Top 7 Best Coffee Makers Under $100 Reviewed

Quick summary

Ninja 12-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker An ideal choice for coffee lovers who searching for a simple machine with adequate grind and brew capabilities with Custom Brew Technology. 5 best overall Check Price

BUNN GRB Velocity Brew 10-Cup Speed brews (full carafe in 3 minutes) with flat-bottom filter basket to to extract every last bit of flavor and aroma. 4.5 Check Price

Ninja Specialty Coffee Maker with 50 oz. Glass Carafe Stylish and powerful machine with a removable water reservoir. 4.5 Check Price

Who doesn’t dream of owning a state-of-the-art superautomatic espresso machine one day? But while you’re saving up thousands of dollars for this ultimate investment, you can still enjoy a decent cup of coffee without going broke. While we won’t try to convince you coffee makers under $100 are as good as professional espresso machines, they produce a surprisingly strong cuppa and offer plenty of brew customization options. As long as you don’t expect them to last you decades, you are sure to love the seven models we’ve shortlisted for you. But first, let’s go over five critical features you need to consider when buying an affordable coffee maker.

How to Choose Among the Best-rated Coffee Makers Under $100?

Brew Temperature

190 F is the perfect temperature for brewing coffee, but you can’t expect the cheapest of coffee makers to stick to it. Unfortunately, some machines produce a lukewarm brew that barely reaches 170 F. If you prefer your java piping hot, pay attention to our reviews, and you’ll see which models are right for you.

Brew Strength

The cheapest coffee makers give you no control over the strength of the brew, but you can control it by changing the grounds-to-water ratio. If you want more precise control over the strength, consider models with two or more settings that let you choose between regular and strong coffee. Some coffee makers come with specialty options that resemble espresso, while others rely on pods or capsules to provide the added strength. You’ll find plenty of machines with adjustable brew strength on our list.

Heating Plate

You won’t find a coffee maker with a quality thermal carafe for under $100, so you’ll have to settle for a warming plate. It’s a reliable way to keep your java warm for a couple of hours, but it may turn the coffee sour if the temperature is too high or you leave it on the plate too long. Most machines turn off automatically after 2 hours, but some don’t, so you must be careful when leaving your carafe on the warming plate. It pays to avoid spills and keep the heating plate clean at all times to prevent rust.

Capacity

Most coffee makers are flexible and can brew anywhere from a single serving to a full carafe of java. If your daily coffee consumption is the same year-round, you can forego the adjustable brew volume feature and save a few bucks. But if your schedule is erratic, adjusting the brew volume can be a great way to save time and money. After all, there's no need to brew a full pot if you only need to fill the travel mug in the morning. Just remember that added flexibility always drives up the price, so machines with adjustable brew volume are more expensive than their simpler alternatives.

Maintenance

Most drip coffee makers are easy to take care of with regular white vinegar descaling and cleanup. If you tend to forget and miss coffee machine maintenance, look for models that come with cleaning indicators or automatic cleanup cycles, though both add extra bucks to the price tag. Finally, we recommend you pay attention to the user manual and warranty conditions to ensure your machine stays operational for years to come.

Who Makes the Best Coffee Maker Under $100? Top 7 Options

Ninja 12-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker with Classic and Rich Brews, 60 oz

Things we liked:

• Programmable delayed brewing
• Full carafe and small-batch brewing
• Adjustable brew strength
• Removable side-mounted water tank

Things we didn’t like:

• The permanent filter may be too coarse
• Build quality issues

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It’s an all-in-one coffee maker that will hit your every button. It’s easy to set up and top up thanks to a removable side-mounted water tank and a permanent goldtone filter. Set it up to have a full carafe by the time you’re finished with your morning shower or brew a small batch in the middle of the day for a quick energy boost. You can even pause the cycle to pour a cuppa before resuming the brewing process. Two strength settings let you toggle between classic and rich brew, depending on your mood or energy level.

Like most coffee makers under $100, this model relies on a warming plate to keep the java hot, and it’s adjustable to boot. Still, we don’t recommend drinking coffee after the 2-hour mark post-brewing. As with most models on this list, the Ninja coffee maker isn’t as durable as you’d expect, and finding the right grind setting for the goldtone filter can be a pain. And using paper filters defeats the purpose of buying a device with a permanent filter.

BUNN GRB Velocity Brew 10-Cup Home Coffee Brewer

Things we liked:

• Full carafe ready in 3 minutes
• Drip-free carafe lid and spout
• Superior flavor extraction
• Adjustable brew volume

Things we didn’t like:

• Brewing temperature as low as 170 F
• Water overflow issues

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This model is not your average drip coffee machine, though it comes with all the staple features, including adjustable brew volume. What sets it apart is the brew-on-demand boiler that keeps the water hot and lets you get the full carafe ready in three minutes flat. On the downside, you need to keep the machine on at all times to make the most of this feature.

Bunn is also well-known for clever design solutions. For instance, the flat-bottom filter basket and spray head ensure improved, even saturation of the beans to extract every last bit of flavor and aroma. And the carafe comes with a unique spout that’ll protect your kitchen from spills. The lid is also nice, though it may cause leaks if you don’t position the carafe just right. Brew temperature is among the most controversial issues with this model, as some buyers claim it to be as low as 170 F. You’ll need to test the coffee maker and decide for yourself if the brew is hot enough for your taste.

Ninja Specialty Coffee Maker with 50 oz. Glass Carafe

Things we liked:

• Four strength options
• Six serving size settings
• Fold-away milk frother
• Programmable delayed brewing

Things we didn’t like:

• Spotty durability
• Large counter footprint

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Among the seven entries on our list, this device comes closest to producing espresso-like drinks. The specialty setting produces an extra-strong brew that tastes like a shot, and you can turn it into a cappuccino or a latte using the built-in milk frother. If this setting is too much for you, try the iced coffee alternative that’s perfect for producing refreshing drinks that don’t taste watered-down.

The regular and rich strength settings are available if you aren’t looking for anything fancy in your cuppa. You can brew a single serving to enjoy alone or prep the full carafe for the whole family of coffee lovers. Travel mugs fit perfectly, so you’re set for the commute. All these features come at the price of a larger kitchen counter footprint, so this model might not be the best for tiny spaces. And customer support may be spotty when it comes to warranty, so get ready to be pushy if your machine fails within a year.

Nespresso VertuoPlus Coffee and Espresso Maker by De'Longhi

Things we liked:

• One-button brewing
• Five serving sizes (1.35 to 14 oz)
• Super-fast heating and brewing
• Rotating removable water tank (54 oz)
• Complimentary pods included

Things we didn’t like:

• Compatible only with Vertuo pods
• Plastic parts seem flimsy

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Our list of the best coffee makers under $100 would be incomplete without a Nespresso machine. This model is super-fast, super-fancy, and super-simple. All you need to do is fill the water tank at the sink, insert a Nespresso Vertuo pod, and press the button. The barcode on the capsule will tell the machine how much water to use to brew one of five serving sizes (from a single shot of espresso to a full-sized mug or alto).

An endless pod variety will let you discover new favorites; just make sure you go with Vertuo capsules, not regular Nespresso pods. And if you want to run a greener household, order a recycling bag along with your capsules to join the recycling program. The bags and shipping are free, but you need to go over the minimum spending limit to get your hands on them.

Hamilton Beach 49976 FlexBrew Coffee Maker, Single Serve & Full 12 Pot

Things we liked:

• Adjustable brew strength
• Programmable delayed brewing
• No-spill pause-and-serve feature
• Single-serve side works with grounds and pods
• Automatic auto shut-off after 2 hours

Things we didn’t like:

• Water overflow issues
• Water tanks aren’t removable

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This machine made it to our list of the top coffee makers under $100 because it’s nothing short of a Swiss army knife! For one, two separate water tanks feed two brew heads that can whip up a single serving (14 oz) or a full 12-cup carafe. Moreover, the single-serve side works with ground beans and K-cup type pods, giving you that extra level of freedom in your daily java ritual.

All the classic staples of drip coffee makers are present too, including the pause-and-serve feature, warming plate on a 2-hour shut-off timer, and programmable delayed brewing. There are even two strength settings, regular and bold. However, for under $100, the machine isn’t as durable as we’d like. And the water tanks aren’t removable, so you’ll have to slide the machine from under the kitchen cabinets for refills. Besides, the single-serve side must be refilled after every brew cycle.

Braun KF6050WH BrewSense Drip Coffee Maker

Things we liked:

• Adjustable brew volume
• Programmable delayed brewing
• Brew pause feature
• Permanent goldtone filter
• Customizable cleaning feature

Things we didn’t like:

• Carafe spout design causes spills
• Fragile glass carafe

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This machine adds a new twist to the classic drip coffee makers. You can expect the same good-old brew pause and delayed brewing features, but there’s also a chance to adjust the brew volume. So you can get the full carafe ready for your guests or choose the 1-4 feature for a mugful or two to enjoy in the morning.

The permanent goldtone filter will free you from the constant need to buy paper filters, and it will make your coffee taste better. And the cleaning feature adjustable to water hardness coupled with a charcoal filter will make it even more delicious. The one downside to this machine is the carafe. Its glass is extremely fragile, and the spout causes spills unless you’re extra careful.

Mr. Coffee 12-Cup Coffee Maker

Things we liked:

• Extremely affordable
• Grab-a-cup auto pause
• Removable filter basket
• Works great with Alexa via a WiFi plug

Things we didn’t like:

• The heating element doesn’t last
• No auto shut-off

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If you’re on a tight budget, this model is your best bet. It’s simple and affordable and capable of producing delicious coffee. While it lacks some of the fancy features, it allows you to pour yourself a cuppa in the middle of the brew cycle without nasty spills. Unfortunately, the machine does not turn off automatically, so you’ll need to flip a switch or set it up with a WiFi plug for remote control via Alexa or smartphone.

The design is equally straightforward, with no frills. The filter basket is removable for easy cleaning, but the same cannot be said about the water tank. At least, the two water-level windows are clear enough. If you don’t expect this coffee maker to last for decades, you won’t be disappointed. Otherwise, you’d best look for a more durable model, though it’ll likely cost at least twice as much as Mr. Coffee.

FAQ

• Which Drip Coffee Maker Under $100 Makes the Best Coffee?

  The answer depends on your java needs and preferences, but we’re partial to Ninja Specialty Coffee Maker, especially its specialty brew that tastes as good as espresso shots.

• How Much Does the Keurig K-Elite C weigh?

  According to the manufacturer’s specs, this model weighs 9.98 pounds and measures 16 x 13.5 x 14.9 inches.