You don't need to spend $300 on a coffee maker. Seriously. Some of the best coffee I've had came from machines that cost less than a dinner out.
Here are the coffee makers under $100 that actually work and won't break in three months.
Mr. Coffee 12-Cup Drip Maker - $29
Look, this is basic but it works. Makes 12 cups, has a timer so you can wake up to fresh coffee, and the removable filter basket makes cleanup easy. It's not fancy but it's reliable and costs less than three Starbucks runs. Over 50,000 people gave it five stars for a reason.
Check Price on AmazonMueller French Press - $59
French press makes better coffee than drip, period. This one has double-wall insulation so your coffee stays hot for hours and you won't burn your hand. The mesh filter is way better than cheap ones that let grounds through. Takes 4 minutes to make coffee and cleanup is just rinsing it out.
Check Price on AmazonAeroPress Coffee Maker - $40
This thing makes coffee that tastes like it came from a cafe. Brews in 90 seconds, cleanup takes 30 seconds, and you can take it camping or to the office. Coffee nerds love this because it's basically impossible to make bad coffee with it. Sounds weird, works amazing.
Check Price on AmazonBODUM Pour Over - $34
Pour over makes clean, bright coffee with zero bitterness. This one has a permanent filter so you're not buying paper filters every month. The glass carafe looks nice on your counter and makes 8 cups. Takes about 3 minutes to brew and the coffee tastes way better than drip.
Check Price on AmazonKeurig K-Mini Single Serve - $69
If you want the convenience of K-Cups and don't care about waste, this is the cheapest good Keurig. Makes one cup at a time, fits under cabinets, works with any K-Cup. Yeah the pods are expensive and bad for the environment, but if you're only making 1-2 cups per day it's convenient as hell.
Check Price on AmazonBLACK+DECKER 12-Cup Programmable - $77
Similar to Mr. Coffee but has a "sneak-a-cup" feature so you can pour a cup while it's still brewing. Programmable timer, auto shut-off after 2 hours, and comes with a reusable filter. Good backup if the Mr. Coffee is out of stock.
Check Price on AmazonWhich One Should You Get?
If you want the easiest option: Mr. Coffee drip maker. Fill it with water and coffee, press start, done. Can't mess it up.
If you want the best tasting coffee: French press or AeroPress. Both make way better coffee than drip machines and take basically the same amount of time.
If you want something you can take anywhere: AeroPress. Camping, office, hotel room, wherever. Portable and makes great coffee.
If you're always in a rush: Keurig. Pop in a pod, press button, grab cup, go. Nothing faster.
If you want to look fancy: BODUM pour over. Looks nice, makes clean coffee, permanent filter saves money.
What You Actually Need
Here's the thing - expensive coffee makers don't make better coffee. They just have more buttons and features you'll never use.
What actually makes good coffee:
- Fresh beans (not pre-ground)
- Right water temperature (195-205°F - most makers do this automatically)
- Correct coffee-to-water ratio (use a scale or follow the lines on your maker)
- Clean machine (run vinegar through it monthly)
A $24 Mr. Coffee with fresh-ground beans beats a $200 machine with stale pre-ground coffee every single time.
💡 Pro tip: Pair any of these with an $18 coffee grinder and you've got a setup that makes better coffee than most cafes. Total cost: under $60.
What to Skip
Don't waste money on:
- Coffee makers with built-in grinders under $100 (the grinder sucks and you can't replace just that part when it breaks)
- Espresso machines under $100 (they don't work well, save up for a real one or skip it)
- Anything with a ton of features (more stuff to break)
Keep it simple. The best coffee maker is the one you'll actually use every day.
Ready to Upgrade Your Coffee?
Check out all our recommended coffee makers and accessories
Shop Coffee Makers