A great cup of coffee doesn’t have to come with a hefty price tag. In 2025, budget coffee machines under $150 offer impressive features, from programmable timers to milk frothers, delivering barista-quality brews without breaking the bank. We’ve evaluated performance, ease of use, and value to select the eight best budget coffee machines. Each model balances affordability with quality, catering to drip coffee fans, espresso enthusiasts, and pod coffee lovers alike.
1. Ninja 12-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker CE251
Among the budget drip models we tested, the Ninja 12-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker CE251 made the most balanced and the hottest cup of coffee. It has convenient, simple-to-use features, like different settings for a classic or richer taste, and its removable water tank is easy to read and fill. This model was also intuitive enough to program, so it’s suitable for shared kitchens. Often found at a sale price of $70, the Ninja Programmable XL 14-Cup Coffee Maker provides tasty coffee on a budget. Of the cheaper coffee makers, this Ninja regularly made the smoothest, richest and tastiest coffee (not to mention the most volume of coffee). With both classic and rich brew settings and a setting for making smaller quantities, it’s a coffee maker that can accommodate working from home alone or having friends over for brunch — just pop in some freshly ground coffee.
- Pros: Affordable, removable water tank, intuitive programming, small-batch setting, hot and balanced coffee.
- Cons: Glass carafe doesn’t retain heat well, slower brewing than premium models.
2. Braun BrewSense 12 Cup Programmable Coffee Maker
If you’re put off by the price point of machines like the Café and the Ratio, there is still hope for good tasting coffee. But the striking thing about testing budget drip coffee makers, which we’re defining as those that cost less than $100 at the time of writing, is just how different they actually are from one another. Some have nothing but a simple on-off switch, some brew at several different strengths. Some have thermal carafes, some do not. For such an inexpensive coffee maker, the Brewsense also came with some nice features like the ability to slow down the water flow in order to brew small batches and a hot plate with adjustable temperatures to keep coffee from getting burnt while it sits. The glass carafe wasn’t our favorite. It flipped open a little too easily, which seemed like it could cause spills. And frankly, a thermal carafe would have been nice. Some other budget machines have them.
- Pros: Adjustable brew strength, programmable timer, water filter, hot plate with temperature control, under $100.
- Cons: Glass carafe prone to spills, no thermal carafe option.
3. Salter Professional Espirista Espresso Coffee Machine
Best budget buy – Salter professional espirista espresso coffee machine: £124.99, Salter.com. This machine impressed us with its sleek design and ability to produce a rich, full-bodied espresso with a decent crema. It’s straightforward to use, with a simple control panel and a steam wand that performs well for frothing milk. During testing, it delivered consistent results across multiple shots, and the included accessories—like a measuring spoon and tamper—make it a great starter kit for espresso newbies. The 1.2-litre water tank is a decent size for a machine at this price, and it’s compatible with ESE pods for added convenience.
- Pros: Sleek design, good crema, steam wand for milk frothing, ESE pod compatible, beginner-friendly.
- Cons: Small water tank requires frequent refills, plastic components feel less durable.
4. Nespresso Vertuo Pop
The Nespresso Vertuo Pop is one of the smallest and most affordable coffee machines from Nespresso, making it ideal for small spaces. Despite its compact size, it delivers rich, full-bodied coffee with a thick crema, thanks to Nespresso’s Vertuo capsule system. It’s incredibly easy to use—just pop in a capsule, press a button, and you’re done. The machine reads the barcode on each capsule to adjust brewing parameters, ensuring consistent results. It’s also energy-efficient, with an auto shut-off feature after two minutes of inactivity.
- Pros: Compact, easy to use, rich coffee with crema, energy-efficient, affordable for a pod machine.
- Cons: Limited to Nespresso Vertuo capsules, no milk frother included.
5. AeroPress Original Coffee & Espresso Maker
Best single-serve: AeroPress Original Coffee & Espresso Maker. The best cheap coffee makers make great, well-extracted coffee (surprise!). My favorite brewer made a full pot of coffee in under seven minutes and featured a simple control panel I didn’t need to reference an instruction manual to use. Its carafe also had a wide opening that was easy to clean. What we liked: Brass tacks: The Aeropress is really cheap and super portable. It’s lightweight (half a pound), and can be popped in a backpack or carry-on bag. It also makes great coffee, and it’s respected within the industry. The Aeropress is good on its own, but the Fellow Prismo makes it even better. The Aeropress works best when it’s inverted, which can be precarious. The Prismo allows you to brew right-side up and avoid flipping it upside-down.
- Pros: Lightweight and portable, brews rich coffee, industry-respected, very affordable, easy to clean.
- Cons: Manual brewing requires effort, plastic components may retain odors over time.
