Hamilton Beach Alexa Enabled Smart Coffee Maker (49350R): A Barista in Your Kitchen

Published on Aug. 3, 2023, 9 p.m.

The Hamilton Beach Works with Alexa Smart Coffee Maker (49350R) is an innovative drip coffee machine that allows you to control brewing via voice commands with Alexa. I recently had the chance to test out this Alexa-enabled coffee maker and was impressed with its seamless smart functionality and solid brewing performance. In this review, I’ll provide an overview of the key features and usability of this voice-controlled coffee maker.

Overview

The Hamilton Beach 49350R Works with Alexa Smart Coffee Maker has a 12 cup capacity and a compact, space-saving design. It has Alexa voice control built-in, allowing you to start/stop brewing and adjust settings like brew strength simply by speaking to an Alexa device. The coffee maker has a front-fill reservoir for easy water filling, a swing-out basket for adding grounds, and an intuitive control panel. It’s also programmable directly from the Alexa app.

Hamilton Beach 49350R Works with Alexa Smart Coffee Maker

Key Features

Alexa integration: Voice control coffee maker through Alexa devices
Remote access: Control via Alexa app from anywhere
Customizable brewing: Schedule auto-brew times, program custom commands
Works with Alexa Certified: Ensures optimal Alexa responsiveness
12-cup capacity: Brews up to 12 cups
Regular/bold modes: Tailor brew strength to taste
Front-fill design: Easy to fill reservoir and basket

Background

The Hamilton Beach 49350R Works with Alexa Smart Coffee Maker is not just an appliance; it’s a testament to Hamilton Beach’s innovation in kitchen technology. As a company known for introducing the first electric drip coffee maker, Hamilton Beach continues to integrate cutting-edge technology into its products, making everyday routines more convenient. This model, with its Alexa compatibility, represents a significant step forward in the evolution of smart kitchen appliances, marrying traditional coffee brewing with modern smart home functionality.

Design

The design of the Hamilton Beach 49350R coffee maker is a perfect blend of functionality and aesthetics. Its black and stainless steel finish not only provides a modern look that complements any kitchen décor but also offers durability and ease of maintenance. The thoughtful design extends to its user-friendly interface, with clearly labeled buttons and an intuitive layout, ensuring that users of all tech-savviness can operate the machine with ease. Moreover, the front-fill reservoir and swing-out basket highlight Hamilton Beach’s commitment to convenience and user-centric design.

Hamilton Beach 49350R Works with Alexa Smart Coffee Maker

Ease of Use

The Alexa voice automation makes coffee brewing incredibly simple. Just issue a voice command or schedule brews through the Alexa app for hands-free operation. It can brew a full pot in around 10 minutes. The intuitive buttons also allow for easy manual use as needed.

Hamilton Beach 49350R Works with Alexa Smart Coffee Maker

Brew Type and Pods

This is a traditional drip coffee machine that uses ground coffee in a reusable filter basket. It does not support K-cups or other single-serve coffee pods. The standard brewing system is ideal for making regular American-style coffee.

Coffee Quality

Users praise the Hamilton Beach 49350R Works with Alexa Smart Coffee Maker for producing smooth, balanced coffee with pleasing aromas and flavors. The regular and bold brew modes allow customizing strength and body. The hot plate keeps finished coffee hot and flavorful.

Core Functionality

The Hamilton Beach 49350R excels at automating your coffee routine through voice control. Beyond basic brewing, you can schedule brews, customize commands, and remotely manage the coffee maker all through Alexa. Its front-filling design adds convenience, while various brew strengths cater to different tastes.

Alexa Voice Control

The Hamilton Beach 49350R’s standout feature is its seamless integration with Alexa. Simply give voice commands to your Alexa-enabled device to start or stop brewing, adjust brew strength, or set up brewing schedules. This hands-free control adds convenience and allows for a truly automated coffee experience.

Remote Access via Alexa App

The coffee maker can be controlled remotely through the Alexa app. This means you can start brewing from anywhere, check the status of your coffee, or adjust settings conveniently from your smartphone. The app also allows for scheduling brew times and setting up custom routines, enhancing the flexibility and personalization of your coffee experience.

Works with Alexa Certification

The coffee maker’s “Works with Alexa Certified” status signifies that it has met Amazon’s rigorous standards for responsiveness, reliability, and functionality. This ensures a smooth and reliable experience when controlling the device through Alexa voice commands or the app.

Customizable Brewing

The Hamilton Beach 49350R goes beyond basic brewing. You can tailor your coffee to your preferences with regular or bold brew strength options. The programmable features allow you to schedule brews in advance, so you can wake up to the aroma of freshly brewed coffee. Additionally, you can create custom commands for Alexa, adding a personal touch to your coffee routine.

Regular and Bold Brew Strength Options

Whether you prefer a milder cup of coffee or a bolder, stronger brew, this coffee maker has you covered. The two brew strength options allow you to customize the flavor intensity of your coffee to your liking.

Front-Fill Reservoir and Brew Basket

The innovative front-fill design adds convenience by allowing you to fill the water reservoir and the brew basket without having to move the coffee maker from under your kitchen cabinets. This feature is especially useful in kitchens with limited counter space.

Drip-Free Carafe

The carafe is designed to prevent drips and spills when pouring your coffee. This ensures that your coffee stays in your cup and not on your countertop.

