Is perfect temperature coffee a crucial part of your morning routine? Is a cup of decent coffee a must-have in your daily routine? You’re not alone! A majority of people drink coffee at least once a week, and 62% of Americans drink it every day. Having a good, cheap coffee maker on hand will save you loads of money every year on trips to your favorite coffee house.
At a Glance: Our Top 5 Picks For Best Coffee Makers Under $50
There are plenty of more expensive machines that cost hundreds of dollars, but there’s no need to spend a lot to make a good cup of joe. There are plenty of great, less expensive options to consider. We went through hundreds of coffee maker reviews to filter out the best coffee makers. Brewing performance, affordable price, and sleek design all played their part in our review. So, grab your coffee mugs and read on for our product recommendations and a few tips on what to look for when shopping for the best coffee maker under $50.
Quick Summary: Best Coffee Makers Under $50
 | Our Top Pick MR. COFFEE PROGRAMMABLE COFFEE MAKER |
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 | CUISINART COFFEE MAKER |
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 | GEVI COFFEE MAKER |
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 | BLACK & DECKER THERMAL COFFEE MAKER |
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 | AMAZON BASICS 12-CUP COFFEE MAKER |
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| No products found. | CHEFMAN SINGLE-SERVE COFFEE MAKER |
| Check on Amazon → |
Reviews of the Best Coffee Makers Under $50
We selected the most reliable coffee makers in the under $50 price range. Determining the best coffee maker for you under $50 depends on the kind of features you need to save time in the morning and on the types of coffee you like to drink. Do you like strong coffee? Do you like to keep your coffee fresh while you savor each cup? Keep reading to learn more about the different coffee makers we recommend and figure out which one is right for you.
Mr. Coffee Programmable Coffee Maker
A coffee maker with programmable settings in this price range is worth noting. Being able to program an automatic coffee maker will help you save time in the morning. All you have to do is fill it with water and ground coffee in advance, program it, and wake up to the smell of freshly brewed coffee ready to drink.
This Mr. Coffee maker comes with a built-in water filter. You can remove it if you decide not to use it, or leave it in to improve the taste of your coffee.
This small appliance is a 5-cup coffeemaker. It’s ideal if you’re a one or two cups of coffee drinker or don’t have a lot of counter space.
The controls are simple. There is a brew now and a brew later button. This system takes all the headache out of programming your coffee maker. The machine will automatically shut off after two hours for safety.
You’ll also get a reusable filter with this coffee maker. It’s better for the environment, and you’ll save money on coffee filters.
Things we like:
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Programmable features
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Simple controls with brew now and brew later buttons
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Comes with a reusable filter
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Compact, elegant design
Things we don’t like:
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Only makes 25 oz or five cups of coffee
Cuisinart Coffee Maker
Have you ever broken the glass carafe of a countertop coffee maker? Replacing it can be expensive. This coffee maker from Cuisinart comes with a stainless steel carafe that you will never break.
This is a 4-cup coffee maker. There is a 30-minute auto-shutoff feature, so you don’t have to worry about burning coffee to the bottom of the carafe.
We like the pause feature because it allows you to sneak in a cup of joe even if the brewing time hasn’t ended. It’s a convenient feature if you don’t have much time to get ready in the morning.
This coffee maker is durable and affordable, but it’s not an appliance you can program. There is a simple on-off button that makes the machine easy to use. It’s an ideal option if you’re looking for a no-frills coffee maker that will last for years.
Things we like:
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Durable stainless steel carafe
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30-minute auto-shutoff
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Pause feature
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Simple controls
Things we don’t like:
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No programmable features
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Stainless steel carafe makes the appliance heavy
Gevi Coffee Maker
This coffee maker is perfect if you need to make coffee for the whole family or you drink lots of coffee. You can make up to 12 cups of rich coffee, but the design remains compact in spite of the large brewing capacity. The coffee maker brews coffee fast, with a brew cycle of eight to ten minutes.
You can program this coffee maker up to 24 hours in advance. You’ll have to press the hour and minute buttons to indicate when you want the appliance to start brewing.
