6 Best Coffee Makers Under $100 (2026)

This isn’t just another drip coffee maker — the Ninja 12-Cup Programmable Brewer brings bold customization and precision brewing to the sub-$100 space, delivering a flavor-forward experience that rivals more expensive machines. With its Hotter Brewing Technology, it maintains optimal water temperature throughout the cycle, ensuring full bean extraction without bitterness. The standout Classic or Rich brew modes let you dial in your preferred strength, while the small batch function prevents weak coffee when brewing just a cup or two — a game-changer for light drinkers or singles in a large-household machine.

In real-world testing, the Ninja consistently produced hot, aromatic coffee with noticeable depth, especially when using the Rich setting with medium-dark roasts. The 60-oz removable reservoir makes refilling easy, and the 24-hour delay brew function means waking up to freshly brewed coffee is effortless. It handles both full 12-cup pots and intimate 2-cup servings with equal competence, and the adjustable warming plate (keep-warm durations up to 4 hours) ensures your last cup is nearly as hot as the first — though we recommend reheating after the two-hour mark for best flavor. The only hiccup? The carafe spout can drip if not poured carefully.

When stacked against the Amazon Basics 12-cup model, the Ninja is in a different league — not just in flavor quality, but in versatility and control. While it’s pricier than budget picks, it’s a clear upgrade for those who take coffee seriously but don’t want a pod system or $200 machine. It’s ideal for daily home brewers who want barista-level control without complexity. Compared to the Hamilton Beach 2-Way, it lacks single-serve functionality but wins on brew precision and thermal consistency.

For those who need coffee, fast and cheap, the Amazon Basics 5-Cup Drip Coffee Maker is a no-frills workhorse that delivers exactly what it promises: hot coffee without complications. Priced under $20, it’s a minimalist marvel for dorm rooms, offices, or kitchens where space and budget are tight. The auto-pause function lets you sneak a cup mid-brew — a surprisingly luxurious touch at this price — and the 2-hour auto shutoff adds peace of mind for forgetful users.

In daily use, the machine brews a surprisingly decent pot in under 10 minutes, though the coffee leans on the milder side, lacking the depth or heat saturation of pricier models. It’s perfect for 1–2 people who don’t need a full 12-cup carafe sitting and stewing. The Duralife glass carafe feels sturdy, and the removable filter basket makes cleanup a one-rinse job. However, it struggles with even saturation on finer grounds, and the small capacity means you’ll be refilling the water tank daily if you’re a heavy drinker. It’s not built for connoisseurs — but it’s not trying to be.

Compared to the KRUPS 5-cup model, it’s nearly identical in function but lacks the stainless steel build and reusable filter — making KRUPS a better long-term value despite the higher cost. This Amazon Basics pick is best for students, renters, or backup use where affordability and simplicity trump features. It won’t impress coffee snobs, but it outperforms its price tag in reliability and ease of use.

Sleek, efficient, and thoughtfully designed, the KRUPS Simply Brew 5-Cup Coffee Maker is the perfect fit for tiny kitchens, offering a polished look and smart features in a space-saving footprint. The stainless steel body resists fingerprints and wipes clean in seconds, while the top-fill water tank simplifies refills without removing the reservoir. What truly sets it apart is the included reusable filter, eliminating paper waste and recurring costs — a small win for both the planet and your wallet.

During testing, the keep-warm function reliably held coffee at a drinkable temperature for 30 minutes — enough for a second cup without burning or drying out the brew. The pause-and-brew feature works flawlessly, letting you pour a cup seconds into the cycle. It produces a clean, balanced cup, though not as bold or hot as larger machines — expected given its size. The drip-free spout lives up to its name, and both the carafe and filter are dishwasher-safe, making maintenance a breeze. Just don’t expect speed: brewing takes closer to 12 minutes.

Against the Amazon Basics 5-cup model, the KRUPS is a clear upgrade in build quality and sustainability, trading minimal extra cost for long-term convenience. It’s ideal for couples, singles, or office nooks where style and efficiency matter. While it can’t match the Ninja’s flavor control, it beats it in space efficiency and eco-friendliness — a smarter pick when counter real estate is at a premium.

