Nothing cheers up your daybreak quite so much as the delectable whiff of hot, freshly brewed coffee. But if you wait too long for a full pot of coffee to brew, the anticipation may resort to something closer to disappointment. And when you’re getting to work, coffee from the nearest coffee shop may be convenient and addicting but it can add up in the long run. Instead of that, why not brew your own delicious cup or mug at home? It’s quick and easy. Plus, single cup coffee makers are compact and relatively inexpensive, and while you save money you can also save on those disposable cups that harm the environment. Find the best single cup coffee maker without pods and you’ll be glad you did in no time.
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Your Single Cup Coffee Maker Options
There are two options if you decide to go the single-serve coffee route. If convenience is the most important to you, you can choose a capsule or pod coffee maker, so there’s no mess and is the quickest way to get a cup. However, this still isn’t the cheapest way and you’re still polluting the environment by throwing away those disposable pods. You should also know that a Keurig won’t be able to give you piping hot coffee.
If you’re more concerned about having your coffee brewed at just the right temperature, then we can recommend coffee makers that brew at around 200 degrees. Some of them give you a choice between brewing a carafe and just a single cup. Or check out these purely single serve coffee makers that brew the hottest coffee.
You can have any coffee blend you want with the best single serve coffee maker with no pods and you can choose to use paper filters or a permanent filter for the coffee grounds. Some of these machines even come with travel mugs so that you can take your drink with you to work. Many allow you to choose the size of cup you want.
We’ll look at some great single serve ground coffee makers for you to choose from depending on what your specific needs are.
Best One Cup Coffee Makers Without Pods
Technivorm Cup One Coffee Brewer
This coffee brewer is pump-free and heats the water till it reaches a precise temperature so that you can easily extract your coffee. The best thing about this coffee maker is that it is easy to use and safe. This coffee maker is pod-less and can brew a 10-ounce cup of coffee using one button only in just 4 minutes. The cup holder is removable so that you can fit different sized cups underneath the brew basket.
It is also safe to use such that if you forget to turn it off, you do not have to worry as it comes with an automatic function that enables the coffee maker to switch off after the brewing is finished.
Technivorm Cup One Coffee brewer is made with the finest quality material that lasts longer. It is made using Phthalate-free plastics and durable stainless steel that is sturdy and can provide you perfectly brerwed coffee. It comes with a brewing hole cleaning device in case it gets clogged.
Pros:• It has an automatic turn-off function that ensures safety.
• It is made with high-quality materials.
• Very easy to use and no guesswork.
• Brewing basket can accommodate a lot of grounds for a stouter brew.
• Can only hold enough water for one cup at a time.
• Expensive for what it does.
Cuisinart DCC-3000 Coffee-on-Demand Programmable Coffeemaker
This coffee maker is relatively simple yet versatile to use, as you can choose to brew 1 to 4 cups at a time. The water reservoir capacity is also sufficient and can hold up to twelve five-oz mugs of water. It is double walled, so it will hold the water hot for several hours. The display will show how much water is remaining in the reservoir. Once the brewer’s light comes on, you can use the given lever to fill your mug with extremely delicious coffee. You can also set it to start brewing up to 24 hours ahead of time. The shower head sprays the hot water evenly over the grounds.
It is easy to clean as well as it is designed with a removable drip tray to avoid any kind of mess on your countertop.
This Cuisinart DCC-3000 Coffeemaker turns off automatically, so you do not have to worry, and is designed with a self-cleaning feature that can be used once the machine alerts you that it’s time to clean it. This coffee brewer comes with durable filters like a gold toned brewer filter and charcoal water filters, so all in all, this product is perfection.
Pros:• It has self-cleaning and auto-turn-off features.
• It is fully programmable and easy to use.
• The reservoir will hold enough water for up to 12 5 oz cups.
• You can brew 1 to 4 cups at a time.
• The drip tray is not adjustable to suit several cup sizes.
• The reservoir and heat plate need frequent cleaning.
• The reservoir may drip if the lever is not depressed.
