From Bosch to Black and Decker

When we left South Africa, we had high end appliances. My Smeg coffee machine was one of them. In South Africa, Smeg is a serious lifestyle brand. People buy it as much for how stunning it looks on the counter as for what it does. Then came a season of simplifying, and when we reset up in Dubai, I made a conscious decision not to invest heavily in appliances until we knew what the future looked like.

So we landed on this Black and Decker filter coffee machine. Inexpensive, straightforward and honestly? It has surprised the heck out of me.

Better Than I Expected at This Price

I am used to quality. That Bosch set a standard in my mind for what a good coffee machine should do. So when a budget friendly option holds up well against that benchmark, it genuinely deserves a mention.

This machine brews a clean, consistent pot every single time. The 12 cup glass carafe is generous enough to make a large pot that sits and stays warm while we ease into our morning, which is exactly how we like to start our day. Because we are filter coffee people, the keep warm function is not a bonus, it is a necessity.

The 24 hour programmable timer means you can set it up the night before and wake up to fresh coffee already waiting. The LCD display is clear and simple to use. Additionally, the auto shut off and boil dry protection give you peace of mind if you forget to switch it off before leaving the house.

At 90 dirhams this is remarkable value. It does not look or feel cheap. It simply does its job quietly and consistently every single day.

Sometimes the budget option surprises you. This one absolutely did.

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