The main places to buy a coffee maker
You can buy a coffee maker at big-box retailers like Target, Walmart, and Costco; online marketplaces like Amazon and eBay; specialty kitchen stores; and used from Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, or local thrift shops. Each route has different prices, selection, and return policies. The best choice depends on whether you want to see the machine in person, need it fast, or are looking for a deal on a used model.
Most people find what they need at one of three types of places: national chains that stock dozens of models, online retailers with wider selection and often lower prices, or secondhand markets where you can negotiate and inspect before buying. Knowing the trade-offs between them saves time and money.
Key Takeaways
- Big-box stores like Walmart, Target, and Best Buy let you see and compare machines in person, but their selection is usually limited to 10 to 20 models.
- Amazon and other online retailers carry hundreds of models and often have lower prices, but you cannot inspect the machine before it arrives and returns can be slow.
- Specialty kitchen stores and appliance retailers stock higher-end machines and staff who know the differences between brands, but prices are typically higher than big-box stores.
- Used coffee makers from Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and thrift stores cost 30 to 60 percent less but come with no warranty and require you to test them before buying.
- Warehouse clubs like Costco and Sam's Club offer good prices on popular models if you have a membership, and their return windows are longer than most retailers.
National chain stores: Walmart, Target, and Best Buy
Walmart and Target stock 10 to 20 coffee maker models in their appliance sections, mostly in the $20 to $150 range. You can walk in, see the boxes, read the spec sheets, and ask staff questions. Both accept returns within 30 to 90 days depending on the item. Walmart's prices tend to be lower, and both stores offer in-store pickup if you order online.
Best Buy carries fewer models than Walmart or Target but focuses on machines with smart features or premium brands. Their staff often know more about the technical side — WiFi connectivity, app control, brewing precision — if that matters to you. Best Buy's return window is 15 days for most appliances, shorter than other chains.
The trade-off at all three is selection. If you want a specific brand or model, you may not find it. But if you want to compare a few popular options side by side and take one home the same day, these stores are the fastest route.
Online retailers: Amazon, Wayfair, and specialty sites
Amazon stocks hundreds of coffee maker models, from budget drip machines to espresso machines and pour-over gear. Prices are often 10 to 20 percent lower than big-box stores because Amazon has lower overhead. You can read customer reviews, compare specs easily, and have the machine shipped to your door in one to three days with Prime.
Wayfair, Williams Sonoma, and Sur La Table also carry wide selections, often with better descriptions and photos than Amazon. Wayfair's return window is 30 days; Williams Sonoma and Sur La Table offer 60 days. Shipping times vary — some items ship in two days, others take a week or more.
The downside is you cannot see or touch the machine before it arrives. If it breaks on arrival or does not work as expected, you have to pack it back up and ship it, which takes time. Read the return policy before you buy, especially on clearance or open-box items.
Specialty appliance and kitchen stores
Independent appliance stores and kitchen showrooms carry higher-end machines — brands like Breville, Technivorm, and Gaggia — that you may not find at Walmart. Staff usually know the machines well and can explain the difference between a burr grinder and a blade grinder, or why water temperature matters for espresso. These stores often cost 20 to 40 percent more than online, but the informed and selection of premium models justify it if you are spending over $200.
Some specialty stores offer in-home delivery and setup, which matters if you are buying an expensive machine or one with plumbing connections. They also tend to have longer return windows — 60 to 90 days — because they expect customers to test machines at home.
To find a store near you, search "[your city] appliance store" or "specialty kitchen store". Call ahead to confirm they stock the brand or type you want.
Warehouse clubs: Costco and Sam's Club
Costco and Sam's Club carry a rotating selection of coffee makers, usually 5 to 10 models at any time. Prices are competitive with or better than big-box stores, and both clubs have generous return policies — Costco accepts returns on most appliances for up to two years, and Sam's Club for one year. You need a membership to shop, which costs $60 to $130 per year.
The catch is selection changes frequently. If you see a machine you like, buy it then — it may not be there next month. Warehouse clubs are best if you already have a membership and are flexible about which model you choose, or if you find exactly what you want when you happen to be shopping.
