It's The Perfect Time To Broaden Your Single Serve Coffee Maker Options

Single Serve Coffee Makers Comparison

single serve coffee brewer-serve coffee machines are ideal for quick cups or cold brew. They can make use of pre-packaged bags of coffee or reusable filters stuffed with ground beans.

Coffee drinkers who are adamant about individualization will likely require a machine that can make an entire pot of espresso-style drip coffee or drip shots. These machines are also designed to reduce the environmental impact of disposable coffee pods. They use reusable or recyclable capsules.

1. Keurig K-Elite

The K-Elite is a stunning design that combines premium finishes with programmable features. It's one of the most versatile Keurig models in terms of the types of drinks it can brew -- it supports K-Cups and ground coffee and hot tea and chocolate. Its large and removable 72-ounce water tank can dispense up to seven medium cups before requiring a refill. It is also compatible with reusable K-Cups, which will save you money over time.

It's easy to navigate, even having more buttons than any other Keurig. The top control panel contains the power button as well as a settings button. It also has up and down buttons to navigate the menu. There are four different sizes of brew buttons, an "iced button" as well as a "strong button", and one for hot water. A large, color-coded LCD display allows you to easily see when the machine needs to descale or a refill.

While the K-Elite is among our favorite Keurig models however, it has some downsides. For example, it can be difficult to clean, since it doesn't have an adjustable drip tray, and the lid isn't secure. The spout could also result in splatters when you use shorter travel cups.

In our Coffee Makers Test Program we also tried the K-Elite and found it to perform well in a variety of categories. It scored above average in first-cup speed, temperature consistency and repeat speed.

It was also one of the fastest to heat water and brew the cup, and was also the most likely to not produce grounds in your coffee. The K-Elite could not make a hotter cup than some of our top models. The iced coffee was less flavorful than the strong coffee. The K-Elite is a fantastic choice for anyone looking for a single serving coffee maker-serve machine. It is available to purchase from numerous retailers, including Keurig's website, Amazon, Walmart and Wayfair. You can purchase it for about $150. The K-Classic model is also an option if need a lower-cost model. It's priced a bit higher than the Elite but it's not as expensive as our other top models.

2. Single-Serve Espresso Maker, Black+Decker

A single-serve machine enables you to make coffee quickly and on demand. These machines are smaller, more compact and perfect for small kitchens or dorms. They can also make a variety coffee drinks, including espresso shots and lattes. They are simple to use and clean which makes them a great choice for busy families.

The BLACK+DECKER CM618 is among the most affordable models available, but it still offers certain key features worth a look. It has an in-built filter that can accommodate both ground coffee and pre-packaged soft coffee pods and it has an auto-shutoff feature that shuts the machine off after brewing to save water and energy. It takes just a few minutes to make a single cup of coffee. The machine comes with a travel cup that is thermal that fits in most cup holders in cars.

In our tests the BLACK+DECKER was capable to make a delicious pot of coffee in less than half the time that it took the typical model we tested in our lab. It also has some programmable features that are generally reserved for more expensive brewers including an automatic start.

Its retro-styled design is perfect for those who prefer to blend their kitchen appliances. Its lightweight design and removable tank make it easy to move. It was surprisingly easy to use with a touch-screen control panel that was intuitive and a menu that anyone could understand. However, the brew time was not the best single brew coffee maker in our tests, and it wasn't able to reach 195degF for five or six minutes--the industry standard for optimal flavor. The brew temperatures were also higher than other models we tested which could result in overheated coffee or burnt grounds. Despite these issues the CM618 remains an excellent option for those on a tight budget who want to brew K-Cup pods and their own ground coffee.

3. Nespresso Vertuo single serving french press-Serve Coffee Maker

Nespresso machines are a bit different from K-Cup and Keurig machines in that they are the only ones that use the brand's own coffee and espresso pods. The brand separates its pod-based machines into two categories: Original and VertuoLine. VertuoLine machines are designed to make larger coffee and milk recipes, like cappuccinos and lattes. Because they're designed to be used with Nespresso's sustainable and reusable capsules, Original machines are more expensive than VertuoLine models.

The VertuoLine Nespresso XP371 offers four different sizes of drinks and smart capsule detection technology, and the company's signature centrifusion brewing method. It is sleek and modern design, as well as a removable 37-ounce water tank. It is simple to use and comes with an automated system which ejects used pods in a container built inside the machine. It takes 15 to 20 seconds for the machine to get heated and then shuts down after nine minutes.

In our tests, we discovered that the XP371 was a great cup. It made a great cup of coffee that had a lovely crema. It was also hot enough to drink in the morning without burning your tongue. However, it was slower than other models to make. It took 1 minute and 51 secs to make 7,7 ounces. This was the third-fastest of the models we examined. This isn't a huge issue but it could be a problem if you're used to fast morning coffee and brews.

Overall, the NespressoXP371 makes a great choice for coffee and espresso enthusiasts who want to reduce waste. Its design is a bit more luxurious than a typical pod brewer and it's compatible with Nespresso's reusable capsules, which are more eco-friendly than K-Cups and other traditional pods on the market. However, the VertuoLine XP371's pricey cost and dependence on proprietary capsules can be a deterrent for some potential buyers.

If you don't have the money to buy a reputable pod coffee maker, but still would like to have the convenience of a single serve coffee machines-serve machine, then we suggest you check out our review of disposable cups. You could also consider one of our favorite tumblers that are insulated to keep your coffee or tea warm.

4. Cuisinart DCC-1200

This coffee maker has received thousands of favorable reviews from its users and comes with a variety of convenient features that other models don't have. The price is affordable for a top-quality machine and it has a sleek look. However, a few users have reported this model as a potential fire hazard, and this is something to be aware of in the event that you're thinking of buying it.

This fully automatic coffeemaker has 24-hour programming, and you can set it to brew one or four cups at a time, or an entire pot of 12 cups. The carafe has an insulated design, and the permanent gold-tone wire mesh filter as well as charcoal filter remove impurities, enhancing the flavor of the brewed beverage. There's a 30 second "Brew Pause" feature that will stop the brewing process to allow you to make a cup, and the auto-cleaning feature keeps the tank clean.

The controls on the coffee maker are evenly spaced and clearly marked making it easy to determine what each button is at an instant. Other features include a self-cleaning cycle, alerts to decalcify the carafe and tank, an automatic shutoff, and a drip-free knuckle guard spill spout to allow for ease of pouring. This coffee maker is easy to use and has a beautiful brushed stainless finish.

However, some customers have reported that the permanent gold tone wire mesh filter difficult to clean, and this may be a problem for those who prefer paper filters. Additionally, some have reported that they cannot get the reservoir to fill up correctly due to an issue with the design that pushes water through a small hole in the back of the machine and into the filter.

Some have complained that their Cuisinart coffee maker spills coffee grounds and water all over the counter when it is operating but this appears to be a rare occurrence. In all likelihood, this is a fantastic coffee maker that is worth checking out if you are seeking a basic model that has plenty of convenient features at a very reasonable cost.