- The 10 Best Coffee Makers Under $100
- The 10 Best Coffee Makers Under $100 Reviewed
- Ninja CE251 12-Cup Coffee Maker
- Braun KF6050WH BrewSense Drip Coffee Maker
- Hamilton Beach 49976 FlexBrew Trio 2-Way Single Serve Coffee Maker
- Cuisinart SS-10P1 Single Serve Coffee Maker
- Cuisinart DCC-3200P1 14-Cup Coffee Maker
- Black+Decker CM2045B-1 12-Cup Coffee Maker
- Mr. Coffee 12-Cup Coffee Maker
- Hamilton Beach 49980A 2-Way Brewer 12-Cup Coffee Maker
- Hamilton Beach 46310 12-Cup Coffee Maker
- Black+Decker DLX1050B 12-Cup Coffee Maker
- A Buyer's Guide To Choosing The Best Coffee Maker Under $100
- The Verdict
When I bought my first coffee machine I wanted one which could produce delicious freshly brewed coffee without breaking the bank. After hours of research and my own experience with some of these coffee makers, we’ve created a list of our top 10.
After reviewing the 10 best coffee makers under $100 and found this Ninja CE251 12-cup coffee maker to be our overall favorite. It’s sturdy, easy to use, and has a convenient programmable brew timer.
It’s a compact and powerful coffee maker that allows you to adjust the brew strength to your preference.
Keep reading below to learn more about the best coffee maker under $100.
The 10 Best Coffee Makers Under $100
| Product | Features | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
Best Overall  | Ninja CE251 12-Cup Coffee Maker
| 9.7 | Check On Amazon |
Best Brew Flavor  | Braun KF6050WH BrewSense Drip Coffee Maker
| 9.5 | Check On Amazon |
Best 2-Way Coffee Maker  | Hamilton Beach 49976 FlexBrew Trio 2-Way
| 9.1 | Check on Amazon |
Most Versatile  | Cuisinart SS-10P1 Single Serve Coffee Maker
| 8.8 | Check on Amazon |
Best For Bulk Brewing  | Cuisinart DCC-3200P1 14-Cup Coffee Maker
| 8.6 | Check On Amazon |
Most Durable  | Black+Decker CM2045B-1 12-Cup Coffee Maker
| 8.2 | Check On Amazon |
Best Budget  | Mr. Coffee 12-Cup Coffee Maker
| 8 | Check On Amazon |
Best For Different Cup Sizes  | Hamilton Beach 2-Way Brewer Coffee Maker
| 7.7 | Check On Amazon |
Most Portable  | Hamilton Beach 46310 12-Cup Coffee Maker
| 7.4 | Check On Amazon |
Easiest To Use  | Black+Decker DLX1050B 12-Cup Coffee Maker
| 7.2 | Check On Amazon |
The 10 Best Coffee Makers Under $100 Reviewed
You might want something cheap and cheerful to give you that cup of the good stuff without a fuss. Or, you might want a coffee maker which lets you set a brewing time with temperature controls so you can have fresh coffee ready for you each morning.
With so much choice there is a coffee maker suited to everyone on the market, so let’s get into it.
Ninja CE251 12-Cup Coffee Maker
- Programmable timer so it’s ready when you want it
- Brew strength options for a bespoke cup
- 12-cup capacity for large brews
- Compact footprint to save space
- Can keep coffee warm for 4 hours
- Advanced boiler for consistently hot brews
- Plastic construction means it’s not as durable
Ninja have gained themselves a reputation over the years for both the compactness and usability of their machines. This Ninja CE251 is a perfect example of why.
You can brew each coffee to a different strength depending on your mood. You can choose a range of brew sizes, from 1-4 cups to a full carafe. This allows you to save time and reduce waste if you only want a mug or two of the good stuff. You can also brew a larger quantity if hosting other drinkers.
This coffee maker can also be programmed, so you can have your batch ready as soon as you wake up or walk into the kitchen.
The compact footprint of this machine is great for a kitchen where space is already tight or where there may be hazards. The plastic construction also means it is lightweight and can be transported without a hassle. Many of the components are also removable and dishwasher safe to save time when cleaning.
With many cheaper coffee makers, the choice is often between simplicity and quality. But this Ninja CE251 provides both a smooth function and quality coffee experience.
