Author: SuperDee

Best Single Serve Coffee Makers for Tall Travel Mugs

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If you’re the type of person whose hectic mornings don’t allow you to sit and sip your coffee, you most likely have your coffee on the go. Single-serve coffee makers have been a major convenience for anyone who does not have the time. A simple press of a button and your coffee is ready in your cup in under a minute.

A drawback to some single-serve coffee makers is that they were too small to accommodate taller cups or travel mugs. So you had to brew your coffee in a cup and then transfer it to your taller cup.

In this post, I will be listing the top rated single-serve coffee makers that solve this issue. These coffee makers were designed especially to accommodate travel mugs, but can also be used with regular mugs. And whether you want to use K-Cup pods or ground coffee, the choice is totally up to you!

Hamilton 49979 FlexBrew Single-Serve Coffee Maker Compatible with Pod Packs and Grounds, Black and Chrome

Brew With or Without Pod Packs Brew up to 10 Oz With a Pod Pack, or up to a 14 Oz Travel Mug With Grounds Pack Holder and Grounds Basket Are Included
Just Lower Lid and Brew Whether It’s a Pod Pack or Your Own Fresh Grounds, Just Place Them in the Holder, Lower the Lid and Press Brew
Brew Strength Options Get Your Preferred Brew Flavor From Bold or Regular
Fits a Variety of Mugs Use the Adjustable Cup Rest to Not Only Fit Your Favorite Mug in Just Right, but to Also Hold Pod Packs or the Brew Basket
Easy to Clean the Pack-Piercing Tool Removes for Easy Cleaning to Prevent Clogging That Can Sometimes Occur With Frequent Use

Let’s start with the most popular one out of the bunch, the Hamilton Beach FlexBrew. This machines includes two filter baskets, one for ground coffee and another one for using K-Cup pods. It works like any other coffee maker, fill it up with water, fill the filter basket with coffee or use your favorite K-Cup pod, and hit the brew button.

You have two options to choose from, either a regular brew or a bold brew. Bold will give you stronger tasting coffee, but it will take a little bit longer to brew since it steeps the coffee longer.

When it comes to serving sizes, the largest serving size for a K-Cup pod is 10 oz, and 14 oz when using ground coffee. The smallest serving size you can brew is 6 oz.

If you’re going to brew into a travel mug directly, you’ll be able to fit one that is 8″ tall at most. When brewing into a regular mug, you can use the drip tray to raise up the mug higher and avoid splashing when brewing.

Can I Brew Anything Else Other than Coffee Using the FlexBrew?

Since this machine has a K-Cup pod adapter, then yes, you can basically brew anything that comes in a K-Cup pod. I would suggest that you rinse the machine between each brew (hit the brew button without inserting a k-Cup so it runs hot water) to clean any residue. As for using the basket filter, you can only use coffee ground with that.

Can I Use Paper Filters instead of the Permanent Filter?

Yes, you can. Paper filters size #1 should fit.

Does FlexBrew Include a Travel Mug?

No, it does not.

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Chefman InstaCoffee Single Serve Coffee Maker Compatible with K-Cup Pods, Grounds & Loose-Leaf Tea w/Reusable Filter, Compact 14 oz, Black/Stainless Steel, Mug Not Included

FAST BREW TIME: With this single serve coffee maker, you can get fresh coffee at home in 30 seconds from start-to-brew! Depending on your preference, you can experiment with less water for a bolder flavor or more water for a milder taste.
ONE TOUCH OPERATION: Enjoy coffee house quality, fresher and faster with this powerful yet compact 950-Watt coffee maker. With the one-touch operation you can quickly brew up to 14 oz. of coffee, consistently at the perfect temperature.
K-CUPS OR GROUNDS: Have your cup of joe how you want it with ultimate versatility to select K-Cups or fresh coffee grounds. Includes reusable filter for use with coffee grounds and loose-leaf tea. Prevent mineral build up by using the self-cleaning feature on this BPA-free coffeemaker.
COMPACT DESIGN: Narrow profile fits and stores anywhere and can be used to brew coffee on vacations or trips, in dorms, offices, or any size kitchen. Tall enough to use with most 14 oz. travel mugs, you can quickly brew your favorite hot beverages on-the-go!
RJ14-UB ASSURANCES: CETL approved with advanced safety technology for long lasting durability, & 1-year assurance provided by Chefman, so you can purchase worry-free! For information on how to use your product, scroll down for a PDF User Guide. Power Source: 120 Volts

Chefman’s InstaCoffee coffee maker is another great choice for a single-serve machine that can brew both ground coffee and K-Cup pods. It can accommodate regular cups and most 14oz travel mugs.

