The best cheap coffee maker

By Thais Wilson-Soler

This post was done in partnership with The Sweethome, a buyer’s guide to the best things for your home. Read the full article here.

After considering 17 cheap coffee makers and testing the six most promising candidates, we think that the Hamilton Beach 12-Cup Coffee Maker (46201) is the best. For about the price of three bags of specialty coffee beans, you get a machine that reliably makes a solid cup of coffee—even if you’re brewing pre-ground stuff from the grocery store. In addition to winning over our tasting panel of pro coffee roasters, it has a host of user-friendly features that testers loved—like a removable water reservoir and a programmable auto-brew timer. Best of all, it was the cheapest model we tested.

Who should buy a budget coffee maker

The author getting a whiff of some of the coffee we used for testing. Photo: Michael Hession

If you’re someone who wants a decent cup of coffee for a budget-friendly price, a budget coffee maker is for you. Similarly, if you don’t want to bother with freshly grinding your expensive coffee beans every morning, a cheap coffee maker can actually make a batch of pre-ground Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts joe taste better than it would from a fancier coffee maker. That’s because fancy coffee makers are designed to bring out every flavor note from the coffee—not what you want to do with pre-ground supermarket stuff.

If you’re looking for features like an effective thermal carafe or pre-infusion to achieve optimal flavor extraction, these machines are probably not for you. A budget coffee maker, by definition, will not make you the perfect cup of coffee (we tried!), and coffee machines with expert features like pre-infusion start at around $140. If you’re a connoisseur on a budget, we’d encourage you to experiment with a pour-over setup. If you’re a coffee enthusiast with a little more time and money to spare, our original guide to the best coffee maker will better suit your needs. In a side-by-side taste test, the OXO On 9-Cup, our pick from that guide, made much better coffee than even the best machine covered in this review.

How we picked and tested

Tobin Polk of Lofted Coffee uses a refractometer to determine brew concentration. Photo: Michael Hession

Following the same protocol outlined in our guide to the best coffee maker, we brewed pots in each of our contenders with the help of Lofted Coffee master roasters Tobin Polk and Lance Schnorenburg. We conducted our taste test twice. First, we brewed with Lofted Coffee’s own single-origin light roast to determine which machine did the best job of presenting the flavor profile they were going for, and brewed a second round with a bag of cheap, pre-ground Dunkin Donuts breakfast blend to simulate a more common at-home scenario. We also brought along our trusty OXO On 9-Cup as a control for taste and other measurements, like brew temperature.

After our initial round of testing and ruling out a few machines, we also conducted a group test in our own New York City Sweethome test kitchen. Our panel included writers, editors, researchers, and production staff from both The Sweethome and The Wirecutter. Our group test required that each participant interact with the coffee makers and report on the usability of each machine’s interface. Then, we brewed a pot of coffee using each of the finalists and passed out cups of each in a blind taste test. Each tester then filled out a rubric and rated the coffee makers on taste, usability, and value.

Our pick

Our pick, the Hamilton Beach 12-Cup Coffee Maker (46201). Photo: Michael Hession

The Hamilton Beach 12-Cup Coffee Maker (46201) made a good cup despite being the cheapest coffee maker we tested. It also has a removable water reservoir for easy filling (and a rotating base to make it easy to access), a compact footprint, and a simple interface. Testers were initially torn between the Hamilton Beach and the Mr. Coffee Optimal Brew 10-Cup Thermal Coffee Maker (BVMC-PSTX95), but everyone said they’d buy the Hamilton Beach after we revealed that it costs half as much as the Mr. Coffee.

Runner-up

Our runner-up, the Mr. Coffee Optimal Brew 10-Cup Thermal Coffee Maker (BVMC-PSTX95). Photo: Michael Hession

For hotter coffee with a taste that came close to matching the brewing prowess of the Hamilton Beach, we recommend the Mr. Coffee Optimal Brew 10-Cup Thermal Coffee Maker (BVMC-PSTX95). This model ranked second in our taste test; tester Tobin Polk detected a “subtle sweetness” and a more balanced cup of coffee than from other machines besides the Hamilton Beach. Best of all, it makes very hot coffee—a full 8 degrees hotter than that of our top pick. We think its added features and user interface make it a solid alternate option. But considering how close the machines were in their performance, and the fact that the Hamilton Beach typically sells for half the price, this Mr. Coffee is only our runner-up pick.

