Best Single Cup Coffee Maker: The Good And Bad About Best Single Cup Coffee Maker
The Best Single Cup Coffee Maker
If you are looking for the most convenience factor for you, then a single cup coffee maker might be the best choice. They occupy less counter space and are simpler to use than drip counterparts.
You can choose from models that make use of K-Cups Original Nespresso pods or reusable aftermarket ones. Some models can also make espresso-style shots, or iced coffee.
1. Cuisinart Grind & Brew
This machine is designed to be sleek and stylish. It can grind and brew just one cup or even a whole pot. It is smaller than other coffee makers that have grinders. This allows you to utilize the counter space for other appliances. The Grind and Brew's burr grinder is designed to crush beans to a specific size. This creates more uniform ground coffee.
The Grind & Brew also features an automatic shut-off as well as showerhead designs that distribute the water evenly across the grounds, which helps ensure consistency from brew to brew. It can be programmed to begin brewing up to 24 hrs ahead of time, and it provides multiple control options such as a custom clock display as well as coffee strength (mild medium, medium, or powerful), and a 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 can be brewed from both whole beans and K-Cups. The choice between them is based on your personal preference. The machine can hold up to 12 K-Cups. Or you can fill the hopper with whole bean grounds. The brew is slower than our top choice, however it is still quick enough to get your coffee ready before you wake up.
The Grind & Brew did well in our tests in general but was not able to achieve our top overall score. The brew temperature was the least stable of the models we tested. It deviated from the first brew to the fifth by about 5 degrees, and did not reach the 195-degree goal set by the SCAA for great coffee.
It's worthwhile to have a dedicated grinder/brewer to use for your mornings. The machine is easy to operate and clean and maintain, with all its components sliding into place and opening/closing with an enthralling clack. It's also compact and light, which is a nice option for those who don't have a lot of extra countertop space.
2. Smeg Drip Coffee Maker
If you are looking for an elegant and compact single cup coffee maker to add to your kitchen, this one from SMEG is a fantastic choice. The Italian-based company is known for its retro-style '50s appliances and this drip filter coffee maker is a perfect example of form and function. It has an elegant design that looks great on your counter. It can brew up 10 cups of coffee in one go, and the auto start function allows you to wake up to a fresh pot of joe. You can also alter your brew strength by selecting between two aroma settings (Delicate or Intense) and set an alarm for the end of the brewing process to remind you when it's ready.
This programmable espresso maker has an ample water tank of 1.4 Liters, which means you'll never be able to run out of water. The reusable filter minimizes waste and the water level indicator tells you when you need to refill. single serve coffee makers can also be used to brew hot chocolate or herbal tea. The brewing cycle is relatively fast, and it comes with a keep-warm plate to help ensure that your coffee is kept warm until you're ready drink it.
This SMEG drip-filter coffee maker features four push buttons that are simple to use. The LED clock displays the current settings. The permanent filter is dishwasher-safe, and it is able to be used again. The spout has been made to stop spills. If you live in an area with hard water, the SMEG drip filter coffee maker needs to be cleaned regularly. You can descale the machine by pressing the automatic-start, on/off buttons for five seconds, and then pouring the descaler solution into the water reservoir.
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. This coffee maker has one downside that it doesn't have an automatic brew timer. You'll need to manually set the start time every morning.
3. Oxo Brew 12-Cup Thermal Carafe
The Oxo Brew 12-cup thermal carafe is an excellent option if you want a coffee maker that has the ability to brew one cup or a whole pot. It comes with a stainless steel thermal carafe, with a double wall and a vacuum insulation that keeps coffee hot for many hours. It also comes with a convenient, easy-to-use interactive display screen and a removable mixing tube. The machine can be programmed for up to 24 hours in advance and the backlit LCD display shows the time remaining until the coffee is ready.
This coffee maker comes with two different brew baskets that can be used in small or large quantities. It is ideal for households with a variety of cup sizes and amounts. It's certified by the Specialty Coffee Association to brew Gold-standard coffee, and its BetterBrew Precision system and Rainmaker shower head evenly distribute the water over your grounds to ensure most flavorful extraction.
In contrast to most pod-based coffee machines, this one uses whole or regular ground beans (not proprietary ones) instead of prepackaged, single-serve capsules. The use of regular coffee grounds saves money and also cuts down on the waste generated by used pods. The machine is quick, too, brewing a pot in under six minutes. It is more expensive than other drip coffee makers we have tested. However, its sleek design and top-quality build make it an excellent option.
Many multifunctional kitchen gadgets lean toward gimmicks and flashy features, but this drip coffee maker does the job without fuss. It's sturdy and quiet. The user-friendly interface allows you to determine the exact amount of water to brew. The Brew Barista brain is a very robust machine that was able to deal with our most difficult test coffee (Costco House Blend with medium grind) well.
This model uses a stream of brewed water that has been iced instead of the traditional method of infusion. The result is more drinkable than if you use infusion. It also has a programmed setting that starts brewing exactly five minutes into the future. This will save you from waiting for your coffee to brew.
4. Bruvi Brewer
This sleek single-cup brewer from Bruvi is the ideal choice for those who are willing to invest less than a traditional K-cup machine. It is made with what Bruvi calls "B-Pods," which contain 40% more coffee than a regular K-cup pod, and are constructed using treated polypropylene, which is designed to break down in landfills and composters over time, leaving no microplastics left behind (though it's not certified for organic waste). The B-Pods also allow for the brewing process to be hygienic, with each individual cup being sealed inside the pod to ensure no flavor cross-contamination between cups. The Bruvi's sleek, modern design is also striking. The touchscreen comes to life only when you insert a pod, and it displays the various options available for that specific type of beverage.
The Bruvi also offers multiple options for cold brew and iced coffee, including hot and iced espresso and americanos. And the machine is designed to utilize less water than a conventional single-serve brewer, which could help minimize dilution when you add Ice.
The Bruvi also has an embedded camera that scans each B-Pod's unique code and optimizes the brewing setting for the type of coffee. You can be assured that your Bruvi will produce a delicious cup of espresso.
Lastly, Bruvi’s drip tray can be adjusted to minimize splashing when brewing with a small mug, or removed completely for large travel mugs. The Bruvi also has a few additional features, such as the ability to remove the reservoir of water and an automatic cleaning cycle to keep it functioning efficiently and effectively.
The Bruvi pod coffee maker is more expensive than other pod machines however, it's worth the cost for its superior coffee taste and reduced impact on the environment. It's a great choice for those who alternate between espresso and coffee regularly because its hygienic design makes it easy and quick change to cold brew or iced coffee, without the need to purchase a separate coffee machine. It includes a milk frother which is a great addition at this price.