Side-by-side comparison based on expert reviews and community consensus.
Ninja CE251 Drip Coffee Maker
Best Budget PickTechnivorm Moccamaster KBGV Select
Best OverallPrice
$60-$100
$300-$350
Summary
The best-tasting coffee maker under $100 according to Wirecutter's testing. No frills, no fuss — just solid, consistent drip coffee at a fraction of the premium price.
The coffee-nerd consensus pick for drip brewing. Brews fast, tastes exceptional, and is built to last decades — not years.
Pros
- Best-tasting coffee under $100 per Wirecutter's blind testing
- Easy to use with minimal learning curve
- Wide availability and affordable replacement parts
- Good capacity for households that brew multiple cups
- Brews a full carafe in under 6 minutes at optimal temperature
- Built like a tank — Dutch-made with metal and durable components
- SCA-certified for Golden Cup brewing standards
- Widely praised by both coffee enthusiasts and casual drinkers
Cons
- Lacks advanced features like bloom cycles or precise temperature control
- Build quality won't last as long as premium options like the Moccamaster
- No programmable timer on base model
- Expensive at $300-$350 compared to budget drip makers
- No programmable auto-brew timer on most models
- No built-in grinder — you'll need to buy one separately
Our take
If you're not ready to spend $300 on a Moccamaster, the Ninja CE251 is the honest answer. Wirecutter tested everything under $100 and this one won on taste.
If you only buy one drip coffee maker, buy this. Reddit's coffee communities and expert reviewers agree more on the Moccamaster than almost anything else in the kitchen appliance space.
Buy
