Bonsenkitchen Coffee Maker Review: Is the CM8903 Worth It?
Hey, coffee friends, Sam here. The Bonsenkitchen CM8903 is a 12-cup programmable drip coffee maker with a glass carafe and a stainless steel body. The 60 oz (1.8 L) tank brews ground coffee, and the machine weighs 5.5 lb (2.5 kg).
I opened in 2012, and since 2015 I buy coffee makers in a new way. The CM8903 keeps coffee at three warming levels, from 78 °C (172 °F) to 84 °C (183 °F). Owners praise hot, bold coffee. Leaks draw 54 mentions, and reliability draws 113 mixed ones.
The CM8903 listed at $42.99 on one retail offer, close to the $34.99 BLACK+DECKER and Amazon Basics rivals. This review covers brewing, leaks, reliability, warranty, cleaning and price. No brand money paid for this CM8903 review.
What Is the Bonsenkitchen CM8903 Coffee Maker?
The Bonsenkitchen CM8903 is a 12-cup programmable drip coffee maker with a stainless steel body and a glass carafe. The tank holds 60 oz (1.8 L). A permanent filter basket and a built-in warming plate come with the machine.
The machine brews ground coffee in a basket. It takes no pods or K-Cups. The CM8903 weighs 5.5 lb (2.5 kg). It stands 13.9 in (35 cm) tall, 10.43 in (26.5 cm) wide and 8 in (20 cm) deep.
The label on the CM8903 reads 120 V, 60 Hz and 1000 W. Those ratings match a standard US outlet.
Bonsen Electronics Inc. sells the machine under the Bonsenkitchen name from Norcross, Georgia. The brand also sells juicers, vacuum sealers, single-serve coffee makers such as the CM3302 and a steam espresso machine. The older CM8003 is a 12-cup programmable drip sibling.
The panel adds a program timer, a BOLD button, an auto shut-off and three warming temperatures. The CM8903 holds a 4.2 star average from about 2,400 ratings.
What Is in the Bonsenkitchen CM8903 Box?
The Bonsenkitchen CM8903 box holds one coffee maker, one glass carafe, one measuring spoon, one reusable filter and one manual. Nothing else ships inside, so paper filters are an extra buy for anyone who prefers them.
Box Contents:
- One coffee maker
- One glass carafe
- One measuring spoon
- One reusable filter
- One operating manual
The manual names ten parts. The list covers the carafe, button, display, filter, spout, funnel cover, water tank, water gauge, power cord and base enclosure.
The permanent filter basket is the default way to brew. The brand FAQ says the machine also takes a regular paper filter.
The measuring spoon helps with dosing. The box does not state a spoon size, so a kitchen scale gives a more exact dose.
How Does the Bonsenkitchen CM8903 Work?
The Bonsenkitchen CM8903 works by heating water from the tank with a 1000 W element and dripping the water through the filter basket into the carafe. A beep tells the user that the brew cycle is done.
Before any coffee is made, the first brew uses water only, with no coffee and no filter paper. The user plugs in the machine, sets the carafe in place and presses Brew. This flush clears the tank and the lines.
At power-on, the display shows 12:00AM and flashes five times. The backlight turns off after 15 seconds without a button press. Any button press wakes the panel.
The manual asks for cold water only. It also asks the user to switch the machine off and let it cool for about 5 minutes between brews.
The machine keeps the clock, the holding time, the program time and the warming setting in memory. The brand FAQ says a power cut erases those settings.
A retail listing states that the timer sets a brew up to 24 hours ahead. The shutoff time after the brew is adjustable too.
How Do You Program the Bonsenkitchen CM8903?
The Bonsenkitchen CM8903 programs a brew start by pressing PROGRAM in standby and setting a start time with the Hour and Min buttons. The display shows PROGRAM and a flashing 12:00AM, which is the default start.
Programming Steps:
- Press PROGRAM in standby.
- Press Hour to set the start hour.
- Press Min to set the start minute.
- Press Brew, or wait five seconds, to confirm.
