When you love coffee but live on a budget, your search for the best coffee makers under $100 is intense but totally necessary. You may think you have to give up a spectacular tasting cup if you limit yourself to that budget, but the truth is, with a little bit of research, you can find a coffee maker that gives you the features you need, without paying for features you don’t want.
We reviewed dozens of affordable coffee makers, evaluating their features, capacity, functions, size, and other considerations to identify the best coffee makers under $100. After considering the temperature and capacity adjustments, timers, and ease of clean-up, the Ninja Programmable Brewer emerged as the obvious choice for the top pick.
If you’re keeping your coffee maker out on your kitchen counter, then you may also want to consider the countertop real estate it takes up, and find ways to make your smaller kitchen look bigger.
Our Top 5 Coffee Makers Under $100
Here are our top picks. Compare the ratings and features of different models.
| Editor’s Picks | Brand | Rating | Cup Capacity | Programmable | Carafe |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best Overall | Ninja Programmable Brewer | 12-cup | Glass | ||
| Best Budget Buy | Mr. Coffee Mini Brew Coffee Maker | 5-cup | Glass | ||
| Best for Pods | Keurig K-Slim Coffee Maker | 12-ounce | None | ||
| Best Carafe | BLACK+DECKER 12-Cup Thermal Coffeemaker | 12-cup | Double-Walled Stainless Steel | ||
| Best 2-Way | Hamilton Beach 2-Way Brewer Coffee Maker | 12-cup; 14-ounce | Glass |
*Ratings are on a scale of 1 to 5 and based on reviews, feedback, and opinions of actual customers
In This Article
Who Should Buy a Coffee Maker Under $100
- Budget-conscious coffee drinkers – The more coffee you drink, the more expensive it gets. If you’re relying on a trip to a coffee shop for your daily cup of joe, then it may be time to invest in the budget-friendly alternative of making that first cup (or more) at home. Fortunately, there are several quality coffee makers under $100 that can help you do just that.
- Considerate hosts – If you’re the type of person who enjoys a casual cup of coffee when visiting with friends and family at home, a reliable coffee maker that makes a quality brew is a must. Even if you don’t drink coffee, keeping an inexpensive coffee maker on hand to be a good host goes a long way towards making your visitors feel welcome.
- People with discerning palates and caffeine dependants – It’s possible to find a coffee maker that gives you an excellent cup of coffee under $100, so you can be the coffee sommelier without spending a fortune. And if you rely on coffee to wake you up or improve your mood each day, that’s invaluable.1
- New homeowners – If you’re buying your first home, you might be on a tight budget. If you don’t have the funds to buy an expensive, fancy coffee maker, a coffee maker under $100 is a great choice. These affordable coffee makers also make excellent gifts for new homeowners if you know someone who’s buying their first home.
Who Should Not Buy a Coffee Maker Under $100
- Cafe addicts – You know yourself, and when you’re thinking of buying a coffee maker, you may want to realistically consider your ability to give up your daily Starbucks. If you’re still going to follow the routine of getting coffee daily with your co-workers, then a coffee maker may sit unused.
- Non-coffee drinkers – Though you may want a coffee maker for the occasional guest, it may not be in the cards for you and your company. A coffee maker is often larger than other kitchen appliances, and finding space in your kitchen for the very rare occasion may not make sense for your home.
Research Tips
Coffee makers will need to have a few features to make them work for your family. Here’s what to consider when selecting a coffee maker under $100:
- Fresh grounds – No matter what kind of coffee maker you get, you’ll need to make sure your coffee grounds aren’t stale, and that may be easiest if you get a coffee maker with a built-in grinder to make delicious whole bean coffee at home.
- Time is money – Even if you get an expensive coffee maker, you’ll have to consider how much time and work on your part is involved in making that perfect cup of joe. If you have to spend 10 minutes each morning frothing and grinding, then it may not be worth it, anyway.
- Temperature adjustments go a long way – If you’re looking to create a specific flavor in your coffee, then you won’t want to singe the beans. That means you’ll want to be able to adjust the water temperature for the perfect rich, bold coffee.
- Timing is key – Setting up a schedule so that you can wake up to a fresh pot each and every day is a luxury you won’t want to overlook. In fact, it may very well be your most important consideration when comparing coffee makers.
How Much Do They Cost?
