I’ve been reading tons of reviews lately, trying to collect the various opinions on pod coffee makers and testing out the products on my own. Through this research and generating my own opinions, here are the results on the top 3 units in the search for the perfect small coffee maker:
Keurig B60 Special Edition Gourmet Single-Cup Home-Brewing System
Out of all the coffee pod brewers that I could find that were getting great reviews right out of the gate, the Keurig units were the absolute best performers. Out of Keurig’s offerings, the B60 seems to be the real winner in terms of build quality, features, and most importantly the quality of the brewing process. The favorite features among reviewers included one-touch configuration for fast brewing, multiple cup sizes for different amounts of coffee output, the excellent K-Cup coffee pods, and removable drip tray.
AeroPress Coffee and Espresso Maker
Based on the well-established tradition of french press coffee makers, the AeroPress units are at a real advantage in terms of aesthetics as well as quality brewed coffees. People really seem to like the fact that this unit uses a gentle air pressure process combined with properly heated water to do its magic. This is not the same process that is used in the more common single cup coffee makers that you’ll see on the market. Additionally, while we tend to get caught up in the fancy features on the the Keurig units like the touch screens and digital readouts, there’s a lot to be said for a coffee maker that has fewer mechanical elements. Since we’re dealing with a french press style brewer here, you’re relying more on the natural pressure that you expend when pressing the handle down than on a mechanical element that has a better chance of breaking down. This results in a brewer that needs to be serviced far less (if at all), while still giving you a great cup of coffee. For these reasons, the AeroPress units really deserve a special mention in this list.
Breville BKC600XL Gourmet Single-Cup Coffee Brewer
Last, but definitely not least, we have the Breville series. Although less known than the Keurigs and Senseos on the market, the Breville’s really deliver. I actually already had experience with the BKC600XL because a fellow coffee enthusiast owns the unit. I was quite impressed with the quality of the coffee that this brewer was able to deliver. One of my favorite things about this unit is the compatibility with the “K-Cup” system that is manufactured by Keurig. Combined with the programmable LCD screen and rock-solid construction, the Breville name is definitely a great contender.
