I have several Cuisinart items in my household and they have all been reliable.  I had a Hamilton Beach coffee maker for a while but it was starting to slowly die. I started looking for a new one and the main thing I needed was a stainless steel carafe, I have broken the glass ones on my granite in the past.  The carafe on the Cuisinart pours much better the HB and the coffee stays warmer longer. I enjoy grinding my coffee beans for a fresh cup of coffee or I would have purchased the one with the grinder.