Best of · 13 products

Best Drip Coffee Makers Under $250

The best drip coffee makers under $250, ranked by our review scores. Enough money to expect published specifications, so this list is unforgiving about makers who do not give you any.

How this list is ordered

Ranked by arithmetic, not opinion. Every score is worked out from the specifications each maker publishes, so you can open the working on any product page. Anything commercial is labelled and sits outside that order, and how we score explains what each criterion measures.

Drip Coffee Makers Under $250, ranked by score

scored on what the maker publishesOpen a row for the score working
  1. 1Bonavita8-Cup Coffee MakerFrom $1786.6

    How it scored

    Brew Quality10.0
    SCA certified and brew temperature not published
    Brewing Control & Programmability6.2
    Build Quality & Durability7.5
    Ease of Use & Cleaning5.5
    Carafe & Heat Retention10.0
    Capacity & Flexibilityweakest link3.1
    carries 10 of the 82.6 points scored
    Value for Money3.4
    Price from$178
    Score6.6
    CarafeThermal
    Filter TypeFlat-bottom filter basket
    Brew Size3-4 cups, 7-10 cups
    Bloom / Pre-infusionYes
    Read the Bonavita 8-Cup Coffee Maker review →
  2. 2Cuisinart14-Cup ProgrammableFrom $84.996.5

    How it scored

    Brew Qualityweakest link1.7
    SCA certified and brew temperature not publishedcarries 22 of the 82.6 points scored
    Brewing Control & Programmability7.5
    Build Quality & Durability6.5
    Ease of Use & Cleaning7.5
    Carafe & Heat Retention4.5
    Capacity & Flexibility10.0
    Value for Money6.5
    Price from$84.99
    Score6.5
    CarafeGlass
    Filter TypePaper, Reusable metal mesh
    Brew Size12+ cups
    Bloom / Pre-infusionNo
    Read the Cuisinart 14-Cup Programmable review →
  3. 3Hamilton Beach2-Way 12 Cup ProgrammableFrom $76.796.1

    How it scored

    Brew Qualityweakest link1.7
    SCA certified and brew temperature not publishedcarries 22 of the 82.6 points scored
    Brewing Control & Programmability7.5
    Build Quality & Durability4.5
    Ease of Use & Cleaning7.0
    Carafe & Heat Retention4.5
    Capacity & Flexibility10.0
    Value for Money6.6
    Price from$76.79
    Score6.1
    CarafeGlass
    Filter TypePaper
    Brew Size12+ cups
    Bloom / Pre-infusionNo
    Read the Hamilton Beach 2-Way 12 Cup Programmable review →
  4. 4KrupsSimply Brew 5-Cup Coffee MakerFrom $34.996.1

    How it scored

    Brew Quality5.0
    SCA certified and brew temperature not published
    Brewing Control & Programmability5.0
    Build Quality & Durability6.5
    Ease of Use & Cleaning7.5
    Carafe & Heat Retentionweakest link3.5
    carries 13 of the 82.6 points scored
    Capacity & Flexibility5.6
    Value for Money10.0
    Price from$34.99
    Score6.1
    CarafeGlass
    Filter TypePaper, Reusable metal mesh
    Brew Size5-6 cups
    Read the Krups Simply Brew 5-Cup Coffee Maker review →
  5. 5Hamilton Beach46310 12-Cup ProgrammableFrom $34.995.9

    How it scored

    Brew Qualityweakest link1.7
    SCA certified and brew temperature not publishedcarries 22 of the 82.6 points scored
    Brewing Control & Programmability6.2
    Build Quality & Durability4.5
    Ease of Use & Cleaning7.0
    Carafe & Heat Retention3.5
    Capacity & Flexibility8.1
    Value for Money10.0
    Price from$34.99
    Score5.9
    CarafeGlass
    Filter TypePaper
    Brew Size12+ cups
    Bloom / Pre-infusionNo
    Read the Hamilton Beach 46310 12-Cup Programmable review →
  6. 6BLACK+DECKERBlack and Decker CM1160B 12 CupFrom $34.995.8

