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How Many Watts Does a Coffee Maker Use? Drip, Keurig, and Espresso
Most coffee makers use about 1,000 to 1,500 watts while brewing. A 12-cup drip machine like the Ninja CE251 is listed at 1,100 watts, a Keurig K-Elite at 1,470 watts, and a Keurig K-Classic at 1,500 watts. Espresso machines can run higher: Breville rates its Barista Express at 1,600 watts. The heater only runs at full power while it heats water, so a pot uses far less energy than those watts suggest.
Coffee maker watts by model
| Model | Type | Watts | Amps at 120V |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cuisinart DCC-3200 | 14-cup drip | 1,050 W | About 8.8 A |
| Ninja CE251 | 12-cup drip | 1,100 W | About 9.2 A |
| Keurig K-Elite | Single-serve pod | 1,470 W | About 12.3 A |
| Keurig K-Classic K50 | Single-serve pod | 1,500 W | 12.5 A |
| Breville Barista Express BES870 | Espresso | 1,600 W | About 13.3 A |
Sources: Breville product specifications (BES870). Cuisinart, Ninja, and Keurig wattage from the product spec listings at Target. Amps = watts / 120. Virginia Cooperative Extension lists coffee makers at 900 to 1,200 watts in general.
Find your own number: the watts are printed on the label under or behind the machine.
How much electricity does a coffee maker use?
Watts x minutes / 60 = watt-hours. For example, if a 1,100 W drip maker heats for 10 minutes, that is about 183 Wh (0.18 kWh), roughly 3 cents at 17 cents per kWh. A warming plate left on adds more, so brewing into a thermal carafe saves energy.
Can a power station run a coffee maker?
Yes, if its continuous output is higher than the coffee maker's watts. This is the number that matters most, because a coffee maker draws its full rating the moment it starts heating.
| Power station | Capacity / output | Runs | Brews (1,100 W for 10 minutes) | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 | 1,070 Wh / 1,500 W | Drip makers and pod brewers up to 1,500 W | About 5 | From $499 |
| Jackery Explorer 2000 v2 | 2,042 Wh / 2,200 W | All five models above, including espresso | About 10 | From $899 |
| Jackery HomePower 3000 | 3,072 Wh / 3,600 W | All five, with room for a microwave or toaster | About 15 | From $1,349 |
Brews = capacity x 0.9 / 183 Wh. Capacity and output are from each product page. A 1,500 W Keurig K-Classic sits right at the Explorer 1000 v2's 1,500 W limit, so run nothing else on it while it brews. Browse all portable power stations.
Can a generator run a coffee maker?
Yes. A coffee maker is a heating element with no motor surge, so a generator only needs running watts above the coffee maker's rating, plus whatever else is on. Honda's guide lists a coffee maker at 600 starting and 600 running watts, but check your own machine, since many draw 1,000 to 1,500 watts. A generator like the DuroMax XP5500HX (4,500 running watts, $629) runs a coffee maker along with a fridge during an outage. See What Size Generator to Run a Refrigerator for the full kitchen math.
Planning the rest of the kitchen? Read How Many Watts Does a Microwave Use?
Need help sizing? Call 1-888-855-7286. Send us the watts from your coffee maker's label and what else you want to run, and we will match you to a power station.
Coffee maker wattage FAQ
How many watts does a coffee maker use? About 1,000 to 1,500 watts for most drip and pod machines, and up to about 1,600 watts for some espresso machines like the Breville Barista Express.
How many watts does a Keurig use? About 1,470 watts for a K-Elite and 1,500 watts for a K-Classic K50, per their spec listings.
How many amps does a coffee maker use? About 8.8 to 12.5 amps at 120V for the drip and pod models above.
How much does it cost to run a coffee maker? About 3 cents per pot for a 1,100 W drip maker that heats for 10 minutes, at 17 cents per kWh.
Will a 1,000 watt power station run a coffee maker? Only one rated under 1,000 watts. Most drip and pod machines need a station with 1,500 W or more of output.