Best Coffee Makers Under $50

Do you want to brew delicious coffee without emptying your bank account? You've come to the right place! In this article, Homegrounds will reveal this year's top pick for the best coffee maker under $50. But depending on your needs, any of the brewers on this list could be the best choice for you.

Below is a review of nine automatic coffee machines that cost less than $50. They're all affordable, attractive, and you can count on any one of them to deliver a delicious morning brew.

What are the best coffee makers under $50?

Homegrounds has found the nine best coffee makers under $50 that outperform their price tag. Just because a coffee maker is cheap doesn't mean great value, and some coffee makers under $50 are inexpensive because they are made of low-quality materials. However, you don't need to spend a lot to brew great coffee; you need to read this article.

Capresso 427.05 coffee maker squeaks in at just under $50, making it a bit more premium than some other coffee makers on this list. 

Feature-wise, it has the same bells and whistles as the cheaper models. It brews up to 12 cups of coffee, you can pre-program its brewing time, and the hot plate will keep your java warm for 2 hours. As with the others, you can also grab a cup during brewing, and it will pause automatically via it's inbuilt brew-pause function.

The Capresso 427.05 has much more stainless steel than others, making it more durable, more expensive-looking, and easier to clean. It also comes with a Gold Tone filter, and Gold Tone is considered the premiere name in reusable metal filters, definitely a step up from the cheaper no-name options.

The Black+Decker CM4000S costs a bit more than the Betty Crocker model just discussed, but it comes with a few advanced features that justify the higher purchase price. 

Let's start with the basics. This is a 12-cup coffee maker with a glass carafe in-built warming plate. It is fully programmable, allowing you to preset it to brew at a specific time. It also brews at the optimal temperature, which the Specialty Coffee Association defines as a range between 195 and 205 degrees Fahrenheit.

Now let's talk about those added features. First of all, the CM4000S comes with an automated cleaning cycle, perfect for the coffee lover who hates extra housework. It offers a brew strength selector for those who prefer a stronger cup. And it includes “fast brew” technology, which promises your coffee will be ready 2 minutes faster than with other machines.

This coffee machine is attractively designed, with a round base, smooth curves, and stainless steel accents. The buttons and display are well laid out and intuitive to use.

The Mr. Coffee 12-Cup programmable coffee maker is a simple but functional option. It's reliable, affordable, and has all the features you need for a tasty morning cuppa, which is why it's one of the best budget coffee makers.

You can pre-program its brew time, ensuring you always wake up to a fresh cup. Or you can have it brew on demand; it only takes a few minutes to prepare a full carafe, and the hot plate will keep it nice and warm so you can enjoy cup after cup all day. It also has an automatic pause option if you can't wait for that all-important first hit of caffeine.

The all-black Mr. Coffee Coffee Maker fits nicely with any decor, though it looks a bit cheaper versus those with stainless steel. This coffee maker is lower profile than many others, so it's an excellent option for those with limited space.

Though reviews are mainly favorable, some users have noted that the 1-page instruction “manual” that comes with this coffee maker is not particularly useful. So be prepared to do some Googling if you don't feel comfortable figuring the programming out on your own.

There are no Keurig coffee makers under $50, which is unfortunate. But if you love the convenience of single-serve pod brewers, this affordable model from Chulux will fit the bill. It's compatible with various capsules, including both 1.0 and 2.0 series K-Cups. It also comes with a removable filter so you can use ground coffee.

The design of the Chulux brewer is very compact, perfect for small apartments, at the office, a dorm room, or an RV. It comes in classic black or gray and a series of fun colors like cyan and lime green, so you can choose your model to suit your decorating style.

Though small and inexpensive, this single-serve brewer has an impressive amount of functionality. With the 800 W heating element, it takes only 3 minutes to heat up and brew a cup of coffee. You can even run it without a K-Cup to heat water for tea, an excellent option for those with limited space who don't want to buy a separate kettle.

If your household is small and you aren't a total caffeine fiend, a standard 12-cup coffee machine is going to be overkill. Instead, consider this 5-cup model from Gevi. It's a very well-made option that is inexpensive simply because of its small size.

It's fully programmable so that you can wake up to a freshly brewed cup of coffee, and the built-in non-stick warming plate will keep it warm for 2 hours before the auto shut-off mechanism kicks in. It includes a grab-a-cup feature, so you can start caffeinating even before the brew cycle completes, though with only 5 cups to brew, you'll find this coffee machine is high-speed.

It has a sleek and stylish design, with stainless steel accents on the front. You can also opt for an even less expensive all-black version, but we recommend the stainless steel model for its appearance and durability. It comes with a reusable filter, which spares you from buying paper filters and benefits the environment.

Boly Single Serve coffee maker is another great and affordable coffee maker for lovers of K-Cups and convenience. If you'd instead not use K-Cups, it also comes with a reusable filter, so you can use your favorite ground coffee.

This model doesn't come in a collection of vibrant colors like the Chulux machine discussed above. Instead, it has a classier look, with a shiny black finish and chrome accents. It has more of an office and less of a dorm room vibe.