    How it scored

    Brew Qualityweakest link1.7
    SCA certified and brew temperature not publishedcarries 22 of the 82.6 points scored
    Brewing Control & Programmability5.0
    Build Quality & Durability5.5
    Ease of Use & Cleaning7.0
    Carafe & Heat Retention3.5
    Capacity & Flexibility8.1
    Value for Money10.0
    Price from$34.99
    Score5.8
    CarafeGlass
    Filter TypePaper
    Brew Size12+ cups
    Bloom / Pre-infusionNo
    Read the Black and Decker CM1160B 12 Cup review →
  7. 7Gevi10-Cup Grind & BrewFrom $179.995.8

    How it scored

    Brew Quality8.3
    SCA certified and brew temperature not published
    Brewing Control & Programmability7.5
    Build Quality & Durability4.5
    Ease of Use & Cleaning7.5
    Carafe & Heat Retention3.5
    Capacity & Flexibility6.9
    Value for Moneyweakest link2.9
    carries 10 of the 82.6 points scored
    Price from$179.99
    Score5.8
    CarafeGlass
    Filter TypePaper, Reusable metal mesh
    Brew Size7-10 cups
    Bloom / Pre-infusionYes
    Read the Gevi 10-Cup Grind & Brew review →
  8. 8Mr. Coffee12-Cup ProgrammableFrom $34.995.7

    How it scored

    Brew Qualityweakest link1.7
    SCA certified and brew temperature not publishedcarries 22 of the 82.6 points scored
    Brewing Control & Programmability5.0
    Build Quality & Durability4.5
    Ease of Use & Cleaning7.5
    Carafe & Heat Retention3.5
    Capacity & Flexibility8.1
    Value for Money10.0
    Price from$34.99
    Score5.7
    CarafeGlass
    Filter TypePaper, Reusable metal mesh
    Brew Size12+ cups
    Bloom / Pre-infusionNo
    Read the Mr. Coffee 12-Cup Programmable review →
  9. 9BLACK+DECKERBlack and Decker CM0915BKD 12 CupFrom $27.975.3

    How it scored

    Brew Quality3.3
    SCA certified and brew temperature not published
    Brewing Control & Programmabilityweakest link2.5
    carries 16 of the 82.6 points scored
    Build Quality & Durability6.5
    Ease of Use & Cleaning5.0
    Carafe & Heat Retention3.5
    Capacity & Flexibility8.1
    Value for Money10.0
    Price from$27.97
    Score5.3
    CarafeGlass
    Filter TypePaper
    Brew Size12+ cups
    Bloom / Pre-infusionNo
    Read the Black and Decker CM0915BKD 12 Cup review →
  10. 10Amazon BasicsDripFrom $18.895.1

    How it scored

    Brew Qualityweakest link1.7
    SCA certified and brew temperature not publishedcarries 22 of the 82.6 points scored
    Brewing Control & Programmability3.8
    Build Quality & Durability4.5
    Ease of Use & Cleaning6.5
    Carafe & Heat Retention3.5
    Capacity & Flexibility5.6
    Value for Money10.0
    Price from$18.89
    Score5.1
    CarafeGlass
    Filter TypeReusable metal mesh
    Brew Size5-6 cups
    Bloom / Pre-infusionNo
    Read the Amazon Basics Drip review →
  11. 11NinjaCE251From $89.995.0

    How it scored

    Brew Qualityweakest link1.7
    SCA certified and brew temperature not publishedcarries 22 of the 82.6 points scored
    Brewing Control & Programmability6.2
    Build Quality & Durability4.5
    Ease of Use & Cleaning6.0
    Carafe & Heat Retention3.5
    Capacity & Flexibility6.9
    Value for Money4.7
    Price from$89.99
    Score5.0
    CarafeGlass
    Filter TypePaper, Reusable metal mesh
    Bloom / Pre-infusionNo
    Read the Ninja CE251 review →
  12. 12BLACK+DECKERBlack and Decker DCM600B 5-CupFrom $26.994.8

    How it scored

    Brew Qualityweakest link1.7
    SCA certified and brew temperature not publishedcarries 22 of the 82.6 points scored
    Brewing Control & Programmability2.5
    Build Quality & Durability6.5
    Ease of Use & Cleaning4.0
    Carafe & Heat Retention3.5
    Capacity & Flexibility5.6
    Value for Money10.0
    Price from$26.99
    Score4.8
    CarafeGlass
    Filter TypePaper
    Brew Size5-6 cups
    Bloom / Pre-infusionNo
    Read the Black and Decker DCM600B 5-Cup review →
  13. 13Mr. Coffee12-Cup SwitchFrom $404.6

