Looking for the best single-serve coffee makers without pods? In our fast-paced society, a single-serve coffee maker can prepare a hot cuppa quickly and efficiently. However, many single-serve machines use k-cups and pods, which often create excess waste, have a subpar flavor, and are double the price of ground coffee.
So, can you find single-serve coffee makers without pods?
Luckily, you can. We’ve searched through hundreds of coffee machines to bring you the six best single-serve coffee makers without pods on today’s market. These proven machines are rated four stars and above by customers like you.
Our overall best pod-free single-serve machine is the Mr. Coffee 4-in-1. This one-cup coffee maker can make hot, iced, or specialty drinks. It also includes an automatic milk frother to top your favorite beverage with steamed milk or cold foam.
Check out all six no-pod single-serve machines and see which is for you.
Our list of the six best single-serve coffee makers without pods
- Our Top Pick: Mr. Coffee Single-Serve Latte Lux™, Iced, and Hot Coffee Maker
- Best Value: Hamilton Beach The Scoop Single Serve Coffee Maker
- The Crowd Pleaser: Ninja CM401 Specialty Coffee Maker
- Focused on Flavor: Technivorm Moccamaster 69212 One-Cup Coffee Maker
- Budget-Friendly: AdirChef Mini Travel Single-Serve Coffee Maker
- Best For Travel: CERA+ Portable Electric Coffee Maker
Six of the best single-serve coffee makers without pods
1 Mr. Coffee Single-Serve Latte Lux™, Iced, and Hot Coffee Maker
Mr. Coffee Single-Serve Coffee Maker lets you drink coffee your way. It has a user-friendly capacitive touch panel to choose your coffee style and milk foam. The line markings inside the water tank let you know how much water to add. Fill the tank with a minimum of four ounces of water or a maximum of 16 ounces to brew your cuppa.
Once your coffee or concentrated shot brews, add milk to the one-touch automatic milk frother to top it with foam. If you are a fan of Starbucks’ cold foam toppings, you can recreate their recipe by adding heavy whipping cream and vanilla syrup to the milk.
We love the Mr. Coffee Single-Serve machine for its ease of use and the variety of coffee offerings. It can make delicious hot and iced coffees, lattes, and cappuccinos in record time. The main drawback is that it does not brew authentic espresso, and you won’t get that rich layer of crema to top your drink.
With this pod-free single-serve coffee maker, you can save time (and money) and brew your favorite coffee drinks at home.
Pros
- Pod-free
- Brews 4-16 ounces
- Reusable filter
- Includes a 22-ounce insulated tumbler
- Integrated one-touch automatic milk frother
- Brews hot coffee, iced coffee, lattes, and cappuccinos
- Fits tall travel tumblers
- Stylish design
- User-friendly
Cons
- Brews concentrated coffee instead of true espresso.
2 Hamilton Beach The Scoop Single-Serve Coffee Maker
Hamilton Beach Scoop Single-Serve Coffee Maker streamlines the brewing process to give you the shortest route possible to great coffee. The filter basket doubles as a measuring scoop. Fill your grounds up to the line marking for an average cup size. A second permanent filter ensures that no stray grounds get in your cup.
You can fit a 14-ounce travel mug under the spigot. Or flip the drip tray over to create a ledge to place a smaller mug. This machine brews as much water as you add to the machine, so use your favorite mug to gauge the water amount you need. For a stronger flavor, choose the bold button.
This stainless steel no-pod coffee maker uses quality parts to bring you a sleek look and a long-lasting machine. With one touch, you can get a great-tasting cup of coffee.
