We researched models from the top coffee maker brands and selected those with high customer satisfaction. The selection process factored in brew capacity and sizes, functionality, and special features. Each coffee maker on the list comes with a carafe and produces a maximum of 10 or 12 cups of coffee.
As the only model to feature a built-in milk frother, this design offers much more versatility than some of the alternatives. It can brew a cup in under two minutes, and produces a more intense flavor thanks to the ‘strong’ brew function. “If speed is a top priority, look for a machine with the shortest brewing time,” Rodriguez advised. If you are interested in buying a machine that utilizes pods, it’s also important to research the types of ground beans and flavors they come in to make sure they align with your coffee preferences. Beyond coffee and espresso pods, some brands sell pods for hot chocolate, tea, matcha and more.
This article was written by Brittany VanDerBill, a freelance lifestyle and travel writer whose work has been published with several Dotdash Meredith brands. To find the best single-serve coffee makers, she researched a variety of options, keeping in mind size, brewing options, and water reservoir size, amongst other details. Reusable filters are best for people “concerned with flavor quality, the environment” and those who “enjoy the coffee brewing keurig single cup drip coffee makers process,” Clark says. Single-serve coffee makers that work with reusable filters allow you to use your own coffee grounds, whether they’re available in pod form or not. The coffee maker features a pulse extraction process, a system that will help improve the flavor of the coffee. Whether you want to brew espresso, coffee, cappuccino or even just hot water, the machine holds up to 7 ounces of beans and has a sizable 63.6-ounce reservoir.
Those who prefer piping hot coffee may be disappointed by cooler temperatures. This coffee maker comes with a chamber, a plunger, micro-filters, a coffee scoop, a stirrer, and a filter holder. The manual act of pushing the plunger down is similar to a French press; however, this gadget’s quick brew time and micro-filter reduce the bitterness and acidity. With a 17-ounce capacity, it can brew about two cups with each press. Keurig’s K155 Office Pro Coffee Maker is designed to withstand frequent use and is not limited to commercial use—it’s a great choice for homes, too. It has a touchscreen interface for simple operation, a removable drip tray for easy cleanup , and a 90-ounce capacity that can supply up to 18 cups before needing a refill.
This little pour-over device is affordable, easy to use, and saves more space in the kitchen than even the slimmest electric coffee maker. Its elegant design is similar to that of a Chemex—rounded glass body, cork or rubber band—but it comes with a permanent stainless steel filter, so you won’t have to buy countless paper ones. However, if you’re only a coffee drinker and would rather save some cash, opt for our top budget pick, the Hamilton Beach Two-Way Brewer.
Others may brew carafes of filter coffee and espresso, or feature a hot water dispenser that can be used for tea or instant coffee. Dual coffee makers tend to take up a lot of counter space, so they’re not always the best choice for small kitchens. However, the Keurig K-Duo Plus Coffee hamilton coffee Maker Maker features a compact design and brews either a single cup or a full 12-cup carafe. Most models use dual-sided brewing, but this one uses a single-brew system. While this does mean the unit can’t make multiple beverage types at once, it does result in a small footprint.
The features that are important to you will primarily be determined by the type of coffee you intend to make on a daily basis. If espresso-based coffee drinks get you going in the morning, you should look no further than the Nespresso – Citiz Espresso Maker. Keurig responded by introducing a sensor embedded in their 2.0 models that prohibits the use of unlicensed pods. The machine reads a piece of digital information on each pod label and will only brew if the pod is, in fact, a licensed variety. The competition, in turn, filed lawsuits and the Internet community posted hacks and workarounds that allowed third-party pods to be used.