Between $50-$100
You can certainly spend a pretty penny on a coffee maker with all the bells and whistles that make coffee as fancy as your favorite coffee shop. However, that $300+ budget isn’t always appealing, especially for those of us who still grab a coffee out from time to time. With a reasonable budget in mind, you can expect to buy a standard coffee maker that gives you a quality cup for roughly $50-$100.
The Best Coffee Makers Under $100: Full Reviews
The Ninja Programmable Brewer has a glass carafe that allows you to see just how much coffee is left and just how strong that coffee is. If you share your coffee with someone who’s notorious for making coffee that’s too strong for your taste or drinking the last of it without making more, then this is a potential big win to keep the peace in your home.
You can customize your brew strengths with the classic, rich, or small-batch buttons that will allow you to get the right flavor each and every time. You’ll also have a “Keep Warm” button that allows you to keep your coffee ready until you are – even if that’s after your shower.
- 24-hour programmable delay
- Warming plate keeps coffee warm for up to 4 hours
- 60-ounce water reservoir
- Somewhat delicate water reservoir can break or chip
- Tall design may not fit well under cabinets
The Mr. Coffee Mini Brew Coffee Maker is a no-frills, simple design that gives you a nice cup of coffee without any complications. You won’t have a frothing attachment or a programmable function, but it still comes with plenty of convenient features that allow you to enjoy your coffee just as well. For example, you can grab a cup of coffee while it’s still brewing with the “Grab-a-Cup” auto-pause.
The lift and clean filter basket makes making the next pot simple, and the compact design allows it to fit nearly anywhere you could want. The easy on/off switch lights up to show when the coffee maker is on and to remind you to turn it off, and if you have a foggy brain before you’ve had your coffee, that’s a perk you’ll appreciate.
- Easy cleanup
- Auto pause for mid-brew pours
- Compact for small spaces
- Only makes 25 oz
- Not programmable
The Keurig K-Slim Coffee Maker has a larger water reservoir than you may imagine – though it only makes one cup of coffee, it will store 46 ounces of water – which means you won’t have to refill it every day (though it’s removable to make refilling it a cinch). Even with that capacity, it still only takes up a 5-inch by 15.2-inch space, which is perfect for the cramped kitchen.
You’ll be able to control the size of the cup you brew with three different choices: 8, 10, or 12 ounces, and the ability to get your perfect cup of coffee within just minutes is invaluable for starting your day off right.
- Only 5″ wide
- 46 oz water reservoir
- K-Cup compatible
- Cup size inaccuracies
- Occasional pod spills
The BLACK+DECKER 12-Cup Thermal Coffeemaker uses a double-walled, vacuum-sealed stainless steel carafe that will keep your coffee not just warm, but hot for hours. (Which is excellent if you enjoy a cup after lunch, too.) The auto-brew and auto shut-off functions will allow you to wake up to a fresh pot and keep your home safe while you sleep, and the Sneak-a-Cup feature allows you to pause the brew to get that first cup even faster.
The 12-cup capacity will allow you to make sure your family is well-caffeinated each morning, and that’s likely to lead to happier days. The even-stream showerhead used by Black and Decker will evenly distribute the hot water over your grounds, making each pot of coffee consistently flavorful without wasting your cherished grounds.
- Perfect pour spout prevents drips and spills
- Time since brewed on display
- Select your own brew strength
- Coffee not scalding hot
- May occasionally leak
The Hamilton Beach 2-Way Brewer Coffee Maker gives you variety in your coffee, and if your home is full of busy people with varied schedules, that’s a big win. You can program this coffee maker to brew your family a pot, and the early riser can use the single-serve function to sneak off quietly without disturbing the programming.
This is also an excellent function for the family who has different tastes. You can have a pot of weaker coffee for someone who drinks coffee all day and a stronger cup for the person who needs that intense caffeine motivation each morning. You could also use it for different flavors or even, perish the thought, decaf.
- Programable, 2-way brews
- Adjust single-serve size based on cup size
- Slow-flow pour for fewer spills
- Prone to strong brew; may need fewer grounds
- Slow brew time
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a cheap coffee maker worth it?
Do coffee makers make a difference in taste?
How long should coffee makers last?
Do I need an expensive coffee maker?
Article Sources
Home Life Daily uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
- Haskell-Ramsay CF, Jackson PA, Forster JS, Dodd FL, Bowerbank SL, Kennedy DO. The Acute Effects of Caffeinated Black Coffee on Cognition and Mood in Healthy Young and Older Adults. Nutrients. 2018;10(10):1386. Published 2018 Sep 30. doi:10.3390/nu10101386
