Side by Side Comparison of: Kitchen Selectives vs Hamilton Beach vs Keurig

All the complaints are true about this coffeepot, but I still love it. It does not keep the coffee cup hot and the lid does not open when I press the button. I just press the button with one finger and depress the back of the lid at the same time and it opens every time. I bought it 3 years ago and will buy again when it dies. I used to have a one cup Mr Coffee and it lasted me for many years, I just loved it. When it died I bought another and it died within 3 months. Then I bought a Black & Decker and that died in two months. When I found this I figured it too would die within months but the price was reasonable so I took my chances and it's still working three years later. I have three cups of coffee daily and one cup machine is just perfect for me..

Wow I gotta say I was surprised. One full cup of coffee, made to a great temperature every time. I use this to make coffee the old fashioned way but this makes my espresso while I prepare other stuff.

My only gripe (but I've since fixed it) is that the mesh filter inside is NOT enough to get a smooth roast, there WILL be coffee grounds in it no matter what. However, I bought 99 cent paper filters for normal machines, wrapped it around the mesh filter, added my roast and voila! No more grounds as it's now double filtered. I literally have no complaint so far, this is awesome for the price!

I bought this to replace a brand new Keurig that I stupidly paid a HUNDRED dollars for thinking since I only made ONE cup of coffee per day it would last me at lease 20 years considering the high price and the fact my last coffee maker cost ten bucks and lasted 10 years! Well, the Keurig started having problems during its 3rd cup and died on it's fourth cup! I bought this because it said you could use the k kup pods. well, whoever said that was an idiot, they don't fit, BUT because I had 50 K Kups left, I tore one open and poured it into this little machines basket and VOILA' a great tasting cup of coffee even faster than the stupid Keurig! Now, if it lasts me ten years I'll be happy!

I had almost stopped drinking hot tea because I hated using the microwave or stove top to boil water for one cup of tea but this unit is perfect ... just remove the mesh coffee basket and within 90 - 120 seconds you have a cup of hot but not boiling hot water. It is just the right temp to drink without having to wait for it to cool off. I usually put the teabag in the cup but I saw that other reviewers put it in the mest basket. It is a slow drip so not the best option for things that need hot water added all at once, like oatmeal, but I can heat the water into a measuring cup and then pour directly into a hot cereal or hot chocolate powder. The thing I miss most on it is there is not viewable water reservoir as coffee makers have so you have to measure the water before pouring it into the reservoir. An auto shut off would be helpful also but even if I forget there is not water inside to worry about boiling away. It is one of the best spontaneous purchases I've made in a long time...well worth the price. So far I have no complaints about any feature.

This is the perfect solution for anyone who enjoys on-demand fresh brew, an occasional cup or who has no counter space for a larger unit. We already owned a 12-cup, much more elaborate electric coffee maker when I started searching for a Father's Day gift for my husband. He really likes coffee but not every day. And, he's the only one in our home who drinks it.
Everything comes in a sturdy box suitable for gift wrapping. I gave it to him with various bags of gourmet ground coffee. Had I thought about it, I might have added a personalized mug, just to make the gift more special.
The coffee brews in just a few minutes to the perfect temperature - no waiting for cool down. The white ceramic mug is a nice value-add; now my husband has a mug just for him. He likes the size of the mug handle - lots of room for man-sized fingers. The mug has no markings or label. You can add the amount of water for brew strength and the serving size you prefer. There are level marks inside the water reservoir - 8, 10, 12 and 14 ounces.
The reuseable metal mesh basket filter is generously sized as well. There is more than enough room for extra grounds. This is an open-top filter and is not replaceable with k-cups nor similar disposable coffee pods.
Even though it comes with a mug, the drip area is spacious; any mug will easily fit. The unit is short enough to store on a shelf inside our kitchen cabinet. There are three rubber feet, each about the size of a pencil eraser. These keep the coffee maker up off the counter a little bit and also deter skidding around. The entire unit is on the light side. The metal basket filter, filter housing, removable drip tray and grate survived our dishwasher. The mug survived our dishwasher and microwave. The coffee maker is black and grey plastic. The black electric cord is 27.5 inches long, including the plug. There is no cord keeper. This unit does not turn itself off. Everything is made in China.

I work in a retirement community and the powers that be decided we could no longer have a regular coffee maker. They wouldn't buy us one of those fancy one cup expensive ones so my co worker and I bought this one. It works great! Our clients are now happy to have a cup of coffee once again as they sit under the dryer.