Pros
- No pods or paper filters
- Durable, stainless-steel construction
- Permanent filter/coffee scoop
- Brews up to 14 ounces
- Bold brew setting
- Adjustable mug stand
- Accepts travel cups up to 7 inches
- Automatically turns off after brewing
- Small footprint
Cons
- Does not have a preprogram option
- Does not include a travel mug
3 Ninja CM401 Specialty Coffee Maker
The Ninja CM401 Specialty Coffee Maker is perfect for taking coffee on the go or brewing for a crowd. It can brew up to ten cups and has a shelf that folds out for small mugs to prevent splashes. Brew a classic cup of coffee, a strong brew, iced coffee, or specialty drinks using this machine. Like the Mr. Coffee Single-Serve Latte Lux, the drawback is that it doesn’t make an authentic espresso base.
This single-serve maker uses only coffee grounds and comes with a reusable filter. You can program it to brew when you wake up in the morning. When the cycle finishes, it shuts down automatically as a safety feature.
The Ninja has plenty of features to brew a cup of coffee just as you like it but remains user-friendly. Out of over 15,000 Amazon customers, this machine maintains a 4.7 rating, making this pot one of the highest-rated coffee makers on the market.
Pros
- Brews single-serve or a full 10-cup carafe
- Programmable delay-start option
- Permanent filter
- Brews Classic, Rich, Over Ice, or Specialty Brew
- Fold-away milk frother
- Includes a 10-cup glass carafe
- Shuts off automatically
- Auto-clean cycle
Cons
- The milk frother does not steam milk
- Does not brew authentic espresso
4 Technivorm Moccamaster 69212 One-Cup Coffee Maker
Handmade in the Netherlands, the Moccamaster Cup-One follows the Specialty Coffee Association’s “Golden Cup” standard to bring you the highest quality flavor. This machine has a copper boiling element, so the water temperature remains between 196-205 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the brew cycle. As it brews, the machine puts out short bursts of water simulating the bloom time of a hand pour-over method. Once the brewer runs out of water, it shuts off automatically.
The Technivorm Moccamaster One-Cup no-pod machine is carefully crafted and made to last. With a five-year warranty and easily accessible replacement parts, this machine leads the way in sustainability.
The Technivorm extracts all of the delicious aromas from the coffee grounds making it a perfect choice for coffee lovers with a discerning palate. However, it is costlier than other options and requires extra attention during cleaning. To prevent clogs and overflows, carefully clean the pinhole in the filter after each use.
Those who use the Technivorm Moccamaster can’t stop raving about the delicious flavor of its brews.
Pros
- Brews up to 10 ounces of coffee
- Follows the Specialty Coffee Association’s Golden Cup standards
- Copper boiling element for even extraction
- Blooms coffee in a pour-over style
- Auto shut-off when the tank runs out of water
- Handmade in the Netherlands
- Durable metal housing and quality parts
- 5-year warranty
- Spare parts easily available
Cons
- Requires paper filters.
- Clean filter hole carefully after each use to prevent overflows.
5 AdirChef Mini Travel Single-Serve Coffee Maker
The AdirChef Mini Travel Single-Serve Coffee Maker has a 15-oz capacity can brew a hot cup of coffee in record time. It takes only 15 seconds to heat the water and can deliver a cup of joe in minutes. Use the scoop to measure the coffee into the permanent filter. When the cycle is over, it automatically shuts down.
This ultra-compact model can fit in almost any space. The removable parts are dishwasher-safe, which makes your clean-up job quick and easy. Along with the machine, AdirChef also includes a quality stainless steel insulated 15-oz travel mug to keep your beverage warm.
You can find this user-friendly pod-free coffee machine on Amazon for less than $30. Customers are pleased with the quality of this coffee machine for the price. With over 9,000 reviews, this machine maintains a positive 4.3 rating.
Pros
- Brews in 15 seconds
- Small footprint
- Includes insulated 15-ounce stainless steel travel cup
- Equipped with permanent filter
- Dishwasher-safe parts
- Auto shut-down
Cons
- No start-delay timer
6 CERA+ Portable Electric Coffee Maker
The Cera+ is a perfect travel companion for espresso lovers. This handheld coffee maker is capable of heating water and can create authentic espresso shots using 20 bars of pressure.
