchase. Dollar General’s return policy can vary, so check your receipt for details.
Are they energy efficient?
Basic drip coffee makers are generally pretty efficient. They only use significant power while brewing. To save more, just unplug it after your morning pot is done. That’s a good habit for any appliance, really.
Closing Thoughts
Extreme value for your basic brewing requirements here. If you need a simple, reliable machine to start your day, you’ve found your spot. It gets the job done without fuss or a complicated manual. You can enjoy a hot cup without overthinking it or overspending. For many households, that’s exactly what’s needed.
When you’re next at the store, take a look at the selection. A dollar general coffee maker is a straightforward solution for a daily routine. It proves you don’t need to spend alot for a dependable pot of coffee. Just plug it in, add your grounds, and press start. Your morning just got simpler.