I am a single cup coffee drinker and the only one in my house who drinks it. My friend gave me the yellow Keurig mini for Christmas because she got two of them. I was happy to take it but I've always felt that the k cups are bad. Not just for the environment but they've just got to leach poison. I mean you're pressuring extremely hot water through that thin plastic. I always would have a plastic after taste plus they're crazy expensive. I got an awesome stainless brew basket for the Keurig and I've used that for over a year now and been fine with it. It's a pain to clean but it worked. Then I just recently stayed in a hotel that had this pod machine and I loved it! No creepy plastic cups but still convenient no mess single cup pods! It's brilliant. Coffee sealed in a coffee filter. I bought the pods in bulk and they are significantly less per cup than the k cups. I bought a medium blend and a flavored kind and have liked them both. Brew time is like a regular drip machine but I'd rather wait an extra minute then mess with the Keurig and I think coffee tastes better the longer it's in contact with the water. The auto shut off is cool and it takes up very little space. So now the Keurig stays out only because it's cute and yellow, I use my grinder and French press when I have people over but this little machine is the king coffee maker in my kitchen. So glad I found it!

i'm new to coffee. used to drink tea for a long time then one day i was staying at a Hampton Inn Suites and they had a coffee maker similar to this. it. was. amazing. i was soooo happy to find that they were super affordable!!! the problem however were the pods. but i found a way around that. i purchased this[...] wooden pod maker on ebay. only $10! i was worried it wouldn't work with this model but it did!!! and now i use my machine EVERY day. i buy whatever coffee i want from the grocery store, i buy regular coffee filters and simply make my own pods! viola! clever hack. i love love love this coffee maker! definitely a great buy! so is the pod maker! nothing else like it!

First, I bought this item at Walmart on clearance. Bought one for $10 intending to take up to the office. Our hot water spout on our water cooler at home (yes, it's that bad here) went out and this has replaced it. I ended up buying a second later at $9 (both included the free bag of pods) for the office since we're keeping the first one at home. My wife and I use it almost daily to make coffee, tea, and hot chocolate. We interchange the tea bag for a coffee pod (depending on the tea, I will either leave the bag in my cup or actually use the basket) and have great results. I prefer using this over the microwave for hot water as it doesn't take much longer and stays hotter longer. It's quick, efficient, and easy to clean. Hot chocolate will splash up on the basket if you put it in the cup first, so be warned. We've been using them for about three months with no problems. Here are my main talking points:1. Single cup reservoir: you get about 8oz from a single brew and have to fill it up each time. This, to me, isn't that much of a problem as we keep it near our water cooler and I can get a 16oz cup of water from the breakroom at work to get me through the morning. I plan on buying a water jug for the office and will keep a gallon or so handy at my desk and just refill as needed. All in all, this is not a deal breaker for me although more expensive models have larger tanks (and a bigger footprint). For those making cups to go, this may not be the best option as you would want to brew two cups to get what you need.2. Quick: thing brews quickly - doesn't take any time at all. I actually find that it's done before I'm ready to drink most days. It's also no louder than any other coffee maker that I've found although I'm referring primarily to the 8 or 10 cup machines here - never had a personal one.3. Inexpensive: for my take, it was a test to see how much I like having a personal brewer. For the $10 I spent, I got 18-36 cups out of it (yes, I reuse my pods for a second cup sometimes... not terribly strong cup of coffee but I'm kind of cheap :o), get a $1.00 off coupon for the next bag of pods in store, and can even get another free bag for registering with Senso online (hello dummy email account!). So, for $10 it was a worthwhile investment and turns out, I love having a single cup brewer.4. Works: it's not as fancy as the other makers you can buy, just fill it up and press the tab to get your cup started. Coffee comes out hot in no time, and you're ready to go. I can see maybe wanting some of the other features but, for the most part, this simple functioning machine does exactly what I need.5. Versatility: As I said, we make coffee, tea, and hot chocolate in this thing. We put a tea bag in place of the coffee pod or just leave it in the cup to brew as the water comes down. For me, it depends on the tea and what I'm doing. For instance, when making a chai latte I will brew the bag in the cup and leave it for a few minutes, then add sugar and milk. Wonderful as going to the coffee shop. Also, it's got a small footprint that makes it easy to store - doesn't take up much room in our small kitchen or my desk space at work (cubicle environment). I use an extension cord at work but that is mostly due to where outlets are, and you can tuck away extra chord inside the machine if using close to the plug.I give it five stars because it meets or exceeds all my expectations - make sure you know what you want out of it and you will be pleased. This works GREAT for someone like me, with minimal expectations who just wants coffee on demand without the budget for the top tier makers. Even at $20, I think this is a great deal. Check Walmart first though - never know what you'll find!Side note: I'm still looking for a reusable pod for this to save money on pods (UPDATE: we're considering buying an Ecopad - tried product link but couldn't find the product we're actually looking at and it's difficult to know which is which so we haven't pulled the trigger)- $5 gets you 18 pods. I reuse each day so not terrible, but as stated I'm pretty cheap.12/16/2011 - UPDATE: my wife purchased a Keurig B40 model at Walmart as an anniversary present for me so I can compare the two units a little bit. I will say that the K-Cups make a great cup of coffee (got 12 in the box with the machine) but I'm still not a fan of the waste. We have EcoBrew reusable cups arriving today or tomorrow from Amazon for it. My initial thoughts: this maker moves faster - the Keurig takes 4 minutes to warm up. This unit is also quieter and has a MUCH smaller footprint. Keurig has a reservoir (48oz) which is nice but still has to be filled every few days. Also, the B40 has a small cup and large cup size - why would I make a small cup if I can get a large cup out of it (remember, I'm cheap)? Larger setting is nice for travel cups though, and I found that the K-Cups are also reusable. I can get a couple small cups out of one cup or one large and a mediocre small. Still not a fan of the waste they produce though. Once up and going the Keurig actually makes faster. We've still go the other though, and I don't see us getting rid of it. I'll still use my other daily at the office as well. All in all, I personally feel like this little maker is on par with the $75 Keurig as far as what it produces in the end, just doesn't provide all the various options.12/24/2011 - UPDATE: We decided today that the Keurig is going back to the store for a refund in favor of the Hamilton Beach - We're going to try the the Ecopad and maybe home made options. I'll report back in a few weeks on how it goes.3/8/2012 - UPDATE: I no longer use the Ecopad. I found it more difficult to use because the cap is a separate piece and it has to be cleaned out after every use. We've taken to following another reviewer's tip: I get a filter for a small pot (maybe a 4 cup or less if available), add coffee (1tsp to 1tbls depending on your preference), and create a sack by twisting the top. I don't cut the excess off - I prefer to push it down to the side to ensure it doesn't open. If you overfill it, it will force it open and you'll have hot water and coffee all over the place. This has been the most effective method so far, and the least costly. We also use the Senso pods.

