Single Serve Espresso Machine

If you'd like an espresso made exclusively for you, a single serve espresso machine is an excellent choice. Simply refill the water container and add your desired capsule or pod, and then hit a button.

The top coffee pod machines offer convenience, speed and ease of use. Some also provide extra options like hot tea or chocolate.

Precise Extraction

Like the name implies, espresso is created by forcing hot water through finely ground coffee under pressure that is high. This is a completely different process than drip coffee, where water is allowed to freely flow through the coffee grounds. The exact extraction of espresso requires a precise balance of several factors: dose, tamp, and grind.

The process of heating your portafilter is the first step towards a perfect espresso shot. Vigil usually weighs her portafilter before she fills it with coffee, which makes sure that she's using the correct amount of beans. She then tamps the grounds to create an even puck that's dense enough to release the flavor notes in her beans. She usually tamps using 30 pounds of force which is the ideal amount for consistent, delicious espresso.

Keep an eye on the color and consistency of your espresso's color and consistency. The first few seconds of a well-extracted shot should be dark gold, then it should shift to a lighter gold as the 25-second mark gets closer. This is called blonding. A shot that has not been blonding correctly could have bitter or acids notes.

Some machines, like the Keurig K-Supreme Smart or the Nespresso Vertuo Plus in our test, let you set a brew-time, so that you can control the speed of extraction. This is a great feature, but it won't be able to compensate if the beans are not properly ground or roast properly.

In some of the other machines, like the Gaggia semiautomatic machine, you can set the desired temperature of water to control the rate of extraction. This can make a big impact on the flavor of your espresso, however it's not a solution to an unsatisfactory grind or roast.

A majority of the machines we tested come with an option built-in for steam wands or a frother, which makes it easy to make espresso with steam-steamed milk or frothed. This is particularly beneficial for drinks like cappuccino and latte, which are typically served with steaming milk. Some machines, like the Nespresso Inissia or the Cuisinart On Demand provide recyclable pods that help reduce the waste.

Variety of drinks

Many drinks that are espresso-based require the use of frothed or steamed milk, and the top single-serve espresso machines can perform the job effectively. A high-quality machine can make rich creamy lattes and cappuccinos using a simple touch of the button or programable settings. Some include an automatic milk frother, so you don't have to buy a separate device at the counter.

The top coffee makers and espresso makers provide additional drinks, such as iced drinks. Some models come with built-in grinders to grind beans at a high speed, while others use a carafe with multiple servings. Some models have adjustable settings, allowing you to choose your preferred temperature and strength. The top-rated model in this category, the Nespresso Essenza Mini, can create an espresso double or lungo shot and a variety of drinks with just a push of a button.

If you prefer an elegant beverage then the Philips Breville Intuo XS makes it easy to make cappuccinos and lattes. It's simple and intuitive to use, providing the option of five popular drinks at the touch of one button. The brewing process only takes about a minute and will produce an excellent tasting espresso with no effort from you. The machine is also eco-friendly since it cuts down on the amount of coffee pods that you will need to purchase.

If you like to experiment with your own ideas, then consider investing in a versatile espresso machine that can create double-shot and single-shot drinks. The best espresso and coffee makers feature an easy to use interface that lets you customize the size, strength and brew times of your drink with the push of a button. You can pick from a wide range of coffee maker single beans that range from the traditional to exotic blends and variations. Some come with a grinder for fresh grounds that can give you more control over the flavor of your coffee than pre-packaged pods.

Convenience

One of the main draws of single cup coffee maker serve espresso machines is their convenience. They're easy to brew require minimal cleanup and eliminate the need for measuring ground coffee or coffee beans. They are designed to make only one cup so there are no leftovers.

Machines that make use of capsules and pods (like Keurig or Nespresso) and come pre-packaged with the correct amount of ground coffee for a single pod coffee cup, work in the same way. Simply select the beverage you'd like and then place the pod into the machine, then press the button. Most machines are also able to brew tea or hot cocoa, and some even have milk frothers to make it easy to create of milk-based drinks.

But while these machines are extremely practical, they come with an expense in terms of cost and environmental footprint. Pods can be more expensive than ground coffee, or bean-to cup, and are often packaged in plastic, which means you'll need to find a recycling method. As time passes, this can become an important consideration in the event you're considering purchasing a pod coffee maker single cup maker for long-term use.

Other models offer more flexibility in terms of brewing sizes and are able to handle different kinds of beans or ground. These machines are sometimes called "ground-to cup" machines. You will place the ground coffee in a basket that is placed at the top of the machine or, if it's an espresso-style model, into the portafilter. It resembles a traditional coffee maker single pot and is akin to the filter in an espresso machine. These machines usually provide the closest to traditional barista taste, however they are generally more complicated and costly than pod or capsule-based models.

There are also super-automatic machines and manual machines. They operate similarly to the typical coffee maker, but with a higher level of automation. They can be programmed to automatically serve beverages including coffee, and perform basic maintenance tasks like decaffeinating and descaling. Our labs awarded them the top marks for their reliability and ease of use. However they can be a challenge to maintain in good working order.

Maintenance

As a professional barista you're aware that your equipment must be regularly cleaned and descaled to ensure that you get the best coffee. It is also a good idea to flush the espresso group heads every night and wipe your machine to eliminate any loose coffee grounds or milk residue. These routine tasks may seem tedious, but they are essential to the long-term durability and quality of your equipment.

Cleaning your single serve espresso machine is essential not just for hygiene reasons but for the flavor of your espresso. If you don't properly clean your machine, it could cause a build-up of bacteria and impurities growing that will alter the taste and flavor of your coffee. Cleaning your espresso machine won't take as long as you might think. You can keep your machine in good shape for many years by spending only a few minutes each day and cleaning it thoroughly once a month.

First, you'll need empty the drip tray (this is usually an easy task that can be completed in just one step). Then, clean the machine's internal components. It's a good idea to make use of a mild soap along with water and a sponge, especially around the hot boiler and the portafilter. When you're done using a clean cloth or towel to wipe down the outside and inside of your machine.

The most crucial part of the maintenance procedure is cleaning your espresso machine on a regular basis. Backflushing and descalers remove any hard-water residues from your machine, which could adversely impact the taste of your espresso. It is recommended to descale your machine every 300 cups, or roughly every month, depending on how often you use your coffee maker.

To perform a backflush, you will need to take off the steam wand, group head and other parts of your espresso machine and soak them in a solution made from water and espresso machine soap for at least 30 minutes. Once the portafilters and baskets are clean and dry, you can run fresh water through them. You can also backflush the steam portafilter and scrub it with nylon brushes. Then, clean the draining hose using a dilute solution of water and cleaner.