A good quality coffee maker is an essential requirement for brewing a good cup of coffee, joined by the coffee itself and overall freshness. For those of us who crave an uncomplicated cup of coffee to begin our day, the overabundance of large and commercial coffee makers on the market today can be overwhelming. Especially when it comes time to replace or upgrade our own.
As many households have no need to make ten to twelve cups of coffee at a single time. This makes the search for a new coffee maker difficult, and making opting for a single cup coffee maker an increasingly popular choice for consumers.
We know looking on your own can be intimidating, so we have done it for you.
When Do You Need a Single Cup Coffee Maker?
A single cup coffee maker may be an excellent fit for many lifestyles. Whether you are a business person with limited time, or part of a family whose members happen to seek a caffeine-boost at different times of the day.
Making the perfect cup of coffee in the right portions can be messy and time-consuming. This may leave you suffering through burned or aging coffee, or wasting your precious grounds
With pod style coffee machines, consumers have the convenience of keeping a variety of brews on-hand.
Coffee pods may alleviate concerns about “Golden Ratios“. (one to two tablespoons of ground coffee to every six ounces of water, if you have the time and patience to measure). Also, it avoids potential spills with pre-portioned packages that you would have with coffee beans or grounds.
Combined with a single cup coffee maker. It can become much more accessible to cater to your family’s and guest’s coffee preferences and limit waste as you do so.
Is There any Environmental Impact to Use Pods?
Drip-brew coffee fans and conservationists fear not. While the coffee pod coffee trend – started by Keurig, Inc. with the launch of their K-Cup pods in 1998 – is still booming, we have come a long way since then.
There are now many environmentally friendly drip-brew single cup coffee makers on the market today. Most often including a reusable filter for convenience and environmental friendliness.
Some single cup coffee makers may be an ideal space saver for those living in a small apartment or condo.
They often take up less space than a conventional coffee maker, thanks to the removal of the 12-cup carafe in standard coffee makers. If not in use, it can be stored away easily.
5 Best Recommendations Single Serve Coffee Makers
Let’s take a look at some of the models you could start off with.
1. Hamilton Beach 49981A
This single cup coffee maker brews hot coffee, fast. Its simplistic design allows you to make coffee in three clear steps: Scoop, Place, and Brew.
There is a built-in option to set the flavor to either regular or bold.
Brewing an 8oz cup of coffee in under 90 seconds, this may be an excellent choice to consider if you have a tight schedule.
This coffee maker features a steel mesh filter with two measuring lines, which conveniently doubles as a scoop for your freshly ground coffee, making it an excellent choice if you are looking to decrease waste and brew a consistent cup of coffee every time.
This coffee maker is low maintenance, saving on time spent cleaning as well as brewing time, with no need for any measuring spoons. Since it can also accommodate taller travel mugs, this coffee maker can also be an excellent choice for those who need to grab their coffee in a hurry or on the go.
Exceptional
- Exact coffee proportions
- Can accommodate tall travel mugs
- No need to buy paper coffee filters
- Automatically shuts off after brewing
Compromise
2. AdirChef Grab N’ Go Personal Coffee Maker
This single cup coffee maker has a durable, single-button design with an eco-friendly, reusable filter and holding basket, and a travel mug is also included.
This personal coffee maker packs a considerable bang for its buck. If you are shopping on a budget, this inexpensive coffee maker may be the one you.
This coffee maker is easy to use with your own coffee grounds, and even easier to wash with its dishwasher friendly components.
Brewing up to 14oz in one cup, this can be an excellent grab-and-go coffee maker for singles or couples. Also, it has an automatic shut off built in for those extra busy mornings.
Its small footprint helps to save space for those looking for a low-maintenance coffee machine for small areas. It is also lightweight, which may make it a sound choice for anyone who needs to travel to and from work, or further, with their coffee maker.
Exceptional
- Includes insulated travel mug
- Lightweight and portable
- No need to buy paper coffee filters.
