If you’re a caffeine-dependent life form, a freshly brewed cuppa joe is all you need to kickstart your day. The only thing you need to make your mornings better is the best single-cup coffee maker with a grinder.
A single-serve coffee machine is perfect for lone rangers that only need one cup of coffee. As a result, you can ditch the large coffee machines that give you multiple cups of coffee, only to go to waste.
However, with a large variety of coffee makers available, how do you pick the best one? After much research, we have found the best single cup coffee makers and curated a handy buying guide for you.
So, without further ado, let’s get to it!
Our Top Picks For the Best Single Cup Coffee Maker With Grinder
Here are some of the top products you should consider while looking for the best single cup coffee maker with a grinder.
1. Breville Grind Control Coffee Maker
This Breville coffee maker is one of the most pricey products on the list. However, its shiny stainless steel surface makes it an alluring coffee maker. This machine is especially ideal for those who are picky when it comes to their morning energizer.
The primary reason behind this appliance being so expensive is its stainless steel burr grinder. It outperforms blade grinders and guarantees a consistent brew each time. Furthermore, this coffee maker allows you to pick from eight different grind sizes.
It also has pre-brew temperature control, which lets you alter the temperature of the water before soaking the coffee grounds.
Perhaps the most intriguing feature of this coffee maker is its LCD screen. It shows you the grind size, brewing time, and brewing strength of your coffee, among other things.
This machine can be configured to begin brewing at a specified time. Additionally, it comes with a stainless steel thermal carafe that ensures your coffee stays hot.
Pros
Single serving option
Sleek finish
Large capacity for coffee beans
Clear LCD screen
Eight strength settings
Removable drip
Clearance for travel mug
Cons
Comparatively expensive
Multiple moving parts
2. Cuisinart Grind & Brew Automatic Coffeemaker
Cuisinart is a pioneer in home appliances, and with good reason. This coffee maker comes with plenty of incredible features and is well worth the money.
This appliance is built to last and is intended for daily usage. In addition, it has a four-hour auto shut-off option to prevent you from accidentally leaving the machine on for hours.
The Cuisinart Grind And Brew Automatic mechanically grinds and dispenses beans into a filter. It can make anything from a single cup to 12 full cups of coffee.
You may also use the pre-programmable function to set your machine for over 24 hours in advance. This lets you wake up to a freshly brewed pot of java.
Moreover, this environment-friendly device makes use of reusable filters. However, it allows you to use paper filters instead of reusable ones.
With that said, the grinder could be a tad too loud for you. Luckily, though, Cuisinart enables you to replace whole beans with pre-ground beans.
Pros
3-year limited warranty
Auto shut-off function
Pre-programmable over a day
Dishwasher-safe removable parts
1-4 cup setting
Charcoal water filter
Reusable filter
Cons
It needs to be cleaned after each use
Loud and noisy grinder
Steam can rise into the grinder
3. KRUPS Personal Café Grind Drip Maker
If you’re looking for a product with outstanding features at an unbeatable price, this KRUPS coffee maker should be your first choice. It is a stylish appliance with a futuristic look, owing to its silver and black body and orange-lined buttons.
The highlight of this coffee maker is probably its top-of-the-line stainless steel burr grinder. It gives consistent grounds and doesn’t compromise on the flavor.
The machine features a glass carafe with a stunning silver and black handle. It also includes a permanent filter, cleaning brushes, and a coffee scoop, making it easy to clean and maintain.
Another exciting feature of this machine is the bold brew setting. It lets you brew your coffee more potently than usual. You can even modify the size of your coffee grounds.
Moreover, this KRUPS coffee maker comes with a warming plate, which stays active for half an hour. As a result, it keeps your coffee warm while you go about your daily activities.
Pros
Multiple grinding options
Easy to clean
Unique and stylish appearance
Compact
High-quality grinder
Allows coffee whole coffee beans and grounds
Warming plate
Cons
Limited functions
No pre-program options
4. Cuisinart Grind & Brew Coffeemaker
This Cuisinart machine is perfect for a good quality single serve. It is packed with exciting features that make it relatively convenient while also looking stunning.