Braun KF6050WH BrewSense Drip Coffee Maker
- Programmable brew timer so it’s ready when you want it
- 12-cup capacity for large brews
- Glass carafe seals the coffee to maintain freshness
- Calc warning to indicate when descaling is needed
- PureFlavor system to optimize brewing temp and extraction
- Gold-tone & charcoal water filters for a clearer taste
- Water reservoir is hard to access
- Brew strength can’t be adjusted
Coffee flavor is prioritized with this Braun coffee maker. The machine features its own PureFlavor system which regulates the temperature of the water and the brewing time, ensuring the optimal extraction of your grounds for a balanced cup.
It also comes with gold and charcoal filters to make sure only the purest water touches the coffee. When the water is too “hard”, it can interfere with the extraction and mute the flavor of the coffee. As well as this, Braun has fitted their own Calc warning to inform you of when your machine needs descaling, so you can make sure only the coffee is tasted.
Once the coffee has undergone these detailed processes, it stays fresh in the sealed glass carafe. The glass is a neutral material and doesn’t affect the taste, whilst the sealed carafe makes sure the coffee doesn’t lose its flavor by minimizing air exposure.
Hamilton Beach 49976 FlexBrew Trio 2-Way Single Serve Coffee Maker
- Brews K-Cups, pods, drip coffee for the drink of your choice
- Brew strength options so you can make it how you like it
- Single-serve and batch brewing capabilities to choose brew size
- Warming plate to keep coffee warm for longer
- No indicator when coffee is brewed
- Slightly noisy
This Hamilton Beach FlexBrew offers 3 different brewing options. This coffee maker enables you to make your favorite drip coffee in the morning, coffee pod at midday, and K-Cups in the afternoon.
K-Cups are single-serve cartridges by Keurig that make a quick and convenient shot of coffee with a single button. Pods look like tea bags and are similar to use but without plastic. And the drip compartment allows you to brew your coffee grounds to savor the flavor.
The 2-way system means you can brew coffees in large batches of up to 12 cups to enjoy with others or throughout the day. This also stays warm thanks to the warming plate, or, you can make a quick and easy single-serve coffee for yourself.
Cuisinart SS-10P1 Single Serve Coffee Maker
- Brews K-cup, drip coffee to make the coffee of your choice
- Hot water button to make soup, cocoa, etc.
- Programmable brew timer so it’s ready when you want it
- Temperature control options for the best extraction
- Single-serve capacity for a personal cup
- 5 K-Cup brew options to choose your desired size
- Can sometimes spill water
- Brewing capacity is small
- Can be noisy
This machine by Cuisinart makes drip coffee with temperature control options so you can make a drip coffee just how you want it. It also accepts coffee pods and K-Cups for convenient coffee, whilst also allowing you to choose from 5 different K-Cup brew sizes.
There is also a separate hot water button option, so you can make yourself a cup of cocoa, tea, or soup as easily as you can make a coffee.
The compactness of this machine does have its drawbacks, however. It is sometimes prone to spillages, which is not ideal where potential hazards are a consideration.
Cuisinart DCC-3200P1 14-Cup Coffee Maker
- Programmable brew timer so it’s ready when you want it
- Temperature control options to make the coffee of your choice
- 14-cup capacity for large groups
- “Showerhead” waterspout for even extraction
- Gold-tone & charcoal water filters for a clearer taste
- Pause option is prone to spillages
This machine can brew up to 14 coffees in a single batch. For smaller groups of people, there is also an option to brew 1 to 4 cups. Unlike many other cheaper machines, this Cuisinart accommodates both large groups and individuals alike without compromising quality.
The consistent quality regardless of brew size is thanks to Cuisinart’s own “showerhead” spout design. This distributes the hot water evenly across the grounds’ surface area for a balanced extraction, no matter how large. The gold-tone and charcoal water filters also guarantee a clean-tasting coffee.
The brew strength and temperature controls mean that you can customize your brews for a bespoke coffee, no matter the size of the batch you are brewing. You can also pause the cycle of your brew to allow yourself a quick cup of the good stuff for when you are in a hurry.
Black+Decker CM2045B-1 12-Cup Coffee Maker
- Programmable brew timer so it’s ready when you want it
- Brew strength options to make the coffee of your choice
- 12-cup capacity for large brews
- Spillproof & damage resistant carafe for durability
- Thermal vacuum seal carafe keeps the coffee warm for 2 hours
- Auto-clean system detects when the machine needs cleaning
- Doesn’t make single-serve coffees easily
- Would be improved with a warming plate
This Black+Decker CM2045B can brew up to 12 cups at a time and can be programmed to be ready-made whenever you like. It will also keep the batch warm for over 2 hours. This is thanks to the vacuum-sealed carafe, which means you can make your batch and help yourself throughout the day.
