Sunbeam HTM5 Tea Drop Hot Tea Maker

*Est. $47
Reviewed
July 2008
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Sunbeam HTM5 Tea Drop Hot Tea Maker

Pros
  • Simple to use
  • Adjustable brewing control
Cons
  • Doesn't steep tea
 
 
Where to Buy
 
 
 

The Sunbeam HTM5 Tea Drop offers an innovative approach to tea making by borrowing the concept behind the automatic coffee maker. The Tea Drop heats the water to a desired temperature before passing it over the tea. Although most users praise its approach for saving them time and mess, the most stalwart tea drinkers are not impressed by the Tea Drop, saying tea that has not been steeped is flavorless tea. If you put yourself in this group, you're better off buying a traditional tea kettle and boiling the water separately. Another alternative is Adagio Teas TriniTea (*Est. $100), an electric tea maker made for use with loose tea leaves. It steeps tea and keeps it warm for hours.

The Sunbeam HTM5 Tea Drop Hot Tea Maker receives positive reviews in dozens on Amazon.com and Target.com. Wired.com has a very negative assessment of an earlier model in this line.

Our Sources

1. Wired Magazine

The title of this short article sums it up. Writer Rob Beschizza blasts the Tea Drop for overcomplicating tea making, resulting in poor performance. The water just doesn't get hot enough for good tea, he says.

Review: Sunbeam's Tea Drop Tea Maker is a Useless Piece of Garbage, Rob Beschizza, Oct. 15, 2007

2. Amazon.com

Amazon users are impressed with the Sunbeam Tea Drop. More than 100 reviews praise its easy, mess-free ability to make tea. They say they like the adjustable brewing feature for making different kinds of tea. Users who weren't impressed say it doesn't heat water hot enough or allow for the proper steeping needed to make tasty tea.

Review: Sunbeam HTM5 Tea Drop 850-Watt Hot-Tea Maker (Black) Reviews, Contributors to Amazon.com

3. Target.com

More than a dozen reviews give the Sunbeam Tea Drop a near-perfect rating. Users say it's simple to use and makes great tea. We only found one negative review, by a user who said the Tea Drop makes "tasteless" tea.

Review: Sunbeam Tea Drop Tea Maker -- HTM5B reviews, Contributors to Target.com

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