8 Tips To Up Your Single Serve Coffee Maker Game Single Serve Coffee Makers Comparison

Single-serve coffee makers are convenient for a quick cup of hot or cold coffee. They can make use of pre-packaged pods of coffee or reusable filters that are filled with ground beans.

Coffee drinkers who prioritize personalization will likely need a machine that can make a full pot of espresso or drip coffee shots. Many of these machines also address the environmental impact of disposable coffee pods using reusable or recyclable capsules.

1. Keurig K-Elite

The K-Elite is a stunning machine that has premium finishes and programmable features. It's one of the most versatile Keurig models in terms of what it can brew -- it can brew K-Cups and ground coffee, as well as hot chocolate and tea. Its large and removable 72-ounce water tank can dispense up to seven medium cups before requiring refills. It's also compatible with refillable K-Cup pods, which can save you money over the long term.

Despite having way more buttons on its control panel than other Keurig model, it's still easy to navigate and use. The top control panel features the power button, the settings button as well as up and down buttons for the menu and an "strong" button that is hot water and four different sizes of brew and an "iced" button. A large, color-coded LCD display makes it easy to determine when the machine requires a descale or refill.

Although the K-Elite is one of our top Keurig models However, it has a few downsides. single brew coffee machines can be difficult to clean, for instance, because it does not have a drip tray with a removable lid and the lid isn't secure. The spout could also cause some splatter when using smaller travel cups.

In our Coffee Makers Test Program we also tested the K-Elite and found that it performed well in all categories. It did better than average in first-cup speed, repeat speed and temperature consistency.

It was also among the fastest machines to heat water and brew cups, and it was also the most likely to not produce grounds in your coffee. The K-Elite was not able to create a more hot cup than our top models. In addition, its iced option was less flavorful than the stronger coffee. The K-Elite is a great choice to anyone who is seeking a single-serve machine. It is available from several retailers like Keurig, Amazon, Walmart, and Wayfair. You can find it for about $150. The K-Classic model is also an option if need a lower-cost model. It costs a little more than the Elite but not as much as some of our top picks.

2. Single-Serve Espresso Maker, Black+Decker

A single-serve machine enables you to make coffee quickly and on demand. These machines are smaller and compact than drip models which makes them a great option for small kitchens or dorm rooms. They are also able to make a variety of coffee drinks, including espresso shots and lattes. They are also simple to clean and operate making them an ideal choice for busy households.

The BLACK+DECKER CM618 may be among the most affordable models on the market but it has some important attributes that are worth a look. It uses an in-built filter that can accommodate ground coffee as well as pre-packaged soft coffee pods, and it comes with an auto-shutoff function that shuts the machine off after the brewing process has finished to save water and energy. It takes only minutes to make a single cup of coffee. The machine comes with a thermal travel mug that can be inserted into cup holders that are found in most cars.

In our tests, the BLACK+DECKER was able to produce a tasty pot of coffee with less than half the time that it took the typical model in our lab. It also has programs that are typically reserved for models with higher prices like an auto start.

Its sleek, retro style is an ideal choice for anyone who enjoys a coordinated look with the other appliances in your kitchen Its lightweight construction and removable water tank makes it easy to move. It was fairly user-friendly with a touch-screen control panel that was intuitive and a menu that anyone could be able to comprehend. However, the brew time was not as good as we expected in our tests, and it was not capable of reaching 195°F for five or six minutes -- the industry standard for optimal flavor. The brew temperatures were higher than the other models we test, which could lead to overheated coffee or burnt grounds. Despite these issues, the CM618 is a great option for people on a budget but want to brew their preferred K-Cup pods or own ground coffee.


3. Nespresso Vertuo Single-Serve Coffee Maker

Nespresso machines differ from K-Cup and Keurig machines due to the fact that they use their own coffee pods. The brand separates its pod-based machines into two categories: VertuoLine and Original. Original machines are designed to make espresso-based drinks. VertuoLine models are designed to make larger coffee and milk recipes, such as cappuccinos and lattes. Original machines are more expensive than VertuoLine because they are made to be used with Nespresso capsules that can be reused and recycled.

The VertuoLine NespressoXP371 comes with four different sizes of drink and intelligent capsule detection and the centrifusion brewing method. It has a sleek and modern design, as well as a removable 37-ounce tank of water. The machine is easy-to-use and features an automatic system that lets pods empty in a container built inside the machine. It takes between 15 and 20 seconds for the machine to heat up, and shuts off automatically after nine minutes.

In our tests, the XP371 produced an excellent cup of coffee. It produced a decent cup of coffee with a nice crema. It was also hot enough to drink in the mornings without burning your tongue. It was slower to prepare than other models. It took 1 minute and 51 seconds to make 7.7 ounces of coffee, which was the third-lowest speed in our tests. This isn't a huge issue however it could be a problem if used to fast morning coffee brews.

Overall the NespressoXP371 is an excellent choice for those who love coffee and espresso who want to cut down on waste. Its design is more luxurious than the average pod brewer, and it's compatible with Nespresso's capsules that are reusable, which are greener than the K-Cups and other traditional pods on market. The VertuoLine's high price and dependence on proprietary capsules may turn some buyers off.

If you don't have the money to buy a top-rated pod coffee maker, but would like to have the convenience of a single-serve machine then we suggest you check out our review of reusable cups. You can also use one of our favorite cup insulated ones to keep your tea or coffee warm.

4. Cuisinart DCC-1200

This coffee maker has been praised by thousands of customers for its ease of use features, and many other models do not include them. Its price tag is also affordable for a machine of its quality and has a stylish design. However, a few users have reported this model as a possible fire risk which is something to certainly keep in mind if you are considering buying it.

The fully automatic coffeemaker features the ability to be programmed for 24 hours and you can set it to make one or four cups at once or an entire pot of 12 cups. The carafe has an insulated design, and the permanent gold-tone wire mesh filter and charcoal filter eliminate impurities, which enhances the flavor of the brewed beverage. The "Brew Pause", which stops the brewing process for 30 seconds, allows you to pour the contents of a cup. The auto-cleaning feature keeps the tank clean.

The controls on this coffee maker are equally spaced and clearly marked and easy to determine what each button is at a glance. Other features include a self-cleaning, alerts to decalcify the carafe and tank, an automatic shutoff, and a knuckle guard dripless spout for comfortable pouring. The coffee maker is very easy to use, and its brushed stainless steel finish is beautiful on the counter.

Some customers have complained that the permanent gold toned wire mesh filter is difficult to clean. This may be an issue for people who prefer paper filters. A few users have also reported that the reservoir does not fill properly due to a flaw in the design that pushes water into the filter through a tiny hole in the back of the machine.

A few people have also complained that their Cuisinart coffee maker spits coffee grounds and water all over the counter when it is operating, but this seems to be an uncommon occurrence. This is a fantastic coffee maker if you're looking for a basic model with many convenience features for affordable prices.