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Why it’s great
The BLACK+DECKER CM1160B is a 12-cup programmable drip coffee maker built for buyers who want dependable coffee without paying for extra features they won’t use. Its Vortex showerhead design distributes water more evenly over the grounds than a basic drip spout, its Sneak-A-Cup function lets you pour a cup mid-brew, and a two-button digital timer makes overnight programming close to foolproof. It is one of the least expensive fully programmable coffee makers in its category, which makes it a realistic starting point for anyone upgrading from a basic switch-style machine.
Bottom line
The BLACK+DECKER CM1160B delivers solid, no-frills programmable coffee at one of the lowest prices in its category, with a couple of known long-term quirks that are worth knowing about before you buy.
Best for
- First-time buyers of a programmable coffee maker who want simple two-button setup with no learning curve
- Budget-conscious shoppers who want a full 12-cup pot without paying for brew strength control or a variable-temperature warming plate
- Anyone replacing a basic switch-style coffee maker and wanting to add an overnight timer for the first time
- Households that want to reduce paper filter use with a washable brew basket
- Renters or small kitchens where a compact, lightweight machine matters
- People who mainly want a straightforward daily pot rather than a machine with a long feature list
Who should skip this
- Anyone who wants a Bold or Rich brew strength setting, since this model brews at a single strength
- Buyers who want a variable-temperature warming plate or a small batch mode for 1 to 4 cups
- Shoppers who have had issues in the past with plastic-bodied coffee makers and want an all-metal or heavier-duty build
- Anyone who wants a self-clean or descale cycle built into the machine, since this model relies on manual vinegar descaling
- Owners who are sensitive to a persistent clean-cycle indicator light, since a share of long-term users report it staying on even after descaling
Key features
- 12-cup Duralife glass carafe with a no-drip pour spout
- Vortex showerhead technology designed to saturate coffee grounds more evenly for richer extraction
- QuickTouch digital programming with a 24-hour auto brew timer and large, rubberized buttons
- Sneak-A-Cup pause and serve function, with roughly 30 seconds to return the carafe before overflow
- Washable brew basket filter and dual water-level windows for easy monitoring
- Keep-hot plate that holds coffee warm for up to two hours after brewing, plus auto shutoff
- Compact, lightweight build at around 3.8 pounds, available in black and stainless steel finish
Performance and usability
- A full pot brews in roughly 7 to 8 minutes, which is standard for a drip machine at this price
- Water reaches a typical brewing range for good extraction, and owners consistently describe the resulting coffee as hot and well balanced
- The Sneak-A-Cup feature works cleanly for most owners, pausing the flow without the drips that some competing machines produce
- The two-button programming is repeatedly singled out as easier to use correctly than more feature-heavy digital displays
- The most consistent complaints involve a persistent “clean” indicator that some owners say doesn’t reset even after descaling, and a hot plate that can scorch coffee if left on too long after brewing finishes
Real world use cases
- Programming the timer the night before a work shift and waking up to a finished pot with no extra steps
- Grabbing an early cup mid-brew using Sneak-A-Cup before a morning school run
- Replacing an aging basic coffee maker in a shared apartment where budget matters more than extra brew settings
- Keeping a pot warm for up to two hours during a slow weekend morning without needing to reheat it
- Using the washable brew basket instead of restocking paper filters every week
- Setting up a first apartment or dorm kitchen with a compact, easy-to-learn machine
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Two-button 24-hour programming is consistently described as simple and hard to mess up | Some long-term owners report a persistent false clean indicator that doesn’t resolve with descaling |
| Sneak-A-Cup pause and serve works cleanly without the drips some competing machines produce | Lifting the lid to clean the machine can spill leftover water toward the back if not done carefully |
| Keep-hot plate holds coffee warm for up to two hours after brewing | |
| Washable brew basket reduces ongoing paper filter costs | |
| One of the most affordable fully programmable 12-cup options in its category |
Trust signals
- No major independent testing lab currently has a published, dedicated evaluation of the CM1160B, so this section leans more heavily on consistent patterns across owner feedback and secondary review coverage than it does on lab data.
- Info Coffee’s breakdown of the CM1160 confirms the machine brews within a typical extraction temperature range for its price class.
- A hands-on review from Brewed Brilliance found it brews consistently flavorful coffee, while noting the plastic components feel less durable than higher-end models.
- The CM1160B is backed by a manufacturer’s limited warranty from Black+Decker’s parent company, Spectrum Brands, with documentation available through Amazon’s product warranty link.
Scorecard
| Category | Rating | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Aesthetic & Form Factor | Medium | Simple black and stainless steel look that’s clean but basic compared to pricier machines |
| Space Efficiency | High | Compact and lightweight at around 3.8 pounds, fits easily on small counters |
| Performance & Speed | Medium | Full pot brews in about 7 to 8 minutes with Vortex technology for even saturation, standard for its price class |
| Ease of Cleaning & Maintenance | Medium | Washable brew basket helps, but some owners report the lid spilling residual water and a persistent false clean indicator |
| Quietness | Medium | Most owners don’t mention noise, though at least one reviewer described it as noisy during brewing |
| Build Quality & Durability | Medium | Mostly plastic construction that owners describe as functional but not premium, with mixed long-term reliability reports |
| Ease of Setup / Learning Curve | High | Two-button programming is repeatedly praised as simple and reliable, even for first-time users |
| Eco & Sustainability | Medium | Washable brew basket reduces paper filter waste, though no third-party eco certifications are listed |
| Value / Price-to-Performance Ratio | High | One of the most affordable fully programmable 12-cup coffee makers available, typically priced well under $50 |
| Portability | N/A | Designed as a stationary countertop appliance, not built for travel or transport |
What is in the box
- BLACK+DECKER CM1160B programmable brewer unit
- 12-cup Duralife glass carafe
- Washable brew basket filter
- Use and care instruction manual
Final verdict
The BLACK+DECKER CM1160B is a straightforward, budget-friendly programmable coffee maker that does the basics well: an easy overnight timer, a clean pause-and-serve feature, and a genuinely low price. It is not the machine to buy if you want brew strength control or lab-verified performance data, but for buyers who just want dependable daily coffee without paying for extras, it remains a sensible starting point.
What to know before buying
Entry-level programmable coffee makers can vary widely in day-to-day reliability even when their core brewing performance is similar, so it helps to know what corners a lower price typically cuts before you buy.
Editor’s Summary for BLACK+DECKER CM1160B Coffee Maker
BLACK+DECKER CM1160B Coffee Maker
An honest look at the BLACK+DECKER CM1160B coffee maker: brew quality, ease of cleaning, and long-term reliability, based on real owner feedback.
4.4
Pros
- Two-button 24-hour programming is consistently described as simple and hard to mess up.
- Sneak-A-Cup pause and serve works cleanly without the drips some competing machines produce.
- Keep-hot plate holds coffee warm for up to two hours after brewing.
- Washable brew basket reduces ongoing paper filter costs.
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- One of the most affordable fully programmable 12-cup options in its category
Cons
- Some long-term owners report a persistent false clean indicator that doesn't resolve with descaling.
- Lifting the lid to clean the machine can spill leftover water toward the back if not done carefully.
