BONAVITA BV1900TS 8-cUP COFFEE MKAER: GREAT COFFEE, LOW PRICE!

The Bonavita BC1900TS is the most affordable coffee maker to have its coffee quality certified by the Specialty Coffee Association.

This fact immediately drew my attention. Of course, I want to enjoy amazing coffee every morning without dropping hundreds of dollars! But a lower price inevitably comes with certain sacrifices, so I went in with eyes wide open. 

I’ve made a lot of coffee with this Bonavita over the past few months to give you my honest feedback in this review. Read on to find out if it’s the brewer to trust with your daily coffee.

The Full Review Of The Bonavita 8 Cup Coffee Machine

Bonavita says this drip coffee maker was designed to mimic the artisan pour-over brewing method. And its coveted Specialty Coffee Association seal of approval seems to back that up. 
As the most affordable brewer to meet Golden Cup standards, I was excited to review this model. While still not a cheap coffee maker, its price point makes it approachable for coffee lovers who want the best drip coffee maker on a budget.

How We Rated It

• Design
• Features
• Ease Of Use
• Coffee Quality
• Value For Money

4.3

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Bonavita BV1900TS vs BV1901TS

Bonavita makes two nearly identical coffee machines, the BV1900TS 8-cup coffee maker reviewed here and the BV1901TS Connoisseur. I’ll admit, I didn’t even realize these were different models until I reviewed them both. 

The only difference is that on the 1900, the brew basket sits on top of the carafe, whereas the 1901 has a hanging filter basket attached to the machine. For this extra bit of convenience, you pay $10 more. If that appeals, skip to my review of the new Bonavita Connoisseur.

Limited Features And Simple Operation

This Bonavita drip coffee maker offers few user-adjustable features and no programmability, but I wouldn’t say that’s inherently a bad thing. Its one-touch operation makes it very easy to use and virtually impossible to screw up.

Provided you use high-quality, freshly ground coffee, the Specialty Coffee Association certification (formerly the Specialty Coffee Association of America) guarantees you’ll enjoy a fantastic cup of coffee with every brew (1).

It took me an average of 6 minutes and 24 seconds to brew a full 8-cup carafe of coffee, thanks to the powerful 1500 W heating element. That element also ensures the brew water is within the ideal temperature range of 195 to 205 °F. Using a thermocouple, I measured an average of 201 °F – right in the sweet spot. 

The hot water is distributed evenly onto the coffee grounds through the showerhead-style lid, which is designed to mimic a skilled barista pouring concentric circles with a gooseneck kettle. This facilitates complete saturation of the grounds and even extraction. 

Pre-Infusion Mode

The pre-infusion mode is a key feature of this machine – and one that distinguishes cheaper brewers from the best coffee makers. 

It delivers a small quantity of water to the grounds before brewing, giving the coffee a chance to off-gas any CO₂. This step is particularly important when using freshly roasted coffee beans, a clear indication that this brewer is targeted at coffee enthusiasts (2). 

I’m actually surprised the pre-infusion mode isn’t automatic; I can’t imagine a context in which you wouldn’t want it. It’s easily engaged by holding the power button for 5 seconds.

Thermal Carafe

This Bonavita coffee brewer uses an insulated stainless steel carafe, so the coffee stays hot for up to two hours without relying on a hot plate. Indeed, the vast majority of SCA-certified brewers use thermal carafes because they maintain the flavor of freshly brewed coffee far better than cooking it on a hot plate. 

A thermal carafe is also longer lasting and more energy efficient, so I always prefer it when given the option.

What’s Missing?

As I said earlier, this is a relatively bare-bones brewer. It does not have a clock, timer, or any programmability, so you’re out of luck if you like to set up your coffee to brew the night before. 

Personally, I don’t miss either of these features. I prefer to grind my coffee right before I brew anyway, and the speedy 6-minute brew time makes it easy to wait for my first cup. But if you feel differently, this is not the coffee maker for you.

I was more disappointed to find there is no mode for brewing smaller volumes. You can half-fill the water tank to make a half-carafe, but because the brewing cycle doesn’t change, it’s not quite as full-flavored as when you make a full pot of coffee. Similarly, there is no option for bold coffee. You can add more grounds to the basket, but it doesn’t have the same effect as slowly the brew time to enhance extraction.

How To Make Coffee In A Bonavita

Using this Bonavita machine is as simple as it gets; after all, it has just one button. Here’s my process:

1. Put a standard flat-bottom paper coffee filter into the brew basket. 
2. Add 80 – 90 grams of ground coffee (about 1 cup).
3. Fill the water tank with 40 ounces of water (8 cups).
4. Press and hold the power button to engage the pre-infusion mode and start brewing.

A blinking light lets you know that the bloom phase is happening and your brew has begun. After about 6 minutes, your coffee is ready. 

