What You Can Do To Get More From Your Best Single Brew Coffee Maker
Best Single Brew Coffee Makers
There's no better way to begin your day than with a cup of coffee made just for you. We like single-brew coffee makers due to this reason.
To determine the best option for you, consider the most important aspects to your brewing needs and the extra features that seem like frills. Our criteria include a large reservoir, multiple brew setting, and the use of reusable coffee pods.
1. Does it take capsules or ground coffee?
Depending on the style you prefer You can select a model which uses either beans ground or coffee pods. While there are a few models that solely use coffee pods but the majority of the models in our roundup can accommodate both. This makes them an excellent option for those who appreciate having a wide selection of options in their arsenal.
Our top pick is the Nespresso Vertuo Plus, is a fantastic example of this. It's part of the more recent Vertuoline from the brand and features a foolproof one-touch system that gives amazing espresso shots and freshly brewed beans. It's also the most efficient machine we've seen in our tests, and comes with reuseable capsules that are better to the environment than K-Cups.
The Cuisinart grind & brew is a great alternative for those who prefer ground coffee. It has a built-in conical grinder that produces freshly ground coffee. It also has three brewing sizes that are pre-set: eight 12 ounces, ten and ten ounces. It's a bit more costly than some of the other single-serve coffee makers we have in our line-up however, it was one of the best-tasting models we tested and does away with the need to throw away K-Cups or the waste associated with them.
The Instant Pot Dual Pod Plus which is our runner-up, is a great option for those who want to be able to use both types of pods or grounds. It's a model that's flexible, as it can brew with Keurig K-Cups or original Nespresso capsules. The company also offers its own compostable capsules. It also produces the hottest coffee we've ever tasted and comes with a variety of other features like hot water for tea or a milk frother.
2. Is there a huge reservoir of water?
The best single-brew coffee maker features a large reservoir that will easily meet your needs. This will ensure that your machine is not always running low on water, which could affect the quality of your coffee. The amount of water that is in the reservoir is also an important factor to consider when choosing the best coffee maker, because it will influence the frequency you have to refill and drain the tank.
The BLACK+DECKER Single-Serve Compact Coffee Maker is a great option for anyone looking for an easy-to-use brewer that won't cost a fortune. It can brew a cup of coffee in under two minutes and can be programmed for up to 24 hours in advance, which makes it perfect for those who need to drink their coffee in the middle of the day. It has a compact design that fits well on the countertop, and is the least expensive of our top picks. It also produces the most hot coffee of the bunch and comes with a travel mug for ease of use. It did not score as high as the other brewers that we tested but its water reservoir was relatively small.
If you're willing a bit more, our upgrade option the Keurig K-Supreme Smart Single-Serve Coffee Maker has an excellent design and features that stand out from our testing. It offers fast brewing times, high coffee temperatures, and the possibility of three sizes of brew, and is extremely simple to use. The only drawback is that it requires a one-hour process to descale which can be a hassle for those who drink lots of coffee regularly.
3. Does it come with multiple brew settings?
The top single-brew coffee maker can be set to multiple options, including various sizes, styles and amounts of beverages, as well as the capability to make a cold brew. This lets you customize your drink exactly how you prefer it, and also save time by skipping the step of boiling your coffee and steeping it in hot water. This method makes use of cooler water, which helps keep the coffee's flavor.
Epi's reviews editor Noah Kaufman is a big fan of the single-serve Bruvi coffee maker due to its numerous single-touch brewing options that make for the perfect cup of joe, whether you prefer a less acidic drink or an espresso-like shot served over ice. The Bruvi offers brewing options which takes longer than a quick brew but it's worthwhile if you are looking for an incredibly smooth and rich cup.
In our tests, Bruvi consistently produced an equally hot cup of coffee in comparison to other single-serve machines that we test. The brewing cycle and timer are simple to program and it keeps your beverage hot for up to four hours. The Bruvi comes with an option for cold brew that alters the temperature and brew time to create a refreshingly cool beverage.
Another highlight was the Breville Precision Brewer, which offers six brew modes including Gold, Fast, Strong and Iced. The Gold Brew setting is based on Specialty Coffee Association guidelines for an ideal cup of coffee, while the other settings are all adjustable, allowing you to tailor your experience to fit your preferences. The Breville Precision is narrower than many of the single-serve coffee brewers that we test. This made it easier to keep its brew temperature constant and to encourage a deeper saturation as well as a more consistent extraction of the beans.
4. Does it come with an automatic cleaning feature?
The best single-cup coffee makers feature a self-cleaning feature that removes any grounds that remain or used K-Cup pods out of the machine after each use. one cup coffee machines alert you when it's time to start cleaning. It is important to read the manual for the user or manufacturer website for specific directions as different machines come with various cleaning methods.
The single-serve espresso maker from Bruvi is one of the best we've tried. It features an easy, intuitive interface, produces great coffee, and requires little maintenance. It has 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 which include low acid, Americano, and cold brew. It takes longer to brew compared to other models. However, this is a minor fault in an otherwise excellent product.
This coffee maker is among our budget picks because it's cheap and does a great job making an espresso. It has a removable 40-ounce water tank and is compatible with K-Cups and ground coffee. The user's manual provides detailed instructions on how to remove the reservoir, fill it up and perform regular descaling. It is able to brew any kind of coffee, in contrast to other single-cup machines.
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 the waste and taste. It comes with a large water tank as well as a grinder built-in that allows you to create an amazing cup of coffee from ground beans. It offers multiple options for brewing, including strong and over-ice. It can be used with reusable K-Cups and the brand's recyclable pods. It also has a steam button for tea as well as a foldable milk frother.
5. Can it be programmed?
The best coffee maker that can be programmed allows you to set it up the night before so that you awake to hot, freshly brewed coffee. This is particularly helpful for those who are on the go or who don't want to use a pour-over pot or Moka pot.
Most programmable machines offer an initial timer of 24 hours. However, if you're looking for more advanced features, you may want to consider De'Longhi's COM532, which is our favorite single-cup pod machine. It has a touch-screen digital screen and multiple options to alter the coffee you drink including the temperature of brewing and the intensity. This model is the most expensive but it makes the hottest coffee of all our tested machines. Its carafe will keep it at a perfect temperature for about an hour after brewing.
Black + Decker Classic single-serve coffeemaker is a budget-friendly, programmeable machine. It's simple to use, has a small footprint, and is compatible with ESE pods (Eco-friendly single-serve). It scored well in our test of taste, brews quickly, and comes with a dishwasher-safe water tank.
If you're tired of buying pre-packaged coffee pods and want to save even more money, think about a single-cup or manual drip brewer. You can grind your beans yourself to get a fresher flavor and to have more control over the flavor of your drink. It's more work than using a pod-based coffee maker, but it may be worthwhile if you're an avid coffee drinker. To ensure reliable results measure the weight of your coffee grounds and beans on a scale instead of measuring by volume.