In today's OXO 12-Cup Coffee Maker review, I'll be looking at a model that was released a couple of years ago. To be honest, the OXO 12-Cup Coffee Maker kind of passed me by. And that's strange because I was a big fan of both the OXO 8-Cup and 9-Cup models. Well, better late than never, right?
In today’s OXO 12-Cup Coffee Maker review, I’ll be looking at a model that was released a couple of years ago. To be honest, the OXO 12-Cup Coffee Maker kind of passed me by. And that’s strange because I was a big fan of both the OXO 8-Cup and 9-Cup models. Well, better late than never, right?
Anyway, I’m rather excited to discuss the OXO 12-Cup Coffee Maker, seeing as it appears to pack everything great about its two siblings in one package. Oh, and my more discerning readers will be happy to hear that this model has been certified by the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA).
So, without further ado, let’s get into this OXO 12-Cup Coffee Maker review!
SCA-certified home brewer
OXO Brew 12-Cup Coffee Maker
A superb alternative to pod machines!
Sturdy construction
SCA-certified home brewer
Easy to use
Single cup function
Rather big and bulky
OXO 12-Cup Coffee Maker Review Overview
While OXO is best-known for selling spatulas and ergonomic kitchen gadgets, its coffee gear has been gaining ground over the last few years. And for good reason – the manufacturer has demonstrated that it’s capable of producing high-quality products that won’t break the bank.
What’s more, OXO doesn’t flood the market with endless variations on a theme. Take its drip coffee makers, for example: there are now three models, all of which have been Golden Cup-certified by the SCA. Now, that’s pretty darn impressive!
The OXO 12-Cup Coffee Maker is the brand’s largest automatic drip machine, and currently retails for $289.00.
Now, some of you may be thinking that’s a lot of money to spend on a coffee maker. However, I believe that the OXO 12-Cup’s build quality and performance more than justify the price. For starters, this coffee maker has been carefully calibrated to produce exceptional results every time.
Featuring OXO’s proprietary heating technology, the 12-Cup Coffee Maker will always brew at the optimal temperature. Plus, you’re able to choose from three brew sizes, and the machine will alter the way it brews accordingly.
Add in the fact that the OXO 12-Cup Coffee Maker is equipped with a double-wall thermal carafe and a glass water tank, and the asking price starts to make more sense.
OXO 12-Cup Coffee Maker Features
Now that we have a better idea of what we’re dealing with, let’s continue this OXO 12-Cup Coffee Maker review by delving into the machine’s most important features.
Build Quality and Design
While it’s true that the OXO 12-Cup takes the best features of the 8-Cup and 9-Cup machines, it retains the boxy design of the former.
To be honest, I think that’s a shame, seeing as the OXO 9-Cup Coffee Maker’s design is so visually appealing. Then again, I can’t complain about the 12-Cup Coffee Maker’s durable stainless steel construction. Anyway, this coffee maker isn’t exactly an ugly duckling, and if it can make delicious coffee, who cares what it looks like!
I wouldn’t call the OXO 12-Cup Coffee Maker compact, but it’s no behemoth either. With that said, it does rise to over 14 inches (35.6 centimeters), so fitting it under some kitchen cabinets could be challenging. Plus, the water tank has a flip-up lid, so you’ll need extra room for that.
SCA Certification
These days, almost all the best coffee makers have earned an SCA certification. Still, the SCA doesn’t just go around handing out certifications willy-nilly. Rather, the best SCA-certified coffee makers are part of an exclusive club.
In order for a machine to earn the SCA’s approval, it must go through a rigorous set of tests. And if the coffee maker can consistently meet the organization’s strict standards for brewing excellence, it’ll become a Certified Home Brewer.
As I mentioned earlier, the OXO 12-Cup Coffee Maker is the third of the manufacturer’s machines to earn the SCA Certified Home Brewer mark. So, you can be sure that it’s capable of producing truly excellent coffee.