6. Casabrews Espresso Machine
If you’re on a budget, the Casabrews will be a good starting point. Admittedly, you’ll need some skill to get great espresso out of this machine. This is because it’s manual, meaning there are very few assisted features to make life easier. However, if you’re willing to put in the work, the good news is that this machine is more than capable of extracting quality espresso — especially if you pair it with a quality grinder. This machine was tested by Mike Prospero, Tom’s Guide’s U.S. Editor-in-Chief who has tested plenty of market-leading coffee makers over the years. Although this machine is the cheapest he has tried, he still found that the espresso had plenty of body and flavor. We were able to get a rich crema with good staying power after a few tries and with the help of the Casabrews pressure gauge.
- Pros: Affordable, produces rich espresso with crema, pressure gauge for precision, compact.
- Cons: Manual operation requires skill, no built-in grinder, learning curve for beginners.
7. Keurig K-Mini Plus
In fact, something like forty percent of all households in America are thought to contain a Keurig coffee maker! I think this is simply down to the fact that when it comes to coffee most people need it fast, simple, and convenient, and this is what Keurig does well. The Mini Keurig machines feature a space-saving design that includes single cup tanks, so you just pour the water you’re about to use into the reservoir each time you’re making a coffee. This may seem like a bit of a drag, having to fill the water tank each time, but I think it’s probably quite a bit more hygienic than having a huge water tank, and I suspect that some of the bad press single-serve pod coffee machine brands have suffered in recent years from reports of water going moldy in the tank is something to do with this.
- Pros: Compact design, fast and convenient, hygienic single-cup tank, widely available pods.
- Cons: Limited to K-Cup pods, no frothing capability, ongoing pod costs.
8. Xiaomi Mijia S1
Xiaomi has launched an affordable and compact coffee machine for just $70—great news for coffee lovers. The Mijia S1 is fast, quiet, and features a 20-bar pump for consistent pressure, ensuring rich and flavorful coffee. Its 1250W heating system brews your favorite drinks. The machine is designed for simplicity, with a one-button operation and a detachable water tank for easy refilling and cleaning. It’s compatible with both ground coffee and ESE pods, offering flexibility for budget-conscious coffee drinkers.
- Pros: Very affordable, quiet operation, 20-bar pump, pod and ground coffee compatible, easy to clean.
- Cons: Limited availability in some regions, no milk frother, basic features.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What’s the difference between pod, drip, and espresso budget coffee machines?
Pod machines like the Nespresso Vertuo Pop and Keurig K-Mini Plus use pre-packaged capsules for quick, mess-free brewing, ideal for convenience but limited by pod costs. Drip machines, such as the Ninja CE251 and Braun BrewSense, brew larger batches with ground coffee, offering affordability and versatility for multiple cups. Espresso machines like the Salter Espirista and Casabrews pull single or double shots with crema, catering to those who enjoy café-style drinks but often require more skill or a separate grinder.
How much can I save with a budget coffee machine compared to buying coffee out?
A $150 budget coffee machine, like the Salter Espirista, can pay for itself within months. If you spend $4 daily on a takeaway coffee, that’s $1,460 annually. Using a drip machine like the Ninja CE251 with bulk ground coffee costs about $0.20–$0.50 per cup, saving over $1,300 yearly. Pod machines like the Nespresso Vertuo Pop have higher per-cup costs ($0.80–$1.20), but still save significantly compared to café prices.
Do budget coffee machines require more maintenance?
Budget machines often need regular cleaning to maintain performance, but the effort varies. Drip machines like the Braun BrewSense require weekly carafe and filter basket cleaning and monthly descaling. Pod machines like the Keurig K-Mini Plus need minimal upkeep, mainly emptying the pod bin and occasional descaling. Espresso machines like the Casabrews demand daily portafilter and steam wand cleaning plus monthly descaling, especially for hard water areas, to prevent clogs and ensure taste quality.
Can budget coffee machines make lattes or cappuccinos?
Some budget machines, like the Salter Espirista and Casabrews, include steam wands for frothing milk, enabling lattes and cappuccinos. However, pod machines like the Nespresso Vertuo Pop and Keurig K-Mini Plus lack built-in frothers, requiring a separate device for milk-based drinks. Drip machines like the Ninja CE251 focus on black coffee, though some Ninja models include a fold-out frother. For milk drinks on a budget, an espresso machine with a steam wand is the best bet.
Which budget coffee machine is best for a small kitchen?
The Nespresso Vertuo Pop and Keurig K-Mini Plus are ideal for small kitchens due to their compact footprints (under 10 inches wide). The AeroPress is even smaller and portable, perfect for tight spaces or travel. For espresso, the Casabrews and Xiaomi Mijia S1 offer slim designs without sacrificing performance. These models fit easily on crowded counters and are easy to store when not in use.