It is no secret that single serve coffee makers such as Keurig and Nespresso rule the one-cup-at-a-time world using K-Cups or Pods. Finding a single serve coffee machine that does not use pods can often be a challenge. Which is exactly why today we are sharing our list of best single serve coffee makers without pods.
Ready to buy now? Check out our top picks:
- Ninja Specialty Coffee Maker
- The Cuisinart Grind and Brew Automatic
- Hamilton Beach Scoop Single Serve Coffee Maker
One thing both Keurig and Nespresso have in common is that they both use K-Cups or Pods that contain the coffee beans used to brew a cup of coffee. For those who are looking to reduce waste, a single serve brewer that requires pods can be a major turn off.
Single serving pod coffee brewers such as Keurig and Nespresso receive criticism for producing a considerable amount of waste from K-Cups and Pods causing negative impact to the environment.
Keurig is well known for the negative environmental impacts their products have had. Keurig’s K-Cups are designed with #7 plastic bodies and aluminum tops that are difficult to recycle. In addition, the K-Cups that are sent to Keurig’s disposal vendor are incinerated at a plant, producing airborne pollutants.
Like their competitor, Nespresso Pods are also responsible for producing a high volume of aluminum waste. Although there are some recyclable components of the coffee pod, the majority end up throw away after one use.
If you want the ability to make a single serving cup, without all the waste, you are in the right place. Today we provide you with our list of top single serve coffee makers without pods. Read on to learn more!
Contents
- 1 Top Single Serve Coffee Machines
- 1.1 1. Ninja Specialty Coffee Maker
- 1.2 2. Cuisinart Grind & Brew Automatic
- 1.3 3. Hamilton Beach Scoop Single Serve Coffee Maker
- 1.4 4. Chefman InstaCoffee Single Serve
- 1.5 5. Sboly Single Serve Coffee Maker
- 1.6 6. Keurig K-Duo Plus Coffee Maker
- 1.7 7. Elite Gourmet EHC111A Maxi-Matic Personal
- 1.8 8. OXO Brew Pour-Over Coffee Maker
- 2 Coffee Makers Without Pods Buying Guide
- 3 Cozy’s Bottom Line
Top Single Serve Coffee Machines
Here are the eight best single serve coffee machines. Some of them will work with pods, but they all work with regular coffee grounds as well.
1. Ninja Specialty Coffee Maker
The Ninja Specialty Coffee Maker is truly one of the most versatile single serve coffee machines on the market. There are several stand-out features that make the Specialty Coffee Maker an excellent option for coffee lovers!
In our opinion, this machine’s best feature is its versatility in brewing both in size and drink type. To learn more about the Ninja line of coffee brewers, click here.
The Ninja Specialty Coffee Maker brews six sizes including a small cup (9.5 oz), large cup (11.5 oz), travel mug (14 oz), large travel mug (18 oz), half of a carafe, and a whole carafe.
If you prefer a fancier, cafe-like feel, the coffee maker also has a frother attached.
You can froth any milk of your choice from your own kitchen, transforming it into your favorite coffee shop drink in an instant.
The other huge selling point of this machine is its ability to brew both cold and hot coffee drinks!
When brewing with the Ninja you have the ability to select from several brew cycles including classic brew, over ice brew, rich brew and specialty brew. You also can use the self-brewing feature which allows you to set a timer on the machine so that it will brew your favorite drink at the exact time you need it.
Brewing with high quality coffee beans will ensure you can have the best tasting coffee in your cup. Looking for coffee bean suggestions? Check out our list of the 10 best Arabica beans.
We also appreciate the simplicity in the Ninja Specialty Coffee Maker’s design, with the parts of the machine able to be placed in the dishwasher after use. This eliminates the need for any manual clean time which ensures your morning routine remains efficient as ever.
Things we like:
- Large range of coffee sizes available
- Many coffee varieties available
- Easy clean-up
- Frothing attachment
- Self-Brew feature with timer
Things we don’t:
- Can be slightly more noisy then the average coffee maker
2. Cuisinart Grind & Brew Automatic
Not many things beat a cup of coffee made from freshly ground coffee beans. K-Cups and pods are made from coffee that is pre-ground. While this still can produce a decent cup, it does not compare to the delicious, robust cup you will get from coffee beans ground right before brewing.
The Cuisinart Grind and Brew Automatic coffee maker is a great option for those who want to be able to brew with freshly ground coffee beans and not pods. The Grind and Brew has the ability to make an individual cup up to a 12 ounce carafe, making it a good choice for those who want flexibility in the amount that can be brewed at one time.
The Grind and Brew also features an environmentally friendly reusable gold tone filter. This means no more paper filters, no more pods, no more useless waste.
The machine is easy enough to use with six well-labeled buttons on the front for pre-programming your morning coffee and tweaking the settings. You can even pause the brew, fill your cup, then resume brewing into the carafe. Plus, the carafe has a dripless spout, an ergonomic handle, and a knuckle guard.