I bought this coffee maker for myself for Christmas because I wanted a single serve maker, but I didn't want to pay the money for a Keurig. Imagine my surprise when I got a Keurig from my husband for Christmas....but I also got this. So we set up the Keurig and I put this away. Shortly after Christmas my grandfather who lives with me entered his final journey with cancer. I moved into his apartment to care for him 24/7, and I opened the Hamilton Beach so I could make a quick cup of coffee during the night while sitting up with him. I was shocked to discover that this little $20 coffee pot makes just as good coffee as my $150 Keurig.1. It doesn't brew as fast as a Keurig that is "ready to go"...but it takes the same amount of time to brew a cup of coffee as a Keurig that has been "off" over night and you have to wait for the water to heat up. In my opinion, it is still faster than brewing a "traditional" pot of coffee.2. I don't like really strong coffee, so if I'm using a smaller mug I can get away with using 1 pod of medium roast coffee. I've read some reviews of people who think 1 pod is too weak...I think that is a taste preference, and also depends on if you are using more water for a larger mug or not. Just my opinion and not a criticism of people who like really strong coffee. If you like coffee really strong, then 2 pods of medium roast might not work for you. Hard to say. :)3. The pods are cheaper than a Keurig. We use this coffee maker along side our Keurig, and it helps us to save a little money by alternating machines. Both make good coffee, but each machine's coffee tastes different...this tastes more traditionally brewed than our Keurig. I know that might sound odd, but that is the only way I can describe it (and if someone else knows that I'm talking about and knows the answer to this mystery, I'd love to hear it!) Because of the taste difference, I prefer flavored coffees on this machine rather than the Keurig for some reason. Again..not sure why, but I do.All in all, this holds it's own against a coffee maker 5 times the price. For someone who is looking for a single serve without the single serve price, this is a really good coffee maker!

Great for what I needed it for, a cheap since serve coffee maker for a trip to Vegas! Small enough to fit it the luggage, allowed me to have fresh coffee first thing in the morning with out having to go to a coffee chain or restaurant

I'm the only coffee drinker in our home. I like to brew 1 cup at a time. Love my Kuerig but felt guilty about the waste and cost of the pods. I tried a pour-over but the coffee was too weak. I bought this little thing on a whim based on the reviews. This little machine is perfect!. Simple, easy to clean, and brews a great cup of coffee. And so cheap. They could double the price, and still sell me one. My only suggestion they add automatic turn off, in case the fool using it forgets to turn it off. (That would be me)

This coffee maker is a great little one shot coffee maker for the price, and although I have been using it for about a week, I can see why it has received its great ratings.

Pros:
Inexpensive (reason for 4 stars instead of 3)
Simple
It Works

Cons:
Doesn't hold a lot of coffee (2-3 Tablespoons depending on the grind)
Steam that comes out of the top, can and will cause severe burns if not careful.
14 Ounce Water Capacity
5.5" Cup Capacity (With Drip Tray Removed) (No Travel Mug)
Slow to brew

Since I have received this coffee maker I have changed my daily routine, I get up take my shower get dressed, then I start the coffee, while I wait for the coffee, I brush my hair and teeth, finish getting ready and put my shoes on. It take a good 5 mins to brew 12 ounces of water. I usually fill the coffee maker up with 16, then noticed that 2 ounces leak out as part of an overflow measure. However after five minutes I only have 12 ounces of water, 2 ounces continually remain in the coffee maker. (Reason for wanting to give 3 stars)

All in all its a good little coffee maker for the price. I can't say I would spend more then $10 on it though.