One press of Hour adds one hour. One press of Min adds one minute. Holding either button for one second speeds up the count. The clock uses a 12-hour system with AM and PM.
The user confirms the start time with Brew. The panel also confirms after five seconds without a press. A beep marks the machine as ready for the timed brew.
The Auto Off button sets the warming time. The default is 30 minutes and the maximum is 4 hours. Holding Carafe Temp for 3 seconds mutes the beeps.
Pressing Hour and Min together for 2 seconds resets the machine. The buzzer sounds three times, and the clock and every setting return to factory values.
How Hot Does the Bonsenkitchen CM8903 Keep Coffee?
The Bonsenkitchen CM8903 keeps coffee hot at 78, 81 or 84 °C (172, 178 or 183 °F). Each level carries a tolerance of 3 °C (5.4 °F). The Carafe Temp button cycles through Low, Medium and High.
Warming Levels:
| Level | Celsius | Fahrenheit |
|---|---|---|
| Low | 78 °C | 172 °F |
| Medium | 81 °C | 178 °F |
| High | 84 °C | 183 °F |
The relay switches the warming plate on and off to hold each level. The setting stays in memory until a power cut. Coffee temperature appears in 79 owner mentions, and owners say the coffee stays hot.
The Auto Off timer decides how long the plate keeps warming. At the default of 30 minutes, the warming ends and the carafe cools after half an hour. A setting of 4 hours keeps the plate warm all morning.
Does the Bonsenkitchen CM8903 Brew Good Coffee?
Yes. The Bonsenkitchen CM8903 brews good coffee for a budget 12-cup drip maker, with owners praising hot and bold cups. Performance is the most common topic in owner feedback, with 217 mentions.
Coffee quality appears in 49 mentions and coffee taste in 50. Owners describe the flavor as bold.
The permanent filter basket needs no paper, so the user rinses and reuses it.
The Specialty Coffee Association sets the Golden Cup standard for brewing water at 195 to 205 °F (90 to 96 °C). Bonsenkitchen publishes no brew temperature for the CM8903, so the machine has no proof of meeting that range.
The tank holds 60 oz (1.8 L) for 12 cups. Each cup is 5 oz (148 ml). A full pot serves a small group, and a half pot of six cups works for two people.
A BOLD button sits on the panel. The manual pages read for this review do not state how much BOLD changes the brew.
Does the Bonsenkitchen CM8903 Leak?
Yes. The Bonsenkitchen CM8903 can leak, and leakage appears in 54 owner mentions. Owners report the carafe spilling when they pour a cup.
The 54 mentions are a small share of roughly 2,400 ratings. Leaks do not appear in every unit.
The manual tells the user to seat the carafe properly during the brew. A carafe set off its mark during a brew can send drips onto the plate.
How Reliable Is the Bonsenkitchen CM8903?
The Bonsenkitchen CM8903 is moderately reliable, with 113 owner mentions split between working well and stopping early. Some units stop working after about 18 months of use.
Most owners still seem happy with the machine. The 4.2 star average from about 2,400 ratings points to a majority of satisfied buyers. Even so, reliability is the second largest topic after performance.
Lifespan also varies across the brand. The same maker sells a single-serve machine, the CM3302, and that machine can break within 5 weeks of use.
An older Bonsenkitchen model, the CM8003, sold used for $25.22 in an online listing. A seller graded the machine very good with light cosmetic wear and all programmable features working.
What Do Owners Say About the Bonsenkitchen CM8903?
Owners say the Bonsenkitchen CM8903 performs well and brews bold coffee, but leaks and uneven lifespan draw complaints. Performance leads with 217 mentions. Coffee temperature follows with 79 mentions.
Taste draws 50 mentions and quality draws 49.
Leakage draws 54 mentions, and owners raise it as a complaint. Reliability draws 113 mentions, which makes it the largest complaint topic. That count is more than double the leakage count.
Value draws 93 mentions, and the opinions split. Some owners call the machine a fair price for the features. Others say the machine is not worth the cost.