The rechargeable battery makes this 8-inch device fully portable. It can heat and press up to five shots with one charge. Or, you can press up to 100 shots if you heat the water separately. As a safety feature, the coffee maker turns off automatically when it runs out of water.
The Cera+ comes with its own travel bag so you can take it on hikes or road trips. You can also use it at home to brew specialty drinks without taking up counter space.
Pros
- Brews 1-2 ounces of authentic espresso
- Fully portable hand-held coffee maker
- Ceramic heating element
- 20 bars of pressure
- Stainless-steel water tank
- Rich crema
- Rechargeable battery
- Compatible with ground coffee or Nespresso capsules
- Can auto-heat shots or use preheated water
Cons
- Relatively weak heating element
Buyer’s Guide: How to pick the best single-serve coffee makers without pods
When you bring home a single-serve, no-pod coffee maker you want it to be reliable and fit your lifestyle. The machine may get five stars on the site, but you also want to tailor it to your tastes. Before you buy, think through your expectations.
Here is our checklist to help you find what you do (or don’t) want from your new coffee machine.
Do you prefer regular coffee or Starbucks-style specialty drinks?
If your goal is to get a hot cup of coffee quickly before you race out the door in the morning, almost any no-pod single-serve coffee maker will do. However, if you want to limit the cash you spend on Starbucks lattes, a single-serve specialty drink brewer may be the way to go. Many single-cup brewers use concentrated coffee for an espresso-style base. If you are an espresso purist, a cappuccino maker may be your dream machine.
Does the single-serve coffee machine have a reusable filter?
Do you want to reduce waste in your coffee routine? A no-pod coffee machine with a reusable filter will help you toward your goal. Reusable filters also let more of the natural coffee oils enter your cup which gives you a flavorful brew and cuts down on costs. However, paper filters do a better job of keeping grounds out of your mug.
Do you prefer a simple one-touch brew or extra features?
Some single-serve machines allow you to press one button to start your brew. These machines are perfect if you like to take the quickest route to a reliable cup of coffee. However, if you enjoy changing up your drink, look for one-cup coffee makers with a wider range of options. You can find machines that let you foam milk, adjust the strength or temperature of your brew, delay-start, and more.
Can you place your travel cup under the drip?
Are you attached to your Yeti Rambler, Stanley Classic, Starbucks travel mug, or other? Before you buy a machine, measure your mug and make sure it fits under the drip. Once you find your perfect travel mug, you may not want to trade it out for another model or brand just to accommodate a new coffee maker. Of course, you can brew into one cup, then pour it into your favorite mug after, but it’s not ideal.
What is the footprint of the coffee machine?
Many single-serve coffee makers take up less space than most brewers because they are just brewing one cup. However, some models may hog as much counter space as a 12-cup coffee maker. If you live in a tiny home, an RV, or a dorm, you want every inch of counter space to count. You can find the machine’s measurements on the box or listed on a website to see if it fits your kitchen corner.
What are the benefits of buying a single-serve coffee machine without pods?
A single-serve coffee pot without pods can be a great choice if you want a quick, simple route to your morning coffee. But, how does it stack up next to other coffee makers? We’ll compare single-serve coffee makers with single-serve coffee makers with pods and regular coffee makers to see the benefits.
Single-serve coffee maker without pods VS. Single-serve coffee maker with pods
Here are some of the benefits of choosing a single-serve coffee maker without pods:
Use the freshest coffee from your favorite brands
When you use k-cups, capsules, and pods, you have a limited selection of brands to choose from. Also, ground coffee can sit on the shelf and lose its flavor before you buy it. However, when you skip the pod and choose a reusable filter, the sky is the limit on your choices. You can grind your own coffee, and use more (or fewer) grounds depending on how strong you like your coffee.
