The Cuisinart SS-21 is a 10-cup fully automatic drip coffee maker that also accepts K-Cup pods, listed at $249.95 with a 3.7-star average from 152 reviews. For a Cuisinart machine at this price, that rating is low and warrants scrutiny before purchasing.
Buyers who want one machine that can brew a full 10-cup pot or a single K-Cup pod, and who prefer a stainless steel finish. Useful for households where coffee preferences vary across family members.
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You are shopping primarily on rating confidence, a 3.7-star average across 152 reviews is below what you would expect from a $249.95 Cuisinart machine. There are higher-rated dual-input drip machines in the same price range.
Capacity 10.0 cups
Type Drip Coffee Machine
Coffee input Pod, Ground_Coffee
Pods K-Cup
Filter Reusable
Operation Fully Automatic
Priced 108% above the category median ($120.34 across 86 tracked models)
Our scorecard
3.8/5overall
Owner rating3.7/5
3.7 average across 152 owner ratings
Popularity1.3/5
152 owner reviews, fewer than most models here
The overall score is owner satisfaction weighted by how many reviews back it, so a high rating from few reviews counts for less. The bars below show where this model stands against the other coffee makers, kettles and brewers we track in this category on price, popularity and size. Context, not marks against it, and our read of the data, not a lab test.
Overview
The Cuisinart SS-21 takes a dual-input approach: brew a full 10-cup pot from grounds using the reusable filter, or drop in a K-Cup for a single serve. It operates fully automatically with button controls, and the stainless steel body and interior are dishwasher safe. The footprint is 10.88 x 10.13 x 14.5 inches, a compact size given the 10-cup capacity. No wattage is listed, which makes it harder to estimate brew time.
At $249.95, this is a premium-tier home drip brewer. The dual-input flexibility is the headline feature, and the all-stainless construction with dishwasher-safe designation checks real boxes for buyers who prioritize cleanup. However, the 3.7-star average from 152 reviews is a concern. Only 10 units sold last month, which is tepid for a Cuisinart machine with this feature set.
Buyers who prioritize reliability and have a $250 budget would be wise to compare this against the Cuisinart DCC-3200 and SS-15P1, both of which carry significantly larger review pools and stronger ratings.
Pros
10-cup capacity plus K-Cup compatibility in one machine
Dishwasher safe components
Reusable filter included
Stainless steel finish with a compact 10.88 x 10.13 x 14.5 in footprint
Cons
3.7-star average across 152 reviews is below par for Cuisinart at this price
No wattage spec listed
Low purchase velocity (10 units last month) for a $249.95 machine
Competes directly with better-rated Cuisinart models at lower prices
Performance notes
Fully automatic drip operation. 10-cup capacity. Accepts K-Cup pods and ground coffee with reusable filter. Stainless steel body. Dishwasher safe. Dimensions 10.88 x 10.13 x 14.5 in. No wattage listed. Button controls.
What buyers say
A 3.7-star average across 152 reviews is notably low for Cuisinart, a brand that typically earns 4.0 to 4.5 on its popular drip machines. The limited review count combined with this rating suggests a recurring issue that has not been widely flagged but is affecting satisfaction. Low monthly sales relative to its catalog position reinforce the pattern.
Can the Cuisinart SS-21 brew both a full pot and a single cup?
Yes. It brews a 10-cup pot using ground coffee and a reusable filter, or a single serving using a K-Cup pod.
Is the Cuisinart SS-21 dishwasher safe?
Yes, it is listed as dishwasher safe.
How does the SS-21 compare to the Cuisinart SS-15P1?
Both are dual-input drip machines from Cuisinart. The SS-15P1 carries over 21,000 reviews at 4.3 stars versus the SS-21's 152 reviews at 3.7 stars, significantly more confidence behind the SS-15P1.
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