I recently tried the Hamilton Beach 12 Cup Compact coffee maker. It fits well in smaller kitchens and doesn’t take up much space.
The design is simple. The carafe usually pours without a mess, though sometimes it leaks a little.
I found the top controls easy to use. I could choose between a regular or bold brew.
The coffee maker makes some noise while brewing. For me, this wasn’t a big deal in the morning.
Bottom Line
If you want a space-saving coffee maker that’s easy to program and can brew a good amount at once, this one is worth checking out.
You can get your own Hamilton Beach 12 Cup Compact coffee maker here.
Overview of the Hamilton Beach 12 Cup Compact Programmable Drip Coffee Maker
This coffee maker fits well in small spaces. It doesn’t feel tiny when brewing a full 12 cups.
The compact design slides under cabinets and saves countertop room. The glass carafe feels sturdy and helps stop drips, keeping the counter clean.
The controls sit on top and are simple to use. I could set the brew time up to 24 hours in advance.
The regular and bold coffee options work, though the bold setting isn’t very strong. The machine’s auto shutoff activates after two hours, so I had to drink my coffee soon or reheat it.
Key Features
When I used this coffee maker, several things stood out. It fits in tight spaces and works well if you have low cabinets or crowded counters.
Compact, Space-Saving Design
The small size fits easily under cabinets. It doesn’t take up much room, which is great if you want a slim machine.
The top opens upward for adding water, so you might need to pull the machine forward if your cabinets overhang.
No-Drip 12 Cup Borosilicate Glass Carafe
The carafe’s no-drip design helps avoid spills while pouring. It holds enough coffee for a group or family.
The borosilicate glass feels sturdy and more durable than regular glass. If it breaks, replacements can be hard to find.
Top-Mounted Digital Controls with Easy-Touch Programming
The controls on top made it easy to see and use. Programming up to 24 hours ahead was simple with the easy-touch buttons.
You can set it the night before for fresh coffee in the morning.
Select-a-Brew Brew-Strength Selector
I liked choosing between regular and bold coffee. This feature lets you customize your drink easily.
Convenience and Usability
Using this coffee maker felt straightforward. The compact design saves counter space and fits under cabinets.
The controls on top are easy to reach and program, even if you’re in a hurry. Filling the water requires lifting the top, so sometimes I had to pull the machine out from under the cabinet.
The carafe pours smoothly and doesn’t drip much. Finding a replacement carafe could be difficult.
The 2-hour auto shutoff gave me peace of mind if I forgot to turn it off.
Pros and Cons
After using this compact coffee maker, I noticed both strengths and drawbacks.
Pros
The small size fits well in tight kitchen spots and saves counter space. The top controls are easy to find and use, making programming simple.
I liked picking brew strength depending on my mood. The carafe holds enough coffee for several people and the no-drip feature mostly works.
The machine shuts off automatically after two hours, which helps with safety.
Cons
The machine brews a little loud, which might bother some people. The carafe can drip slightly when pouring, which can get annoying.
Filling the water means lifting the whole top, so you may need to pull the coffee maker out from under cabinets. Replacement carafes are tough to find.
Customer Reviews
Many people like this coffee maker. It brews coffee well and the size fits small kitchens.
The carafe pours nicely, but some users mention a slight leak at the spout. The noise during brewing is noticeable but usually doesn’t bother people.
Filling the machine can be tricky under low cabinets since the top needs to open fully. Finding replacement parts, especially the carafe, is difficult.
Pros:
- Good brewing quality
- Compact size
- Auto shutoff feature
Cons:
- Carafe can leak slightly
- Hard to get replacement parts
- Some noise during brewing
Conclusion
I used this coffee maker for a few weeks. It works well for making daily coffee without any fuss.
It fits nicely in small spaces. It brews quickly, which helps on busy mornings.
The no-drip carafe usually does its job. However, I noticed a bit of leaking when I poured, which can be annoying.
I liked the easy programming and automatic shutoff. These features give me more control and safety.
The top needs plenty of clearance to open fully. It might not fit well under low cabinets.
Finding replacement parts, especially the carafe, seems difficult if something breaks.
