Best of · 17 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 $189.997.2

    How it scored

    Brew Quality10.0
    brew temperature not scored
    Brewing Control & Programmability5.0
    Build Quality & Durability6.9
    Ease of Use & Cleaning5.5
    Carafe & Heat Retention10.0
    Capacity & Flexibilityweakest link2.0
    reservoir not publishedcarries 10 of the 88.1 points scored
    Value for Money6.2
    Price from$189.99
    Score7.2
    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 $84.996.1

    How it scored

    Brew Qualityweakest link0.7
    brew temperature not publishedcarries 30 of the 88.1 points scored
    Brewing Control & Programmability10.0
    Build Quality & Durability6.9
    Ease of Use & Cleaning7.5
    Carafe & Heat Retention4.3
    Capacity & Flexibility10.0
    reservoir not published
    Value for Money10.0
    Price from$84.99
    Score6.1
    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 $76.795.6

    How it scored

    Brew Qualityweakest link0.7
    brew temperature not publishedcarries 30 of the 88.1 points scored
    Brewing Control & Programmability10.0
    Build Quality & Durability4.4
    Ease of Use & Cleaning7.0
    Carafe & Heat Retention4.3
    Capacity & Flexibility10.0
    reservoir not published
    Value for Money10.0
    Price from$76.79
    Score5.6
    CarafeGlass
    Filter TypePaper
    Brew Size12+ cups
    Bloom / Pre-infusionNo
    Read the Hamilton Beach 2-Way 12 Cup Programmable review →
  4. 4CuisinartAutomatic Grind & Brew 12-Cup Coffee Maker DGB-400NASFrom $119.955.5

    How it scored

    Brew Qualityweakest link2.1
    brew temperature not publishedcarries 30 of the 88.1 points scored
    Brewing Control & Programmability5.0
    Build Quality & Durability6.9
    Ease of Use & Cleaning9.0
    Carafe & Heat Retention2.9
    Capacity & Flexibility10.0
    reservoir not published
    Value for Money7.1
    Price from$119.95
    Score5.5
    CarafeGlass
    Filter TypePaper, Reusable metal mesh
    Brew Size12+ cups
    Read the Cuisinart Automatic Grind & Brew 12-Cup Coffee Maker DGB-400NAS review →
  5. 5NinjaHot & Iced XL Coffee Maker with Rapid Cold Brew CM371From $159.995.5

    How it scored

    Brew Qualityweakest link2.1
    brew temperature not publishedcarries 30 of the 88.1 points scored
    Brewing Control & Programmability10.0
    Build Quality & Durability4.4
    Ease of Use & Cleaning7.5
    Carafe & Heat Retention4.3
    Capacity & Flexibility10.0
    reservoir not published
    Value for Money5.5
    Price from$159.99
    Score5.5
    CarafeGlass
    Brew Size12+ cups
    Read the Ninja Hot & Iced XL Coffee Maker with Rapid Cold Brew CM371 review →
  6. 6NinjaFreshBrew Coffee Maker CE451From $119.995.4

    How it scored

    Brew Qualityweakest link2.1
    brew temperature not publishedcarries 30 of the 88.1 points scored
    Brewing Control & Programmability10.0
    Build Quality & Durability4.4
    Ease of Use & Cleaning7.5
    Carafe & Heat Retention2.9
    Capacity & Flexibility10.0
    reservoir not scored
    Value for Money7.0
    Price from$119.99
    Score5.4
    CarafeGlass
    Filter TypePermanent Filter
    Brew Size12+ cups
    Read the Ninja FreshBrew Coffee Maker CE451 review →
  7. 7BUNNCSB3T Speed Brew Platinum ThermalFrom $1855.3

    How it scored

    Brew Quality2.9
    brew temperature not scored
    Brewing Control & Programmabilityweakest link0.0
    carries 10 of the 88.1 points scored
    Build Quality & Durability9.4
    Ease of Use & Cleaning2.5
    Carafe & Heat Retention10.0
    Capacity & Flexibility8.0
    reservoir not scored
    Value for Money4.6
    Price from$185
    Score5.3
    CarafeThermal
    Filter TypeBUNN paper filters, which the maker says are 1/4 in taller than other filters
    Read the BUNN CSB3T Speed Brew Platinum Thermal review →
  8. 8Hamilton Beach46310 12-Cup ProgrammableFrom $34.995.1

