If you’re looking for a single-serve espresso machine that brews tea or coffee exactly how you like it, this model is your best option. It’s simple to use and offers four different options for brewing. It can also be used with single-packs or ground coffee and tea bags.
It can also be used with pods that are reusable. This is a great solution for those who are concerned about the waste of plastic generated by disposable K-cups.
1. Keurig K-Select
This Keurig makes a great option for those who love coffee but do not have enough space to buy larger brewing equipment. It’s the smallest Keurig available on the market and only takes up 13.6 inches from front to back, so it can easily be tucked into a small kitchen or office. It comes with a reservoir for water that can hold up to 52 ounces, and can prepare a single cup of coffee in just a few minutes. It also has an “strong” option that increases the strength of the coffee to suit your preferences.
One downside to this machine is that it doesn’t create crema, a caramel-colored layer of foam that coffee lovers believe gives flavor and depth to their drinks. This isn’t a problem to most people, but some may find it a problem. It’s easy to clean; simply unplug the machine and then remove the pod holder. The machine can be cleaned by spraying it with a cleaning solution and wiping it down. Paper clips can be used to clean the brewing needles. This is helpful when your machine becomes blocked.
Another downside to this machine is that it will only accept K-Cup pods, which can be expensive. It is not compatible with third-party pods that came out on the market following the Keurig 2.0 patent expired in 2012. If you are seeking a machine that can brew in a range of sizes or comes with a carafe, then you might require an alternative model.
The Keurig K-Select also has the most simple operation. It has two buttons: one to turn on the machine, and the other to select the size of the cup. It’s a smart brewer that turns itself off after two hours of use to save energy and the reservoir for water displays a display to indicate when it is time to be refilled.
2. Cuisinart Grind & Brew
In contrast to other single brew coffee machines that offer only the option to make use of pre-ground beans or off-the-shelf K-Cup pods, this model lets you make use of both. This machine is ideal for those who are green or have limited space or simply love filter and single-served espresso.
This machine can grind whole coffee beans into finely-ground, ready-to brew grounds or brew the ground coffee in a removable tray. You can also brew Keurig’s off-the-shelf K-Cups and other well-known brands of single-use pods. This allows you to have a quick cup of espresso or a whole pot of coffee without cleaning the carafe.
The Grind & Brew’s controls are simple and straightforward. The front of the machine has all the information you need to know about the brewing capacity (in increments two) as well as power on/off, decalcification alarm and brew indicator as well as grinding settings. The machine can also make 12 cups of carafe-sized coffee. It comes with a convenient feature that allows for up to 24 hours of advance brewing.
The machine comes with a movable drip pan and capsule holder. The machine doesn’t include a cleaning tool, but you can wash the drip tray and holder by hand. The machine comes with a three-year guarantee and is available directly from Cuisinart, as well as Williams Sonoma, Amazon, Crate & Barrel and Target. The machine was packaged securely and covered with molds to protect it during shipping. The packaging is recyclable. The machine and its contents were in excellent condition. The box and its contents were delivered with a clear and user’s manual that was easy to read. The machine will notify you when decalcification is due.
3. Breville Precision Brewer
The Breville Precision Brewer takes drip coffee to a whole new level. This machine features customizable settings to allow the user to create an ideal cup of coffee every time. There are six preset brewing modes that include “gold,” “fast,” “strong,” “iced,” and “cold brew.” The brewer features a single-cup mode that accepts cone and flat filters. In addition to these brewing options, the machine has six different basket shapes that can be used to highlight certain flavors in the cup that is brewed.
The machine utilizes a thermocoil heating and pump system that has a PID digital temperature control to ensure an accurate temperature of the water throughout the brewing process. This is a major benefit for premium drip coffee machines, since many coffee makers use plates that are heated to heat the water. This is not an ideal method for heating water, because it could result in scorching your coffee and uneven the brewing. The Breville also comes with an water pump that produces a the sound of a humming while it is making coffee. This is a great feature as it lets the user be aware that their coffee is completed in the process of brewing.
The brewer is sleek, minimalist design that looks great on any counter. The brushed stainless steel and clear plastic construction give it a contemporary elegant appearance. Breville’s brewer is approximately 12 7 inches x 16 inches and will fit nicely in most medium-to large kitchens. Breville includes a quick start guide as well as a comprehensive instruction manual for new users to get started. The only drawback to the brewer, is the noise of the water pump. This can be distracting for those who live in apartment buildings.
4. Aeropress
The AeroPress is an ingenious little device that makes one cup of coffee at a time. It’s a piston-style brewer that uses air pressure to push water through the grounds and into your cup, resulting in an unmistakable and clean flavor. Many coffee lovers praise Aeropress coffee for its well-rounded and balanced flavor. It’s a fantastic choice for campers and travelers because it’s lightweight and compact. It’s also durable.
The manual brewer is easy to use. Simply add one scoop of freshly ground Cupper’s Coffee to the inverted AeroPress chamber and stir it up before adding hot water. You can choose to let it steep for a few moments or plunge it straight away. After you’re finished your coffee, it can be served straight-up or pressed into a mug to make an espresso-like drink.
The AeroPress lets you manage the strength of your coffee, whether you want an ineffective French Press or a strong pour-over to a single serve coffee reviews cup. The unique design of the device helps the process move along quickly, which reduces the amount of time the coffee stays in the filter.
The AeroPress is relatively new to the world of brewing devices and is already breaking sales records, creating an energizing community, and inspiring an entire generation of coffee lovers. There’s even a global circuit of AeroPress competitions for brewing! AeroPress has recently introduced AeroPress Go portable device that incorporates the AeroPress and an insulated travel mug. This version includes the AeroPress Go travel mug, which is ideal for hikers, tourists, and campers. The price tag is similar to that of the original however it’s much smaller in size but comes with all the same features.
5. Keurig K-Duo Plus
The K-Duo Plus is a dual-purpose coffee machine single serve maker that can brew single-serve cups or carafes. It makes use of ground coffee or K-Cup pods and comes with a variety of sizes of brews, including 6 8, 8, 10 and 12 ounces for a single cup and 6-, 8-, 10- or 12-cup carafe. It also has a strong brew button and a carafe that can be programmed to auto-brew and a thermal carafe that keeps your beverage warm for up to two hours.
This coffee maker is ideal for families that wish to be able to make a single cup or a full carafe. It’s user-friendly with a clear screen display and easy-to-use buttons. It also has a gold-toned reusable filter, so you don’t need to purchase paper filters. The model also doesn’t lose temperature at the same rate when making two pots at once as was the case with other models that we test.
If you’re hosting guests or are just having a solo morning you can use the Keurig K-Duo Plus can make single-serves and a carafe for any occasion. It can be used with your favorite ground coffee, or with hundreds of K-Cup pods of coffee maker single serve, tea, and cocoa. It can be programmed up to 24 hours ahead of time and provides options for the strength and type of coffee, as well as different sizes of drinks from 6 to 12. The model also comes with an adjustable drip tray that can hold travel cups. The 60-oz reservoir can be positioned facing left, right or towards the back to accommodate better counter space. This is an excellent option for those with a limited counter space or an odd kitchen arrangement.