The machine has a single button on it, brewing a cup of coffee is as easy as pressing that brew button. It does not have a ‘Bold’ brew button, so if this is something you’d prefer, then go for the FlexBrew instead.

One thing you’ll notice is the slim design of the InstaCoffee machine. It’ll take very little space wherever you decide to place it, either in a kitchen countertop, the office, or a dorm room.

Does Chefman InstaCoffee Include a Travel Mug?

No, it does not.

Can I Use any K-Cup Pod?

Yes, that includes coffee, tea or hot chocolate.

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BLACK+DECKER Single Serve Coffeemaker, Black, CM618

Included Components: Permanent Filter
Fabric Type: Plastic, Stainless Steel

Black and Decker’s single serve coffee maker is a great choice if you do not need a machine that uses K-Cup pods in addition to ground coffee. This one only brews ground coffee using the included basket filter. It also includes a 16 oz insulated travel mug that will keep your coffee hot for a while.

You can also brew into a regular mug. However, the machine does not have a drip tray that will raise up the mug, so you should expect some splashing when the coffee pours out. Your safest bet is to use a taller mug.

Can I Brew Anything Else Other than Coffee?

Since this machine does not accommodate K-Cup pods, then no you can’t really brew anything else other than coffee. If you want to keep your options open when it comes to the beverages you can brew, then go for a machine that is compatible with pods like the Hamilton Beach FlexBrew or Chefman’s.

Can I Use a Paper Filter?

Yes, although not necessary, but if you want, go for a #1 size.

Cuisinart SS-15 vs. SS-20 – What’s The Difference?

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Cuisinart’s variety of coffee makers has made it one of the best leading brands in the industry. If you’re ever looking for a reliable and an affordable choice of a coffee maker or a kitchen appliance, Cuisinart would make your best bet.

The Cuisinart SS-15 is a versatile coffee maker that’s been around for a while, and it has proven to be a great machine with a near-perfect review score. So in this post, I will talk about this model and how it compares to its sister model, the SS-20.

Cuisinart SS-15BKS Coffee Center Maker, 12-Cup, Black,SS-15BKSP1

12-Cup glass carafe with BPA free and stainless steel handle
Brew strength control - select bold for stronger Coffee flavor
Gold-tone Coffee filter lets only pure Coffee flavor flow through
Single-serve serving sizes: 6, 8, 10 oz; Fully automatic – 24 hour brew start, self-clean, adjustable auto-off, ready alert
Includes Cuisinart home Barista reusable filter cup which lets you use your own Coffee, K-Cup Pod compatible as well

The SS-15 is a two-way coffee maker that can make both single-serve cups – using K-Cups, or a full coffee pot using ground coffee. It’s a popular pick among people who are looking for a machine that does both full pots and single-servings of coffee.

The single-serve side has three serving options: 6 oz, 8 oz and 10 oz. It is compatible with K-Cup pods from any brand and of any kind. This means you can use it to brew coffee, tea, hot chocolate or any beverage that is available in the form of a K-Cup pod.

On the coffee pot side, you have a 12-cup carafe (glass) to brew a classic pot. You have a selector to Bold brew to make your coffee stronger, and you have the option to select from three carafe temperatures (Lo – Medium – High), that would mean the temperature of the warming plate. Only the pot side has automatic auto on with a 24hrs digital clock.

The machine has two separate water reservoirs for each sides.

Included with your machine a reusable K-Cup filter pot that allows you to use your own coffee grounds for single cup brewing. It also includes a charcoal water filter.