BetterBrew Precision Technology
If you want evidence for how much attention to detail has gone into designing the OXO 12-Cup Coffee Maker, consider the manufacturer’s BetterBrew Precision technology. While that might sound like marketing nonsense, it actually refers to the way in which the machine controls water temperature and brewing time.
The OXO 12-Cup offers three brew sizes – a single serve option as well as two batch brews. And depending on your selection, the machine adjusts the water flow rate, brew time and water temperature accordingly.
Trust me, that’s pretty sophisticated for a drip coffee maker, and shows that the manufacturer put a lot of thought into the machine’s performance. And when you take into account the fact that the 12-Cup preheats water before brewing for more consistency, it’s little wonder the thing is SCA-certified.
User Interface
The OXO 12-Cup Coffee Maker features a backlit LCD screen, which you navigate using a dial/button. Plus, there’s a prominent “Brew” button to the left of the screen.
I appreciate how intuitive this setup is – you simply select your brew size using the dial, then press Brew. Oh, and a nice graphic keeps you posted on what’s happening during the brewing process.
Other than that, you can program the auto-start function, set the time and access the cleaning program via the LCD screen.
Water Tank
I have to make special mention of the OXO 12-Cup’s 60-ounce (1.2-liter) water tank. Seriously, this reservoir is made of glass, which is something you don’t see very often. What’s more, the level markers are clear and easy to read. Sure, the water tank isn’t removable, but it is premium and well-designed.
My only complaint is that the machine will use all the water in the tank, no matter which brew size you select. To be honest, I can’t understand why it has to be like that,but I guess it isn’t a huge deal.
Rainmaker Shower Head
I’ve come across OXO’s Rainmaker shower head when testing the manufacturer’s other machines, so I can tell you that it works really well. The shower head has been calibrated to mimic manual coffee brewing methods by employing pre-infusion and timed pulses. This ensures that the machine evenly saturates the bed of ground coffee for a well-balanced extraction.
To be honest, I would have preferred to see a stainless steel shower head rather than a cheap-looking plastic thing. Still, you can’t win ’em all and the Rainmaker really is very effective.
Thermal Carafe
I absolutely love the OXO 9-Cup Coffee Maker, but I was a little disappointed by its carafe during my testing. So, I’m happy to see that the OXO 12-Cup Coffee Maker comes with the same carafe as the 8-Cup model.
I can tell you that this double-wall thermal carafe works very well indeed. Heck, it’ll keep your coffee hot for hours and hours. Plus, when you’re pouring the last of the coffee from the carafe, it won’t spill and potentially burn your hand. Let’s call that a win, shall we!
Filter Basket
The OXO 12-Cup Coffee Maker comes with two filter basket inserts – one for single-serve brewing and one for batch brewing. The single serve insert takes cone-shaped #2, and you’ll be able to brew up to 20 ounces (591 milliliters) of coffee. I’ll discuss this function in more detail a bit later.
As for the batch brewing insert, you’ll need to be careful when you’re choosing filters. While it isn’t hard to find basket filters, you will need to buy commercial-style filters with higher sides. This will prevent coffee from overflowing, which no one wants. If I remember correctly, your best bet will be to pick up some . I used these during my OXO 8-Cup Coffee Maker review, and they worked a treat.
Podless Single Serve Function
The OXO Podless Single Serve function allows you to brew right into a mug. As the name suggests, this is intended to steer people away from using coffee capsules, which is always a good thing. I mean, the sooner we eliminate all coffee pods from the face of the earth, the better.
The minimum amount you can brew with this option is 10 ounces, or two “coffee maker cups.” Sure, that’s a little confusing, but we’ll just ignore it. After all, if a manufacturer is promoting its coffee maker as a viable alternative to pod machines, I shouldn’t complain!
How Do I Use the OXO 12-Cup Coffee Maker?
Although the OXO 12-Cup Coffee Maker is a sophisticated machine, making coffee with the thing is a piece of cake. Still, may I remind you to use high-quality coffee beans and grind them fresh. And if you’re still using a blade grinder, consider upgrading to a burr coffee grinder. You don’t have to spend a lot of money – in fact, the affordable OXO Burr Coffee Grinder will do a great job.
For the best tasting coffee, I recommend using the 1:18 Golden Ratio for coffee brewing. Here’s how to brew a full carafe of coffee with the OXO 12-Cup:
Add cold, filtered water to the tank, filling to the appropriate level marker.
Next, place a filter in the brew basket, before adding around 95 grams of ground coffee. I recommend using a medium grind size.
Using the dial, select the 9-12 cup range.
Now it’s simply a case of placing the carafe under the brew basket and pressing the Brew button.
Is the OXO 12-Cup Coffee Maker Easy to Clean?
Fortunately, the OXO 12-Cup Coffee Maker is super easy to clean. After each brew cycle, wipe off the shower head. And once the carafe is empty, give it a good rinse. Once a week or so, I’d recommend removing the shower head for a deeper clean, as well as cleaning the carafe with hot water and a mild detergent. Elsewhere, feel free to wipe off the outside of the coffee maker using a damp cloth.
Every 90 brew cycles, the OXO 12-Cup will alert you to the fact that it needs to be descaled. Oh, and I’d go ahead and heed its advice, seeing as not doing so will void your warranty. As it happens, descaling the machine is very straightforward, but I’ll leave it to the user manual to explain the details.
OXO 12-Cup Coffee Maker Specifications
| OXO Brew 12-Cup Coffee Maker | |
| Manufacturer | OXO |
|---|---|
| Model number | 8721200 |
| Product category | Drip coffee maker |
| Housing material | Stainless steel |
| Color options | Silver |
| Carafe | Thermal |
| Keep warm function | No |
| Milk frother | |
| User interface | Monochromatic LCD with buttons and dials |
| App | |
| Removable water reservoir | |
| Water reservoir capacity | 60.9 fl oz / 1.8 l |
| Brew capacity | 60 fl oz / 1774 ml |
| Single cup function | |
| Reusable coffee filter | |
| Coffee pod compatible | |
| Brew styles | 1 |
| Pre-infusion | |
| Adjustable coffee temperature | |
| Coffee strength adjustment levels | |
| Hot water function | |
| Water filter | |
| Power consumption | 1400 W |
| Weight | 15.3 lb / 6.9 kg |
| Dimensions | 14.5 x 8.0 x 12.3 in |
| Warranty | 1 year |
| SCA certified home brewer | |
| Notes | Included Accessories: User manual, filters, 2 x filter baskets, coffee scoop |
| Current price on Amazon | $289.00 |
| All specifications | |
OXO 12-Cup Coffee Maker vs 9-Cup Coffee Maker
I’m a huge fan of the OXO 9-Cup Coffee Maker, and when I tested the machine it consistently delivered wonderful pour-over-style coffee. What’s more, the OXO 9-Cup brings a lot more style to the table – this coffee maker is beautiful to behold and will enhance the vibes of any kitchen.
Costing $215.98, the OXO 9-Cup Coffee Maker is substantially less expensive than the 12-Cup Coffee Maker. Still, it isn’t quite as versatile and there’s a whole lot more plastic involved in its construction. Ultimately, either of these SCA-certified coffee makers will reward you with excellent coffee, so you really can’t go wrong.