This is a great choice for any family kitchen since it has something for everybody. However, it may be a little large for a single person living in a small space. You definitely will get your money’s worth with the Grind and Brew.
If you are in the market for a Grind and Brew coffee maker you will also want to take a look at the very popular Cuisinart DCC-2650.
Things we like:
- Programmable 24 hours
- Glass cafe with 12-cup capacity
- Integrated grinder for coffee beans
- Charcoal water filter, great for tap water
- Control panel is easy to use
- Removable components for simple cleaning, dishwasher safe
Things we don’t like:
- The grinder can be loud
- Lower brewing temperature
3. Hamilton Beach Scoop Single Serve Coffee Maker
We love the Hamilton Beach Scoop Single Serve Coffee Maker for many reasons, with its reasonable price tag definitely at the top of our list. The Hamilton is designed so that you can brew your favorite ground coffee using the single-serve scoop that also doubles as the machine’s filter.
The Hamilton Beach Scoop is a compact machine that can easily fit into most small spaces, making it an ideal companion for offices, small kitchens and RVs.
This brewer also boasts a fast brewing speed, with the ability to brew an 8 ounce cup in 90 seconds or less. It also allows you to choose from a regular or bold brewing cycle, allowing you to adjust your coffee’s strength to your preference.
Despite its small size, the Hamilton has an adjustable stand that you can move up or down to accommodate a wide variety of mug sizes, including a 14 ounce travel mug.
Thoughtful design and customizable brewing solutions all at an affordable price tag are all reasons that make the Hamilton Beach Scoop Single Serve Coffee Maker one of our top picks.
Things we like:
- Single scoop filter measures and brews coffee
- Quick brewing time
- Regular or bold brewing options
- Adjustable cup tray for brewing multiple sizes
- Affordable price point
- Compact design
Things we don’t:
- Ground amount is very tightly controlled with the filter
- Finely ground coffee may cause overflow
4. Chefman InstaCoffee Single Serve
The Chefman InstaCoffee Single Serve may be little but can still brew a mighty cup of coffee in three minutes or less. With the ability to brew up to 14 ounces this tiny machine delivers a decent sized cup!
The InstaCoffee is compact, allowing it to easily fit into any small space, making it a great option for those who want to take their brewer with them while on the go.
This brewer comes at a very affordable price point, but still offers several features you will typically see in more expensive machines such as a self-clean feature.
With the InstaCoffee you will get a lot of functionality at a relatively low price point.
The InstaCoffee gives you the choice of brewing with your own coffee beans or K-Cups. This is a convenient feature for those who are not completely ready to say goodbye to K-Cups.
Things We Like
- Simple one touch design
- Lightweight, small and compact
- Can accommodate travel sized mugs
- Can brew up to 14 ounces at a time
- Affordable price point
Things We Don’t Like
- Lower brewing temperature
5. Sboly Single Serve Coffee Maker
The Sboly Single Serve Coffee Maker is a 2-in-1 machine that can brew coffee beans or K-cups in three minutes. It is small and compact making it ideal for any small space.
The Sboly brews four different sizes of coffee, including a large 14 ounce brew. It also comes with a 16 ounce insulated travel mug.
With features such as self cleaning and auto shut off, the Sboly is an easy addition to anyone’s coffee routine.
Things we like:
- Free insulated mug with machine
- You can brew grounds or pods
- Self-cleaning option
- Auto shut off
- Quick brew time
Things we don’t:
- Brew cycle longer when brewing two cups of coffee in a row
6. Keurig K-Duo Plus Coffee Maker
When you think of Keurig, you usually think about K-Cups, but this brewer works with grounds and pods. Carafe and single cup combination brewers like the K-Duo are also referred to as dual coffee makers. A dual coffee maker is one machine that brews a single-cup of coffee or a full carafe. The choice is yours!
The K Duo comes equipped with all of the features you would expect with a Keurig, including programmable options such as auto-off and auto-brew. This coffee machine can brew four different individual sizes up to 12 ounces and the carafe can brew up to 12 ounces as well.
This Keurig also features a pause and pour feature that allows you to pour a cup before brewing is finished. You also can make your brew more robust by using the strong brew feature. With the K Duo you truly get the best of both coffee drinking worlds!
Things we like:
- Offers single and multi-cup brewing options
- 60oz reservoir lets you set it up for multiple cups of water
- Programmable up to 24 hours ahead
- Glass carafe with warming plate
Things we don’t:
- A bit loud
- Included carafe can be messy when pouring
- No reusable filter
7. Elite Gourmet EHC111A Maxi-Matic Personal
The Elite Gourmet EHC111A is a basic unit designed to make one cup of coffee quickly and without any extra bells and whistles. Once you set it up, you can get a hot cup of coffee in about a minute.
The reusable filter can work with coffee grounds and loose tea. If you love having the ability to make both coffee and tea in one machine, this brewer is a good fit for you.
The whole unit can be placed into a dishwasher if you need to clean it quickly. The machine also comes with a stainless steel thermal travel mug.
