EmailBest Reviewed
Coffee Makers
- Best standard coffee maker Cuisinart Brew Central DCC-1200 *Est. $80
- Basic coffee maker Mr. Coffee JWX27 *Est. $40
- Thermal-carafe coffee maker Zojirushi Fresh Brew *Est. $90
- Connoisseur's coffee maker Technivorm Moccamaster KBT741 *Est. $265
Get info about new reports and updates
- Inexpensive
- Programmable timer
- Water filter
- Pause function
- Automatic shutoff
- Carafe can drip when pouring
- No brew-strength selector
- Steam seeps inside, some say
The Hamilton Beach Ensemble 43254 is an inexpensive 12-cup automatic coffee maker that gets generally good reviews from users. Among budget coffee makers, the Mr. Coffee JWX27 (*Est. $40) gets better reviews and allows you to control brew strength, unlike the Hamilton Beach Ensemble 43254. Otherwise, the Hamilton Beach 43254 has some nice features like a programmable timer, water filter, automatic shut-off and a pause function so you can sneak a cup before the whole pot is finished brewing. We did read some reports of leaks or of a drippy carafe.
We found no credible professional reviews for the Hamilton Beach Ensemble 43254. ConsumerReports.org and Cook's Illustrated don't cover it, and ConsumerGuide.com's review appears to be written from specifications rather than tested firsthand. Thus, we rely on about 70 owner reviews combined at Amazon.com and Target.com.
| Featured Stores | Store Rating | Notes | Total Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |  1184 store reviews | In Stock. New | $59.00 | See It |
 |  1675 store reviews | In Stock. Get free shipping on orders over $25! | $34.99 | See It |
 | 2155 store reviews | In Stock. Your Online Discount Superstore. Get Latest Deals, sign up for the Daily Hotsheet! | $52.99 | See It |
| See All Stores | ||||
Our Sources
1. Amazon.com
About 50 user reviews combine for a good overall score, only about a quarter saying the Hamilton Beach Ensemble 43254 is worth fewer than four out of five stars. Complaints include plastic-tasting coffee and steam seeping into the circuitry.
Review: Hamilton Beach 43254 Classic Stainless 12-Cup Coffeemaker, Contributors to Amazon.com
2. Target.com
About 20 owner reviews give a mediocre overall rating to the Hamilton Beach 43254, some saying it's hard to pour water in, the machine leaks, the coffee is weak and the carafe dribbles.
Review: Hamilton Beach Stainless Steel Coffeemaker 43254, Contributors to Target.com
While the Hamilton Beach Ensemble 43254 gets a Best Buy rating, the review contains nothing that couldn't be written from the specifications and there is no indication of hands-on testing. Unfortunately, that is often the case in "reviews" at ConsumerGuide.com.
Review: Expert Review: Hamilton Beach Ensemble 12-Cup Coffeemaker 43254, Editors of ConsumerGuide.com, Feb. 19, 2007
Coffee Makers Runners Up:
4 picks including: Amazon.com, CoffeeGeek.com…
2 picks including: CoffeeGeek.com…
2 picks including: Amazon.com, Cooking.com…
2 picks including: Amazon.com, Whole Latte Love…
2 picks by top review sites.
2 picks including: Amazon.com, CoffeeGeek.com…
2 picks including: Amazon.com, Target.com…
2 picks including: Amazon.com, CoffeeGeek.com…
BUNN NHBX-B Contemporary 10-Cup Home Coffee Brewer, Black
 from Amazon.com New: $129.95 In Stock.
Average Customer Review:   |
||
|
|
Capresso 441.05 MT-500 Plus 10-cup Coffeemaker with Metallic Alloy Body and Stainless Thermal Carafe
from Amazon.com New: $230.00
Average Customer Review: |
||
|
|
BUNN BTX-B ThermoFresh 10-Cup Thermal-Carafe Home Coffee Brewer, Black
from Amazon.com New: $169.95 In Stock.
Average Customer Review: |
||
|
|
Cuisinart DCC-1100 12-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker, White
from Amazon.com New: $110.00 $57.00 In Stock.
Average Customer Review: |
||
|
|
Hamilton 43254 Beach 12 Cup Coffee Maker
from Amazon.com New: $74.87 $37.30 In Stock.
Average Customer Review: |
||
|
|
Hamilton Beach 47454 BrewStation Deluxe 12-Cup Coffeemaker
from Amazon.com New: $94.99
Average Customer Review: |
||
|
|
