9 Best Pod Coffee Makers For Travel Mugs; Reviews

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Those who commute to work or spend a lot of time on the road and need their coffee quickly will agree that the best pod coffee machines for travel mugs are worth their weight in gold.

If you enjoy the traditional taste and aroma of coffee on the go but want it fast with minimal clean-up, a single-serve pod coffee maker that can fit a travel mug might be perfect for you. In fact, many people buy a single-serve personal coffee maker to supplement their drip machine and use it when they’re running short on time. 

However, not all single-serve pod coffee makers are created equal.

For this article, we tested and reviewed the 9 best-selling and highly-rated models from brands we trust. When testing these single-serve pod coffee makers, some of the things we evaluated for each model are ease of use, set up, how easy it is to clean, brew time, and whether they can accommodate a travel mug.

Here are our recommendations for the best pod coffee makers for travel mugs you can buy right now.

Best Pod Coffee Makers For Travel Mugs

Comparison Table

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Best Pod Coffee Makers Under $100 - reviews

1. Keurig K-Supreme Plus Coffee Maker

Specifications:
  • Brew Sizes: 4 oz, 6 oz, 8 oz, 10 oz, 12 oz
  • Water Reservoir: 78 oz.
  • Temp Control: Yes
  • Strength Control: Yes
  • Travel mug friendly
  • Iced Setting: Yes
  • Dimensions: 8.3″W x 13.4″D x 12.4″H
  • Weight: 8.3 lbs

The K-Supreme is a smart coffee maker, so you can connect it to your home’s Wi-Fi network and remotely control it with your phone. 

Once it’s set up—ensuring the tank has adequate water, inserting a K-Cup pod, and placing a mug beneath the output—you can activate it with just the tap of a few buttons on your smartphone screen or a voice command.

This is the best pod coffee machine for travel mugs on our list as it can give you a six to 12-ounce cup, and has a sturdy tank for easy refill. 

Also, it is ultra-sleek, featuring black stainless steel and an enhanced display screen.

The Keurig has temperature settings, multi streams of water, dual-position, the latest brewing technology, and more. Yet, it still has a minimum number of buttons. Everything’s located in a small area at the top of the K Supreme Plus. 

Why We Recommend It

It’s the first brewer to recognize BrewID, which is a pod recognition technology that can “read” the pods you insert into the brewer’s head and optimize the extraction time and temperature so that the coffee has the ideal tasting profile for each brand. 

One key setting it adjusts is the machine’s MultiStream technology, which uses five streams of water instead of one to thoroughly saturate the coffee grounds more evenly with hot water for full flavor and aroma in every cup.

The K-Supreme Plus is equipped with instant heating technology that can bring the water temperature up in seconds. 

Another advantage of this app-enabled machine is that you can set up auto pod delivery to your home at no extra cost.

The Keurig machine has an impressive dual-position, multi-stream reservoir that can hold a total of 66 ounces of water.

You can also use reusable K-Cups with K-Supreme Plus.

Pros:
  • Multistream Technology
  • Repositionable water tank
  • Space-saving, sleek design
  • Minimum wait time
  • Quiet operation
  • Makes iced coffee
  • Adjustable strength and temperature control
  • App-enabled pod coffee maker
Cons:
  • The reusable filter isn’t user-friendly
  • Pods tend to be wasteful

2. Hamilton Beach FlexBrew

Specifications:
  • Brew coffee with single-serve pods or ground coffee
  • Grounds basket and pod holder included
  • Brew up to 10 oz. with a single-serve pod or 14 oz. with ground coffee
  • Easy-fill reservoir 
  • Functionalities: Automatic shutoff, Brew pause
  • Fits tall travel mugs

You can brew single-serve pods and ground coffee in one simple, easy-to-use machine with the Hamilton Beach FlexBrew Single-Serve Coffee Maker. It makes the perfect cup of coffee one at a time, allowing you to have the best of both worlds.

You can use either the regular cups or tall travel mugs with this machine. It can brew up to 10 oz. coffee with a single-serve pod or 14 oz. with ground coffee.

The water reservoir is simple to fill, and the water level can be seen from both the front and side thanks to the easy-view water glass. To keep the single-serve pod holder or the brew basket off the counter, there’s even a storage compartment inside the cup rest.

Why We Recommend It

The single cup coffee maker comes with a simple grounds basket and pod holder, so you can start brewing right away with ground coffee or pods without having to purchase additional accessories. They fit neatly into the cup rest when not in use.

A lot of coffee lovers have to face the big problem of cleaning a coffee maker. Well, in the case of Hamilton Beach Flexbrew it’s absolutely not a big deal. 