This guide may have been updated by The Sweethome. To see the current recommendation, please go here.

Airbnb hopes to redesign small towns

For Airbnb, it’s not enough to try to shape city policies on home sharing — it wants to shape the cities themselves. The service tells FastCo Design that it has created an innovation lab, Samara, whose aims include rethinking architecture and urban planning. If Airbnb can spark new life in small towns, the reasoning goes, it can create “new types of commerce” and attract more rentals to areas that might be on the decline. Samara’s initial effort is a communal housing project for the small Japanese town of Yoshino (due to open soon after its October arrival), but there’s talk of similar work for other small towns as well as new product designs, software and “economic models.”

The move may seem odd for a company whose business revolves around booking stays at other people’s places. However, it’s in keeping with a tech industry trend of tackling larger technological and social challenges in order to shape the market — think of Uber’s work on self-driving cars, or internet-everywhere initiatives from Facebook and Google. Airbnb can only thrive if there are bustling urban centers that you want to visit, and an investment in those centers now could easily pay off in the future.

Source: FastCo Design

Samsung to offer free Gear Fit 2 or 256GB microSD with Galaxy Note 7 purchases

Samsung has announced that it will be offering a free Gear Fit 2 or 256GB microSD card with Galaxy Note 7 purchases for a limited time. In addition, the company will also offer $20 in rewards when using Samsung Pay for a qualifying purchase. These promotions are nothing new for Samsung, the company has been offering freebies like the Gear VR with most of its recent phone announcements.

Pre-orders for the Galaxy Note 7 begin on August 3, with in-store availability beginning on August 19. Samsung has not stated exactly how long this promotion will last, but it is noted that it will only be available for a limited time, and while supplies last. Would you prefer the Gear Fit 2 or the 256GB card with your Galaxy Note 7? Be sure to let us know which color and accessory you will be ordering.

Samsung Galaxy Note 7

• Samsung Galaxy Note 7 hands-on preview
• The latest Galaxy Note 7 news!
• Here are all four Note 7 colors
• Complete Galaxy Note 7 specs
• The Galaxy Note 7 uses USB-C
• Join the Note 7 discussion in the forums!

Samsung admits it ‘disappointed Note fans’ by skipping Note 5 release in Europe

Samsung Europe CMO acknowledges fan campaign to bring Note 7’s predecessor to Europe.

With the arrival of the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 in Europe, it’s only natural that the company might address its predecessor’s absence from that market. That subject was tackled head-on at the London Unpacked event today, where Samsung Europe CMO David Lowes admitted that the company had disappointed fans by skipping a European launch for the Galaxy Note 5, and instead offering the Galaxy S6 edge+ in European countries.

“At Samsung we listen to our customers. We disappointed our Note fans by not bringing [the Note 5] to Europe,” Lowes told journalists in London today.

“I can’t think of any phone that’s supported a campaign around its return,” referring to an online petition to bring the Note 5 to Europe which gained more than 10,000 signatures.

The Galaxy Note 7 arrives in Europe on Sept. 2, with pre-orders starting Aug. 16.

Samsung Galaxy Note 7

• Samsung Galaxy Note 7 hands-on preview
• The latest Galaxy Note 7 news!
• Here are all four Note 7 colors
• Complete Galaxy Note 7 specs
• The Galaxy Note 7 uses USB-C
• Join the Note 7 discussion in the forums!

Galaxy Note 7 launch day: Everything you need to know!

Well that was big, huh?

Samsung has taken the wraps off of the Galaxy Note 7, and as is always the case with a big phone reveal there’s a lot to take in. Unlike the last few Samsung launches we don’t have two versions of the phone — it’s all Note 7, and it’s a phone that integrates a ton of what we’ve already seen in the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge.

To get up to speed with everything surrounding the Galaxy Note 7, we have you covered right here.

