BLACK+DECKER 12-Cup Programmable Review
Pros: Good taste, inexpensive
Cons: Can create a plastic taste when brand new
Manufacturer: BLACK+DECKER
Our Verdict
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 This Product
BLACK+DECKER 12-Cup Programmable | |||||
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| Awards |  |  | |||
| Price | $35 List | $170 List $152.41 at Amazon | $100 List $86.49 at Amazon | $60 List | $25 List |
Overall Score  |
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| Pros | Good taste, inexpensive | Great taste, easy to use, single-cup brewing option | Great taste, relatively inexpensive considering its taste quality | Relatively inexpensive | Good taste, inexpensive |
| Cons | Can create a plastic taste when brand new | Expensive | Not as thoughtfully designed as other high end machines | Coffee tastes somewhat burnt and bitter | Relatively slow |
| Bottom Line | A budget machine that offers nearly as much taste and functionality as a high end model | The best option we've found for those seeking great tasting coffee without the extra effort of manual brew methods | Great if you want something with high quality taste, but don't want to pay a lot for the OXO | Not a bad machine, but mediocre taste is bested by machines at half the price | A decent budget option if you're not in too much of a hurry in the morning |
| Rating Categories | 12-Cup Programmable | OXO Brew 8 Cup | Cuisinart 14-Cup Pr... | Hamilton Beach 2-Way | Simple Brew 12-Cup... |
| Taste (50%) | |||||
| User Friendliness (20%) | |||||
| Convenience (20%) | |||||
| Ease Of Cleaning (10%) | |||||
| Specs | 12-Cup Programmable | OXO Brew 8 Cup | Cuisinart 14-Cup Pr... | Hamilton Beach 2-Way | Simple Brew 12-Cup... |
| Capacity (cups) | 12 | 8 | 14 | 12 | 12 |
| Automatic Brewing | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| Dimensions | 8.2" x 12.2" x 11" | 13.5" x 10/5" x 7" | 14" x 8" x 9" | 13.7" x 11.4" x 15.4" | 12.3" x 9.3" x 13.8" |
| Weight (pounds) | 4.75 | 11.5 | 9.5 | 5 | 2.8 |
| Warranty | 2 Year Limited | 2 Year Limited | 3 Year Limited | 2 Year Limited | 1 Year Limited |
Our Analysis and Test Results
The BLACK+DECKER 12-Cup Programmable is a great, inexpensive coffee maker that packs in some features that we'd only expect to see in pricier models.
Performance Comparison
Despite its low price the BLACK+DECKER 12-Cup Programmable's overall score in our testing was a bit above average. In the following sections we go into further detail of how the BLACK+DECKER fared in all of our individual testing metrics.
Taste
The BLACK+DECKER earned a 6 out of 10 in our taste testing, putting it in the middle of a metric that saw scores from 2 to 9.
The coffee that the BLACK+DECKER made in our testing is on par with what you'd expect from a local breakfast joint. It definitely isn't the best coffee you've ever tasted, but it is comforting, familiar, and gets the job done. It was a bit weaker than the coffee of the top scorers, but had enough body to trigger that 'coffee makes me happy' center in the brain. The machine did produce a little bit of a plastic taste in its first pot, but that taste completely disappeared once it was broken in. Unless you're looking for the flavor of your coffee to create a transcendent experience you'll be more than happy starting your morning with a cup from this machine.
User Friendliness
The BLACK+DECKER was again fairly average in our user friendliness testing, picking up a score of 6 out of 10 in a metric where scores ranged from 4 to 9.
Its interface is simple, but it is still fairly intuitive to set a brewing schedule. The filter basket and water tank are easily accessible, and as a bonus when you open the lid it looks like Darth Vader is staring down at you. The carafe also pours relatively well. All in all the BLACK+DECKER offers a fairly standard user experience.
Convenience
Continuing its average streak the BLACK+DECKER scored a 6 out of 10 in our convenience testing, putting it right in the middle of a metric that had scores from 3 to 9.
After we'd done the prep work, waited for the coffee to brew, and done the required cleaning, we spent 12 minutes making 6 cups of coffee in the BLACK+DECKER. This was a bit on the longer side. However, the programmable feature allows you front load the prep to the night before and make the brewing start automatically, so you can dramatically streamline your morning.
Ease of Cleaning
The BLACK+DECKER was one of many models that earned an average score of 5 out of 10 in our ease of cleaning metric.
It has the convenience of paper filters, which makes disposing of grounds easier. The glass carafe isn't too onerous to clean by hand, and is dishwasher safe if you'd rather go that route. The descaling process took 50 minutes to complete, which was right around average for the machines that we tested.
Value
The BLACK+DECKER 12-Cup Programmable is a steal. No other machine we tested can make coffee that tastes as good and offers a programmable feature anywhere near that price. We doubt anyone will be disappointed with the value they get out of this machine.
Conclusion
The BLACK+DECKER 12-Cup Programmable is an inexpensive coffee maker that produces a good cup and includes a programmable feature that is generally only found in much more expensive, machines. If you're looking for a budget option get the BLACK+DECKER 12-Cup Programmable, it provides a low price and performs nearly as well as some much pricier machines.
— Max Mutter and Steven Tata