A good coffee maker is hard to come by. The problem is that most of the time, you have to spend a ton of money on coffee makers in order to find one that produces good quality coffee and doesn’t need constant maintenance. So what is the best choice for the most optimal value?
The best coffee maker under $100 should last for at least two to three years and be able to handle regular wear and tear from everyone in the family. It should be able to maintain a consistent temperature and have sturdy parts that don’t break, crack, or melt.
Luckily, we’ve put together this list of 6 best coffee makers under $100 so you can stop wasting your time looking for a machine that will do what it’s supposed to do! We think the Black + Decker 12-Cup Thermal Coffeemaker is the best overall value and recommend this model for most coffee drinkers looking for a good value. However, our other favorites can be found below!
BLACK+DECKER 12-Cup Thermal Coffeemaker
This coffee maker is a great value for those who want a quick and easy way to make a large amount of coffee with minimal fuss or mess.
The Black+Decker 12-Cup Thermal Coffee Maker can keep your coffee hot for hours since it’s vacuum-sealed. Featuring an always-hot double-walled carafe, this coffee brewer is ideal for high volumes of morning drinkers who need their coffee to stay warm without overheating or burning it with a hot plate.
The LCD display allows you to change between regular, strong, and bold depending on what flavor suits your taste. Plus there’s no spilling with their new Perfect Pour spout.
The brewing cycle is long relative to other high-speed coffee machines, but if that doesn’t bother you or you’re able to plan ahead using the programable feature then go right on ahead with your purchase!
There are a few things about this product that might be off-putting at first glance like an initial plastic odor during use. Run a few cycles using just water to remove the manufacturing oils and any lingering odors from earlier production runs.
Benefits:
- Brews 12 cups of coffee at once.
- Keeps your coffee hot for hours.
- Easy to use digital controls.
- You can choose the strength of your brew with a button.
- Includes a timer for up to 120 minutes indicating freshness
Keurig K-Mini Coffee Maker
This item is an update to the Keurig K-Mini coffee maker and it boasts as the smallest and slimmest coffee maker in their line. This is a great coffee maker for those who want the convenience of a Keurig without having to spend three figures for a large machine that takes up a lot of counter space.
Keurig K-Mini Coffee Maker is an ideal device for the coffee lover on the go. This miniaturized version of Keurig’s popular coffee maker brews a fresh cup in just minutes using pre-packaged, single-serving cups called K-Cups. The miniature size makes this brewer perfect for dorm rooms, offices, or other small spaces. It also comes in six different colors, making it easy to match with your home decor.
Each brew can produce between 6 to 12 ounces of coffee and directly pours into your cup or travel mug (up to 7 inches tall) for a seamless experience. The machine automatically turns off after 90 seconds so you don’t have to worry about leaving it on if you’re in a hurry.
Some purchasers have said that this machine can be temperamental and have issues after a few months of use, such as a jammed button or issues with fitting reusable Keurig pods. However, the company has excellent customer service and will not hesitate to send a replacement unit within 3 to 4 days of a complaint.
Benefits:
- Small sleek model less than 5″ wide
- Comes in a variety of colors
- Has a hideaway power cord that retracts into the unit
- Coffee brews quickly in just a few minutes (2-3 minutes)
- Much more affordable than other Keurig models
- Great for travel
- Makes one cup at a time, perfect for a single person
Hamilton Beach FlexBrew Trio
If you’re looking for a full-featured coffee maker that can handle both K-cup pods and ground coffee, this machine is the best value. It can often be found for under $100 and is a great item to grab when it’s on sale.
The Hamilton Beach FlexBrew Trio offers three ways to enjoy your coffee. With two water reservoirs, a carafe side for brewing, and a single-serve side, there are many options in case your coffee-making needs vary day to day.
You can program the timer depending on when you need to fill up. This appliance also pauses automatically during brewing and includes a pack holder for pod placement. The entire assembly is dishwasher safe so nothing needs to go without cleaning!
The carafe side offers an automatic 2-hour shutoff so you never forget about your freshly brewed pot of joe. It also has easy-fill reservoirs and easy access water windows for filling up & adding additional water per pot. For single servings, there is a pod piercer assembly tool with included brewing basket for brewing singles on demand (although yes filters are needed).
Purchasers note that the 2-hour hotplate setting can burn coffee if left for too long, and also claim that the K-cups don’t seem to work as well as in other machines. Some users regularly get coffee grinds from their K-cups while others notice that the machine can over-puncture and remove the cup lids. Following manufacturer instructions carefully as well as reaching out to them for support will help get this machine up to par.
