You probably have seen people using coffee pods for brewing their favorite cup of java. While those colorful little containers come with a wide range of flavors and add beauty to the countertop, they have some disadvantages.
First of all, they are pricier than a whole bag of beans or pre-ground coffee. Second, they produce waste as they come in plastic containers. And lastly, not all single-serve machines are compatible with different brands of pods, so you would have limited options.
Considering the above factors, you might want to opt for a coffee maker that doesn’t support pods. Not only will you save money but also promote sustainability.
However, due to the wide range of options, it can be hard to choose the best single serve coffee maker without pods. So, to makes things easier, we have compiled a list of our top picks from which you can choose your desired coffee maker.
Best Single Serve Coffee Maker Without Pods Reviews
Technivorm Cup One Coffee Brewer
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If you are looking for a single-serve coffee maker having simple features, you can choose the Technivorm Cup One coffee brewer.
This coffee maker lets you brew a single cup of coffee with the press of a button. You can brew a 10-ounce cup of coffee in just four minutes, and even if you want to use a larger cup, you can remove the cup holder and then place it. Technivorm also included a porcelain mug as a gift!
With this machine, you don’t have to make adjustments, for it will automatically heat the water to the temperature suitable for extracting the grinds. Also, it will automatically turn off when the water reservoir is empty, so you can do other tasks in the meantime.
The coffee maker is built with durable materials and plastics that are free from BPA, BPS, BPF, and phthalate, so you can use it without worrying about safety.
You need to use paper filters in this coffee maker, and when you purchase this appliance, you’ll get a box of 80 paper filters for free!
Highlighted Features
- Brews a 10-ounce cup of coffee in four minutes
- It has a single-button function
- Automatically shuts off when brewing is complete
- Comes with a box of 80-pieces of paper filters
- Includes a porcelain mug
Hamilton Beach 49976 FlexBrew Single-Serve and Full Pot Coffee Maker
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The Hamilton Beach 49976 FlexBrew coffee maker is a versatile machine you will love when you are brewing a cup of java.
This coffee maker lets you use both K-Cups and ground coffee. It has separate water reservoirs and chambers for storing ground coffee and K-Cups. The left side of the coffee machine lets you brew ground coffee in the carafe, while the right side is for brewing a K-Cup.
With this machine, you can brew coffee to any amount you want. You can brew in a 10-ounce cup, a travel mug, or a full carafe. When you need to use taller cups, you can remove the drip tray on the right side and then place it.
Hamilton Beach 49976 FlexBrew has some features that you can take advantage of for customized brewing.
It has a programmable timer that lets you set the brew time in advance for the next day so that you can wake up to a cup of freshly brewed coffee. Plus, it allows you to adjust the coffee strength to either regular or bold flavors.
If you are in a hurry and need to whip up a cup, you can take out the 12-cup glass carafe while coffee is still brewing. The machine will automatically pause the brewing process.
Apart from that, this guy is a great energy-saver! When you are done brewing coffee but forget to turn off the appliance, it will automatically shut down after two hours of inactivity.
Highlighted Features
- Features two separate water reservoirs
- It has a programmable timer
- Automatically shuts-off after two hours of inactivity
- It has brew strength options
- Supports K-Cups and ground coffee
Hamilton Beach 49950C FlexBrew Coffee Maker, Single Serve & Full Pot
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This is another great coffee maker by Hamilton Beach that you can check out.
Although the 49950C model is similar to the one we have seen before, the only difference lies in the fact that this one comes with a permanent gold-tone filter. So, if you want to cut out on the costs of using paper filters, no doubt this is for you!
This coffee maker features two water reservoirs located on both sides for brewing a K-Cup or ground coffee. You can use the left side for brewing coffee in the 12-cup glass carafe and the right side for brewing in a cup or a travel mug.
Whenever you need to check the water levels of each reservoir, you don’t have to take them out because there are windows through which you can view.
The drip tray is removable, so if you need to place taller cups, you can put the drip tray to one side. It also doubles as a storage box, so if you are not using pods, you can keep the pod holder inside the box.
Like the previous Hamilton coffee maker, this one features a programmable timer for setting the brewing time in advance. Also, it has a brew strength option that allows you to select your desired coffee strength.
There’s a brew-pause function as well, which automatically pauses the brewing process when you take out the carafe.