The keep-warm function is a nice addition, especially with the capacity of the carafe. You can use this function to keep your coffee warm for up to two hours so that everyone in your household gets a chance to grab a cup of hot coffee.
There is an auto-shutoff feature, and the machine will automatically pause if you grab a cup while it’s still brewing. It comes with a reusable filter. You’ll have to rinse and clean the filter, but it’s better for the environment.
We like the large buttons, the LCD displays, the modern design, and the fact that the machine is easy to take apart and clean.
Things we like:
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Programmable coffee maker
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Makes up to 12 cups
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Keep-warm function
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Comes with a reusable filter
Things we don’t like:
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Takes up more space than other models
Black & Decker Thermal Coffee Maker
This coffee maker from Black & Decker is ideal if you like to drink your coffee slowly. It comes with a thermal carafe that will preserve the coffee temperature and aroma of your brew for hours. The double-walled and vacuum-sealed carafe is a quality accessory that makes this coffee maker worth it.
The spout anti-drip design is ideal because it prevents spills when you pour a cup of coffee. The wide mouth of the carafe makes it easy to clean.
You can program this smart drip coffee maker up to 24 hours in advance with the hour and minute buttons. A couple of key features are an auto-shutoff feature for safety, as well as a strength selector button to choose between strong and weak coffee.
We like the small-batch button because coffee can taste slightly watered down when you don’t brew entire pots of coffee. With this feature, you can brew up to four cups packed with flavor.
This attractive coffee maker features a large screen where you can see the time and the different options you selected. You can also see how much time went by since you last brewed a pot of coffee, a useful feature to avoid drinking a stale cup of java.
The showerhead design is worth noting because it drizzles water evenly over the coffee grounds to extract as much flavor as possible. And the dishwasher-safe filter basket makes cleaning easier.
Things we like:
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Thermal carafe
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Brewing options (strength selector and small-batch button)
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Displays time since the last brew
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Showerhead design
Things we don’t like:
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It doesn’t come with a reusable filter
Amazon Basics 12-Cup Coffee Maker
Amazon Basics is one of the eCommerce giant’s private labels. It offers a wide range of quality products at a budget price, including these affordable coffee makers.
This kitchen gadget is perfect if you’re looking for a budget coffee maker with basic features. You can brew up to twelve cups of coffee and control the coffee maker with a simple on/off switch.
There are a reusable filter and a built-in safety feature that will shut off the machine if the level of water is too low or if the temperature gets too high. If you’re in a hurry, you can safely remove the carafe from the warming plate to grab a quick cup of coffee, thanks to the brew-pause feature.
Things we like:
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Simple design and easy to use
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Makes up to 12 cups of coffee
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Pause feature
Things we don’t like:
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It’s not programmable
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No advanced features
Chefman Single-Serve Coffee Maker
No products found.
This single-serve coffee maker is a great alternative to a traditional coffee maker if you want to be able to brew a cup of delicious coffee within seconds or would like to explore the world of flavored K-cups.
It’s a compact coffee maker that brews a 14 oz cup. It’s very easy to use with a single touch button to start brewing. You’ll get two accessories with this coffee maker, including a K-cup holder and a small reusable filter with a cover.
You can use the reusable filter for coffee grounds or even loose leaf tea. The K-cup holder is compatible with a huge variety of coffee pods that use the K-cup format.
It’s rare to see a single-serve coffee machine that is compatible with K-cups in this price range, which is why we recommend it as a great budget option if you want to shake up your coffee routine with different roasts or flavored coffee pods.
Things we like:
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Comes with a reusable filter and K-cup holder
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Compact design
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Simple touch button
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Brews a 14 oz cup within seconds
Things we don’t like:
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Can only make one cup at a time
Buying Guide: How To Choose the Best Budget Coffee Maker
Your new coffee maker is an appliance you’ll probably use every day. It’s important to pick a coffee maker that is easy to use and that helps you save time in the morning.
How Do Drip Coffee Makers Work?
If you’re shopping for the best coffee maker under $50, you’ll mostly find drip coffee makers. It’s important to understand how these appliances make coffee.