EZBASICS Single Serve Coffee Maker Brewer Compatible with Pod and Ground Coffee
This coffee brewer comes with a drip tray that can be removed to avoid mess and keep your counter-top clean, and you can place larger cups by removing the tray as well. Not just that, but this single cup coffee brewer with no pods also saves a lot of space due to its stylish yet compact design so that your kitchen will have more room for your other necessities.
It is also very efficient and fast, and a perfectly balanced and freshly brewed coffee is just one click away. You can adjust the strength of your brew or the size of your drink by adjusting the amount of water in the reservoir up to 10 ounces each time. There’s a device with 4, 6, 8 and 10 oz markers inside that you can view from the top to help you out.
One more delightful feature of this brewer is that it comes with an auto turn-off, so in case you forget to shut the coffee maker off, you don’t have to worry about excessive energy consumption or the appliance getting damaged. Whether inserting or withdrawing a pod, the hidden needle keeps you out of harm’s way.
Pros:• This brewer is compatible with almost all pods and loose coffee.
• It is compact and saves your space.
• Water doesn’t sit stale in the reservoir.
• You can adjust your brew strength or cup size by the amount of water you pour into the reservoir.
• The water reservoir is not very large due to its compact size, so it needs frequent refilling. The largest cup you can get is 10 oz.
Hamilton Beach The Scoop Single Serve Coffee Maker (49981A)
If you are thinking of reducing your brewing time with a single serve coffee machine, consider the Hamilton Beach The Scoop Single Serve Coffee Maker.
With the Hamilton Beach The Scoop, you can delight in the easiness of a single serve coffee maker with no extra expense of pre-filled pods. The coffee server features a mesh scoop cum filter with a handle that allows users to choose their preferred coffee flavors including vanilla, caramel, and hazelnut. To use the coffee maker, just grind your preferred coffee and then scoop it into the filter. Place it in position and then hit the start button to initiate the brewing process.
Below that is another detachable basket to catch any grounds that may fall from the scoop filter.
Users also have the option of selecting between regular and bold brewing options and you can brew up to 14 oz at a time. It can house a standard 8 oz coffee cup or up to a 7″ travel mug for up to 14 ozs. It is also hassle free to clean and no paper filters are required.
Because of its upscale appearance, great design, sleek stainless steel exterior, functionality and its capacity to use coffee grinds in place of K-cups, The Scoop has been highly rated by the IDSA.
It requires regular testing in the beginning before you settle on the correct taste of your brew but once you have that perfected, you’ll have your coffee in no time.
Pros:• The coffee maker allows for customization of the amount of coffee grounds used, providing flexibility to the user’s taste preferences.
• The scoop filter sits on top of another filter, which prevents the coffee grounds from entering your cup and potentially affecting the flavor.
• Easy to use, easy to clean and works fast.
• A few reviewers mention that the coffee maker splatters water or coffee while brewing, which can create a mess and require additional cleanup but this happens only if you have too much of a gap between the drip spout and your cup. Use a taller cup to avoid this problem.
• Using just a single scoop per serving may give you weak coffee so it’s recommended to add more grounds to the scoop basket for the bold setting to work well.
Single Serve Coffee Maker With Travel Mug
Mr. Coffee Iced and Hot Coffee Maker
The integrated measuring system makes it simple to brew the right mix of water, coffee, and ice and gives consistently bold and flavorful coffee. This 16 oz single serve coffee maker is also pod-free and can make a lot of coffee with a single-serve reusable filter. It also comes with an extra tumbler so that if you are rushing to work, you can just grab it and go.
For those who may prefer stronger iced coffee or hotter hot coffee, a workaround would be to make and use coffee ice cubes instead of regular ice cubes and to preheat your coffee cup before brewing.
Pros:• Makes great iced coffee drinks and hot cups of coffee, which saves you a lot of money not having to buy your preferred brew from a coffee shop.
• Easy and quick to use.
• Large reusable filter basket that can hold a lot of coffee grounds.
• It has an integrated measurement system with a dual-sided scoop that ensures a perfectly balanced taste of coffee.
• This coffee maker is not compatible to work with pods.
• For some people, water is not as hot as it should be for hot coffee.