    How it scored

    Brew Qualityweakest link1.7
    SCA certified and brew temperature not publishedcarries 22 of the 82.6 points scored
    Brewing Control & Programmability2.5
    Build Quality & Durability4.5
    Ease of Use & Cleaning3.5
    Carafe & Heat Retention4.5
    Capacity & Flexibility8.1
    Value for Money8.5
    Price from$40
    Score4.6
    CarafeGlass
    Filter TypePaper
    Brew Size12+ cups
    Bloom / Pre-infusionNo
    Read the Mr. Coffee 12-Cup Switch review →
⇄ Compare
01Bonavita 8-Cup Coffee Maker
6.6Decent

Bonavita 8-Cup Coffee Maker

Home coffee drinkers seeking SCA-certified brew quality with minimal fuss

Cups
4 cups
Carafe
Thermal
Filter type
Flat-bottom filter basket
Brew size
3 cups
from$178
02TimerCuisinart 14-Cup Programmable
6.5Decent

Cuisinart 14-Cup Programmable

The household that empties the carafe, and wants control over how strong it was

Cups
14 cups
Carafe
Glass
Filter type
Paper
Brew size
12 cups
from$84.99
03TimerHamilton Beach 2-Way 12 Cup Programmable
6.1Decent

Hamilton Beach 2-Way 12 Cup Programmable

A house where one person takes a travel mug and the rest share a pot

Cups
12 cups
Carafe
Glass
Filter type
Paper
Brew size
12 cups
from$76.79
04Krups Simply Brew 5-Cup Coffee Maker
6.1Decent

Krups Simply Brew 5-Cup Coffee Maker

Home users wanting a simple, compact 5-cup drip coffee maker

Cups
5 cups
Carafe
Glass
Filter type
Paper
Brew size
5 cups
from$34.99
05TimerHamilton Beach 46310 12-Cup Programmable
5.9Decent

Hamilton Beach 46310 12-Cup Programmable

Twelve programmable cups at half what the category usually asks

Cups
12 cups
Carafe
Glass
Filter type
Paper
Brew size
12 cups
from$34.99
06TimerBlack and Decker CM1160B 12 Cup
5.8Decent

Black and Decker CM1160B 12 Cup

Somebody who wants coffee waiting when they come downstairs

Cups
12 cups
Carafe
Glass
Filter type
Paper
Brew size
12 cups
from$34.99
07TimerGevi 10-Cup Grind & Brew
5.8Decent

Gevi 10-Cup Grind & Brew

Grinding and brewing in one machine without paying three hundred dollars for it

Cups
10 cups
Carafe
Glass
Filter type
Paper
Brew size
7 cups
from$179.99
08TimerMr. Coffee 12-Cup Programmable
5.7Decent

Mr. Coffee 12-Cup Programmable

A full pot on a timer, with no paper filters to keep buying

Cups
12 cups
Carafe
Glass
Filter type
Paper
Brew size
12 cups
from$34.99
09Black and Decker CM0915BKD 12 Cup
5.3Below average

Black and Decker CM0915BKD 12 Cup

A full carafe for a household that will never programme a timer

Cups
12 cups
Carafe
Glass
Filter type
Paper
Brew size
12 cups
from$27.97
10Amazon Basics Drip
5.1Below average

Amazon Basics Drip

The cheapest way to get hot coffee in the morning, with nothing else asked of it

Cups
5 cups
Carafe
Glass
Filter type
Reusable metal mesh
Brew size
5 cups
from$18.89
11Ninja CE251
5.0Below average

Ninja CE251

Somebody brewing a small pot as often as a full one

Carafe
Glass
Filter type
Paper
Ships to
US
from$89.99
12Black and Decker DCM600B 5-Cup
4.8Below average

Black and Decker DCM600B 5-Cup

One or two people who want the carafe in the dishwasher, not the sink

Cups
5 cups
Carafe
Glass
Material
Plastic
Filter type
Paper
from$26.99
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