The machine comes with multiple detachable parts that you can wash easily. Moreover, you can remove the drip tray to fit your travel mug or any other mug you like. This coffee maker is capable of grinding and brewing up to 16 ounces of coffee at once. Therefore, you can set the pot once, and you’ll be done for the entire day.
This Cuisinart coffee machine makes brewing coffee a straightforward task. First, you simply need to fill the grinder and add water to the reservoir. Then, you will have to press the grind or brew button and wait for the magic to happen.
It also comes with a grind-off feature that allows you to do away with the grinder and use pre-ground coffee. This feature can come in handy if you realize you’re out of coffee beans all of a sudden. It skips through the grinding process and drops your coffee to the brewing part.
Pros
Easy to use and clean
Can fit travel mugs
12-Cup capacity
24-hour programmable settings
Auto shut-off safety function
Charcoal water filter
Removable drip tray
Cons
Releases too much vapor and moisture
5. KRUPS Grind and Brew Auto-Start Maker
This KRUPS coffee machine is worth every penny as it gives you the freedom of customization. It allows you to control the grinding and brewing settings.
The machine offers three different brew strengths that you can easily change with a simple push of a button from mild to medium to strong. In addition, it comes with a brew-pause feature that enables you to stop the outflow of coffee. Once you fill up your mug, you can move on.
This coffee maker comes with a pre-programming option that makes it perfect for those who find themselves too busy to brew coffee in the morning. You can set the brewing time in advance, and your pot of java will be ready when you want it to be.
Using this machine is pretty straightforward. You simply need to put your beans in the special chamber and set the timer. The device also comes with a coffee warmer, which can keep your coffee hot for up to two hours.
Pros
Conical burr grinder
Different grind settings
Warming tray
Drip-free carafe
LCD screen
Multiple brewing options
Pre-programmable autostart
User-friendly controls
Cons
Difficult to clean and maintain
Understanding water-to-grinds proportion can be tricky
Loud and noisy
How to Pick the Best Single Cup Coffee Maker With Grinder
With so many models with different bells and whistles, it is only natural to be confused about which coffee maker will fulfill your needs. A lot of factors come into play to influence your choice of coffee maker.
Let us hop on to some of the most important considerations you need to keep in mind while picking the best single cup coffee maker with a grinder.
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Budget
When you’re looking to purchase expensive products, like a coffee maker, you need to set a budget first. Then, once you have determined how much you’re willing to spend, you can pick a machine that meets all of your needs.
Single-cup coffee makers can be priced anywhere between $100 to $1,500. Therefore, it is upon you to choose an appliance that serves your needs without burning a hole in your pocket.
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Grinding Mechanism
Single-cup coffee makers can have either of the two grinding systems, blade or burr. Each of these mechanisms serves its purpose and is suited for different needs. Let us go through a quick comparison of the two.
Burr grinders provide an even and consistent grind. They are far more reliable and give consistent results, ensuring that you get the maximum flavor from your coffee beans. Since they do not produce much heat, the taste of the coffee doesn’t get affected.
Blade grinders, on the other hand, are less expensive. However, they give an inconsistent grind and reduce the potency of the coffee beans. Moreover, they produce heat in the process, which could end up burning the beans and lending your cuppa joe a charred flavor.
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Capacity
We’ve often heard that bigger is not always better, and picking out a single cup coffee maker is an ideal example to prove that point. Therefore, you need to pay attention to the size of a coffee maker before investing in one.
If you drink only a couple of cups a day, you don’t need a huge machine that brews 14 cups in a go. Instead, a coffee maker with a 1-4 cup setting seems perfect for those who only want to make coffee for themselves and drink it in moderation.
On the other hand, a larger coffee machine is better suited for families with more than one device user. However, since we’re looking at single-cup coffee makers, we need to stay focused on smaller appliances.
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Powering Options
Single-serve coffee makers are primarily of two kinds – gravity-powered and electric. While electric coffee makers are simply powered by electricity, gravity-powered makers let air pressure seep into your coffee grounds and bolster the extraction process.
If you’re looking for a coffee machine that is easy to operate and gives you quick results, an electric version will do the trick. However, if you need a coffee maker for camping trips or traveling in general, a gravity-powered machine will be better suited.
