However, many who enjoy the pod brewing method argue that where they don’t pay off in long-term affordability, they pay off in their efficiency. They typically take about 1-2 minutes to brew, making a savory cup of coffee for you in no time at all. One of Hamilton’s Two Way coffee makers, this little machine is capable of almost any brewing job. Possessing both a single-serve side and a carafe side, this machine is versatile enough to give you whatever amount of coffee and concentration you’re craving.
It offers similar functionality as the previous models, Bold and Regular brew, multiple cup sizes, and wake-up brew programmability. The 2-Way brewer tested slightly above average in cup quality. We did not notice much of a taste difference between the coffee made from the single-cup option and the traditional full pot setting. The flavor profiles between these two cups were almost identical. Swap out the reusable filters for paper filters and increase the cup quality. Paper disposable filters create more waste but do a better job of filtering out coffee oils.
Also, check about compatibility in terms of operating systems before you buy! Is the smart coffee machine you’re looking at enabled for Alexa or Siri? Not Compatible with the K-cup pods is a major drawback itself since it’s the most used coffee pods at all homes. The only real downside to this machine is that the pod holder isn’t compatible with Keurig K-cups which are probably the most popular and easiest pods to get hold of.
Double check how much coffee you’re filling the basket with. If you’re using paper filters instead of a reusable mesh one, you may also want to check the quality of your paper products. The best feature on keurig single cup drip coffee makers the FlexBrew is right in the name — the ability to flexibly brew what you want or need. Functioning as two distinct machines, the 12-cup carafe and single-serve machines have separate water reservoirs.
That means you don’t have to move the appliance around when it’s time for refills. For example, one important specification for coffee makers is extraction – or how much coffee the machine extracts from the grounds on a single pass. This is mattering less now that coffee makers are turning to pods and cups, but for traditional brewing and filtration methods, it’s still an important measurement. Another feature I absolutely love is the multi-level cup rest that fits mugs of different sizes. So, I prefer my regular cups on weekdays and the large mugs for the weekends when I can enjoy my coffee for long. The brew basket comes with a ground strainer that lets me use pre-packaged pods or freshly ground coffee.