The pod-piercing assembly tool of this coffee maker can easily be removed which can help you prevent clogging.

To brew a single cup of coffee, you can either use a pod or else grounds. That’s something refreshing about this coffee maker that you’re not at all limited to a pod if you want a single cup- and you can even use your favorite grounds as well.

Pros:
  • Single-serve coffee maker fits perfectly on any kitchen countertop
  • Bold or regular brew strength options
  • Accommodates a variety of mugs
  • Removable and reusable ground coffee basket
  • Easy-fill water reservoir with viewing window
  • Plastic and metal construction
Cons:
  • Not for brewing large batches of coffee

3. Keurig K- Slim

Specifications:
  • Brew Sizes: 8 oz, 10 oz, 12 oz
  • Water Reservoir: 46 oz
  • Removable drip tray
  • Auto-Off
  • Can accommodate travel mugs
  • Dimensions: 4.8″W x 15.2″D x 12.1″H
  • Weight: 6.2 lbs.

The Keurig K-Slim is an easy-to-use single-serve coffee machine that uses pods and can make a variety of drink sizes.

If you want to make a coffee to enjoy on the go, the Keurig K-Slim is able to hold travel mugs that are seven inches tall on its drip tray.

The Keurig K-Slim is available in either black or white and it features a chrome-effect handle on the front.

The buttons to operate the K-Slim are on the top of the machine and they include options for the different drink sizes you can make – which are 8, 10, and 12 oz cups.

To use this machine, simply fill the water reservoir, lift the handle to insert your K-Cup, lower the handle, and select the desired drink size.

Why We Recommend It

The K Slim is an excellent option for those who are tight on counter space or who like to take their coffee maker with them when traveling.

It brews coffee in minutes; no more waiting forever to get your cup of joe first thing in the morning.

You only need to use one K-Cup of your choice, which means you generate less waste when brewing a cup. It also means you can have a different flavor with each cup of coffee.

The Keurig K-Slim has a pretty big reservoir for being so small and compact. It’s got a total volume of 46 oz. of water, meaning you can easily get four 8 oz. cups of coffee from one tank of water.

The Keurig K Slim coffee maker even alerts you when it is time to descale.

This machine is simple and lacks the bells and whistles of more expensive pod coffee machines.

Outside of the multi-stream technology, that allows a more refined extraction, the only extra feature offered is the ability to choose your serving size (8, 10 or 12 oz). 

Whether it is a small eight-ounce cup or a more significant travel-sized portion, you can select your preference before brewing. 

Pros:
  • Multiple-cup reservoir.
  • Space-saving design.
  • Relatively quiet brewing.
  • K-Cup flexibility.
  • Ease of use and cleaning.
  • Removable and handled water tank.
Cons:
  • Parts are mostly made of plastic.
  • No temperature or strength control options.

4. Hamilton Beach FlexBrew 2-Way Coffee Maker

Specifications:
  • Single-cup coffee maker
  • Also can brew a full carafe
  • Use K-Cups or ground coffee
  • Strength Control
  • 2 easy-fill reservoirs
  • Programmable with 2-hour shutoff
  • Weight: 6.37 pounds 
  • Size: 11.4 x 12.2 x 13.7 inches

The main perk of this machine is versatility. With two automatic brewing options, two water reservoirs, and the ability to brew both coffee grounds and K-cups and pods, this machine is everything you need for your caffeine cravings.

It has three distinct ways to brew coffee. On the carafe side, it can brew a pot of coffee. This option allows you to prepare up to 12 cups of ground coffee. Second, there is a single-serve coffee option on the right side of the machine.

If you choose this option, you can prepare your coffee using a coffee pod or ground coffee. Finally, on the single-serve side of the machine, you can use a K-cup pod, or use the single-serve grounds basket if you prefer to use ground coffee. 

If you’re making a single cup of coffee, there’s a cup rest on the right side of the machine. If you want to make your coffee in a travel mug, this cup rest can be removed. You may prepare up to 14 ounces of coffee on the single-serve side. The carafe side of the machine produces a full pot of coffee.

Why We Recommend It

Both brewing sides of this machine have their own reservoir of water, so there’s no confusion as to which side you’re brewing from – you don’t want to end up pouring too much or too little water, after all, one side takes 12 ounces and the other side takes 12 cups.

You also have the option of selecting between bold and regular strength – and you can do this by the push of a button.

You can also set a timer 24 hours in advance to make sure you have freshly brewed coffee whenever you want it.

The heating plate is only available on the carafe side. You will have to use something like a travel mug to keep the single-serve side hot.