    How it scored

    Brew Qualityweakest link0.7
    brew temperature not publishedcarries 30 of the 88.1 points scored
    Brewing Control & Programmability7.5
    Build Quality & Durability4.4
    Ease of Use & Cleaning7.0
    Carafe & Heat Retention2.9
    Capacity & Flexibility10.0
    reservoir not published
    Value for Money10.0
    Price from$34.99
    Score5.1
    CarafeGlass
    Filter TypePaper
    Brew Size12+ cups
    Bloom / Pre-infusionNo
    Read the Hamilton Beach 46310 12-Cup Programmable review →
  9. 9KrupsSimply Brew 5-Cup Coffee MakerFrom $34.995.1

    How it scored

    Brew Qualityweakest link2.1
    brew temperature not publishedcarries 30 of the 88.1 points scored
    Brewing Control & Programmability5.0
    Build Quality & Durability5.6
    Ease of Use & Cleaning7.5
    Carafe & Heat Retention2.9
    Capacity & Flexibility6.0
    reservoir not scored
    Value for Money10.0
    Price from$34.99
    Score5.1
    CarafeGlass
    Filter TypePaper, Reusable metal mesh
    Brew Size5-6 cups
    Read the Krups Simply Brew 5-Cup Coffee Maker review →
  10. 10BLACK+DECKERBlack and Decker CM1160B 12 CupFrom $34.995.0

    How it scored

    Brew Qualityweakest link0.7
    brew temperature not publishedcarries 30 of the 88.1 points scored
    Brewing Control & Programmability5.0
    Build Quality & Durability5.6
    Ease of Use & Cleaning7.0
    Carafe & Heat Retention2.9
    Capacity & Flexibility10.0
    reservoir not published
    Value for Money10.0
    Price from$34.99
    Score5.0
    CarafeGlass
    Filter TypePaper
    Brew Size12+ cups
    Bloom / Pre-infusionNo
    Read the Black and Decker CM1160B 12 Cup review →
  11. 11BLACK+DECKERBlack and Decker CM0915BKD 12 CupFrom $27.974.9

    How it scored

    Brew Qualityweakest link1.4
    brew temperature not publishedcarries 30 of the 88.1 points scored
    Brewing Control & Programmability5.0
    Build Quality & Durability5.6
    Ease of Use & Cleaning5.0
    Carafe & Heat Retention2.9
    Capacity & Flexibility10.0
    reservoir not published
    Value for Money10.0
    Price from$27.97
    Score4.9
    CarafeGlass
    Filter TypePaper
    Brew Size12+ cups
    Bloom / Pre-infusionNo
    Read the Black and Decker CM0915BKD 12 Cup review →
  12. 12Mr. Coffee12-Cup ProgrammableFrom $34.994.9

    How it scored

    Brew Qualityweakest link0.7
    brew temperature not publishedcarries 30 of the 88.1 points scored
    Brewing Control & Programmability5.0
    Build Quality & Durability4.4
    Ease of Use & Cleaning7.5
    Carafe & Heat Retention2.9
    Capacity & Flexibility10.0
    reservoir not published
    Value for Money10.0
    Price from$34.99
    Score4.9
    CarafeGlass
    Filter TypePaper, Reusable metal mesh
    Brew Size12+ cups
    Bloom / Pre-infusionNo
    Read the Mr. Coffee 12-Cup Programmable review →
  13. 13Gevi10-Cup Grind & BrewFrom $179.994.8

    How it scored

    Brew Quality3.6
    brew temperature not published
    Brewing Control & Programmability5.0
    Build Quality & Durability4.4
    Ease of Use & Cleaning7.5
    Carafe & Heat Retentionweakest link2.9
    carries 13 of the 88.1 points scored
    Capacity & Flexibility8.0
    reservoir not scored
    Value for Money4.3
    Price from$179.99
    Score4.8
    CarafeGlass
    Filter TypePaper, Reusable metal mesh
    Brew Size7-10 cups
    Bloom / Pre-infusionYes
    Read the Gevi 10-Cup Grind & Brew review →
  14. 14Mr. Coffee12-Cup SwitchFrom $404.5

