Electrolux E5CM1-80ST Coffee Maker Review After 6 Months: Pros and Cons

My Tefal coffee maker, which had served me well for almost 10 years, started foaming and sputtering. It was time for a replacement. I almost bought another Tefal, but ended up choosing something a little different: the Electrolux E5CM1-80ST coffee maker.

Electrolux E5CM1-80ST Coffee Maker Unboxing

It is said to be slimmer than other coffee makers of the same capacity, but the box itself wasn’t all that small.

Everything is packed tightly inside.
It looks like they put a lot of thought into cushioning to prevent damage during shipping.

This is how the E5CM1-80ST main unit comes packed.
I like that the exterior is stainless steel.

A permanent filter comes inside.
I plan to use paper filters, so I’ll need to store this one somewhere safe.

Here’s the inside.
It’s advertised as stainless steel, but the interior is all plastic.

In the box you get a manual, a warranty card, and a product registration and discount coupon.

It draws 1000W.
And, as expected, it’s made in China.

Compared with my old Tefal coffee maker, it’s clearly narrower and takes up less counter space.
That’s going to be a real advantage.

Because it’s so narrow, the water level window is on the side.
This looks like it might be a bit inconvenient.

I turned it on. It has a clock display, which I suspect I’ll end up glancing at quite often.

After setting the time and running plain water through a few times, I brewed my first pot of coffee.

Why I Chose the Electrolux E5CM1-80ST

The Electrolux E5CM1-80ST is a bit more expensive than other coffee makers, but I had several reasons for picking it.

First, Electrolux sells replacement parts separately.
Being able to buy a new carafe on its own is a big plus, since they do break from time to time…

Second, it shuts off automatically after 40 minutes.
I shouldn’t forget, but I often do.
There have been times I left brewed coffee on until it nearly evaporated, so I won’t have to worry about that anymore.

Since it has a clock, it also has a timer/delayed brew function.
I probably won’t use it much, but it’s nice to have the option, and I’ll likely try it at least once.
Then again, coffee ground in advance doesn’t taste as good…

The cleaning reminder should also help with maintenance.
Apparently a notification appears after a certain number of brews, so I’ll see how that goes.

Electrolux E5CM1-80ST Coffee Maker Review After 6 Months

I’ve now used it for more than six months.
It costs more than other models, but my satisfaction has been higher too.

First, the cleaning reminder: as shown in the image above, the display tells you when it’s time to clean.
You just press the Clean button as described in the manual.
Without this feature I’d probably go a long time without cleaning it, so I think it’s a great addition.

I really like the auto shut-off as well.
I’ve already forgotten about a freshly brewed pot a few times, and it had turned itself off.

As for the side water gauge, luckily my water purifier lets me dispense a set amount, so now I just pour that in.
At first it was annoying to turn the machine sideways to check the level every time, but it’s fine now.

Finally, the aroma function, which I didn’t expect much from, is actually decent.
I wouldn’t say it dramatically improves the taste, but the flavor and aroma seem a little richer.

The Electrolux E5CM1-80ST is a great choice for anyone who simply wants to enjoy coffee comfortably at home.
It’s not a professional coffee machine, so it has its limits, but it’s easy to maintain and the coffee tastes good.
It also feels sturdy enough that I don’t expect it to break easily.
Overall, I’m satisfied with it.