Single-serve coffee makers are a great option for those who wish to experience the convenience of pods, or recreate the flavor of drip coffee at home. These machines are simple and easy to operate.
They are available in a variety of styles, ranging from basic to sophisticated (like attachments for making latte in the latest models). You can find models that utilize Keurig K-Cups, Nespresso capsules or ground coffee beans.
What exactly do they do?
A single-serve coffee brewer uses capsules, K Cups or pods packed with ground coffee or tea. The user selects the cup, then presses a button and the machine fills it with hot coffee or iced hot chocolate, espresso-based drinks. Some models feature an automatic shutoff or sleep mode that helps reduce energy costs.
The majority of the brewers we have included in our roundup use pre-packaged coffee or tea however there are a few that allow you to make your own. Certain models have adjustable temperatures and brew strengths, while others are pre-set. Pick a model with an ample water reservoir that suits your needs. If you make more than one cup per day, you should consider an appliance with a larger reservoir that requires less refilling.
Some single serve coffee makers comparison-serve coffee makers offer a variety of options for brewing, from a single espresso shots to a full 16-ounce brew (perfect for a travel mug). Your choice of coffee or tea can also influence the purchase choice, as many brewers can only accept one brand of capsules/K Cups.
It’s true that a single-serve coffee maker can save you time and money as compared to making the coffee. However, it’s important to think about the impact on the environment of purchasing and disposing of many K-Cups and pods. The vast majority of these plastic containers end in the trash which have a major negative impact on our planet.
Although most buyers of a single-serve coffee maker will opt for a K-Cup or pod made machine, a few models are able to brew both drip and ground coffee. If you prefer a traditional drip-style coffee, select one that lets you select the size of your grind. You can also add water manually.
If you drink many cups of coffee with your friends and family, you may want a single-serve coffee maker that can hold more than one cup at each time. The best models have an adjustable drip tray that can hold up to three cups. Some models without drip tray removable can accommodate four to five cups. You’ll also want to check whether your model comes with different sizes of brew, such as an 8- to 12-ounce choice or a 10- or 14-ounce cup size.
What types of coffee can be made?
A single-serve machine is able to brew many different types of coffee. They are typically made with coffee pods such as those made by Keurig (K-Cups) and Nespresso (capsules). But some models can also make drip-style coffee using ground beans. Certain models can make espresso and lattes. They’re not going to take on beauty contests like pour-overs or a Moka pot, but they can still make decent coffee for one person at the convenience of just two minutes.
If you’re worried about the amount of plastic used in creating these coffee pods, some manufacturers offer reusable versions as well as recyclable capsules. Some even sell “eco-friendly” cups that have no plastic in any way. Many of the coffee makers we have reviewed feature the “mybrew” setting that allows you to alter the settings for brewing. These settings can be as simple as selecting the size of the cup to as complex as selecting the kind of beverage or altering the brewing temperatures.
It’s also important to consider whether you’d prefer an appliance that is solely single-serve, or if you’d like a carafe-style coffee maker for larger quantities of coffee. We’ve included a variety of these models in our roundup, including our favorite Ninja Specialty Coffee Maker which can make up to four ounces of coffee for yourself and anyone else you might be making coffee for.
Other single-serve machines let you select between different brewing styles or sizes, such as the Bruvi Precision Brewer, which has options for low acid, Americano, iced coffee, and cold brew. Its touch-screen display comes with various other customizable features, including the ability to add sugar and milk directly to your drink.
Other single use coffee maker-serve coffee makers are geared toward a specific type of coffee such as the Breville Barista Express and the Nespresso Essenza Mini. Both machines can make lungo and espresso in a single-touch, foolproof manner. They also have a small footprint on your kitchen counter.
Can they be reused?
Although they offer an efficient and fast method to make a cup of coffee single serve coffee brewers create a huge amount of waste. After use, the tiny aluminum and plastic pods get to be discarded, leaving behind a huge amount of trash that can be disposed of. This is among the fastest-growing waste streams in the world, and it is crucial to take every step you can to minimize it. Many retailers and manufacturers provide responsible disposal options for used and old coffee makers. These programs can help keep these waste streams from landfills and help to stop them from contaminating our environment. That’s why it’s important to know whether your single serve coffee maker is able to be recycled.
Metals such as copper and aluminum are highly recyclable, as are glass and other components in your coffee maker. Metals like these can be melted down and transformed into new products, which saves energy and resources by eliminating the need for mining and processing raw materials. In addition, a lot of electronic components found in coffee makers can be reused and recycled, further reducing the environmental impact.
The majority of coffee makers are made of recyclable plastics or materials. The “cup” that is found on many K-Cups, and other disposable coffee pods are made of a plastic called No. 5 polypropylene. This plastic is recyclable. In fact, Mother Jones estimates that all K-Cups produced in 2013 could wrap around the Earth’s equator 10.5 times this is why it’s crucial to recycle your used and unwanted pods.
If you are looking to recycle your coffee maker, the best option is to consult the manufacturer for specific instructions on how to dispose of your machine. Certain companies, like Keurig and Nespresso have extensive recycling programs that offer mail-in and local drop-off options. You can also search online for a local recycler which often has e-waste centers which deal with items such as coffee makers and small appliances. You can recycle your coffee maker by donating it or repurposing it. This will prevent the machine from going to landfills and away from unfriendly charities.
What are they like?
If you are a fan of freshly brewed coffee but don’t have enough time to make a full pot Single serve brewers might be a great choice for you. These machines produce a cup of coffee or other drinks at the touch of a button. This means that there’s less chance that you’ll make too much and have to throw it away later. They’re also typically faster to use than large drip brewers.
There are many kinds of single-serve brewers that include a variety of reuseable options available at many supermarkets. Some of these brewers were designed to work with coffee pods which you can buy in various flavors. Others are more versatile, allowing you to use your ground beans, teabags or loose-leaf.
Single-serve brewing systems can be more expensive than regular drip coffee makers, however they are worth the investment when convenience is important to you. The best models we’ve tested have a great flavor, are easy to use, and have many options for customization to the kind of drink you want.
The BLACK+DECKER CB100S is an affordable and compact model that is compatible with single serve coffee machine reviews-pack coffee, ground tea bags, coffee and loose-leaf coffee. It has a generous water tank and is easy to use, with only one start button and an automatic shutoff. It lacks features that allow you to remotely control the brewing process and some users have reported issues with its functionality over time.
The Instant Pod Plus is another compact model, a little more expensive than the BLACK+DECKER. It’s manufactured by the same company that makes the Instant Pot. The brewer can be used with K-Cups as well as Original Nespresso pods and the brand’s compostable pods (though you should note that these require an industrial composting centre instead of your backyard pile). It has a drip tray that can be adapted to be used as a travel mug but there isn’t a lid for the hot water button is included.
The Aeropress is a single-serve brewer that uses your own coffee grounds to provide an alternative to traditional. It takes just two minutes to make an eight-ounce cup, and it requires no electricity or hot water. It can be made with normal coffee grounds, however, you’ll have to grind them fine so they absorb liquid fast.