Amazon Basics AB-1178B Single Serve coffee maker: Full Review

The Amazon Basics AB-1178B is an affordable single serve coffee maker that uses K-cup style coffee pods. It's designed to brew a single cup of coffee, espresso, tea or hot chocolate conveniently and quickly. This compact and simple coffee maker is intended for personal at-home use.

The Amazon Basics single serve coffee maker features a straightforward button control panel and a 12 oz water reservoir. It has adjustable cup sizes and can brew anywhere from a 6 oz espresso to a 14 oz coffee mug. The drip tray is removable which allows you to use taller travel mugs. Overall, this is a no-frills single cup brewer focused on value and ease of use.

Design and Build Quality

The AmazonBasics Single-Serve Coffee Maker has a sleek and modern design that looks great on any kitchen countertop. It has a plastic housing that feels sturdy and durable. The machine weighs about 5 pounds, making it lightweight enough to easily move around or store away when not in use.

Despite the plastic exterior, the internal components like the water reservoir and brew head are made from good quality materials like stainless steel and BPA-free plastic. The drip tray is removable which makes cleaning easy. The brew head has a simple mechanism with no complex moving parts that could break down.

Overall, the coffee maker has a smart and minimalist look with an all-black finish. The compact footprint doesn't take up too much counter space. The relatively simple design focuses more on function rather than flashy extra features. Those looking for an affordable but well-built single-serve coffee maker will appreciate the quality and aesthetics.

Another great option is the Elite Gourmet EHC117M, which combines functionality with style. This model also features a compact design, making it perfect for small kitchens or office spaces. It comes with a re-usable filter, reducing the need for paper filters and adding to its practicality. For more details, visit the Elite Gourmet EHC117M product page.

Features

The AmazonBasics Single Serve Coffee Maker has several useful features for brewing convenience and customization.

Brew Sizes

The coffee maker can brew 6, 8, and 10 ounce cups, allowing you to customize the size according to your preference. It's great for brewing anything from a small espresso shot to a large travel mug.

Water Reservoir

The 40oz removable water reservoir is fairly large, reducing how often you need to refill it. With a transparent window, it's easy to check the water level at a glance.

Control Panel

The control panel on top of the machine has buttons to choose cup size, start/stop brewing, and turn the coffee maker on or off. There's also an LED indicator for various functions. The interface is very intuitive and easy to use.

Auto-Off

A useful safety feature is the auto-off that turns the coffee maker off after 2 hours of being idle. This prevents accidental burn hazards and saves energy.

Another fantastic option in the market is the Cuisinart SS-10P1. This unit also offers multiple brew sizes ranging from 4 to 12 ounces and comes with a 72-ounce removable water reservoir, making it perfect for large households or frequent users. Additionally, the Cuisinart SS-10P1 is equipped with a HomeBarista reusable filter cup, which lets you brew your own coffee grounds. Its intuitive control panel features a backlit LCD display, enabling easy programming and operation.

Ease of Use

The Amazon Basics single serve coffee maker is extremely easy to set up and use on a daily basis. Initial set up is straightforward - just add water to the 40oz removable water reservoir and pop in your preferred coffee pod. The control panel has only two buttons: brew and power. To make coffee, simply press the brew button and the machine does the rest. The process from pushing the button to a hot cup of coffee takes around one minute.

Cleaning and maintenance are also simple. The drip tray removes easily for dumping out old coffee grinds and can be rinsed under running water. Descaling is recommended every 3-6 months to remove mineral deposits, which can be done using regular household vinegar. The water reservoir and pod holder also come out for easy hand washing or can be placed in the dishwasher. Overall, the Amazon Basics single serve requires minimal effort to operate and keep clean. Its simple interface and lack of complicated programming make it an excellent choice for those wanting an easy to use single serve coffee option.

Brew Performance

The Amazon Basics single serve coffee maker delivers solid brew performance for a budget-priced pod machine. It can brew a pod in around 1 minute, which is fairly standard for single cup brewers in this class.

The water is heated to the optimal 195°F to 205°F range needed for proper coffee extraction. This ensures the grounds are soaked thoroughly to extract maximum flavor.

The flavor produced is quite good considering the price point. It's hard to expect an intensely robust flavor profile from such an affordable single serve, but the Amazon Basics holds its own. While not as nuanced as premium single serve brewers, it makes a pleasant and drinkable cup of coffee.