Cuisinart SS-20P1 Coffee Center 10-Cup Thermal Single-Serve Brewer Coffeemaker, Silver

The Cuisinart Coffee Center features a fully automatic thermal coffeemaker on one side and a single-serve brewer on the other.
Single-Serve Features: 3 serving sizes: 6, 8, 10 oz., K-Cup pod compatible, Includes Cuisinart’s HomeBarista Reusable Filter Cup which lets you use your own coffee,Removable 40oz reservoir and Energy Save modeRemovable drip tray for travel mugsCharcoal water filter
Carafe Brewer Features: 10-cup thermal carafe with stainless steel handle, Fully automatic – 24-hour brew start, self-clean, ready alert, Brew Strength Control – select BOLD for stronger coffee flavor, Easy-view water windowBrew Pause feature andGold-tone coffee filter that lets only pure coffee flavor flow through
BPA Free
3-Year Warranty

The SS-20 doesn’t look much different than the SS-15 model. It has both brewing sides, the single-serve side with three brew sizes: 6, 8 and 10 oz. The carafe serving size is 10 cups, and it’s thermal on this model. Like the SS-15, it has two separate reservoirs for each side.

Since it comes with a thermal carafe, the SS-20 does not have a warming plate. It has the BOLD option and it has a digital clock with auto on/off option.

What Is The Difference Between Cuisinart SS-15 vs. SS-20?

Cuisinart SS-15BKS Coffee Center Maker, 12-Cup, Black,SS-15BKSP1

Cuisinart SS-20P1 Coffee Center 10-Cup Thermal Single-Serve Brewer Coffeemaker, Silver

Carafe Capacity

12 cups

10 cups

Carafe Type

Glass

Thermal

K-Cup Compatible

Single Serve Brew Sizes

6, 8, 10 oz

Brew Strength

Includes K-Cup Filter Pod

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Cuisinart SS-15BKS Coffee Center Maker, 12-Cup, Black,SS-15BKSP1

Carafe Capacity

12 cups

Carafe Type

Glass

K-Cup Compatible

Single Serve Brew Sizes

6, 8, 10 oz

Brew Strength

Includes K-Cup Filter Pod

Check Price on Amazon

Cuisinart SS-20P1 Coffee Center 10-Cup Thermal Single-Serve Brewer Coffeemaker, Silver

Carafe Capacity

10 cups

Carafe Type

Thermal

K-Cup Compatible

Single Serve Brew Sizes

6, 8, 10 oz

Brew Strength

Includes K-Cup Filter Pod

Check Price on Amazon

The difference between the these two models is not huge. Two things you’ll want to keep in mind:

Do you want a glass carafe or a thermal carafe? And the capacity of each carafe.

The glass carafe of the SS-15 has a 12-cup capacity while the thermal carafe has 10-cup capacity.

The K-Cup side is identical on both models, so there’s no difference there.

Cuisinart SS-15 and SS-20 Problems

Overall, these coffee makers perform as they should without any problems. But you’ll want to look out when using the single serve side when using smaller cups. Unfortunately, the drip tray is not high enough to raise shorter cups, when can cause a lot of splashing when the coffee pours down. When using a travel mug, the drip tray can be removed to accommodate it and the splashing isn’t a problem when using such a cup, or a larger mug.

More Cuisinart SS-15 Comparisons

Cuisinart SS-15 vs Keurig K-Duo

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Keurig K-Duo Coffee Maker, Single Serve and 12-Cup Carafe Drip Coffee Brewer, Compatible with K-Cup Pods and Ground Coffee, Black

What’s in the box: 12-cup glass carafe included with your brewer along with a heating plate to keep coffee hot.
Brew a cup and a carafe: Use both ground coffee and k-cup pods. Height with handle open-17.63 H inch. Height with drip cover open-18 H inch
Multiple brew sizes: Brew a 6, 8, 10, or 12-cup carafe and a 6, 8, 10, or 12 ounce cup.
Compatible with keurig gold tone mesh filter accessory: A reusable coffee filter you can use to brew your perfect carafe (sold separately).
Large 60 ounce water reservoir: The 60 ounce water reservoir is shared between the single serve and carafe brewing, saving you time and simplifying your morning routine. Removable reservoir makes refilling easy.