Benefits:
- Brews coffee in three different ways and quantities
- Easy to clean and dishwasher safe
- You can fill up a travel mug easily with this unit
- Brews a pot of 12 cups of coffee in 8 minutes or less
- Big unit that is best for larger families
Black+Decker 12-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker
This coffee maker is the most affordable on the list and is a perfect option for someone who wants a straightforward no-nonsense machine. In addition to the basic functions of a drip machine, this coffee maker also has a timer setting, so you can prepare it at night and wake up to a fresh cup of coffee in the morning.
It also has a 2-hour heating setting on its hotplate and automatically shuts off afterward for safety. You can pull the glass carafe out before the full batch is completed and pour yourself a cup while the drip function pauses to prevent a mess.
All in all, this is really the perfect unit for someone who wants an incredibly affordable solution. Since you can’t control the boldness settings as you may be able to with other models, it is easy to simply brew a batch with more or fewer coffee grounds added to the basket.
Some customers find this unit to be a bit noisy. Some have noted that when you pour your morning cup of coffee, the paper filter collapses and allows some of the coffee grounds to overflow around it into the basket. This can make a mess in both the carafe as well carry sediment into the coffee carafe.
To minimize this issue, consider purchasing a reusable coffee filter.
Benefits:
- Most affordable coffee maker, under $25
- Has an automatic timer
- Has a 2-hour heating setting and turns off afterward
- The product lasts many years on average, making it a great value
Mr. Coffee Automatic Dual Shot Espresso/Cappuccino System
An espresso machine is a great choice for those who are looking for a richer, smoother coffee with more options for variations. An espresso machine can make espresso shots, americanos, cappuccinos, lattes, and much more. This machine is an excellent deal at under $100 since espresso machines can easily cost $200, $300, or $400.
Many people prefer these varieties to a traditional cup of drip coffee because the drink tends to have a smoother and slower caffeine spike. This means fewer jitters and less crashing.
The 15 bar pump system along with an impressive thermal block heating ensures that brewing times are consistently faster than a traditional drip-coffee machine. Choose between single portafilter shots or double shot options for serving size preferences without adding any additional time to your wait.
The attached frother helps produce steamy, creamy cups every time. This machine comes with a 40 oz removable reservoir so it’s easy to make your coffee without having to add water each and every time.
The unit comes with a tamper that can help press and even out coffee into the filter basket. However, customers recommend purchasing a more durable metal tamper in addition to this set. Customers also note that this machine doesn’t always produce a “true” espresso shot since it can take regular ground coffee as well. However, this machine is quite flexible and can take traditional espresso coffee or any other variety and still produce a rich product depending on your specific needs.
Benefits:
- You can make many different types of coffee beverages including a latte, a cappuccino, or an americano
- Quick heat up in 25 seconds
- The machine has the ability to make two shots at once
- Almost half the price of an average home espresso machine
- Comes with a milk frother
Bodum Chambord French Press Coffee Maker
A french press is a type of coffee maker that is loved by coffee lovers worldwide since it is easy to use, doesn’t require electricity, and creates a creamy rich coffee mouthfeel and taste.
The Bodum Chambord is a household brand that honors the original design of the french press machine. It’s made from borosilicate glass that won’t alter or impair the coffee’s natural flavor, has a stainless steel frame and lid with chrome plating to result in both durability and shiny surface quality has handles made from polypropylene with a matte finish for a comfortable grip. It has a stainless steel plunger to prevent ground beans from escaping when the coffee is poured.
This coffee maker is more environmentally friendly than many other brewing methods because it doesn’t require electricity or disposable paper filters. It is also more affordable since you won’t need to purchase these extra supplies.
This coffee maker is an excellent choice for someone looking for a straightforward simple way to make a high-quality cup of coffee at a minimal price. Do keep in mind that you will need to heat water with this machine. You can simply boil water on a stovetop or invest in a water heating kettle.
Benefits:
- Richer more flavorful batches with the press method
- Easy to adjust the strength of the coffee by steeping for longer or shorter
- 4-minute steep time
- Doesn’t require electricity
- Comes in 4 different sizes
- Easy to clean and dishwasher safe
Buyer’s Guide:
What should I look for when buying a coffee maker?
