Single Serve Coffee Makers Comparison

Single-serve coffee makers offer convenience for a quick cup of hot or cold coffee. They can use pre-packaged Enjoy Fresh Coffee Anywhere with Portable Maker pods, or reusable filters that are filled with ground beans.

Coffee drinkers who value personalization will likely need a machine that can make an entire pot of espresso or drip coffee shots. These machines are also designed to minimize the environmental impact of disposable coffee pods. They make use of reusable or recyclable capsules.

1. Keurig K-Elite

The K-Elite is a beautiful machine that combines Premium Morphy Richards Coffee Machine in Black/Stainless Steel finishes and programmable features. It's among the most versatile Keurig models in terms of the types of drinks it can brew. it can brew K-Cups and ground coffee and hot tea and chocolate. The large, reusable 72-ounce tank can make up to seven medium-sized cups before requiring refills. It's also compatible with reusable K-Cup pods that can save you money over the long term.

Despite having a lot more buttons on its control panel than any other Keurig model, it's easy to navigate and operate. The top control panel has a power button and settings button. It also has up and down buttons to navigate the menu. There are four different size brew buttons as well as an "iced button" as well as the "strong button" and one for hot water. A large LCD with a color-coded display allows you to easily see when the machine needs to descale or refill.

While the K-Elite is one of our top Keurig models, it does have some negatives. It can be difficult to clean, for instance, since it doesn't have a drip tray that is removable and the lid is not secure. Also, the spout tends to create some splatter particularly when you use smaller travel mugs.

In our Coffee Makers Test Program we also tried the K-Elite and found that it performed well in a variety of categories. It scored above average in first-cup speed, temperature consistency and repeat speed.

It was also one of the fastest machines to heat water and brew a cup, and it was also the most likely to not produce grounds in your coffee. However the K-Elite did not make as hot of a cup as our other top models. Additionally the iced version was not as flavorful as the stronger cup. The K-Elite is a great option for those looking for a machine that is single-serve. It's available for purchase at many retailers, including Keurig's site, Amazon, Walmart and Wayfair. You can find it for around $150. If you're looking to buy a lower-priced model, the K-Classic is a good option. It's priced a bit higher than the Elite but it's not as expensive as our other top picks.

2. Black+Decker Single-Serve Espresso Maker

A single-serve coffee maker offers you the convenience of a quick cup of hot coffee at any time. These machines are smaller and more compact than drip models which makes them a great fit for small kitchens and dorm rooms. They can also prepare a variety of coffee drinks, such as espresso shots and lattes. They are simple to use and clean which makes them a great option for busy households.

The BLACK+DECKER CM618 is one of the most affordable models on the market however it does offer certain essential features that are worth a look. It is equipped with a permanent filter that is able to accommodate both ground coffee and soft coffee pods that are pre-packaged, and it comes with an auto-shutoff function that shuts the machine off after brewing to save water and energy. It takes only minutes to prepare a single cup of coffee. The machine comes with a travel cup that is thermal that can be inserted into cup holders in cars.

In our tests, we observed that the BLACK+DECKER could produce a delicious pot of coffee in a fraction of the amount of time required to make the average model. It also has some functions that are normally reserved for higher-end brewers like an automatic start.

Its retro-styled style is perfect for those who want to coordinate their kitchen appliances. Its light design and removable tank make it easy to move. It was fairly user-friendly and had a digital control panel that was easy to use and an easy menu that anyone can understand. However, the brew time was not as good as we expected in our tests, and it wasn't capable of reaching 195°F for five or six minutes--the industry standard for the best flavor. The brew temperature was also noticeably higher than that of other models in our tests, which could result in overheated coffee and burnt grounds. Despite these concerns, the CM618 is a great option for those on a limited budget who wish to brew K-Cup pods and their own ground coffee.

3. Nespresso Vertuo Single-Serve coffee machine single serve Maker

Nespresso machines differ from K-Cup and Keurig machines because they only use their own coffee pods. The brand categorizes its pod-based machines into two categories which are VertuoLine and the Original. Original machines are designed to make espresso-based drinks, while VertuoLine models are designed to make larger milk and coffee recipes like cappuccinos and lattes. Because they're intended to be used with Nespresso's recyclable and sustainable capsules, Original machines are more expensive than VertuoLine models.

The VertuoLine XP371 Nespresso comes with four different sizes of drink and smart capsule detection and the centrifusion brewing method. It also has an elegant, modern design and a removable water tank that can hold 37 ounces of water. The machine is easy-to-use and has an automatic system that lets pods empty in a container built inside the machine. It takes anywhere from 15 to 20 seconds to preheat and will shut down after nine minutes.

In our tests, we discovered that the XP371 was an excellent cup. It made a great cup of coffee that had an excellent crema. It was also hot enough to drink in the mornings without burning your tongue. It was slower to make than other models. It took 1 minute and 51 seconds to make 7.7 ounces of coffee, which was the third-lowest speed in our tests. This isn't an issue but if you're used to making coffee quickly in the morning, this could be an issue.

Overall, the Nespresso XP371 is an excellent option for coffee and espresso enthusiasts who want to reduce waste. Its design is more luxurious than the average pod brewer, and it's compatible with Nespresso's reusable capsules which are more eco-friendly than the K-Cups and other traditional pods available on the market. The VertuoLine's high price and dependence on proprietary capsules could make some consumers turn away.

If you don't have the funds to buy a reputable pod coffee maker but would like to have the convenience of a single-serve machine then we recommend that you check out our review of disposable cups. You might also want to try one of our favorite insulated tumblers to keep your tea or coffee warm.

4. Cuisinart DCC-1200

This coffee maker has been praised by a large number of users for its convenience features and other models don't have them. The price is quite reasonable for a product of its quality and has an elegant design. Some owners have reported that this model poses a fire hazard. This is something you should be aware of before purchasing.

This fully automatic coffeemaker can be programmed for up to 24 hours. You can program it to brew four cups or 12 at each time, or just one cup or four cups. The carafe is thermal and the permanent gold tone wire mesh filter and charcoal water filter remove impurities to enhance the taste of your coffee. The "Brew Pause", which interrupts the brewing process for 30 seconds, lets you pour one cup. The self-cleaning feature helps keep the tank clean.

The controls on the coffee maker are evenly spaced and clearly labeled and easy to find what each button does at an instant. Other features include an automatic shutoff as well as a dripless spout with a knuckleguard. This coffee maker is also extremely easy to use, and its stainless steel finish brushed is beautiful on the counter.

However, some customers have found the permanent gold tone wire mesh filter to be difficult to clean, and this may be a problem for those who prefer paper filters. A few users have also reported that the reservoir does not fill properly due to an error in the design that pushes water into the filter through a small hole at the back of machine.

Some have complained that their Cuisinart coffee maker spills coffee grounds and water all over the counter while it's in operation, but this seems to be a rare event. In all likelihood, this is a top-quality coffee maker worth a look if are looking for a basic model that comes with a lot of convenience features at a reasonable price.