My favorite morning ritual is making coffee: deciding what grounds or pod I want to use; which syrup, creamer, and/or milk would be best; and whether I want it hot or iced. And while I have an espresso machine I enjoy using, most mornings I’m opting for a pod coffee maker to make my life a little bit easier.
For the last two weeks, I’ve been taking Ninja’s Pods & Grounds Single-Serve Coffee Maker for a spin. Not only is it nice and compact, but it also has the ability to use both coffee pods and grounds, like the name states. And perhaps best of all, two of the three colors are on sale for just $90. Affordable and versatile? Say less!
Ninja’s Pods & Grounds Single-Serve Coffee Maker Is Affordable and Versatile
The Pods & Grounds Single-Serve Coffee Maker comes with two different inserts: one for coffee pods (think K-Cups) and one for coffee grounds, complete with a reusable filter. The machine automatically senses which one is in place, and will tailor the display to that. What’s it tailoring specifically? The sizing. With grounds, you get seven size options ranging from six to 24 ounces; with a pod, you get four options, ranging from six to 12 ounces.
That’s not the only aspect you can customize, though. You can also choose your brew style: Classic (the OG), Rich (for a bolder cup), or Over Ice (for folks like me who drink iced coffee all year round). Once you’ve made all your selections, just click the brew button and you’ll be on your way to a delicious cup of coffee.
My Honest Review of Ninja’s Pods & Grounds Single-Serve Coffee Maker
I also love that this coffee maker doesn’t need any preheating time (unlike my Keurig) before you can begin making your coffee, so it’s pretty quick. I primarily use the Over Ice function, which can brew my 10-ounce coffee in a little over one minute. While the ice does melt a little, it’s not nearly as bad as when I try to chill a standard cup of coffee before pouring it over ice. Not to mention, it’s a much quicker and more streamlined process.
This machine has a few clever features that I’ve been impressed by. One of them is the storage bin that’s built into the machine. Between the pods and the grounds function, I can store whichever one is not in use in the storage bin. And just above it sits a built-in coffee scoop for your grounds. Lastly, the tray you put your cup on can sit in different positions, so you can adjust it to fit the height of your mug or glass.
Overall, I really like this machine. I do find the top compartment where you put the grounds or pod before brewing a little hard to open, but that’s really the only thing about it that I don’t love. For the fact that it’s as low as $90, I’m truly impressed by how well this machine works and how many options it provides in terms of sizing, brewing styles, and the choice of grounds or a pod. And did I mention how sleek it looks on my counter, too?
Buy: Ninja Pods & Grounds Single-Serve Coffee Maker, starting at $89.99 (on sale!) at Amazon
What’s your favorite coffee maker? Tell us about it in the comments below.