Front-Fill Water Reservoir

The front-fill water reservoir eliminates the need to move the coffee maker to fill it. Simply open the front lid and pour water into the reservoir. This convenient design is especially useful for those with limited counter space.

12-Cup Capacity

The Hamilton Beach 49350R’s generous 12-cup capacity makes it ideal for households that enjoy multiple cups of coffee throughout the day or for entertaining guests. You can brew a large pot of coffee without having to refill the water reservoir frequently.

Innovation

The Alexa integration for complete voice control coffee brewing is the main innovative feature. Making coffee via voice and app, creating schedules, and remotely operating are new capabilities.

Hamilton Beach 49350R Works with Alexa Smart Coffee Maker

Additional Features

Allows programming auto-brew times, custom Alexa voice commands, setting clock, changing strength levels, and auto shutoff.

Hamilton Beach 49350R Works with Alexa Smart Coffee Maker

Automatic Shutoff and Cleaning Reminder

The coffee maker comes with an automatic shutoff feature that turns off the device two hours after brewing, ensuring safety and energy efficiency. A cleaning cycle reminder also helps maintain the coffee maker’s performance and ensures the best possible coffee flavor over time.

Cleaning

The removable parts and carafe are dishwasher safe for easy cleaning. The control panel just needs wiping down.

Noise

Brewing operation produces typical drip coffee maker noises, not disruptively loud.

Safety

Engineered with short-circuit protection and auto shutoff. Enclosure does not heat up excessively.

Power

950 watt power consumption. Detachable 36 inch power cord. Unknown if auto power recovery after power disruption.

Maintenance and Cost

No recurring costs aside from coffee grounds. Occasional vinegar-based descaling for mineral buildup. Reusable filter avoids ongoing paper filter expense.

Value Add

The Alexa capabilities are useful rather than gimmicky, providing helpful hands-free automation for an easier morning coffee routine.

Brand:

Hamilton Beach - Known for inventing the first electric drip coffee maker in 1908, Hamilton Beach continues to innovate with appliances designed to simplify daily routines.

Use Cases:

The Hamilton Beach 49350R Works with Alexa Smart Coffee Maker is perfect for busy households and professionals looking to automate their morning coffee routine. The Alexa integration allows you to wake up to freshly brewed coffee without having to lift a finger. It’s great for those who frequently forget to turn off their coffee maker, as you can now do so remotely via Alexa app from the office or anywhere. The ability to customize brew schedules and voice commands makes this coffee maker a versatile appliance suitable for all lifestyles and preferences.

User Feedback Analysis

Overall, customer reviews indicate high satisfaction with the Hamilton Beach Alexa coffee maker, with most users giving it 4 or 5 star ratings. The main positives highlighted in customer feedback include:

Easy and Quick Setup: A common theme in reviews is praise for the quick and painless process for enabling Alexa integration. Users mention it only taking a few minutes to link the device and start using voice commands, with clear instructions from the Alexa app. This simplicity is appreciated.
Reliable Voice Control: Many reviewers specifically mention the reliability and consistency of the Alexa voice response. Commands to turn the coffee maker on or off, adjust settings, etc are promptly executed without issues, as expected from an Alexa Certified device. This trouble-free voice automation enhances the user experience.
Excellent Brewing: Users consistently mention the coffee maker produces highly flavorful coffee with pleasing aromas. Many love the option to customize the boldness of brews. The hot plate is said to keep coffee piping hot for hours while maintaining taste. The ability to schedule brewing ensures waking up to fresh, hot coffee.
Useful Features: There is much positive feedback on the usefulness of main features like remote control via Alexa app, programming schedules, setting preferences like auto-shutoff time, adjusting brew strength etc. These features add helpful customization and automation.
Carafe Design Flaw: The most common complaint is difficulty inserting the carafe properly after brewing without spilling due to how the basket pauses coffee flow. This carafe design issue can lead to minor annoyance.

Overall, the reviews indicate the Alexa integration and brewing performance work exceptionally well on this coffee maker, enhancing convenience and customization. The flaws around carafe insertion appear to be the only real downside limiting otherwise outstanding user experience and satisfaction according to the feedback.

Pros:

Hands-free Alexa voice control
Remote ON/OFF via Alexa app
Customizable brewing with schedules/commands
Certified and reliable Alexa integration
Front-loading reservoir for easy filling
Regular and bold brew strength options
Sleek, compact stainless steel design

Cons:

Carafe insertion can be tricky
Still requires some manual operation

Value:

With smart features like hands-free Alexa voice automation and customizable brewing, the Hamilton Beach Alexa coffee maker provides great value for the relatively affordable $81 price point. Comparable smart coffee makers often cost over $200, making this an attractive option for those seeking Alexa integration on a budget. The combination of convenience, performance and thoughtful design makes this coffee maker a worthwhile investment for homes looking to level up their brewing.

Conclusion

The Hamilton Beach 49350R Works with Alexa Smart Coffee Maker stands as a hallmark of how traditional appliances can evolve through technology. Offering not just convenience but a new way to interact with our kitchen, this coffee maker is a significant step towards a more connected and intelligent home. Its seamless integration with Alexa, coupled with its brewing capabilities, provides a user experience that is not just about making coffee but about enhancing daily routines. As we move forward, the potential for further integration with other smart home devices opens up new possibilities for the smart kitchen, making the Hamilton Beach 49350R a forward-thinking choice for the modern home.