- One to three minute brew time
- Dishwasher friendly components
- Inexpensive and easy to operate
Compromise
3. Keurig K40 Elite Brewing System
The Keurig K40 Elite Brewing System features a convenient 48oz removable reservoir and three serving size options for brewing: 6oz, 8oz, or 100oz.
This coffee maker is able to brew from your choice of over 180 K-Cup varieties in as little as 40 seconds.
This makes the coffee maker a good potential choice for couples, families, or those who like to keep a variety of flavors on-hand.
This coffee maker is relatively large for a single serve coffee machine but the ability to prepare other beverages, such as hot chocolate or tea, may be an added benefit in helping you save time with a tea kettle or the microwave.
For those who choose the 100oz serving or take their coffee to-go. This coffee maker is equipped with a removable drip tray, making it compatible to accommodate your larger mugs or travel mugs. The built-in automatic shut-off can be extra useful on these days.
Exceptional
- Brews coffee in under one minute
- Can accommodate travel mugs
- Removable drip tray
- Automatic shut off
Compromise
4. Keurig K75 Single-Cup Home-Brewing System
This coffee machine may be an excellent single serve coffee machine for the discerning coffee drinker who likes to have a few options.
It can brew hot or cold beverages, has an adjustable temperature control, and five serving size options.
This coffee machine has a built-in water filter system, which uses replaceable charcoal filter cartridges to keep your water fresh and your coffee delicious.
It is an excellent fit for those who want to avoid refilling their water reservoir after every cup. It is not difficult to clean, which is great because it makes the machine low-maintenance from preparation through to clean up.
This coffee machine is equipped with a 72oz removable water reservoir, and a removable drip tray.
Once set up and filled with water, making your coffee can be as simple as raising the lid, dropping a K-cup into the hole, closing the cover, and clicking the brew button.
Exceptional
- Fast, quiet brewing
- Can accommodate travel mugs
- Can accommodate travel mugs.
- Removable drip tray
- Automatic power on and shut off
Compromise
- Cannot use your own coffee grounds without purchasing a K-Cup refillable container separately
- It has a slightly large footprint for a single cup coffee maker
5. CHULUX Single Serve Coffee Maker Brewer
This coffee maker is a small, K-Cup pod style coffee machine. It is lightweight and easy to clean, store, or travel with.
Combined with its overheating protection, it can be an excellent fit for a busy lifestyle or for compact spaces at home or at work.
This single cup coffee maker has a 15oz water reservoir and a brew time of three to five minutes. It is designed to empty the water tank with each serving so you can pour precisely the amount of water you want each time, with no stagnant water in the reservoir.
It remains cool to the touch between brews, making it ideal for a morning coffee or two.
The removable drip tray is height adjustable, which can be really helpful to avoid splashing and to accommodate larger mugs (up to 5.5” tall).
When cleaning is needed, there is a simple one-touch cleaning function built into this machine, which is great for anybody looking for a low-maintenance coffee maker.
Exceptional
- Small footprint
- Easy to operate and clean
- Removable drip tray and water reservoir
- Automatic shut off
Compromise
Conclusion
Though each of these coffee makers has proven their place in the market. It is clear that the Keurig K75 Single-Cup Home-Brewing System with Water Filter Kit is a well-equipped single cup coffee maker, which will fit in with various lifestyles.
This coffee maker combines the various functions seen on many single cup coffee makers today, such as a quick brewing time and ability to accommodate tall travel mugs.
The AdirChef Grab N’ Go Personal Coffee Maker is a close competitor with its affordability and small stature.
However, the addition of adjustable serving sizes, a generous reservoir, and clean filtered water in the Keurig K75 Single-Cup Home-Brewing System with Water Filter Kit can be an excellent addition to a home or office, for singles, couples, or families.
Whether you choose a pod or drip-brew style machine, a one cup coffee maker will allow you to savor a fresh, hot cup of coffee each time.
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