Single-serve coffeemakers that use coffee pods are gaining in popularity, and everyone wants a piece of the market, including Starbucks.
Consumer Reports tested 21 pod coffeemakers from names like DeLonghi, Keurig and Mr. Coffee. It also tested the new single-serve Verismo machine from Starbucks that starts at $200.
Single-serve coffeemakers are all about convenience, so testers looked for things like how fast you'll get that first cup of coffee in the morning.
The fastest will rush you your caffeine in about a minute, but one model from Hamilton Beach took three minutes to deliver that first cup. As for the Starbucks Verismo machine -- you can make Starbucks' espresso, cafe latte, and brewed coffee -- but it's pricey.
"For a coffeemaker that costs $200, it's really very basic,” said Bob Markovich of Consumer Reports. “For example, you can't adjust brew strength, and the manual says you should flush the machine with water after each brew.”
But for far less, Consumer Reports says a good choice is the Smart Café My Invento for $120. It can brew two cups at once, and you can adjust brew strength, too.
But be aware -- buying a pod machine is just the beginning. The pods can be expensive, costing as much as $1 per cup.
If you're looking for a smaller pod machine, the $100 Keurig Mini Plus model B31 is one to consider. While it isn't quite as good as the Smart Café machine, it uses universal K-cups so you're not locked in to a specific brand.
Have your say: Do you use a single-serve coffee maker?