The ease with which to clean up is one of the best features of this coffee maker. It comes with special tools to clean up those hard-to-reach parts. Most of the time you can simply rinse out the K-Cup basket.

Pros:
  • Self-Cleaning Feature
  • Fits under kitchen cabinets
  • 2 reservoirs – 2 heaters
  • Storage area under single-cup serving
  • Use K-cups or your own ground coffee
Cons:
  • Only brews one at a time
  • 5 min brew time for K-Cup

5. Keurig K-Elite Coffee Maker

Specifications:
  • Brew Sizes: 4 oz, 6 oz, 8 oz, 10 oz, 12 oz
  • Water Reservoir: 75 oz
  • Temp Control: Yes
  • Strength Control: Yes
  • Travel mug friendly
  • Dimensions: 9.9″W x 12.7″D x 13.1″H
  • Weight: 8.0 lbs

The K Elite is an extremely easy-to-use pod coffee machine. Add a K-Cup, fill the water reservoir, and press the brew button. That’s it!

It also has 5 different cup sizes: you can choose between 4, 6, 8, 10, or—perfect for a travel mug—12 ounces of coffee.

Regardless of what size you prefer, this machine can brew it in less than a minute. 

If you need an extra kick, go on and press that Strong Brew button to increase the strength and bold flavor of your coffee.

You can even control the brew temperature of your coffee with just the press of a button.

If you also happen to enjoy iced coffees, you’ll love its Iced option, which allows you to ‘brew hot and enjoy cold’ without compromising on the flavor.

You can program a time for your machine to turn on and off, conserving energy and preventing you from having to get up earlier.

Why We Recommend It

The Keurig K Elite comes in three color options: brushed gold, brushed silver, or brushed slate.

A removable drip tray can also create extra space for you to accommodate travel mugs measuring up to 7.2 inches tall.

Its top incorporates a compartment designed for storing your K cups before making your cup of coffee.

The Keurig K Elite can brew up to eight cups of coffee before refilling its 75-ounce water reservoir. 

Its central reservoir has a built-in water filter that ensures the best flavor for your drinks. It also has indicators that alert you whenever you need to refill your water and descale your device to enhance its performance.

This model is compatible with the My K-Cup Universal Reusable Coffee Filter, which allows you to brew ground coffee if you want a full-flavored cup of coffee.

Pros:
  • 75-ounce water reservoir
  • Hot water option for making tea, hot chocolate, instant noodles, and more
  • Cup size ranges from 4 ounces to 12 ounces
  • Iced coffee option
  • Compatible with the My K-Cup Universal Reusable Coffee Filter
Cons:
  • Fairly large and bulky
  • No milk frother

6. Chefman InstaCoffee Max

Specifications:
  • Brew Sizes: Any size 6-14 oz
  • Water Reservoir: 12 oz
  • Drip Tray Included: Yes
  • Functionalities: Brew Complete Indicator
  • Product Warranty: Yes
  • Coffee Type Used: Ground Coffee, K-Cups, Loose Tea

Brewing a steaming cup of coffee is as simple as pouring, pushing, and walking away, with the InstaCoffee Single-Serve Coffee Maker.

This brewer can be used with K-Cups or your own freshly ground roast using the supplied filter to make fresh coffee in under a minute, precisely the way you want it. 

This sleek, compact pod coffee maker requires little counter space and can be quickly stored, making it ideal for any size kitchen, dorm, office workstation, or hotel room.

Why We Recommend It

This brewer boasts a seamless experience with a self-cleaning function to prevent any mineral buildup.

This portable coffee maker fits most 14-ounce travel mugs, making it ideal for travelers and morning commuters.

Simply load in your K-Cup of choice or fill the reusable filter with up to 3 ½ tablespoons of your favorite grounds to make a delicious cup of coffee.

With this strong yet compact 950-Watt coffee maker, you can enjoy coffee shop quality, fresher and faster. You can swiftly prepare up to 14 oz. of coffee with the one-touch operation, and it will always be at the proper temperature.

Pros:
  • Powerful and compact coffee maker
  • One-touch operation allows to quickly brew up to 14 oz. of coffee
  • Self-cleaning feature blocks the mineral build-up
  • Compact, yet it can fit a travel mug
Cons:
  • Some users have reported leaking

7. Keurig K-Duo Coffee Maker

Specifications:
  • Brew Sizes: 6 oz, 8 oz, 10 oz, 12 oz (single-serve), and up to 60 oz (carafe)
  • Water Reservoir: 60 oz
  • Fits tall travel mugs
  • Strength Control: Yes
  • Dimensions: 10.9″W x 12.8″D x 12.9″H
  • Weight: 10.7 lbs

The K-Duo is a powerful pod coffee machine that allows you to choose between making single-serve coffee or use the carafe to make a full pot of coffee. 

