Coffee Maker Review: Hamilton Beach 46201
Hamilton Beach 46201
Pros
- Multiple brew settings to suit your needs
- A programmable clock with an automatic shutoff
- Hot plate temperature can be controlled with the push of a button
- No spill carafe
- Easy front access to the grounds basket
- Has "brew pause" option
Cons
- Brew time is over 10 minutes
- Loud
- Lots of electric components make it more susceptible to failure
- To get the last drop you have to hold the carafe upside down
The Hamilton Beach 46201 12 cup digital coffeemaker is the perfect coffeemaker for your home. With features including adjustable brew settings, a programmable clock, and adjustable burner temperatures, this is a great coffeemaker to consider.
The Review
The HB 46201 looks like the coffeemaker of the future, but let's see what it can actually do.
Please note: Although I am reviewing this top rated coffee maker, I have no experience using it. Instead, I summarize all of the most helpful reviews on this coffee maker from around the web. I do my best to make the reviews completely unbiased, making sure to cover both the positives and negatives of every coffee maker I review. Visit the about page to learn more…or feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns you may have.
Carafe keeps coffee spills away
The carafe spout on this Hamilton Beach coffeemaker has a deeper groove than those found on other coffeemakers, ensuring that it won't dribble so much as a drop when you pour yourself a cup.
HB 46201 is designed for convenience
This coffeemaker has a timer and clock that can start your coffee before you wake up in the morning, and also has an automatic shut-off after 2 hours to ensure your coffee doesn't burn. The burner temperature can be changed with the push of a button, so you can cool it down to keep your coffee fresh longer. In addition, there are three brew settings that you can change depending on your needs and wants.
The Ratings
The Hamilton Beach 46201 has few negatives, making it one of the best coffeemakers out there.
The Price
It costs $50, which isn't the cheapest out there, but for all that it does, it's definitely worth the price.
Score: 4 stars
Coffee Maker Quality
This Hamilton Beach coffeemaker is mostly made of stainless steel, though the tank is made of plastic. Unfortunately the electronics often break down within a year. It still makes a great cup of coffee, but you'll wish they still worked.
Score: 3 stars
Coffee Quality
Some people have complained that it sometimes doesn't heat the coffee enough for the best taste, but it still makes a great pot of coffee so long as you keep the burner temperature at the right setting.
Score: 3.5 stars
Ease of Use
The buttons are fairly simple to master, and the water reservoir is removable, so there's no more need for other vessels. The filter basket swings out with a release button, meaning you don't have to pull the entire coffeemaker out to open the top lid. On the whole, quite easy.
Score: 4.5 stars
Cleaning Ease
Both the carafe and the filter basket are easy to clean, and cleaning the basket is about the only time you'll have to remove it from the coffeemaker itself.
Score: 5 stars
Durability
This coffeemaker has a 5 year warranty, and with the electronic breakdowns that will sometimes happen that's a good thing. You can send it back to them, and they'll gladly replace it. Apart from that, there are no large-scale defects or malfunctions recorded by reviewers.
Score: 3.5 stars
Appearance
This coffeemaker's stainless steel body gives it a modern look, but apart from that it looks like most other coffeemakers in it's price range.
Score: 3 stars
Brew Speed
12-cup brewers usually aren't too fast, but this one has an average speed of 12 minutes at its standard setting. It brews faster if you have it set to make less, giving it a respectable brewing time.
Score: 3.5 stars
Versatility
There's plenty of versatility with this machine. If you prefer your coffee with a bolder flavor, just have the brew setting at bold. Set the timer for when you wake up in the morning, and your coffee will be ready. Also, it has “pause-and-brew” for when you're in a hurry.
Score: 4.5 stars
Some Final Thoughts
Even though its electronics will sometimes give out, the HB 46201 is a great coffeemaker for its price range. Most people that own this love it, and with its 5 year warranty, you know it's in good hands. This maker is easy to use, very easy to clean, and will give you an excellent cup of coffee in the morning.
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