If you’re on the market for a basic coffee maker, you’ve probably run into the names Mr. Coffee and Black and Decker already. Both manufacturers make solid and simple coffee makers.
But which is better? Our mission in this comparison is to put Mr. Coffee vs Black and Decker and closely examine their most popular coffee makers.
By the end of this guide, you’ll know the following:
- The features both coffee makers have.
- Which features set them apart from each other.
- How to determine which one is better for you specifically.
Let’s get to it.
Quick Summary
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Attribute | Mr. Coffee 12-Cup Coffee Maker | Black and Decker 12-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker |
|---|---|---|
Image |
|
|
Brewing Capacity | 12 cups | 12 cups |
Warming Plate | Yes | Yes |
Brew Pause | Yes | Yes |
Auto Shut-Off | No | Yes |
Water Reservoir Windows | 2 | 1 |
Cord Storage | Yes | Yes |
Ideal Uses | Home | Home |
Pricing |
You couldn’t find a simpler coffee maker than this Mr. Coffee one, which is why it’s ideal for coffee novices. It doesn’t have a whole control panel of buttons and settings to fuss with – just a simple on and off switch.
You don’t even need to press anything to pause the brew cycle to pour yourself a cup. Just lift the carafe off the plate and it automatically stops brewing for you.
In this comparison, the Black and Decker 12-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker is the slightly more complex of the two models. That’s because it’s designed to offer you the additional convenience of programmable brewing.
Don’t have time to brew a pot in the morning? Then you can set the coffee maker up the night before and it will automatically brew a batch for you at the time you programmed. Grab this one if you find you often don’t have time to brew yourself fresh coffee.
Similarities
Capacity
Coffee makers can brew batches in a variety of sizes. Some, for example, brew in single-serve portions to eliminate waste.
Others, such as the Mr. Coffee and Black and Decker, can brew up to twelve cups at a time. This makes them the perfect coffee makers for serving a whole gathering of people. Alternatively, with their warming plates keeping your coffee toasty, you can brew a large batch to sip on for a couple hours.
Looking for coffee makers you can share with an office? Try looking at our list of the best coffee makers for break rooms.
Brew Pause
In a rush? Chances are, you don’t have time to wait several minutes for your coffee maker to finish making that fresh batch.
Fortunately, with either of these coffee makers, you won’t need to wait. Thanks to their brew pause functions, you can temporarily stop the brewing process to pour yourself a cup rather than waiting.
Read Also: Keurig K-Café vs Mr. Coffee Café Barista
Water Reservoir Window
If you’ve ever taken coffee from the office coffee maker in the past, then you’re probably familiar with the golden rule of brewing another patch if you get the last cup. It’s common courtesy.
Unfortunately, it can sometimes be difficult to tell how much water you need to add if there are no windows on the water tank. This is why both the Mr. Coffee and Black and Decker have water windows on the side.
Using these windows, you can tell with nothing more than a look if they’re running low on water.
Cord Storage
Do you hate messy cords dangling in the way constantly? The good news is that both these coffee makers have a solution to that problem: integrated cord storage.
On the base of either coffee maker, you’ll have access to compartments that allow you wrap or tuck the cord away. This is particularly helpful if you’re planning on storing the coffee maker in between batches or if you ever need to move it around for cleaning up your counters.
Removable Filter Basket
If your filter basket were attached to your coffee maker, cleaning would become a hassle. You’d have to carry the whole coffee maker to your sink to wash it, or you’d have to try and scrub it where it stands without making a soaking mess.
That’s why the Mr. Coffee and Black and Decker each have removable brew baskets. When you’re finished brewing, simply remove the paper filter, dispose of it, and pull out the basket. Once removed, the basket is easy enough to transport to a sink where you can wash it comfortably.
Glass Carafe
There are two main carafe types when it comes to your standard drip coffee maker: glass or thermal. Both the coffee makers in this comparison make use of glass carafes.
There are a couple benefits to this design. One is that the glass is clear, which allows you to visually gauge how much coffee is left in the pot. With a thermal carafe, you’d have to lift it up and guess based on the weight.
The second benefit is that glass doesn’t retain odors over time. Brew as many batches as you like without worrying about your coffee pot getting smelly.
Warming Plate
Your hot batch of coffee can turn into a frigid disappointment if it’s not kept warm. For that reason, the Mr. Coffee and Black and Decker each have warming plates built right into them.
The warming plate works the way you would expect. Beneath the carafe, a plate comes on that gently warms the bottom of the pot. This conserves the warmth of your coffee for hours, buying you more time to enjoy your brew.
If you’re looking for another way to keep your coffee warm, an insulated French press is another excellent option.
Differences
Number of Color Configurations
To be clear, the Mr. Coffee and the Black and Decker coffee maker each are available in a small assortment of colors. However, the Black and Decker offers you just a little more versatility here, as it is sold in black, black with stainless steel, or white.
In comparison, the Mr. Coffee only gives you two choices: black or white. This isn’t critical and may not be a dealbreaker for you, but it can sometimes be important if there’s a certain look you’re trying to stay true to in your kitchen.
Black and Decker QuickTouch Programmable Brewing
One of the biggest differences between these coffee makers is the Black and Decker’s programmable brew feature. If you’re not a morning person, this is probably a decisive factor for you.
How does it work? Well, the coffee maker has a 24-hour clock built into it. You can program the clock and set a time for the coffee maker to automatically brew for you.
For instance, you can put your grounds in the basket with the filter, fill the coffee maker with water, and then set it to start brewing right before you wake up. When you do wake up the next day, you’ll be greeted by the comforting aroma of freshly brewed coffee.
Mr. Coffee Dual Water Reservoir Windows
Technically, both these coffee makers have water reservoir windows. The difference here is that the Mr. Coffee has two windows instead of one, while the Black and Decker has only one.
This means that you can check on the water level from either side. No matter where you are, a quick look will tell you whether or not you need to add more water.
Black and Decker Auto Shut-Off
Sometimes, you forget to turn off an appliance. You might be busy, in a hurry, or you simply forget because you’ve got other things on your mind.
Depending on the appliance, this can be a costly mistake when your next electric bill comes. Even if it isn’t necessarily expensive, it can leave you feeling wasteful when you realize your mistake.
The Black and Decker’s auto shut-off function prevents this from occurring. After two hours, the coffee maker will shut itself off for you, making it impossible for you to forget to turn it off.
So, Which is Better?
All these features may leave you wondering still which coffee maker is better for you. In order to answer that question, we’re going to need to examine your specific circumstances and needs.
If you feel like you’re always rushing to get by in the morning or that you don’t have time to brew a batch of coffee, the Black and Decker could be the better choice. Its programmable auto-brew ability allows you to set the coffee maker up in advance, which can help you save time.
Additionally, you may want to go with the Black and Decker if you like the black with stainless steel color most. This isn’t an option for the Mr. Coffee, which is only available in black or white.
Are you the type of person who would forget to add water to the reservoir on your coffee maker? Then the Mr. Coffee is the better choice because of its dual water windows.
However, in most other aspects, these coffee makers are essentially the same. That’s why our suggestion is the following:
Get the Black and Decker coffee maker if you need one that you can program to brew in advance. This function is perfect for those in a rush every morning.
The main reasons you should choose the Mr. Coffee are the ability to see the water tank from just about any angle or if you prefer its pared-down functionality. It may be easier to learn to use, as it has fewer settings than the Black and Decker.
Learn more about either coffee maker by click the below links: