One and a half years back, I unknowingly built a bad habit of relying on coffee pods. Sure, it’s quick, convenient, and makes a badass cup of coffee.
However, even a great cup of coffee isn’t worth the level of pollution single-use plastics can cause. Not to mention exposing plastic to high temperature isn’t exactly a smart health choice.
The smarter me chose a smarter option – a single-serve coffee maker that uses coffee grounds. I’m not a coffee snob, by a long-shot but I can tell you that freshly ground coffee yields a better cup than K-pods.
Long story short, I am so glad you are looking for some pod free coffee makers. And to help you pick the right coffee maker for your needs, I have put together a list of 5 models that tick all the boxes.
Quick Summary of Single-Serve Coffee Maker
1. Best Overrall: Technivorm 69212 Cup-One Coffee Brewer
Easy to use and consistently brews a bold cup of coffee at the perfect temperature in 3-4 minutes.
2. Runner-up: Keurig K-Classic Coffee Maker
Has three buttons for three different cup sizes and yields strong, sludge-free coffee.
3. Best Value: AdirChef Grab N’ Go Personal Coffee Maker
A convenient coffee brewer that comes with a 15” travel mug and fills a cup under two minutes.
4. Most Versatile Single-serve Coffee Maker: Sboly Coffee Maker
Compatible with both ground coffee and K-Pods. The auto-cleaning function makes is a fantastic touch.
5. Best Build Quality: Hamilton Beach 2-Way Brewer
Let’s you tweak the serving size from one cup to a full pot and takes minimal counter space.
Why Going Pod-free?- The Perils of Coffee Pods
K-Cups revolutionized the way we think and drink coffee, yes. To be honest, they taste pretty alright to a lot of people including me.
I, like most people, struggle to even keep my eyes open in the morning before I have my first cuppa, let alone dialing in espresso shots.
So when coffee pods made their first appearance, it didn’t take them long to take the market by storm. So what’s the issue, you ask?
Let’s see:
Pods Aren’t Eco-friendly
Coffee capsules are almost entirely made of plastic with a filter on top. The plastic of disposable pods isn’t recyclable. So when they end up in a landfill, they stay there unharmed for a good eternity.
Imagine how many cups of coffee you drink every day. Now tally it up with the amount of plastic waste you will be unwittingly causing to this already pollution-stricken planet.
They Are Expensive
With coffee pods, you are paying mainly for the convenience, and not for the coffee quality. Yes, the coffee tastes decent but the cost per cup doesn’t make any financial sense, even when you factor in the convenience.
Buying top-quality coffee grounds to make your brew will always be cheaper and the resulting coffee will taste much better.
Coffee Can’t Be Customized
With pods, you are limited to using maximum 10 oz of water per pod. Use more and you will end up with a watery brew. In a standard coffee machine, you can effectively control the coffee to water ratio to make the perfect-tasting cup for yourself.
Why fork out an exorbitant amount of money on a pod coffee machine when you can spend less and get better results?
They Aren’t the Healthiest Alternative
Although made of BPA-free plastic, some recent studies have suggested that when heated, the plastic parts release certain harmful chemicals.
When ingested through coffee, these chemicals can act like estrogen hormone in our bodies, possibly triggering hormonal imbalance. Just to be clear, drinking one or two cups a day won’t harm you. But if you need tons of coffee to get you through the day, regular coffee is your safest bet.
5 Best Single Serve Coffee Maker Without Pods Reviews
Most of the companies make single serve coffee maker without pods, but we have many complaints about the products sometimes. To reduce the hassle of choosing the best one, here is a review of top picks for you!
1. Technivorm 69212 Cup-One Coffee Brewer
Product Specifications:
- Brew Temp: 196º to 205º F.
- Brew Time: 4 minutes.
- Controls: one-button operation.
- Auto shut-off: Yes
- Cup size: 10 Oz.
Technivorm 69212 is a pod free single cup coffee maker. This coffee maker has made its place up in the list of single-cup pod free coffee machines for its best quality service.
You just need to press one switch to make the coffee. I like the simple operating system with this one button. It automatically turns off after the brewing is done and takes four minutes to brew a 10 Oz mug of coffee.
They have designed the brewer with durable aluminum. You have no worry regarding the bad quality products that may result in health issues since they used BPA, BPF, BPS, and Phthalate free plastic in the water reservoir.
This rectangle pod less single cup coffee maker makes your coffee with great care, and it comes out super delighting. One important tip is, pour more than a cup of water for a cup of coffee. In this way, you will get an accurate amount of coffee.
Highlighted Features
- Technivorm 69212 coffee maker has an easy operating system by pressing only one switch.
- It takes four minutes to brew one cup of coffee.
- The machine stops itself after the brewing is done.
- To ensure health safety, they have used BPA, BPF, BPS, and Phthalate free plastic in the water chamber.
