Coffee talk: Best bets for brewing one cup at a time

Obviously, there are some key differences. Manual press and automatic drip makers require users to measure out coffee and clean filters. Although manuals like the Aerobie AeroPress (*Est. $25) don't require any electricity, drinkers still need to preheat water and use a little muscle to get that morning cup. Drip machines, such as the Black & Decker Brew 'N Go (*Est. $20), quickly heat water with the flip of a switch, but brewing the coffee takes longer.

Most pod coffee makers, on the other hand, offer near-instant gratification: they can brew a cup in under a minute. Drinks (you can get hot beverages other than coffee, such as tea or hot chocolate, in pod form) are derived from pre-measured single-serve "pods"-- coffee grounds conveniently sealed in paper, plastic or aluminum containers. Obvious perks? There are no filters to buy and messy grounds to clean up. On the negative side, however, pod machines like the Keurig Special Edition B60 (*Est. $130) and Nespresso D290 (*Est. $395) can be more limiting in that they often lock users into a smaller circle of coffees, and these products are usually more expensive than regular coffee grounds.

Want to learn more? Check out our new report on one-cup coffee makers.