Ease of use draws 71 mentions. Some owners find the panel simple. Others find the panel complicated.
What Does the Bonsenkitchen CM8903 Warranty Cover?
The Bonsenkitchen CM8903 warranty does not cover four cases that the manual lists. The warranty does not apply to improper maintenance, force against the machine or other damage.
The other exclusions are faults from a bad power supply and repairs by anyone who is not authorized. A user who descales late or pries the machine open can lose coverage.
The brand manual lists no warranty length in the pages read for this review. One retailer lists a 90 day limited warranty of its own for the CM8903. That retailer term is not the maker term.
Bonsen Electronics Inc. handles claims at 5805C Peachtree Corners East, Norcross, GA 30092. The phone line is 1-888-965-8032 and the email is support@bonsenkitchen.com.
Orders from the brand store carry a 24 hour window. A buyer must report shipping damage within 24 hours of receipt. Bonsenkitchen then replaces the machine or refunds the invoice price.
How Do You Clean the Bonsenkitchen CM8903?
The Bonsenkitchen CM8903 stays clean with a damp cloth, a hand-washed carafe and a descale every 6 to 8 weeks. The user unplugs the machine first and never dips the base in water.
The carafe needs warm water, washing-up liquid and a soft brush. The manual bans the dishwasher for the carafe, so it is washed by hand.
The manual sets the descale rhythm at 6 to 8 weeks for one or two brews a day. A pot that suddenly takes longer to brew is the signal to descale early.
Hard water carries more minerals, so scale forms faster. The user checks local water hardness with the local waterworks and shortens the interval in hard areas.
How Does the Bonsenkitchen CM8903 Self-Clean Cycle Work?
The Bonsenkitchen CM8903 self-clean cycle starts when the user holds BOLD for 3 seconds and presses Brew. The display shows CLEAN while the cycle runs.
Self-Clean Steps:
- Fill the tank with plain water.
- Hold BOLD for 3 seconds until the display shows CLEAN.
- Press Brew to start the cycle.
- Wait for the buzzer, which sounds when the tank is empty.
The machine boils for 1 minute and rests for 2 minutes. The loop repeats until the tank is empty. A buzzer then sounds and the machine returns to standby.
The CLEAN light flashes at 5 Hz after 60 cycles of water. The count tracks water through the tank. The light goes out when the clean function ends.
The user fills the tank with plain water for the cycle. The pages read for this review do not list a vinegar ratio.
How Does the Bonsenkitchen CM8903 Compare With Rivals?
The Bonsenkitchen CM8903 must compare with rivals priced from $34.99 to $99.99. The CM8903 offers three warming levels, a self-clean cycle and a 4 hour auto off.
Price and Rating Comparison:
| Model | Price | Stars | Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bonsenkitchen CM8903 | $42.99 | 4.2 | About 2,400 |
| Amazon Basics 12-cup | $34.99 | 4.0 | 880 |
| BLACK+DECKER 12-cup | $34.99 | 4.4 | 50,859 |
| Hamilton Beach 46293J | $45.95 | 4.4 | 6,503 |
| Ninja CE251 | $69.99 | 4.4 | 29,346 |
| Cuisinart DCC-3200NAS | $99.99 | 4.4 | 44,448 |
The BLACK+DECKER 12-cup and the Amazon Basics 12-cup both list at $34.99. The Hamilton Beach 46293J lists at $45.95 and the Ninja CE251 at $69.99. The Cuisinart DCC-3200NAS is a 14-cup model and lists at $99.99 with 4.4 stars from 44,448 ratings.
The rivals carry far more ratings. The Amazon Basics model has 4.0 stars from 880 ratings, the Hamilton Beach 6,503 and the BLACK+DECKER 50,859. The CM8903 has about 2,400.
The gap between the Hamilton Beach and the Ninja is $24.04. A buyer pays that much extra for the Ninja 70 oz (2.1 L) reservoir and a 24 hour delay brew. The Ninja holds 4.4 stars from 29,346 ratings.