K-Duo is Keurig’s two-way coffee maker that makes both single-serve coffee as well as a full pot of coffee. It was made a competitor to the Cuisinart SS-15, although Cuisinart’s machine came years before Keurig’s.

Which makes a better choice, though? Keurig’s K-Duo or Cuisinart’s SS-15?

Keurig K-Duo Coffee Maker, Single Serve and 12-Cup Carafe Drip Coffee Brewer, Compatible with K-Cup Pods and Ground Coffee, Black

Cuisinart SS-15BKS Coffee Center Maker, 12-Cup, Black,SS-15BKSP1

Carafe Capacity

12 cups

Carafe Material

Glass

Single Serve Sizes

6, 8, 10, 12 oz

6, 8, 10 oz

Water Reservoir

single reservoir for both sides

double - one for each side

Warming Plate

Pause and Pour

Auto on (for carafe side)

Strong Brew

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Keurig K-Duo Coffee Maker, Single Serve and 12-Cup Carafe Drip Coffee Brewer, Compatible with K-Cup Pods and Ground Coffee, Black

Carafe Capacity

12 cups

Carafe Material

Glass

Single Serve Sizes

6, 8, 10, 12 oz

Water Reservoir

single reservoir for both sides

Warming Plate

Pause and Pour

Auto on (for carafe side)

Strong Brew

Check Price on Amazon

Cuisinart SS-15BKS Coffee Center Maker, 12-Cup, Black,SS-15BKSP1

Carafe Capacity

12 cups

Carafe Material

Glass

Single Serve Sizes

6, 8, 10 oz

Water Reservoir

double - one for each side

Warming Plate

Pause and Pour

Auto on (for carafe side)

Strong Brew

Check Price on Amazon

Although on the carafe side, both Cuisinart and Keurig offer the same 12-cup capacity, Keurig’s K-Duo has an additional serving size on its single-serve brewing side, it brews up to 12 oz of coffee.

Unlike the Cuisinart that uses separate reservoirs for each side of the machine, the K-Duo has one large 60 oz reservoir shared between the two sides. This is great if you do not want to fill the water tank at every use of the machine, especially the single-serve side.

While both the Cuisinart and Keurig machines compatible with refillable K-Cup pods, K-Duo does not include one like the Cuisinart SS-15.

Best Pod Coffee Maker with Milk Frother

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So you’re looking for a single-serve coffee maker that uses pods and has a milk frother? Lucky for you, this is a popular kind of a coffee maker that’s available from many brands, which is great because you get to choose from different options.

Keurig K-Cafe Single-Serve K-Cup Coffee Maker, Latte Maker and Cappuccino Maker, Comes with Dishwasher Safe Milk Frother, Coffee Shot Capability, Compatible With all Keurig K-Cup Pods, Dark Charco

Nespresso Lattissima Touch Original Espresso Machine with Milk Frother by De'Longhi Washed Black

Breville Nespresso Creatista Plus Coffee Espresso Machine, 1, Stainless Steel

Keurig K-Cafe Single-Serve K-Cup Coffee Maker, Latte Maker and Cappuccino Maker, Comes with Dishwasher Safe Milk Frother, Coffee Shot Capability, Compatible With all Keurig K-Cup Pods, Dark Charco

Nespresso Lattissima Touch Original Espresso Machine with Milk Frother by De'Longhi Washed Black

Breville Nespresso Creatista Plus Coffee Espresso Machine, 1, Stainless Steel

Check Price on Amazon

Keurig K-Cafe Single-Serve K-Cup Coffee Maker, Latte Maker and Cappuccino Maker, Comes with Dishwasher Safe Milk Frother, Coffee Shot Capability, Compatible With all Keurig K-Cup Pods, Dark Charco

Check Price on Amazon

Nespresso Lattissima Touch Original Espresso Machine with Milk Frother by De'Longhi Washed Black

