Hamilton Beach 49980R Single Serve coffee maker: Full Review

The Hamilton Beach 49980R is a single-serve coffee maker with a sleek and compact design that brews a quick cup using K-Cup pods. This affordable model offers programmable settings, adjustable cup sizes, and useful features like an auto shut-off function and a removable water reservoir. The 49980R aims to provide the convenience of single-serve brewing without taking up excessive counter space in your kitchen. With pod-piercing brewing technology, it can accommodate any brand of K-Cup pod to deliver a fresh cup of coffee, tea, hot chocolate or specialty beverages on demand. This introductory model from Hamilton Beach brings single-serve functionality to those seeking an efficient and fast brewer that gets the basics right.

Design

The Hamilton Beach 49980R single serve coffee maker has a sleek and compact design that won't take up much space on your kitchen counter. It measures 10.2 x 7.1 x 10.9 inches and weighs just 5.1 pounds, so it has a very small footprint without sacrificing brew performance.

The coffee maker comes in three color options - black, red, and stainless steel - so you can choose the one that best matches your kitchen decor. The black and red models both feature a smooth, matte finish that resists fingerprints. The stainless steel version has a polished steel facade that lends an elegant, premium look.

Despite its small size, the machine doesn't feel flimsy or cheap. The sturdy plastic housing and stainless steel accents give it some nice heft. The water reservoir lifts up easily but stays locked firmly in place during brewing. Overall, the well-built coffeemaker looks and feels more expensive than its budget-friendly price tag suggests.

Another excellent option to consider is the Keurig K-Elite. This coffee maker offers a premium brewing experience, featuring a strong brew setting for extra bold coffee and an iced setting for refreshing cold drinks. With its user-friendly interface and a large water reservoir, the K-Elite ensures you can prepare multiple cups in one go. The sleek design and customizable brew sizes make it a stylish and practical addition to any kitchen, catering to the diverse preferences of coffee lovers.

Features

The Hamilton Beach 49980A Single Serve Coffee Maker comes with a number of useful features that make brewing coffee convenient.

• Brew Sizes: This single serve coffee maker can brew coffee in 3 sizes - 14 oz travel mug, 10 oz mug, and 5 oz mug. This allows you to brew the perfect amount for your needs, whether you want a large travel mug for your commute or a smaller cup just for yourself.

• Brew Strength Control: There are two brew strength options - bold and regular. Choose bold for a stronger, bolder flavored coffee or regular for a standard cup. This gives you more control over the strength and flavor of your brew.

• Programmable Settings: The Hamilton Beach coffee maker has programmable auto shutoff so you can set it to turn off after 1 hour or 2 hours. This helps save energy. There is also a programmable clock so you can set the machine to start brewing at a certain time. If you want to wake up to a hot, freshly brewed cup, just program it the night before.

Ease of Use

The Hamilton Beach 49980R coffee maker is designed to be simple and intuitive to use. It has an easy-to-read digital display that walks you through the brewing process.

There are only a few buttons on the front of the machine - power, program, brew, and brew size. The power button turns the machine on and off. The program button allows you to set the 24 hour programmable timer. With the brew button, you can select your desired brew size from regular (9.5 oz) to extra large mug (14 oz).

Programming the coffee maker is straightforward. You use the program button to set the clock and program your desired brew time. The digital display will flash and beep to prompt you to set the time you want it to automatically brew.

The display screen clearly shows the clock time, the programmed time, and your selected brew size. During brewing, it displays a progress bar to let you know when your coffee will be ready. The interface is intuitive even for beginners.

Overall, the Hamilton Beach 49980R coffee maker achieves simplicity and ease of use with its finger-friendly buttons and clear digital display. Just a few button presses are needed to start brewing a customizable cup of coffee.

Brew Performance

The Hamilton Beach 49980R Single Serve Coffee Maker brews coffee fast, with a cycle time of less than 90 seconds for a full travel mug. This is comparable to other single serve coffee makers in this price range.

