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Size: 8.7″ x 12.7″ x 12.8″
Water reservoir capacity: 40 oz. (standard), 60 oz. (deluxe)
Colors: 5
Coffee sizes: 1.3 oz., 2.7 oz., 5 oz., 8 oz.
Top Choice for Cold Brew: Cumulus
Cumulus Cold Coffee Machine
Advantages:
- Brews coffee comparable to immersion cold brew in just 90 seconds
- User-friendly operation
- Eco-friendly, easy-to-recycle pods
Disadvantages:
Highlights: The Cumulus machine could be likened to the Nespresso for cold coffee enthusiasts due to its innovative recyclable aluminum capsules, which contain a highly concentrated coffee brew. It cools water through a built-in compressor, eliminating the need for ice in your drink. Additionally, it features three distinct settings: still, nitro, and espresso, catering to various cold coffee preferences. Notably, it creates “nitro” coffee without using any gas canisters by drawing from ambient air. Once brewed, it vacuums out the used capsules, preparing them for recycling with ease. Compactly designed at 6 inches wide, it has a front-loading water reservoir that simplifies usage and countertop placement.
Considerations: With a price close to $700, this machine represents a premium investment; however, for those who frequently purchase cold brew at $5 a pop, it might prove justifiable.
Size: 19” x 6” x 16”
Water reservoir capacity: 80 oz.
Colors: 2
Coffee sizes: 2 oz., 10 oz.
Ideal Alternative to Keurig: Instant Dual Pod Plus
Instant Pot Pod, 3-in-1 Coffee Maker
Advantages:
- Generous water reservoir
- Accommodates travel mugs
Disadvantages:
This Instant machine surprised us, proving to be a robust contender among capsule coffee makers. It not only brews from K-cups but also accommodates its reusable pod and classic Nespresso pods. With a water reservoir sized at 68 ounces, it offers adjustable brew size and strength options. Its removable shelf can accommodate travel mugs up to 7 inches tall, and our prepared espresso shots achieved a delightful crema that met our expectations. K-cups brewed in this machine consistently produced better flavor compared to traditional Keurig machines.
Considerations: While we believe the top-notch pod coffee is often sourced from Nespresso Vertuo pods, this machine does not support them. It’s an excellent choice for K-Cup users seeking to maximize their coffee quality.
Size: 16.2” x 7.2” x 13”
Water reservoir capacity: 68 oz.
Colors: Black
Coffee sizes: 2 oz., 4 oz., 6 oz., 10 oz., 12 oz.
Evaluating Single-Serve Coffee Makers
The plethora of proprietary pods available today presents a challenge when selecting the best coffee machine. We sought to maintain consistency across tests by sourcing Starbucks pods of comparable roasts for each machine (with Bruvi being the standalone exception). Our rationale for using Starbucks was its widespread recognition among coffee brands. For machines compatible with K-cups, we also utilized Illy coffee as a testing standard. Fresh ground coffee was employed for any machines featuring a refillable pod option. Additionally, we explored the varying brew sizes, strength, and style options provided by each machine.
Criteria for a Quality Single-Serve Coffee Maker
The market is replete with subpar single-serve machines, and we believe that everyone deserves better coffee. We prioritized machines that consistently delivered balanced flavor and a smooth finish. Key factors in our evaluation included:
- Ease of pod loading and an intuitive interface
- Water reservoir accessibility and capacity
- Maintenance requirements and cleaning ease
- Simple disposal or recycling processes for used pods
While space efficiency is important in kitchen appliances, overly compact machines may compromise on quality. Additionally, aesthetics play a role, as machines should be visually appealing enough to remain on display.
Pod waste is a significant concern; therefore, machines that utilize recyclable or reusable pods received favorable points in our evaluations.
Other Notable Single-Serve Coffee Makers Tested
Bruvi
BRUVI Single-Serve Coffee Maker
This touchscreen-enabled pod machine offers rich, well-balanced coffee and features eight brewing sizes, one-touch presets for low-acid, Americano, iced coffee (which brews hot over ice), and cold brew (utilizing cooler water). While it requires proprietary pods, Bruvi manages to combine the convenience of capsules with the advanced features of high-end coffee makers without compromising on taste.