Once you fill the water tank and turn the coffee maker on, a heating element causes the water to evaporate and go up a tube. Water will then condensate and go through a showerhead that sprays hot water over the coffee grounds you placed in the filter basket.
This heating element is in the base of your coffee maker. It also warms up the hot plate underneath the carafe that keeps your coffee at the ideal temperature.
As the water drips over the coffee grounds, it will extract oil and aroma to make coffee. The coffee will then drip into the carafe below.
There are a variety of brewing methods depending on the type of coffee you drink. Some coffee lovers swear by the pour-over method because it gives them more control over how they extract flavor from the coffee beans. You can also use a French press to steep coffee grounds and hot water in a beaker or use a stovetop coffee pot to use pressure to brew tasty coffee.
If you’re willing to spend money on a more expensive coffee maker, you can invest in an espresso machine that will use water under pressure to extract more oil from the coffee grounds and create the crema you can find on the top of an espresso shot.
These different methods of making coffee typically result in a cup of joe with a strong and bitter taste because they extract more oil and flavor from the coffee grounds.
Because drip coffee makers are affordable and easy to use, the taste of coffee from a drip machine is probably what you’re used to and what you expect in the morning.
It doesn’t mean you can’t explore the world of coffee beyond drip coffee. You can head to your local coffee shop to enjoy a shot of espresso or invest in a pour-over coffee maker so you can experiment with a new way of making coffee on the weekends.
However, we highly recommend using a drip coffee maker for your daily dose of caffeine because these compact machines can brew a pot of coffee within minutes and don’t require a lot of preparation or cleanup.
There is another benefit to using a drip coffee maker. This process filters out cafestol and kahweol, two compounds that can result in high cholesterol levels. Other methods, like using a French press, don’t remove these compounds.
Top Features to Look for in Your New Coffee Maker
A no-frills coffee maker is great if you’re shopping on a budget and want an appliance that only requires you to push a button or flip a switch to start the brewing cycle. However, you don’t have to sacrifice functionality and you can find an affordable coffee machine with a few additional features for less than $50.
Must-Have Safety Features
Before we go any further, you should know that all manufacturers use a few basic safety features one of a coffee maker’s purposes is to keep your coffee hot. However, it’s always a good idea to double-check that your new coffee maker has the following safety features:
Auto-shutoff. The heating element will shut off after a while, even if you leave the coffee maker on. This feature increases the lifespan of your coffee maker and prevents it from overheating. It also prevents coffee from burning to the bottom of the carafe.
Overflow hole. You’ll find a small hole in the back of your coffee maker. If you fill the internal tank past its required water level, water will leak out of this hole. You’ll have a mess to clean up, but it prevents the coffee maker from brewing more coffee than the carafe can hold.
Pause feature. The drip will stop if you remove the carafe from the warming pad. It’s an important feature because if you accidentally remove the carafe while your coffee maker is brewing coffee, spilled coffee could damage the heating plate and cause the coffee maker to fail.
Capacity
What is the ideal capacity for your new coffee maker? It depends on how much coffee you need to brew at once.
You can find small appliances with a four-cup capacity, but most coffee makers will brew between eight and 12 cups. A smaller appliance can brew coffee faster and reduce waste since you won’t throw away any coffee you didn’t drink. However, you’ll have to brew another pot if you decide you want more.
With a larger machine, you can brew coffee for your entire family or make a pot that you’ll drink slowly over the course of the day.
To Program or Not to Program?
Do you need a programmable coffee maker? It’s possible to find appliances with this nice feature if you’re willing to spend close to $50. If you don’t need a programmable coffee maker, you can save a few bucks by picking a more affordable model.
Choosing a programmable coffee maker can be tempting, but you should ask yourself if it’s a feature you will use. If yes, look for a machine that makes programming easy.
You’ll have to fill your coffee maker with water and add the coffee ground in advance. You can then program when the machine will start the brewing process. The main benefit is that you can program your coffee maker in the evening and wake up to perfect coffee.