Check Price on Amazon

Breville Nespresso Creatista Plus Coffee Espresso Machine, 1, Stainless Steel

Check Price on Amazon

Before we get started, let’s talk about what you can do with such a coffee machine…

What You Can Do With a Pod Coffee Maker with Milk Frother

‘Pod Coffee Maker’ is also known as a single-serve coffee maker. So it makes one cup of coffee at a time. The exact drinks you can make will depend on the model you choose eventually, but generally, most of these coffee makers can make:

Espresso – Lungo (longer espresso) – Any milk based coffee drink such as Cappuccino, Latte, Macchiato and so on…

Having a milk frother means that the machine will automatically heat and froth the milk for you. Some also make cold froth for iced coffee drinks.

What To Look For Before Buying a Pod Coffee Maker

There are a few things to keep in mind before picking a pod coffee maker:

Pod Compatibility: Each single-serve coffee maker has its own type of pod and once you select a machine, you’re committed to those pods. For example, Only Nespresso Pods work on Nespresso machines, and only K-Cup pods work on a Keurig machine.

However, you can find pods from third party brands, that goes for Keurig or Nespresso OriginalLine machines. So while you are committed to a ‘type of pod’, there are different brands to choose from. However, if you opt for a Nespresso Vertuo machine for example, then you’re confined to Nespresso pods only.

Pod Availability: Once you know the type of pod you’ll need, it’s time to check for their availability. If you are going to buy your pods online, then no problem there. You’ll find most pods available in major websites like Amazon, Target or from their own brand’s websites. If you want to buy your pods in-store, then you’ll have to check if there are available in stores near you.

Best Pod Coffee Makers with Built-in Milk Frothers

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Keurig K-Cafe Single-Serve K-Cup Coffee Maker, Latte Maker and Cappuccino Maker, Comes with Dishwasher Safe Milk Frother, Coffee Shot Capability, Compatible With all Keurig K-Cup Pods, Dark Charco

COFFEE, LATTES & CAPPUCCINOS: Use any K-Cup pod to brew coffee, or make delicious lattes and cappuccinos.
SIMPLE BUTTON CONTROLS: Just insert any K-Cup pod and use the button controls to brew delicious coffee, or make hot or iced lattes and cappuccinos.
LARGE 60oz WATER RESERVOIR: Allows you to brew 6 cups before having to refill, saving you time and simplifying your morning routine. Removable reservoir makes refilling easy.
SMART START: Your coffee maker heats, then brews in one simple process. No need to wait for it to heat before selecting your cup size.
ENERGY EFFICIENT: Programmable auto off feature automatically turns your brewer off 2 hours after the last brew for energy savings.

Keurig is quite a popular coffee maker and its popularity comes from the fact that its pods are available from major coffee brands like Green Mountain, Dunkin’s, Starbucks, Tully’s and many many more. It also makes a lot more than just coffee, you can use it to make hot chocolate, tea, hot apple cider and other hot beverages.

With the K-Cafe, Keurig took its machine a step forward by adding a milk frother to it, allowing you to make lattes and such using fresh milk that’s automatically heated and frothed.

Using the K-Cafe, you can make coffee in several brewing sizes (6, 8, 10, and 12 oz). Or you can select the Shot option, which will make you a 2 oz coffee concentrate that is close enough to an espresso shot to use as your milk drink’s base.

The milk frother, which is induction based, can make hot or cold froth. You can select from Latte, which makes lighter froth, or Cappuccino which makes a denser froth, or select the Cold option if you’re making an iced coffee. The milk jug is dishwasher safe and can be fully submerged in water. It’s also fully stainless steel, so you don’t have to worry about nonstick coat peeling over time.

Pod Compatibility: All K-Cup pods, including refillable pods.

Pros of Keurig K-Cafe

Pods available widely online or in major supermarkets from over 75 brands.

You can make any coffee or non-coffee beverage available as a K-Cup pod. You are not restricted to coffee drinks.

You can use refillable K-Cup pods.

Cons of Keurig K-Cafe

It does not make real espresso. Instead, it makes a short coffee concentrate that is similar to espresso.

Keurig K-Cafe vs. K-Cafe Special Edition, Is There a Difference?

