On top of attending classes, studying for exams and writing thesis, college students socialize and do other extracurricular activities. They get super tired, and once in a while require some ‘pick-me-ups’ throughout the day or in the course of late night sessions. Often, all they need is a coffee fix- especially when all campus cafes and dining halls are closed. That is when Dorm Coffee Makers comes in handy.
Time, money and space are among commodities that are constantly in short supply in college. For that matter, functionality, simplicity, and size are three crucial features that should top the list when searching for the best Dorm Coffee Makers. There are several great options that meet these specifications in the market. To make your selection easier, we have compiled a list of machines that are worthwhile to consider.
Nespresso Inissia Espresso Maker
If you are a student searching for a perfect machine for a good espresso that keeps you active, Nespresso Inissia Espresso Maker might just be it. This model is streamlined, lightweight and compact with a nice handle for carrying it around. Brewing process is intuitive and quick.
Removable tank is featured for easy refill. Its tank is high pressure as well to optimize extraction. Nespresso also provides milk frother, hence creating a great companion for inissia, cappuccinos, and other possible drinks.
Pros
Fast pre-heating
Accommodate tall glasses
Energy efficient
Easy to insert and remove capsules
Cons
Lower capacity
Short power cord
Elite Cuisine EHC-2022 Maxi-Matic 4 Cup Coffee Maker
This is a practical Dorm Coffee Maker for students as it is small and takes up minimal space. If your budget, or rather your preference is not up for anything fancy, consider this coffee maker that brews 1 to 4 cups at a time. It has crucial features like a water level indicator along with a pause function to allow you to sneak a cup of coffee in the course of the brewing process.
Pros
Has an on/off switch
Has a serve feature
Affordable
Cons
Relatively slow
Small pour spout
Hamilton Beach Brew Station Summit 12-Cup Coffee Machine
This machine has a single-hand dispensing and an insulated tank to keep your coffee fresh for a long time. You simply brew your coffee and dispense one cup at a time, instead of handling a carafe. This provides an easy and fast access to coffee.
Hamilton can be programmed to brew coffee ahead of time. This means that you can find your coffee ready by the time you wake up.
Pros
Programmable
Easy and fast dispensing
Design is carafe-free
Cons
Hard to fit big mugs
Doesn’t come with a portable mug
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BLACK+DECKER CM1160B 12 Cup Programmable Coffee Maker
It has a technology that enables you to sneak a cup of coffee as the brewing process is ongoing. The machine has a removable brew basket for easier cleaning. Its other features are digital clock, auto-brew function and a water window to keep track of water level.
Pros
Digital clock with controls
High capacity
Easy to clean
Cons
Doesn’t give an alert when coffee is ready
Cause an initial plastic smell
Mr. Coffee TF 4 4-Cup Switch Coffeemaker
Mr. Coffee unit is simple and space saving. It is easy to use- add your coffee, turn it on and brew up to 4 cups of your favorite coffee.
It pauses automatically if you grab a coffee cup before the end of brewing process. This machine has a light indicator and a water to view the water level. Its filter basket can easily be lifted for cleaning.
Pros
Affordable
Simply design
Auto-pause feature
Cons
Doesn’t shut off automatically
The filter is easily damaged
Bella BLA14436 One Scoop One Cup Coffee Maker
This model helps you simplify your morning routine by its ease of use. Aside from its compact design, this coffee machine is capable of accommodating your travel mugs. It has a permanent filter that you can always use instead of looking for disposable filters.
Pros
Has a permanent filter
Dishwasher safe.
Easy to use
Cons
Takes time to brew
Less durable
Aicok 10-Cup Drip Coffee Maker
Aicok 10-Cup Drip Coffee Maker is equipped with a function that maintains a consistent temperature to keep your drink warm. All you do is put your coffee in the filter basket, add water, close the lid then press the brew button. There you have your desired coffee within a short time.