This machine even allows you to use either ground coffee or K-Cup Pods to make a perfect cup of the morning brew. 

The K-Duo has a 12-cup glass carafe and a hot plate on the left side of the machine. The single-serve dispenser is on the right side. 

Both the carafe and single-serve coffee maker share a large water reserve that can hold 60oz of water.

The reservoir can easily be removed, which makes refilling it easy.

The K-Duo offers Simple Button Controls that make the machine very user-friendly, with descriptive pictures on the buttons to help you easily operate the coffee maker. 

Why We Recommend It

The K-Duo offers the option to brew 6, 8, 10, and 12-ounce cups for single-cup brewing.

If you want to brew in a carafe, you can choose between 6, 8, 10, and 12 cups. 

More importantly, the Keurig K-Duo is also travel mug compatible. The unit will accommodate travel mugs that are 7 inches tall or less.

You can even set the carafe side of the K Duo to brew up to 24 hours in advance with the coffee grounds of your choice.

It does not come with a permanent filter for the coffee grounds basket, but it can fit a flat-bottom, paper filter that is compatible with a 12-cup coffee maker.

You can use the K-Cup Universal Reusable Coffee Filter if you want to brew your own ground coffee. 

This coffee maker shuts itself off automatically 1 minute after brewing a single cup of coffee. The heating plate shuts itself off 2 hours after brewing a carafe.

The pause and pour feature allowed me to get a cup before the entire carafe has finished brewing.

Pros:
  • Multi-functional coffee maker that can brew a single-serve coffee and fill a carafe
  • Can brew coffee grounds and coffee pods
  • Easy and convenient to use
  • Programmable carafe auto-brew
  • Large water reservoir
  • Fits up to a 7-inch travel mug
Cons:
  • Cannot froth milk
  • No temperature control
  • Not programmable for a single cup side

8. Instant Pot Solo 2-in-1 Coffee Maker

Specifications:
  • Brew sizes: 12, 8, 10oz.
  • Coffee filter type: Capsule
  • Coffee type used: Coffee pods & Ground coffee
  • Travel mug friendly
  • Water reservoir: 40oz.
  • Pre infuse brewing

The 3-in-1 Dual Pod Plus is compatible with K-Cup pods, Nespresso capsules, and your own ground coffee with the included reusable pod, so you can enjoy your favorite brew at any time.

This machine has two separate openings to fit both K-Cups and Nespresso original capsules. 

The K-Cup opening also fits reusable pods, so you can still brew a cup from your favorite coffee grounds. 

The Instant Pod can brew a variety of sizes. When brewing espresso, you can choose a 2, 4, or 6oz pour, and, when brewing K-Cups, you have the option of 8,10 or 12oz.

Why We Recommend It

Much like any single-brew pod coffee machine, this is perfect for anyone who prefers brewing in smaller batches or is regularly taking their morning cup on the go.

It features a removable drip tray that allows you to fit travel mugs that are 7-inches tall.

It even features a pre-infuse cycle that gently soaks the coffee grounds in a K-Cup or the reusable pod before brewing to produce a more flavorful cup of coffee.

The adjustable brew strength option lets you brew a bolder cup of coffee. 

This pod coffee maker is simple to operate, as it automatically selects the optimum brew temperature and pressure, and is easy to maintain with a large 40oz water reservoir and low-water and cleaning indicators.

Pros:
  • Brews K-Cups as well as ground coffee
  • Pre-infuse cycle
  • Brews Nespresso capsules as well
  • Adjustable brew strength
  • Brews a single cup in just 90 seconds
  • User-friendly interface
  • Large water reservoir
Cons:
  • Can not brew coffee in large batches

9. Keurig K-Compact

Specifications:
  • Brew sizes: 12, 8, 10oz.
  • Coffee filter type: Capsule
  • Coffee type used: Coffee pods & Ground coffee
  • Travel mug friendly
  • Water reservoir: 40oz.
  • Pre infuse brewing

Brewing a great cup of coffee at home is easy with the Solo Single-Serve 2-in-1 Coffee Maker. It can handle both K-Cup pods and your own grounds in the included reusable pod with a handle.

This single-brew machine has two separate openings to fit both K-Cups and Nespresso’s original capsule.

Choose from multiple brew sizes with 8, 10 or 12 oz cups, and adjust the brewing strength to make it as bold as you like. 

This coffee maker is simple to operate, automatically selecting the optimum brew temperature and pressure, and easy to maintain with a large 40-ounce water reservoir and low-water and cleaning indicators. 

