Top 5 Coffee Makers (12-Cup) of 2023
First thing is that there are so many coffee makers, specially 12-cup models that it becomes extremely difficult to choose which one to buy and why?
Since I have worked over 30 years in Research and Development, it becomes an easy task for me to study each model, sort them out considering several factors, such as capacity, features, and price.
Capacity refers to the number of cups of coffee the machine can brew at once, while features range from basic programming options to more advanced settings that control brew strength and temperature.
Price, of course, is always a consideration, with coffee makers available to suit a wide range of budgets.
In this article, let’s explore five of the best 12-cup coffee makers on the market, providing an in-depth review of each model’s features, specifications, and pros and cons. We will also delve into expert and user reviews to give you a well-rounded perspective on each coffee maker.
Whether you’re a seasoned coffee connoisseur or a casual coffee drinker, this guide will help you make an informed decision when choosing the perfect coffee maker for your needs.
Quick Recommendations:
Seeking the best coffee experience regardless of price? Choose Ninja CE251.
Want a thermal carafe and brewing strength options? Choose BLACK+DECKER CM2046S.
Need a budget-friendly with basic features? Choose Black+Decker CM1160B.
Prioritize affordability and auto-pause? Choose Mr. Coffee Coffee Maker.
On a tight budget and require simplicity? Choose Mueller 12-Cup Drip Coffee Maker.
Feature and specifications comparison table for the top 5 coffee makers in 2023:
| Feature | Black+Decker CM1160B | BLACK+DECKER CM2046S | Ninja CE251 | Mr. Coffee Coffee Maker | Mueller 12-Cup Drip Coffee Maker |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price (Nov 23) | $35 | $42 | $80 | $40 | $27 |
| Latest Price | Check | Check | Check | Check | Check |
| Reviews | 42,706 | 2,444 | 23,220 | 36,001 | 4,946 |
| Units Bought (Last Month) | 20,000 | 7,000 | 6,000 | 5,000 | 2,000 |
| Capacity | 12 cups | 12 cups | 12 cups | 12 cups | 12 cups |
| Carafe type | Glass | Thermal | Glass | Glass | Glass |
| Brew strength | Regular | Regular, strong, bold | Regular, bold | Regular | Regular |
| Programming | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Sneak-a-Cup feature | Yes | No | Yes | No | No |
| Auto shutoff | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Dishwasher-safe parts | Carafe, brew basket, filter basket | Carafe, brew basket, filter basket | Carafe, brew basket, filter basket | Carafe, brew basket, filter basket | Carafe, brew basket, filter basket |
Top 5 12-Cup offee makers in 2023: Expert Reviews
| Product Name | Black+Decker CM1160B | BLACK+DECKER CM2046S | Ninja CE251 | Mr. Coffee Coffee Maker | Mueller 12-Cup Drip Coffee Maker |
| Expert Reviews | Good value for the price. Easy to use and clean. Makes a decent cup of coffee. Ref: Good Housekeeping. | A good option for those who want a thermal carafe that keeps coffee hot for hours. Ref: CNET | Makes a great cup of coffee with a variety of brew options. Ref: Wirecutter | A good basic coffee maker that is easy to use and affordable. Ref: Consumer Reports | A good budget option that is basic but functional. Ref: The Spruce |
| User Reviews | I love this coffee maker! It’s so easy to use and makes a great cup of coffee. I would definitely recommend it to others. | I really like this coffee maker. The thermal carafe is great and the coffee stays hot for a long time. I would recommend it to others. | This coffee maker is amazing! It makes the best coffee I’ve ever had. I would definitely recommend it to others. | I’ve had this coffee maker for years and it still works great. It’s easy to use and makes a good cup of coffee. I would recommend it to others. | This coffee maker is a great value for the price. It’s easy to use and makes a decent cup of coffee. I would definitely recommend it to others. |
Lets dive into in-depth reviews of each model
Section 1: Black+Decker CM1160B 12-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker
Overview
The Black+Decker CM1160B 12-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker is a popular and affordable option that offers a variety of features and functions. It is easy to use and clean, making it a great choice for busy households.
Features and Specifications
- Capacity: 12 cups
- Carafe type: Glass
- Brew strength: Regular
- Programming: Yes
- Sneak-a-Cup feature: Yes
- Auto shutoff: Yes
- Dishwasher-safe parts: Carafe, brew basket, filter basket
- Price: $35
Pros
- Affordable
- Easy to use and clean
- Makes a decent cup of coffee
- Sneak-a-Cup feature
- Dishwasher-safe parts
Cons
- Glass carafe can be fragile
- Not as durable as some other models
Expert Reviews
- Good value for the price. Easy to use and clean. Makes a decent cup of coffee. – Good Housekeeping
User Reviews
- I love this coffee maker! It’s so easy to use and makes a great cup of coffee. I would definitely recommend it to others. – Amazon customer
Overall
The Black+Decker CM1160B 12-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker is a good option for budget-minded coffee drinkers who want a simple, easy-to-use coffee maker. It makes a decent cup of coffee and has a few convenient features, such as the Sneak-a-Cup feature and dishwasher-safe parts. However, it is not as durable as some other models, and the glass carafe can be fragile.
Section 2: BLACK+DECKER 12 Cup Thermal Programmable Coffee Maker with Brew Strength and VORTEX Technology CM2046S
Overview
The BLACK+DECKER 12 Cup Thermal Programmable Coffee Maker with Brew Strength and VORTEX Technology CM2046S is an upgrade to the Black+Decker CM1160B, offering a thermal carafe, brew strength options, and VORTEX Technology for faster brewing.