The crema produced is decent but lighter than higher-end models. Some subtle aromatics can be detected in the frothy top layer. However, the crema dissipates faster than ideal, so it's best enjoyed immediately after brewing.

Overall, the brew performance exceeds expectations for the low cost. Convenience and speed are prioritized over crafting a complex premium shot. But the end result is a solid, tasty cup of coffee delivered with fuss-free efficiency.

Versatility

The AmazonBasics single serve coffee maker offers decent versatility for a pod-based machine. It is compatible with both 1.0 and 2.0 K-Cups, allowing you to choose from a wide selection of popular coffee brands and flavors.

The major downside in terms of versatility is the lack of an option to brew with ground coffee. This coffee maker can only be used with K-Cup pods, so you cannot use your own freshly ground beans. If you enjoy the flexibility of switching between pre-packaged pods and fresh ground coffee, this isn't the machine for you. Stick to a single serve brewer that has a refillable filter if you want that functionality.

Some competing single serve brewers offer greater control over cup size and brew strength as well, while the AmazonBasics is limited to a standard K-Cup size. So those desiring more customization may want to consider other brands and models. But in terms of basic K-Cup pod compatibility, the AmazonBasics delivers solid versatility.

Value

The AmazonBasics Single Serve Coffee Maker offers excellent value for money. While the price may seem low compared to some other popular single serve coffee makers, this machine performs very well for the cost.

At around $50 currently, this single serve coffee maker is quite affordable, especially compared to higher-end models from brands like Nespresso that can cost over $200. For a basic, no-frills single cup brewer, the AmazonBasics model offers the convenience and ease of pod coffee at a budget-friendly price point.

Despite the low price tag, this machine doesn't feel cheaply made. The plastic housing is sturdy, and the brewing system delivers hot, delicious coffee reliably. You're not paying extra for fancy features you may not use anyway like milk frothing or smartphone connectivity.

This single cup coffee maker focuses on the basics - brewing a hot, fresh cup of coffee or tea conveniently using K-cup style pods. It does this just as well as more expensive machines while keeping the price low. For shoppers who want a simple pod coffee maker without breaking the bank, the AmazonBasics model represents a great value purchase.

The affordable price makes this single serve brewer very appealing for home use, offices, and other settings where convenience is key but budget is a concern. You can get the reliability and ease of single cup brewing without overspending. Overall, the AmazonBasics single serve coffee maker delivers tremendous value at its accessible price point.

Pros

• The AmazonBasics Single Serve coffee maker has a sleek and compact design that doesn't take up much counter space. It has a modern look with black, white, and stainless steel accents that will fit into any kitchen aesthetic.

• It's easy to use with just the press of a button to start brewing. The water reservoir is clear so you can easily see the water level. The drip tray is removable for quick cleanups. Overall, it's simple to operate with intuitive controls.

• This coffee maker consistently delivers a hot, delicious cup of coffee that tastes just as good as more expensive single serve models. It evenly saturates coffee grounds and produces robust flavor with crema on top. The brew performance rivals higher priced competitors.

Cons

• The water reservoir is relatively small at 26 oz, requiring more frequent refilling for multiple uses. This can be inconvenient compared to models with larger reservoirs.

• There is no programmability or ability to customize brew settings. The machine uses preset parameters that cannot be adjusted based on your personal preferences.

• The max brew size is 10 oz, which may be limiting for people who prefer larger coffee servings. You'll need to brew twice to fill larger travel mugs.

Conclusion

The AmazonBasics Single Serve Coffee Maker (AB-1178B) is a solid budget-friendly option for making single serve coffee. It offers simple operation and decent brew performance at an affordable price point.

The main pros of this coffee maker are the low cost, compact size, ease of use, and fast brew time. It can brew coffee quickly and doesn't take up much counter space. The removable drip tray is also a nice feature for accommodating travel mugs.

On the downside, the build quality feels a bit cheap and flimsy. The water reservoir is also on the smaller side. And while it makes a decent cup of coffee, the brew quality is not as good as more expensive single serve machines. Customization options are also limited compared to other models.

Overall, the AmazonBasics single serve coffee maker is best suited for someone looking for an inexpensive, no-frills machine mainly for brewing basic coffee. It offers simplicity and convenience in a compact footprint. Just don't expect specialty cafe-style beverages. For a well-built machine with more options, it's worth spending more for a higher end model. But if budget is the priority, the AmazonBasics delivers baseline performance and value.