Hamilton Beach Personal Cup One Cup Pod Brewer
Review by Don Weiser "dweiser" : Use your Senseo Pods

My Senseo finally died and I didn't feel like buying a new one. A friend told me about this little one cup coffee maker that uses Senseo coffee pods so I bought one. So far it works like a gem. Sure it's a bit "plasticy" and cheap feeling but it makes me a mug of coffee on demand and is letting me use my collection of various Senseo (and other) coffee pods. A small mug is the largest you can fit under the spout so be forewarned about not being able to use a tall mug. Device allows for one or two pods. I'm pleased with it.

Hamilton Beach Personal Cup One Cup Pod Brewer
Review by Cobro : Pleasantly surprised

I'm a caffeine-dependent teacher and have been looking for an easy way to make coffee in my classroom. I picked up one of these at a local retailer (sorry, Amazon) for less than $20 and had very low expectations. At home we drink expensive coffee from an expensive automatic espresso machine. And some of the reviews indicate the coffee would be watery, stale, or otherwise not worth drinking. But I am pleased to say that this machine makes a really decent cup of coffee. I use two of the medium roast Senseo pods and that makes a perfect cup... smooth and at the perfect temperature (nice and hot.) I signed up for more Senseo pods with Subscribe & Save and am looking forward to trying more varieties and hopefully enjoying more good, convenient coffee for as long as the machine lasts.

Hamilton Beach Personal Cup One Cup Pod Brewer
Review by Ali : Just What I Needed!

I just got this little maker and so far am pleased with its ease of use and the coffee it produces.
It will not fit a tall mug as already stated, but I have a 12oz mug that is short enough to just fit under. I have used 1 and 2 pods... I like the 12 oz 2 pod coffee better. I am using the Senseo pods it came with and look forward to getting other strengths and flavors to check out.

I was hopeful that it would have its own little basket to be able to use my own coffee, but I have not been able to locate one, even going to the Hamilton Beach site to look for an accessory. If anyone knows how I can use my own coffee in this device, please let me know.

Over-all a great little daily use coffee maker.

Hamilton Beach Personal Cup One Cup Pod Brewer
Review by P. Killion : Awesome little maker

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 machine's, 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 quantitites 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).

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 counterspace 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), 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 accomidates 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.

Hamilton Beach Personal Cup One Cup Pod Brewer
Review by Vixen "groovey" : Its okay.

You get what you see with this item and that's a one cup coffee maker. Where the more expensive makers have a detachable water reservoir this one does not which can be a bit annoying considering that each time that I want to make a cup I have to pull it away from the wall. Which brings up the next point about this making, the cord is very short on it. Last, the pod holder is very difficult to open and replace, I guess with use and time it will loosen up and not have the feeling that I will break it whenever I put/remove a pod. But as stated in other comments it is a cheap little personal maker that can make an okay cup of coffee but if you are looking for a maker that will make a great cup of coffer choose another one.

Hamilton Beach Personal Cup One Cup Pod Brewer
Review by Kathleen Erwin : Good service, delivery. Coffee is just OK.

I wanted to be able to make a decent single cup of coffee at work in my office. I once had 2 - 4 cup Mr. Coffee, and the coffee was barely drinkable. I like my coffee really strong. I have been making coffee in a small french press, but recently lost my access to convenient hot water source. So, I tried this little personal brewer. The Senseo pods made coffee that was just OK, so I have purchased some pricier pods, including a Jamaican Blue Mountain, but the coffee is really not strong enough. I considered making my own pods, but even using two pods, the coffee seems to lack depth. I will continue to use it, as the waste is minimal, and I really cannot justify the expense and solid waste you get with regular use of something like a Keurig. However, this little personal brewer will not be the end of my search for decent single cup brewing.

Hamilton Beach Personal Cup One Cup Pod Brewer
Review by J. Peplinski : Good...for a particular audience

I hate to give this a bad review. There might be a segment of the population out there for whom this product meets or exceeds their coffee drinking needs. I am just not a member of that population. The maker functions as advertised and I think you might be getting your money's worth as it is a very reasonably priced option from the single cup market.

THE MAKER ITSELF: It is small and takes up very little counter space. One problem is that it is too short and doesn't allow for some taller mugs. It definitely does not allow for any travel mug. It is very easy to operate and with the pods, allows for easy cleanup/disposal of grounds. Another issue is that it does take a good four minutes or so to brew, so if two or more people want coffee, you might be standing around waiting for the machine for a bit.

THE COFFEE: I couldn't find nearly the selection of pods as I could for the other brands of single cup makers (Keurig/Tassimo). The brew from one pod was not very strong. Not terrible, just not as strong as I prefer. You do have the ability to brew one cup using two pods, but then you are going through your coffee twice as fast.

WHO THIS PRODUCT IS FOR: If you are the only coffee drinker in the home and only occasionally want a cup of coffee and don't really care about the quality of the coffee, then this may meet your needs. Also, if you need to save on counter/cabinet space, this might be for you. If you have multiple coffee drinkers in your household, you're probably better off with another coffee maker.

Hamilton Beach Personal Cup One Cup Pod Brewer
Review by James Cracraft : Works, but leaves something to desire.

This is an inexpensive coffee maker that works... but, it doesn't make good coffee like the Home Cafe or a Krupps pod coffee maker does. They cost much more though. This coffee maker also takes a longer time to brew one cup than does the larger coffee makers. Still, if you want an inexpensive unit that makes one cup using coffee pods - then this little number may work for you.

Hamilton Beach Personal Cup One Cup Pod Brewer
Review by Marilyn Dalrymple "MaLing" : There isn't anything to not like about this

This compact one cup coffee maker is very easy to use; plug it in, put a coffee pod in the holder and add water. How much simpler could it be? It is fast, small, so it doesn't take much counter space and easy to use. I've tried it several times - twice for coffee and once for tea - and I'm sure I'll be using it daily from now on. When I use my multi-cup coffee maker there is always coffee that is wasted. This small coffee maker takes care of that problem. I like it.

After spending more time using this machine, I've found it to be perfect for tea, but it doesn't brew the coffee quite long enough to allow the full flavor to come through.

Hamilton Beach Personal Cup One Cup Pod Brewer
Review by B. C. Hicks "just passing by" : pos heaven

this pod coffee machine worked out great. i work at night and i needed something to make coffee just for me. this was the answer to my prayers.

Hamilton Beach Personal Cup One Cup Pod Brewer
Review by N. Burleson "Mixed Media Mind" : If you like your coffee likeTea, get it.

My husband tried 4 times to make me a good cup of 100% colombian coffee that did not look like watered down tea. What a useless machine, sent back next day, he even used 2 pods at once. We wondered how it got through quality control, it was ridiculous, no exaggeration. Do not buy this machine, take my word you will be sorry you purchased it. Unless you do not like dark brewed coffee.