An Intermediate Guide On Best Single Brew Coffee Maker
Best Single Brew Coffee Makers
There's no better way to start 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.
Consider what is most important to you in terms of your brewing needs and what features think are frills. Our criteria includes a large reservoir, multiple brew setting and the reuse of coffee pods.
1. Is it possible to purchase capsules or ground coffee in this machine?
Based on your preference depending on your preferences, you can pick one that uses coffee pods or beans ground. While we've included a few models that rely solely on coffee pods in our roundup, the majority can accommodate both. These models are a great option for those who like to have a wide range of options.
Nespresso's Vertuo Plus is a perfect example. It's part of the brand's newer Vertuoline and comes with 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 testing and comes with reuseable capsules that are better to the environment than K-Cups.
For those who prefer to stick with ground coffee, the Cuisinart Grind & Brew is a fantastic alternative. It uses a built-in conical burr grinder to create freshly-ground coffee, and it has three different sizes of brewing -eight, ten, and twelve ounces. It's more expensive than other single-serve options in our selection however it's among the most delicious models we've test.
For those who want the flexibility of using both types of grounds or pods might like the second choice in our review of the Instant Pot Dual Pod Plus. It's a versatile device that can brew with Keurig K-Cups, original Nespresso pods, as well as the company's own compostable capsules (though they require an industrial composting facility). It also produces some of the best coffee of all the machines we've tested to date and offers a variety of additional functions, including hot water for tea as well as milk frother.
2. Is there a huge reservoir of water?
The best single-brew coffee maker has a large reservoir that can easily meet your needs. This will ensure that your machine is not constantly running out of water, which could affect the quality of your coffee. When selecting a coffee maker, the amount of water that is in the reservoir is crucial. It will determine how often you have to refill and drain the tank.
The BLACK+DECKER Single-Serve Compact Coffee Maker is a good option for someone who wants an easy-to-use brewer that doesn't break the bank. It can make a cup of coffee under two minutes and can be programmed to brew up to 24 hours in advance. This is perfect for those who are always on the move. This machine has a compact design that can be easily tucked away on the countertop. It is the least expensive of our top choices. It also produces the most hot coffee and has a built-in travel cup for convenience. It didn't score as well as the other brewers we tested but its water reservoir was relatively small.
If you are willing to spend more, the Keurig Super Smart Single-Serve coffee maker is our top upgrade choice. It has an excellent design with features that stood out in our tests. It offers fast brewing times and high temperatures for coffee, and the possibility of three sizes of brew, and is extremely easy to use. It's only downside is that you have to descal it for an hour, which can be a hassle for those who drink lots of coffee.
3. Does it come with multiple brew settings?
The best 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 lets you customize the beverage to your preference and save time by not boiling and steeping the coffee grounds in hot water. This method uses cooler water that helps preserve the flavor of coffee.
Epi's reviews editor Noah Kaufman is a big fan of the Bruvi single-serve espresso maker because it offers a variety of one-touch brewing options to allow the perfect cup of coffee, whether you prefer a less acidic drink or an espresso-like shot with ice. The Bruvi also has a brewing setting that is more time-consuming than the typical quick brew, but is worth it for a rich creamy cup.
In our tests, Bruvi consistently made an equally hot cup of coffee in comparison to other single-serve machines we test. The brewing cycle and timer are easy to program and it keeps your beverage hot for up to four hours. The Bruvi comes with the cold brew setting which alters the temperature and brew time to make a refreshingly cool beverage.
Breville Precision Brewer was another outstanding product, offering six brew options, including Gold Strong, Fast and Iced. The Gold brew setting follows Specialty Coffee Association guidelines for the perfect cup of coffee, whereas the other settings are all adjustable, allowing you to tailor your experience to suit your individual preferences. The Breville Precision is narrower than many of the single-serve coffee brewers that we tested. This allowed it to keep its brew temperature constant and to encourage a deeper saturation and a more consistent extraction of the beans.
4. Does it have an automatic cleaning feature?
The top single-cup models have the option of automatically cleaning the machine. It removes used K-Cup pods or leftover grounds after each use. Some models will even notify you when it's time to start a cleaning cycle. It is recommended to always read the user's manual or the manufacturer's site for specific instructions. Different machines use different cleaning methods.
Bruvi's single-serve coffee maker is among our top choices because it features a simple and user-friendly interface, produces great-tasting coffee, and requires only minimal regular maintenance. It has a large reservoir of water and can be used to brew hot or iced coffee. It also offers a variety of brewing options with one touch that include low acid, Americano, and cold brew. It takes longer to brew when compared to other models. However, this is only a minor flaw in an otherwise excellent product.
This coffee maker is among our budget picks because it's inexpensive and does a great job making an espresso. It comes with a removable 40-ounce water tank and is compatible with K-Cups as well as ground coffee. The user manual contains detailed instructions on how you can remove the reservoir, fill it up and then perform regular descaling. Contrary to other single-cup coffeemakers that require the use of a filter that is disposable or reusable pods and can be used to brew any kind of coffee.
This coffee maker is a fantastic alternative for anyone who enjoys the convenience of single-serve coffee but isn't a fan of the taste or the waste of K-Cups. 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 has a variety of brewing options including bold and over-ice. coffee brewer single cup can also be used with reused K-Cups and the brand's recyclable pods. It also comes with steam buttons for making tea and a fold-away froth.
5. Does it come with a programmable timer?
The most efficient espresso maker that can be programmed lets you set it up the night before so that you awake to freshly brewed coffee. This is especially convenient for those who are in a hurry or who do not prefer pour-over pots or Moka pot.
The majority of coffee makers with programmable settings provide a basic timer for 24 hours however, should you want more advanced features you might be interested in the De'Longhi COM532, which is our favorite pod-based single-cup machine. It comes with a touchscreen and a variety of settings that let you customize your coffee according to the flavor you like, including brewing temperature and strength. This model is the most expensive, but it makes the hottest coffee of all our tested machines. The carafe keeps it at a perfect drinking temperature for over an hour after the brewing.
Black + Decker Classic single-serve coffeemaker is a budget-friendly and programmeable machine. It's a compact footprint, and is compatible with ESE (Eco-friendly Single-Serve) pods, and offers simple controls that make it easy to use. It scored well in our taste test, is brews quickly, and comes with a dishwasher-safe water tank.
If you're tired of purchasing pre-packaged coffee pods and want to save money, think about a single-cup brewer or a manual drip. You can grind your beans by yourself to get a fresher flavor and to have more control over the flavor of your beverage. It's more work than using a pod-based machine but it could be worth it if your are a committed coffee lover. To get consistent results measure the weight of your coffee grounds and beans on a scale, instead of measuring volume.
