This brewer works well and brews a pot fully quickly which is nice. I chose it for it's compact footprint and it matched our kitchen. However, it is very difficult to fill it with water without spilling all over the kitchen counter. The area you have to aim the water into is too small. And it is nearly impossible to see the level of the water without maneuvering the thing to a place where you can look straight down itno the reservoir and catch reflections off the surface to see when it reaches one of the dark grey markers lurking in the black chamber. And you have to do this while trying to guide the water into the chamber an not all over the counter. Why didn't they put a clear piece of plastic on the reservoir so you can see the water level from the outside.
One more annoyance is the digital display. While it is pretty straightforward to set the time and autobrew start times it is very hard to see the digital display. I have to kneel down and get my face right up to the display, it is so dim and small.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Written by a customer while visiting cuisinart.com