There’s something undeniably satisfying about brewing your own coffee at home. Not only does it save you money, but it also allows you to craft your favorite cup just the way you like it. If you’re on a budget but still want a fantastic coffee experience, fear not! We’ve compiled a list of seven exceptional coffee makers, all under $50, that deliver a delightful brew without breaking the bank.
Featured Products
BELLA 14755 12 Cup Coffee Maker
⭐ 4.3/5
The BELLA coffee maker is a versatile appliance offering a personalized coffee experience with its brew strength selector, cleaning cycle, and 1-4 cup feature.
If you love drip coffee, then this is undoubtedly the one for you. The Bella 14775 Brew Strength Selector is the best under $50 coffee maker. For its price, it has an impressive set of features like automatic shut-off, which makes it stand out on our list.
The Bella 14775 coffee maker also offers programming options, a permanent filter, and a brew-strength selector to customize your coffee. Whether you’re brewing for yourself or many people, the Bella 14775 has you covered. It offers a batch setting of 1-4 cups that allows you to brew coffee for more than one person.
If you often struggle to clean a coffee maker, the Bella 14775 will bail you out. It has a unique cleaning cycle that makes it easy to clean, making it an excellent choice for value.
Key Features:
- Compact design
- Includes brew strength selector
- Features 2-hour auto shut-off
- Offers special cleaning cycle
- Has 1-4 cup feature
- Backlit LCD screen for easy operation
Pros:
- Allows customizing brew strength to match individual mood and preference
- Includes auto shut-off to ensure safety and conserve energy
- Special cleaning cycle enhances maintenance and extends the product’s life
- Flexibility to brew anything from a single cup to several servings
- Easy navigation with backlit LCD screen offers effortless control
CHULUX Single Serve Coffee Maker Brewer
⭐ 4.2/5
Quick and easy single serve coffee maker by CHULUX with a 12 ounce reservoir, in sleek black color.
While there might be several brewers with more features in the market, if you want to make a single cup of coffee without the hassle and for a fair price, this is a great option. The CHULUX Coffee Maker is very easy to use. All you have to do is add water, and coffee, turn its lock, then hit the ON button, and you’re set.
Chulux coffee maker is compatible with either first or second-generation k-cups. Its design is compact and only keeps water needed to make a single cup, so you don’t have to worry about any sort of water container by its side or at the back like other models.
Like most cheap brewers, the Chulux coffee maker often suffers from poor quality control, so don’t expect it to last very long. Overall, if you’re looking for a cheap, single-serving coffee maker, this is probably your best choice.
Key Features:
- Designed for single cup brewing
- 12 ounce reservoir
- Available in black color
Pros:
- Quick and easy single cup brewing
- Suitable for use at home or in the office
- Features a 12 ounce reservoir
- Sleek black design
BLACK+DECKER 5-Cup Coffeemaker DCM600B
⭐ 4.3/5 • 💰 ~$18
Compact, easy-to-use BLACK+DECKER DCM600B Coffeemaker offers great value. Makes up to 5 cups of coffee.
The Black + Decker coffee maker is the cheapest on our list and the best choice for the money. Black + Decker coffee maker is a utilitarian model designed to make coffee in a simple way.
This model has a button which might come as a shock in a time when coffee making is becoming increasingly complex. But that’s great news if you want an easy-to-use machine.
It has a water window showing the percentage of the carafe that’ll be filled. This is a great addition for preventing overfilling of the unit and knowing the water level in case you don’t want too much coffee. This machine makes cleaning easy because it comes with a dishwasher filter basket.
However, that design means that water flows through the ground coffee, resulting in subpar coffee. If you often add cream and sugar to your coffee, you might not notice it at all. Overall, it’s a good choice for those who want to make coffee and provides good value for its price.
Key Features:
- Compact size suitable for small spaces.
- Can make up to 5 cups of coffee.
- Easy-to-use design.
- Sophisticated black colour.
Pros:
- Compact size for small kitchens.
- Ability to make 5 cups of coffee.
- Convenient and straightforward to use.
- Classy black colour.
Bialetti Moka Express Stovetop Espresso Maker
⭐ 4.6/5 • 💰 ~$33
Bialetti’s Moka Express is a 9-cup capacity stovetop espresso maker praised for its durability and easy use.
If you’re looking for a way to brew espresso coffee without owning the traditional, space-hogging, and heavy espresso machine, then the Bialetti Moka Pot is your best option for under $50.
