Amazon Basics 5 Cup Drip Coffee Maker Review: Budget Brewing That Actually Works
✅ PROS
- Incredible value at under $20 — cheapest decent drip brewer on the market
- Built-in reusable filter means no ongoing paper filter costs
- Auto shut-off and auto-pause features at a budget price
- Compact footprint fits small kitchens, dorms, RVs, and offices
- Removable filter basket makes cleaning straightforward
❌ CONS
- 5-cup capacity is small — really a 1–2 person machine
- Some units have reported quality inconsistencies out of the box
- No programmable timer or brew strength options
- Carafe can be prone to dripping when pouring
The Verdict
Verdict
The Amazon Basics 5 Cup Drip Coffee Maker costs $19.94. That’s less than a bag of specialty coffee. And somehow, it actually works — reliably, consistently, and without drama. With a 4.2-star average from over 1,200 reviews, this is the budget coffee maker that punches well above its weight class.
Who Is This For?
This is for anyone who needs a simple, no-fuss drip coffee maker and doesn’t want to spend more than $20. It’s perfect for a single person or couple, a dorm room, an RV, a vacation home, a small office, or even a baseball concession stand (yes, one reviewer uses it exactly for that). It makes 5 cups of coffee — figure 1.5 to 2 standard mugs — which is plenty for one person or a shared small pot.
The Good
The price is the story. At $19.94, this is competing with the “I need coffee and have $20” crowd, and it wins. One reviewer called it “great value for the price” and said it exceeded their expectations. Another, who needed it specifically for using with a Ninja slushy maker for frappes, said “it does exactly what I wanted.”
Built-in reusable filter is a nice touch. Unlike many budget brewers that force you to buy paper filters forever, the Amazon Basics comes with a reusable mesh filter basket. That’s a small ongoing savings that adds up. It also comes with a measuring spoon, which is a surprisingly thoughtful inclusion at this price.
Simple and compact. This machine does exactly one thing — brew coffee — and does it without complication. The auto shut-off adds safety. The auto-pause lets you pour a cup mid-brew. The footprint is small enough for tight spaces. One reviewer called it “simple, compact, and works great for the price.”
Surprisingly capable. Multiple reviewers note that the coffee tastes excellent for a machine at this price. One reviewer, who normally makes lattes with a manual pour-over setup, called the coffee “excellent tasting” and praised the brewer for making lattes easier.
The Not-So-Good
Quality consistency is a concern. A small but notable number of reviewers report quality issues — units that don’t heat properly, carafes that drip, or machines that stop working within weeks. At this price point, manufacturing tolerances are loose. Buy from Amazon so returns are easy.
5 cups is really 2 mugs. The 5-cup capacity is measured in the standard 5-oz coffee cup measurement, not actual mug sizes. Realistically, you’re getting 2 standard mugs or 1 very large one. If you’re serving more than two people, look elsewhere.
No bells and whistles. No programmable timer, no brew strength selector, no thermal carafe. This is a basic machine. If you want features beyond “put water in, get coffee out,” this isn’t it.
Bottom Line
For $19.94, the Amazon Basics 5 Cup Drip Coffee Maker is exactly what it needs to be — a reliable, no-fuss brewer that makes decent coffee without any pretense. Yes, there are quality consistency concerns, and no, it’s not going to impress your coffee snob friends. But if you need a cheap coffee maker that works, this is it. A solid buy at the price.