Single cup coffee brewing systems have become increasingly popular and there is quite a large variety of different models. In fact, you'll need a spreadsheet when you try to evaluate the different features of each brand. The most important consideration should be the quality of that single cup of coffee that the machine can produce in less than a minute. As you look at different brewing systems, ask what the machine brews to produce that cup of coffee. Does it use coffee packaged in pods, in capsules or K-Cups? Some one cup machines only have limited options when it comes to coffee choices while others offer a broad variety of roasts. How do costs compare, not only for the machine, but for the pods or K-Cups? For some coffee lovers, the coffee cost is really not as important as the taste and quality of the cup that is brewed. Compare the features of these two single cup coffee brewers, priced 9.99 to 9.99.
Senseo Supreme HD 7832
Automatic Brewing System
Brews within one minute
Amount brewed can be adjusted with volume control
Brews from 3 ounces to 10 ounces
Produces frothy crema layer on each cup of coffee in 'frothing chamber'
Comes with 2 different sized pod holders: one holds a single pod while 2 can be placed in the larger to make 2 cups of coffee or a single 8 ounce mug.
Uses coffee pods from Douwe Egberts, Folgers, Millstone, Melitta, Aloha Island, and several others
Uses 1 or 2 Senseo Coffee pods, which determines coffee strength
Water Reservoir of 32 ounces which is removable for easy filling
Has water level indicator light
Adjustable spout for smaller cups to 10 ounce mugs
Control panel is lit by blue LED light
Available in 5 colors: Chrome, black, red, white, cobalt blue
Is 13.5"H x 8.5"W x 12" D
Weight 9 pounds
Price 9.99 to 9.99
Keurig Special Edition B60
Automatic Brewing System
Brews in 30 to 50 seconds
Always ready to brew - no waiting time for second cup
Programmable controls
Auto-On and Off
Adjustable Controls
Digital Clock
Control panel is lit by blue LED light.
Has De-scale Indicator
Brews 3 cup sizes:6 ounces, 8 ounces, 10 ounces
Water reservoir holds 48 ounces and is removable for easy filling.
Has water level sensor and LED light behind reservoir
Brew temperature can be adjusted from 187°F to 192°F.
Has removable stainless steel drip tray
Available in black with chrome handle and faceplate
Uses 1 K-Cup of coffee per brewing
Is 13.5" H x 8.5" W x 11"D
Weight 16 pounds
Price 9.95
Coffee Pods And K-Cups
The Senseo uses coffee pods, small packages of coffee, which fit into the machine. With the earlier Senseo Delux model, coffee pods made especially for the machine gave the best results.
The Supreme is able to use a variety of pods but it takes some experimenting with brands and volume brewed to get the strength you want.
The Keurig brewing systems use K-Cups, vacuum packaged small containers of coffee, designed for this coffee maker. Users were pleased with the variety of coffee available in K-Cups from roasters like Green Mountain, Newman's Own Organic, Timothy's, Tully's, and others.
Vacuum packed K-Cups of teas from Celestial Seasonings, Bigelow, and Twinings, as well as, cocoa from Emeril and Bellancino are available.
Quality of the Coffee Senseo Supreme
Many of the previous complaints about weak coffee produced by this one cup machine have been decreased by the addition of the Volume Brewed Control. This allows you to use one large coffee pod or two smaller ones while reducing water volume to brew a stronger cup.
Keurig Special Edition B60
Unanimously, all reviewers reported that the Keurig machine brews a consistently good, full-bodied cup of coffee.
There were no significant complaints while there was praise for the Keurig machine's durability and reliable performance.
Consumer Reports ranks the Keurig B60 as "the best coffee maker of all" in its review of 35 different single serving systems.
