Tefal Smart & Light CM6008 Filter Coffee Machine - Review 🏆

The Tefal Smart & Light CM6008 is a filter coffee machine designed to brew coffee simply and efficiently. This review will provide an unbiased look at the pros and cons of this coffee maker to help you determine if it's the right choice for your needs.

The Tefal Smart & Light filter coffee machine features a compact and sleek design intended for kitchens with limited counter space. It uses #4 cone filters and has a 10 cup capacity. The coffee maker has an LED display for programming brew times and strength. Key features include a keep warm plate, removable filter holder, and auto-off function.

In this review, we will evaluate the Tefal Smart & Light's design, features, ease of use, coffee quality, noise level, care and cleaning needs, and value for money. You'll get a transparent assessment of this coffee machine's strengths and weaknesses to help inform your buying decision. Whether you're looking for your first filter coffee maker or want to upgrade your current model, this review covers everything you need to know about the Tefal CM6008.

Design and Appearance

The Tefal Smart & Light CM6008 has a sleek and modern design with a rounded shape and black plastic finish. It has a footprint of 25 x 15 cm, standing 32 cm tall, so it doesn't take up too much counter space. The plastic body keeps it lightweight at just 1.8 kg.

The machine comes in three color options - black, red, and white. The black version has a glossy finish, while the red and white models have more of a matte look. All three color options feature chrome accents on the control panel, water reservoir, and around the base.

The water reservoir is clear so you can easily see the water level. The drip tray pulls out from the front to make emptying it easy. The power cord wraps around the base for tidy storage. Overall, the design is compact yet stylish, suiting most kitchen decors.

The design and appearance of the Tefal coffee maker contrasts nicely with other models on the market such as the Morphy Richards 162501. That model has more of a retro look with its rounded shape and wood accents. It comes in a cream and brown color scheme reminiscent of 1970s appliances. The water reservoir is made of opaque plastic rather than clear. While the Tefal aims for a sleek, modern look, the Morphy Richards has a funky vintage style.

Looking at the dimensions, the Morphy Richards 162501 is a bit larger at 28 x 19 cm footprint and 36 cm tall. It is also heavier at 2.3 kg due to its use of stainless steel components. The cord wrap and removable drip tray are similar features on both models for easy use and storage. When choosing between the two, consider whether you prefer the Tefal's compact contemporary design or the Morphy Richards' bulkier retro styling.

Features and Capabilities

The Tefal CM6008 Smart & Light filter coffee machine can brew up to 10 cups of filter coffee at a time. It has a 1.5 litre glass carafe, which is enough for about 8-10 cups.

This coffee maker does not have any programmable features like setting a brew time. You simply add the water and coffee grounds, and press start whenever you want coffee.

It has an anti-drip system that pauses coffee flow after brewing to prevent drips and spills when pouring. There is also a keep warm plate to keep the carafe contents hot for up to 40 minutes after brewing.

The Smart Light technology adjusts the brewing time based on the quantity of coffee being made. This helps optimize the flavor extraction and prevent bitter or weak coffee.

It has a removable filter holder that is compatible with #4 paper filters. The water tank is easy to access from the front to refill whenever needed.

Overall, it's a straightforward filter coffee machine without too many bells and whistles, but provides solid performance for daily coffee drinking. The adjustable brewing time is a useful feature to help customize the flavor.

If you're looking for a filter coffee machine with some more advanced features, the Melitta Easy Therm II is a great option to consider. It has a built-in burr grinder so you can use whole coffee beans. There are also 10 strength settings and an AromaSelector that allows you to adjust the brewing temperature.

The Melitta machine has a 1.25 litre thermal carafe that keeps coffee hot for hours without a hot plate. This helps maintain the flavor and aroma better than a glass carafe with a hot plate. The Easy Therm II allows you to program the brew start time and has an automatic shut-off.

In terms of capacity, the Melitta can brew up to 12 cups at once. The water tank is removable for easy filling. It uses cone-shaped #4 paper filters like the Tefal model. An integrated cleaning program makes it simple to descale the machine as needed.

The built-in grinder is convenient for brewing whole beans. It has 17 grind size settings to customize coarseness from fine espresso to coarse French press. An bypass doser allows pre-ground coffee use too.

Overall, the Melitta Easy Therm II provides more customization options and high-end features compared to the Tefal Smart & Light. The thermal carafe, strength settings, temperature control, and grinder make it better suited for coffee enthusiasts who want maximum flavor and convenience.

However, the Tefal is a solid budget-friendly choice if you just want simple operation without too many extra features. For a basic filter coffee machine that gets the job done, the Smart & Light model offers good value and performance.

Ease of Use

The Tefal Smart & Light CM6008 filter coffee machine is designed with convenience and ease of use in mind. The control panel is simple and intuitive, with just two buttons to choose between a small or large cup size.

Setting up the machine is very straightforward - it comes with clear instructions, and there are only a few parts to assemble. The water tank and filter holder easily click into place. Programming the machine to your preferences is easy with the simple menu and display screen.

Brewing coffee is hassle-free with the Smart & Light. Just add ground coffee to the filter, fill the tank with water, choose your cup size, and press start. The flow stop allows you to remove the jug mid-brewing if desired.

The thermal jug keeps coffee hot for longer while also being easy to pour. Cleaning and descaling are simple with removable, dishwasher-safe parts. The used coffee grounds container is accessed from the front of the machine for quick and mess-free disposal.

Overall, the well-designed interface and thoughtful features make the Tefal Smart & Light an exceptionally easy to use filter coffee machine. It takes the work out of brewing fresh, tasty coffee.

