Best Coffee Maker Under $100

Everyone’s gotta have a coffee maker in their house. I don’t know who you are, but if you don’t have one you’re totally missing out. 

But not everyone has a thousand dollars to spend on their morning coffee. So I set out to find the best coffee maker under $100. 

I’ve been coffee mad for decades now. I even turned my passion into a career, becoming a barista back in the early 2000s. Since then, I’ve become a coffee machine expert. 

So if, like me, you’re always looking for the best bang for your buck – look no further! 

Overall, the best combination of functionality, design and quality brew has to be the for me, the Cuisinart DCC Classic comes out on top every time, but let’s take a look at what else I’ve found.

If you’ve spent time browsing coffee machines, you’ll recognise  this brand. And in my experience, they produce some of the best quality consumer electronics on the market. 

But I knew I could find some even better deals. No one should have to compromise on a good quality cup of coffee because their budget is smaller. 

So let’s explore your options. 

1. Best Overall: Cuisinart DCC Classic 

The Cuisinart Classic is a clever piece of coffee tech. With 24 hour programmability, you’ll never go without your early morning cup, your mid morning cup, your afternoon cup… you get the picture. 

There’s not much to complain about with this coffee maker. Once your coffee is brewed, you’re free to leave the machine as it is, because it’ll automatically shut itself off. I dunno about you, but this is a big deal for me. I don’t want a machine that’ll add to my electricity bill unnecessarily. 

It’s also worth mentioning that there’s also no need to use bottled or prefilted water, as your Cuisinart Classic will purify your water with its own charcoal filters. No more limescale in your morning cup of coffee! Perhaps this is why everyone raves about the quality and flavor they get out of their machines. 

Although there is one complaint about this machine that’s worth sharing. While the manufacturer boasts an impressive claim that the double lined, insulated, fully automatic carafe will keep your coffee piping hot for hours, users don’t seem to agree with this statement. Some say that it will keep liquids warm for about 30-60 minutes. 

It’s sleek design comes in either black or white, and you can upgrade to the 12 cup version of the Cuisinart Classic if you want a few extra cups for only a little more cash. 

Pros:

• Fully automatic with 24 hour programmability 
• Automatic shut off after brew
• Built in charcoal filter for pure, delicious coffee

Cons:

• A little expensive for a drip coffee machine
• Might not keep coffee hot for as long as the manufacturer claims

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2. Best For Pods: Keurig K-Slim Coffee Maker

The Keurig K-Slim coffee maker is an excellent, compact single-cup brewer that is perfect for small spaces. At less than 5 inches wide, it is ideal for small kitchens in apartments, offices, and more. Although it brews a single cup at a time, you can prepare up to four cups ahead of time in the 46-oz water reservoir.  

You can also set the Keurig K-Slim coffee maker to brew a variety of cup sizes, either 8, 10, or 12 oz. It is compatible with mugs or travel thermoses. To use a taller mug or thermos, all you have to do is slide the removable drip tray out to make more space. 

The drip tray also can hold a full brew if you forget to put your mug down. It happens to everyone at some point or another. With the Keurig K-Slim coffee maker, you don’t have to worry about cleaning up your counter after an accident. 

To save energy, the Keurig K-Slim coffee maker turns off five minutes after brewing your coffee. It fits with the My K-Cup Universal Coffee Filter, so you can brew your own ground coffee while reducing plastic waste. 

Pros 

• Several options for cup sizes
• Drip tray protects against spills
• Energy-efficient

Cons

• More expensive than some models 
• Only brews a single cup 
• Universal coffee filter sold separately

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3. Best Budget Pick: Amazon Basics 5-Cup Coffeemaker

If you are looking for a high-quality, budget-friendly coffee maker, it doesn’t get much better than the AmazonBasics 5-Cup coffee maker. This is probably one of the lowest-priced coffee makers you will find. Luckily, the quality is much higher than the price would suggest. 

This compact coffee maker fits on any size counter and brews up to 25 oz at a time, the equivalent of about five cups. With quick brewing time, it also has multiple features designed to take the work out of making coffee and keeping it hot. These features include a warming function and a brew pause so that you can pour yourself a cup before it is done brewing a whole pot. 

The AmazonBasics coffee maker comes with a reusable filter and filter basket, so you don’t have to buy paper filters. Not only is this more cost-effective and convenient, but it is also better for the planet. 

Pros 

• Comes with a 12-month limited warranty 
• Very affordable 
• Quick brewing time 
• Keeps coffee hot

Cons

• The carafe is not dishwasher safe 
• Smaller capacity than many models 

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4. Best Large-Capacity Model: Hamilton Beach 2-Way Brewer Coffee Maker

Providing 96 fluid oz, the Hamilton Beach 2-Way Brewer is one of the best large-capacity models you can find. You can choose between two brew amounts, either a single cup or a 12-cup carafe. All you have to do is switch the button between outputs and brew normally. The coffee maker has space for a carafe, regular mug, or a large travel mug. 

