Coffee in today’s world is the fuel that us, as mankind require to go about with our daily task with a fresh mind and eagerness that lasts the throughout the day.
However, it doesn’t seem fair that to get one cup of this ambrosia, we need to stand in line for half an hour outside our local coffee shop.
Moreover, once we make it the front of the queue, then to be flabbergasted with so many flavor options, that at the end we are not able to enjoy the small pleasure of having that one cup of coffee.
Thankfully, Single Serve Coffee Makers are there to put an end to our woes. Now, we can get our coffee fix whenever we want with complete ease, while allowing our money and time to be spent in the other areas of our life.
However, these one cup coffee makers can be a real investment, and come in a wide range of features that make brewing coffee exciting and a whole deal less tiresome. And for all us coffee lovers, it’s a win-win situation.
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So, without further ado, here's the best single serve coffee maker reviews:
Quick Single Serve Comparison
Product | Image | Rating | ||
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Hamilton Beach 2-Way Brewing | 
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Keurig K-Cup Brewing System | 
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Cuisinart Single Serve Coffee Brewing System | 
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BUNN MCU Multi-Use Home Coffee Brewer | 
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Best Single Serve Coffee Maker Reviews
This Hamilton Beach invention enables you to brew coffee using two options to suit two different needs - single cup option when you want to have just one cup and the full 12-cup glass carafe option, used if you plan on binge drinking coffee.
Also the single-serve side multilevel cup rest adjusts itself so that it is compatible with any mug size. You can adjust the flavor of your coffee to ‘Bold’ or ‘Regular’, whichever you fancy at the moment. This coffee maker is additionally equipped with a programmable timer that automatically turns the machine off after 2 hours, in case you forget to do so yourself.
The Pros
- Simple to operate
- Also uses 'Senseo Pods' which are easily available
- Efficient programmer
- Reasonably priced
- Option of single serve or large pot
The Cons
- Not compatible with K-Cups
- Doesn't include hot water dispenser
- Brews slower compared to other models
This coffee machine is very efficient and the plastic makes it also durable, though the coffee may not be as hot as expected. Also, this machine works best in its first two years. But because of its many features, it is well worth a buy.
The Keurig K130, is a popular choice for both the office and home because of the ease with which it can be operated. It has a single use water reservoir and a mug sensor which reduces the chances of spills. It has been designed especially for hospitality sectors and commercial use.
The Pros
- Easy to use with instructions printed on the machine
- Compact size
- Coffee brews fast
The Cons
- Doesn't have a reservoir for water
- Doesn't accommodate huge travel mugs
- Tends to give coffee a 'plastic' taste
- Cannot use reusable K-cups
This machine is ideal for those who drink only 8 ounce of coffee at a go, and those who are happier with smaller, less fancy but efficient models. Refilling water for every cup of coffee may get tedious, though, it isn’t a factor to be considered if you don’t not want the water to be standing still for hours in the machine, especially if you are using it for your office or in hotel rooms.
Cuisinart’s coffee machine comes with an 80-ounce water reservoir, supports five cup sizes which includes ice beverage setting and removable drip tray which are suitable for the larger variety of travel mugs. It also boasts of a fully programmable blue-black LCD, which comes along with a digital clock and offers the users the pleasures of not only fresh gourmet coffee, but also of tea and hot cocoa.
The Pros
- Replaceable Charcoal Water Filter
- Feature of auto ON/OFF
- Adjustable water temperatures
The Cons
- Doesn't work well with hard water
- Internal pump might create problems
This coffee maker works well and long if it’s well maintained. Its compatible with large travel mugs and has a capacity of 12 ounces. However, its heavy reliance on K-cups adds on to the expense of having this machine. The manufacturers claim that the pump issue has been resolved, so the newer models are more efficient. Overall, Cuisinart’s SS-10 is a good investment, but also a pricey one.
The BUNN MCU Multi-Use Home Coffee Brewer can make use of tea pods, tea bags, K-cups, ground coffee, soft coffee, and loose tea. It is capable of servings ranging from 4 to 14 ounces. Moreover, it has a removable drip tray to fit most travel mugs and also has a ‘Pulse Brew’ option to get a bolder flavor. It also dispenses hot water for more uses.
The Pros
- Quick in brewing coffee
- Compatible with different coffee brewing formats
- Presence of the 'Pulse Brew' feature
The Cons
- Absence of water storage reservoir
- Lacks Auto ON/OFF facility
The feature of having four different ‘drawers’ for the different brewing procedures is what gives Bunn MCU an edge in the market. Since it is not inclined towards K-cups, it immediately becomes a more pocket friendly investment in the long run. It is consistent and speedy in its performance, though using it might get a little messy because of water leakages. But overall, it lives up to the expectations, compensating for its price tag.
Final Verdict
Bunn MCU gives its competitors a run for their money, with consumers favoring it after less than satisfactory performance from the other single-serve coffee machines. Why? Because it doesn't rely solely on K-cups, which are pricey. Want to learn more? Here's our full review.
The Hamilton Beach model comes next as it scores points because of its relative affordability and use of ‘Senseo Pods’. Cuisinart SS-780 though with many features, is an expensive buy, considering the recurring problems that users have to face and the maintenance involved.
Keurig seems a more suitable buy for your office or motels, which have a more public setting. Though it depends on K-cups, it's fairly efficient and better priced than Bunn MCU and Cuisinart SS-700.
