Best Coffee Makers Under $50

The Bella 14755 With Brew Strength Selector is a CR Best Buy, thanks to its winning combination of performance and value. With a brew time of 9 minutes, this programmable machine lands superb scores in each lab test. Bella drip machines earned average scores for predicted reliability and owner satisfaction in our latest member survey. Its features include auto-shutoff, a permanent filter, and brew-strength control.

One of the highest-rated models in this price range, the Betty Crocker 12-cup drip coffee maker receives strong scores in CR’s tests for both convenience and brew performance. It’s also programmable, so you can have a fresh pot waiting for you when you wake up in the morning. The machine features a 60-ounce carafe, which can serve a busy office or a large household; has a 9-minute brew time; and is relatively easy to clean.

The five-cup Black+Decker 4-in-1 coffee maker earns a solid rating in our tests when it comes to overall performance. It’s fairly convenient to use, and the carafe makes it a cinch to hold, pour, and empty. It takes roughly 6 minutes to brew a pot of coffee on a regular cycle. Its lone caveat is that the carafe cannot be removed while coffee is brewing. Black+Decker drip coffee makers earn an above-average score for predicted reliability and an average score for owner satisfaction.

An outstanding value, the Black+Decker CM4000S 12-cup drip coffee maker is top-notch in terms of convenience and scores well for brew performance, too. It has an 8-minute brew time and features brew-strength controls, so you can adjust your coffee’s taste to your preferences. The reservoir markings are a bit difficult to see, however—a potential problem if you tend to make your morning coffee half-awake (luckily, you can program this machine the night before). Black+Decker drip coffee makers land a solid score for predicted reliability, and their owner satisfaction rating trails just behind it.

The programmable 12-cup Capresso SG220 is a great choice for those seeking a coffee maker that’s very easy to operate and clean. It’s a simple machine with a large capacity and 9-minute brew time, and CR’s testers rate it excellent for convenience. It also does well in terms of brew performance. Though it lacks small-batch settings, it includes brew-strength controls and basic features, such as a drip stop. In our latest survey, CR members gave Capresso drip coffee makers an average score for predicted reliability and owner satisfaction.

This Elite Gourmet 5-Cup coffee maker earns impressive scores for both brew performance and convenience, and the carafe is easy to handle, too. The machine takes about 7 minutes to brew a pot of coffee on a regular cycle. Don’t add too much to its permanent cupcake-type filter, though; according to our tests, it may cause your coffee to overflow.

The unassuming, inexpensive Hamilton Beach 12-cup Programmable 49465R is very convenient to use and can brew a mean cup of joe in about 10 minutes. In addition to being programmable, it also has auto-shutoff and comes in a basic black plastic finish. Hamilton Beach drip coffee makers earn average scores for predicted reliability and owner satisfaction.

The Primula Burke Cold Brew Coffee Maker PBPBK-5101 is the least expensive cold-brew coffee maker in our ratings—and one of the best. It aces our convenience test, performs impressively in our cleaning test, and earns a respectable score in our taste test. This Primula comes with a glass carafe, and most of its parts are dishwasher-safe. It’s the only model we tested that calls for a full 24-hour brew time, but you might find the results worth the wait.