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Water Reservoir
Some water reservoirs are removable; they come with handles that ease the cleaning and refilling process. They are much more convenient than the reservoirs that are permanently fixed to the coffee maker.
Moreover, a larger reservoir means less refilling. This comes in handy for households that consume multiple servings per day. Additionally, some coffee makers come without a water reservoir, and you need to measure and add the amount of water each time you want.
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Speed
If you’re looking for single-cup coffee makers, chances are, speed is an essential factor for you. After all, it is the most significant advantage of a single-serve coffee machine.
For those who need a coffee maker that gives quick results, it is ideal to look for an appliance with a powerful heating mechanism. It should be able to boil water and brew coffee within a minute.
A machine that requires you to manually heat and pour water over the ground coffee beans ends up taking double the time.
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Carafe
The quality of your carafe can significantly impact the quality of your coffee. Typically, a thermal carafe is preferred over a glass carafe.
A thermal carafe keeps your coffee warm and does not affect the taste, whereas a glass carafe is generally placed on a hot plate that cooks the flavor out of the coffee.
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Brewing Options
An ideal coffee maker should allow you to brew your coffee differently on different occasions. The most common brewing options are mild, medium, and strong.
When a coffee maker allows you multiple options, you can choose to brew your coffee according to different moods instead of waking up and drinking the same kind of coffee every day.
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Pods vs Filters
More often than not, single-serve coffee makers use coffee pods. These are small cups made of aluminum or plastic, like K-cups. They are filled with pre-portioned coffee grounds and include a built-in filter.
Although they are pretty easy to use, they cost more than using home-ground coffee. There are some recyclable K-cups as well, but their filters are not environmentally friendly.
Soft pods are another famous option. They do away with plastic waste by packaging coffee in round paper filters, like teabags.
Many coffee makers use reusable filters rather than pods. They are pretty environment-friendly but require more effort. You will have to fill the filters with your ground coffee and wash them after each use.
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Travel Mug Compatibility
Most single-cup coffee makers with grinders are light and portable. However, they may not always be compatible with a travel mug.
It is better to look for a machine with adjustable cup height so that you can easily use it in your travels.
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Maintenance
A coffee machine is not an inexpensive purchase that you can replace after using it for some time. You need to clean and maintain the appliance so that it remains useful for an extended period.
You need to deep clean your coffee maker every month to maintain its quality and ensure good results. It is therefore convenient to have a machine that is easy to clean and take care of.
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Additional Features
Besides the basic functions of a coffee maker, there are a few advanced features that you may be interested in. Keep these features in mind when you’re on the lookout for the best single cup coffee maker with a grinder.
- Automatic shut-off safety feature
- Temperature control
- No noise motor
- Grind settings
- LCD screen for easy navigation
- Pre-set programs
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
All of this talk about coffee makers may have left you with some queries. So here are a few commonly asked questions that might help you understand more about the best single cup coffee machine with a grinder.
1. When Should I Replace My Coffee Maker?
Typically, your coffee maker should last for about five years. Although, if you ensure proper care by regularly cleaning and descaling the machine, it may even last up to ten years.
However, there are certain situations where you may have to replace your coffee machine, even though it isn’t that old. Let us look at some such situations.
- The heating element gets worn off with time and does not heat water properly, resulting in milder brews and colder coffee.
- If your machine only works with specific pods that end up getting discontinued, it is no longer valuable.
- The machine undergoes damage such as leaks, cracked parts, and faulty pumps.
2. Is a Coffee Maker with a Grinder Worth It?
A coffee maker with a grinder is worth every penny as it offers many advantages. The most important one, perhaps, is that it saves money. Instead of spending on an espresso maker and coffee grinder separately, you get both functions in one appliance.
Moreover, it saves space as well. You need the storage for just one machine to fit both functions. It is also very convenient as it saves the amount of effort that goes into grinding and then brewing.
Final Thoughts
Brewing a warm cup of java just for yourself can be one of the most satisfying feelings there is. However, the right coffee maker can make the process much more quick and convenient for you.
While there are many coffee machine options, you need to set your budget and look for an appliance that meets all of your needs. The good part is – there’s something for everyone!
Whether you like to use pods or filters, brew strong coffee, or mild, you can choose your pick for the best single cup coffee maker with a grinder.