Russell Hobbs 20680 Buckingham Filter Coffee Machine - Review 🏆

The Russell Hobbs 20680 Buckingham is a compact yet fully-featured filter coffee machine designed for home use. This 10-cup coffee maker features a simple and intuitive design that makes brewing a fresh pot of coffee easy for any home user.

Despite its compact size, the 20680 Buckingham doesn't compromise on functionality or brew quality. It has a glass carafe, removable filter basket, programmable timer, self-cleaning function, and other useful features you'd expect in a quality drip coffee machine. The stainless steel and black plastic exterior gives it an attractive look that fits well in most kitchen decors.

Overall, the 20680 Buckingham aims to deliver delicious filter coffee with fuss-free operation. This review will take a close look at the design, features, performance and value of this Russell Hobbs coffee maker to help you decide if it's a good choice for your home.

Design and Build Quality

The Russell Hobbs 20680 Buckingham filter coffee machine features a stylish and compact design that will look great in any kitchen. The machine has a brushed stainless steel finish that gives it a sleek, modern look. Despite its small footprint, it does not feel flimsy or cheap.

The water reservoir and filter basket are made from durable black plastic that feels solidly constructed. The clear water level window allows you to easily monitor the water level. The stainless steel accents on the control panel and lid give it a more premium feel.

Overall, the design is focused on simple functionality rather than flashy aesthetics. While it may not stand out, the minimalist look will fit well in most kitchen decors. The materials feel sturdy enough for regular use and brewing.

In comparison, the GEEPAS GCM41505UK filter coffee machine has a more eye-catching design with its wooden accents and retro styling. It comes in a cream color with walnut wood paneling on the water reservoir. This gives it a vintage look that stands out from typical stainless steel coffee makers.

The control panel is made from black plastic with stainless steel trim, complementing the wood and cream colors nicely. The water window and filter basket are also constructed from plastic. While the materials are not as premium, the build quality still feels solid.

The retro design is polarizing - some may find it gaudy while others appreciate the unique vintage aesthetic. The wood paneling makes it a bolder statement piece compared to the understated Russell Hobbs model. Those wanting their coffee maker to be an accessory that draws the eye will likely prefer the GEEPAS.

When it comes to size, the GEEPAS machine has a taller but slightly slimmer footprint. The wood accents add visual interest and make it appear more substantial. The Russell Hobbs has a squared off shape while the GEEPAS is rounded and curved.

Both coffee makers are well-designed and constructed for regular use. The choice comes down to preferences - the Russell Hobbs for minimalist, discreet looks or the retro flair of the GEEPAS if you want your coffee machine to stand out. Regardless of aesthetics, they both brew good coffee while matching most kitchen decor styles.

Features

The Russell Hobbs 20680 Buckingham filter coffee machine has several useful features that make it a versatile option for brewing filter coffee.

Capacity: This machine has a 1.25 liter water tank, which allows you to brew up to 10 cups of coffee at a time. This is a decent capacity for a home coffee maker.

Adjustable Settings: There are adjustable settings to customize your brew. You can choose between 1-4 cups and adjust the strength selector. This allows you to brew anything from a single cup to a full pot of coffee and tailor the flavor to your tastes.

Other Notable Features: Other handy features include a programmable timer, so you can set the machine to automatically brew coffee at a certain time. There is also a keep warm plate that keeps your brewed coffee hot for up to 40 minutes after it's finished brewing. The water level indicator lets you see how much water is left in the tank. Overall, the features allow for customizable brewing and convenience.

If you're looking for an alternative filter coffee machine, the De'Longhi ICM 17210 is worth considering. This model also has a number of useful features for brewing customizable cups of filter coffee. It has a 1.4 liter water tank capacity, allowing you to brew up to 15 cups at once. There are adjustable aroma strength settings and an automatic shutoff feature after brewing. The De'Longhi ICM 17210 also keeps coffee warm for 40 minutes after it's done brewing. The main advantage it offers over the Russell Hobbs model is the slightly larger water tank capacity and aroma strength customization. Overall, both the Russell Hobbs 20680 and the De'Longhi ICM 17210 are great options for filter coffee makers with handy customizable features and decent capacities for home use.

Ease of Use

The Russell Hobbs Buckingham 20680 filter coffee machine is very easy to operate and set up. It has an intuitive interface with a simple on/off button, pause button to temporarily stop the brewing, and a self-clean button.

The controls consist of a dial to select the number of cups and a timer dial to adjust the brew strength. They are clearly labeled and easy to adjust. To brew coffee, you simply add ground coffee into the filter, fill the water tank to the desired number of cups, choose your settings, and press the on button. The water tank is easy to access and fill.

