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Re-activateA coffeemaker that responds to voice commands sounds like a good perq but does it work? Well, that depends on who's talking. The $50 Hamilton Beach Voice Activated 44601 got percolating on command from some testers but turned a deaf ear to others. And it seems a little silly to be shouting at your coffeemaker, especially before you've had your morning brew.
In addition, the Hamilton Beach wasn't as impressive in Consumer Reports tests as models by Cuisinart, Kalorik, Zojirushi and Krups that were excellent for brew performance as well as programmable by pushing a few buttons. (Ratings available for subscribers.) Come on, you can make the effort.
Serious coffee drinkers don't need gimmicks to make a good pot. But they do need good coffee. In our tests of Colombian coffees, Eight O'Clock bested Caribou and Kickapoo and, at $6.28 per pound, cost considerably less. If you prefer a blend, we liked some from Starbucks, Green Mountain and Dunkin' Donuts—but not as much as we liked the Colombian.
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