The difference is in the color and some design details. The Special Edition features metal handle and drip tray nickel colored finish.

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Keurig K-Cafe Special Edition Single Serve K-Cup Pod Coffee, Latte and Cappuccino Maker, Comes with Dishwasher Safe Milk Frother, Shot Capability, Nickel

Special edition: Complement your kitchen with the premium nickel colored finish, metal handle and drip tray
4 cup sizes: 6, 8, 10, and 12 ounce
Simple button controls: Just insert any k cup pod and use the button controls to brew delicious coffee, or make hot or iced lattes and cappuccinos.120v
Large 60 ounce water reservoir: Allows you to brew 6 cups before having to refill, saving you time and simplifying your morning routine; Removable reservoir makes refilling easy
Smart start: Your coffee maker heats, then brews in one simple process; No need to wait for it to heat before selecting your cup size

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Nespresso Lattissima Touch Original Espresso Machine with Milk Frother by De'Longhi Washed Black

The perfect creamy latte: one button and one capsule - that's all it takes to enjoy a barista-style latte in seconds. Only by de'longhi
6 one-touch recipes: simple one-touch button for Coffee and milk lovers to prepare creamy latte, latte macchiato, cappuccino, Warm milk, perfect Espresso or Coffee
Made in Italy: the lattissima touch's sleek Italian craftsmanship looks fantastic in any kitchen
Advanced milk frother by de'longhi: an automatic frother creates rich, long-lasting, creamy foam
Practical design: sliding drip tray for different cup or glass sizes, removable milk container with rinsing function, illuminated buttons. Input power (W): 1400

The Lattissima is one of Nespresso’s most popular picks for a machine with built-in milk frother. It is an OriginalLine machine, which means it is compatible with pods from Nespresso as well as from third party brands.

Unlike Keurig’s K-Cafe, the Lattissima Touch makes real shot of espresso using a 19-bar pressure pump. On the control panel of the machine, you’ll find presets for espresso, lungo, cappuccino, latte, macchiato or hot milk. It does not make coffee, but you can make an Americano, which is a shot of espresso mixed with hot water.

The built-in milk frother has a dial that allows you to adjust the froth density. It is also detachable, which it great for two things: you can detach it and store any left over milk in the fridge for later use, and you can take it apart and put it in the dishwasher.

When you receive your Nespresso Lattissima (or any Nespresso machine) you’ll find a pack of sample pods included. So you can try a few of their selections to find your favorite pod.

Pros of Nespresso Lattissima Touch

Simple push-button operation.

Being an OriginalLine machine, it means you can go for Nespresso pods or pods from other brands.

Fully automatic frothing and milk dispensing. The machine will dispense as much milk as your recipe needs, taking the guess work out of your preparation and giving you great results each time.

Cons of Lattissima Touch

The milk frother can be a bit of a hassle to dissemble for thorough cleaning.

What Is the Difference Between Lattissima Models?

Perhaps you’ve noticed that there are many Lattissima models available. We have a full post comparing all of these models that you can read here.

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Breville Nespresso Creatista Plus Coffee Espresso Machine, 1, Stainless Steel

SINGLE SERVE COFFEE AND ESPRESSO MACHINE: The Nespresso Creatista Plus offers freshly brewed coffee as well as delicious authentic espresso. The Creatista plus can turn into your personal latte maker with the attached milk frother, allowing you to create top quality latte art in your kitchen. Pour over ice to create your favorite iced coffee drinks.
BARISTA GRADE: Brew different single serve coffee and espresso beverage options at the touch of a button depending on your coffee needs - Ristretto (0.5 oz.), Espresso (1.35 oz.), Lungo (5 oz.). The Creatista allows you to take a step further and create more complex coffee drinks such as flat whites, cappuccinos, and latte macchiatos. There are settings that allow you to adjust coffee volume, milk temperature and mixture with a fast 3 second heat up time.
SMART COFFEE AND ESPRESSO MAKER: Brew a perfect single serve coffee or espresso cup time after time with an easy TFT LCD display that assists you on all preparation, setting and maintenance aspects thanks to a high resolution display.
Automatic built-in milk frother helps you create your favorite single serve coffee and espresso beverages. COMPLIMENTARY GIFT: Includes a complimentary starter set of Nespresso capsules (capsule assortment may vary from picture)
FEATURES AND WARRANTY: Nespresso Creatista Plus includes a 1.5L removable water tank, an auto-purge steam wand, 19 bars of pressure, a fast automatic cleaning process, a stainless milk jug and a 2 year warranty. Heats up in less than 3 seconds with an automatic off mode after 9 minutes.