• Brew time is upwards of 4+ minutes
Hamilton Beach FlexBrew Single-Serve Coffee Maker
First of all, it can fit in a variety of cups as it comes with an adjustable cup rest. This cup rest has a hidden storage chamber to hold either the pod holder or the grounds brew basket while the other one is in use. Both these are included with the machine.
This Hamilton Beach FlexBrew provides not just great taste, but it brews your coffee in about 3 minutes, which makes it perfect for the mornings when you have to rush through your breakfast. You can choose between convenient pod coffee, which is good for a 10-ounce serving, or your own loose blend for up to 14 ounces, which can be perfectly held in the included 16-ounce travel mug.
The 14-ounce water tank will be completely emptied before you refill it for the next cup. If you refill it with more water than your drinking cup will hold, the coffee will overflow the cup. Your brew strength is only controlled by the amount of water you fill. Although the maximum fill line is at 14 ounces, the tank can easily hold up to 16 ounces if you want a lighter brew.
Once the coffee pod or grounds are in place, you only have to close the lid and press Brew. The machine will automatically turn off when it’s done brewing.
Moving on, this coffee maker is easy to clean. Its pod-piercing needle is easy to clean in case it gets clogged, which is something you might experience if you use the maker daily.
The whole FlexBrew line is quite popular and affordable, including the dual brew model for those who like the option of also brewing a whole carafe of coffee.
Pros:• The adjustable cup rest allows you to use any sized mug.
• You can brew your coffee with or without K-cups.
• Easy to clean due to its detachable pod-piercing needle feature and the water tank empties completely each time it brews.
• Comes with an auto-shutoff feature.
• Compact.
• It’s a bit noisy.
• The strength of the brew only relies on the amount of water poured into the tank.
Aeropress Go Portable Travel Coffee Press Kit
Well, the AeroPress Go Portable Travel Coffee Press is perfect for traveling, but you can use it in your household as well. It is compact, portable and versatile and brews your coffee fast. Cold coffee takes a couple of minutes, while flavorful hot coffee takes only a minute.
This coffee maker gives 1 to 3 cups of espresso-style coffee per press and comes with a mug, lid, scoop, and stirrer. You also get 350 paper microfilters, but you can choose to buy a compatible reusable metal filter as well. The cup’s capacity is 15 ounces and the scoop can hold 14 grams of grounds heaped.
All you have to do is fill the chamber above the filter with your own preferred coffee grounds and pour just a little hot water over it to completely cover the grounds. You give it a stir and pour some more hot water – enough to give you the strength of brew you like. You then insert and push down on the plunger until you meet resistance and the cup below will collect a perfect piping hot coffee concentrate that’s smooth and bold but not bitter. You can then add more hot water if you prefer a larger cup of American-style coffee.
The used coffee grounds form a very dry puck that releases from the bottom of the plunger easily. It is easy to clean and just needs a rinse so that when you are camping, you don’t have to worry about that. When you’re done, you just push the plunger all the way in, then pack the stirrer and scoop inside and close the cup with the lid. The whole unit takes up very little space in your luggage!
Pros:• It is compact and travel-friendly.
• It provides great-tasting coffee.
• Efficiently brews your coffee on the go.
• Easy to clean.
• The filter edge that fits over the cup is thin so it doesn’t fit well if you want to set it over your own coffee mug.
AdirChef Mini Travel Single Serve Coffee Maker
Well, the ADIRchef Single Serve Mini Travel Coffee Maker is the one for you. It is an eco-friendly coffee brewer that allows you to reduce waste and save as much money as possible, as it does not need paper filters.
It has a universal design that is small, portable, and lightweight, and you can fit it in small spaces in your house or even workplace, and since it is portable, it is easy to carry around or travel with.
This brew maker comes with a 14-ounce water reservoir, and the brew is directly dispensed into the insulated stainless steel 15-ounce travel-friendly mug. It takes just 4 minutes from the time the water starts to heat to the time your mug is filled with hot coffee. It features automatic shutoff as well.
Pros:• Comes with a well-insulated travel mug.
• It is eco-friendly and saves you money as well.
• All parts are dishwasher safe.
• It is portable and convenient enough to carry while traveling.
