Power XL Grind and Go Coffee Maker

The Power XL Grind and Go is a grind-and-brew coffee maker that puts a built-in blade grinder on top of a single-serve drip brewer. You dump whole beans in the top, press a button, and it grinds the beans and brews directly into the included travel mug. The whole process takes about 5-6 minutes. I bought one on impulse after seeing a late-night infomercial (no judgment, please), and I've used it on and off for about a year. Here's my honest take.

The concept is appealing: fresh-ground coffee with zero extra steps or equipment. But the execution has some real limitations that you should know about before spending your $40-50 on one.

How It Works

The Power XL Grind and Go has a straightforward design. The top chamber holds whole beans (about 2 tablespoons for a single serving). Below that is a blade grinder. Below the grinder is a drip brew basket with a reusable mesh filter. And at the bottom sits a 16-ounce stainless steel travel mug.

Press the power button, and the blade grinder runs for about 15-20 seconds, chopping the beans. Then the machine heats water and drips it through the ground coffee into the mug below. Total time from button press to finished coffee is roughly 5-6 minutes, depending on the brew size.

There's a grind selector with two settings: coarse and fine. "Coarse" runs the blade for less time, "fine" runs it longer. Simple enough.

What's in the Box

You get the brew unit, the travel mug with a silicone lid, the reusable mesh filter, a measuring scoop, and a cleaning brush. No paper filters needed, which saves ongoing costs.

The Coffee It Makes

Let me be direct: the Power XL Grind and Go makes acceptable coffee. Not great, not terrible. It's better than pre-ground coffee that's been sitting in your pantry for three weeks. But it's not in the same category as coffee from a proper burr grinder and a decent drip maker.

The Blade Grinder Problem

The built-in grinder uses blades, not burrs. I've talked about this distinction in other articles, but the quick version: blades chop beans into random-sized particles, from fine powder to coarse chunks. This means uneven extraction during brewing. The fine particles over-extract (bitter) while the coarse particles under-extract (weak and sour). You end up with a cup that's simultaneously bitter and thin.

That said, the grind-and-brew format does have one genuine advantage over buying pre-ground coffee. Freshly ground beans, even with a blade grinder, retain more aromatic compounds than coffee that was ground days or weeks ago. So you get more aroma and flavor brightness than stale pre-ground, even if the extraction isn't perfectly even.

Brew Temperature

I measured the brew temperature with a kitchen thermometer, and the water comes through at about 185-190 degrees Fahrenheit. Ideal brewing temperature is 195-205 degrees. The lower temp means under-extraction, which contributes to that thin, slightly flat taste I notice with this machine.

Higher-end drip machines hit the right temperature range. The Power XL doesn't.

Build Quality

The Power XL Grind and Go is a $40-50 appliance, and it feels like one. The body is lightweight plastic. The grinder lid doesn't seal tightly. The travel mug is decent stainless steel, but the silicone lid tends to leak if you tip it past about 45 degrees.

After a year of regular use (maybe 3-4 times per week), my unit still functions. Nothing has broken. But the plastic feels like it wouldn't survive a drop from counter height, and the grinder blade has dulled slightly compared to when it was new.

Cleaning

Cleaning is straightforward but a bit tedious. The grinder chamber needs to be wiped out after each use because wet coffee grounds stick to the blade housing. The mesh filter rinses clean under running water. The brew basket is not dishwasher safe, so hand washing is required.

The travel mug is dishwasher safe, which is nice.

One annoyance: coffee grounds inevitably get into the water reservoir area over time. Bits of ground coffee fall through gaps in the assembly. I've cleaned mine out with a small brush, but it's a recurring problem.

Who This Machine Is For

I think the Power XL Grind and Go makes sense for a very specific person.

The Office Desk User

If you have a desk at work, no access to a good coffee shop, and you're currently drinking K-cups or instant coffee, this machine is an upgrade. It's compact, self-contained, and makes something better than what you had before. The travel mug design means no extra dishes.

The "I Don't Want Extra Equipment" Person

Some people don't want a grinder and a separate coffee maker taking up counter space. If your bar for coffee quality is "better than Folgers from a can," the Grind and Go meets that bar. It's a single appliance that does two jobs.

Who Should Skip It

If you already own even a basic burr grinder and a pour-over cone, you're making better coffee than this machine can produce. If you care about extraction quality, brew temperature, or grind consistency, the Grind and Go will disappoint you.

For people ready to step up to a proper setup, our best coffee grinder roundup covers standalone grinders that pair with any brew method. The top coffee grinder list has our latest picks.

Power XL Grind and Go vs. Alternatives

vs. A Cheap Burr Grinder + $5 Pour-Over Cone

For the same $50 you'd spend on the Power XL, you could buy a Javapresse manual burr grinder ($25) and a Melitta pour-over cone ($5) and still have money left for a bag of good beans. The coffee would be noticeably better. The trade-off: more effort and cleanup, two pieces of equipment instead of one.

vs. Cuisinart Grind and Brew (DGB-550)

The Cuisinart Grind and Brew ($80-100) is a grind-and-brew machine with a conical burr grinder instead of blades. It also makes a full pot (12 cups) instead of a single serving. If the concept of grind-and-brew appeals to you and you can spend a bit more, the Cuisinart is a significant upgrade in grind quality and brew volume.

vs. K-Cup Machines

Keurig-style machines use pre-ground, pre-portioned pods. The Power XL uses whole beans, which gives it a freshness advantage. But K-cup machines are faster (about 1 minute per cup vs. 5-6 minutes), and cleanup is easier (toss the pod). For taste, the Power XL wins slightly over basic K-cups, but high-quality K-cup brands close that gap.

Tips for Better Results

If you already own a Power XL Grind and Go, here are some things that improved my cups.

Use the fine grind setting. The coarse setting produces chunks too large for the brew time. Fine gives you better extraction, even if it's still uneven.

Use slightly less coffee than recommended. The scoop they include is generous. Using about 1.5 scoops instead of 2 reduces the over-extracted bitter notes.

Pre-heat the mug. Fill the travel mug with hot water while the machine heats up. Dump it right before brewing. This keeps the brew temperature higher during extraction.

Descale monthly. Run white vinegar through a brew cycle (no coffee) once a month to prevent mineral buildup that reduces water temperature even further.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use pre-ground coffee in the Power XL Grind and Go?

Yes. Skip the grind step and put pre-ground coffee directly in the filter basket. This is actually useful if you buy quality pre-ground coffee from a local roaster, since it bypasses the blade grinder issue entirely.

How loud is the grinder?

Fairly loud. The blade grinder runs at high RPM and produces about 80-85 decibels, similar to a blender. It only runs for 15-20 seconds, but it's not quiet enough for a shared office space.

Can I brew into a different mug?

The machine is designed for the included travel mug, but any mug that fits under the brew basket works. The drip opening is about 3 inches wide, so standard coffee mugs fit. You just won't have a lid or travel seal.

How long does the Power XL Grind and Go last?

Based on user reviews and my own experience, 1-2 years is typical with regular use. The blade dulls, the heating element weakens, and the plastic components wear. At $40-50, it's a disposable appliance rather than a long-term investment.

My Honest Assessment

The Power XL Grind and Go is a budget convenience product. It makes fresh-ground coffee with minimal effort, and that's genuinely better than stale pre-ground or instant. But it's not a path to good coffee. The blade grinder, low brew temperature, and flimsy build all cap its potential. If you just need something simple for a dorm room, office desk, or travel bag, it fills that role. For anyone serious about coffee quality, put that $50 toward a manual burr grinder and a pour-over cone instead.