I've had this coffee maker for just a few weeks, but have been using it quite regularly. The coffee maker comes with a white mug, but you can use your own if you so prefer. It does not make the greatest cup of coffee, but it's ok. I use it at work and just store it in the cupboard. Very easy to take out, make a cup of coffee and put it back in the cupboard. It's not the fastest maker out there, but works for me. I love the fact that coffee comes out hot, not barely hot. Keep in mind, after you finished making your cup of joe, that there will be hot steam coming out when you open the top to wash the filter. Either wait a couple minutes before opening it, or be very careful - you don't want to get burned! Most of the time I have to press the button (to open the top) several times before it actually opens, but never had to pry it open with anything. Last thing I want to mention is that there is quite a bit of residue in the bottom of the cup when I use this coffee maker. I haven't tried it with a paper filter or coarser coffee grind - I just don't drink the coffee to the last drop - leave a bit on the bottom. Other than the faulty button and the residue on the bottom of the cup - I don't have any complaints!

I've had this little coffee maker less than a week, so you'll get no valid information about longevity from me.
However, it makes a *good* cup of coffee & *quickly*.
In addition the brew basket lifts in & out easily, cleans up the same way.
Oh, and on the No Auto Off issue, though I'd never recommend leaving it turned ON,
appears that leaving it ON a minute or two -but not three- will not burn out the heating element.
As it finishes brewing, mine makes rude noises, Whusssss KaPoW! there's no mistaking the fact that
Your coffee is ready .....NOW.

UPDATE - 5/8/14 - I was reading other reviews, yes, there is a problem with top lid lifting by itself
when you press the "open" button. Looked at it, it's spring loaded, and is supposed to pop-up by itself.
Open lid, use the button, see plastic part that holds the lid closed move back & forth.
It's a little too long, doesn't retract far enough, especially once you've brewed coffee and
it expands from heat (??). I took my tiny keychain knife, and wittled maybe an 1/10" off the length.
Still not perfect, but better, I may have to take off another 1/16.
Oh... have managed to forget & leave it on for 30 minutes after brewing stopped, did not harm the machine.

Update 12/18/14 -- Still working fine with daily use 1x to 3x a day.
BTW - In case you didn't notice, there's a secondary basket beneath the nylon coffee filter that wants cleaning regularly.
.

This is basically the same model that is featured as the standard in-room coffee maker for many hotel rooms I have visited while traveling. I never drank enough coffee to justify having a coffee pot; this allows me to brew right into my mug, rinse the pod holder, and be on my way. I see this being useful for households like mine where there is only one moderate coffee drinker. If you are a heavy consumer or multiple people drink your coffee, then you probably need something else. I do not rent out rooms on Airbnb, but if I did I would put one of these in the guest room like a hotel :)Hint: if you want to use pods that allow you to load your own choice of ground coffee, I have been using these Coffee Pod Replacement Filters for Coffee Pod Brewers - Make Your Own Disposable Pods - 50 Pack by Easy Pack

I purchased this for my classroom as I grew tired of drinking microwaved water for my tea. While it feels a bit clunky, it does the job it was made for. The top portion seems to hold a normal mug amount of water. If you have a larger mug, you will overflow the top. If you have the patience, you can fill it to capacity and as it is cycling through the machine, you can add the rest of your water when the level goes down enough. As soon as you push the front button, the machine begins to work and the hot water comes out in seconds. It will take about a minute for your mug to be ready. I do not use the included coffee pods but I have placed a tea bag in the pod area and that works great to quicken the steep process. Just make sure you leave the string & tag hanging out. When the hot water has finished, gently pull out the tray and put your tea bag in the garbage or into your mug for a stronger brew. Please note that you have to open the tray gently. I pulled it a bit harshly one time and steam/hot water stung my hand a bit. The electrical cord in the back could be longer but is sufficient for the price. It also can be push into the back compartment for easier storage. All in all I recommend this little machine for those who don't want to spend money on a larger product or keurig-type machine.

I bought this coffee maker several years ago to keep at my son's house when I visit since they are not coffee drinkers. It's worked out great because it doesn't take up much space when they put it away after I leave. Makes a really good cup of coffee in not much time at all. My only problem with it is that the coffee pods are hard to find. On several of my visits we went to the store (Walmart) to get the pods and could not find them and ended up having to buy instant. Finally, on my last visit I remembered to order some from Amazon a few days before we left to go to his house. I don't know why the larger grocery stores don't carry the pods. Maybe K-cups have become too popular. Or maybe they were in front of my face and I was just missing them. Other than that, I really like this little coffee maker.

