Black & Decker Single Serve Coffeemaker

I set the CM618 on a cramped apartment counter, hoping it could replace the bulky pod machine I’d been tolerating. After several weeks of daily use, it’s proven that small, simple coffee makers still have a place—provided you understand their quirks and you’re happy brewing directly into a travel mug.

Design and footprint

The CM618 is compact enough for tiny kitchens and office corners, with a footprint roughly the size of a thick book (about 7.4 x 5.9 x 12.1 inches). It’s lightweight plastic with black-and-steel accents and hides its cord neatly when not in use. The included 16-ounce stainless travel mug is sized for most car cup holders and nests neatly under the spout. While the mug isn’t high-end vacuum insulated, it kept coffee hot for the first 45–60 minutes and pleasantly warm afterward. If you rely on slow sipping across a whole morning, you may want a better insulated tumbler.

There’s no built-in water reservoir; instead, you add exactly the amount of water you want to brew each time. That keeps staleness and algae issues at bay, and it makes the machine smaller. It also means your brewing routine benefits from a measuring cup for consistency.

Setup and everyday workflow

This is a one-button machine. The removable filter basket arrives with a permanent mesh filter, and you can use either ground coffee or soft coffee pods (the flat, teabag-style pods). It does not take rigid plastic capsules. My best results with grounds came from a medium grind, similar to what you’d use for a standard drip maker.

A few practical notes about the routine that produced consistent, mess-free brews for me:
- Plug the unit in first, then add water. If you see the indicator light come on unexpectedly, give it a moment to reset before pressing the button.
- Measure water in a small pitcher or measuring cup and pour slowly into the rear opening. Think of the back as a funnel: steady pours work best; fast pours cause splashes.
- The height under the spout isn’t adjustable. If you use a shorter mug than the included one, place a coaster or folded towel under it to bring the rim closer to the drip and avoid stray droplets.

With that flow, the machine is essentially fuss-free: fill, dose, press, and walk away. It will power itself down after about two hours.

Brewing performance

For a 12-ounce cup using 2 rounded tablespoons of coffee (about 12–14 grams), I averaged 3 minutes, 30 seconds from button press to final drips. A full 16-ounce fill took just under 5 minutes. Brew temperature at first drip was in the mid-170s °F in-cup, which is about what I expect from compact single-serve units and sufficient for extracting a balanced cup with a proper grind.

Taste-wise, the CM618 produced a clean, straightforward drip profile. With the mesh filter alone, I noticed a bit of fine sediment in the last sip. That’s normal for mesh filters, but if you prefer a paper-filter clarity, a #1 or 1–4 cup basket paper filter nested inside the basket works perfectly. It also simplifies cleanup—lift, toss, and rinse.

Soft pods brewed without fuss and delivered an even milder, tea-like extraction. If you like a bolder cup, grounds are the way to go. I found the following ratios reliable:
- Grounds: 1 to 1.5 tablespoons per 6 ounces of water; medium grind.
- Soft pods: one pod for 8–10 ounces; two pods for up to 16 ounces.

The 650-watt heater isn’t a powerhouse, but it’s efficient. The CM618 uses far less energy than larger capsule machines and never scorched or over-extracted my coffee.

Mug fit and splashing

The included travel mug sits securely and captures nearly all droplets. Wider ceramic mugs can be a mixed bag. The platform under the spout is shallow and not height-adjustable; if your mug is short or very wide, you may see occasional splatter as the stream hits near the rim. Elevating the mug by half an inch with a coaster solved this issue for me.

As for filling, the rear opening is shaped like a chute. Pour from a spouted measuring cup and you’ll keep your counter dry. Pour from a large kettle and you’ll likely drip. This isn’t a deal-breaker—just a quirk of the compact design.

Build, noise, and maintenance

Build quality is what I expect at this price: light, serviceable plastics with decent fit. The button sits on the side and is easy to press, though left-handers may find the angle slightly awkward on a crowded counter. During brewing, the unit hums quietly and emits a soft drip; I measured mid-60s dB at arm’s length—conversation-friendly.

Maintenance is simple:
- The filter basket, mesh filter, and mug are dishwasher-safe (top rack).
- Daily: dump grounds/pod, rinse basket and mesh, wipe the spout.
- Weekly: run a plain water cycle to clear residues.
- Every few months (more often with hard water): descale with a 1:1 white vinegar and water solution, then two cycles of plain water to rinse.

Because there’s no standing reservoir, the machine stays fresher between uses than larger brewers.

What I like

• Compact, no-reservoir design that brews exactly what you pour—no stale water.
• Accepts grounds or soft pods; easy to dial flavor with grind and ratio.
• Consistent brew times and temperatures for the category.
• Permanent mesh filter included, with the option to use small basket papers for cleaner cups.
• Simple one-button operation and auto shutoff for peace of mind.
• Included 16-ounce travel mug fits most car cup holders and aligns well with the spout.
• Low energy draw and minimal counter footprint; tidy cord storage.

What needs work

• Not compatible with rigid plastic capsules; soft pods only if you’re not using grounds.
• The rear fill opening rewards careful pours; use a spouted cup to avoid drips.
• Fixed height under the spout can cause splash with short mugs; an adjustable platform would help.
• The included mug’s heat retention is okay, not great. Serious heat keepers will want a better insulated tumbler.
• The side-mounted button can be awkward to access on tight counters.

Who it’s for

The CM618 suits a few scenarios perfectly:
- Small apartments, dorms, and offices where space and simplicity matter.
- Commuters who want to brew directly into a travel mug without a bulky machine.
- Coffee drinkers who prefer using their own grounds (and possibly a small paper filter) for a cleaner-tasting cup.
- Anyone looking to reduce capsule waste without giving up single-serve convenience.

If you’re heavily invested in K-Cup-style capsules, want an adjustable cup platform, or expect thermos-level heat retention from the included mug, this won’t be the right fit. Likewise, if you brew multiple back-to-back cups for a household each morning, a larger drip machine with a carafe will be more efficient.

Tips for best results

• Use a medium grind and start at 1.5 tablespoons per 8 ounces of water; adjust to taste.
• Nest a 1–4 cup basket paper filter inside the permanent basket for a cleaner cup and easier cleanup.
• Pour measured water slowly from a spouted cup; aim for the middle of the rear opening.
• Raise short mugs with a coaster to minimize splashes and heat loss.
• Preheat the included travel mug with hot water while grinding to keep your coffee hotter, longer.

Recommendation

I recommend the CM618 for budget-minded, single-serve drinkers who value compact size, low maintenance, and the flexibility to brew with their own grounds. It consistently delivers a straightforward, satisfying cup and does so with very little fuss once you learn its workflow. The trade-offs—no rigid pod compatibility, a finicky fill if you pour too fast, and modest heat retention from the included mug—are reasonable given the compact design and price. If your morning routine looks like “grind, fill, press, and go,” this little brewer fits in seamlessly. If you need K-Cups, multiple size settings, or a barista-like level of control, look elsewhere. For everyone else, the CM618 is a tidy, reliable way to get a hot 12–16 ounces into a travel mug with minimal counter drama.