Compared to a daily coffee shop run or a top-of-the-line espresso machine, making a basic cup of coffee at home is a cost-saver. However, choosing the best budget coffee maker can be a tricky task, especially if you don't want to sacrifice quality. The Braun BrewSense 12-Cup Coffee Maker is the solution.
With its standard and bold strength settings, small batch option, and quiet brewing cycle, this coffee maker is a reliable choice for any home. The Braun BrewSense brews efficiently and keeps a pot warm for up to five hours so you can go back for a second cup. At just under $100, it topped our list of the best budget coffee makers.
The Braun BrewSense 12 cup coffee maker brews a standard or bold pot of coffee in under 14 minutes and is near silent.
- Consistent brewing
- Marked difference between standard and bold brew settings
- Small batch option
- Adjustable keep warm setting to prevent spoiling coffee flavor
- Stainless steel model is more expensive
- Does not come with extra charcoal filters
Design
I lifted the coffee maker out of the box and was basically ready to start brewing. The Braun BrewSense Coffee Maker is just over 14 inches tall, so it can be tucked under tall cabinets. It's sold in three different stainless steel designs and an all-black exterior option. The stainless steel accents will show fingerprints, but overall, the coffee maker does not look as cheap as it is.
The BrewSense comes with a charcoal water filter, which helps to remove chlorine and other deposits from water before brewing for better flavor. The carafe can be used to fill the water reservoir with internal measurements and then placed on the heating plate to begin the brewing process.
Performance
Once I loaded the reusable cone filter with coffee grounds and filled the water reservoir, it only took 14 minutes to brew a standard pot of coffee. You can choose to pre-program the coffee maker to brew in time for you to wake up to a fresh pot, or hit the brew button yourself and wait for the brewing cycle.
When I wanted a stronger cup, I used the bold setting, which enhances the extraction of the coffee grounds. The bold coffee was notably more robust than the standard cup. After testing this coffee pot multiple times, I loved the consistency: no matter which setting you choose, you get a near-silent brewing process, and every pot has a smooth flavor.
Features
For a budget coffee maker, the BrewSense has clever features to make it more user-friendly. Not only is there a small batch option to brew one to four cups, but there's also a 'steal a cup' feature. Thanks to the anti-drip system, I could grab coffee from the carafe before the coffee maker was done brewing without any spills.
One of the best special features is the heat plate settings. You can adjust the temperature of the keep-warm setting so that you never get the reheated burnt flavor, even after a few hours of sitting. The coffee maker defaults to keep coffee warm for two hours, but you can go up to five hours.
Cleaning
We recommend that if you use a coffee maker daily, it should be cleaned regularly for the best performance and coffee flavor. This coffee maker makes it easy with a cleaning cycle feature and a warning indicator when descaling is necessary. The carafe can be cleaned in the dishwasher, and the reusable cone filter is easy to wash by running it under tap water.
Cons to consider
There is a cleaning cycle, and the carafe is dishwasher-safe, but I wish that the reusable filter were dishwasher-safe as well. Many retailers sell stainless steel models, which are more durable and sleek, but they are more expensive than the all-black option.
What are your alternatives?
Another great option right around $100 is KitchenAid's 12-Cup Coffee Maker. It uses a spiral showerhead brewing system to evenly saturate the coffee grounds and extract the smoothest-tasting coffee possible. Our picks for the best coffee makers use this system, but not many budget models do. The KitchenAid also has controls on the front and side of the machine, so you can operate it from anywhere on the countertop. At a lower price point, the Beautiful by Drew Barrymore Coffee Maker delivers on both aesthetics and performance.
If you're considering an espresso machine but don't want the four-figure price tag, we tested the best budget espresso machines. For a little more money than the BrewSense, the Bella Pro Espresso Machine brews rich and consistent shots of espresso. Plus, it has a built-in steam wand for frothing milk.
The bottom line
The Braun BrewSense 12-Cup coffee maker is a quality option on a budget. It brews quietly and efficiently for a well-balanced flavor, without making things complicated. The control panel offers customization for the strength of coffee you prefer, along with preset programming and a keep-warm function. It's a straightforward option to deliver that fresh morning cup of coffee at home on a daily basis.
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