• Is not compatible with pods.
• The materials used are a bit flimsy.
Elite Gourmet Personal Single-Serve Compact Coffee Maker with Pause N Serve
This coffee maker is portable and compact and will not take up a lot of space on your countertop. It is easy to use, as it will give you a simmering hot cup of coffee with its one-touch feature. It is also easy to clean, as are the removable parts are dishwasher-safe.
This coffee maker is compatible with loose coffee grounds as well as pods but not K-cups. It can also be used for brewing tea.
This brewer comes with a 14 oz insulated mug made with stainless steel to provide you coffee on the go as well as a reusable filter with a basket.
Pros:• It is waste-free and easy to clean.
• It comes with an auto-turn-off.
• It provides a brew in under 60 seconds.
• It is easy to use due to its one-touch feature.
• This coffee maker comes with a stainless steel 14oz cup.
• It is compatible with loose grounds and pods but not K-cups.
• It may show signs of leakage if not used properly.
• Cheaply made but expected at such a low price.
How to Choose a Single Cup Coffee Maker with no Pods
Versatility
While you may be looking just for single serve coffee machines that allow you to use your own preferred coffee grounds, it can be nice to occasionally brew 2-3 cups at a time and maybe even have the ability to throw in a pod when you need a fast and convenient brew. A few models come with either or both of these abilities but that’s where the versatility ends.
If you’re looking for something that gives you the option to also brew a carafe of coffee or maybe even give you specialty hot and cold brews or tea, then you should be looking for a dual brew coffee maker.
Consistent Brew
One of the most important things to remember while buying a single-cup coffee maker is that your coffee maker’s brew temperature must be hot, and the brew strength must be strong and consistent.
Choice of Cup Sizes
The coffee maker should easily be able to fit different cup sizes. It should also have an adjustable drip tray so that you can enjoy your coffee in any cup of your liking.
Type of Filter
There are different kinds of filters available in the market for single-serve coffee makers. While some models come with paper filters, it’s better if it comes with a reusable metal filter or is at least compatible with generic reusable filters. Models that use a conical filter tend to make a richer-tasting brew than flat-bottomed filters.
Ease of Cleaning and Maintenance
Single-serve coffee makers are made to save you time and make the process of brewing coffee as simple as possible. Your coffee maker should come with detachable trays for spilled coffee and removable tanks for easy cleaning. Look for ones that have a self-cleaning option to minimize calcium build-up if you do not want to spend a lot of time cleaning and descaling.
Size of Machine
Coffee makers that are compact in size and do not take up a lot of space are the best if their main job is to make just one serving at a time. Invest in a coffee maker that fits comfortably on your counter and does not take up a lot of space, regardless of how big or small your kitchen is. A compact one is also great if you want to have one in your office and at your fingertips.
Portability
Lightweight and movable coffee machines are a great option if you travel or camp frequently. For single-serve coffee makers, there are even some travel-friendly options available.
FAQs
Yes, it is. While, on the one hand, we can say that investing in pod machines is a budget-friendly option, coffee pods themselves are not the most affordable. In most cases, coffee pods can cost up to a whopping $100 per kilogram. On the other hand, some of the most premium and exclusive quality coffee grounds are available at a tenth of this price.
To use a coffee maker without a pod, all you have to do is line the filter basket with the included or recommended filter and add in the coffee grounds based on your preference of how strong you want your brew to be. Fill the reservoir with the desired amount of water, close it and start the coffee machine. The water is heated and showered over the coffee grounds and the extracted brew is dispensed into the cup or travel mug below.
While multiple cup drip coffee makers can make very good coffee, many coffee lovers prefer a single-serve coffee makers because they believe it makes a more flavorful cup. It is easier to control the strength of your brew when you make just one cup at a time. Single serve drip coffee is also more convenient and less time-consuming, as the process doesn’t require you to do anything after you turn on the machine.
Nespresso compatible capsules are available in a variety of forms. There are also reusable capsules that are compatible with Nespresso. These capsules may be filled with your own ground coffee. These coffee grounds can be purchased as ground coffee or freshly ground from coffee beans.