Hamilton Beach 49900 Single Serve coffee maker: Full Review

The Hamilton Beach 49900 is a popular single serve coffee maker that offers an affordable and user-friendly option for brewing fresh, one-cup servings of coffee at home. Part of Hamilton Beach's line of personal brewers, the 49900 allows you to use your own ground coffee or soft coffee pods instead of being limited to expensive K-cups. With its compact and sleek stainless steel design, the 49900 single serve brewer delivers customizable coffee drinks in under 3 minutes.

This review will provide an overview of the key features, performance, pros and cons of the Hamilton Beach 49900 to help you determine if it's the right single-cup coffee maker for your needs. We'll cover details on the brewing process, ease of use, durability, and how it compares to other top models on the market. Whether you're looking for an inexpensive and no-frills way to make a quick cup just for yourself or want more variety and control over brew size and strength than a regular drip coffee machine can provide, the Hamilton Beach 49900 is a solid option worth considering.

Design

The Hamilton Beach 49900 has a sleek and compact design ideal for smaller kitchens. It measures 10.63 x 7.25 x 10.75 inches, making it easy to store away when not in use. The unit has a modern black exterior that will blend in seamlessly with most kitchen decor.

Despite its small footprint, the 49900 doesn't skimp on build quality. The housing is made from durable plastic that can withstand daily use. The drip tray is removable and dishwasher safe for easy cleaning. There are no color options for this model. The simple black finish gives it a classy look without standing out too much.

The 49980 is lightweight at just 5.1 pounds. This allows you to easily move it between locations or bring it with you when traveling. The compact design doesn't sacrifice durability or performance. Overall, the Hamilton Beach 49900 has a well-designed body that emphasizes convenience and simplicity.

Another excellent option is the Cuisinart SS-10P1. This single-serve coffee maker features a versatile design and a fully programmable interface that allows for custom brew strength and temperature control. It also comes with a reusable filter cup, making it environmentally friendly. The SS-10P1 has a large water reservoir, reducing the need for constant refills, and a sleek stainless-steel finish that adds a touch of elegance to any kitchen setup.

Features

The Hamilton Beach 49900 single serve coffee maker comes with a variety of useful features that make it stand out.

Brew Sizes

The machine can brew regular coffee, iced coffee, and hot or iced tea in cup sizes ranging from travel mug (14 oz) to large mug (18 oz). This flexibility allows you to customize your beverage to your preferred strength and size.

Strength Control

Not only can you choose from different brew sizes, but you can also select regular or bold strength. The bold setting is great when you want a more intense and robust cup of coffee.

Adjustable Stand

The stand on the 49900 model adjusts to fit travel mugs up to 7.4" tall. So you don't have to transfer your freshly brewed coffee or tea into a separate to-go cup. This is very convenient when you're in a hurry and want to take your beverage on the go.

If you're looking for another great option, consider the Elite Gourmet EHC113M. This single serve coffee maker is known for its durable stainless steel design and sleek appearance, making it a stylish addition to any kitchen. It also features quick brew technology for a fast cup of coffee and a reusable filter that helps you save on paper filters. The water reservoir is easy to fill, allowing for efficient brewing and minimal cleanup.

Ease of Use

The Hamilton Beach 49900 single serve coffee maker is designed for convenience and ease of use. It has a simple interface with just two buttons - one for power, and one for brewing. The buttons are large and easy to press. There is no digital display or clock, just simple on/off operation.

Cleaning the 49900 is straightforward. The drip tray slides out easily to dump coffee grounds and clean. The brew basket lifts out for rinsing, and is dishwasher safe. Descaling is also simple, with an access door to pour vinegar into the water reservoir. There is no backflushing required. The water reservoir is easy to access and fill from the top or side.

Overall, the 49900 has been designed for quick, fuss-free operation. With only two buttons, no complicated menus or settings, and dishwasher safe parts, it's easy for anyone to use. The simple interface and cleanability make it a convenient single serve brewer.

Performance

The Hamilton Beach 49900 Single Serve Coffee Maker delivers excellent performance when it comes to brew speed, temperature, and coffee quality.

Brew Time

This coffee maker heats up fast and can brew an 8 oz cup of coffee in around 90 seconds. That's faster than many other single serve coffee makers which can take 2 minutes or more to brew a cup. The quick brew time means you can make your morning coffee in a hurry without having to wait around.

Temperature

The Hamilton Beach coffee maker heats water to an optimal brewing temperature between 195-205°F before sending it through the grounds. This ensures proper coffee extraction and the best flavor. The water is heated right before brewing, unlike some machines that just reheat water sitting in a reservoir.