This machine by Breville is quite a step-up from most single-serve espresso machines. While it is made by Breville, it is powered by Nespresso and it’s compatible with OriginalLine capsules.

The Creatista Plus is close enough to commercial-style espresso machines, but it has a few options to customize your coffee creation and it automates the process so you’ll never mess up.

One of the things that makes the Creatista Plus special is the fact that it has an actual steam wand, similar to those in traditional espresso makers. You can make creamy micro foam that will allow you to do real latte art (you’ll need a lot of practice, though!). Texturing milk is one of the hardest things to master for a new espresso machine user, this is why Breville has automated this step. From the machine’s menu, you can select from 11 temperatures and 8 milk textures, and the steam wand will do the rest. You can also choose from 8 beverage recipes that are all customizable to your liking, you can change the coffee volume, temperature and milk texture and save your customized settings.

On the top of the machine, you’ll find a handy colored LCD display that will help guide you through the process of making your beverage.

Pod Compatibility: compatible with all Nespresso OriginalLine capsules.

Pros of Breville Creatista Plus

Very high quality machine – Whether we’re talking about the machine itself or the beverages it makes.

Steam wand gives you professional textured milk that you can make latte art with.

Automatic but also customizable.

Cons of Breville Creatista Plus

Price tag is quite expensive in comparison to other single-serve machines. But you also get features and advancements not available in other machines.

Does the Creatista Plus Make Regular Coffee?

No, it does not. You can make espresso and espresso based drinks. Amerciano would be the alternative here.

Difference Between Creatista and Creatista Plus:

Creatista is Creatista Plus’s little sibling and it can be a good option if you want to save a bit of money and wouldn’t mind losing a few customization selections…

Creatista has 4 milk texture levels instead of 8, and it has 5 milk temperature selections instead of 11.

It still has the same 8 beverages programmed.

Creatista has 50 oz water reservoir while the Plus model has 60 oz.

The housing on the Creatista is mostly plastic but has some stainless steel features. While the Plus model is fully stainless steel.

What about Creatista Uno?

Uno has even less features, first, the LCD display is replaced with buttons instead. For customization, it has 3 texture levels and 3 temperature settings. You cannot save recipes in this model.

Cuisinart EM-25 Defined – Review of Cusinart’s Cappuccino and Latte Espresso Machine

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Cuisinart is not a newcomer to kitchen appliances. In fact, they make some of the best and most popular appliances around. They’re also not new to the world of coffee makers, they have a few espresso machines as well as K-Cup coffee makers in their line of products. However, the new Cuisinart EM-25 Defined comes as a great competitor in the world of single-serve coffee makers, especially that it’s actually a Nespresso-compatible espresso machine.

Features of Cuisinart EM-25 Defined

Cuisinart EM-25 Defined, Cappuccino & Latte Espresso Machine, 13.5"(L) x 8.0"(W) x 10.0"(H), Black

Cuisinart's Nespresso compatible espresso machine which allows you to make espresso, cappuccino or lattes.

19-bar espresso machine with built-in milk frother

Button selection for espresso (single/double), Cappuccino and Latte, as well as steamed milk.

Fully programmable: you can reprogram coffee volume, brew temperature, milk volume and standby time.

Compatible with Nespresso OriginalLine capsules.

Capsule is auto ejected after use.

Use capsule bin holds up to 12 capsules.

Built-in milk frother automatically heats and froths milk for cappuccino and latte recipes.

Milk container is detachable and can be stored in the fridge after each use to keep milk fresh.

LCD display for easy programmability.