Reduce waste
Pod makers are easy to use and clean-up is a breeze. However, the waste can build up quickly. Pods and k-cups don’t break down easily in landfills, and many recycling centers are not able to accept them.
With a pod-free coffee maker, you just have the grounds to dump out. Used coffee grounds are earth-friendly and can add benefits to soil and some plants.
Save money
Buying coffee beans and grounds versus capsules is also easier on your wallet. According to a conservative estimate from Money.com, the average coffee drinker could save up to $400 a year just by switching from Keurig K-cups to natural coffee.
Possible cons:
Reusable filters require a few minutes extra to clean compared to disposable pods.
Single-serve coffee maker without pods VS. Regular drip coffee maker
Single-serve coffee makers with no pods and regular drip coffee makers both fall into the same category of using natural coffee. So what are the benefits of choosing a pod-free single-serve coffee maker? Let’s look at a few.
Brew directly into your favorite cup
Instead of brewing into a pot, and pouring (or spilling) coffee into your cup, a single-serve coffee maker allows you to brew directly into your favorite cup. This can save you a step and reduce clean-up time when you are in a rush.
Waste less coffee, and drink it fresh
While hot plates can keep your coffee hot for hours, who wants to drink stale, burnt coffee? However, throwing out the excess coffee can feel wasteful. You can get a pick-me-up that’s fresh instead with a single-serve coffee maker. These one-cup pots brew only what you need and can deliver delicious hot coffee in less than a minute.
Space-saving
Single-cup, no-pod brewers are usually much more compact than regular drip brewers. The small footprint allows you to fit a coffee maker easily into a small kitchen, an RV, a work desk, or even a nightstand. Some coffee lovers even pack their favorite single-serve coffee maker to take on trips. According to SmarterTravel.com, hotel coffee pots might just brew up a side of bacteria with your cup of coffee.
Dorm-friendly
Did you know that most dorms won’t allow you to bring a coffee pot that has a hot plate? The good news is that most single-serve no-pod coffee makers are dorm-friendly. These coffee makers brew directly into an insulated tumbler, so you can keep your coffee hot with no burner.
Possible cons:
A single-serve coffee maker requires more time and effort to brew coffee for a crowd.
Our Verdict
While many single-serve coffee makers require you to use capsules and pods, there are many pod-free options available when you search deeper. We sifted through the list of machines to reveal the best no-pod machines in today’s market.
Overall, our top pick out of these six single-serve coffee makers with no pods is the Mr. Coffee Single-Serve Latte Lux™, Iced, and Hot Coffee Maker. This machine can brew up your favorite coffee shop-style drinks in record time.
Now that you are armed with the pros and cons of each model, it’s time to choose which one will become your next coffee maker.
FAQs
A single-serve coffee maker without pods gives you a quick cup of coffee to-go and reduces waste. On average, a cup of coffee made with grounds costs significantly less when you compare it to the price of k-cup pods (and trips to Starbucks). A compact single-serve machine can fit easily into a small kitchen corner, workspace, or dorm.
While the majority of the single-serve coffee machine market uses disposable capsules, there are also many single-serve coffee makers available that brew coffee without pods. Well-known brands such as Hamilton Beach, Mr. Coffee, Ninja, and more produce pod-free coffee makers.
Or, to brew a single cup of coffee manually, you can try an Aeropress, french press, or Chemex. These brew methods don’t require electricity, however, you do need access to hot water.
If you already have a Keurig at home, you can buy a reusable pod for your machine. The Keurig My K-Cup Universal Reusable Coffee Filter is compatible with the home-version Keurig Coffee Makers. However, you may need to make slight adjustments to the reusable capsule or your machine for it to fit correctly. This capsule is BPA-free and dishwasher-safe on the top rack.
According to the Specialty Coffee Association, authentic espresso brews using 9 bars of pressure or more. This pressure gives you the rich flavor and the delicious foamy topping known as “crema.” Most baristas choose a finely ground dark roast for this quick brew method.