I just received it and although I like it I wish it was a little cleaner after it brews. When taking out the pod holder after brewing it drips quite a bit but can be easily wiped up. It brews like a drip coffee maker, not like a Keurig in case you are wondering. I really like the pod concept mainly because it is far less waste unlike the Keurig k-cups. It will brew up to 12oz. of coffee at one time and you can only use a short mug. Overall, it was a good buy for the office as a personal one-cup coffee brewer.

Here is the deal...This coffee maker is not top of the line....the price reflects that. However, I am quite happy with this item so far. The chrome (fake) strip around the top...dresses it up a bit. The coffee comes out hot and steaming (not like boiled instant)...but definitely acceptable. The flavor of the cup I drank was good. Do not use too much water! (you have the option of using two pods for a 10-12 oz cup. I recommend it. Update: Not much has changed after several cups. I would prefer it "piping" hot rather than marginally hot. It is OK. I can adjust the darkness of the coffee easily by adding or subtracting the amount of water used.

*** Note 8/6/2012 - So I'm finally able to update this thing, now that Senseo is starting to get some product in stock. A few things to note for those new to Senseo, their majority holdings from Philips were recently sold to Sara Lee I believe, and this caused a massive disruption in production and availability for the US, and thus Senseo brand coffee had been unavailable for several months. They have also made the decision to go to online-only shipping of their coffee, meaning you will not find Senseo coffee in stores anymore. The in-store alternative is the Melitta brand pods, which fit the Senseo maker, and should be sold in places such as WalMart. Personally, since Senseo has also increased their costs of their coffee (while also jerking their customers such as myself around for months), I won't really recommend the Senseo brand anymore. Decent coffee depending on your tastes, so you will have to decide what's worthwhile to you.The review for this pod drip brewer will still stand, as it is still working just fine.***I love this little thing!Originally, we had a very nice KitchenAid 10-cup Coffee Maker in our kitchen. It did its job very well, but for a long time I had been eying a Keurig machine. I'd had Keurig coffee in the past, and loved it. Looking at the machines, you'll quickly see how much of an "investment" it is. First, the machines are incredibly expensive; they make smaller models now, but even those start around $60-$70, and many don't have stellar reviews in terms of longevity. Next, the K-cups are also very expensive. Sure, you can buy the reusable thing, but if I'm going through that hassle, why do I even need a specialized brewer to begin with? It may work fine for some people's lives, but in my own, I wanted a machine that eliminated the mess and hassle of measuring quantities and looking for the "perfect brew".I purchased the Hamilton Beach Personal Cup One Cup Pod Brewer on a whim; it was on sale, and figured, what the heck, I'll try it.When I first plugged the thing it, and poured some water in the back to cycle through, it immediately spattered at me. Apparently, it can turn itself on when you first plug it in (I've purchased 2, and both did it out of the box, but haven't done it since).I'm not gonna lie, this isn't some super durable machine; its cheap plastic, but unless you're planning on tossing it across the room, it should get at least a few years life out of it. I've had our machine for about 5 months now (wow time flies), and use it daily without any problems. My wife, whom was always timid of making coffee with our KitchenAid, now likes to make coffee for herself, and sometimes for me as well to start off the morning (tell me THAT isn't worth $20). The Senseo pods are cheaper than K-cups, especially if bought in bulk.On to the product itself, it looks sleek, but pretty unimpressive. I don't know about you, but that's perfect for my kitchen; every inch of counter-space should be cherished, and this has freed up quite a bit, not to mention the visual space as its half the height of my old coffee maker as well.Its a simple one-touch operation. To make a brew, slip in a Senseo pod (or 2), add some water to the back, put your mug under the spout, and press the large button on front. That's it.As for the taste, well that's really a personal preference. I like mild, smooth coffee, which this really delivers. I liked the medium blend (a pack is included free) so much, I ordered a huge box of it! I use a small cup of water (approx 6-8oz; I recommend using filtered water), and one pod, but the machine accommodates 2 if you like it a little more "bold" or have a slightly larger mug (keep in mind, no large mugs will fit in the spout). We received a 6-piece mini-mug kit for Christmas, and those have been perfect for making a small little cup to start the day (it also limits my coffee intake, and I've been good with sticking to it).Yes, this machine isn't anything fancy, but it does its job day in day out with no issues, and works so well that we replaced a very expensive machine, and we haven't looked back. It worked so well, we ordered one for my parents at their request they were so impressed with it.If you have a large household of coffee drinkers, this may not be the way to go, but the good thing is it only takes 30 seconds or so to make a cup of coffee, and you can personalize each cup. It would make an excellent personal coffee maker at the office as well. Amazon has a pretty decent selection of Senseo pods as well. If you prefer to buy in-store, Target usually carries the Senseo pods, but doesn't have much of a selection, depending on the store.As a side note - The medium blend goes really well with Internationl Delight: Carmel Macchiato Creamer (don't get the skinny though, that's pretty...unimpressive). Have it practically every morning; their Chai Latte is pretty good too.***Edit 10/7/2011***--------------------Just wanted to say that this coffee maker is still brewing coffee just fine, haven't had a single issue with it yet so far. Still have the daily routine of small cup of coffee with International Delight: Carmel Macchiato creamer, its just such a great way to start the day I don't need to mess with it.One other note I will mention is that since I have recently started composting, I have found that the coffee pods are perfect for composting! After use, just throw 'em in the bin, that's all there is to it. Not everyone composts, but figure for those that do, it will be good to know; less waste, and the perfect component for growing plants (you could technically just stick a few in the ground and it helps to neutralize the soil Ph; Gardenias love having coffee grounds in my alkaline soil from my experience).

