BEST COFFEE MAKERS UNDER $50: GREAT COFFEE ON A BUDGET
A small budget shouldn’t mean settling for sub-par coffee. Everyone deserves an amazing morning brew!
Do you want to brew delicious coffee without emptying your bank account? I won’t claim it’s easy. There are a lot of terrible, cheap coffee makers out there. I know because I’ve tested dozens. They leak, they break, they brew with water that is too hot or cold. Luckily, there are a few gems, and I’ve rounded them up right here.
This article highlights six automatic coffee machines under $50 that are actually worth buying. Of course, there are some fantastic manual brewing methods in that price range as well, and I’ve included a brief survey of those at the bottom. Happy shopping!
At A Glance:
- OUR TOP PICK – Hamilton Beach Programmable Coffee Maker
- RUNNER UP: Mr. Coffee Programmable Coffee Maker
- GREAT VALUE: Black+Decker 12-Cup Digital Coffee Maker
What are the best coffee makers under $50?
| image | product | details | |
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| No products found. | Hamilton Beach 46310 Programmable Coffee Maker |
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| No products found. | Mr. Coffee Programmable Coffee Maker |
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| No products found. | Capresso 427.05 Coffee Maker |
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| No products found. | Black + Decker 12-Cup Digital Coffee Maker |
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| No products found. | Mr. Coffee Single Serve Hot And Iced |
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| No products found. | Gevi 4-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker |
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Reviewing The 6 Best Coffee Makers Under $50
Here are six coffee makers under $50 that I think outperform their price tag. Remember that a low price doesn’t always equate to good value, so stick with these tried-and-tested models to avoid disappointment.
1. Hamilton Beach 46310 Programmable Coffee Maker
Capacity: 12 cups
- Programmable: Yes
- Dimensions: 7.95 x 12.9 x 13.9 inches
Most home coffee makers in this price range are fairly similar, so I wasn’t expecting to find something that markedly stood out from the crowd. I was wrong. This Hamilton Beach brewer was a clear cut above and an easy choice for my top pick – and one of the best budget coffee makers of 2025.
Most importantly, it brews delicious cups of coffee every time. I measured the brew water temperature at 197 F, which is just right for optimal extraction. You’ll enjoy smooth and balanced brews that are never bitter or sour.
It’s also incredibly easy to use. I particularly love the front-access filter basket and water reservoir.
I have a pretty small kitchen, and being able to park a coffee machine under my cupboards without having to pull it out daily is a big win.
Finally, this model has ALL the features you could ask of a drip machine. That includes programmable brew timing, automatic shut-off, brew strength control, 1-4 cup brewing options, and pause-and-pour. It even has one feature I didn’t expect – automatic cleaning reminders.
All that for under $50 from a reliable and well-established household brand!
2. Mr. Coffee Programmable Coffee Maker
Capacity: 12 cups
- Programmable: Yes
- Dimensions: 8.9 x 13.1 x 13.8 inches
The Mr. Coffee 12-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker is a classic for a reason. It’s simple, functional, and affordable. It doesn’t match my top pick in features or build quality, but it’s a few dollars cheaper and delivers a similarly smooth cup of joe. And I think I prefer its rounder aesthetic, which has a jaunty and friendly appeal – even if it is all plastic.
This coffee maker is programmable in the sense that you can set it to brew on a timer, but it doesn’t have any other options. You can’t set brew strength or opt for a half-carafe. It does include a Brew Pause feature, however, if you’re antsy for that first cup.
It has a longer-than-average 4-hour auto-shutoff. Most machines stop at 2 hours, which I think makes more sense. I can’t recommend drinking coffee that has been on a hot plate for 4 hours.
My only complaint is that the included 1-page instruction “manual” is fairly uninformative. I ended up Googling how to set the timer.
3. Capresso 427.05 Coffee Maker
Capacity: 12 cups
- Programmable: Yes
- Dimensions: 8.75 x 12.25 x 6.75 inches
The Capresso 427.05 Coffee Maker takes the durability award as the machine on this list with the most stainless steel. Along with being less likely to crack or break, it’s easier to clean and has a more premium look and feel.
It also comes with a GoldTone reusable coffee filter as a nice little value-add – the gold standard (no pun intended) in metal mesh baskets. You can use it with or without a paper filter, adding to the versatility of this machine.
