For coffee lovers that hate making a full pot of coffee that may mostly go to waste, single-serve coffee makers have been an excellent solution. While Keurig may have put single-serve brewers in the spotlight, there are several different brands of coffee makers that are designed to use single-serve cups or pods, in order to brew one perfect cup of coffee at a time. These coffee makers are excellent choices for families and offices, alike, allowing for a hot cup of Joe in an instant, without wasting coffee on a full pot that may burn or go cold before it can be enjoyed. If you’re considering buying a single-serve coffee maker, you have several options to choose from. The top three are Keurig, Nespresso and Bunn MyCafe MCU. Keep reading to learn more about these top-of-the-line brewers, so you can choose the one that’s right for you!
Top Single-Serve Coffee Makers
- Keurig
- Nespresso
- Bunn MyCafe MCU
Keurig
Keurig is probably the most well-known single-brew system on the market today, and with good reason. K-Cups are available in a wide variety of flavors, strengths and brews, both online and in stores, making it easy to find and purchase your preferred brew. In fact, even cocoa and tea lovers will find K-Cups available for their needs. Keurig has designed the newer machines to recognize an official K-Cup pod, so you never need to worry about sub-par coffee from knock-off manufacturers, and for the eco-friendly coffee lovers, official reusable K-Cups are also available to purchase. These allow you to use your own ground coffee in a reusable cup, so you never need to worry you’re contributing to excess waste. Keurig machines are available in several styles, from basic version to more high-tech versions, and prices range from under $100 to hundreds for a more high-end machine.
Highlights
- Large variety of K-Cups to choose from
- Several model options in multiple price ranges
- Eco-friendly options available
Nespresso
Nespresso is another single-serve brewer that has garnered a lot of attention from consumers lately. One of the main things that sets Nespresso machines apart from Keurig and other single-use brewers is the ability to single-brew a cup of espresso or cappuccino, as well as regular coffee. As with Keurig K-Cups, Nespresso pods are available both online and in most grocery stores, and there’s no shortage of flavors, blends and roasts to choose from. Instead of cups, Nespresso machines use specially-perforated plastic and foil capsules that can be used to brew cappuccino, coffee and espresso, depending on your preference. Hot chocolate and tea options are also available. Pricing for Nespresso machines ranges from around $100 to hundreds of dollars, depending on which model you choose and how many options you want. Brewing time is generally very fast, but will depend largely on what type of drink you make and the model you use to brew your pods.
Highlights
- Can brew coffee, cappuccino or espresso
- Vareity of pod flavors and brews to choose from
- Several model options to choose from to fit your budget
Bunn MyCafe MCU
Finally, the Bunn MyCafe MCU offers the best of both worlds, allowing you to use one of four different “drawers” depending on how you want to brew your single cup of coffee. You’ll get a pod drawer that can use coffee pods, a cup drawer for using K-Cups, a ground coffee drawer for using your own ground coffee and a hot water drawer for brewing instant coffee, tea or cocoa. The Bunn MyCafe MCU is reasonably priced at just $159.99 and allows for full flexibility in brewing your favorite cup of coffee, so you’re never limited to a single style, brew or flavor. For coffee lovers who prefer a stronger brew, a Pulse Brew option makes it easy to make a bold cup of coffee, and you can choose from four to 14 ounce serving sizes.
Highlights
- Can use K-Cups, pods or your own ground coffee
- Reasonably priced
- Settings allow for stronger brew and various size options
Conclusion
Regardless of which type of single-serve brewer you choose, you’ll enjoy a variety of flavors, blends and brews, as dozens of options are available to choose from with K-Cups and pods alike. In most cases, pods and K-Cups are available for lower prices when purchased online and in bulk, and several monthly subscription options also exist, for consumers who like to switch it up and try something new each month. Happy brewing!