A manual small coffee brewer gives you a fully-flavored espresso-like coffee in just minutes. Learning how to use the Bialetti Moka Pot to make a great cup of coffee might take a few trials, but you can get the hang of it after a few uses.
Moka pots are often called ‘stovetop espresso brewers,’ even though they don’t technically produce espresso. The pressure made by the steam inside the Moka Pot cannot rival that made by an espresso machine which creates the crema and concentrated brew we all love.
You only need coffee (finely grounded), water, and a heat source for the Bialetti Moka Pot. It’s portable and makes an excellent choice for camping.
Key Features:
- Aluminium material
- 9 cups capacity
- Stovetop use
- Makes espresso
Pros:
- Brews traditional Italian coffee
- High capacity of 9 cups
- Crafted from durable aluminium
- Ease of use
- Classic, timeless design
Aeropress Original Coffee Press
⭐ 4.8/5 • 💰 ~$40
Aeropress Original Coffee Press - full-bodied coffee without grit or bitterness
The AeroPress coffee maker is the most portable option on our list. It can make quality and concentrated brew in just a matter of minutes.
The major downside to this coffee maker is its size. However, that’s what makes it portable and great for traveling with. The AeroPress is designed as a single-cup brewing maker, which is great for brewing two small cups of coffee (diluted with milk or water) or one rich cup of coffee.
The coffee made by AeroPress is dense and full-bodied, and like the French press, it takes very little time (2-3 minutes). While cleaning this coffee maker might be an issue, it’s compensated by the minimal effort required in brewing.
Overall, it’s a great option if you want something portable.
Key Features:
- Made in the USA
- BPA and phthalate-free
- Makes 10oz (295ml) of regular coffee or 1 to 3 espresso style shots per pressing in about a minute
- Can make cold brew in just two minutes
Pros:
- Professional-grade coffee right at home
- Goodbye, French press - no more bitterness or grit
- Lightweight, compact, and portable
- Fast and easy to use
Comparison Chart
Now that we’ve explored each coffee maker’s unique qualities, let’s compare them to help you make an informed decision. We’ll weigh the pros and cons of each model and determine which one suits different preferences best. In the end, you’ll have all the information you need to choose the perfect coffee maker for your budget and brewing style.
| Coffee Maker | Brewing Method | Features and Functionality | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aeropress Original | Versatile | Quick brewing, easy to clean | Rich and bold coffee flavors | Limited brewing capacity, rave reviews for its quality |
| Black+Decker 5 Cup | Drip coffee maker | 5-cup capacity, auto shut-off, easy to use | Affordable, great for small spaces | Some users report issues with longevity |
| Bialetti Moka Express | Stovetop percolator | Iconic design, traditional brewing method | Distinct coffee profile | Requires stovetop and supervision |
| Bodum Chambord French | French press | Classic design, stainless steel mesh filter | Rich and flavorful coffee | More involved cleaning process |
| Chuluk Single Serve | Single-serve brewer | Quick brewing, fits various coffee pods | Space-saving, easy to operate | Limited to single-serve capacity |
| Chemex Pour Over | Pour-over | Elegant design, chemically-bonded filter | Pure and clean coffee taste | Requires specific filters |
| Bella 14755 5 Cup | Drip coffee maker | 5-cup capacity, programmable timer | Compact size, programmable | Some complaints about durability |
Criteria for Picking These Makers
- Budget-Friendly Criteria: We set a strict budget limit of $50 to ensure that all selected coffee makers are affordable for a wide range of users.
- Extensive Market Research: Our team conducted thorough market research, analyzing numerous coffee maker models to identify the best options under $50.
- User Reviews and Ratings: We carefully reviewed user feedback and ratings from various online platforms to gauge the overall satisfaction and performance of each coffee maker.
- Brand Reputation: We considered the reputation of the brands behind the coffee makers to ensure that they are known for producing reliable and quality products.
- Brewing Method Diversity: We aimed to include a diverse range of brewing methods, such as drip coffee makers, French presses, pour-overs, and single-serve brewers, to cater to different preferences.
- Value for Money: Our focus was on finding coffee makers that offer exceptional value for their price, balancing affordability with performance and quality.
- Real-World Testing: In some cases, we conducted hands-on testing to validate the claims made by manufacturers and assess the coffee makers’ performance firsthand.
The combination of these factors allowed us to curate a list of 7 outstanding coffee makers under $50, ensuring that our readers can confidently make an informed choice when selecting their ideal coffee brewing companion.