Quality

In terms of coffee quality, the Hamilton Beach 49900 produces a smooth and rich cup of coffee. The brewing process fully saturates the grounds and extracts robust flavor from them. Many reviewers mention this single serve machine makes a cup comparable to more expensive brands. The removable mesh filter basket also allows you to use any ground coffee for customized flavor.

Durability

The Hamilton Beach 49900 single serve coffee maker has proven to be quite durable over time according to customer reviews. Many reviewers mention still using the machine daily after several years with no issues.

The simple design seems to hold up well under regular use. There are no complaints about parts breaking or the machine falling apart. The plastic exterior and components are solid and sturdy.

One of the most fragile parts of any coffee maker is the carafe. However, since this is a single serve model there is no carafe to crack or shatter. The removable mug rest and drip tray can be cleaned or replaced if needed.

Customers comment that the machine still functions like new after brewing hundreds of cups over an extended period of time. The lack of frail moving parts contributes to the longevity and sturdiness. Overall, Hamilton Beach's reputation for reliability shows with this model standing up to years of frequent use.

Value

The Hamilton Beach 49900 single serve coffee maker offers excellent value for the price. At around $50 on Amazon, it's very affordable compared to many other single serve coffee makers which can cost $100-200. Considering its solid performance and convenience features, the Hamilton Beach 49900 provides great bang for your buck.

What's especially nice is that the 49900 includes a 14 oz travel mug so you can brew coffee directly into a to-go cup. Many single serve coffee makers require you to provide your own mug or travel cup. So getting a travel mug included is a nice bonus. The travel mug has a tight sealing lid to prevent leaks or spills.

The Hamilton Beach unit itself is very simply designed without a lot of bells and whistles that drive up the cost. But it still has useful features like adjustable cup sizes, auto shut-off, and brew strength control. So you get a good set of core functionality without paying for more expensive touchscreens or specialty features found on pricier models.

Overall, for shoppers looking for an affordable but capable single serve coffee maker, the Hamilton Beach 49900 is hard to beat in terms of value. The combination of convenient features, solid performance, and budget-friendly price make this unit a great value purchase.

Comparison to Other Models

The Hamilton Beach 49900 performs well compared to other popular single serve coffee makers such as Keurig, Nespresso, and other Hamilton Beach models.

Versus Keurig

The Hamilton Beach 49900 is more affordable than most Keurig models. Keurigs are known for being simple to use, and the 49900 offers that same ease of brewing. The 49900 uses K-cups like Keurig, so there is a wide variety of coffee and tea options available. One advantage of the 49900 is that you can brew a full travel mug, unlike most Keurigs which only brew up to 12 oz.

Versus Nespresso

Nespresso machines brew espresso-style coffee, while the 49900 makes drip coffee. For someone who prefers regular coffee, the 49900 would be a better choice. It also has a much lower cost upfront. However, Nespresso machines produce coffee shop quality drinks that the 49900 cannot match.

Versus Other Hamilton Beach Models

The 49900 has a removable water reservoir, unlike some other Hamilton Beach single serve machines. It can brew larger cup sizes than the Hamilton Beach 49950 model. The 49900 has a taller design that accommodates travel mugs. It has a similar feature set to other Hamilton Beach models, like adjustable cup rest and brew strength control. The 49900 provides comparable performance and reliability to other Hamilton Beach single serve coffee makers at an affordable price point.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Brews coffee, tea, hot cocoa, iced beverages, and soup quickly and easily in under 3 minutes
• Compatible with K-Cup pods, refillable K-Cup pods, and loose ground coffee
• Removable drip tray accommodates travel mugs up to 7.1” tall
• Simple button controls with auto shut-off and indicator lights
• Affordable price point compared to similar single-serve brewers
• 1-year limited warranty

Cons

• Only brews one cup at a time
• Water reservoir could be larger than 14 ounces
• Exterior gets very hot to the touch while brewing
• No programmable brew size or temperature options
• Build quality feels cheaper than higher-end models
• No smart features like app control or scheduling

Conclusion

The Hamilton Beach 49900 is an affordable and convenient single-serve coffee maker that produces a good cup of coffee. It offers simple one-button operation, is compatible with K-Cups and refillable filters, and has a large 40oz water reservoir. The adjustable cup rest allows you to brew coffee mugs up to 7 inches tall.

Overall, the Hamilton Beach 49900 is a great option if you're looking for an easy-to-use single-serve coffee maker that doesn't cost a lot. It brews reliably, doesn't take up much counter space, and is backed by a 1-year limited warranty. The large water reservoir also means you won't have to refill it as frequently.

While it may lack some of the premium features and sleek aesthetics of more expensive models, the Hamilton Beach 49900 provides very good value for money. If you just want a basic, no-frills single-serve coffee maker that gets the job done, this Hamilton Beach model is highly recommended.