Russell Hobbs 20680-56 Filter Coffee Machine - Review 🏆

Russell Hobbs is a well-known British home appliance brand that has been manufacturing stylish and functional products since 1952. Originally starting as a manufacturer of appliances like kettles and irons, Russell Hobbs has expanded its product range over the years to include coffeemakers, toasters, food processors and other kitchen gadgets.

Known for their combination of attractive design and affordability, Russell Hobbs aims to make kitchen tasks easier for home cooks. Their coffee makers in particular deliver convenience and tasty results without the high price tags attached to more premium brands.

The Russell Hobbs Buckingham Filter Coffee Machine is one of their popular offerings in the coffeemaker category. As a budget-friendly machine with decent brewing abilities, it provides an accessible entry point into filter coffee for households seeking an upgrade from instant coffee.

Product Overview

The Russell Hobbs 20680-56 Buckingham filter coffee machine is a stylish and functional brewer. This 10-cup drip coffee maker features a 1.25 liter glass carafe and a washable filter that eliminates the need for paper filters.

Some of the key features and specs of the Russell Hobbs 20680-56 Buckingham include:

• Model Number: 20680-56
• Brewing Capacity: 10 Cups
• Water Reservoir: 1.25 Liters
• Permanent Filter: Yes, washable stainless steel filter
• Programmable Timer: No
• Dimensions: 26.5 x 23 x 33.5 cm
• Power: 1050W
• Material: Stainless steel and black plastic

The Buckingham has an attractive stainless steel and black plastic design that will look nice on most kitchen counters. It has a front-facing control panel with buttons for power, start/stop brewing, and an LED indicator.

Additionally, you might be interested in the De'Longhi ICM14011.W, a compact coffee maker known for its sleek design and efficient brewing process. This model has a unique anti-drip system, allowing you to pour coffee before the brewing cycle is complete without making a mess. Perfect for small kitchens, it brews up to 10 cups, making it ideal for both individuals and small families.

Design

The Russell Hobbs 20680-56 Buckingham filter coffee machine has an attractive retro design that will look great in most kitchens. It has a stainless steel finish with black accents that give it a sleek, modern look.

Materials and Colors

The housing is made of brushed stainless steel which gives it a premium feel and easy wipe-clean surface. The water reservoir, drip tray, and filter basket are black plastic. The colors complement each other well for an appealing two-tone aesthetic.

Size and Weight

This is a compact coffee maker measuring 11.4 x 24.8 x 20.6 cm, so it doesn't take up much counter space. It weighs just 1.3 kg, making it easy to move around and store away when not in use. The small footprint is ideal for kitchens with limited space.

Aesthetic Opinion

Overall, the retro-inspired design is eye-catching and will add a stylish accent to your kitchen. The mix of stainless steel and black plastic gives it a classy yet contemporary look. The compact size also makes it perfect for small kitchens, dorm rooms, offices, or other small spaces where you want great tasting coffee without a bulky machine.

Another Option

If you're looking for an alternative, consider the De'Longhi ICM15240BK. This coffee machine features a sleek design with a glass carafe and a programmable timer, allowing you to wake up to freshly brewed coffee. Its modern look is complemented by a user-friendly interface, making it a great addition to any kitchen while offering convenience and style.

Brewing Performance

The Russell Hobbs 20680-56 Buckingham filter coffee maker brews a pot of coffee in around 10 minutes, which is fairly standard for drip coffee machines in this price range. The water is heated to the optimal brewing temperature between 195-205°F to properly extract the coffee flavors and oils.

The machine produces a smooth, balanced cup of coffee without any bitterness. The coffee comes out piping hot and retains its heat well throughout the brew cycle. The flavor is rich and robust, bringing out the subtle tasting notes in your choice of coffee beans or grounds. The flat-bottom filter basket allows for even water dispersion and extraction.

Some users note the coffee can taste slightly weaker than expected, especially when using a coarse grind. This may be remedied by using a finer grind size or slightly increasing the amount of coffee. Overall, the Buckingham brews a very enjoyable pot of filter coffee with pleasant aroma and full body.

Ease of Use

The Russell Hobbs 20680-56 is designed to be easy and straightforward to use.

Controls and Display

It has simple dial controls to select your desired brewing strength and keep warm settings. There's no complex programming or digital interfaces. The water level window makes it easy to see how much water you've added. The clear water tank has markings to show the max fill line.

Setting Up and Preparations

Setting up the coffee maker is very quick and simple. Just add water to the tank, put a filter in the holder, add your coffee grounds, and flip the switch to start brewing. The water tank and filter basket lift out for fast and easy filling and cleaning.

