Black & Decker makes genuinely useful home appliances at prices that won't break the bank, but not everything in their range is worth buying. Their coffee makers deliver reliable performance for under £52, their blenders punch above their weight at £25–£62, and their air purifiers are where you pay for serious filtration—but only if you need it. Skip the mid-tier vacuum if you want robot cleaning on a budget.
Why Black & Decker?
Black & Decker has been making household appliances since 1910, and they've stuck to what they know: practical, durable tools and kitchen gear that prioritises function over flash. They don't chase luxury branding—instead, they offer reliable performance at accessible prices. The brand specialises in small appliances where everyday dependability matters more than cutting-edge features: coffee makers with straightforward controls, blenders with powerful motors for the price, and air purifiers with proven filtration tech. Their strength is consistency across a range, not one standout hero product.
Top Picks
Black & Decker 12-Cup Automatic Coffee Maker (DCM100B) — £40.99
Best for: No-fuss morning routines. Simple, reliable, affordable. This is the bare-bones option: 12-cup capacity, automatic shut-off after 2 hours, a warming plate that keeps coffee drinkable (not scalded), and enough simplicity that you'll never wrestle with the menu. No programmable timer, no fancy brewing modes—just brew and go. Perfect if you want coffee, not a coffee project.
Black+Decker 12-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker (CM1070B-2) — £39.99
Best for: Planning ahead. The programmable twin to the DCM100B—set it to brew before you wake up. Same 12-cup capacity and warming plate, but adds a 24-hour timer so you can delay brewing. Only 1p cheaper than the automatic model, so only choose this if delayed brewing actually matters to you. Otherwise, the DCM100B is the smarter buy.
Black & Decker 12-Cup Automatic Drip Coffee Maker (CM1331S) — £51.29
Best for: Kitchen counters with space. The premium option in the Black & Decker coffee lineup. Stainless steel construction (vs. plastic on the cheaper models) means it looks better and feels sturdier. Same 12-cup capacity and heating plate, but slightly refined brewing performance. Worth the £10 premium only if appearance or durability matters to you; coffee quality is nearly identical to the DCM100B.
Black+Decker PowerCrush Digital Blender (BL1300DG-P) — £61.99
Best for: Smoothie makers and soup lovers. 1300 watts of power, stainless steel 6-tip blade, and a 2-litre capacity jug that'll crush ice and frozen fruit reliably. Digital control panel (vs. basic buttons) gives you 15 speed settings plus a pulse function. This is the blender to buy if you use it 4+ times per week; the motor's built for durability at this price point.
Black+Decker Ice Crush Blender — £24.99
Best for: Occasional blending on a tight budget. 56-ounce (1.6-litre) jar, 6-tip stainless steel blade, 8 speeds plus pulse. Don't expect the PowerCrush's power—this is entry-level—but it'll handle smoothies, milkshakes, and occasional ice crushing without complaint. The value here is unbeatable for light use.
Quick Comparison
| Product | Price | Best For | Standout Feature | |---------|-------|----------|------------------| | DCM100B Coffee Maker | £40.99 | Daily brewing, simplicity | 2-hour auto shut-off | | CM1070B-2 Programmable | £39.99 | Delayed brewing | 24-hour timer | | CM1331S Stainless Coffee Maker | £51.29 | Premium aesthetics | Stainless steel construction | | PowerCrush Digital Blender | £61.99 | Heavy blending use | 1300W motor, 15 speeds | | Ice Crush Blender | £24.99 | Budget smoothies | Entry-level value | | Roboseries Robot Vacuum | £129.99 | Hands-free cleaning | Autonomous navigation | | Air Purifier UV | £251.99 | Medium rooms | UV sterilisation | | Electrostatic Precipitator Air Purifier | £430.75 | Large spaces (500 sq. ft.) | 4-stage filtration system |
What to Look For
- Capacity and daily use: 12-cup coffee makers suit 2+ people or batch brewing; 1-2 person households often waste water. Blenders: if you blend fewer than 3 times weekly, the £24.99 model suffices; heavy users need the 1300W PowerCrush.
- Material durability: Stainless steel (CM1331S) lasts longer than plastic, especially if your coffee maker lives on a busy kitchen counter. It's worth the extra £10 if you plan to keep it 5+ years.
- Motor power for blenders: 1300 watts (PowerCrush) crushes ice reliably; anything under 1000W will struggle with frozen ingredients and burn out faster if you demand it daily.
- Filtration coverage: Air purifiers—the £251.99 model covers standard rooms; the £430.75 Electrostatic Precipitator handles 500 square feet with 4-stage filtration. Match to your space; oversizing wastes money, undersizing wastes air.
The Bottom Line
Buy the Black & Decker 12-Cup Automatic Coffee Maker (DCM100B) for £40.99 if you want no-nonsense daily brewing, or the PowerCrush Digital Blender (£61.99) if you blend regularly. Black & Decker's strength is reliable mid-range appliances—they won't impress design lovers, but they'll brew coffee and crush ice without drama for years. The premium air purifiers are worth their price only if you actually need 500 square feet of coverage; the vacuum at £129.99 is functional but unremarkable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Black & Decker good value for money?
Yes, for coffee makers and blenders. You're paying for reliable function at £25–£62, not premium branding. The air purifiers are more expensive but justified by their 4-stage filtration and coverage. The value weakens on the robot vacuum—£129.99 buys basic autonomous cleaning, not smart mapping.
Should I buy the programmable or automatic coffee maker?
Buy the automatic (DCM100B, £40.99) unless you specifically want to wake up to fresh coffee. The programmable costs 1p less and adds complexity for a feature most people don't use regularly.
Which Black & Decker blender should I choose?
If you blend 4+ times weekly: PowerCrush (£61.99) for its 1300W motor and 15 speeds. If occasional smoothies: Ice Crush (£24.99) saves £37 and handles light duty. There's no middle ground—choose by frequency of use.
Are Black & Decker air purifiers worth buying?
The 4-stage Electrostatic Precipitator (£430.75) is solid for 500 square foot rooms and justifies its price with durability. The UV model (£251.99) works for smaller spaces but is less exceptional. Only buy if you have allergies or live in a high-pollution area—these aren't essential appliances.
