The Sunbeam Heritage Series Programmable Coffee Maker HDX25 impressed us with its simple, yet efficient design. We especially liked this unit's little "extras." A removable plastic water reservoir, for instance, lifts off for easy filling and then is easily set back in place. You also get a permanent mesh filter so you never have to bother with paper filters.

The digital clock/timer on this model is also rather unique. The hour and minutes are set by twisting the outer ring around the face of the clock. While not as high tech as pressing a button, we preferred the twist-to-set mechanism because it allowed us to adjust the setting up and down, which is very handy if you accidentally go past the desired hour or minute setting.

The compact styling also deserves mention. An oval-shaped charcoal-gray body is offset by black and chrome accents. The unit's overall dimensions are 7 inches (wide) by 11 inches (deep) by 13.5 inches (tall). A dual flip-top lid provides easy access to the coffee filter on one side and water reservoir on the other. Aside from the Clock Set and Delay Set controls, which are pushbuttons, the remaining functions (Brew Now, Brew Later) are activated by toggle switches. Indicator lights glow to show which function has been selected.

The brew time for a full 12-cup carafe is approximately 12 minutes. There is no indicator to signal completion of the brew cycle; the pumping actually ceases a minute or two before the dripping stops. If you are in a hurry for that first cup, the unit's Brew Pause feature allows you up to 30 seconds to pour a cup while the coffee maker is still brewing.

The coffee temperature was a pleasing 178 degrees Fahrenheit in the carafe. The warming plate maintained a consistent temperature for up to two hours, after which the coffee maker automatically turns itself off. Additional features include a handy cord storage compartment at the rear of the unit and non-slip rubber feet, which keep the coffee maker stable on the countertop.


Pros: Programmable clock/timer, removable water tank, permanent mesh filter
Cons: No "coffee ready" indicator

Warranty
1 year