The initial set up just involves washing the parts and running a cleansing brew cycle without any coffee. The instruction manual provides clear directions for getting started. The swing-out filter holder allows you to easily insert and remove the filter.

Overall, the straightforward interface and controls on the Buckingham 20680 make it an accessible coffee machine for beginners while still giving experienced users the flexibility to customize the brew. The self-cleaning function also adds convenience.

Brew Quality

The Russell Hobbs 20680 Buckingham filter coffee machine brews a tasty cup of coffee with optimal flavor extraction. The water reaches the ideal 195-205°F temperature for coffee brewing, ensuring the grounds are properly saturated without scalding the coffee.

The brew time is around 5-7 minutes for a full 12 cup pot, which is typical for drip coffee makers. The flow rate through the basket seems well calibrated, with no weak or overextracted flavors. The end result is a smooth coffee with pleasant aroma, medium body, and balanced acidity.

The flavor profile provides a clean base coffee taste without any burnt, bitter, or off notes. The coffee comes out at a good drinking temperature as well, staying pleasantly hot but not too hot to enjoy right away. Overall, the Buckingham produces an enjoyable pot of filter coffee with solid brew quality.

Cleaning and Maintenance

The Russell Hobbs 20680 Buckingham filter coffee machine is relatively easy to keep clean. The removable filter holder, glass carafe, and warming plate can all be cleaned by hand washing with warm soapy water.

Descaling the machine to remove mineral deposits is recommended every 2-3 months depending on water hardness. This involves using a descaling solution or white vinegar. The process is straightforward - you fill the water reservoir with the descaling solution, run it through the machine into the carafe, then rinse thoroughly. The manual provides clear step-by-step descaling instructions.

The water reservoir and lid can also be washed by hand or wiped clean as needed. Overall, the cleaning is on par with most drip coffee makers and should not be an issue for most users. Proper cleaning and descaling helps maintain the machine and optimize coffee flavor.

Value for Money

The Russell Hobbs 20680 Buckingham filter coffee machine offers excellent value considering its price and features. At around £25-30, it is very competitively priced compared to similar models from brands like De'Longhi and Breville.

The machine comes with a standard 1-year warranty which provides protection against defects. This is typical for most small kitchen appliances in this price range.

When comparing to other filter coffee machines under £50, the Russell Hobbs 20680 stands out for including features like a removable filter holder and dishwasher safe parts. Many cheaper models lack these conveniences.

Overall, those looking for an affordable but well-equipped filter coffee machine will find the Russell Hobbs 20680 Buckingham provides fantastic value. Its low price does not mean compromising on useful functionality. Given its capabilities, the product delivers outstanding value for money.

Pros

• Large 1.25L capacity - The Russell Hobbs 20680 Buckingham has a generous 1.25L capacity, allowing you to brew up to 10 cups of coffee at a time. This is great for larger households or hosting guests.

• Removable filter holder - The filter holder easily lifts out, making it simple to add ground coffee and change filters. The removable parts are also dishwasher safe for easy cleaning.

• Permanent filter included - This coffee maker comes with a permanent filter, so you don't need to keep buying disposable paper filters. The permanent filter is reusable and cuts down on waste.

• Timer function - You can program the Russell Hobbs 20680 Buckingham the night before to automatically brew fresh coffee at the desired wake-up time. The 24-hour programmable timer is very convenient.

Cons

• The carafe has a plastic handle which feels a bit cheap compared to the rest of the stainless steel carafe. The handle can get hot to the touch after brewing.

• It's relatively noisy when brewing. The filter holder rattles around a bit and it's not the quietest machine. This may be an issue early in the morning if you don't want to wake others up.

• The water tank is only 1.25L which means you may need to refill it more frequently if making multiple cups. This can be inconvenient compared to machines with larger water reservoirs.

• The showerhead design causes a fair amount of splashing and mess on the countertop around the machine. Be prepared to wipe up drips after brewing.

Conclusion

Overall, the Russell Hobbs 20680 Buckingham filter coffee machine is a solid budget option for making drip coffee at home. It has a simple and compact design that will fit well in most kitchens. The machine is easy to use with dishwasher safe parts for simple cleanup.

The coffee it produces is decent but unremarkable. It lacks some of the customization and brew control you get with more expensive models. The carafe could be better insulated to keep coffee hotter for longer.

For the very reasonable price, this machine delivers the basics you need for daily coffee drinking. If you're looking for an affordable, no-frills drip coffee maker that doesn't take up much space, the Russell Hobbs 20680 Buckingham is a good choice. It provides good value given its low cost. Just don't expect café-quality coffee from this budget machine.