Don’t let the low price fool you — the Amazon Basics Programmable 12-Cup Coffee Maker packs serious functionality into an affordable, no-nonsense design that punches above its weight. The 24-hour programmable timer is the star here, letting you set it and forget it for morning coffee on demand — a rare find at this price point. The touch-screen interface feels modern and responsive, a surprising upgrade over basic button panels on similar models, and the auto-pause feature ensures you’re never stuck waiting for the last drop.

In practice, it brews a hot, consistent pot with even saturation, though the flavor lacks the richness of the Ninja’s “Rich” mode. The 2-hour auto shutoff adds safety, and the removable filter basket makes cleanup quick and mess-free. The 12-cup capacity is perfect for families or shared spaces, and the Duralife carafe pours smoothly without drips. However, the warming plate doesn’t offer temperature adjustment, and after an hour, coffee starts to lose vibrancy — best reheated or consumed fresh.

When compared to the non-programmable Amazon Basics 5-cup model, this one is a clear step up in convenience and capacity, making it the best value for budget-conscious families. It doesn’t have the bold brew options of the Ninja or the dual functionality of the Hamilton Beach, but it delivers programmability and reliability at a fraction of the cost. For those who want set-it-and-forget-it brewing without overspending, this is the most practical, no-compromise pick under $30.

The Hamilton Beach 2-Way Programmable Coffee Maker is the Swiss Army knife of budget coffee machines, offering dual brewing modes in one compact unit — a full 12-cup carafe or a single 14-oz cup — making it the most versatile performer under $100. It bridges the gap between household needs and personal preference, letting one person grab a quick single serve while another brews a full pot — all without switching machines. The bold brew setting adds richness, and 24-hour programmability ensures hot coffee is ready when you are.

Real-world testing shows it excels in flexibility and speed: the single-serve side brews in under 3 minutes, and the dual water reservoirs (one for each side) mean you can make coffee without refilling the whole tank. The reusable ground scoop is a win for eco-conscious users avoiding K-Cups, and the AutoPause & Pour feature works seamlessly. However, the single-serve coffee is slightly cooler than pod machines, and the carafe handle can feel flimsy over time. It’s not the fastest or boldest, but it’s the most adaptable in its class.

Compared to the Ninja, it sacrifices some brew temperature precision but gains single-serve convenience without proprietary pods. Against the KRUPS or Amazon Basics models, it’s in a different category — this is the best overall value for mixed-use households. It’s ideal for families with varied coffee habits or anyone tired of choosing between a drip pot and a single-serve machine. With more features than any other sub-$100 model, it offers greater functionality per dollar than the Coffee Maker Hot & Iced despite lacking iced brew modes.

If you want maximum compatibility in a single-serve machine, the 3-in-1 Coffee Maker with Hot & Iced Brew is a feature-packed powerhouse that handles K-Cups, ground coffee, and tea pods with equal ease — all without locking you into branded pods. The bold brew setting enhances flavor depth, and the ability to brew hot or iced coffee in under a minute makes it ideal for fast mornings or summer refreshers. The 52-oz removable tank reduces refill frequency, and the 6–14 oz size range fits everything from espresso-style shots to travel mugs.

In daily use, it delivers consistent, fast results across all brew types, with the reusable filter performing admirably with fine and medium grounds. The removable drip tray accommodates tall cups up to 6.8 inches, and the auto-off function saves energy after five minutes — a smart touch for countertop safety. However, the iced coffee mode doesn’t cold brew; it just brews hot coffee over ice to prevent dilution, which works but isn’t true cold brew. Also, the plastic build feels less premium than stainless models.

Pitted against the Hamilton Beach 2-Way, it loses on full-pot capability but wins on speed and iced coffee convenience. Compared to pod-only machines, its 3-in-1 compatibility is unmatched under $100. It’s perfect for single users or small offices who want pod flexibility without the waste. For those who crave fast, customizable single servings with hot and iced options, it delivers more brewing freedom than any other model in its price range.