Works as described and brews a decent cup of coffee, using ground coffee of your choice. Will brew from 8 to 14 ounces.
Observed 2 problems, one of them serious:
1) There is a lingering metallic taste, even after several recommended flushing and vinegar procedures. This seems to be typical of Chinese produced items. There is also a strong "plastic" odor when the unit is hot.
2) As noted in other reviews, the cover tends to be forcefully ejected from the unit. This occurs when the unit is used 2-3 times in a short period of of time. Evidently, the heat produced softens the lid, allowing the small hinge pegs securing it to the base to pull out. A spring-loaded plunger, depressed when the lid is closed, then launches the lid off of the unit with a force that could cause injury.

I like the idea of this product more than the actual execution. I bought this when I moved in with someone who didn't drink coffee, and I needed a quick and inexpensive replacement for my 10 cup maker that was broken in the move. I would always make more coffee than I needed, and I thought that a one-cup model would cut down on waste and would result in fresher coffee every time. While that was the case, there were other issues that are leading me to return to a more traditional model.

Pros:
-less waste
-one cup is quicker to brew than ten, so it is technically faster
-small footprint in the kitchen-it doesn't require a lot of counter space
-reusable filter
-inexpensive

Cons:
-messy. The filter requires dumping and washing after each use, and grounds can get everywhere. Also, grounds get inside the water well inside the unit, as well as under the filter holder. I usually have to take the entire unit apart and wash it, lest there be grounds and sediment in my coffee
-you are limited on the size of the cup of coffee you can brew. No filling a 16oz travel mug with this machine
-the machine is slow brewing. It takes approximately three minutes to brew one cup of coffee...which is a lot if you are on your way out the door in the morning
-coffee quality. There has been sediment in every cup of coffee made with this machine, no matter what type of coffee I use.

If you don't make coffee a lot, I would recommend this item. If you are like me, and everyday drinker who enjoys several cups, stick with more traditional methods.

It makes a good cup of coffee. However, there are a couple of design flaws that bother me. First - the power ON/OFF switch is located on a side at the bottom of the unit. That makes it impossible to use it with only one hand. You have to hold the coffee maker with one hand while pushing the switch with the other. It will make more sense to position the switch so it faces upward. Second - occasionally, the top lid pops up and separates from the unit while coffee is being made. I guess the hit and plastic expansion has something to do with it. Overall I am satisfied and when this unit will finally break I will get another one....you simply can't beat the price.

To be honest, I would like to leave five stars for this nice little coffee maker; In fact, I like it so much that I bought a second one for home a few days after I bought the first for my office. The water seems to come out at just the right temperature and so it makes a great cup of coffee! The reusable filter is very easy and convenient to use and clean. That said, the electric cord is so short (24 inches) that I had to spend more money for an extension cord for one of the coffee makers, and I really wish this little machine came with a timer to turn itself off. I am afraid that someday I will leave it on all day, and that's not good. I would have gladly paid extra to have these added conveniences and safety measures and the great cup of coffee that this little machine turns out.

For the first two weeks, this little machine worked just fine. It took about 7 minutes to brew each cup, but otherwise it made some decent coffee. Then, one day, I may have waited a minute or so too long to shut off the machine, and the heating element blew. I'm replacing it with a similar model from another company which has an auto-shut-off feature.

Works ok and makes ok coffee. The cord is about 6" long so you need to keep it right next to the wall outlet. Same as what you see in a hotel room.

Can't take regular pods. Only little disc like ones

01/2016 - Little bit of smoke started coming out of the top and the water wasn't being drawn from the well. I guess the pump finally gave out. Paid $16 for it and used it for 14 months.05/2015 - Started using T-Sacs Size 1, when we couldn't get the DisposaPods anymore. They are a lot easier to work with and cost less.11/2014 - So far so good. We've had it a week and my mother has only forgotten a mug once. She says it isn't hot enough but then again none of the brewers she's had before were hot enough for her liking. Easy to use and keep clean. I bought DisposaPods and filled them with her favorite coffee, so no problems searching for her coffee in prepackaged pods in the grocery store. Probably a lot cheaper too.

