With a single-serve coffee maker, you’ll be able to brew the perfect cup of java every morning without the hassle of filters or measuring coffee grounds. And the best part? They require almost no clean-up.
Types of Single-Serve Coffee Makers
Perfect for dorm rooms, busy households, and even while you’re camping making the perfect cup of java with a single-serve coffee maker is perhaps the easiest thing you can do. You don’t even need to be fully awake: you simply pop in a K-cup, T DISC, or pod, press a button, and BAM – a perfect cup. Most machines will even let you make lattés, hot chocolate, teas, and even cold drinks.
Before you purchase a single-serve companion, read on and get to know what types are available so you can find the right one for you.
What makes Keurig different?
A pioneer in the industry, Keurig offers the largest variety of coffee and tea flavors from brands such as Starbucks and Timothy's.
A My K-cup reusable filter offers limitless possibilities so you can choose your favorite coffee and brew a single cup.
Cuisinart and Breville make single-serve coffee makers that support K-cups, so you can choose the coffee maker that's right for you.
You can choose 6-, 8-, or 10-ounce cup sizes for your morning brew.What makes Tassimo different?
Specialty drinks such as lattes and cappuccinos are all made possible with the use of liquid milk so you can create velvety, coffee shop-style foam at a fraction of the cost at your local coffee shop.
What makes Nescafé Dolce Gusto different?
The design of the Dolce Gusto is perhaps the closest you can get to coffee shop-style. It uses a high-pressure system that’s designed to extract the best possible aroma and perfect body from your favorite coffee, latte, cappuccino, or hot chocolate. You can create frothy, milky drinks with the use of liquid milk pods.
Features to Look For
Since most single-serve brewers perform almost the exact same functions, you’ll want to take a look at more specific features that could help make all the difference in your purchase choice.
Beverage Variety
Perhaps the biggest factor to consider will be how many varieties of beverages your single-serve brewing system offers. Every system is different but each one strives to give you a large selection of K-Cups, T DISCs, or pods.
K-Cups
Keurig offers nearly 100 different types of regular, flavored, and decaf coffee, as well as plenty of tea varieties to fill your carousel. Popular brands include Starbucks, Van Houtte, Timothy’s, Green Mountain Coffee, Celestial Seasonings, Tazo, and more.
T DISCs
Tassimo T DISCs offer a wider choice of beverages than the Keurig maker. In addition to coffee and tea, you can also make cappuccinos, hot chocolate, and lattés using real liquid milk for tastier, frothier drinks. Popular brands include Maxwell House, Nabob, Twinings, Cadbury, Carte Noire, Gevalia, and more.
Pods
From coffees and iced teas to cappuccinos and macchiatos, Nescafé Dolce Gusto pods come in a wide variety of flavors for hot, cold, and specialty drinks.
Capacity and Cup Sizes
If you have more than one cup size or plan to take coffee with you in a travel mug, you might want to choose a machine that offers several brew sizes. Some models feature a removable base so you can fit taller travel mugs so you can make use of the larger brew sizes, while those who love espresso or who only need a small coffee fix will be able to choose a 4oz to 5oz brew size.
Consider how many people in your home will be using your brewer on a regular basis. Having a machine with multiple cup options is sure to please everyone. And while the size of the water reservoir might not be a factor, a larger size will mean less filling.
Brewer Size
The physical size of your single-serve brewer will depend on how much counter space you can devote to it. Most kitchen counters will accommodate even the largest single-serve machine, but if you’re looking to add one to your dorm room, galley-style kitchen, or even your mobile home, you’ll be able to find a model that will do it all without taking up much space.
Must-Have Accessories
If you can’t find your favorite coffee in a K-cup, this reusable coffee filter lets you brew your own grounds. It fits all K-cup machines and needs only a quick rinse in-between brews.
A carousel is a perfect way to keep your K-cups organized and looking tidy. Give it a quick spin to choose a flavor. If your single-serve machine doesn’t offer the power to create frothy milk, a separate milk frother lets you turn your favorite coffee into a latté, café au lait, or cappuccino.
Take the Next Step
A single-serve coffee maker is perfect for anyone who loves coffee – from university students to 9to5ers to aficionados. Check out your local Best Buy in-store or online and discover a wide selection of Keurig, Tassimo, and Nescafé Dolce Gusto brewers and coffee flavors.