Compare Breville Precision Brewer vs Black+Decker Programmable 12-Cup Coffee Maker, CM1160B

The included baskets, filters, scoop, and water-hardness tools add real versatility, but several reviewers disliked that the pour-over adapter is separate or not bundled on all versions.

Box contents are described as basic: coffee maker, glass carafe, removable brew basket, and user manual. Multiple sources note missing extras like paper filters and a coffee scoop, though replacement parts like a carafe or lid can be ordered separately.

Most reviewers felt the brewer broadly delivers on its premium positioning, especially around flexibility and batch quality, though some thought the long feature list overstates how useful every mode really is.

Core marketed features are broadly supported by reviews (programmable timer, auto shutoff, pause-brew, keep-warm hot plate). Where expectations can diverge is around cup-count conventions and how strong/uneven the first cup can be if you interrupt brewing, which affects perceived consistency versus claims.

This is one of the brewer's clearest strengths. Reviewers repeatedly praised the smart control set, especially adjustable temperature, bloom, flow rate, presets, auto start, and intuitive LCD navigation.

Setup is not difficult, but it is longer and more involved than a basic drip machine because of initial cleaning, water-hardness setup, and learning the controls.

Setup is straightforward: add water, insert basket and filter, add grounds, and start. Programming is frequently described as easy, with a minor emphasis on properly seating the basket and snapping the lid closed.

Automation is strong for this class. Auto start, water-hardness calibration, timers, reminders, small-batch adjustments, and preset brew logic make the machine feel unusually intelligent for a drip brewer.

Commonly praised for automation: 24-hour programmable auto-brew, QuickTouch-style setup, a 2-hour auto shutoff, and a pause-brew or Sneak-a-Cup function that temporarily stops flow when the carafe is removed (typically around 30 seconds).

Brewing performance is consistently excellent. Reviewers repeatedly praised stable brew temperatures, even extraction, and the ability to produce high-quality coffee across both preset and custom modes.

Coffee results skew toward strong, classic diner-style brew. Several sources say it is consistent enough for everyday use, but a major taste critique is bitterness/astringency and signs of over-extraction; one outlet also notes finer flavor notes get lost. A few users report occasional grounds ending up in the pot.

Build quality is widely seen as premium, sturdy, and substantial. Multiple reviewers describe it as tank-like or espresso-machine-like, with only a few caveats around specific parts on certain versions.

Build is repeatedly characterized as mostly plastic with some stainless accents, which is expected at the budget price. The carafe is described as reinforced glass, and one source suggests a practical lifespan of roughly 3–5 years with proper care; the hot plate area may show cosmetic wear over time.

At least one review explicitly calls out built-in cord storage on the back, helping keep counters tidier when the machine is not in use.

Its large 12-cup or roughly 60-ounce capacity is a major advantage, especially for families, entertaining, and small office use, while still remaining capable of smaller brews.

Marketed and used as a 12-cup class machine with clear water markings. Some testing suggests cup markings can be confusing versus 6-ounce cup conventions and that real-world fills may not match expectations perfectly; user guidance also cautions against brewing very small batches (often not below about 4 cups).

The carafe system is generally well liked for secure pouring, thermal heat retention, and drip-lock behavior, though some reviews mention weight, leftover liquid, or weaker-than-expected heat retention versus top rivals.

The glass DuraLife-style carafe and handle are generally described as comfortable and pouring is often rated good. The pause-brew/Sneak-a-Cup feature usually prevents major dripping, but reviewers warn you must return the carafe promptly to avoid overflow, and some testing shows minor dribbles.

The brewer looks premium and has a strong interface, but it is undeniably large and can feel bulky on tighter counters. Ergonomics are good overall, just not especially compact.

Often described as compact, lightweight, and counter-friendly with a front-facing water window that helps filling in tight spaces. One consistent ergonomic caveat: it needs enough vertical clearance to open the lid, and at least one reviewer notes it may not fit under standard cabinets when open.

The most common flaws are the fixed water tank, large size, accessory gaps, some cleanup nuisance around the basket area, occasional noise, and a few interface or program quirks.

Recurring flaws include a mostly plastic feel, a hot plate that can stain or collect a calcified ring, and exterior nooks/crevices where grounds and splatter accumulate. Some users also note the filter basket is awkward to fill (does not sit flat), plus minor quirks like no brew-finished alert and occasional brew-head warping reports.