How Does the Bonsenkitchen CM8903 Compare With the Hamilton Beach 46293J?
The Bonsenkitchen CM8903 must compare with the Hamilton Beach 46293J, which lists at $45.95 with 4.4 stars from 6,503 ratings. The CM8903 holds 4.2 stars from about 2,400 ratings.
The Hamilton Beach offers regular and bold brew options. It also has an auto pause and pour feature. The glass carafe and black stainless finish match the CM8903 style.
The pause feature targets drips when the user pulls the carafe mid-brew.
The CM8903 offers three warming temperatures and a self-clean cycle. Neither feature appears in the Hamilton Beach listing.
How Does the Bonsenkitchen CM8903 Compare With the BLACK+DECKER 12-Cup?
The Bonsenkitchen CM8903 must compare with the BLACK+DECKER 12-cup, which lists at $34.99 with 4.4 stars from 50,859 ratings. The rating base is more than twenty times the CM8903 base of about 2,400.
BLACK+DECKER adds Vortex brewing, a programmable timer, a Sneak-A-Cup pause and an auto shutoff.
The CM8903 matches the timer and the auto shutoff.
The CM8903 still offers three warming levels and a self-clean cycle. The BLACK+DECKER listing names neither.
A BLACK+DECKER thermal-carafe model, the CM2046S, lists at $62.99 with 4.2 stars from 5,375 ratings.
How Much Does the Bonsenkitchen CM8903 Cost?
The Bonsenkitchen CM8903 cost $42.99 on one retail offer, now sold out. No current US shelf price was confirmed for this review. The price sits in the budget band, below the $99.99 Cuisinart.
Budget rivals show how that offer compares. The BLACK+DECKER and the Amazon Basics each list at $34.99, so the $42.99 offer is $8.00 above both. The $42.99 offer is $2.96 below the $45.95 Hamilton Beach.
The older CM8003 sold used for $25.22 plus $33.42 shipping in one online listing. Shipping nearly doubled the price of that machine.
The CM8903 avoids one running cost. The reusable filter ships in the box, so the user pays nothing for paper filters.
Where Can You Buy the Bonsenkitchen CM8903?
The Bonsenkitchen CM8903 is sold where you can buy it, on Amazon and through the brand web store. The Amazon listing shows 4.2 stars and the full product name with the Light Model tag.
The brand store sends orders by FedEx or USPS. Orders take 2 business days to process. US delivery then takes 5 to 7 business days.
The brand store does not allow a cancellation after payment. A buyer who has a problem with an order writes to support@bonsenkitchen.com.
Older Bonsenkitchen models also resell online. Some listings sell the machines used or for parts, so the buyer checks the condition line before paying.
Is the Bonsenkitchen CM8903 Worth It?
Yes. The Bonsenkitchen CM8903 is worth it for a buyer who wants a 12-cup programmable maker with three warming levels at a budget price. A buyer who wants proven long life should look at the rivals.
Pros and Cons:
| Strength | Risk |
|---|---|
| 12 cups from a 60 oz tank | 54 leakage mentions |
| Three warming levels | 113 mixed reliability mentions |
| Self-clean cycle | Some failures after 18 months |
The strengths are the 12-cup tank, the program timer, the self-clean cycle and the three warming levels. The 4.2 star average from about 2,400 ratings backs the performance.
The weak points are 54 leakage mentions, 113 mixed reliability mentions and failures after 18 months. A tight pour and a careful descale keep the risks lower.
Who Is the Bonsenkitchen CM8903 Best For?
The Bonsenkitchen CM8903 is best for buyers who want a program timer, three warming levels and 12 cups at a budget price.
A buyer should skip the CM8903 when a long track record matters most. A pour-heavy routine also makes the leak risk matter more. The model has no confirmed manufacturer warranty length in this research.
The BLACK+DECKER and Amazon Basics 12-cup makers list at $34.99 with a longer track record. The CM8903 wins on warming control and loses on certainty.
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