Pros
Keeps coffee warm
Has water level markers
Cons
No auto-pause function
Cuisinart DCC-450BK 4-Cup Coffeemaker
This is an adorable coffee maker with a stainless steel carafe that keeps your coffee warm. The carafe is stylish in a way that it gives an elegant appearance to the machine. Cuisinart DCC-450BK 4-Cup Coffeemaker features a pause function, drip-less pour spout and a knuckle guard.
Pros
Stainless carafe
Handy indicator
Knuckle guard
Cons
Have no timer
icoffee Single Serve Express Steam Brew Coffee Maker
This coffee machine can brew up to 12 ounce cup. The brewing process takes seconds; the machine stirs the content as it spins and steams. It is compact and takes less space. Other features are BPA- free material and a removable tray.
Pros
High capacity
Reusable brewing cup
Cons
May need to brew more than once for stronger coffee
Hard to empty the water reservoir
Keurig K250 Single Serve, Programmable K-cup Pod Coffee Maker
It is a top achiever for coffee lovers seeking to save money, time and space. The machine can be neatly kept on a desk, counter or communal kitchen. It allows you to manage your preferred settings and enjoy a cup of genuinely good coffee within a minute.
Keurig K250 uses K-cups which provide a wide range of options for beverages, ranging from hot chocolate, lattes, tea, and plain coffee.
Pros
Simple design for ease of use
Saves on time and space
Convenient for large and small quantity
Cons
It holds water in the heating chamber
What is the best dorm coffee maker? What are its benefits?
Imagine having a perfectly brewed coffee anytime you need it. You are so proud of your coffee that you offer those who visit your cube, and they give you that wow expression. This can be achieved; all you need is the best dorm coffee maker.
There is a lot of fun in brewing your own coffee. You are involved in the process and you can customize the drink to meet your preferences. Each time you enjoy a gratifying feeling of taking a fresh coffee, as opposed to a stale one that has been sitting around for hours.
As a student, owning your own coffee is better for your wallet. This can cut the cost of buying ready coffee every day in half. The portability of a coffee maker allows you to have your custom made coffee on the go, whether on vacation or visiting friends in other dorms.
With a dorm coffee maker, you can say goodbye to long queues at the coffee shop and make your own coffee as fast as you want it. The machine is one of the easiest appliances to clean. You just need to follow simple instructions in its manual.
What feature should you look for when buying the best dorm coffee maker?
Features of a coffee maker contribute overall experience. Consider the following feature when searching for a coffee maker.
Quality
This refers to the ability of the machine to brew the beans. A high quality coffee maker grinds the beans such that the coffee becomes smoother and tastes fresher.
Budget
Although you can get a quality coffee maker that suits your budget, more money means higher quality. A larger budget can give more features and flexibility.
Touch Screen and LCD
In the digital era, it is good to have a coffee maker with advanced features. One with a nice touch screen makes your experience entertaining and more convenient.
Ease of use
With many other things to learn in college, you would rather make your life easier and get a coffee maker that has an easy learning curve. Some machines are easy to control, all you’ll need is to load it and press a button.
Brewing time per cup
Brewing time matters a lot, especially if you want your coffee quickly. This feature can significantly determine your choice, more so if you have tight schedules.
Best Budget for Dorm Coffee Makers
Most students operate on a tight budget that can easily be brown by paying a few bucks several times a day for a cup of coffee. There is no doubt that it is much economical to invest in a budget friendly dorm coffee maker
The cost of coffee makers depends on the brand and capabilities. There is a coffee maker for everyone’s budget. You can also reduce your cost by searching for discounts such as 25% off or 50% off for coffee machines.
Recommendations on Usage
Provided you keep it clean, you can use your dorm coffee maker as often as you want. The amount of coffee you can consume daily is determined by factors such as weight, age, physical and mental health plus your experience with coffee.
Another considerable issue is the type of coffee you take and how it is made. Black coffee has more caffeine than latte. Given their size, espresso shots contain much caffeine and should be consumed moderately. Too much coffee can cause health problems.