Bonsenkitchen CM3301 Single Serve coffee maker: Full Review

The Bonsenkitchen CM3301 is an excellent single serve coffee maker that deserves strong consideration for anyone looking to brew fresh, delicious coffee at home with minimal fuss. After testing this compact machine and putting it through its paces, this coffee maker stands out for its consistent brewing, ease of use, and outstanding value. With the ability to brew a hot, rich cup of coffee in under 3 minutes, the CM3301 aims to please both coffee aficionados and novices alike. Its simple and intuitive controls allow you to easily customize your preferred coffee strength and cup size. For those seeking a reliable single serve coffee maker that punches above its weight, the Bonsenkitchen CM3301 is a recommended option worth investigating further.

Overview

Bonsenkitchen is a young company that was founded in Shenzhen, China in 2018. They focus on designing and manufacturing small kitchen appliances, with an emphasis on quality and affordability.

The Bonsenkitchen CM3301 is a single serve coffee maker that can brew a 6-12 oz cup of coffee, tea or hot chocolate using K-Cup style pods. It has a slim, compact design that won't take up much counter space. The water reservoir holds up to 12 oz of water, enough for 1-2 servings before needing a refill. The CM3301 has a simple button control for brew size selection. It heats the water quickly and has an auto shut-off feature for safety. This single serve brewer is only compatible with 1.0 and 2.0 K-Cup pods and is not compatible with reusable filters.

Another excellent option is the wirsh SOLO PRO CM-119A, which offers a versatile brewing experience. This model features a 3-in-1 function, allowing you to brew coffee, tea, or hot water. The 15-bar pump ensures optimal extraction for a rich flavor. Additionally, its compact size makes it easy to fit in small kitchens. The anti-drip design and removable water reservoir enhance usability, making it a great companion for quick brews.

Design and Appearance

The Bonsenkitchen CM3301 has an attractive and compact design that will look great on any kitchen counter. Despite its small footprint (10.2 x 7.3 x 12.4 inches), it doesn't sacrifice function for form.

The single serve coffee maker comes in either black or white plastic housing with sleek silver accents. The black version has a smooth matte finish, while the white model has more of a gloss. Both color options will match well in modern or contemporary kitchens.

Weighing in at just 5 pounds, the CM3301 coffee maker won't take up much space. Its rectangular shape allows it to sit flush against your backsplash. The top features a large removable water reservoir with viewing window, so you can easily see when you need a refill.

Overall, the Bonsenkitchen single serve coffee maker has a very sleek and streamlined aesthetic. It's much smaller than a traditional drip coffee machine, making it perfect for use in apartments, dorms, offices, and other small spaces.

Similarly, the Keurig K-Mini Plus offers a compact design ideal for tight spaces. It measures just 12.1 inches in height, making it easy to store. The K-Mini Plus features a sleek matte finish and comes in multiple colors, providing options to match your kitchen decor. Its convenient pod storage allows you to brew any coffee you desire while maintaining a minimal footprint. The removable drip tray accommodates travel mugs, making it versatile for on-the-go coffee lovers. Whether for home or office, it's a great choice for single-serve brewing.

Features

The Bonsenkitchen CM3301 single serve coffee maker has a wide range of useful features to help you brew delicious coffee drinks.

• Coffee Types: The CM3301 can brew regular coffee, espresso, cappuccino, latte and americano drinks. It's very versatile for making all your favorite coffeehouse beverages at home.

• Water Tank Capacity: The water tank holds 37oz, enough to brew 6-8 cups before needing a refill. The water tank is removable for easy filling.

• Cup Sizes: You can brew coffee in 3 cup size settings - 5oz, 7oz, and 9oz. This allows you to customize each drink to your preferred strength and size.

• Strength Control: Choose between bold and regular strength to adjust the coffee flavor intensity.

• One Touch Buttons: The one touch buttons for espresso, cappuccino, latte, and americano make it easy to select your desired drink.

• Smart App Integration: Connect the coffee maker to your phone via Bluetooth to access additional features through the smartphone app.

• Auto-Off: The auto-off function turns the coffee maker off after 5 minutes of inactivity to save energy.

Overall, the wide range of programmable features allows you to customize your coffee drinks just the way you like them. The Bonsenkitchen CM3301 provides excellent versatility and options for home brewing.

Ease of Use

The Bonsenkitchen CM3301 single serve coffee maker is designed for simplicity and ease of use. The control panel has just two buttons - one for power, and one for starting the brew. There are no complicated settings or functions to figure out.

Operating the coffee maker is very straightforward. Simply lift the lever, insert a coffee pod, lower the lever, and press the brew button. The brew process starts automatically and stops when finished, so there's no need to monitor it. An auto-off function turns the coffee maker off after 2 hours of inactivity for safety and energy savings.