The Galaxy Note 7

The Galaxy Note 7 is very clearly another complementary piece to sit above the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge, and for that reason it has a lot in common with those phones. The internal specs are nearly identical, and that means it has also inherited the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge’s waterproofing and great cameras as well. With a dual-curved screen, the Note 7 also has the “Edge UX” software found on the Galaxy S7 edge.

But this is still a Note in the end, bringing with it some new features and a freshly refined design. More internal storage, an improved S Pen, a fresh look in the software and an oft-rumored iris scanner all arrive on the Note 7 to differentiate it as well.

• Samsung Galaxy Note 7 hands-on preview
• Samsung Galaxy Note 7 specs
• Here are all four colors of the Galaxy Note 7
• Galaxy Note 7, in pictures

Galaxy Note 7 features

Breaking down some of the individual pieces of the Note 7, there are a few things that stand out. This is the first waterproof Galaxy Note, it’s the first phone ever with Gorilla Glass 5 and also the first Galaxy phone with a USB-C port.

• The Galaxy Note 7 is waterproof with an IP68 rating
• With the Galaxy Note 7, Samsung finally moves to USB-C
• The Galaxy Note 7’s S Pen can’t go in backwards
• Gorilla Glass 5 makes its debut on the Galaxy Note 7
• What you need to know about the Galaxy Note 7’s iris scanner
• The Galaxy Note 7 can make GIFs out of just about anything

Galaxy Note 7 availability

The Galaxy Note 7 lands first in the United States, with an August 3 pre-order date ahead of general availability on August 19. In Europe, you’ll have to wait until August 16 to pre-order, with launch day coming on September 2. Canada doesn’t get a pre-order window, but the Note 7 will be available right on the same day as the U.S. — August 19.

• Complete Samsung Galaxy Note 7 availability

Galaxy Note 7 accessories

With the move to a USB-C in the Galaxy Note 7 it necessitated a refresh of Samsung’s Gear VR headset, and so we have a new model to take a look at. And although the Gear 360 has already been announced, Samsung is finally willing to give it a final price and set of retailers where you can buy it.

• Samsung announces new Gear VR with interchangeable USB-C plug, refreshed design
• The Gear 360 is finally widely available starting Aug 19 for $349

Samsung Galaxy Note 7

• Samsung Galaxy Note 7 hands-on preview
• The latest Galaxy Note 7 news!
• Here are all four Note 7 colors
• Complete Galaxy Note 7 specs
• The Galaxy Note 7 uses USB-C
• Join the Note 7 discussion in the forums!

Watch the Galaxy Note 7 strut its stuff in these adverts

The Galaxy Note 7 is official, and it has a lot to offer. Samsung’s latest flagship comes with a 5.7-inch QHD Super AMOLED display with HDR video, Snapdragon 820 SoC, 4GB of RAM, 64GB storage, 12MP camera, 5MP front shooter, Wi-Fi ac MIMO, and a 3500mAh battery. The Note 7 also offers IP68 certification, and has an iris scanner in addition to the fingerprint sensor at the front.

The phone will be available in the U.S. starting AUgust 19, with pre-orders kicking off from August 3. Want to know more about the Galaxy Note 7? Take a look at our extensive coverage.

Samsung Galaxy Note 7

• Samsung Galaxy Note 7 hands-on preview
• The latest Galaxy Note 7 news!
• Here are all four Note 7 colors
• Complete Galaxy Note 7 specs
• The Galaxy Note 7 uses USB-C
• Join the Note 7 discussion in the forums!

Samsung Galaxy Note 7 availability: When and where you’ll be able to buy it!

The latest Note handset will go on sale later this month in the United States, and early September in Europe.

Samsung has just dropped the first availability details for its new Galaxy Note 7, letting eager fans know when and where they’ll be able to get their hands on the newly announced Note.

Samsung Galaxy Note 7 U.S. release date

The Galaxy Note 7 will launch first in the United States, where it goes up for pre-order on August 3 ahead of an August 19 retail date. The carriers are starting to get in on the fun with various deals.

