When we want to sit back and lounge, we drink coffee. When we need a pick-me-up to perk up a beautiful morning, we drink coffee. Coffee is indeed the drink we love to enjoy in various occasions. While most of us enjoy taking it slowly, there are moments where we just need a morning jolt and be done with it.
Imagine having to go through the entire process of manually grinding beans, boiling water and waiting for the coffee to brew while you are busy preparing for work. The need for faster coffee-making without compromising quality is exactly the problem that single serve coffee makers try to solve.
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What is a Single Serve Coffee Maker?
Single-serve or single-cup coffee makers come in three main varieties. The first one, and undoubtedly the epitome of single-cup coffee making is the Keurig. These are the machines that run on small cups of patented pre-packaged coffee that are sealed per serving (and sometimes even tea or hot chocolate). They are widely referred to as K-cups.
Second, and with a similar concept as that of a Keurig, is the Nespresso. This kind of single-serve coffee maker is designed to produce a richer and stronger type of brew, like that of an espresso (thus, the name). The Nespresso creates a very thick layer of frothy crema on top of each brew.
Third, we have the drip machine’s advanced cousin - the single-serve brewer. It is a quicker way to enjoy a cup of brewed coffee with a simple press of a button. This last single-serve coffee maker functions like a normal drip machine, except that you get a single serving. Plus, depending on the machine, you can adjust the temperature of your coffee.
What To Look for in a Single-serve Coffee Maker
Most single-serve coffee makers have a much steeper price point compared to the other types of coffee brewers. That's why it is essential to make sure you know exactly what to look for and to check for single serve coffee maker reviews.
Here are the main factors that you need to consider before purchasing one:
Space
Your coffee machine should not be an unruly contraption that eats up all your kitchen space. If you’re going to be investing in a single-serve machine, you might as well pick one that will blend seamlessly with the other items in your kitchen. Find one that is manageable and non-obtrusive.
Speed
Time is a major consideration when it comes to a single-serve coffee maker. After all, that is the whole point of having one. Other coffee brewing machines, such as drip machines, coffee percolators and French press, do not provide this.
Price
Apart from the upfront cost of owning a single-serve machine, you need to consider the running cost that comes with using it. You certainly want the best value for every dollar that you spend. Depending on the type of coffee maker that you have, you’ll need to pay extra on the individually-packed cups that are fed into the machine.
Versatility
Having a coffee maker you can use in different ways is always a definite advantage. Although some would prefer a specific type of blend on a daily basis, you never really know when you might need to make other kinds of beverages. It is much better to have more freedom to use your machine in a wide variety of ways. For instance, if you want to make a hot cup of tea for a visitor, there are certain single-serve coffee makers that can make tea as well as coffee.
Overall Experience
Just as important is your entire experience from the moment you turn your machine on up until the time you take the first sip of coffee. Does the machine make strange noises? Is it easy to navigate your way through the settings?
These factors affect the overall quality of your coffee making experience. The entire process needs to run as smoothly as possible.
Single Serve Coffee Maker Reviews
These are our top 5 single serve coffee maker reviews:
Keurig K55/K-Classic
When it comes to single-serve coffee makers, the Keurig will always be a classic. Apart from being the original, you'll enjoy its versatility as well. There are so many K-cups available these days - from Dunkin Donuts to Lavazza, and even reusable coffee cups, but nothing beats a Keurig.
The K55 classic coffee maker looks sleek and stylish. You won't have to worry about blending it into your other appliances. At a width of 10 inches, it certainly has a place in the kitchen.
You can adjust the timing of the automatic-off safety feature to better suit the machine’s actual usage. Moreover, you can change the cup sizes from a small cup up to the size of a travel mug. Not only will it give you a lot of options, it can deliver them to you in a short amount of time as well (less than a minute!).
Lastly, the K55 gives you a fuss-free experience. Getting a tasty cup of coffee with this machine is indeed as simple as a press of a button!
Cuisinart SS-10
The Cuisinart SS-10 is a work of art not only due to its modern silver finish, but also because of the quality of the coffee it produces. It delivers a consistent, rich and flavorful coffee every single time.
It sets itself apart by giving you the ability to choose the ideal temperature. It runs on the Keurig K-cup, meaning that aside from coffee, you can also use it to make tea, lemonade, or simply prepare hot water.
What's surprising about this particular brewer is its very short waiting time. It virtually gives you zero waiting time. Super useful for those days with a fully packed schedule.
This single serve coffee maker also has an automatic shut-off button. It's perfect for those who often forget turning off these things. Lastly, it makes no noise at all!
DeLonghi Nespresso Vertuo Evoluo
Single serve coffee maker reviews wouldn’t be complete without mentioning this DeLonghi Nespresso machine. This is the machine that has revolutionized the single-serve coffee experience.
The coffee that you can make from the DeLonghi is guaranteed to be miles better than say, coffee from Starbucks. Just look at the amount of foamy crema it produces!
It automatically adjusts the way it brews coffee, depending on the capsule that you put in it. It does this by identifying the code found on each of the capsules and then automatically changing the settings to give you the best possible outcome.
With the rich flavor profile you can achieve, perhaps it's safe to say that this is the machine for the so-called coffee snobs.
However, if you are looking for a versatile machine that can make beverages other than coffee, then this is not for you. The DeLonghi is limited to using only Nespresso Vertuo capsules.
Teglu 2 in 1 Single Serve Coffee Maker
The best thing about the Teglu is that it gives you a higher degree of control over the entire brewing process. It provides a wide variety of selections - from K-cups to ground coffee. Plus, you have direct control over the amount of water to use.
The overall user experience with this machine is excellent. It is easy to use because there are no complicated buttons. Add to that, it does not make any loud noises like most Keurig machines.
When it comes to overall durability, this is definitely a one of best in this lineup of single serve coffee maker reviews. You can tell that there is attention to detail in the build.
Hamilton Beach 49981A
Do you want the quality of a single-serve coffee maker but don't want to spend too much just yet? Then this is the coffee maker for you. With the Hamilton Beach 49981A, you can brew your own ground coffee with the single-serve scoop filter.
This machine can pull off a much better coffee in a shorter amount of time than a regular drip coffee maker. It can produce coffee in less than 2 minutes! The piping hot coffee it makes is perfect for those who prefer to enjoy their cup for longer periods of time.
The Hamilton 49981A blends perfectly into any kitchen because of its sleek design and compact size. It is also easy to clean this machine.
The 49981A might come off a bit old school compared to the other machines on this list of single server coffee maker reviews, but it does not fall short in quality. This is a simple machine for straightforward coffee lovers.
