Single serve coffee makers are getting more and more popular each year and they should probably be among the most popular gifts this Christmas. There are quite a few models available out there, mostly from Bosch (Tassimo) and Keurig, so here is a page to help you decide if this is a good gift idea, which one should you get and where to buy it?
The first thing you need to know is if a single serve coffee maker is really what you need. This kind of coffee machine isn’t for everyone, keep in mind that this is not an espresso machine similar to what you can find in restaurants. So before buying one as a gift you might want to read this quick list of pros and cons to help you decide.
Pros
– Coffee is ready in less than a minute (when the machine is preheated);
– Cheaper than Starbucks or Second Cup coffee;
– Nothing to Clean
Cons
– Coffee quality isn’t as good as if made with an espresso machine;
– Machine is more expensive than a regular filter machine;
– Use of a disposable plastic cup for every coffee isn’t eco-friendly at all
What Models Are Available Out There?
There are a lot of different models available, each for a different price and quality. The cheapest coffee maker starts at only $89.99 and it goes up to $299.99 for a Breville or a Nespresso. Before buying a model, verify how much the coffee cups that you can use with it are, since you don’t want to buy a cheap machine but have to pay $2 per cup after. You also might want to check if they have the flavors you like.
Even though you pay $299.99 for a Breville single serve coffee maker, it doesn’t mean that it is not going to break. When reading reviews about coffee machines, it seems like all the different models break quite often, but the Breville one has a great guarantee so you can easily get a replacement.
I did have a Keurig in the past and it never broke for two years in a row. I think that the coffee was OK but it was never close to the quality you can get with an espresso machine. Please consider though, that what you lose in taste, you definitely make up for in speed, as these machines are really fast.
Our Picks
Under $100
Krups Nescafe Dolce Gusto Circolo Coffee Machine, Titanium: $99.97 at Amazon.ca
$100-$199
Keurig Platinum Single Serve Brewer KUB70: $178.99 at Amazon.ca
Over $200
Breville Gourmet Single Serve Brewer BKC700XL: $249.99 at Amazon.ca
I also checked the machines available at Futureshop.ca and Bestbuy.ca, but it looks like all the coffee makers were cheaper at Amazon.ca. And because they offer free shipping on most orders over $25, there shouldn’t be extra fees for delivery, unless the machine is shipped from the US. Items available at Amazon.ca go fast, so you might want to hurry up if you would like to buy a single serve coffee maker online.