AT&T

AT&T has announced that pre-orders of the Galaxy Note 7 will be available starting on August 3. As for pricing, you’ve got a few options: 30 payments of $29.34 using AT&T Next or 24 payments of $36.67 for AT&T Next Every Year

In addition, AT&T will be offering a few other promotions with the Galaxy Note 7. Those include

• Buy one Galaxy Note 7 and get a $695 in monthly AT&T Next credits to purchase a second.
• Buy a Galaxy Note 7 and get a free Samsung Gear S2 with 2-year agreement
• Buy a Galaxy Note 7 and get a Galaxy Tab E for $0.99

See at AT&T

T-Mobile

T-Mobile is offering the Note 7 for $69.99 down and $32.50 for 24 months — or a total of $849.99 — starting August 3 at 12:01 a.m. ET.

For a limited time, you’ll be able to have your choice of a free Gear Fit 2, one-year Netflix subscription or 256GB SD card with your Note 7 order — a pretty great value.

See at T-Mobile

U.S. Cellular

U.S. Cellular has announced that it will begin accepting pre-orders on August 4, with it becoming available in-store on August 19. The carrier will offer 20, 24 or 30 month payments, with payments as low as $27.80 per month. Those who opt for the 20 month plan will be able to upgrade in 12 months.

Of course, those who purchase the phone early will be able to take advantage of the free Gear Fit 2 or 256GB microSD card with their purchase.

Verizon

Verizon will begin accepting pre-orders for the Galaxy Note 7 on August 3, and it will arrive in stores on August 19. The carrier has not yet announced its pricing, but for a limited time you’ll be able to grab a free Gear Fit 2 or 256GB microSD card with your purchase.

Samsung Galaxy Note 7 UK + Europe release date

In Europe, pre-orders start August 16, with the Note 7 going on sale in major European countries on Sept. 2.

Samsung Galaxy Note 7 Canadian release date

In Canada, the Note 7 will be available on August 19th at Samsung Experience Stores and various carriers, including Rogers, Telus, Bell, Wind Mobile, Videotron, MTS and SaskTel. It will also be available at Best Buy and other retailers on August 19th.

We’ll update this post with availability details in more countries as they become available.

So, Note fans, will you pony up the cash for the series’ latest instalment? Shout out in the comments if you’re planning on placing a pre-order.

Samsung Galaxy Note 7

• Samsung Galaxy Note 7 hands-on preview
• The latest Galaxy Note 7 news!
• Here are all four Note 7 colors
• Complete Galaxy Note 7 specs
• The Galaxy Note 7 uses USB-C
• Join the Note 7 discussion in the forums!

Check out our Galaxy Note 7 hands-on video!

There’s a lot more to this phone than just a Galaxy S7 edge with an S Pen.

The Galaxy Note 7 is a killer phone, and it’s coming to many parts of the world in the next few weeks. To get you in the mood, here’s our hands-on preview video for you to watch — anytime, anywhere.

Samsung Galaxy Note 7

• Samsung Galaxy Note 7 hands-on preview
• The latest Galaxy Note 7 news!
• Here are all four Note 7 colors
• Complete Galaxy Note 7 specs
• The Galaxy Note 7 uses USB-C
• Join the Note 7 discussion in the forums!

MrMobile goes hands-on with the Galaxy Note 7

Since 2010, the Galaxy Note family has represented some of the biggest and best smartphones Samsung has to offer. Today, the world’s most famous phablet family gets a sixth generation – and it’s called the Galaxy Note 7.

Samsung says that skipping the “6” brings the new Note in line with the Galaxy S7’s branding, and the similarity to the smaller smartphone is striking indeed – especially on the spec sheet. With a much larger screen and the signature S Pen stylus, the Galaxy Note 7 is still a different beast – but you wouldn’t know it by looking at it.

Has the Note line lost some of its luster this year, or is this another case of you-gotta-use-it-to-understand-it? You decide: enjoy a sneak peek with Michael Fisher’s Galaxy Note 7 Hands On, and stay tuned for the MrMobile Galaxy Note 7 review coming later this month!

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