By Sage McHugh on October 30, 2009 in
Finding a cheap coffeemaker isn't hard to do, but finding one that's well-reviewed is a challenge. Sears' Black Friday circular offers three coffeemakers - a Hamilton Beach, Kenmore and Cusinart model - all priced under $30. Let's examine current prices as well as user feedback and determine which model is the better deal.
A look at the features: The Hamilton Beach 49465 12 Cup Coffee Maker has a programmable timer, automatic 2-hour shutoff, and a dishwasher-safe carafe and filter basket. This model sells for about $25 at most retailers, including Amazon.com. Sears is offering it for $18 as a Black Friday deal.
The Kenmore 12 Cup Programmable Coffeemaker is also equipped with a programmable timer. Higher-end features include fast brew technology, which reduces brewing time by up to 40 percent, a charcoal water filtration system, and a freshness meter that beeps every 15 minutes to indicate how fresh the coffee is. The Kenmore also has a digital LCD screen and a built-in filter. It normally sells for $50, but Sears is offering it for $30 (a $20 savings).
The Cuisinart Filter Brew 12-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker sells for $60 at most online retailers, including Cuisinart.com. Sears offers it for $30 (a half-price reduction after a $20 savings and a $10 mail-in rebate). This product features programmable automatic shutoff, an audible beep to indicate when brewing is complete, a charcoal water filter to remove impurities, and cord storage.
What the reviews are saying: There are only six reviews of The Hamilton Beach 49465 12 Cup Coffee Maker at Amazon.com, and the majority of owners are extremely disappointed. All but one user says the carafe spills every time it's poured. Most users have difficulty installing and removing the basket, resulting in escaping steam (a burn hazard) and broken parts for some. Regardless of the price, the Hamilton Beach 49465 doesn't appear to be a good choice.
Over 30 users weigh in with their opinions of the Kenmore 12 Cup Programmable Coffeemaker at Sears.com, where it receives three out of five stars. Reviewers are on the fence: Some really like the product, while others complain of insufficient heat, spillage, and an "annoying" audible beep.
About 40 users review the Cuisinart Programmable Filter Brew 12-Cup Coffeemaker on Amazon.com, where it earns an average rating of three and a half stars. Opinions are a pretty mixed bag, with some users praising its brewing and programming capabilities, and others citing a poor design that's prone to spillage.
So which one should you buy? None of these coffeemakers get particularly stellar reviews. Even though the Hamilton Beach 49465 12 Cup Coffee Maker is the least expensive, we can certainly rule it out as a good deal based on the reviews we read. The Kenmore 12 Cup Programmable Coffeemaker and Cuisinart Programmable Filter Brew 12-Cup Coffeemaker have similar features, but the Cuisinart earns slightly better feedback. The Cuisinart typically sells for $10 more than the Kenmore, and since they are both on sale for the same price, the Cuisinart is clearly a better choice.
Still, the Cuisinart will cost you $40 unless you mail in the rebate form. And for that money, you should consider the $40 Mr. Coffee JWX27, one of our Best Reviewed basic coffeemakers.
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