This is one of the best pod coffee makers for travel mugs for under 100 dollars as its removable drip tray lets you fill up to a 7″ tall 16oz travel mug.

It features a pre-infuse cycle that gently soaks grounds in a K-Cup or the reusable pod before brewing to produce a more flavorful cup of coffee.

Its brew time also sits at a trim 90 seconds so you’ll never have to wait more than two minutes for your morning cup of java.

It even has an adjustable brew strength feature so you can make a bolder cup of coffee.

Pros:
  • Pre infuse cycle
  • Large 40oz. Water reservoir
  • Compatible with pods and ground coffee as well
  • Reusable coffee pod included
  • Travel mug friendly
  • Quick brewing
Cons:
  • Doesn’t make large batches of coffee

What to Look for in a Pod Coffee Maker Under $100

All of the coffee makers you see on the list are different, that much is true but they do meet certain requirements. One of the most important features we considered during selection was compatibility. You can pretty much use any K-cup pods or your own coffee in a reusable pod with the machines you see listed.

Here are some other features that you should look for in a $100 pod coffee maker.

1. Pod Variety

K-Cup, Nespresso capsule, E.S.E. pod. These are the basic coffee pod varieties, and the brewer you buy will likely only be compatible with one of them. If you’re partial to a certain type of pod, whether it be for taste, price, or convenience, this is a great place to start narrowing down your buying options.

2. Ease of Use & Maintenance

If you’re looking for a pod coffee maker, it’s reasonable to say that brewing a cup of coffee fast and conveniently is a top priority, whether you’re using pods, K-Cups, or capsules.

Coffee from capsules is quite simple to make and consume. You don’t need much more than a capsule-based coffee machine to have a great cup of coffee.

As a result, it’s critical to consider consumer reviews regarding ease of use and reliability while buying this type of brewer in particular. As a result, only the highest-rated pod coffee machines are included in this article.

Don’t forget to see how easy or difficult the pod coffee machine will be to maintain. Your life will be made easier if you have a brewer with an automated cleaning cycle.

3. Brew Time

Another minor feature to consider is the brew cycle or brew time. Most K-cup and pod-style machines have faster brew times, especially when compared to traditional coffee makers. 

You’re only brewing a single-serving though, so it makes sense why. The real question is whether or not the machine has enough time to genuinely heat the coffee

4. Machine Size

You don’t want to buy your pod coffee maker to realize that it’s not going to fit your kitchen countertop, as they often take up a lot of space, 

So the amount of counter space you have may decide which machine is ideal for you. While there are exceptions, smaller machines are often less expensive but have fewer functions and beverage options.

5. Single-use coffee pods vs. Reusable filters

Most single-serve coffee machines rely on store-bought coffee pods, such as Keurig’s popular K-Cup pods. K-Cups and capsules are convenient to use, but they’re more expensive than making your own coffee from scratch. 

A popular alternative is soft pods: The ground coffee is packaged in a circular paper filter that looks like a teabag and eliminates the use of plastic. 

Single-serve units with a reusable filter to fill with your own ground coffee are available if you want a coffee maker without pods. 

Reusable filters are unquestionably the more environmentally friendly alternative, but they must be washed after each use.

6. Travel Mug Friendliness

If you’re someone who likes to enjoy your coffee on the go in a travel mug, then you must make sure that the pod coffee maker that you choose brews coffee in various sizes and especially in 12-16 oz. size, which is perfect for a travel mug.

Another thing that you should look into is the drip tray of your coffee maker Make sure that the drip tray is removable so that the pod coffee maker can easily accommodate a travel mug.

Conclusion 

So, this was a review of the best pod coffee makers under $100. We hope this article provided you with enough insights so that you can make an informed decision and choose a pod coffee maker that is not just affordable but checks all the boxes when it comes to convenience, ease of maintenance, coffee taste, and brew time.

We recommend selecting an option that’s compatible with ground coffee and not just a pod coffee model since coffee pods don’t always offer the same variety as other options, and they can be unnecessarily expensive.

Written by:
Emily Deneuve
Emily Deneuve

Emily discovered that a perfect cup of coffee is a culmination of wonderfully grown coffee beans and a high-quality coffee maker. She focuses on exploring coffee brewing tips and coffee makers.

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ABOUT US

We are a team of coffee affcianados with experience and expertise in making world renowned coffee. In fact, preparing the best coffee ever with a fluffy top reminds us of magic, with secrets of how to achieve each particular effect. Making coffee is not our only hobby, we always keep our ears open as to what’s happening around and what scientists and manufacturers produce for consumers. It’s not an easy task to do – it’s rather time consuming. Hence, Caféish website was launched.

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