There are a few drawbacks to consider:
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Your coffee grounds are sitting in the filter basket overnight. It can make them taste slightly stale compared to storing them in an airtight container, especially if you grind your coffee beans yourself.
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Budget programmable coffee makers don’t have built-in memory, meaning that you’ll have to program your machine every day.
Additional Features to Look For
The following features are some of the perks we encountered while comparing different coffee makers. They’re not must-have features, but they can make using your new appliance more pleasant:
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Strength button. You can find coffee makers with a dedicated strength button to extract more oil, flavor, and caffeine from the loose coffee grounds. Brewing might take a little longer, but you’ll get a bolder cup of fresh coffee, something the true coffee lover will appreciate.
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Keep-warm feature. A keep-warm feature is a nice addition if you like to brew a large pot of coffee and keep it at a constant temperature. Some budget coffee makers have a warming pad with an internal heater that is too hot, and that ruins the taste of your coffee after a couple of hours.
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Reusable filter. Using a reusable filter is an eco-friendly alternative to disposable paper filters. Some coffee makers come with a reusable filter but keep in mind that you can always purchase one separately.
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Water filter. Some Mr. Coffee models come with a removable water filter. We recommend this feature if you need water filtration due to hard water or if your tap water has an inconsistent quality.
Best Coffee Maker Brands
It’s easier to find a quality appliance if you stick to well-known brands. The following brands have amazing ratings and are popular for a reason.
Mr. Coffee
Mr. Coffee has been around since the early 70s. After getting Joe DiMaggio to appear as a spokesman for the brand, it quickly rose to become a household name. Mr. Coffee is a great option if you’re looking for an inexpensive appliance that you don’t mind replacing every five years or so.
Black & Decker
Power tools are what most people think about when they hear the name Black+Decker, but the brand has been around since 1910 and offers a wide range of products, including quality coffee makers. Black+Decker coffee makers stand out thanks to their durability.
Gevi
Gevi is a relative newcomer on the coffee maker market, but this brand stands out by offering quality kitchen appliances at a reasonable price. If value is one of your main concerns, you can’t go wrong with Gevi.
Keurig
We didn’t list a Keurig coffee maker above because the entry-level Keurig machines start in the $80 price range. Keurig has been around since 1992 and has quickly established itself as a major player on the single-serve coffee machine market with the K-cup format.
FAQ
Do you still have questions about coffee makers? Read on to find your answers!
How to Clean A Coffee Maker
Filling your coffee maker with a few cups of water and turning it on with nothing in the filter basket is a quick and easy way to clean it on a regular basis and maintain coffee quality. The hot water will remove any clogs that are forming in the tube or showerhead and impeding coffee flow. You should perform a deep cleaning on your coffee maker with a descaling solution once in a while, especially if you have hard water.
Where to Put Your Coffee Maker
Most people keep their coffee maker on their kitchen counter. It’s best to pick a spot that is easy to access and clean. Don’t forget to check the length of the power cord that comes with your new coffee maker to make sure you’ll be able to place it where you want.
Which Coffee Maker Is the Best?
We think the Mr. Coffee Programmable Coffee Maker is the best coffee maker you can buy. It’s programmable and features simple controls and has an excellent rating on Amazon. Besides, you can brew coffee quickly thanks to its small size.
Can a Coffee Maker Make Hot Chocolate?
A traditional drip coffee maker will not make hot chocolate unless you use it without coffee grounds to get hot water to pour over your hot cocoa mix. However, the Chefman Single-Serve Coffee Maker that we recommended above is compatible with K-cups. You can find hot chocolate K-cups, as well as other beverages such as tea or hot cider.
Wrap Up
The Mr. Coffee Programmable Coffee Maker is our favorite coffee maker because of its compact, attractive design and programmable feature. While some programmable coffee makers have complex controls, we’re confident you’ll actually use the programmable feature because the buttons are simple.
The main drawback of this coffee maker is its small water reservoir. If you want to brew more than five cups of coffee, we recommend the Cuisinart Coffee Maker with its durable stainless steel carafe.
Click here to learn more about our top pick!
Happy Caffienating!