Coffee is something I can get rather picky about. I have a SCAA-certified Technivorm brewer, and even roasted my own coffee for years. I'm no expert, but I like a good cup of coffee. However, at the office, I just want to have a convenient, decent afternoon cup of coffee and the coffee pot at work doesn't cut it. I also didn't want to spend $100+ on a Keurig, so I figured I'd give this a try. Depending on which coffee you use, it's pretty good. The coffee it comes with (Melitta) tastes like what you get in a cheap hotel. The Senseo Dark Roast is ok. I've settled on the Baronet Kenya AA. It produces a single cup of coffee with decent aroma and flavor.The main drawback to this brewer is I can't find the coffee pods anywhere else. The K-cups are taking over this niche, so you may wake up one day and find you have to buy a Keurig anyway. If you are expecting an outstanding cup of coffee, keep looking and invest in something else. If you can't stomach the break room coffee, but don't want to go to Starbucks, this is worth a try.

This little pod coffee maker works as it is advertised. The trouble is, it does not force the water through the pod as pod coffee makers did when they were on the market and reasonably priced. I can't find any of those any more...they were great and always made a good, strong cup of coffee. Without pressure, the water going through the pod doesn't really extract all the coffee flavor and "gusto". If you like a weaker or milder brew, this thing works fine with pods (but would not work with loose coffee). If you want a robust cup of coffee I recommend a cone-type filter where you line with a triangular filter paper and put the coffee in there, put the filter on the cup, then pour boiling water through. You can determine how strong you like the coffee by the amount of coffee grounds you put in the filter. We use Melitta Coffee filter cones, plastic, that are made in Canada. You can buy the cone-shaped paper filters in any supermarket...they are inexpensive. If you like a strong, dark coffee, we like Cafe Bustelo finely ground coffee..it's not expensive and works well with the filter cones. If you like the Hamilton Beach coffee brewer, we always buy Senseo pods from Amazon.

I bought this coffeemaker, because the new job I was going to didn't have coffee close to where I sit. It doesn't take up much room, but the coffee is just so-so. One of the biggest problems I have with it is the coffee isn't very hot when it comes out. After sipping my coffee for a couple minutes, it's so cold that I have to pour it out. At home I use the Bunn MC single cup brewer along with Senseo Columbian Blend pods. These pods in my Bunn makes the best cup of coffee, but not so good in this machine. If you just want a cup of coffee, then this will do fine. It's not for me. I think I am going to buy another Bunn for my desk at work.

Took it out of the box, set it up, made a coffee, too burned, ick. Same coffee I've been using for a while. Decided to try it again, I can't get it open! The little button on top of the machine is supposed to unhinge the top so you can fill with water and new coffee....nope. Stuck. Brand new. I jiggle it, stick something under the lid, it opens, sighhhhh. Try another coffee, it is burning the coffee. It brews too high. There aren't any adjustments on the machine. Done. Not a good machine.

I bought it because of the low price & because I want it for hot water to make tea. The first one came and the button on the top worked maybe twice then never opened again while pushing the button. I use my fingernail under the lid lip while pushing the button (it's supposed to open automatically when you push the button). I sent that one back thinking it was just a fluke. I got the second one a couple days ago. Same thing, push the button the lid is supposed to open automatically. Worked about 2 times then nothing. This maker does not do what it's designed to do. The other thing I don't like is you can't see the lines in back to know where to fill the maker for the amount of water you want. It's not a very good maker I'm sorry to say but guess you get what you pay for. If you want a cheap maker for coffee or tea & you don't mind using your fingernail to open the lid or having to guesstimate how much water to put in so it doesn't overfill or under fill then this is the maker for you.

I wanted to like this coffee maker...attractive design, smaller footprint, reasonably priced, etc. However, It is very slow (takes about 6 minutes to make a cup of coffee using room temperature water from a Berkey water purifier).

After using it, there are some design/manufacturing flaws that warranted a return. You push DOWN on the button on the top to open it, which is supposed to release the catch and a spring pops open the top. However, on my unit, that was rarely the case. Consequently, I had to insert a paring knife between the lid and frame to open it. In addition, the elliptical shape of the front was such that the filter holder could not be removed for cleaning without again inserting a paring knife. It's not clear if mine was just defective but I'm guessing that this is a design flaw that causes many/most units to experience similar problems.

The picture (buy the whole package---mug and Kcup coffee..is very misleading. It does not use kcups. Regular coffee with a reusable filter. Defeats the purpose of easy clean. It also brews slowly...very slowly. I know why the low price.

I purchased this coffee maker to use when traveling and I'm sure my problem is my own fault for not paying more attention. The ad on Amazon.com shows 30-count K-cups "frequently bought together" with this single serve coffee maker. I therefore assumed that K-cups are used in this machine. THIS COFFEE MAKES DOES NOT USE K-CUPS. I am very disappointed because the most important feature was that I could use K-cups which I have used for years. Now I have to either purchase ground coffee which I do not want to do or donate the pot to charity and purchase a different coffee maker. There were no return instructions in the package and, besides, it's very heavy and would cost too much to send back.

