Hamilton Beach Ensemble 43254

*Est. $40
Reviewed
July 2009
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Hamilton Beach Ensemble 43254

Pros
  • Inexpensive
  • Programmable timer
  • Water filter
  • Pause function
  • Automatic shutoff
Cons
  • Carafe can drip when pouring
  • No brew-strength selector
  • Steam seeps inside, some say
 
 
Where to Buy
 
 
 

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.

Where To Buy
 
 
Hamilton Beach 43254 Ensemble 12 Cup Coffeemaker - Black

 
Buy new: $70.00 $26.46   8 Used & new from $22.99

In Stock.

 
 
 

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

3. ConsumerGuide.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

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