Even though this is a drip brewer rather than an espresso machine, beverage quality scores strongly. Most reviewers describe the coffee as flavorful, balanced, smooth, and often close to specialty pour-over quality when dialed in.

Filter flexibility is a real asset. Reviewers liked the included cone and flat-bottom options, reusable filter support, and the ability to match basket style to batch size, though cleaning the multi-part basket can be fussy.

Uses standard basket paper filters and supports a compatible reusable metal filter. Multiple reviews note no included permanent filter, and at least one source reports occasional grounds in the pot, which can depend on filter choice and grind.

Heating performance is one of the brewer's biggest advantages. Reviews consistently highlight precise temperature control, fast heat-up, and strong stability throughout the brew cycle.

Heating is often described as very hot for the price. Testing cites brew water temperatures in the high 170s to low 190s Fahrenheit range, and the hot plate can keep (or even push) coffee temperature up over time. The downside is that too much hot-plate heat can accelerate oxidation and worsen flavor if coffee sits.

Cold brew and over-ice functions are useful extras for many owners and work well for occasional specialty drinks, but a few reviewers considered them secondary or somewhat gimmicky compared with the main hot-brew strengths.

Overall user experience is very positive. Most reviewers found the machine rewarding to use day to day once set up, especially if they value flexibility, though it is not as effortless as a very simple brewer.

Overall experience is described as simple and beginner-friendly, helped by large/rubberized buttons and easy programming. Minor usability knocks include a dimmer clock, lack of an end-of-brew beep, and exterior areas that take more effort to keep spotless.

The brewer shows strong enthusiast credibility. Reviewers mention repeated recommendations, use by roasters at events, and standout status in broader best-of testing.

Multiple sources frame it as a bestseller or extremely popular budget coffee maker, including references to high recent sales volume, Amazon best-seller positioning, and Amazon’s Choice-style recognition.

As a pot brewer, it performs extremely well. Full-pot brewing, batch consistency, and multi-user convenience are recurring positives, and several reviewers specifically recommend it for households or office-style use.

Designed around full-pot drip brewing with a hot plate keep-warm cycle. Reviewers describe it as set-and-forget for morning pots, with the warmer staying on for about two hours before shutting off automatically.

The pump-driven flow control is consistently described as precise and stable, helping the machine manage bloom, flow rate, and extraction more accurately than simpler mechanical brewers.

Recognition is excellent. The brewer is repeatedly cited as meeting or targeting SCA standards, and that certification-level performance is central to its reputation.

Recognition discussed in reviews centers on marketplace badges and popularity (for example, Amazon’s Choice and best-selling claims). No Specialty Coffee Association certification is indicated, and one lab review notes its brew temperatures average below SCA-recommended ranges.

Reviewers explicitly mention there is no included coffee scoop (and no mention of built-in scoop storage). If scoop convenience matters, you will need your own measuring scoop and storage solution.

Speed is strong for a feature-rich brewer. Most reviewers found it fast enough for daily use and competitive with other premium batch brewers, even if some runs are not class-leading.

Speed is generally average-to-good for a budget drip maker. Multiple reviews describe roughly a cup-per-minute pacing; one lab test cites an average brew time around 7:53 for a full pot, and a video walkthrough suggests 4 cups in a little over 4 minutes and 6 cups in about 6 minutes.

Value is good for buyers who will use the flexibility, batch capacity, and precision, but the premium price makes less sense for casual drinkers who just want a simple pot of coffee.

Positioned as a low-cost programmable drip machine (often cited around the mid-$20s to mid-$30s). Multiple sources frame it as strong value because you get timer programming and auto shutoff at a budget price, with tradeoffs in build materials and cup refinement.

Warranty and support are a weaker area than pure brewing performance. The standard warranty is shorter than some rivals, and a few reviews raise concerns about parts availability or customer-service confidence.

A two-year limited warranty is cited, with guidance to contact customer service for repair or replacement in the event of defects. Replacement carafes/lids are described as purchasable separately.

Water management is thoughtful overall, with hardness testing, descale reminders, and straightforward routine cleaning, but the fixed reservoir and some basket-cleaning chores reduce convenience.

Routine maintenance is presented as simple: removable basket and carafe are often described as dishwasher-safe, and descaling can be done via a dedicated cleaning cycle (reported 45–60 minutes, recommended about every 60 days) or a vinegar-water method. Exterior cleaning can be harder due to hot-plate splatter and tight gaps.