Compare Black+Decker Programmable 12-Cup Coffee Maker, CM1160B vs De’Longhi La Specialista Touch Espresso Machine

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.

Accessories are widely described as generous, including baskets, pitcher, cleaning tools, dose-reduction aids, and storage options. The only consistent downside is that the number of parts can feel like clutter or a learning hurdle.

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 around guided dialing-in and broad usability is validated by many beginners and mid-level users who get good results quickly. One detailed critique says claims about roast-range compatibility and control can overpromise for edge-case beans and enthusiast expectations.

The touchscreen is a core strength, enabling drink selection, dose-time changes, temperature and foam adjustments, and saving custom drinks or profiles. None of the reviews strongly support phone-app connectivity, and some note limitations like fewer profiles than expected.

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 is repeatedly framed as easy and fast, with the touchscreen walking users through first-time steps like water hardness and dialing in. Reviewers generally present it as approachable for beginners without feeling overly fiddly once learned.

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).

Bean Adapt, guided dosing, and automated milk steaming provide a lot of hands-holding and reduce guesswork, especially for new users. The main critique is that some automation feels more like guidance than true sensing, and can add steps or friction for tinkerers.

Reviews that discuss internals describe thermoblock-style, single-boiler behavior geared toward speed and convenience. This aligns with the product positioning but differs from dual-boiler workflows that advanced users may prefer.

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.

Guided prompts and on-screen feedback help users hit repeatable shot times and generally consistent extractions. Consistency can be harder at the edges (very light roasts or very oily dark roasts), where the grind range and pressure approach draw criticism.

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.

Build impressions skew positive: stainless accents and a sturdy feel, even when parts of the body are plastic. Some content is early or first-look, so long-term durability is not fully proven in the review set.

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.

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 generally praised for the footprint, with 1.7 L tanks and 250 g hoppers cited in several reviews, though a few sources claim larger tanks. The hopper size is the most common constraint for heavy daily use.

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 a large drip tray and a cup riser that reduces splashing and helps keep espresso hot. One review calls out modest cup clearance (around 11 cm), so taller travel mugs may not fit under the spouts.

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.

A compact footprint is a consistent highlight, with multiple reviewers saying it fits comfortably on most countertops. The layout is described as clean and ergonomic, dominated by the responsive touchscreen and guided workflow.

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 most repeated drawbacks are limited grinder access for cleaning, occasional touchscreen timeouts or resets, and constraints like limited profiles. A critical review also argues missing pressure-control hardware is a core design compromise for enthusiasts.

One detailed review calls out notably eco-friendly packaging, emphasizing recyclable materials and minimal plastic. Other sources do not focus on sustainability, so this positive signal comes from a smaller slice of the set.

Most reviewers describe the espresso and milk drinks as high quality, with solid crema and good flavor once dialed in. A more critical take says shots can be good but feel limited by pressure and grind-step constraints, especially when chasing specialty-style nuance.

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.

The built-in grinder is convenient and capable for common medium roasts, but 15 grind steps are seen as limiting compared with rivals. Multiple sources note the bean hopper and burrs are difficult to access for thorough cleaning, and one reviewer reports a grinder failure.

The dosing funnel/guide and depth-marked tamper help standardize puck prep and keep counters cleaner. Some reviewers note minor fit play with the tamper or that the assisted tamp workflow can be slower than expected.

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 generally framed as strong: fast readiness and capable steam power for milk drinks. No reviewer flags the unit as underpowered, and thermoblock-style heating is cited as part of the speed advantage.

Cold brew and over-ice modes are a signature feature with mixed outcomes. Some reviewers call it impressive and fast for real cold extraction, while others find it mild or even bitter, suggesting results depend heavily on beans, ratios, and expectations.

The Auto LatteArt wand and temperature probe earn strong praise for creating silky microfoam with minimal effort, including plant milks. A few reviewers prefer manual steaming over the automatic mode and note the probe can get in the way for traditional wand technique.

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.

Overall experience trends positive: intuitive touchscreen, strong guidance, and an approachable path to good espresso and milk drinks. A minority view finds the interface restrictive, especially around timeouts and limited manual control during certain steps.

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.

Several reviews reference brewing around classic espresso pressure and achieving 25 to 30 second extractions. One detailed critique argues the pressure system lacks enthusiast-friendly control (for example adjustable OPV), which can restrict fine-tuning and repeatability for advanced users.

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.

Some sources mention design awards and at least one publication-level recommendation badge. These recognitions support the idea that the design and feature set stand out in its category.

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.

Warm-up and drink workflow are typically described as quick, with the thermoblock-style heating helping speed. Cold-brew cycles vary by reviewer, from about 4 to 5 minutes in some tests to around 7 to 8 minutes in a negative take.

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.

Many reviewers position it as strong value for a touchscreen, grinder-included machine, often priced below comparable competitors. It is still a premium purchase, and value drops if you prioritize advanced adjustability or easy long-term service access.

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.

The specs in the review set cite a 2-year warranty, and one retailer-focused review highlights access to registered service support. Direct customer-service experiences are limited, but warranty coverage is clearly stated.

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.

Maintenance is largely touchscreen-driven with prompts for descaling, rinsing, and wand auto-purge, which users find beginner-friendly. The recurring pain points are deeper serviceability: limited burr access for cleaning and limited group-head rinsing between drinks noted in some reviews.