Single Serve Coffee Brewer Single-serve coffee makers are an excellent option for those who wish to enjoy the convenience of pods or recreate the flavor of drip coffee at home. They are simple to operate and fast. They are available in a variety of styles, ranging from the basic to the sophisticated (like latte attachments on advanced models). You'll find options that are specifically designed for Keurig K-Cups or Nespresso capsules, as well as ones that can take ground coffee beans. What exactly do they do? A single-serve coffee brewer uses capsules, K Cups or pods pre-packaged with ground coffee or tea. The user selects the cup, then presses a button and the machine fills it with hot water or iced coffee, hot chocolate or espresso-based drinks. Certain models have an automatic shutoff or sleep mode that helps reduce energy costs. Some of the brewers we reviewed allow you to make your coffee or tea, but most do not. Some come with adjustable temperature and brew strength settings, while others come with preset settings to make it easier to set. Find an item with an adequate water reservoir to meet your needs. If you make more than one cup a day, think about getting an appliance with a larger tank that requires less refills. Certain single-serve machines provide various brewing options. These include single espresso shots and the 16-ounce brew that is ideal to use as a travel cup. The kind of coffee and tea you prefer to drink can also affect your buying decision because a lot of brewers are confined to a single brand or style of capsules/K-Cups. The convenience of a single-serve coffee maker can save time and money compared to making a pot of drip coffee, however it's worth considering the impact that purchasing and disposing of a lot of K-Cups or pods can have on the environment. These plastic containers end up being disposed of in landfills and have negative impacts on the environment. Some models can brew both ground and pod coffee. If you prefer traditional drip coffee, consider one that allows you to select the size of your grind and add water manually. If you enjoy drinking coffee with your friends and family you might prefer a single-serve coffee maker that can make more than one cup of coffee at one time. The best models come with a drip tray that is removable and holds up to three cups. The ones that don't have removable tray holders can hold five or four cups. Find out if the model you're looking at has different brew size options like an 8-12-ounce option or a 10 to 14-ounce-sized cup. What kinds of coffees can you make? A single-serve machine can prepare a wide range of different types of coffee. Most commonly, they are used with coffee pods like those made by Keurig and Nespresso. But some models can also make drip-style coffee with ground beans. Some models can make espresso and lattes. While they won't be able to win beauty contests as in comparison to a Moka or pour-over, they can still make good coffee in just a few short minutes. If you're worried about the amount of plastic that goes into the production of these coffee pods certain manufacturers offer reusable versions as well as recyclable capsules. Some even offer "eco-friendly" cups that have none plastic at all. A majority of the coffee makers we have tested come with a "mybrew" setting that allows you to customize your brewing parameters. These settings can range from to as simple as selecting a cup size to as complex as selecting the kind of beverage or altering the temperature of the brewing. It is also important to consider whether you need a machine for single-serve coffee or should you also consider a coffee maker with a carafe for making larger quantities. We've included a few of these models in this roundup, including the popular Ninja Specialty coffee maker, which can brew four ounces for you and any other individuals you may be making coffee for. Other single-serve machines let you pick from different brewing styles and sizes of brew. For instance the Bruvi Precision Brewer offers options for low acidity, Americano coffee, iced cold brew and brewed. The touch-screen display also has other options for customization, such as the option to add milk and sugar directly to your beverage. Some single-serve machines are focused on making a specific kind of coffee, for example the Nespresso Essenza Mini and the Breville Barista Express. Both machines can make espresso and lungo in a simple, one-touch manner. They also have a small footprint on the counter of your kitchen. Can they be recycled? Single-serve coffee brewers can be a convenient way to make coffee quickly however, they also generate a lot of waste. After use, the small aluminum and plastic pods are to be discarded, leaving behind a huge amount of waste that is discarded. This is one of the fastest-growing waste streams around the world, and it's important to take steps to help reduce it. Many manufacturers and retailers offer sustainable disposal options for old and used coffee makers. These programs can help keep these waste streams from landfills and prevent them from contaminating our environment. This is why it's important to know if your favorite single serve coffee maker is able to be reused. Metals such as copper and aluminum are highly recyclable, as is glass and other components of your coffee maker. These metals can be melted down and transformed into new products, thereby saving energy and resources by eliminating the need for mining and processing raw materials. A lot of the electronic components in coffee makers can be reused to reduce their environmental impact. The majority of coffee makers are made from recyclable plastics or materials. For instance, the "cup" of many K-Cups and other coffee pods is made of the plastic known as No. The polypropylene 5 can be recycled. Mother Jones estimates that the K-Cups made in 2013 would suffice to wrap around the Earth’s equator 10.5 times. This is why it's crucial to recycle old and unneeded pods. If you want to recycle your coffee maker, it is best to contact the manufacturer to receive specific instructions. Some companies, like Keurig and Nespresso have comprehensive recycling programs that offer drop-off by mail and local pickup options. You can also look online for a local recycler which often has e-waste centers which deal with items such as coffee makers and small appliances. https://www.coffeee.uk/categories/single-serve-coffee-machines or repurposing your coffee maker can be a green alternative to recycling, since these methods avoid the landfill and keep the machine out of the hands of less-than-friendly charities. How do they look? If you are a fan of a freshly-brewed pot of coffee but don't have enough time to make a complete pot, single serve brewers can be a great option for you. They can make a cup of coffee or any other drinks at the touch of a button, so there's less chance that you will make enough and then have to throw it away later. They are also usually much quicker to use than large brewers. There are many kinds of single-serve brewers, including several reuseable options found in most grocery stores. Some are designed to use pre-packaged coffee pods, which you can purchase in a variety of flavors, while others are more flexible and allow you to make use of your own ground beans, tea bags, or loose-leaf coffee. Single-serve brewing systems can be more expensive than a standard drip coffee maker, but it's well worth the investment if you appreciate the convenience of having your favorite drink ready with the click of a button. The top models we evaluated have a great taste, are simple to use and let you customize your beverage. The compact and affordable CSB100S is compatible with single-packs coffee ground coffee, tea bags and ground coffee bags. It features an enormous water tank and is easy to use with just one button and an automatic shutoff. It doesn't have any features that can remotely manage the brewing process and some users report problems with its operation over time. Another compact model that's a bit more expensive than the BLACK+DECKER is the Instant Pod Plus, from the creators of the do-it-all Instant Pot. This brewer works with K-Cups, Original Nespresso pods and also the brand's own compostable ones (although note that they require an industrial composting facility rather than your backyard compost pile). It has a drip tray that can be adapted to hold a travel mug, but there isn't a lid for the hot water button is included. The Aeropress is a single-serve brewer that uses your own coffee grounds to provide a more traditional option. It takes about two minutes to make an eight-ounce cup and does not require electricity or hot water. It can be made with regular coffee grounds, but you'll need to grind them very fine to ensure they absorb liquid quickly.