11 "Faux Pas" That Are Actually Okay To Create Using Your Best Single Brew Coffee Maker
Best Single Brew Coffee Makers
There's no better way to kick off your day than with a cup of freshly brewed coffee designed for you. We are a fan of single-brew coffee makers for this reason.
Take note of what is essential for your brewing requirements and what features would consider frills. Our criteria includes a large reservoir, multiple brew settings and the use of reusable coffee pods.
1. Is it possible to buy capsules or ground coffee from this machine?
Based on your preferences You may decide to choose a model which makes coffee using coffee pods or ground beans. While we've included a few models that use only coffee pods in our roundup, the majority can accommodate both. These models are an excellent choice for those who want to have a wide range of options.
Our top choice is the Nespresso Vertuo Plus, is an excellent example of this. It's part of the brand's newer Vertuoline and offers a one-touch system that is foolproof and delivers excellent espresso shots and brewed coffee. It's also the most efficient machine we've seen in our tests, and comes with reusable capsules that are kinder to the environment than K-Cups.
The Cuisinart grind & Brew is a fantastic option for those who prefer ground coffee. It comes with a built-in conical grinder that creates freshly-ground coffee. It also offers three brewing sizes that are pre-set including eight ounces, ten and twelve inches. It's a bit more costly than some of the other single-serve coffee makers in our lineup however, it was one of the best-tasting models we tested and it does away with the need to throw away K-Cups or the waste that comes with the waste associated with them.
People who want the flexibility of using both kinds of pods or grounds may appreciate the runner-up in our review, the Instant Pot Dual Pod Plus. It's a model that's versatile, since it can brew with Keurig K-Cups or original Nespresso capsules. The company also sells its own compostable capsules. It also produces the most intense coffee we've ever tested and has a range of other features including hot tea water or a milk frother.
2. Is there a large reservoir of water?
The best single brew coffee maker will have a large water reservoir that can easily keep up with your needs. This will stop your machine from running out of water continuously which can affect the quality of the coffee. When you are choosing a coffee maker, the amount of water in the reservoir is crucial. It will determine the frequency you need to refill and drain the tank.
The BLACK+DECKER Compact Single-Serve Coffee Maker is a great alternative for those looking for a machine that is simple to use that won't break their bank. It can make one cup of coffee in less than two minutes, and it can be programmed to brew for up to 24 hours in advance. This is ideal for people who are always moving. This machine is compact and fits on a small counter. It's also the least expensive among our top choices. It also produces the hottest coffee we've seen and comes with a travel mug for convenience. It did not score as high as the other brewers we tried however, its water reservoir was relatively small.
If you're willing spend more, the Keurig K.Supreme Smart Single-Serve coffee maker is our top upgrade choice. It's a great design and features that stood out in our tests. It has fast brewing times and high temperatures for coffee, and the possibility of three different brew sizes, and it's extremely simple to use. The only downside is that it requires a one-hour process to descale which could be a pain for those who drink lots of coffee on a regular basis.
3. Does it have multiple brew settings?
The top single-brew coffee maker can be set to multiple settings, including different cup sizes, types and quantities of drinks, as well as the possibility of making a cold brew. This allows you to customize your drink to exactly how you like it and save time by skipping the process of boiling your coffee and steeping it in hot water. This method also uses cooler water, which can help keep the flavor of your coffee.
Epi's reviews editor Noah Kaufman is a big fan of the Bruvi single-serve coffee maker due to its numerous one-touch brewing options to allow you to make the perfect cup coffee, whether you prefer a low acid drink or espresso-like shot served over ice. The Bruvi has a brewing option which takes longer than a quick brew, but it's worth it if you're looking for smooth and rich coffee.
In our tests, Bruvi consistently brewed an equally hot cup of coffee compared to all other single-serve machines that we tested. Its brewing process and timer are easy to program and keeps your beverage hot for up to four hours. If you're a fan of cold brew, the Bruvi also has a setting for brewing that adjusts the temperature and brew times to create a deliciously refreshing beverage.
Breville Precision Brewer was another standout, offering six brew settings, including Gold Strong, Fast and Iced. The Gold setting is inspired by the Specialty Coffee Association's guidelines for making the perfect cup of coffee. All other settings can be altered to your personal preferences. Contrary to other single-serve brewers we tried Breville Precision Breville Precision has a narrower base, which helped it to hold its brew temperature more effectively and allow for deeper saturation and an even extraction of the beans.
4. Does it come with an automatic cleaning feature?
The top single-cup coffee makers have an automatic cleaning feature that cleans any grounds that remain or used K-Cup pods from the machine after every use. Certain models can even alert you to the need for a cleaning cycle. It is important to read the user manual of the machine or manufacturer website for specific instructions because different machines use various cleaning methods.
The single-serve coffee maker by Bruvi is among our top choices due to its simple and user-friendly interface, produces great-tasting coffee, and requires minimal daily maintenance. It comes with a large reservoir of water and can be used to brew hot or iced coffee. It also offers a variety of one-touch brewing options, including low acid, Americano, and cold brew. Its one disadvantage is that it takes longer to drink than other models, however this is a minor issue in an otherwise excellent product.
This coffee maker is a great budget option because it's cheap and makes a great cup of coffee. It has an ejectable water tank that weighs 40 ounces that can be used for K-Cups or ground coffee. Its user manual includes detailed instructions for taking the reservoir off and refilling it, emptying it, and for regular descaling. Unlike many other single-cup coffeemakers that require a disposable filter or reusable pods, and can be used to brew any kind of coffee.
This coffee maker is ideal for those who enjoy the convenience of single-serve K-Cups but aren't a fan of the taste or waste that comes with them. It comes with a large water tank as well as an integrated grinder that allows you to make a delicious cup of coffee from ground beans. It offers a variety of brewing options, including strong and over ice, and can be utilized with recyclable K-Cups or the brand's own recycled pods. It also has steam buttons to make tea and a fold-away froth.
5. Does single pod coffee maker have a programmeable timer?
The most programmable coffee maker lets you set it the night before so that you awake to freshly brewed, hot coffee. This is particularly useful for those who are on the go or who don't need a pour-over or Moka pot.
Most programmable machines come with the basic timer that runs for 24 hours. If you're looking for more advanced features, you might want to consider De'Longhi's COM532 which is our top single-cup pod machine. It features a digital touch screen and multiple options to alter the coffee you drink such as the temperature of the brew and the intensity. It's pricey, but it produces the most intense coffee out of any of our tested machines and its carafe is able to keep it at an optimal drinking temperature for over an hour after brewing.
If you're looking for a affordable programmable coffee maker look into the Black + Decker Classic Single-Serve Coffeemaker. It has a small footprint, and is compatible with ESE (Eco-friendly Single-Serve) pods, and offers simple controls that are easy to use. It scored very well in our taste test, is brews quickly, and has a dishwasher-safe water tank.
If you're tired of buying pre-packaged coffee pods and want to save even more money, consider a single-cup or manual drip brewer. You can grind your beans yourself for a more fresh flavor and to have more control over your drink's flavor. It takes more time than using a machine that uses pods, but if you are a coffee lover it might be worth the effort. To get reliable results make sure you weigh your coffee grounds and beans on a scale, instead of measuring volume.