The vacuum-sealed carafe also has a unique design that prevents spillages and won’t leak coffee all over the floor in the workplace or at home. Thanks to the stainless-steel design, this carafe can also withstand being dropped on the floor multiple times without being damaged.
It also comes with its own automatic cleaning cycle, which cleans the inside of the machine when needed so you don’t have to. This all adds up to a coffee maker that is durable, compact, and safe. It is the perfect appliance for environments where possible hazards are a concern.
Mr. Coffee 12-Cup Coffee Maker
- Pause cycle button so you can make a quick coffee
- 12-cup capacity for large batches
- Visible water window to see how much has been added
- Compact footprint for tight spaces
- No programmable options
The appeal of this Mr. Coffee machine is its sheer simplicity as well as the price tag. The light indicator lets you know when it is finished brewing to take out the guesswork.
The dual water window allows visibility as you fill to prevent any overflowing. And the removable filter basket and drip tray are easy to clean. In short, this machine is as simple as a kettle.
It also features a cord storage unit to eliminate clutter, which emphasizes the compactness of this unit. It is the ideal coffee maker for where the conservation is space is crucial.
It doesn’t offer all the various programmable options that others have. But it still allows you to pause your brew mid-pour for when you want a quick cuppa Joe.
Hamilton Beach 49980A 2-Way Brewer 12-Cup Coffee Maker
- Programmable brew timer so it’s ready when you want it
- 12-cup capacity and single-serve capabilities
- Separate component for travel & takeaway cups
- Only one side can be used at a time
- Doesn’t accept K-Cups, unlike other 2-Way machines
The 2-way system allows you to brew a full 12-cup pot of hot coffee for the whole household. But there is also a separate single-serve component designed to suit a variety of cup sizes. These considerations are what make this machine so useful. It allows you to brew for yourself or a group with pinpoint accuracy.
This separate component allows you to brew the single-serve coffee of your choice. It can accommodate anything from a small cup to a tall travel cup without making a mess. A handy feature if you want to leave the house with a fresh brew in hand.
This single-serving side of the machine also comes with a nifty portable base, so you can position your cup closer or further away from the spout depending on the size chosen.
Hamilton Beach 46310 12-Cup Coffee Maker
- Programmable brew timer so it’s ready when you want
- Brew strength options for the coffee of your choice
- Pause cycle button for a quick coffee
- 12-cup capacity for large batches
- Internal heating system keeps coffee warm for 4 hours
- Can be noisy
All components of this Hamilton Beach are quick and easy to use. The water reservoir has front access which makes it simple to fill and prevents spillage. The brew basket swings out so it can be filled without any mess or difficulty. Every component is easy to clean thanks to this accessibility too.
This compact coffee machine can be taken out and put away without any worry or concern, making it an ideal item to be moved around to different locations. It could be taken on a family holiday, or stored in a kitchen or office cabinet where space is needed. It’s as easy to set up as it is to put away.
The sheer simplicity of this coffee maker doesn’t compromise on its technical specifications. It has a brew timer to preset when you want your coffee ready-made. It has a pause cycle if you want a quick coffee. It also features an option for you to select your own brew strength for personal preferences.
Black+Decker DLX1050B 12-Cup Coffee Maker
- Programmable brew timer so it’s ready when you want
- Pause cycle button for a quick coffee
- 12-cup capacity for large batches
- Compact footprint to save space
- Brewing process can be slow
Making a cup of coffee at home should be stress-free. All the space-aged technical work should be left to the baristas with their $15,000 machines to play about with.
You won’t have to worry about getting drip coffee right with this machine. The “cupcake” brew basket is easy to fill with ground coffee and easy to empty. This prevents mess and helps make an even brew. It also cleans well. And all that’s needed to pour a good cup of coffee is the click of a button.
Yet this is still a programmable coffee maker. It allows you to preset your brew so you can wake up to a ready-made coffee, and you can pause the brewing cycle for a quick drink.
A Buyer’s Guide To Choosing The Best Coffee Maker Under $100
There are many variables to consider when buying a coffee machine at home. And it’s important to consider whether the machine you want to buy will suit your needs.
Freshly Brewed Coffee On A Budget
When buying a coffee maker on a budget it often means you need to compromise many of the ease-of-use and convenience factors for the brewing capabilities. With so many coffee makers on the market, there is no shortage of choice.
You’ll need to decide which features are most important and considered necessities to you over nice to have extras.
Brewing Capacity
A key consideration is the brewing capacity, and whether it suits your needs. If you are making coffee just for yourself in your personal office space, you won’t need a machine that can brew 12 cups of coffee at once. Instead, you should opt for a single-serve coffee maker.