2. Keurig K-Classic Coffee Maker, Single Serve K-Cup Pod Coffee Brewer
Product Specifications:
- Cup Size: 6,8, and 10 oz. servings.
- Height: 17.6″.
- Brew Temp: 193 degrees F.
- Descaling indicator: Yes.
- Auto-off: Yes.
Another popular coffee brewer is Keurig K-cup Coffee Maker. It gives the opportunity to use multiple sizes of cups of 6, 8, or 10 ounces.
Your coffee becomes ready in just one minute once you place your cup and press the size button.
It has a big water tank that contains 48 ounces of water. Approximately 6 cups of coffee can be brewed at once with this big jar of water.
You can remove the water jar to refill with water; it saves your time.
With a descaling system, your coffee maker becomes clean by washing away any calcium deposit.
If you often forget after putting the coffee cup in the maker, no worries! The auto-off system takes care of the coffee maker and turns off after two hours.
It has a real durable lifespan; this machine serves you years if you can maintain properly.
Highlighted Features
- With this solid single-cup machine, your coffee becomes ready-to-serve in just one minute.
- 8 and 10 ounces– you can brew these three sizes cups coffee mugs in this brewer.
- Descaling cleaning system helps clean away any calcium or scales that often build up inside the brewing tank.
- One button operation and auto shutting system of this machine make it very convenient to use.
3. AdirChef Grab N’ Go Personal Coffee Maker
Product Specifications:
- Filter type: Permanent filter.
- Add on: 15 oz stainless steel mug.
- Dishwasher safe: Yes.
- Automatic shut-off: Yes.
Built like a tank, the modest price tag of this product completely belies what this coffee machine is capable of. Even without the bells and whistles of more premium machines, this one manages to brew a pretty decent cup of coffee. It’s an ideal solution for a quick caffeine fix in the morning.
In the box, you will find a 5 ¾” tall coffee mug that holds 15 oz of coffee. The size is not only perfect for the coffee maker but also for cup holders in most vehicles.
The build quality of the mug is undoubtedly one of the main highlights of this single-cup coffee maker. It’s made of stainless steel and is well-insulated and leak-proof. Your coffee will remain hot in it for up to 3 hours.
Other than the mug, feel free to use any standard-sized cup you have with this machine. There’s no brew strength selector or temperature control. You just put the water and coffee grounds in, press the power button and wait for a minute or two.
The resulting coffee is acceptably hot and smooth-tasting with a negligible amount of sludge at the bottom of the cup. To top it off, cleaning the machine is a piece of cake.
To sum up, you will be getting more than your money’s worth with this petite yet robustly designed coffee maker.
Highlighted Features
- Fills a 15 oz. up in roughly 2 minutes.
- The included stainless steel cup keeps the brew at a drinkable temperature for 3 hours.
- Quite easy to clean.
- Eco-friendly and comes with a reusable filter basket.
- Doesn’t leave a lot of residue at the bottom of the cup.
- Can fit all standard size cups.
4. Sboly Single Serve Coffee Maker
Product Specifications:
- Special Feature: Auto-clean and auto-off.
- Accessories: Insulated, stainless steel coffee mug.
- Cup Warming: 6 hours in the mug.
- Controls: Adjustable water volume.
- Brew style: Both coffee grounds and K-pods.
Sporting a low-profile and sophisticated chassis, the dual-function coffee maker can use both coffee grounds and K-cup pods to brew a nice cuppa. For the grounds, you can use a reusable 304 stainless steel filter basket included with the machine.
The plastic part that comes in contact with water is BPA-free, so you can enjoy your cup of Joe worry-free. You can also use the basket for brewing loose tea leaves if you wish.
The double-walled insulated coffee mug that comes with this model is solidly built and can keep your hot beverage decently warm for up to 6 hours. There’s no risk of leakage whatsoever.
You can fit the travel cup right into the coffee machine by simply removing the bottom tray. I loved the fact that it doesn’t eat up a lot of space on the counter. The auto-cleaning feature is another brilliant touch.
It simply requires you to press two buttons to activate the auto-cleaning mode which will give the insides of the coffee maker a thorough clean-up in a snap.
It takes a little over 4 minutes to fill a cup and the taste of the coffee is comparable to that of bigger machines. That’s quite an achievement, believe you me.
Highlighted Features
- Takes about 3-4 minutes to brew a full cup.
- A thermal coffee mug included that can keep the coffee hot for 6 hours or so.
- You can fit a tall travel coffee mug into the machine by removing the tray.
- Lets you adjust the amount of water you pour into the reservoir.
- Auto-clean features takes the chore out of deep cleaning the coffee machine.
5. Hamilton Beach 2-Way Brewer Coffee Maker, Single-Serve and 12-Cup Pot
Product Specifications:
- Programmable timer: Yes.
- Cup Size: One cup and a full pot.
- Brew time: 2-4 minutes.
- Brew strength selector: Yes.
- Auto-off: Yes.
What if your single cup coffee maker can hold a party?
