Which is the best single-serve (pod) coffee maker?

Cartridge Type

Single serve coffee makers produce single servings of drip style coffee and related beverages. There are four types of single serve cartridges: K-Cups, Vue-packs, T-Discs and pods. K-Cups and Vue-packs only fit in Keurig coffee makers and T-Discs only in Tassimo coffee makers. K-cups and Vue-packs are not interchangeable and need their own machine. They are designed to brew coffee, tea and hot chocolate. Vue-packs allow adjustments in water pressure, brewing time and airflow through the V700 machine's interface. The T-Discs have a bar code that the coffee maker scans and determines the amount and temperature of the water to deliver and the timing of the brew cycle. Pods are available from a number of suppliers and vary in size from 45 mm (about 1 3/4 in.) to 61 mm (about 2 1/2 in.).

	Value	Pros	Cons	Alternatives
Cartridge Type	T-Disc	Bar code automatically sets coffee maker controls properly.	T-Discs only work with Tassimo coffee makers.	Bosch Tassimo T65, Bosch Tassimo T45, and Bosch Tassimo T20
	K-Cup		K-Cups only work with Keurig coffee makers.	Breville BKC700XL, Cuisinart SS-700, Keurig B70, Keurig B60, Keurig B40, Keurig B31, and Mr.Coffee KG2
	Vue pack	Recyclable	Slightly more expensive per cup. Works only with Keurig's Vue machines.	Keurig Vue V700
	Pod	Pods are available from multiple suppliers.		Senseo SL7832-55

Cartridge Cost

There is a large variety of cartridges available for each style machine. The average cost per cartridge reflects this variety and varies depending on the selection. It is representative and can be compared to the average cost of a cup of coffee brewed from grinding your own coffee. Using 1.5 to 2 tablespoons of coffee for an average cup size (6 - 8 oz), there are about 40 cups in a pound of coffee. Assuming $10.00 per pound of coffee, the average cost would be $0.25.

	Value	Alternatives
Cartridge Cost	$0.75	Keurig Vue V700
	$0.70	Bosch Tassimo T65, Bosch Tassimo T45, and Bosch Tassimo T20
	$0.55	Breville BKC700XL, Cuisinart SS-700, Keurig B70, Keurig B60, Keurig B40, Keurig B31, and Mr.Coffee KG2
	$0.35	Senseo SL7832-55

Machine Cost

	Value	Alternatives
Machine Cost	$150 and higher	Keurig Vue V700, Breville BKC700XL, Cuisinart SS-700, and Bosch Tassimo T65
	$100 to $149	Keurig B70, Keurig B60, Bosch Tassimo T45, Keurig B40, Senseo SL7832-55, and Bosch Tassimo T20
	$99 and lower	Keurig B31 and Mr.Coffee KG2

Cup Size Settings

The cup size is determined by a button or touch screen indicator and reflects the amount of water used for the requested cup size. The amount of coffee needed for larger cup sizes may require a matching sized K-Cup or pod. The T-Discs bar code presets the amount of water needed automatically.

	Value	Alternatives
Cup Size Settings	Automatic	Bosch Tassimo T65, Bosch Tassimo T45, and Bosch Tassimo T20
	8 sizes	Keurig Vue V700
	5 sizes	Breville BKC700XL, Cuisinart SS-700, and Keurig B70
	3 sizes	Keurig B60 and Keurig B31
	2 sizes	Keurig B40
	1 size	Senseo SL7832-55 and Mr.Coffee KG2

Water Tank Size

These single-serve coffee makers include a removable water reservoir. The larger the reservoir the less need to refill.

	Value	Alternatives
Water Tank Size	80 ounces	Cuisinart SS-700
	74 ounces	Keurig Vue V700
	60 ounces	Breville BKC700XL, Bosch Tassimo T65, Keurig B70, and Bosch Tassimo T45
	50 ounces	Bosch Tassimo T20
	48 ounces	Keurig B60 and Keurig B40
	46 ounces	Senseo SL7832-55
	10 ounces	Keurig B31
	9 ounces	Mr.Coffee KG2

Water Filter

Water filters remove minerals that can affect the taste of the coffee. Filters also reduce the deposit buildup in coffee makers and extend their life.

	Value	Alternatives
Water Filter	Yes	Breville BKC700XL, Cuisinart SS-700, Bosch Tassimo T65, Keurig B70, Keurig B60, Bosch Tassimo T45, and Keurig B40
Water Filter	No	Keurig Vue V700, Keurig B31, Senseo SL7832-55, Bosch Tassimo T20, and Mr.Coffee KG2

Auto Off

An auto off feature that will turn off after a certain amount of time will protect the coffee maker from overheating and damage to the brewer.

	Value	Alternatives
Auto Off	Yes	Keurig Vue V700, Breville BKC700XL, Cuisinart SS-700, Keurig B70, Keurig B60, and Mr.Coffee KG2
Auto Off	No	Bosch Tassimo T65, Bosch Tassimo T45, Keurig B40, Keurig B31, Senseo SL7832-55, and Bosch Tassimo T20

Removable Drip Tray

The removable drip tray will allow a variety of cup sizes to fit under the spout. This is especially useful when using a travel mug. The Tassimo models have an adjustable cup stand to accommodate various cup sizes and a travel mug.

	Value	Alternatives
Removable Drip Tray	Yes	Keurig Vue V700, Breville BKC700XL, Cuisinart SS-700, Bosch Tassimo T65, Keurig B70, Keurig B60, Bosch Tassimo T45, Keurig B40, Keurig B31, Bosch Tassimo T20, and Mr.Coffee KG2
Removable Drip Tray	No	Senseo SL7832-55

Clock

A clock will turn the coffee maker on at a preset time and allow the temperature of the water to achieve the required temperature before you are ready to use the coffee maker.

	Value	Alternatives
Clock	Yes	Keurig Vue V700, Breville BKC700XL, Cuisinart SS-700, Keurig B70, and Keurig B60
Clock	No	Bosch Tassimo T65, Bosch Tassimo T45, Keurig B40, Keurig B31, Senseo SL7832-55, Bosch Tassimo T20, and Mr.Coffee KG2

Reusable Coffee Filter

A reusable coffee filter allows the use of your favorite ground coffee in a K-Cup cartridge format. Keurig is presently the only manufacturer to offer this reusable cartridge. An independent supplier offers the Coffeeduck™ product for the Senseo coffee maker that performs a similar function.

Note that many people report leaking with Keurig reusable coffee filters. The fix is to buy a standard 1/2L flat faucet washer, and place it into the top of the reusable filter lid. It will fit perfectly and stop the leak.

	Value	Alternatives
Reusable Coffee Filter	Yes	Breville BKC700XL, Cuisinart SS-700, Keurig B70, Keurig B60, Keurig B40, Keurig B31, and Mr.Coffee KG2
Reusable Coffee Filter	No	Keurig Vue V700, Bosch Tassimo T65, Bosch Tassimo T45, Senseo SL7832-55, and Bosch Tassimo T20

New?

Is this a new single-serve coffee machine with a recent or upcoming release date?

	Value	Alternatives
New?	Yes	Keurig Vue V700
New?	No	Breville BKC700XL, Cuisinart SS-700, Bosch Tassimo T65, Keurig B70, Keurig B60, Bosch Tassimo T45, Keurig B40, Keurig B31, Senseo SL7832-55, Bosch Tassimo T20, and Mr.Coffee KG2