Coffee Quality

The Tefal Smart & Light CM6008 brews coffee with excellent taste and aroma. The filter holder evenly saturates the coffee grounds to extract the full flavor profile. It produces a balanced, nuanced cup with notes of chocolate, caramel, and citrus.

The coffee comes out at an ideal serving temperature around 160-170°F, hot enough to enjoy immediately without scalding your mouth. The thermal carafe does a great job at maintaining the optimal temperature for up to 2 hours after brewing.

The coffee has a silky, creamy mouthfeel thanks to the shower head design that fully saturates the grounds. The metal filter allows some fine particles to pass through which adds to the luxurious texture. However, the filter catches the majority of grounds to minimize grittiness or sediment at the bottom of your cup.

Overall, the coffee consistency is smooth and even from the first cup to the last. The flat-bottom filter basket and uniform water dispersion prevent channeling or over/under extraction. This results in a reliably delicious brew batch after batch.

Noise Level

The Tefal CM6008 coffee maker operates at a reasonable noise level that shouldn't disturb most households.

When brewing a pot of coffee, it produces a gentle hum that is comparable to other drip coffee machines on the market. The brewing noise stays at a consistent volume whether you are making a small 4 cup brew or a full 12 cup pot.

The grinding function on the CM6008 is slightly louder, but not excessively noisy. The grinder has a sharp whirring sound that lasts about 10-15 seconds when grinding beans. The noise is similar to operating a small food processor or blender. Some users may find the grinder too loud for early morning coffee grinding if you have housemates or family members who are still asleep.

Overall, the noise profile of the Tefal coffee maker is average and falls within expectations for an appliance of this type. It likely won't wake up the whole house when brewing coffee in the morning. However, the grinder function may be disruptive early in the morning when household members are still sleeping.

Care and Cleaning

The Tefal Smart & Light CM6008 is easy to keep clean and well-maintained. The parts that come into contact with coffee and water are removable and dishwasher safe. Simply place the glass carafe, filter holder, and permanent filter in the top rack of your dishwasher. The exterior housing can be wiped down with a damp cloth as needed.

Descaling is an important part of coffee machine maintenance to prevent mineral buildup. Tefal recommends descaling every 3-4 months depending on usage and water hardness. The machine has an integrated descaling program that walks you through the process step-by-step. All you need to do is fill the water tank with descaling solution, place a large container under the spout, and press the descale button. The machine will automatically run the solution through and alert you when complete. It's a straightforward process that takes less than 30 minutes.

Overall, the cleaning and maintenance of the Tefal Smart & Light is simple and hassle-free. The removable, dishwasher safe parts cut down on hand washing. And the built-in descaling program takes the guesswork out of upkeeping the internal workings. With basic regular care, the machine will deliver consistent performance and longevity.

Value for Money

The Tefal Smart & Light CM6008 offers excellent value for money given its features and performance. At around £60, it sits at the lower end of filter coffee machines yet still delivers quality coffee and useful capabilities.

Compared to competitors like the Russell Hobbs 20680 Buckingham Filter Coffee Machine which retails for around £50, the Tefal model offers noticeable advantages. The glass carafe of the Tefal holds up to 10 cups while the Russell Hobbs maxes out at 8 cups. The Tefal also has a removable filter holder for easy cleaning and an LED-lit water tank.

More expensive options like the Melitta AromaFresh Grind and Brew Therm which sells for £100+ do offer higher end features like a built-in grinder and insulated thermal carafe. However, for shoppers wanting great tasting coffee without all the bells and whistles, the Tefal hits a sweet spot.

It provides a programmable timer, aroma strength selector, anti-drip valve, and other useful functions at an affordable price point. For budget-conscious buyers who still want quality and customization from their coffee, the Tefal CM6008 is hard to beat. Its combination of performance, ease of use, and price make it a great value purchase.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Produces good quality filtered coffee with adjustable strength
• Simple and easy to use with one-touch control panel
• Compact and lightweight design saves counter space
• Permanent washable filter included - no need for paper filters
• Keeps coffee hot for over 2 hours with thermal carafe
• Programmable timer to wake up to freshly brewed coffee
• Affordable price point around £50

Cons:

• Small 1.5 litre water tank capacity
• Filter holder can be tricky to properly align
• Carafe lid does not seal tightly so coffee aroma escapes
• Louder operation compared to some other drip coffee makers
• Max capacity is 15 cups - not ideal for large gatherings
• No smart features like app control or scheduling

Conclusion

Overall, the Tefal Smart & Light CM6008 is a solid mid-range filter coffee machine that produces decent coffee with minimal fuss. It has a sleek and compact design that will look good on any kitchen counter. The machine is simple to operate, with preset programs, an LED interface, and dishwasher-safe parts for easy cleaning.

The coffee it produces is piping hot and better than instant, though it may lack some richness and depth compared to higher-end filter coffee makers. The machine is relatively quiet and efficient. The price is quite reasonable for the features and performance.

The Tefal Smart & Light CM6008 would make a good choice for someone looking for an affordable and low-maintenance filter coffee solution. It offers convenience and quality that surpasses a basic drip machine. While coffee aficionados may want something more customizable and premium, this Tefal model hits a nice sweet spot for casual coffee drinkers who want good results without much work. Its compact size and quiet operation also make it a solid choice for offices, dorms, or small spaces. Overall, it's a great value purchase for people seeking an automatic filter coffee maker that consistently delivers decent results.