Cleaning and Maintenance

Keeping this coffee machine clean is hassle-free. The removable parts like the filter basket, water tank, and drip tray are dishwasher safe. The heating plate can be wiped down if needed. Descaling is recommended every 3-4 months to keep mineral buildup from affecting performance. Overall, it doesn't require much effort to keep the Russell Hobbs coffee maker in good working order.

Extra Features

The Russell Hobbs 20680-56 Buckingham filter coffee maker has a few handy extra features that add value.

• Keep Warm Function - The coffee maker will keep your brewed coffee hot for up to 40 minutes after it finishes brewing. This is perfect if you want to make a full pot but don't need it all right away.

• Removable Filter Holder - The filter holder lifts out, making it very easy to fill with coffee grounds and change filters.

• Anti-Drip Valve - This stops drips after brewing so you don't get a mess when pouring a cup.

• Cord Storage - The power cord wraps under the base for tidy storage.

• Dishwasher Safe Parts - The carafe, lid, and filter holder are all dishwasher safe for easy cleaning.

• LED Clock - A digital clock display lets you program auto-brew up to 24 hours in advance.

• 1.25L Capacity - Brews up to 12 cups in one batch. Good for families or entertaining.

Overall, the extra functions add convenience and versatility without overly complicating the coffee maker's operation. The keep warm, programmable timer, and dishwasher safe parts are especially handy for busy households.

Price

The Russell Hobbs Buckingham filter coffee machine is currently priced at £24.99 on Amazon (as of February 2023). This puts it at the lower end of the market for drip filter coffee makers.

For the price, this machine offers decent value. It has a 10 cup capacity glass carafe, removable anti-drip filter basket, washable filter, keep warm plate, and brew pause function. While it lacks some of the extra features and higher-end materials of more expensive models, it provides the basics you need for brewing filter coffee at home.

The all-plastic construction does feel a bit flimsy, but for under £25 you would expect some material compromises. Overall, this is an affordable option if you're looking for an entry-level filter coffee machine that can deliver good results without breaking the bank. It may not be built to last forever, but provides satisfactory performance for the price.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Large 1.25L capacity glass carafe keeps coffee hot for longer
• Programmable timer allows you to wake up to freshly brewed coffee
• Permanent filter means no need to buy paper filters
• Dishwasher safe parts for easy cleanup
• Compact size takes up minimal counter space

Cons

• Brewing time is slower than some models at 7-8 minutes
• Lid on water reservoir can be tricky to properly seal
• No insulated carafe to keep coffee hotter for longer
• Filter overflow can occur if overfilled with grounds
• Brew pause feature would be useful for a top up

Comparable Products

When considering the Russell Hobbs 20680-56 Buckingham filter coffee machine, it's helpful to compare it to other similar models on the market. Here are a few top alternatives:

De'Longhi Dedica Style EC685.M

• Sleek and compact design to save counter space
• Manual milk frother for making cappuccinos and lattes
• Rapid heating time of under a minute
• Permanent filter included - no need for paper filters
• More expensive than the Russell Hobbs model

Morphy Richards 162009 Pour Over Filter Coffee Maker

• Simple pour-over design with reusable filter
• Single serve capacity makes 1-4 cups at a time
• Drip-stop feature to pause mid-brew
• No frills operation and easy clean-up
• Lower capacity than Russell Hobbs model

Melitta AromaSignature Connect

• Fully programmable for custom brew schedules
• Built-in grinder with multiple settings
• Produces up to 12 cups of coffee
• Removable water tank for easy filling
• On the higher end of price range

The Russell Hobbs Buckingham has a solid feature set for the price compared to these other trusted coffee maker brands. The large capacity and programmable timer offer versatility for the money.

Conclusion

The Russell Hobbs Buckingham filter coffee machine provides a simple, no-frills option for brewing filter coffee at home. With its compact size and basic features, it's best suited for singles or couples who want an affordable and easy-to-use drip coffee maker.

The plastic housing feels a bit flimsy but the machine brews a decent pot of filter coffee. The carafe is glass which keeps the coffee hotter for longer versus a thermal carafe. The water tank is easy to fill but small so you'll need to refill it frequently.

Overall, this model lacks some of the bells and whistles of pricier filter coffee machines but makes a solid budget pick for anyone seeking basic functionality without complexity. It's easy to operate and maintain, producing a smooth pot of filter coffee. For those wanting a simple, inexpensive filter coffee machine that doesn't take up much counter space, the Russell Hobbs Buckingham is a good choice.