The water is heated to an optimal coffee brewing temperature between 195-205°F before being sprayed over the coffee grounds. This hot water extraction helps bring out the full flavor of the coffee.

In testing, the coffee comes out piping hot. The flavor is decent but not as rich and robust as more expensive single serve coffee makers. This is expected for the price. The 49980R uses a simple K-cup pod holder with no fancy brewing technologies like some pricier models. Overall, it produces an enjoyable cup of coffee with good temperature and quick brew speed.

Capacity

The Hamilton Beach 49980R single serve coffee maker has a 40oz water reservoir, which allows you to brew multiple cups before needing a refill. The water tank is easy to access and removes for fast filling.

Once coffee is brewed, the used grounds collect in an internal container that is big enough for 10-14 uses before needing to be emptied. This means you won't have to empty after every use, but also ensures the grounds don't overflow. The process of removing and cleaning the grounds container is straightforward.

Overall, the generous 40oz water reservoir and internal used grounds container provides the capacity for several servings of coffee between refills or cleanings. You won't have to stop brewing as frequently as some single serve models.

Cleaning and Maintenance

The Hamilton Beach 49980R is relatively easy to clean and maintain. The drip tray and water reservoir are removable for quick cleaning.

To descale the machine, you should use a vinegar solution. Fill the water reservoir with equal parts vinegar and water. Run a cleaning cycle without a pod to allow the descaling solution to flow through the internal components. Rinse thoroughly with fresh water when complete.

The pod holder is removable which allows you to access the pod brewing chamber for cleaning. You can use a damp cloth to wipe out any coffee residue after each use.

The exterior can be wiped down with a soft damp cloth as needed. Avoid abrasive cleaners or pads that could scratch the stainless steel.

Overall, the cleaning process is straightforward with removable, dishwasher safe parts. Just remember to descale regularly, wipe out the pod holder, and do a quick wipe down of the exterior to keep your Hamilton Beach unit looking great.

Noise Level

The Hamilton Beach 49980R Single Serve Coffee Maker operates quietly. The brewing process does not produce excessive noise that would disturb others.

According to reviews, the noise level is acceptable for an in-home single serve coffee maker. The machine doesn't have a loud buzzing or whirring sound when brewing. The sound is described as similar to a muted fan.

Some users report the machine makes a bit more noise when the internals need to be descaled to remove mineral buildup. But in general, the noise level is quiet enough for an office or shared living space. The brewer won't wake up the whole household when making your morning coffee.

The lack of annoying noise is appreciated by owners. It allows you to brew fresh cups of coffee without disturbing those around you. The Hamilton Beach 49980R earns positive marks for its quiet operation.

Value and Warranty

The Hamilton Beach 49980A Single Serve Coffee Maker typically retails for around $30-40, making it very affordable compared to other single serve coffee makers.

It comes with the brewing unit and a 14 oz travel mug. Additional accessories like filters and mugs need to be purchased separately.

The included 1-year limited warranty protects against defects in materials and workmanship. This is pretty standard for appliances in this price range.

Overall, the Hamilton Beach 49980A provides good value given its low price point, included travel mug, and 1-year warranty. The lack of accessories may be a drawback for some. But replacement parts and accessories are inexpensive if purchased separately.

Reviews

The Hamilton Beach 49980R single serve coffee maker has received positive reviews from both experts and customers.

Expert Reviews

Experts praise the 49980R for its versatility, customization options, and durability. CNET says it "serves up a perfect cup of coffee every time" and likes that you can control brew strength and size. The Spruce Eats highlights the adjustable cup rest that fits tall travel mugs. Most experts note the plastic construction but find it to be durable and long-lasting.

Customer Reviews

This coffee maker has over 5,000 reviews on Amazon with an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars. Positive reviews mention how easy it is to use and how delicious the coffee tastes. Many love the convenience of making a quick single cup without needing pods. Some reviewers note that it doesn't have many fancy features but works well for basic coffee. A few customers had issues with leaks, but the majority are very satisfied with the performance, especially for the price.