An All-Inclusive List Of Best Single Cup Coffee Maker Dos And Don'ts
The Best Single Cup Coffee Maker
If convenience is the primary aspect to you, then a single cup coffee maker might be the right choice. These machines are smaller and simpler to use than drip coffee makers.
You can pick between models that use K-Cups or original Nespresso pods, or reusable aftermarket pods. Some also make iced drinks or espresso-style shots.
1. Cuisinart Grind & Brew
This machine is designed to be sleek and stylish. It can grind and brew a single cup or a full pot. It is smaller than other coffee makers equipped with grinders. This allows you to make use of the counter space to other appliances. Unlike some grinders that can leave the coffee with a coarse, granular consistency the Grind & Brew uses a burr grinder that is designed to precisely crush beans to a specific size. This makes for an even ground coffee.
The Grind & Brew also features an automatic shut-off and a showerhead design that distributes the water evenly across the grounds, which helps ensure consistency from brew-to-brew. It can be programmed to start brewing up to 24 hrs ahead of time, and it provides multiple control options such as an adjustable clock display and coffee strength (mild medium, medium, or powerful), and a brew pause feature that allows you to pour a cup out without halting the process.
One of the most interesting things about this model is that it is able to brew from both whole beans and K-Cups. Choosing between the two depends on your preferences. The machine can hold up to 12 K-Cups or you can fill the hopper with beans that are whole. The timing of brewing is a bit slower than our top pick, but it's still fast enough to have their coffee brewed when they wake up.
In general the Grind & Brew performed well in our tests, but it fell short of our highest overall score. Its brew temperatures were the most unstable of all models we tested. It fluctuated from the initial brew to the fifth by almost 5 degrees, and it never achieved the 195-degree target set by the SCAA for excellent coffee.
It's worth having an exclusive grinder/brewer for your mornings. The machine is easy-to-use and easy to clean. All of its components are easily positioned and can be opened or closed with a satisfying "clunk". It's also light and compact and is a nice feature for those who don't have a lot of extra countertop space.
2. Smeg Drip coffee maker
If you're looking for a sleek and compact single cup coffee maker to add to your kitchen, this one from SMEG is a great choice. The Italian-based company is famous for its retro-styled appliances from the 1950s and this drip filter coffee maker blends function and form in an elegant style that will look great on your counter. The auto-start function lets you to wake up with fresh coffee. It can make 10 cups at once. You can also customize the strength of your brew by selecting between two aroma settings (Delicate or Intense) and set an end-of-brewing alarm to remind you when it's ready.
This programmable espresso maker has an ample water tank of 1.4 liters, so you'll never run out of water. The reusable filter helps reduce waste, and there's a clear indicator of the water level to let you know when it's time to refill. You can also use this coffee maker to make hot chocolate and herbal tea. single coffee machines brewing process can be completed in a short time, and the keep-warm tray helps keep your coffee warm until you are ready to drink.
This SMEG drip-filter coffee maker has four push buttons that are simple to use. The LED clock shows the current settings. The permanent filter is dishwasher-safe, and it can be used again and again. The spout has been designed to avoid spills. If you reside in an area with hard water the SMEG drip filter coffee maker has to be cleaned regularly. There is a descale symbol on the front of the machine and you can easily descale it by pouring the descaler solution or powder into the reservoir of water and pressing the on/off and automatic-start buttons for five seconds.
Another bonus of this drip filter coffee maker that can be programmed is that it is compatible with ESE pods, which are an eco-friendly alternative to K-Cups and other single-serve pods. The only downside to this coffee maker is that it does not have an automatic brew timer. Therefore, you'll have to manually adjust the time of brewing every morning.
3. Oxo Brew 12-Cup Thermal Carafe
If you're seeking a coffee maker that can make a whole pot of coffee or just one cup and you're looking for a coffee maker that can do both, the Oxo Brew 12-Cup Thermal Carafe is worth looking into. It comes with a double-wall vacuum-insulated stainless steel thermal carafe that will keep your coffee hot for long hours. It also features an interactive display screen that is user-friendly and comes with a mixer tube that can be removed. The machine can be programmed up to 24 hours in advance and the backlit LCD display displays the remaining time until the coffee is ready.
This coffee maker comes with two different size brew baskets that can be used for large or small batches, making it ideal for households that use various quantities and sizes of cups. It is certified by the Specialty Coffee Association for brewing Gold-standard coffee. The BetterBrew Precision System and Rainmaker Shower Head evenly disperse water throughout your grounds, ensuring maximum flavor extraction.
This machine, unlike other pod-based machines, utilizes whole or regular ground beans (not proprietary ones) instead of pre-packaged capsules to make single-serve. The use of regular coffee grounds minimizes waste and saves money. The machine is quick and can make an entire pot in just six minutes. The only drawback to this machine is that it's more expensive than other drip coffee makers that we test, but its sleek design and durable construction make it a great option.
This drip coffee maker is an excellent alternative to kitchen appliances that are multi-functional that are designed to be tricks. It's quiet, well-built and features an easy interface that allows you to set the exact amount of water you wish to make. We found the Brew Barista Brain to be a very reliable machine and it handled our most difficult test coffee (Costco House Blend, medium grind) extremely well.
This model uses a stream of brewed water that has been iced instead of the standard method of infusion. The result is much more drinkable than with infusion. It also has a programmed setting that starts the brew exactly five minutes in the future which will save you the hassle of waiting for the coffee to be brewed.
4. Bruvi Brewer
This sleek single cup brewer from Bruvi is the perfect choice for those who are willing to pay less than a regular K-cup. It makes use of what Bruvi calls "B-Pods," which contain 40% more coffee than a standard K-cup pod and are made with treated polypropylene that is intended to break into composters and landfills over time without leaving any microplastics in the process (though it's not certified for organic waste). B-Pods also permit hygiene-conscious brewing, with every individual cup being sealed inside the pod to prevent flavor cross contamination between cups. The Bruvi is also notable because of its sleek, modern design. The touchscreen only appears when you insert the pod. It then shows the various options available based on the kind of beverage you are drinking.
The Bruvi also provides a variety of options for cold brew and iced coffee, including hot and iced espresso as well as americanos. The Bruvi is made to use less than one serving of brewer. This can help minimize the dilution when adding Ice.
Another good thing about the Bruvi is that it's a much smarter single-serve pod brewer--it has an embedded camera that examines the unique code of each B-Pod and then optimizes the brewing settings to suit the kind of coffee. You can be assured that your Bruvi will always make a delicious cup of espresso.
Finally, the drip tray of the Bruvi can be adjusted to minimize splashing when brewing into a small glass or mug and can be removed completely for large travel mugs. The Bruvi comes with few extra features like a removable water reservoir and an automatic cleaning cycle to keep it working efficiently and effectively.
The pod coffee maker Bruvi is more expensive than other pod machines, however it's well worth the cost due to its superior taste and less impact on the environment. It's a great choice for those who frequently shifts between espresso and coffee, since its hygienic brewing system allows for quick and easy conversion to cold brew or iced coffee, without the need for an additional machine. It comes with an milk frother that is a nice feature for this price.