It isn’t overly packed with features. There’s a programmable brew timer, a 2-hour auto shut-off, and a brew pause. Given its slightly higher price point – on par with the Hamilton Beach – I’d hoped to see brew strength control, but in this case, you’re paying for the build.
4. Black + Decker 12-Cup Digital Coffee Maker
Capacity: 12 cups
- Programmable: Yes
- Dimensions: 8.25 x 12.25 x 11 inches
This isn’t the cheapest coffee maker on the market, but it’s the least expensive model I tested that still performed to my expectations. If you want a simple and affordable way to enjoy a good cup of coffee, this is my recommendation.
It runs about $15 cheaper than the higher-end models, but I didn’t find that the quality of the coffee was sacrificed. It brews a smooth and medium-bodied cup, like your classic diner java.
The trade-off is in build quality and features. This coffee maker is all plastic, and you can tell. It’s very lightweight and a little flimsy feeling. That said, I liked the rubberized buttons for programming, and I actually thought this machine had one of the nicer glass carafes.
The only features are programmable brew timing, automatic shut-off, and the sneak-a-cup option to serve yourself during the brew cycle. That’s not a lot of bells and whistles, but in all honestly, it’s all most of us need.
5. Mr. Coffee Single Serve Hot And Iced
Capacity: 22 ounces
- Programmable: No
- Dimensions: 9.5 x 5.5 x 12.75 inches
Before you ask, there are no Keurig coffee makers under $50. The cheapest currently is the K-Mini at $59.99. But that’s fine by me because K-Cups are never my first choice for good coffee – or good environmental stewardship (1).
Instead, let me steer you towards this sleek little single-serve coffee maker from Mr. Coffee, which has a lot to love. First of all, it works equally well for hot and iced coffee.
The iced coffee setting actually changes the brew cycle to yield a stronger and cooler brew, perfect for pouring over ice.
It comes with a reusable metal filter basket, which is better for the planet, the flavor of your coffee, and your wallet. You can add a paper filter if you want, which delivers a less full-bodied cup and makes clean-up easy. However, I’ll warn you that it’s not always easy to find suitably tiny filters.
You also get a nice collection of accessories, most notably, a 22-ounce plastic tumbler for iced coffee. It’s sized to fit under the spout, so all you need to do is fill it with ice, slot it into the machine, and brew. I wouldn’t recommend it for hot coffee, though.
6. Gevi 4-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker
Capacity: 4 cups
- Programmable: No
- Dimensions: 9.81 x 5.55 x 10.63 inches
A standard 12 cup coffee maker is often overkill in a small household, particularly if it doesn’t have a half-carafe setting. Even if you plan to drink 12 cups of coffee over the course of a long day, you’re better off brewing twice versus letting your fresh brew fester on a hot plate for hours.
That’s why I love these mini coffee makers. They’re practical for small spaces and small families, and they’re always really affordable. This Gevi 4-cup brewer is less than $30, and its price reflects its size rather than a lack of quality. It even includes a reusable metal filter and coffee scoop.
It’s not programmable, but in a brewer this size, that’s hardly a loss. It took me about 5 minutes to brew a full pot of coffee. In this case, I prefer the simplicity. All you need to do is add pre-ground coffee and water and flip a switch.
The only thing to keep in mind is that coffee maker “cups” aren’t normal cups. They’re usually 5 ounces. So this little machine brews 20 ounces – about two servings, in my opinion.
How To Choose The Best Coffee Maker Under $50
There are three key things to consider when you start shopping for an inexpensive coffee maker. This short buyer’s guide will walk you through it.
Get The Right Capacity For Your Needs
How much coffee do you need to make at a time? I know it’s tempting to shop with a “bigger is better” mentality. But buying an overlarge coffee maker wastes money, space, and coffee.
For single people or couples, a single-serve or small coffee maker is usually a more practical amount of coffee. They are also great if you’re shopping for an RV, cottage, or dorm room.
On the other hand, for larger households or offices with many coffee drinkers, the standard 12-cup coffee maker is probably the right choice. A nice happy medium is to buy a larger coffee machine with a low-volume brewing mode, which usually lets you brew as little as 10 or 12 ounces at a time.
