Overthinkers and over researchers: This review is for you. I spent weeks researching single serve coffee makers about 15 months ago. Why? Because that’s what I do. If you’re on the fence, PLEASE read this and just order it. It’s worth it, spend the research time thinking about something else. Background: I’m no coffee snob. Too lazy and apathetic for a French press; I usually throw some Folgers in a goodwill or hand-me-down coffee maker and move on with my life. If you truly care about all the intricacies that coffee enthusiasts are passionate about, this probably isn’t the machine for you. I moved into an apartment with not a ton of counter space, and as a single (yet very eligible) bachelor, I wanted something easy and cheap that got the job done. I started mainly looked at coffee makers that were k cup compatible, but ultimately decided against it as the cost per cup is much higher with the k cups, and they take up more storage space in my cupboards. Plus, I like being able to control how much coffee grounds I use. I went with this one for a few reasons: 1) Small footprint 2) Brews more than most pod coffeemakers (16oz vs usually 12oz) 3) Came with a mug 4) Got one used here on Amazon on sale for $18 I’ve been using it almost daily for about 15 months now, and it shows no signs of slowing down. Just throw water in it, put some grounds in (I use a leftover protein powder scoop that is the perfect size), and hit the switch. I have tried the Italian coffee brand coffee pads that are great if you prefer, and are cheaper than K cups. I timed brewing it with a full ~16oz mug for this review. Just under 2 minutes and 45 seconds until it shut itself off and I had a cup of piping hot coffee. I think it’ll drip a few seconds afterwards, idk. I don’t pay enough attention. Tip: to clean the grounds from the filter easily, I take both the filter and the plastic holder underneath it out together, dump the grounds down the garbage disposal, and cover the drain hole with my finger while filling and dumping out water to rinse out the ground remnants. Every so often, I throw the entire coffee maker in the dishwasher to clean it. I was concerned that none of my mugs would fit. Turns out all of them did except one bulky plastic mug. If it’s under ~7 inches tall, it’ll fit just fine. I have a sunwill 20oz mug from here that fits perfectly, and an Ozark trail mug from Walmart that fits great as well. One or two of my mugs have very wide bases that sit a little tilted because of the size of the bottom of the coffee maker, but it does not spill or hold any less liquid as a result and is still stable. I’ll throw in a pic with all the mugs I have that are compatible for reference. I recently thought about replacing this and revisiting the thought of buying a machine compatible with k-cups. After researching this (again), I have decided once again to stick with the B&D. It’s small, isn’t full of stupid features I won’t use, and is not noteworthy in any way — just dump grounds/water in, wait a few minutes, and move on with your day without even thinking about it. How it should be. I wish I could write more about it, but I’m out of stuff to say. It’s easy, it works great, and that’s it. Buy it. It’s a great value and does what it needs to do without any extra fuss. Take the extra money you saved and buy yourself a case of beer. You deserve it. Edit: September 2025 - still going strong. I accidentally broke the little plastic fastener piece to the top/lid, so I just removed it. Still works fine without it. Very satisfied. Read more
This simplifies coffee making in the morning and produces a perfect brew in a mug designed to walk out the door as I head to work Read more
For under 30 dollars this is a great little single cup drip coffee maker. Also works great with the little paper filters I bought to go with it...and makes cleanup easier. The brewed coffee is nice and hot. The one major downside, for me anyway, is you must be aware the once you plug the machine in the heating elements start heating. Water or no water. If you plug in before adding water, you will notice the hissing and sizzling as you pour the water in. Manual does not mention this. So, when making coffee, pour water in, plug in, brew, then unplug until you are ready to brew again. Read more
Fantastic product. I have gotten a cup of coffee at starbucks that cost more than this brewer so I wasn't expecting it to be this great. I went from a mr coffee to Melita brewing system (heat the water and pour it into the filter) to this. I like coffee fresh, not after it has sat for a while, so I like to make it cup by cup. Now, as for the details: the big filter basket fits the groove on the left; the inner filter fits the groove on the right. When these are positioned correctly, the top snaps down perfectly. I use a paper filter left over from my Melita days (Generic kroger box is about $2 for 100). I recommend using this little paper cone finger because you can dump it out and rinse the basket clean in seconds. Otherwise, cleaning up grounds can be a P.I.T.A. I had to adapt my coffee making habits a little bit. With the old mr coffee, I used to turn it on as I was filling the water, and putting in the grounds, but this one is so fast, I pour in the water, put in the filter and coffee, snap down the lid and turn it on. The first time I plugged it in, it was already on. I ran water through it once, because I didn't want that burned plastic factory smell. I use the black plastic mug to pour the water in. The perfect amount. It takes about 3 minutes from start to finish, just enough time to do the dishes, feed the dog, start breakfast. I use a jigger to measure my standard Folgers ground coffee (about the size of a Keurig cup). Once or twice when I was low on coffee and used less than that to make it last longer, used a second mug to pour the hot water through the grounds a 2nd time, but hey, I'm cheap And weird.) It takes a few seconds, then the water drips through pretty fast. I like using the paper filter also because it probably helps the water stay in contact with the brew a bit longer. The last few seconds of brewing, the last bit of water in the reservoir hisses and steams as the element dries. Then the light snaps off. You can hear the click. Give it a few seconds for the basket to drain to get all that coffee goodness. There's no warmer at the bottom of the cup. It's a plastic cup, why would you heat it? Fewer parts to break. I would not put this mug in the microwave. (A microwave is very hard on containers with nested parts, and it has a metal band around the top.) I highly recommend this Black & Decker CM618 Single Serve Coffee maker to people who like coffee one fresh cup at a time. I don't know how well it would handle multiple consecutive cups. I do use a paper melita-type filter and after the coffee is in, I tamp down the top of the cone to make a little package. I use the single serving size,and the kroger brand. It's cheaper and better because it has a little tab that makes handling easier. Prices at the grocery range from $2 to $4 for 40-100 filters, more for name brand filters. If you're a purist-recycler, the grounds are good for garden compost. At the end of the hot water heating cycle, there's about 3 seconds worth of that hot plastic smell but it does not affect the coffee at all, the way a mr coffee does. I have only had this a few months, but it is very reliable and is working perfectly. If I were still teaching, this would be the coffee maker I'd have in my classroom; if I still had a camper, this would take up little space and be faster than heating water for Melita on the propane stove. I'd use one in my office, but I'm a writer, and my home office is 3 steps from the kitchen. Read more