    How it scored

    Brew Qualityweakest link0.7
    brew temperature not publishedcarries 30 of the 88.1 points scored
    Brewing Control & Programmability5.0
    Build Quality & Durability4.4
    Ease of Use & Cleaning3.5
    Carafe & Heat Retention4.3
    Capacity & Flexibility10.0
    reservoir not published
    Value for Money10.0
    Price from$40
    Score4.5
    CarafeGlass
    Filter TypePaper
    Brew Size12+ cups
    Bloom / Pre-infusionNo
    Read the Mr. Coffee 12-Cup Switch review →
  15. 15NinjaCE251From $89.994.5

    How it scored

    Brew Qualityweakest link0.7
    brew temperature not publishedcarries 30 of the 88.1 points scored
    Brewing Control & Programmability10.0
    Build Quality & Durability4.4
    Ease of Use & Cleaning6.0
    Carafe & Heat Retention2.9
    Capacity & Flexibility5.0
    reservoir not published
    Value for Money7.4
    Price from$89.99
    Score4.5
    CarafeGlass
    Filter TypePaper, Reusable metal mesh
    Bloom / Pre-infusionNo
    Read the Ninja CE251 review →
  16. 16Amazon BasicsDripFrom $18.894.4

    How it scored

    Brew Qualityweakest link0.7
    brew temperature not publishedcarries 30 of the 88.1 points scored
    Brewing Control & Programmability5.0
    Build Quality & Durability4.4
    Ease of Use & Cleaning6.5
    Carafe & Heat Retention2.9
    Capacity & Flexibility6.0
    reservoir not scored
    Value for Money10.0
    Price from$18.89
    Score4.4
    CarafeGlass
    Filter TypeReusable metal mesh
    Brew Size5-6 cups
    Bloom / Pre-infusionNo
    Read the Amazon Basics Drip review →
  17. 17BLACK+DECKERBlack and Decker DCM600B 5-CupFrom $26.994.3

    How it scored

    Brew Qualityweakest link0.7
    brew temperature not publishedcarries 30 of the 88.1 points scored
    Brewing Control & Programmability5.0
    Build Quality & Durability5.6
    Ease of Use & Cleaning4.0
    Carafe & Heat Retention2.9
    Capacity & Flexibility6.0
    reservoir not published
    Value for Money10.0
    Price from$26.99
    Score4.3
    CarafeGlass
    Filter TypePaper
    Brew Size5-6 cups
    Bloom / Pre-infusionNo
    Read the Black and Decker DCM600B 5-Cup review →
⇄ Compare
01Bonavita 8-Cup Coffee Maker
7.2Very good

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$189.99
02TimerCuisinart 14-Cup Programmable
6.1Decent

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
5.6Decent

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
04TimerCuisinart Automatic Grind & Brew 12-Cup Coffee Maker DGB-400NAS
5.5Decent

Cuisinart Automatic Grind & Brew 12-Cup Coffee Maker DGB-400NAS

Fresh-ground 12-cup pots from one machine, with a 24-hour timer, a 1-4 cup setting and a built-in grinder

Cups
12 cups
Carafe
Glass
Filter type
Paper
Brew size
12 cups
from$119.95
05TimerNinja Hot & Iced XL Coffee Maker with Rapid Cold Brew CM371
5.5Decent

Ninja Hot & Iced XL Coffee Maker with Rapid Cold Brew CM371

Hot, iced and rapid cold brew coffee from one pod-free machine, in eight sizes up to a 12-cup carafe

Cups
12 cups
Carafe
Glass
Brew size
12 cups
Ships to
US
from$159.99
06TimerNinja FreshBrew Coffee Maker CE451
5.4Below average

Ninja FreshBrew Coffee Maker CE451

A 14-cup programmable drip brewer with a small batch setting for one to four cups and an adjustable warming plate

Cups
14 cups
Carafe
Glass
Filter type
Permanent Filter
Brew size
12 cups
from$119.99
6 of 17 shown

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