Highlighted Features
- Includes a permanent gold-tone filter
- Automatically shuts-off after two hours of inactivity
- Features a removable drip tray
- Features a programmable timer
- It has two separate water reservoirs
Hamilton Beach 49966 FlexBrew Thermal Coffee Maker
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If you don’t want to use a glass carafe but a thermal one, you can choose the Hamilton Beach 49966 FlexBrew coffee maker.
Unlike the previous two Hamilton coffee makers, this one comes with a thermal carafe that lets you brew up to 10 cups of coffee. Since the carafe is made of stainless steel, the coffee will remain hot for a long time.
The coffee maker features two separate water reservoirs for brewing ground coffee and K-Cups. When you are brewing ground coffee, you need to use the left side of the appliance, and for a K-Cup, you need to use the right side.
Besides the carafe, you can brew in cups of any size, including a travel mug. All you need to do is remove the drip tray and then place a taller cup.
It has a programmable timer as well, which lets you set the time in advance so you can grab a cup straight after you wake up. Plus, it allows you to adjust the brew strength to suit your taste.
If you want to have a cup of steaming coffee while it’s still brewing, there’s no problem! Simply take out the carafe, and the machine will pause the brewing process.
What’s more, it comes with a gold-tone permanent filter for ground coffee, so you don’t have to worry about using paper filters or purchasing a replacement filter often.
Highlighted Features
- Includes a permanent gold-tone filter
- Features a thermal carafe
- Features a programmable timer
- It has a brew-pause function
- Comes two separate water reservoirs
Single Serve Coffee Maker Without Pods Buying Guide
Carafe Material
When you are shopping for the best single-serve coffee maker no pods, the first thing you would want to look at is the carafe material.
Most single-serve coffee makers come with either a glass or a thermal carafe for holding coffee. The type of material in a carafe depends on your personal preference.
A glass carafe lets you view the amount of coffee and it requires careful handling. It sits on a warming plate to keep the coffee hot, but if you keep on it for a long time, then the coffee will taste bitter.
On the other hand, a thermal carafe requires you to guess the coffee amount, and since it is made of stainless steel, it can get very hot. Unlike a glass carafe, it doesn’t need a warming plate so the coffee stays fresh for an hour.
Another thing worth noting is you should choose a coffee maker whose plastic components are free from harmful chemicals, like BPA, BPS, BPF, and phthalate.
Brewing Capacity
Single-serve coffee machines come with different brewing capacities that you can choose based on your needs.
Some single-serve coffee makers let you brew one cup at a time, which can be useful if you are brewing only for yourself.
If you need to brew multiple cups for guests or the family, then you can go for the one that comes with a carafe having a capacity of 10 or 12 cups. This type of machine allows you to brew coffee at once, so there’s no need to brew in between cups.
Cup Size
Your single-serve coffee maker should let you taste the fresh brew in your favorite cup.
Besides the standard 8-ounce cup size, most coffee makers allow you to brew in taller cups with the press of a particular brew size button. They come with a removable drip tray, which you can remove to fit a taller cup.
Dimensions
Single-serve machines are typically compact, which makes them ideal for use in homes, hotels, offices, and camping trips. It even goes into that small space of your kitchen countertop!
However, before purchasing, we recommend you measure the dimensions of the countertop and also the distance between the cabinet base and the countertop so that you can smoothly operate the coffee maker.
Filters
Coffee machines that use ground coffee come with a filter basket and often includes a filter to offer more convenience. Typically, manufacturers provide permanent filters instead of paper filters as they are a viable option.
Paper filters require frequent replacement between cups, which can contribute to more waste in the environment. On the other hand, permanent filters offer multiple usages and save the cost of purchasing replacement filters.
Additional features
For a customized brewing experience, most single-serve machines come with additional features, such as a programmable timer, auto shut-off function, and brew-pause function.
Although these functions aren’t a priority, it wouldn’t hurt either if your coffee maker has them.
Final Words
To enjoy a flavorful, delicious cup of coffee, all you need a good coffee maker. And since you will be using it regularly, it’s a good idea to look for the one that is cost-effective and comes with a range of features.
Our list contains those single-serve coffee makers that are bound to give you the cup you deserve. We have tested each of the products, and we recommend you go through the features to have an idea about which one suits your requirements.
If you have already landed on the best single serve coffee maker without pods, we hope you like it!
James is the owner of North. After working at Nick’s on Broadway, James moved to Red Fez and put his knowledge to the test with hot dog R&D. He assisted in the launch of Momofuku Ko in NYC In 2008. And a year later, James was part of Christina Tosi’s team for Momofuku Milk Bar as their bread baker.