Which
Single Cup Coffee Maker is Right For You?
You have many options when it comes to brewing coffee. Which one is right for you?
Single cup coffee makers offer convenience at the push of a button. The machines utilize capsules or pods bought from the market (like K-Cups), to make the beverage you want. They are typically made of plastic or aluminum, which can create serious waste.
1. Easy to use
If you're looking for an instant cup of coffee but don't have room for larger brewers, single-cup coffee makers can make a difference. They're easy to use, and they offer a variety brewing options to suit different tastes. They require less space on the counter than a traditional coffee maker. This is a huge plus in a small kitchen.
The majority of the models we tested can make coffee using ground coffee or pre-portioned capsules or pods purchased from stores. Pods, which are small cups made of plastic or aluminum are filled with pre-measured coffee grounds as well as an integrated filter. They're easy to use and less expensive than buying whole beans, however they can become costly in the long run. Many companies also make reusable filters for their pods and, in many cases, you can recycle them.
Some machines can also brew iced coffee and some offer milk-frothing attachments for cappuccinos or lattes. Others such as our top choice can brew tea and coffee. We evaluated the models on their functionality as well as their durability, the ease of setup and breakdown, along with their appearance and included warranty to find the
best single cup coffee maker brewers that use a single cup for use at home.
Ultimately, our top pick stood out from the pack because of its straightforward design, a variety of options for brewing and its simple one-touch operation. It produced the hottest coffee of the group and allowed for different brewing sizes, and was the simplest model to clean.
In addition it has an integrated grinder that we found to be the most beneficial feature among the single-cup brewers that we tested. It could grind both regular and dark-roast beans to the same level of coarseness and was extremely quiet during operation. We also found it to be the most durable machine we've tested, and its small footprint made it easy to stash in tight spaces.
We'd like to add
one cup coffee machines final note. While single-cup brewers are ideal for combining grounds and pods together however, we would not recommend them to anyone looking to create their own pods to reuse. They typically consist of aluminium and plastic, which can be a strain on the heating element of the machine over time. You can purchase coffee bags constructed from a mixture of filter paper and plant based materials. This is a greener option.
2. Easy to clean
A single-cup coffeemaker uses ground or whole beans, and filters, to make a cup of freshly prepared coffee. Most models utilize pods, which are small aluminum or plastic cups that have ground coffee that has been pre-portioned and has an integrated filter. Keurig K-Cups contain polypropylene which is recyclable. However, it is important to check your local recycling center if this material is accepted. Nespresso capsules are made from aluminum and are also usually recyclable.
3. Much less expensive than other coffee makers
There's no reason to spend an enormous sum of money in a brewing machine. Single-serve brewers like the Keurig are a great option to grab a quick cup of coffee for yourself or your coworker. They also come with the bonus of providing a great opportunity for people to get together and socialize over the cup of coffee.
Most
single serve coffee maker-serve coffee systems use ground coffee that is pre-portioned in small pods made of plastic or aluminum with a built-in filtration system. This makes the process fast and easy. Although these single-use coffee pods are useful however, they are more expensive than brewing your own ground beans, and also create many waste. However, companies such as Green Mountain and Wolfgang Puck offer a wide range of Fair Trade and organic K-Cups that are affordable and environmentally friendly.
You can also use your own ground coffee and an reusable filter to replace the pre-portioned pods which are used in single-serve coffee makers. This will eliminate the need to purchase and dispose of single-use pods. This process may take a bit more time but it will save you money over the long haul. It also lets you choose your own coffee instead of having to stick with the same brand.
You need to consider how much coffee you drink frequently and whether convenience or ritual is more important to you. If you're a coffee drinker and you find yourself frequently rushing out the door with a mug in hand it might be worthwhile to invest in a single-serve coffee maker.
If you consume only just a few cups of coffee a day, it might be worthwhile to invest in a drip machine capable of handling large quantities at a time. This will let you take advantage of a variety of flavors and avoid throwing away stale or burnt coffee.