Used and refurbished: Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and thrift stores
Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist let you buy used coffee makers from people in your area, usually for 30 to 60 percent less than new. You can inspect the machine before you buy, test it if the seller allows, and negotiate the price. No shipping cost, and you take it home the same day.
The risk is there is no warranty and no return option. If the machine breaks a week later, you have no recourse. Ask the seller how long they owned it, why they are selling, and whether it has been cleaned. Ask to see it plugged in and brewing. If the seller refuses, walk away.
Thrift stores like Goodwill and Salvation Army also sell used coffee makers, usually for $5 to $25. Quality varies widely — some machines are barely used, others are worn out. Most thrift stores do not accept returns, so inspect carefully before you buy. Some do offer a short return window (three to seven days), so ask at checkout.
Refurbished machines sold by the manufacturer or authorized retailers come with a warranty, usually one year. These are machines that were returned, inspected, and repaired if needed. They cost 20 to 40 percent less than new and are lower risk than buying from an individual on Craigslist.
Comparing price, selection, and return policies
| Retailer Type | Price Range | Selection | Return Window | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walmart / Target | $20–$150 | 10–20 models | 30–90 days | Budget machines, same-day pickup |
| Best Buy | $30–$300 | 8–15 models | 15 days | Smart or premium machines |
| Amazon | $15–$500+ | 300+ models | 30 days | Wide selection, fast shipping |
| Specialty stores | $100–$800+ | 20–50 models | 60–90 days | Premium brands, informed information |
| Costco / Sam's Club | $30–$200 | 5–10 models | 1–2 years | Members, flexible on model choice |
| Used (Craigslist, Marketplace) | $5–$100 | Varies | None | Budget buyers, local pickup |
| Thrift stores | $5–$30 | 1–5 models | 0–7 days | Deep discounts, luck-based |
How to decide where to buy
Start by knowing what you want. If you have a specific model in mind, search for it on Google Shopping or Amazon to see which retailer has the best price. If you are flexible and just want a reliable machine, Walmart or Target is fastest — you can be brewing coffee in an hour.
If you want to compare many options or need a machine that is hard to find locally, Amazon or a specialty kitchen site is worth the wait. If you have a membership and are willing to be flexible, Costco often has the best value. If you are on a tight budget and do not mind used, Facebook Marketplace or a thrift store can save you money, but inspect carefully.
Check the return policy before you buy, especially online. A 30-day return window gives you time to test the machine at home. A 15-day window is tight if you are ordering from far away or the shipping is slow.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to buy a used coffee maker?
Yes, if you inspect it first. Ask the seller to plug it in and brew a cup while you watch. Look for cracks, rust, or mineral buildup inside the water tank. If the machine heats water and brews, it is probably safe. Avoid machines that smell burnt, leak, or have visible damage. Used machines have no warranty, so you are taking a small risk, but most work fine.
Are refurbished coffee makers as good as new ones?
Yes. Refurbished machines are returned items that have been inspected, cleaned, and repaired if needed. They come with a warranty, usually one year. The only difference from new is the box may be plain and the machine may have minor cosmetic marks. Refurbished machines cost 20 to 40 percent less and are a good middle ground between new and used.
Which retailer has the easiest returns?
Costco and Sam's Club have the longest return windows — up to two years at Costco. Specialty kitchen stores offer 60 to 90 days. Amazon and Wayfair offer 30 days. Best Buy is the shortest at 15 days. If you want time to test the machine at home, buy from Costco or a specialty store.
Can I find a specific brand at multiple retailers?
Usually yes, but prices and availability vary. Use Google Shopping to search the model number and see which retailers have it in stock and at what price. Amazon often has the lowest price, but Costco or a specialty store may match it and offer a better return policy. Call ahead if you want to buy in person.
What if the coffee maker I want is out of stock everywhere?
Check if the retailer offers backorder or will notify you when it is back in stock. Amazon and Best Buy both have this option. You can also search eBay or Facebook Marketplace for the same model used. If it is a popular machine, it will likely be back in stock within a few weeks.