Compare Black+Decker Programmable 12-Cup Coffee Maker, CM1160B vs Braun MultiServe Plus Coffee Maker

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.

The product is consistently shown with practical included accessories such as filters, scoop, lid, and manuals, though the used unboxing unit was missing the charcoal filter.

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.

Marketing accuracy is mixed because the independent review says the cold-brew cycle took longer than the brand's sub-13-minute claim.

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.

Setup appears straightforward in the unboxing review, especially basic clock setup and default altitude settings.

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).

The SCA transcript supports the ExactBrew automation claim, describing automatic water-flow, temperature, and speed calculation.

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.

Hot-coffee brewing receives strong support from the independent review, and the SCA transcript reinforces consistent optimal performance.

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.

The hands-on review describes the machine as solid overall, while also noting it uses mostly black plastic with stainless accents.

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.

Cable handling gets only limited, mildly negative support from the unboxing review because the power cord was difficult to unravel.

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).

Capacity is a clear strength: reviews mention a 50-ounce reservoir, seven brew sizes, and options from small cups to a full carafe.

The evidence repeatedly frames the machine as pod-free, making it useful for buyers who want single-cup flexibility without capsules.

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.

Cup handling is helped by the flip-down mug platform and smooth pouring, but carafe cleaning limits the overall handling score.

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 machine is wide and takes counter space, but evidence supports an accessible reservoir and adaptable stainless-steel design.

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.

The main design flaw is the narrow carafe opening, and the review also wanted more carafe-size control.

The supplied reviews support drip beverage quality rather than espresso, with hot coffee described as rich and not bitter.

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.

Filter flexibility is well supported through cone paper filters, a reusable gold-tone or mesh filter, and water-reservoir charcoal filtration.

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.

Heating performance is supported by hot measured brew temperature and SCA copy claiming a full pot under eight minutes.

The hot-water feature is directly supported by SCA copy and the unboxing transcript, including temperature control for hot water.

Over-ice brewing receives good support, while cold brew is mixed because it is marketed as fast but the independent reviewer found the taste bitter.

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 overall experience is positive across the evidence, with simple controls, good coffee, and broad convenience repeatedly emphasized.

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.

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.

Pot brewing is useful for half or full carafes, although the independent review wanted more multi-serving carafe-size options.

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.

Certification is strongly supported through SCA Golden Cup/Home Brewer certification references.

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 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.

Speed is generally strong for hot and over-ice brewing, though cold brew was slower than the claim in the hands-on review.

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.

Value evidence is favorable because the product is pod-free and cost-effective, and a more adjustable GE alternative is described as more expensive.

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.

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.

The water system has charcoal filtration, cleaning/descale controls, and accessible filling, but carafe cleaning requires a bottle brush.