Which Features Can You Do Without?
No coffee machine under $50 is going to be packed with features, but there are a few options you might encounter at this price point. Deciding which of the following are non-negotiables will immediately narrow your search.
- Programmable brew timer: Have your coffee ready and waiting when you wake up.
- Automatic shut-off: Great for peace of mind.
- Brew strength control: Typically just Regular or Strong at this price.
- Brew pause: Grab a cup during the brew cycle without making a mess.
- Low-volume brewing: Brew smaller batches of coffee without sacrificing flavor.
Durability Is No Guarantee At This Price
I’m sorry to report that any coffee machine under $50 has a lifetime of about 3 to 5 years. You might luck out and get longer, but these machines are not built like tanks. That said, looking for features like stainless steel casing or a long warranty (and sticking with well-known brands with established customer service) can help find longer-lasting options.
What About Affordable Manual Brewing Methods?
There are coffee makers under $50 that brew coffee shop quality specialty coffee, look incredible on your coffee bar, and last decades. What’s the catch? They’re not automatic.
If you’re willing to learn manual brewing skills, like preparing a pour-over or French press brew, your budget coffee maker options abound! Many of my best-rated coffee makers of any price fall in the under-$50 category.
Check out the Hario V60 (or many other pour-over coffee drippers), Aeropress, or Clever Dripper if you enjoy clean cups with complex flavors. Pick up a Moka pot or French press if you prefer a full-bodied brew with bolder flavors.
Cold brewing is another easy way to make coffee at home, and because cold brew coffee makers are so simple, many of the best are under $50. In fact, you can easily make cold brew in a French press or Mason jar.
The Verdict
If you want a great coffee maker on a small budget, don’t despair. And definitely don’t just buy the cheapest one you can find! There are plenty of cheap duds on the market, but I’ve tracked down some great value-priced brewers just for you.
Any of the six on this list might serve you perfectly depending on your requirements. My overall favorite for 2025 is the Hamilton Beach Programmable Coffee Maker – a feature-packed and easy-to-use brewer from a trustworthy brand.
FAQs
You can spend as little as $10 on a pour-over dripper and make incredible coffee (2). In fact, most baristas will tell you that buying a good-quality coffee grinder is far more important. This list has some excellent automatic coffee machines in the $35 to $50 range, but if you’re willing to up your budget to $100, you’ll find a better selection with improved build quality and nice features like a thermal carafe.
It depends on your taste, but the consensus in the coffee industry is that drip coffee is better. That’s why the percolator largely disappeared following the invention of the drip coffee maker. Drip coffee tends to be more nuanced, complex, and smooth, whereas percolators produce extra hot, strong, and sometimes bitter coffee.
Any regular drip coffee maker that brews using freshly ground coffee beans is an improvement over a Keurig with a K-Cup pod. But even using coffee grounds, Keurigs are notorious for under-extraction. They brew the coffee too fast and too cool. Look for a machine with a brew water temperature between 195 to 205 F and a brew time longer than Keurig’s promised 1 minute (3).
I can’t recommend any espresso machine under $50. You’ll need to spend a bit more to get anything worthwhile. The cheapest decent pump machine is probably the Delonghi Stilosa, or consider a manual espresso maker like the Flair for pulling fantastic shots on a budget.
References
- Simon, J. (2023, January 21). Yeah, actually, your plastic coffee pod may not be great for the climate. Retrieved from https://www.npr.org/2023/01/21/1150530714/yeah-actually-your-plastic-coffee-pod-may-not-be-great-for-the-planet
- Hayman Coffee. (2019, February 21). Specialty Coffee: 3 Reasons We Love Pour Over Coffee | Filter Coffee. Retrieved from https://www.haymancoffee.com/blogs/coffee-blog/specialty-coffee-3-reasons-we-love-pour-over-coffee-filter-coffee
- Cotter, A. (2021, October 13). How Hot is Hot Enough? Brew Temperature, Sensory Profile, and Consumer Acceptance of Brewed Coffee | 25, Issue 15. Retrieved from https://sca.coffee/sca-news/25/issue-15/how-hot-is-hot-enough-brew-temperature-sensory-profile-and-consumer-acceptance-of-brewed-coffee
Aeropress beats the lot.