Cleaning and maintenance are also easy with removable, dishwasher-safe parts. The drip tray, water reservoir, and brew chamber can all be washed in the dishwasher periodically to keep the coffee maker fresh and hygienic. The exterior just needs an occasional wipe down with a damp cloth. Descaling is recommended every 2-3 months to remove any mineral buildup and maintain optimal performance.

With its minimal buttons, clear cues, and dishwasher-safe parts, the Bonsenkitchen CM3301 offers fuss-free operation and maintenance for busy households. It's easy for anyone to brew a fresh cup of coffee with this single-serve machine.

Brew Quality

The Bonsenkitchen CM3301 produces coffee with excellent taste and temperature. The grounds are evenly saturated during brewing which extracts the full flavor from the coffee beans. The coffee comes out piping hot, around 180-190 F which is the ideal drinking temperature.

The CM3301 is able to produce a nice layer of crema on the coffee, which is indicative of proper extraction and freshness. The crema produced is smooth and creamy, adding to the visual appeal as well as the taste of the coffee. Some single-serve machines struggle to produce crema, but the Bonsenkitchen consistently delivers in this regard.

Overall, the brew quality from the Bonsenkitchen CM3301 is comparable to premium and more expensive single-cup machines. The full bodied taste and ideal drinking temperature make it a satisfying coffee experience. Considering the lower price point, the CM3301 delivers excellent value without compromising on the taste and quality of the brew.

Consistency

The Bonsenkitchen CM3301 delivers consistent results cup after cup. The precision brewing technology and intelligent brewing algorithm help ensure an optimal brewing temperature and timing for each cup. This produces a reliable flavor profile with each brew, so users can enjoy their preferred roast consistently.

The single serve design allows users to customize each cup, controlling variables like water amount, brew size, and brew strength. But even when adjusting these settings, the Bonsenkitchen CM3301 minimizes variation in factors like water temperature and flow rate that can cause inconsistent flavor. For K-cup pods or ground coffee, users note consistent flavors without the bitterness or weak coffee that can come from inconsistent brewing.

The CM3301 has built-in sensors to monitor brewing time and temperature. This allows the machine to adjust automatically to changes in environmental conditions or input water temperature. Overall, reviewers highlight the consistent satisfaction they get from each cup brewed with this single serve coffee maker.

Durability

The Bonsenkitchen CM3301 is built to last with its stainless steel exterior and BPA-free plastic inner water tank. Users mention that it feels sturdy and well-constructed with no flimsy parts.

The coffee maker is designed for longevity and can brew up to 10,000 cups in its lifetime if properly maintained. Its compact size takes up little counter space but still houses durable components like the 250 watt heater and the permanent coffee filter basket.

Bonsenkitchen provides a 1 year warranty on the CM3301 to cover any manufacturer defects. While the warranty is decent, some competitors offer longer 2-3 year warranties. Still, most users do not report durability issues within the first year of ownership if the unit is used properly.

Overall, the Bonsenkitchen CM3301 earns positive marks for its solid build quality and reliable performance over time. The exterior and interior materials seem capable of withstanding years of regular use. While the warranty is just 1 year, the coffeemaker's sturdy construction should keep it brewing consistently in the long run.

A Great Value for Single Serve Brewing

The Bonsenkitchen CM3301 offers excellent value for the price. As a single serve coffee maker without a lot of bells and whistles, it provides solid performance without breaking the bank.

The simple, no-frills design translates to an affordable price point. Considering its sturdy metal and plastic construction, consistent brewing, and durability, it's a great budget-friendly option. It doesn't have the same premium feel or extra features as some pricier models, but it gets the job done.

For those looking for basic single serve functionality on a budget, the Bonsenkitchen CM3301 hits the sweet spot. It delivers tasty coffee, espresso, and tea on demand. The price to performance ratio makes it appealing for personal use or light office use. It may lack some customization options of fancier models, but offers the convenience of single serve for much less.

Overall, if you want a solid single serve coffee maker without spending a lot, the Bonsenkitchen CM3301 represents a great value choice. While not loaded with bells and whistles, it reliably produces good drinks time after time. Considering its affordable price and quality construction, it provides an impressive value for the money.

Conclusions

The Bonsenkitchen CM3301 single serve coffee maker offers a solid brewing performance in a compact and stylish package. Its space-saving design makes it a great choice for small kitchens or offices.

The brewer heats water quickly and can produce a tasty cup of coffee in under 60 seconds. The removable water reservoir is easy to fill, and the automatic shutoff helps conserve energy. The drip tray is simple to remove and clean.

On the downside, the water tank could be larger, as it needs frequent refilling with heavy use. The machine also lacks programmable functions compared to some pricier models. Frothing milk requires a separate purchase.

Overall, the Bonsenkitchen CM3301 delivers very good brew quality and ease of use at an affordable price point. It's a great budget-friendly option if you're looking for an entry-level single serve coffee maker without advanced features. For the price, it's hard to beat for quickly brewing a hot cup of joe.