The Boly single-serve coffee maker will continue brewing until its water chamber opens. This is a convenient way to control the strength of your coffee. Adding only a small amount of water ensures you'll get a smaller portion of a richer brew, and the water tank is stepped to make it easy to gauge how much water you've added.

The automated cleaning cycle is the main thing that sets this brewer apart from many of the other top single serve coffee makers. If you love the mess-free convenience of K-Cups, then you will especially love this feature. Press the two buttons simultaneously and then sit back while doing your housework for you.

This is the only machine on this list that doesn't require electricity. That is no surprise, given that you're making a cold brew and there's nothing to heat up. The Primula Pace makes cold brew coffee – or other infused beverages like iced coffee, iced tea and flavored waters.

This cleverly designed brewer, made from heavy-duty borosilicate glass, acts as a brewer, storage, and serving vessel all in one. The compact design fits in fridge doors, and the sealed lid keeps cold brew fresh for up to two weeks while also allowing a drip-free pour. When it's time for cleaning, the Primula Pace is entirely dishwasher safe.

It makes up to 6 cups, but you can also use it to prepare cold brew concentrate, which you can dilute into many additional servings. The well-constructed mesh filter ensures you'll only get smooth cold coffee, with no unwanted grounds or silt, even as you near the bottom of the batch.

This affordable coffee maker from the famous brand Black+Decker looks like all the others, and it looks a bit cheaper, made entirely of black plastic without any added stainless steel. However, you shouldn't judge a coffee maker by its exterior, and the CM1079B-1 has something extraordinary inside.

This coffee maker uses the brand's patented Vortex Technology Showerhead. This technology ensures that all the ground coffee in your filter is evenly wetted, a necessary step for complete extraction and the most flavorful brew. By contrast, many cheap coffee machines have a single stream of water that preferably wets only the grounds in the filter's center.

Aside from the showerhead, the CM1070B-1 coffee maker has all the features you'd expect at this price. You can set it to brew at a specific time, and you can grab a cup during the brewing cycle. You can also adjust the coffee strength by slowing down the brewing process to yield a stronger cup.

Like Black+Decker, Hamilton Beach is a well-regarded name in the small home appliances market. You'll even find their name on our list of the best drip coffee machines. 

This model is sleek, stylish, and functional. The programmable timer means you can program it to have hot coffee ready and waiting when you wake up. Better still, it pauses, brewing automatically if you need to grab a cup before the cycle is complete. After brewing, the hot plate kicks in, and it will shut off automatically after 2 hours, so there's no need to panic if you forget to turn it off before you leave the house.

Customizability is not always offered at this low price. First, you can choose between regular or bold strength. Second, you can put it in small serving mode, which allows you to brew just 1 to 4 cups at a time without sacrificing coffee quality.

What factors should you consider before purchasing a coffee maker?

There are three things to consider before purchasing the best coffee maker under $50. This buyer's guide will walk you through it.

1. size and Brew Size

Small coffee makers are great apartment dwellers and RV owners who have limited counter space. Big coffee makers, on the other hand, are great for offices and big families who make coffee in big batches.

Before purchasing a coffee maker, the most important thing to consider, aside from counter space, is how much coffee you need to make. If you're buying for an office or a large household – or you love to drink a lot of mugs of coffee – then opt for one of the machines that brew a 12-cup carafe. On the other hand, if you only need to brew a single cup or two, it makes much more sense to opt for one of the single-serve coffee makers. In the middle, there are 5-cup options, or go for something like the Hamilton Beach 46299 model, which has a small serving mode.

2. Brew style

Another thing to think about is the type of coffee you like. If you prefer a stronger coffee, it's worth buying a machine that gives you the option of a bolder brew. Alternatively, a cold brew coffee maker is the way to go if you like cold brew.

3. Durability

How long do you want your coffee maker to last? Models with more stainless steel and less plastic will generally last longer. But if you want something to serve you well for years, it might be worth spending more than $50 upfront.

What are other affordable brewing methods?

If you don't want an electric coffee machine, there are many other affordable ways to brew coffee with balanced flavor and taste. And as a bonus, because they don't require electricity, many alternative coffee makers are excellent for travel and camping.

If you enjoy rich and strong coffees with a heavy body, then for less than $50, you can get a nice French Press, percolator or Moka Pot. If you prefer a cleaner-tasting coffee with a light body, many inexpensive pour-over drippers are available. Take a look at the Hario V60, Kalita Wave, or classic Melitta Dripper. 

The Aeropress is a perennial favorite for a brew that falls somewhere in the middle. It is one of our best rated coffee makers at any price. And the up-and-coming Clever Dripper is quickly gaining a following.

The Verdict

If you want a great coffee maker and only have a small budget, don't despair. While there are plenty of cheap duds on the market, some great value-priced brewers are also there. Any of the nine on this list will serve you well. The HomeGrounds overall favorite is the Capresso 427.05 – a fully programmable and well-made coffee machine from a trustworthy brand.