Features and Specifications
- Capacity: 12 cups
- Carafe type: Thermal
- Brew strength: Regular, Strong, Bold
- Programming: Yes
- Auto shutoff: Yes
- Dishwasher-safe parts: Carafe, brew basket, filter basket
- Price: $42
Pros
- Thermal carafe keeps coffee hot for hours
- Brew strength options
- Programmable
- Dishwasher-safe parts
Cons
- More expensive than the Black+Decker CM1160B
- Larger footprint
Expert Reviews
- A good option for those who want a thermal carafe that keeps coffee hot for hours. – CNET
User Reviews
- I really like this coffee maker. The thermal carafe is great and the coffee stays hot for a long time. I would recommend it to others. – Amazon customer
Overall
The BLACK+DECKER 12 Cup Thermal Programmable Coffee Maker with Brew Strength and VORTEX Technology CM2046S is a good option for those who want a thermal carafe that keeps coffee hot for hours. It also has brew strength options and is programmable. However, it is more expensive than the Black+Decker CM1160B and has a larger footprint.
Section 3: Ninja CE251 12-Cup Programmable Coffee Brewer with Permanent Filter
Overview
The Ninja CE251 12-Cup Programmable Coffee Brewer with Permanent Filter is a popular choice among coffee enthusiasts for its ability to make a great cup of coffee. It features a unique brewing technology that evenly saturates coffee grounds for optimal flavor extraction.
Features and Specifications
- Capacity: 12 cups
- Carafe type: Glass
- Brew strength: Regular, Bold
- Programming: Yes
- Sneak-a-Cup feature: Yes
- Auto shutoff: Yes
- Dishwasher-safe parts: Carafe, brew basket, filter basket
- Permanent filter included
- Price: $80
Pros
- Makes a great cup of coffee
- Fast brewing
- Easy to clean
- Programmable
- Includes a permanent filter
Cons
- Expensive
- Large footprint
Expert Reviews
- Makes a great cup of coffee with a variety of brew options. – Wirecutter
User Reviews
- This coffee maker is amazing! It makes the best coffee I’ve ever had. I would definitely recommend it to others. – Amazon customer
Overall
The Ninja CE251 12-Cup Programmable Coffee Brewer with Permanent Filter is a great choice for coffee connoisseurs who want the best possible cup of coffee. It makes a consistently delicious cup and has a variety of convenient features, such as the Sneak-a-Cup feature and a permanent filter. However, it is expensive and has a large footprint.
Section 4: Mr. Coffee Coffee Maker with Auto Pause and Glass Carafe 12 Cups
Overview
The Mr. Coffee Coffee Maker with Auto Pause and Glass Carafe 12 Cups is a classic and affordable option that is easy to use and makes a decent cup of coffee. It features an auto-pause feature that allows you to pour a cup of coffee mid-brew without interrupting the brewing cycle.
Features and Specifications
- Capacity: 12 cups
- Carafe type: Glass
- Brew strength: Regular
- Programming: Yes
- Auto-pause feature: Yes
- Auto shutoff: Yes
- Dishwasher-safe parts: Carafe, brew basket, filter basket
- Price: $40
Pros
- Affordable
- Easy to use
- Programmable
- Auto-pause feature
Cons
- Glass carafe can be fragile
- Not as durable as some other models
Expert Reviews
- A good basic coffee maker that is easy to use and affordable. – Consumer Reports
User Reviews
- I’ve had this coffee maker for years and it still works great. It’s easy to use and makes a good cup of coffee. I would recommend it to others. – Amazon customer
Overall
The Mr. Coffee Coffee Maker with Auto Pause and Glass Carafe 12 Cups is a good basic coffee maker that is easy to use and affordable. It has a few convenient features, such as the auto-pause feature and programmable settings. However, it is not as durable as some other models, and the glass carafe can be fragile.
Section 5: Mueller 12-Cup Drip Coffee Maker
Overview
The Mueller 12-Cup Drip Coffee Maker is a budget-friendly option that offers basic functionality and a large capacity. It is easy to use and clean, making it a good choice for casual coffee drinkers.
Features and Specifications
- Capacity: 12 cups
- Carafe type: Glass
- Brew strength: Regular
- Programming: No
- Auto shutoff: Yes
- Dishwasher-safe parts: Carafe, brew basket, filter basket
- Price: $27
Pros
- Affordable
- Easy to use and clean
- Large capacity
Cons
- Not as durable as some other models
- No programming or auto-pause features
Expert Reviews
- A good budget option that is basic but functional. – The Spruce
User Reviews
- This coffee maker is a great value for the price. It’s easy to use and makes a decent cup of coffee. I would definitely recommend it to others. – Amazon customer
Overall
The Mueller 12-Cup Drip Coffee Maker is a good budget option for casual coffee drinkers who want a basic coffee maker that is easy to use and clean. It has a large capacity and is dishwasher-safe, but it does not have any programming or auto-pause features.
Conclusion
Choosing the best 12-cup coffee maker for your needs depends on several factors, such as your budget, desired features, and personal preferences.
If you’re on a tight budget, the Black+Decker CM1160B or Mueller 12-Cup Drip Coffee Maker are good options.
If you want a thermal carafe, the BLACK+DECKER 12 Cup Thermal Programmable Coffee Maker with Brew Strength and VORTEX Technology CM2046S is a good choice.
If you’re looking for the best possible cup of coffee, the Ninja CE251 12-Cup Programmable Coffee Brewer with Permanent Filter is the way to go.
And if you want a basic, easy-to-use coffee maker with an auto-pause feature, the Mr. Coffee Coffee Maker with Auto Pause and Glass Carafe 12 Cups is a good option.