Wow?
Great, let us bring on the table Hamilton Beach 2-Way Brewer Coffee Maker because it holds both a single cup and a pot that can hold 12 cups of water.
You can brew coffee for your solitary life or for the family/friends gathering. Either way, your coffee will be served with great care by this coffee maker. It brews straight into the cup or carafe, whatever you prefer.
Now let me guess which function you are looking for?
Yes! It has the great function of letting you choose the strength of your coffee. There are two selector options, bold and regular. Just let the machine know what you want by pressing the button. And yeah, your ultimate energy booster is ready to drink! It also facilitates you with a warming plate to keep your coffee hot for a long time.
Now, you are probably seeking for the auto shut off system?
Cool, you have got this service too in this coffee maker! It turns off automatically after the brewing is done.
Highlighted Features
- Two-way brew options expand the usability of this coffee maker. You can brew for a single cup and a mug of twelve cups.
- You can choose if you want bold or regular coffee by pressing the brew strength selector.
- It comes with a plate to keep your coffee hot for a long time.
- You do not need to stand beside the machine to turn it off; it shuts itself automatically.
Also Read: 5 Best Single Cup Coffee Maker with Grinder
Before you Buy:
What are the facts you should keep in mind while you are ordering a single serve coffee maker without pods? Have a look below!
Speed
A single cup coffee user always desires a cup of coffee spending the least amount of time. So, you definitely look for the one which gives you the yummy coffee in no time. Coffee makers like Keurig K-Classic Coffee Maker make you a yummy cup in just a minute.
Size
Size is important when you are buying a single cup coffee machine. It means that you have less space compared to those who have a large machine. On the other hand, if you think you have a little more space for the coffee maker and it has much functionality like double mug stands or big water tank, why would you not go for the big one?
Price
Single-cup pod free coffee machines tend to demand way less price. Nonetheless, I always recommend, do not go for the cheap quality if it fails to impress you. Buy the one with the best materials and available with your desired options. A good product gives you the best satisfaction while a bad product may cause you to spend again to buy the same item.
Material
Make sure the coffee maker is made of high-quality materials. Stainless steel and glass material coffee makers are better for use since these pots do not hold any chemicals that plastics have. The plastic parts like water jar should be free from any harmful elements like BPA, BPF, BPS, and Phthalate.
And yes, stainless steel coffee makers can be super-hot. You should stay careful and not burn yourself while using this machine.
Brewing Capacity
Even if you are going to buy a single cup coffee maker, you can consider the fact if you have to use many cups at the same time. It sometimes becomes weird to brew one cup at a time if you have guests or if you have to carry your coffee anywhere. If you need more than one cup brewing capacity, there are some brewers like Hamilton Beach 2-Way Brewer Coffee Maker, Single Serve and 12-Cup Pot. You can choose coffee makers with this option.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is a pod free coffee maker?
Ans. Pod free coffee makers are just simple coffee makers where you can brew ground coffee traditionally. You can brew your favorite brand’s ground coffee each time you make coffee. With these coffee makers, you do not need to use coffee pods anymore. Coffee pods are some plastic pouch having ground coffee taped up inside. The idea of coffee pods came to make single cup coffee makers more convenient.
In this process, one cannot have fresh ground coffee of different types and flavors as they wish. It just limits the idea of having the best coffee. Certainly, it cuts working time and hassles, but people got to learn about the mistake of having pod coffee. They are coming to no pod coffee makers to have fresh and plastic free healthy coffee.
2. Are single-serve coffee makers worth it?
Ans. Yes! The single serve coffee makers are absolutely worth it. A single cup coffee machine keeps you from spending extra money on a large coffee maker which you do not need at all. Many people live alone or want to have a personal coffee maker in their office. The idea of a single cup coffee maker is a blessing for them.
You do not need to brew more than your need for one person. If you have a large coffee maker that only allows having more than one cup, you will not buy this one. If you do, you have to waste your precious coffee powder. Why would anybody do such waste?
3. Can my coffee maker create molds?
Ans. Yes. What happens to your water reservoir in your coffee machine after you brew a cup of coffee? The hot water remains trapped inside the jar. The wet place always grows molds, scales what is natural, and we all know this fact.
In this case, you have a better and easy answer, clean the machine making a solution of water and white vinegar. In this process, your coffee maker will not embarrass you with molds inside your warm cup of coffee.
Conclusion
Along with reducing plastic use, a no-pod brewer lets you use ground coffee as your wish. You can use freshly ground coffee of your favorite brand, and you will love the fresh and rich taste that gets lost staying preserved inside coffee pods.
In the kingdom of instant packed food, it is tough to get some good and fresh things. Selecting the best single serve coffee brewer without pods is indeed a tough task. Most of the single-serve brewers come with pods. Still, when you desperately look for something, that item inevitably comes to you.
So, now that you have the list of best single serve coffee maker without pods right before your eyes, quickly check out and decide which one you need most.
