The Bonavita BV1900TS is a stripped-down shot at coffee brewing luxury. With its presoaking option and simplistic design (no timer, no additional buttons, no LED screens) it has prioritized the main event – a fantastic tasting cup of coffee.
The low price point in comparison to its high-end competitors and a badge of approval from the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) puts this incredible machine in 2nd position in our list of the best coffee makers.
Before choosing this simple brewer, compare the speed-focused hot-water system in our BUNN BX Velocity Brew review with the scheduling controls in the Cuisinart DCC-3200 review. Those features answer different needs from a one-button thermal brewer.
Product analysis
The Bonavita BV1900TS costs less than many coffee makers but offers simplicity at every turn. The machine doesn’t have an extensive startup time, you simply press the button and fill up the water reserve.
The Bonavita BV also impresses with how fast you’ll have a pot of coffee waiting for you and your guests. It takes about six minutes for it to brew a full pot, however, if you’re going to be having coffee alone or you just need to get a cup of coffee to put into your thermos, you’ll be pleased to know that you can brew cycles that are as small as 5 0z (or one cup according to Bonavita’s cup sizes).
The Bonavita BV has some competitors like the more expensive Oxo Barista Brain 9-cup Brewing System (which retails for around $300) and while it comes with perks like a separate water kettle, it takes about fifteen minutes to get the Oxo Barista going, which isn’t ideal for those super busy mornings.
It’s a quieter machine. Some coffee machines make a lot of noise while you wait for the coffee to pour into the pot, but the Bonavita only alerts of you its presence with a blinking light on the only button on the machine.
A few customers also felt that despite the Bonavita’s efficient brew speed and otherwise quiet operation, it does make an irritating beeping sound once your brew is done, but this is only a negative if you feel really strongly about how much noise your brewer makes or how much you notice it.
You can also use its pre-infuse option, which lightly coats your grounds with water before you actually brew the coffee. You can utilize this function by holding the single black button on the machine down for about five seconds. If you’ve never heard of pre-infusing until now, Bonavita believes that you can get rid of some of the bitter notes in your coffee and help enhance the subtle ones (cocoa, fruity, nutty, etc) by doing that initial pre-soak.
Once you have your cup of coffee, the Bonavita keeps up its promise of simplicity because the carafe lid, showerhead, and filter basket is dishwasher safe.
When the coffee is being brewed between 195 degrees to 200 degrees, the optimal coffee brewing temperature according to the SCA (Specialty Coffee Association), you can expect it to take as close to perfect as you can get a pot of coffee.
With the Bonavita’s presoaking option, the machine is committed to letting each coffee blend shine with its subtle notes and aromas. Additionally, once you brew your favorite or toughest blend, the stainless-steel carafe will keep your coffee warm for about 3 or 4 hours.
Maintenance
The Bonavita BV1900TS is just as simple to clean as it is to use. There is a lip on the inside of the carafe that makes it a little bit difficult to clean.
Proper care will ensure years of service from this coffee brewer. Aside from keeping the brewer clean and descaling when necessary, there is no user maintenance required.
If you use your coffee carafe to fill the water tank, you may introduce coffee residue into the water tank, which may lead to coffee oil buildup. If filling with your carafe, Bonavita recommends cleaning with Full Circle coffee machine cleaning powder once a month.
DOWNLOAD BONAVITA BV1900TS 8-CUP | STAINLESS STEEL CARAFE USER GUIDE/MANUAL
Design
So, at first glance, the Bonavita BV is appealing because of its small size and lack of extra buttons on the machine. The machine strives for simplicity and practicality, so the basic design of the brewer is pretty straightforward.
The simplistic design is actually too simple for some buyers. Some people would definitely prefer a few more “bells and whistles” for what seems to be a luxurious coffee maker. This could be a problem if you’re looking to move on from the cheap coffee maker you’ve always used with just a button or two to operate the machine, you might be expecting more on the actual machine for your money.
A closer look
Details worth noticing.
Product detail views: Archived product photograph
Features
- It’s 11.5 inches by 10 inches wide and 6.75 inches deep.
- It will fit easily underneath any cabinet, which is great if you’re hoping to replace a bulkier brewer.
- It brews in around 6 minutes which is great for those fast-paced mornings.
- Uses a flat bottom filter in an effort to get more grounds covered by the showerhead.
- All of the plastic parts of the brewer are BPA free.
- Simple design; has a single button that controls all of the functions of the machine.
- It comes with a stainless-steel carafe.
- The Bonavita BV comes with a wide showerhead that’s supposed to help making sure that more of the grounds are soaked for optimal extraction.
- There are a few parts, so its easy to clean.
Price
The Bonavita BV1900TS feels like it is offering up a lot of luxury for the low price of $140. The low price point in comparison to its high-end competitors and a badge of approval from the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA).
VIDEO
GETTING TO KNOW THE CONTROL PANEL
Water tank lid
Use to fill up the water. Do not fill above the MAX line!
Brewer lid
The lid of the brewed coffee
Water level indicator
Indicate the level of water in the tank
On/off switch
It's a simple unit with only 1 button and no programming features.
Filter basket
This is the filter for the coffee
Carafe lid
Cover of the carafe
Stainless steel thermal carafe
8-cup carafe, brew in about 6 minutes