See Also: OXO 9-Cup Coffee Maker Review
OXO 12-Cup vs 9-Cup Comparison Chart
| OXO Brew 12-Cup Coffee Maker | OXO 9 Cup Coffee Maker | |
| Manufacturer | OXO | OXO |
| Model number | 8721200 | 8710100 |
| Product category | Drip coffee maker | Drip coffee maker |
| Housing material | Stainless steel | Stainless steel with plastic parts |
| Color options | Silver | Stainless steel |
| Carafe | Thermal | Thermal |
| Keep warm function | No | No |
| Milk frother | ||
| User interface | Monochromatic LCD with buttons and dials | Buttons and dials |
| App | ||
| Removable water reservoir | ||
| Water reservoir capacity | 60.9 fl oz / 1.8 l | 47.3 fl oz / 1.4 l |
| Brew capacity | 60 fl oz / 1774 ml | 45 fl oz / 1331 ml |
| Single cup function | ||
| Reusable coffee filter | ||
| Coffee pod compatible | ||
| Brew styles | 1 | 1 |
| Pre-infusion | ||
| Adjustable coffee temperature | ||
| Coffee strength adjustment levels | ||
| Hot water function | ||
| Water filter | ||
| Power consumption | 1400 W | 1400 W |
| Weight | 15.3 lb / 6.9 kg | 11.4 lb / 5.2 kg |
| Dimensions | 14.5 x 8.0 x 12.3 in | 17.2 x 15.0 x 8.3 in |
| Warranty | 1 year | 2 years |
| SCA certified home brewer | ||
| Notes | Included Accessories: User manual, filters, 2 x filter baskets, coffee scoop | Included Accessories: Coffee scoop, Paper filters, Instruction manual. |
| Current price on Amazon | $289.00 | $215.98 |
| OXO Brew 12-Cup Coffee Maker | OXO 9 Cup Coffee Maker | |
| Manufacturer | OXO | OXO |
| Model number | 8721200 | 8710100 |
| Product category | Drip coffee maker | Drip coffee maker |
| Housing material | Stainless steel | Stainless steel with plastic parts |
| Color options | Silver | Stainless steel |
| Carafe | Thermal | Thermal |
| Keep warm function | No | No |
| Milk frother | ||
| User interface | Monochromatic LCD with buttons and dials | Buttons and dials |
| App | ||
| Removable water reservoir | ||
| Water reservoir capacity | 60.9 fl oz / 1.8 l | 47.3 fl oz / 1.4 l |
| Brew capacity | 60 fl oz / 1774 ml | 45 fl oz / 1331 ml |
| Single cup function | ||
| Reusable coffee filter | ||
| Coffee pod compatible | ||
| Brew styles | 1 | 1 |
| Pre-infusion | ||
| Adjustable coffee temperature | ||
| Coffee strength adjustment levels | ||
| Hot water function | ||
| Water filter | ||
| Power consumption | 1400 W | 1400 W |
| Weight | 15.3 lb / 6.9 kg | 11.4 lb / 5.2 kg |
| Dimensions | 14.5 x 8.0 x 12.3 in | 17.2 x 15.0 x 8.3 in |
| Warranty | 1 year | 2 years |
| SCA certified home brewer | ||
| Notes | Included Accessories: User manual, filters, 2 x filter baskets, coffee scoop | Included Accessories: Coffee scoop, Paper filters, Instruction manual. |
| Current price on Amazon | $289.00 | $215.98 |
Verdict: Is the OXO 12-Cup Coffee Maker the Brewer for You?
SCA-certified home brewer
OXO Brew 12-Cup Coffee Maker
A superb alternative to pod machines!
Sturdy construction
SCA-certified home brewer
Easy to use
Single cup function
Rather big and bulky
Now that we’ve reached the end of this OXO 12-Cup Coffee Maker review, I think it’s fairly obvious that the manufacturer has hit another home run. And while this coffee maker’s size and design might not appeal to everyone, it has been extremely well made. Plus, in a crowded and competitive market, OXO consistently releases machines that stand out.
I’d say that if you’re looking for a versatile machine that can make a single cup of coffee or a full carafe, you might want to stop searching. The OXO 12-Cup Coffee Maker will be just the ticket. Plus, you can feel good about refusing to cave in to the idea that using coffee capsules is still OK in 2025.
I hope you’ve enjoyed reading my OXO 12-Cup Coffee Maker review. Feel free to leave a comment below!