The Hamilton Beach 2-Way Brewer has a range of programmable functions. You can set it to brew your coffee at a set time, so it is waiting for you when you wake up. This special 24-hour timer lets you set it up to 24 hours before brewing. Additionally, it is equipped with an auto-shutoff feature to save energy once it is done brewing. 

The coffee maker also has a warming plate designed to keep your coffee hot until you are ready to drink it. 

The most significant feature of the Hamilton Beach 2-Way Brewer is its brew strength setting. You can set your coffee to brew at regular strength or bold, depending on your preferences. 

Pros 

• Brew strength settings
• Many programmable functions
• Large capacity 

Cons

• More expensive than some other models 
• Can be awkward to clean

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5. Best Programmable Model: Nostalgia RCOF120AQ Retro 12-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker

The Nostalgia RCOF120AQ Retro 12-Cup Programmable coffee maker isn’t just one of the most stylish brewers you will find. It also has many extra features that make it perfect for coffee lovers who want to customize their experience. Whether that means setting the brew ahead of time or stopping mid-brew to pour a cup, the Nostalgia coffee maker has everything you need. 

These special programmable features include:

A 24-hour timer that allows you to schedule your pot to brew at whatever time you prefer, so it is ready when you are. 

The pause and serve function lets you grab a cup of coffee while the pot is still brewing, so you can have your coffee as quickly as possible.

The automatic shut-off feature keeps you safe and helps you save energy by turning the machine off two hours after it stops brewing. In the meantime, the machine’s warming function ensures that it stays hot the whole time. 

Pros 

• Reusable filter
• Many extra features 
• Lets you customize your coffee experience

Cons

• More expensive than some comparable models
• Takes up more counter space than some models

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6. Best Single-Cup Option: Hamilton Beach Scoop Single-Serve Coffee Maker

If you are looking for a no-frills, low-key coffee maker, the Hamilton Beach Scoop Single-Serve could be a perfect choice. Made to brew a quick, 8- or 14-oz single serving, this compact coffee brewer is ideal for someone who lives alone or isn’t a big coffee drinker. 

The stainless steel coffee maker brews a full 8-oz cup in only 90 seconds, making this one of the fastest machines you will find. Use your own coffee grounds with a reusable filter to avoid waste and save money. 

Additionally, the machine has two options for brew strength, regular and bold. The stainless steel exterior makes it super simple to clean. It also has several extra features, including automatic shut-off and a drip tray.

Pros 

• Easy to clean
• Fast brewing
• Plenty of extra features

Cons

• May overflow if you put the incorrect amount of grounds in 
• No options for pot brewing

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Buyers’ Guide 

There are a few essential things to look for when you are buying a coffee maker. Many of these depend on your personal preferences and habits.

For example, if you are someone who can’t function in the morning until you get your hands on a cup of coffee, you may want a programmable model. If you live in a house of coffee-drinkers or drink a lot of coffee yourself, you may need a pot with a larger capacity.

Here are some of the biggest things you should look out for when buying a coffee maker. 

Brewing Method 

The brewing method you choose for your coffee maker comes down to your personal preference. Some people prefer hot coffee, while others prefer cold brew. Similarly, there are options for drip brewing, pour-over, French press, and more. 

Maybe you have a strong opinion about the best way to make your coffee. Or perhaps you just want to get your hands on a cup of joe in the morning. Regardless, look at the different brewing methods available and decide which one would work best for you. 

Capacity 

The capacity you need for your coffee maker also depends on your personal preferences and needs. Some people only need a single cup in the morning, while others prefer to have a large pot ready to drink through the morning. If you choose a larger coffee maker, you may want to make sure it has a thermal lining or other measures to keep it warm. You don’t want to drink coffee that has gotten cold and stale while sitting in the pot all morning. 

Maintenance 

Every coffee pot needs maintenance, but different models have different requirements. Some require you to dive in and use some elbow grease to prevent scale from building up. Others have measures in place to help you — or even clean automatically with the push of a button.

It is up to you to decide how important this aspect is for you and whether you have the time and inclination to scrub your coffee pot on your own. 

Time and Ease of Use 

Some coffee makers are relatively straightforward — you put in the grounds and water and press “on.” Others are more complex, with settings for brew strength, amount, brew time, and so on. It is up to you to decide how many bells and whistles you want on your coffee maker. 

Also, consider the time it takes to brew. Some machines take longer than others. If you rush out the door most mornings, you probably need a coffee maker that brews quickly in just a few minutes. Do some research on the brewing time of your coffee pot before buying. 

Programming Options

Some people prefer a coffee maker with a programming option. This means that you can put the grounds and water in ahead of time and set the coffee to start brewing at a specific time. This is a great way to help get yourself up in the morning, especially if you want your coffee to be ready in time for you to get to work. 

Other people don’t find this a critical feature and prefer to make the coffee themselves every morning. Neither option is better than the other, but one might be better for you. 

Final Thoughts

That’s all I have time for today. Finding the right coffee machine can be a real challenge, especially when you’re on a budget. But it is possible. 

As I’ve previously said, you really can’t go wrong with the Cuisinart Classic. Providing it fits your budget, you’ll likely be very happy with your new coffee machine. But all the other choices are good as well. 

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