The one downfall of the Elite Gourmet is that the reset switch is poorly placed. You can sometimes turn on the machine by accident, meaning that you will have to wait a few minutes before you can make your coffee.
Things we like:
- Affordable price point
- Brews coffee in 60 seconds
- Works for coffee and loose leaf tea
- You get a stainless steel travel mug
- Easy to clean and dishwasher safe
- Small design fits anywhere
Things we don’t:
- The thermal reset switch doesn’t allow you to make two cups back to back
- The on button can be easy to bump, so you can turn it on by accident
8. OXO Brew Pour-Over Coffee Maker
The OXO Brew Pour-Over Coffee Maker lets you make great cups of coffee without the use of electricity. You just pour hot water into the maker, and the control drip makes sure that it gets to the coffee grounds to brew a great cup of coffee.
You can set the unit on most different cups so that you can make your coffee in your favorite mug. Being able to heat the water separately gives you a lot of control in the coffee-making process to make your favorite cup of coffee.
The setup does use coffee filters that you have to purchase separately. You also have to have some way to heat the water.
If you are interested in a portable and affordable coffee solution be sure to check out the extremely popular Aeropress.
Things we like:
- Doesn’t need power to work
- Extremely compact and small
- Controls water flow rate for optimal brewing
- Fits on multiple different size mugs
- Very affordable
Things we don’t:
- Have to heat water separately
- Must use disposable filters
Coffee Makers Without Pods Buying Guide
You have to consider many things when it comes to buying the best single serve coffee maker without pods. You want to ensure that it’s easy to use, clean, and works well with your favorite type of coffee. It also has to fit your budget and your counter top.
When you find a single serve coffee maker that fits all these needs, you will be able to enjoy your favorite coffee whenever you feel like a cup.
Type of Coffee
Coffee type can mean a few different things, but the brewers featured today can make all four major coffee bean types.
If you have a specific type of coffee you want to brew, such as espresso, you may want to get a machine that focuses on that style.
Interested in Espresso? Check out our list of best cheap espresso machines.
Great Taste
No matter how excellent a coffee maker looks, it isn’t a great pick if it doesn’t make a tasty cup of coffee. Many things can go into making the best cup of coffee.
Different styles of coffee maker will make different flavors of coffee. Gravity drips will taste slightly different than percolators, and they will both taste different than presses. Knowing how the machine will make the coffee gives you an idea of how it will taste.
Easy to Make
Convenience can’t be overstated. You may be making a few fresh cups of coffee throughout the day, so you want it to be straightforward to do. Sometimes simplicity can make up for a whole lot of other issues.
When you can make coffee quickly and easily, it is more likely that you will use your coffee machine. Some people like the reusable metal mesh filters and some prefer disposable filters. You can find manufacturers that use both.
Quick Clean Up
Being able to clean your pot with ease is a nice touch. Like making the coffee, if the pot is too hard to maintain, you may find that you skip making your favorite cup of coffee. You want to ensure that you can clean it quickly.
Everyone has different definitions of easy clean-up. Some people don’t mind rinsing out a reusable metal filter, whereas others want to toss out a single-use paper filter. Cleaning the machine is usually relatively easy, but you want it to work well for you.
Cost
Everyone has a budget for their coffee pot. Some budgets are higher than others. There are single-use coffee pots that work for every budget, so you have to make sure you find one that fits your price.
Sometimes higher prices units will offer extra features, but that is not always the case. You can often find a specific aspect you want in most price ranges. If you need something, look around until you find one you can afford.
Space
The most amazing coffee maker won’t do you any good if it doesn’t fit your counter. Single serve machines usually have a minimal footprint, but you may want to make sure that they will fit in the spot you have ready for it.
Sometimes machines offer single and multiple pot options; those tend to be bigger units that will take up more space. There are also super small pots that can be very useful for small kitchens.
Electric Vs. Manual Units
You can pick from electric or manual units. Electrical units offer the heating element in the machine. You plug it in and can make your cup of coffee without anything else. A manual maker needs to have hot water added to the unit to brew a proper cup of coffee.
Both systems work, and some people like the control manual gives you. You can heat the water to a specific temperature and manage how evenly it is heated. Many people like the convenience and ease of the electrical unit.
Make Sure You Can Fill Your Cup
If you drink a normal cup of coffee, almost all these machines will work fine for you. However, if you have your own special industrial size cup of coffee in the morning, you may want to find out how much water the single-cup machine fills.
Cozy’s Bottom Line
Everyone wants a quick cup of coffee in the morning, even if they don’t feel like making a full pot. Many want to brew their coffee in an environmentally friendly way by eliminating or reducing the amount of single serving pods used every day.
You can’t go wrong with any of the single serve coffee brewers with no pods or optional pods we have reviewed today.
If you want versatility and a quality design the Ninja Specialty Brewer is an excellent fit. If you want a no frills machine that is compact and capable of brewing a quick cup the Hamilton Beach Scoop Single Serve Coffee Maker is a great option for you.
Whichever you choose, we hope you enjoy a hot cup for us! Cheers!