The Most Reliable Drip Coffee Maker You Can Buy On A Budget, According To Reviews

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Caffeine is one of America's favorite vices, and it's no wonder why. Whether you have work, school, or just a busy schedule ahead of you, a cup of coffee can often set a positive direction for the day. Some people have the finances for a fancy espresso machine or even to buy a coffee from a shop every day, but if you are on a budget and just want a coffee source that won't fail you on a sleepy morning, then finding a reliable drip coffee machine is probably your best bet. With coffee's popularity, it should be no surprise that the market for at-home machines is pretty expansive. From a simple switch single-serve unit to a programmable 15-cup one, there are all kinds of sizes and features to choose from and many popular coffee maker brands to avoid. If budget and dependability are your top two deciding factors, then your best bet is to go for a tried-and-true classic: a Mr. Coffee machine.

Mr. Coffee has been selling at-home coffee machines since 1970, specializing in easy-to-use and affordable products. While they may not have all the bells and whistles of other brands, the variety of products are known for being reliable, including the highly rated Mr. Coffee Simple Brew 12-Cup Switch Coffee Maker. Despite being a non-programmable machine, it does have some useful features, including a Grab-A-Cup auto pause. Even better, this coffee maker costs only $34.99 and has an average rating of 4.4 stars on Amazon, many of which praise the machine's consistent ability to brew a quality cup of coffee.

When reading through reviews for Mr. Coffee machines, you are likely to find a mix of people praising them for their simple designs that do not fail and others talking about quality concerns related to the price. While it may not have the same materials and features as more complex machines that cost more, the many reviews about the dependability of the 12-cup unit show that the simplicity can be a benefit. One particularly enthusiastic Amazon reviewer writes, "Mr. Coffee has nailed the perfect balance of style, functionality, and reliability, making it a must-have for coffee enthusiasts!" Another shares that they originally purchased the machine in January of 2019 and used it every day for almost five full years, adding that they were so impressed they had to come back to leave a review and that they would purchase the machine again. Overall, most of the reviews about reliability are positive ones, emphasizing the brand's reputation for trusty machines.

The ones that are not as positive often mention that previous versions of the machine were more dependable than the current iteration. One buyer states, "Somehow enough changes were made to make it worse without changing the basic components," though they also add that "the coffee is decent and the machine should last a long time." Additionally, the reviews that lean negative also mention that, like many budget-friendly coffee makers, the machine does not have an automatic shut-off, which means you might accidentally leave it on all day.

If you're looking for a basic machine that you can trust to brew a few cups of coffee every morning while spending under $50, the Mr. Coffee 12-cup machine on Amazon is a great buy that could perform for many years. For a smaller machine, the Mr. Coffee 5-Cup Mini Brew Switch Coffee Maker costs only $25 on Amazon, and it boasts a 4.4-star average rating as well. Even if you are not spending a lot on a coffee maker, it is important to know how to make your coffee machine last, regardless of how highly people rate its reliability.

In a review of the Mr. Coffee 12-cup machine, a buyer who claims to be a former barista writes, "The quality and reliability of this product is timeless, and its cheap to replace in the event of any accidental damage or if the machine reaches the end of its lifespan." They inform other buyers that "as long as you keep your coffee maker clean and use good water and fresh ground, you should NEVER have a bad cup of coffee." So, no matter which machine you get, make sure you know how to maintain it properly. That could mean that you descale the components monthly by running a cycle with white vinegar before rinsing thoroughly or you ditch the vinegar when cleaning your coffee machine and try a lemon juice trick instead. When well-maintained, the affordable Mr. Coffee model is one coffee maker that most agree is a truly dependable tool to start your mornings.