Capsule Compatibility

One of the best features about the Cuisinart EM-25 is that it’s Nespresso OriginalLine compatible. This opens up your options when it comes to using capsules. You can get your capsules from Nespresso or from Nespresso-compatible brands, including everyone’s favorite: Starbucks.

There’s also the option to use refillable pods, as those are available to Nespresso’s OriginalLine machines. However, it is important to choose a capsule that’s of good quality, as some are poorly made and can break your machine – leaving it out of warranty. Also, some won’t even fit. At this point, it’s safe to say that I am definitely not a fan reusable pods, so use them at your own risk.

Comparisons

Cuisinart EM-25 vs. EM-15 Defined

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Cuisinart EM-15 Defined Espresso Machine, 13.5"(L) x 5.75"(W) x 9.5"(H), Black

Makes single and double espresso
Fully programmable - espresso volume brew temperature standby time
Compatible with Nespresso OriginalLine capsules
Capsule auto-eject
Capsule waste bin - holds up to 12 capsules

The EM-15 model has the same features as the EM-25 except for one thing: the built-in milk frother.

If you simply enjoy espresso or Americanos (Espresso + hot water), this machine would be more than enough. Or if you already have some sort of milk frothing solution, like an electric milk frother, and do not need a machine with built-in frother, then the EM-15 would be a great choice.

Also, you can do the math and work out if it’s going to be cheaper for you to buy a separate electric milk frother, which are available from many different brands, or go for the built-in option.

Cuisinart vs. Nespresso – Which Is Best To Buy?

Since the Cuisinart EM-25 is a Nespresso OriginalLine compatible machine, it means it is a direct competitor to Nespresso’s OriginalLine machines. And you must be wondering, should you go for Nespresso or Cuisinart?

Nespresso’s OriginalLine machines include Essenza Mini, Pixie, Citiz which usually come as standalone machines or bundled with Nespresso’s Aeroccino electric milk frother.

If we want something more comparable to the Cuisinart EM-25, we need to look at machines with built-in milk frothers like the Lattissima line: Lattissima Pro, Lattissima Touch, or Lattissima One/Gran Lattissima.

Let’s start with programmability: all of these machines can basically make the same coffee drinks from espresso or milk based drinks. Also, all of these have the ability to reprogram coffee or milk volumes to customize your drinks to your liking. However, only Cuisinart’s EM-25 offers the option for brew temperature control. Also, only one Nespresso Lattissima model has an LCD display, which is the Lattissima Pro. This isn’t exactly a big deal breaker because reprogrammability is quite easy that you don’t need a display.

Design wise, Nespresso machines do have a more modern and upscale design. Although Cuisinart’s EM-25 isn’t have bad, either. It is somewhat compact and has some chrome accents to add a nice touch to the overall design.

Capsule compatibility is the same for both brands, you can basically use any capsule that’s labeled as Nespresso OriginalLine compatible. Those are available from Nespresso, Starbucks (also produced by Nespresso), or from famous coffee brands like Lavazza, illy, Peete’s and many more. I would highly suggest that you go for brands that make Aluminum capsules, from personal experience, aluminum capsules produce best quality espresso at better temperature.

What if you decide to go for the Cuisinart EM-15, which compares to Nespresso’s Essenza, Pixie or CitiZ… which do you go for?

I would say, if you’re judging by functionality only, they’re all the same. They will produce a single or double espresso all the same. All have the ability to reprogram the volume, too.

If you’re looking for design and quality built, too. then I’d say it depends. A machine like the Essenza Mini, for example, has plastic housing like the EM-15. But the Essenza Mini is very slim, at 3.3” width only, while the EM-15 has 5.4” width. The CitiZ is about the same width as the EM-15 and both have the same chrome accents, so they’re the most comparable design-wise. The Pixie, however, has the most upscale design with its metal side panels, metal bar and backlit used capsule bin (that also works as an indicator for empty water tank.

Overall, I would also recommend that you compare the prices of each of these models at the time of purchase. Going for whichever machines has the best price at the time would be a good idea, since you would be getting the same espresso drinks from either machine.