Or, if you have a big family or workforce, a machine capable of brewing big batches that stays hot for hours would be the best choice. This Cuisinart DCC-3200P1 would be the ideal choice.
And then there are 2-way coffee machines. They are a little more expensive in price, but they let you brew your ground coffee in single-serve or batch quantities so you can be exact with each brew.
Brew Quality
Budget coffee makers are sometimes known to brew coffee that is weaker than others, often because the pouring technology is either too basic or too expedient.
That said, coffee makers like this Cuisinart DCC-3200P1 feature their own patented hot water “showerhead” spouts. This system distributes the water for better consistency and an overall stronger brew. Always look out for design specifications to see whether the brew quality has been addressed.
Brewing Speed
Some coffee makers also brew a faster coffee by nature, like this Hamilton Beach 46310. The speed at which the water pours out can sometimes compromise the quality and the strength of the coffee, however. Many coffee makers also feature a “pause cycle” button for an even faster cup of coffee if you can’t wait for the whole batch to brew.
Beverage Variety
There is still a range of coffee varieties with several coffee makers under $100. Some coffee makers are capable of accommodating both K-Cups and coffee grounds.
The key thing to bear in mind is to make sure you buy a coffee maker which has separate compartments for the different brew types. In general, these individual compartments will produce superior coffee. This Hamilton Beach 49976 is a good example of these varied features.
Ease Of Use
Budget coffee makers are generally made for their core function of brewing decent coffee and cutting costs does mean it may limit the convenience features that make the machine more usable.
These extra features that make the machine easier to use cost more as they require more parts and intricate manufacturing. There is no shortage of coffee makers though and when it comes to buying a budget coffee maker you need to prioritize the features that are necessities vs nice to have.
Cleaning And Maintenance
Many coffee makers have removable components which are dishwasher safe and easy to clean. It is always important to check which parts can be put through the dishwasher, however. Many components have electrical circuits which cannot be put through.
There are also some coffee makers like the Ninja CE251 which feature a one-touch self-cleaning button that cleans the internal system of the machine. This comes as a real benefit for those who don’t have time to take the machine apart to clean it.
Extra Features
Every coffee budget coffee maker comes with a number of features. Some will be best suited for what you are looking for and others will be superfluous to your needs. Below is a list of specific additional features to look out for:
- Automatic Shut-Off: turns the machine off after a couple of hours to save energy. It also helps to prevent health and safety hazards.
- Adjustable Brew Size: this allows you to choose how short or tall you want your coffee to be.
- Adjustable Drip Tray: lets you raise your mug closer to or further away from the waterspout.
- Coffee Strength Control: this allows you to determine the strength of your coffee, usually by adding the water at different speeds.
- Temperature Control: you can choose how hot you want your coffee to be.
Safety Features
Some carafes are prone to breaking, especially the glass ones. Others are designed to withstand a bit of damage but can interfere with the flavor of the coffee.
Several coffee makers feature components that are safe to put through the dishwasher, but it is always important to check. Be careful with the electrical cords of the coffee maker as well. Some machines feature their own space to keep the cords.
Size And Design
Each coffee maker has its own design specifications. Some are made to be compact and easy to put away. Others are designed for their vintage aesthetic qualities. Make sure you consider the appropriate material and design that is right for you:
- Glass: looks great and doesn’t affect the taste, but is prone to breaking.
- Stainless Steel: is durable and sturdy, but sometimes heavy.
- Plastic: usually the cheapest, but they can affect the taste of the coffee brewed.
A removable water reservoir is best for ease of use, although it is not essential. Unlike more expensive espresso machines, these machines don’t need to be hooked up to the mains either.
With a coffee maker under $100, the chances are it won’t include an in-built grinder. But that’s ok. There are a lot of good-quality manual grinders around.
Some coffee makers also include their own water filters for clean flavored coffee.
The Verdict
There are plenty of great coffee machines out there on the market to produce the right coffee for you. They might not be the ultimate in terms of specifications, but they sure can impress with a daily coffee for what they’re worth.
From all the machines we looked at, we decided this Ninja CE251 12-Cup coffee maker is the best overall. It’s compact and sturdy. It is easy to use and makes the most consistent coffee. Because of these features, it is the best coffee maker for anyone’s kitchen.
If you would like a coffee maker as cheap as you can get, this Mr. Coffee 12-Cup coffee maker is unparalleled. It is perfect for college students or those moving into a new house who want to start making their own coffee.