As I said, it's my own fault so I'm stuck. At least I can use the K-cups I bought in my Keurig at home.

The machine does not brew quickly, and I was only heating water for tea. It also did not dispense as much water as I put in, so I didn't have a full cup. Last, the cup did not fit easily, and it is not a large cup.

This always spits hot coffee out the front at me and all over my counter at the end of its cycle.

Makes decent tea with tea bags but that's about it. Terrible pod coffee maker. Makes weak coffee with no taste.

Convenient, but if you are a coffee aficionado looking for a cup of coffee with body and flavor, look elsewhere. It perks too quickly, which removes the opportunity to draw out any flavor from the grounds. Even the water is just a tad above hot. A friend who grows coffee in the mountains of Puerto Rico sent me a couple of sacks of grounds. Now, Puerto Rican coffee is excellent: I expected something of better quality than the Nescafe I've become accustomed to. The cup I percolated was devoid of flavor. I bought a better coffee maker and now I'm enjoying coffee the way it was meant to be enjoyed.

If you are willing to use the coffee pods that can be purchased from a limited number of coffee retailers and use a small cup, this coffee maker is ok. If you want to fill empty paper pods with your usual brand of coffee - the paper pods are available online - be prepared for a lot of grounds in the bottom of the cup. The cup must also be small enough to fit under where the coffee drips out. If I hadn't thrown the box away I would have returned the item.

the box said 8 pods were included, but were not. when i called cust service (I called 2x) to tell them about it, he was insisting that they weren't. but thats what it said on the box. i even said "i wish there is a way of me showing you the box". so the first one insisted that she would put a replacement in, n that i would have to return the one that i got and paid for, and set that.up. as i was checking out the website, i have noticed that the first cust service's replacement (that she put in) was just a box of the coffeee pods which i ordered already (Good thing!). and the coffeemaker that she wanted me to return was not one of the replacements..so i called again and spoke to somebody else and he was the one who kept insisting that 8 pods werent included when i was looking right at it on the box..then he told me to reject.the.package that was gonna come to my house n call again to get a return label..which i.havent had time to.do.so..

Great price! Unhappily, it brewed just one cup of coffee and then died. No fanfare, no explosive exit, just dead. I watched it a while, hoping it would burst into flame or do something snappy. No luck. Just dead. I may or may not return it -- I mean, the hassle of trudging to the post office and then dealing with government employees versus the loss of $16? Nah. I'll use it as a lawn ornament and when people ask, What in the hell is that? I'll be able to say, That's what you get for being a cheapskate: one lousy $16 cup of coffee. They, in turn, will say, Wow, that's almost as bad as Starbucks! Lesson learned. Once again.

I had the same problem with two different machines. The first one I bought, I couldn't get the kid to pop openusing the button unless I also wedged a butter knife in there. So I had Amazon send a replacement. Now I am having the same problem with the second one. I will press the button over and over different ways (not that there are that many ways to press a button) and it just never pops up unless I wedge something in there. So now debating whether to return this one too avoid the hassle since it was cheap and just keep using it with a butter knife popping it open every time.

Flimsy piece of junk. When it arrived I could barely remove the basin that holds the coffee. I had to PRY it out.
Then started to make a cup of coffee and it quit squirting water at about 3/4 of the way thru the cup. It then continued to spurt sporadically but no more hot water to speak of. I then let it continue for a few minutes and gave up.
Packed it up and sent it back. Very flimsy build although it LOOKS good in the photo online.
Price was great expecially since it included a nice coffee CUP! Too bad it didn't work.

We returned this coffee maker because it smelled so strongly of plastic and thus the coffee tasted horrible. We tried running it with plain water 6 or 7 times but it didn't do any good. The smell of the coffee maker and the finished coffee was obnoxious. We returned it and bought a different one.

This is not what I expected...The unit is short and does not accommodate taller mugs. It does not seem sturdy or well made, and most importantly, it does NOT have an automatic shut-off so the reservoir remains hot until manually turned off. This is a potential fire hazard...I'm returning it!

Bought it 1-2 months ago for my mom. Worked OK for a little bit. Today when she started brewing it had sparks and stopped working.Very disappointed:(

I’m so disappointed . I misunderstood that this product was for a single k-cup/ pod . It does not uses k-cups , only the tea like “pods” they refer to... very misleading .These two words are not interchangeable, a pod and a K-cup are the same .This product is being given away...

It wasn't what I thought. I needed a Kcup brewer, not a coffee pod brewer

Broke after making one cup. Do not waste your money. I have to throw this out because it basically boils water for you and has no coffee in the cup.

Terrible. Pod holder broke on 2nd use. Unusable. Flimsy plastic construction.

Do not buy it ! Do not make coffee, make soup like coffee! I tried two different brands of coffee .... the result is the same ... soup!