Some Bonavita models have a nice chime to let you know when they’re done, which is nice since a thermal carafe leaves no way to see the coffee inside. Unfortunately, the 1900 lacks this function, but I found I could just keep an eye on the water level in the tank to monitor brewing progress.

What Is The Best Grind Setting For A Bonavita Coffee Maker?

I generally vary from medium to medium-fine grind when brewing with the Bonavita, opting for the finer grind when brewing lighter roasts. For reference, that’s setting #12 to about #20 on a Baratza Encore.

Cleaning And Maintenance

Regular cleaning and maintenance of this machine is easy because, unlike many high-end brewers I’ve tested lately, all the removable parts – shower head, filter basket, carafe lid, and brewer lid – are top-rack dishwasher safe. Only the carafe needs to be cleaned by hand.

I’d suggest descaling every 3 to 6 months depending on the water quality in your area. Unsurprisingly, there are no automated alerts on cleaning cycles on this simple brewer, but it’s a quick and easy process to do manually.

How Does The Coffee Taste?

The Bonavita Thermal Carafe coffee brewer makes excellent coffee. The SCA certification guarantees as much, and my experience backs it up. Features like pre-infusion, a showerhead water dispenser, and the ideal brew temperature ensure an ideal extraction and lovely balanced cup (3).

Even without user-adjustable features, I found that playing with variables like the amount of coffee and grind size gave me enough flexibility to brew amazing coffee, regardless of the roast level or bean type. However, compared to some of the fancier coffee makers, it is harder to make a decent coffee starting from low-quality or stale coffee with the Bonavita. 

Build Quality, Durability, And Design

The Bonavita BV1900TS coffee maker’s design is simple and classic – not unattractive but definitely not a statement piece. The transparent water tank is stacked on a brushed stainless steel body, and the black BPA-free plastic filter basket sits on the stainless steel carafe.

It’s a relatively compact brewer, measuring 12.4 x 6.8 x 12.2 inches. As someone who lives in a small home, this machine fits more comfortably in my kitchen than the other SCA-certified models I’ve tested. 

If you’re really pressed for space, Bonavita also makes a little coffee maker with a 5-cup capacity and the same credentials.

Built To Last

The nice thing about a simple brewer with few features is that there is very little to go wrong, and most of what can go wrong is easily fixable. There is no display, electronics, or WiFi signal to conk out and force a pricey repair. Everything on this brewer is high-quality stainless steel or sturdy BPA-free plastic.

I’m a little surprised the warranty is only a year, but based on my conversations with other Bonavita users, this machine should last at least 5 to 10 years.

Is Bonavita Made In China?

Yes, Bonavita brewers are designed in Europe but manufactured in China (4).

Is The Bonavita BV1900TS Worth The Price?

The Bonavita BV1900TS is not the cheapest drip coffee maker on the market, but it is the least expensive of all SCA-certified home coffee brewers. To me, that automatically makes it a fantastic value. It’s the most affordable way to make great coffee as defined by coffee scientists and professional baristas worldwide – short of mastering a manual pour-over brew.

It lacks the features of the pricier models, but it keeps the important things required to brew and serve the best coffee: showerhead-style water dispenser, reliable heating element, pre-infusion stage, and thermal carafe.

This is the brewer for you if your priority is a simple, user-friendly design and reliably good coffee. If that doesn’t describe you, I have some alternative suggestions below.

Don’t Buy The Bonavita BV1900TS Brewer If…

• You want a programmable coffee maker: Do you like your coffee machine to brew a fresh pot before you wake up? You might prefer the Oxo Brew 9-cup programmable brewer. Like the Bonavita, the Oxo coffee maker is user-friendly and certified by the SCA to make a great cup of coffee every time.

• You want to brew different styles of coffee: The SCA-certified Breville Precision Brewer is the ultimate coffee geek’s drip coffee machine, letting you explore variables like brew temperature, flow rate, and bloom time. It even has settings for iced coffee and cold brew. Just be prepared to double your budget.

• You’re on a tight budget: The Bonavita 1900 is the best-value SCA-certified brewer, but if you’re willing to forgo Golden Cup coffee, there are some great drip machines to be had for a lower price. Check out the dual-brewer Hamilton Beach 49980A or large-capacity Cuisinart DCC3200 for two of our tried-and-tested favorites.

• You prefer a glass carafe: If you like the aesthetics of a glass carafe but still want the guarantee of an SCA certification, check out the Technivorm Moccamaster KBGV Select. It uses a variable-temperature hot plate to keep the coffee hot and tasting fresh without an insulated pot.

The Verdict

I think the Bonavita BV1900TS Classic Drip Coffee Maker is an excellent buy for any coffee lover who values quality and simplicity. This machine doesn’t pack a lot of features, but it has the important ones required to brew delicious coffee at home. 

Anyone who just wants to press a button and enjoy a great cup of coffee will appreciate its easy and reliable operation. But even more serious coffee drinkers will be impressed by the SCA-certified Golden Cup brew.

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