Number of Cup Sizes
Coffee makers come in a range of sizes, from two to six cups. If you are the only coffee drinker in the house and don’t want to make more than six cups at a time, then this might not be a concern. However, if you want iced coffee or like different types of coffee throughout the day, then it may be worth paying attention to this.
Price Range
The price range is going to depend on how many features you are looking for in your coffee maker. Some people find that they need a machine that has an LED screen so they can program it with different settings and their name while others just need something that is fast and easy. Again, these features can be more of a concern for people who drink different types of coffee during the day.
Amount of features
Do you want a machine with pre-programmed settings or one where making coffee is as easy as pushing a button? If so, then it may be worth paying for something more expensive because these machines tend to come with other things like an LCD screen and timer.
If you want something more basic, then it is important to look at the quality of the coffee maker. For example, does it have a thermal carafe? Does it come with an automatic shut-off feature in case you forget about your machine and how much water comes out per cup size? These are all things that can help make drinking your coffee easier and more enjoyable.
Ease of Use
Most people find that they need a machine with an LCD screen so they can program it. However, if you do not want to spend the money on one of these machines then be prepared for some frustration when making your coffee because many models require more hands-on involvement than others. For example, does it have an automatic shut-off? Does it take a long time to brew coffee because of the water timer or does it use more power than others?
How Do You Maintain A Coffee Maker?
Firstly, the lifespan of your coffee maker is dependent on how often it is used. If you use your coffee maker once a day, it will last about 18 months before needing to be replaced. Keep in mind that this varies depending on usage and maintenance factors so be sure to read your manual about how to maintain and care for your coffee maker.
Secondly, I recommend cleaning your filter basket every time you brew a pot of coffee. Coffee filters can often build up debris which reduces the water flow. This will also affect the taste of the coffee since there are fewer essential oils in the water when using a paper filter instead of a permanent filter.
The third way that you can maintain your coffee maker is by regularly descaling it with either white vinegar or a commercial descaler. It is necessary to regularly remove the calcium and mineral residue which accumulates when you use hard water. This will help prevent your coffee maker from developing any mold or scale deposits that could cause damage to it over time.
Lastly, I recommend cleaning all of the parts of your machine at least once a month with soapy water and a soft cloth. This will help keep the parts of your machine clean, which is essential to prevent any build-up or corrosion that could lead to leaks in water flow.
How To Descale Your Coffee Maker
To descale your coffee maker, you need to fill a container with about two cups of white vinegar or a commercial descaler and then add water.
Then, pour this mixture into the reservoir and turn the machine on. This will allow the vinegar or commercial descaler to flow through the machine and remove any limescale or other impurities that may have accumulated.
Once the machine has finished cycling, be sure to leave it on for at least 30 minutes before turning it off. And remember, never clean your filter basket with vinegar or commercial descaler because doing so will damage it!
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best coffee maker in terms of features?
The coffee maker that has the most features is the one that is fast and easy. Again, these features can be more of a concern for people who drink different types of coffee during the day.
Do you want a machine with pre-programmed settings or one where making coffee is as easy as pushing a button? If so, then it may be worth paying for something more expensive because these machines tend to come with other things like an LCD screen and timer.
If you want something more basic, then it is important to look at the quality of the coffee maker. For example, does it have a thermal carafe? Does it come with an automatic shut-off feature in case you forget about your coffee?
How often do I need to descale my coffee maker?
If you use your coffee maker for more than one pot of coffee each day then it is recommended to descale every six weeks. If you use your machine less frequently, then a good rule of thumb is to descale two or three times a year before the buildup of minerals can cause any damage to the machine or its components.
What is the lifespan of a coffee maker?
The lifespan of a coffee maker depends on how much use it gets.
A single-serve or pod coffee machine should last for about five years, a traditional brewer like drip or French press can last about 10 years with the proper care, and espresso machines are good for 15 to 20 years if taken care of well.
A key factor affecting the right maintenance is that all parts must be clean after each use. A one-minute rinse in cold water will work only when air-dried and cleaned promptly, but you’ll need at least 10 minutes this way or 4 hours in hot soapy water to sanitize adequately.
Keep any removable brewing components like screens, filters, and ports free from coffee residues (coffee deposits left behind by the coffee liquid).
Summary
Coffee machines can range from reasonably priced to four-figured commercial models, so it’s important to make sure you understand the value of your next purchase. When looking for the best coffee maker under $100, make sure to do your research and take into consideration your personal coffee needs and habits.
What coffee maker under $100 has worked best for you? Let me know in the comments below! Happy brewing!