Nespresso Essenza Mini
Nespresso Essenza Mini Espresso Machine
The Essenza Mini represents Nespresso’s Original line, which employs smaller capsules to brew either 1.35-oz. espresso shots or 3.7-oz. Lungo cups. Notably, it uses 19 bars of pressure for extraction rather than the centrifugal method found in the VertuoLine. While it does not brew regular coffee cups, it remains an excellent option for those who prioritize espresso drinks.
L’or Barista
L’OR Barista System Coffee and Espresso Machine
If you’re interested in brewing Nespresso pods without owning a Nespresso machine, the L’or is a strong alternative. It supports both Original Nespresso pods and its own proprietary variations while extracting coffee at 19 bars of pressure through two spouts. This results in a rich crema that rivals traditional Nespresso machines. However, in direct comparison, we found a slight preference for Nespresso’s products.
Nespresso Vertuo Next
The Vertuo Next caters to those who prefer brewing multiple cups, offering sizes from single shots to 18 oz. brews, with an optional carafe available. Enhanced with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity, it allows for tracking favorites and firmware updates. However, its compact design results in a smaller water tank and slightly less convenient locking mechanism.
Cuisinart Premium Single Serve Brewer
Cuisinart Single-Serve Coffee Maker
For those seeking a versatile K-Cup-compatible machine, this option stands out. With a reusable filter capsule and a 72-ounce water tank, it minimizes the frequency of refills. The machine provides settings for various cup sizes and brewing temperatures. Impressively, it outperformed other Keurig machines in terms of flavor quality when brewing K-cups.
Single-Serve Coffee Makers to Avoid
Nespresso Vertuo Pop by De’Longhi
While Nespresso machines typically receive high praise, the Vertuo Pop+ falls short against our other recommendations. The mechanism for puncturing the pod is cumbersome, and its lower height limits the types of containers that can fit beneath it, creating potential spills. Additionally, the relatively small water reservoir requires frequent refills.
Lavazza Classy Mini Single Serve Espresso Coffee Machine
This machine offers a compact design with presets for espresso or lungo sizes, but it does not match the quality delivered by Nespresso. Some of the capsules produced a bitter flavor, and the overall texture could not compete. While Lavazza does manufacture pods compatible with both Nespresso and K-cup machines, investing in their machines does not seem necessary for coffee enjoyment.
Cuisinart Grind and Brew Single-Serve Coffee Maker
This machine attempts an eco-friendly approach by incorporating a reusable pod along with a built-in grinder for fresh grounds. Unfortunately, the execution fell short; the brewing process was messy, and the grinder failed to deliver consistent results. While the fresh grounds enhanced flavor, the cleanup process was cumbersome, making it less appealing for daily use.
Ninja DualBrew Pro 12 Cup Coffee Maker
This multifunctional machine accommodates both drip coffee and pods but does not excel at either. While it features an adjustable water reservoir and a milk frother, its bulky size and complexity do not lend themselves to casual use as a capsule machine.
Keurig K-Mini Plus Single Serve K-Cup Pod Coffee Maker
Despite a high rating, our experience with the K-Mini Plus was disappointing. Coffee brewed from K-cups yielded consistently lackluster results, whether watery or overly bitter. Additionally, the machine’s single-cup reservoir made it impractical for regular use.
Keurig K-Supreme SMART Coffee Maker
The “smart” features of this maker led to more frustration than convenience. Despite the promise of automated adjustments based on the K-cup used, our tests revealed frequent malfunctions requiring restarts. While the large water reservoir was a plus, the overall experience did not enhance our enjoyment of pod coffee.
With the rising popularity of iced coffee, Keurig has introduced machines designed to excel in cold beverage preparation. However, we found that even the iced coffee setting didn’t significantly lower brew temperature, leading to overly diluted drinks. Despite multiple programming options, the coffee produced was still unsatisfactory, mirroring our previous experiences with Keurig machines.
Additional insights contributed by Emily Farris
The Benefits of Fresh Coffee versus Pods
Source
www.bonappetit.com