The main places to buy a coffee maker
You can buy a coffee maker at big-box retailers like Target and Walmart, kitchen-focused stores like Williams Sonoma and Sur La Table, online marketplaces like Amazon, warehouse clubs like Costco, and secondhand through Facebook Marketplace or local thrift shops. Each option has different prices, selection, and return policies. The best choice depends on whether you want to see the machine in person, need it quickly, or are looking for a specific brand or price point.
Most people find what they need at one of three places: a general retailer near them, an online store that ships to their address, or a used marketplace if they want to spend less. Knowing what each type of store offers helps you narrow down where to look first.
Key Takeaways
- Big-box retailers like Target, Walmart, and Best Buy stock 20 to 40 coffee maker models and let you see machines in person before buying.
- Online retailers like Amazon and manufacturer websites often have wider selection and lower prices, but you cannot inspect the machine until it arrives.
- Warehouse clubs like Costco and Sam's Club offer fewer choices but often lower prices if you have a membership.
- Secondhand options through Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and thrift stores cost less but come with no warranty and require you to test them before purchase.
- Return policies vary widely — some stores offer 30 days, others 90 days, and online purchases sometimes have restocking fees.
Big-box retailers: seeing machines in person
Target, Walmart, Best Buy, and Bed Bath & Beyond stock coffee makers in their kitchen sections. You can walk in, hold the machine, check the size against your counter space, and read the manual before you buy. Most of these stores carry 20 to 40 models at any time, ranging from basic drip machines to espresso makers. Staff can answer questions about warranty and return policy on the spot.
Return windows at these stores are usually 30 to 90 days with a receipt. Target and Walmart typically allow returns within 30 days for most small appliances. Best Buy extends to 15 days for opened items and 30 days for unopened ones. Bed Bath & Beyond (where still operating) historically offered 60 days. Check your receipt or ask at the register for the exact policy at your location, since it can vary by store.
The downside is that big-box stores usually stock only popular, mid-range models. If you want a specialty brand or a very cheap machine, you may not find it. Prices are also typically higher than online, since the store pays for the building and staff.
Online retailers: wider selection and faster shipping
Amazon, Bed Bath & Beyond's website, Target.com, Walmart.com, and manufacturer websites like Breville.com and Cuisinart.com let you browse hundreds of models from home. Online stores often have lower prices because they do not pay for physical locations. You can read customer reviews, compare specs side by side, and sometimes find models that are not sold in stores.
Shipping times vary. Amazon Prime members often get two-day or next-day delivery on in-stock items. Other retailers may take five to ten business days. Check the estimated delivery date before you buy if you need the machine by a certain date. Some online stores offer free shipping on orders over a certain amount, while others charge a flat fee.
The main risk is that you cannot see or touch the machine before it arrives. If it is damaged in shipping or does not work, you will need to contact customer service and arrange a return or replacement. Most online retailers offer returns within 30 days if the item is unopened, but opened machines sometimes have a restocking fee of 10 to 20 percent. Read the return policy before you check out.
Warehouse clubs: lower prices with membership
Costco, Sam's Club, and BJ's Wholesale Club sell coffee makers at discounted prices, but you must have a membership to shop there. Costco typically stocks 5 to 10 coffee maker models at any time, focusing on popular brands like Cuisinart, Breville, and Nespresso. Prices are usually 10 to 20 percent lower than big-box retailers because the store buys in bulk.
Warehouse clubs have generous return policies. Costco allows returns on most items within two years, even if you have used the machine. Sam's Club offers 90 days for most electronics. This makes warehouse clubs a good choice if you want to test a machine at home and return it if it does not meet your needs.
The trade-off is limited selection. You cannot browse dozens of models — you get what the warehouse is currently stocking. If you know exactly what you want and it is in stock, warehouse clubs are hard to beat on price. If you are still deciding between brands or styles, you may need to shop elsewhere first.
Secondhand options: lower cost, no warranty
Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, OfferUp, and local thrift stores like Goodwill and Salvation Army sell used coffee makers at a fraction of the new price. You might find a machine for $10 to $40 that would cost $50 to $150new. This is a good option if you want to try a coffee maker without spending much, or if you are on a tight budget.
The risks are real. Used machines have no warranty, no return policy, and no may provide they will work. Before you buy, ask the seller to plug it in and run a brew cycle while you watch. Check that the heating element works, the water flows, and the machine does not leak. Look for rust, cracks, or mineral buildup inside the tank. If you cannot test it in person, do not buy it.
Thrift stores sometimes test items before they sell them, but not always. Ask the staff whether the machine has been tested. If you buy a used machine and it breaks after a week, you have no recourse — the seller is not responsible. Budget for the possibility that you may need to replace it.
Specialty kitchen stores: informed staff and premium brands
Williams Sonoma, Sur La Table, and local independent kitchen shops carry higher-end coffee makers and espresso machines. Staff at these stores usually have more training than at big-box retailers and can answer detailed questions about grind settings, water temperature, and brewing methods. These stores often stock brands like Baratza, Fellow, and Hario that you may not find elsewhere.
Prices are higher, but so is the service. Many specialty stores offer free classes or brewing demonstrations. Return policies are often 60 days or longer. If you are serious about coffee and willing to spend more, these stores are worth visiting.
Comparing prices and checking stock before you go
Before you buy, search for the specific model you want on Google Shopping or CamelCamelCamel (for Amazon price history). This shows you the price at different retailers and whether the price has dropped recently. Many stores price-match, so if you find a lower price online, you can ask a big-box retailer to match it.
Check the store's website to see if the model is in stock before you drive there. Target, Walmart, and Best Buy all have stock checkers that show availability at your nearest location. This saves a wasted trip if the machine you want is not there.
Read the return policy on the receipt or website before you buy. Some stores have restocking fees for opened items, and some do not accept returns on clearance or final-sale items. Knowing this upfront prevents surprises if you need to return the machine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it cheaper to buy online or in a store?
Online is usually cheaper because retailers do not pay for physical locations. However, warehouse clubs like Costco sometimes beat online prices if you have a membership. Compare the price plus shipping cost before you decide. Some online retailers offer free shipping on orders over a certain amount, which can close the gap.
Can I return a coffee maker if I have used it?
It depends on the store. Costco allows returns on used items within two years. Target and Walmart typically allow 30 days with a receipt, whether opened or not. Online retailers often have restocking fees of 10 to 20 percent for opened items. Check the policy before you buy.
What should I look for when buying a used coffee maker?
Test it in person if possible — plug it in, run water through it, and listen for unusual sounds. Check for rust, cracks, or mineral buildup inside the tank. Ask the seller how long they owned it and why they are selling. If you cannot test it before buying, do not purchase it, since there is no warranty or return option.
Do I need to buy from the manufacturer's website?
No. Manufacturer websites usually have the same prices as other retailers and no advantage in shipping speed. The benefit is that you can read detailed specs and manuals. Buy from wherever offers the best price and return policy for your situation.
What if the coffee maker arrives damaged?
Contact the retailer's customer service within a few days of delivery. Take photos of the damage and the packaging. Most online retailers will send a replacement or issue a refund without requiring you to pay for return shipping. Keep the original packaging in case you need to return it.