Which Single Cup Coffee Maker is Right For You?

There are many options available when it comes time to make coffee. Which one is the best for you?

Single cup coffee makers offer convenience at the touch of a button. The machines make use of pods from the store or capsules (like K-Cups) to brew your desired beverage. These are typically made from plastic or aluminum, which can result in a significant waste.

1. Easy to use

For those who require a quick cup of joe but don't have room for larger brewers Single-cup coffee makers could help. They're easy to use, and they offer a variety of brewing options to suit different preferences. They are smaller on the counter than a traditional coffee maker. This can be a huge plus in a small kitchen.

Most of the models we tested can use ground coffee or pre-portioned store-bought pods or capsules. The pods, which are tiny cups made of aluminum or plastic are filled with pre-measured coffee grounds as well as a built in filter. They're easy to use and less expensive than buying whole beans however they can become costly in the long run. Many companies make reused filters that can be used in conjunction with their pods. You can reuse these filters.

Some machines can also make iced coffee and some offer milk-frothing attachments for cappuccinos or lattes. Others such as our top choice can brew coffee and tea. We evaluated the models on their function durability, reliability, ease of setup and breakdown, aesthetics and included warranty to find the best brewers that use a single cup for use at home.

Our top pick stood out from the crowd because of its simple design, a variety of options for brewing and its simple one-touch operation. It produced the hottest cup of the bunch that could accommodate a variety of sizes of brewing, and was the easiest to clean of all the models we test.

Additionally it has an integrated grinder that we found to be the most useful feature of the single-cup brewers that we tested. It could grind regular and dark roast beans to the same level of fineness and was extremely quiet when in operation. We also found it to be the most durable machine we tested, and its small footprint made it easy to stash in tight spaces.

One last note: While it's great that single serving coffee maker-cup brewers can be used with grounds and pods however, we wouldn't recommend them to anyone looking to make their own pods to reuse. These are typically a combination of aluminium and plastic, which can be hard on the heating element of the machine over time. Coffee bags are made from a combination of filter paper and plant based materials. This is a greener option.

2. Easy to clean

A single-cup coffeemaker uses whole or ground beans and a filter, to make the perfect cup of freshly brewed coffee brewer single cup. Most models utilize pods. These are small aluminum or plastic cups that contain preportioned ground beans and an integrated filter. Keurig K-Cups contain polypropylene, which is recyclable. However, you should inquire with your local recycling facility if this material is accepted. Nespresso capsules are made of aluminum and are also usually recyclable.

3. Coffee makers that are cheaper

Coffee is a cherished beverage, but there's no need to shell out a lot of money for the largest brewing equipment. Single-serve coffee brewers like the Keurig, are a great way to make a quick cup for yourself or your coworker. They also have the added benefit of being a great way for people to gather to socialize over a cup of coffee.

The majority of single-serve systems are ground coffee pre-portioned into small aluminum or plastic pods that have an integrated filter that allows the process to be quick and easy. The pods are single-use and convenient, but they can be more expensive than using your own beans and cause a lot waste. However, companies such as Green Mountain and Wolfgang Puck provide a variety of Fair Trade and organic K-Cups that are affordable and environmentally friendly.

Another option to use the pre-portioned coffee pods used by single serve coffee machine-serve brewers is using your own ground coffee using a reusable filter, which will eliminate the need to purchase and discarding single-use coffee pods. Although this may take a bit more time to prepare, it could save you money in the long run. Moreover it lets you select your own coffee instead of having to stick with the same brand every time.

You need to consider the amount of coffee you consume often and if the convenience or the ritual is more important to you. If you drink a lot of coffee and frequently find yourself sprinting out the door with a mug in your hand, it may be worthwhile to invest in a single-serve brewer.

If you consume only a few cups of coffee a day, it could be worth investing in a drip or percolator machine capable of handling large quantities at once. This will allow you to have a variety of tastes and avoid having to throw the coffee that has been burned or stale.