For caffeine fanatics, there’s truly nothing more satisfying than a steaming hot cup of coffee.
Whether it’s grabbing a mug of joe at the diner after an evening out with friends or stopping by your local cafe for a pour-over.
Even a quick drip coffee scratches the caffeine itch; there’s something so satisfying about brewing a cup of coffee with the hotel percolator while on vacation.
Without a doubt, brewing your morning coffee is often the best motivator to start your day off right. Most people don’t want to break the bank just to get a quality brew in the morning, though.
Unfortunately, not all cheap coffee makers are good coffee makers. While some may seem like a bargain, they end up costing you more in the long run.
Here’s the good news: although budget coffee makers have fewer features than high-end options, there are still some really great candidates to consider.
To that end, we’ve listed the best affordable non-electric and electric drip coffee makers. We also included the pros and cons of each to help you find the most reliable way to brew your daily cup of java.
What Are the Different Types of Coffee Makers?
There are lots of different coffee makers out there, but some of the most popular include:
- Pour-over coffee maker
- Drip brew coffee maker
- French press
- AeroPress
Let’s explore these in greater detail.
Pour-Over Coffee Maker
To use a pour-over coffee maker, simply pour boiling water over freshly ground coffee beans. This option has risen in popularity recently because of the higher water temperature it enables — making a better cup of coffee.
Boiling a kettle of water on a stovetop makes it simple to get the temperature right. Combining the optimal brew temperature of 203 degrees (F) with your favorite coffee beans creates the perfect flavor profile for your coffee.
Pour-over coffee makers also allow you to distribute the water evenly over the grounds to ensure a perfectly balanced taste experience.
Drip Brew Coffee Maker
A drip brew coffee maker trickles hot water over the coffee grounds through a paper filter fitted into the basket. The coffee drips into a glass carafe, heated on a warming plate.
Unfortunately, unless you invest in a $200 (or higher) machine, you can’t control the temperature or head placement.
What’s more, although drip brewers are convenient, they yield a less robust flavor than their pour-over counterparts.
French Press Coffee Maker
The classic French press provides a manual counterpart to the automated drip coffee maker. It uses coarse grounds to get the most out of the steeping process — in contrast to drip coffee makers, which employ fine grounds so the water can easily pass through.
The steeping makes for a slower process, allowing the grounds to saturate for a balanced flavor profile.
To use a French press, first place the coffee grounds in the bottom of the carafe. Then add hot water to the grounds, leaving at least a few inches of room at the top. You can put the lid on the carafe at this point, but don’t depress the plunger until after steeping.
Once the coffee has brewed for the desired steeping time, you’re ready to take the plunge. Push the plunger steadily until it reaches the bottom of the carafe. Do this slowly so you don’t disburse the coffee grounds.
AeroPress
AeroPress coffee makers are very similar to French press makers; however, they use fine instead of coarse grounds and employ pressure to eliminate the need for steeping.
See our full review and read about the difference between fine and coarse grounds in French Press vs. AeroPress.
Now that you have an idea of the various options out there, let’s look at which reasonably-priced coffee maker is right for you.
What Is the Best Coffee Maker Under $100?
Non-Electric Options Under $50
Coffee Gator Pour Over Coffee Maker
For the value, this is the best pour-over option available through Amazon.
It utilizes a stainless steel mesh filter to hold the grounds and a glass carafe to catch and serve the brew.
With a large pouring spout and handle, you won’t make a mess when pouring.
Tip: The glass carafe can also double as a serving pitcher for iced tea or water.
Secura Stainless Steel French Press Coffee Maker
This incredibly durable gem is also available on Amazon. Without a doubt, it’s the best French press option under $50.
An extra stainless steel filter allows you to stack the filters for a finer filtering process. It holds 34 ounces and the handle and knob stay cool, even when the coffee is hot.
Since it’s dishwasher safe, it also makes cleaning up a breeze.
AeroPress Coffee Maker
If you’re looking for an AeroPress, there’s only one patented maker on the market. It’s a hand-pressed brewer capable of making both coffee and espresso.
It brews in less than two minutes and provides an extremely portable option. Finely ground coffee is used to produce a more vibrant flavor than the coarse grounds inherent in a French press.
The AeroPress uses a very fine paper filter, with 350 replacement filters included in the package.
Additional filters are affordable and can be purchased through Amazon, where you can also buy your AeroPress. It has a 1-3 cup capacity and cleaning is a breeze, as you can simply press out the spent grounds in one smooth motion.
Electric Drip Options Under $50
Mr. Coffee 12 Cup Manual Coffee Maker
This tried and true unit can be found on Amazon. It’s our pick of the best drip option for its solid performance and compact design.
It has a pause and serve feature, which allows you to pour a cup in the middle of a brew cycle rather than waiting until a full pot is brewed. You can also use regular basket filters with this machine.
Although it’s not a programmable coffee maker, it’s reliable and durable. The clean up is easy, and the carafe and lid are dishwasher safe.
Plus, it’s backed by consistently positive reviews:
“Five stars! We are very happy (so far) with this coffee maker - it is pretty basic, which is exactly what we needed. Our last coffee maker gave out, and like several before it did not last long, we had paid a lot for them and never needed or used half the extras. This coffee maker makes good coffee and stays hot till we are done with the pot. It serves our needs and is not wasted money for extras we won't use." - Review Sense
Hamilton Beach 12 Cup Coffee Maker
Available through Amazon, you’ll find this machine provides great value for money. It gets our vote for the best programmable coffee maker and boasts a 2-hour shut off feature.
It also allows you to pause and serve while brewing. The swing-out brew basket makes it easy to fill and clean. Our favorite feature is the pop-up light that displays after 30 cycles, reminding you to clean the machine.
Chulux Single Cup Drip Coffee Maker
This is the clear winner in the single-serve coffee maker category. You can find yours on Amazon.
Our favorite feature is that it allows you to use both K-cups and grounds, providing limitless brewing options. It’s simple to use; just insert the K-cup, add water, and press the start button.
Clean up is made easy by the removable drip tray. It comes in a variety of colors, too, so it adds a vibrant charm to your kitchen.
Coffee Maker Comparisons at a Glance
| Non-Electric Options | Pros | Cons |
| Coffee Gator Pour Over |
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| Secura Stainless Steel French Press |
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| AeroPress |
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| Electric Drip Options | Pros | Cons |
| Mr. Coffee 12 Cup |
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| Hamilton Beach 12 Cup |
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| Chulux Single Cup |
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A simple daily routine like drinking coffee can change the lives of people in Africa by providing clean drinking water and helping to provide education. Together, we can help those less fortunate by simply drinking quality coffee.
Additional Reading
The Best Drip Coffee Maker
The Best BUNN Coffee Makers Reviewed
10 Unique Father’s Day Gift Ideas for Coffee Lovers (2024 Edition)
The Best Single-Serve Coffee Makers for a Quick Caffeine Boost
The Best Burr Coffee Grinders Reviewed
