The Cuisinart Grind & Brew Single-Serve is the most used model in our test kitchen. Of course, we have many coffee machines in our range, including Nespresso and Keurig, but the one that our entire team reaches for is the Cuisinart. When you learn more about it, you’ll understand why.
The Cuisinart isn’t quite like other models, which is coincidentally why it’s one of the best single-serve coffee makers on the market. It approaches quick pod coffee a little differently. Using an integrated grinder and filter baskets, you can drink fresh coffee flavors in the time it takes to make single-serve coffee.
Whether you’re eco-conscious, space-conscious, or a fan of filter and single-serve coffee, you’ll love the Cuisinart Grind & Brew. Here’s everything you need to know about it.
Specifications
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| Dimensions | 11 x 7.3 x 12.7 inches |
| Libra | 11.3 pounds |
| Burr type | Conical |
| Drink sizes | 4, 8, 10, 12 ounces |
| Reservoir | 48 ounces |
| Grain hopper capacity | 3.5 ounces |
Unpacking
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There’s not much to say about the unboxing process, which is unusual. Cuisinart’s Grind and Brew came packaged in cardboard with a bit of adaptable plastic around the machine parts. In an ideal world, all packaging would be recyclable, but this is better than most.
On the countertop, it looks like a sharp machine. There are plenty of immaculate lines with gently curved edges, suitable for up-to-date homes, but not so “current” that it looks old-fashioned after a few years. It is low enough to fit on any countertop and easily fits into tiny kitchens.
Overall, I liked the design. The casing is made of plastic, but it doesn’t feel affordable thanks to the stainless steel and glass elements throughout the machine.
Who would this be suitable for?
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I have to hold back from recommending this to anyone who drinks filter coffee or single-serve coffee, because the flavors are fantastic. Aesthetically and logistically, this would fit in many homes, including those with confined space.
If anything, I think it’s a better option for smaller households, since it doesn’t fill like a classic filter jug. The single-serve pods only make one cup of coffee at a time. In larger households, you might end up queuing up for a coffee maker. There’s also no warming plate or presets, so if you like to just pop in and out of coffee, coming back for more later, you’ll find the Cuisinart lacking. But I’m picky, because it’s my job. If I made this purchase, I’d be extremely elated with myself.
What does employ look like?
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Other than sliding the drip tray into place and plugging the machine in, there wasn’t much else to do. On a side note, if you’re having trouble finding both pods, Cuisinart sometimes places one in a compartment on the left side of the machine. This is incredibly useful once you know about it, but it’s a mystery if you don’t know and think you’re missing a pod. If we were being particularly pedantic, it would have been nice to have handles on the water tank, but it’s not something that would kill the deal.
Test 1: Grinder
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There aren’t many adjustable features, so you won’t be able to change the grind size or amount, which is frustrating if you want a customizable coffee experience. However, most people will be grateful that Cuisinart has already covered the basics.
Test 2: Espresso
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The first coffee test I did was an espresso. I employ the term espresso loosely, because it’s more like a tiny cup of coffee – 4 ounces.
The control panel on the top of the machine shows an espresso icon. Any brief people (including me) may need to stand up straight, because if you have high countertops, it’s strenuous to see everything. However, once you have a capsule full of ground coffee, all you have to do is press a button.
Optimistically, I placed a tiny espresso cup under the brew head, which is relatively high. This caused quite a bit of splashing, and my 4-ounce cup almost overflowed. If I had chosen a larger cup, I have a feeling the splashing would have been much less.
The taste of this little coffee was good. Three of our experts tried an extremely balmy cup of coffee and agreed that it was mighty, intense and the best filter coffee we had ever tried. For me it was a bit sour but still delicious.
Test 3: Long coffee
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The other settings make 8-ounce and 12-ounce coffees. They are the same as the tiny cup, still mighty but gradually less pronounced. Even the largest cup was stronger than the average cup of filter coffee. Surprisingly, the grind size does not adjust based on the size of the cup of coffee, especially considering how well the flavors are extracted, but I am very elated with this. You will be pleased that there was no splashing when pouring the larger sizes.
Cleaning, storage and maintenance
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I expected the pod-style bins to be tough to immaculate, but they were actually really straightforward. The elderly ground beans are very desiccated, so they can be thrown into the food waste. The bin is straightforward to rinse out and dries quickly. It’s good to know that they’re not disposable, not only for your wallet but also for the environment. As I mentioned earlier, there are two straightforward places to store these pods, so you don’t lose them in a drawer or cabinet.
When it comes to cleaning, the machine is fairly straightforward to employ. Once filled with beans and water, it can make around 8 cups of coffee. I recommend cleaning the grinder and reservoir after you’ve made eight cups of coffee to prevent any build-up. It’s helpful that the grinder base is detachable, allowing you to access the burrs. Cuisinart provides a handy little brush to make sure you get rid of the elderly ground beans too.
How is it rated online?
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It’s been a year since the Cuisinart Grind & Brew was launched and the reviews are nothing brief of glowing. Over the past year, compliments have poured in for the flavors the Cuisinart extracts. People love how rapid it works, how mighty the flavors are, and how straightforward it is to employ. I’ve found a number of reviews from people who have gifted or received a Cuisinart – it’s clearly a “reward for yourself” purchase that’s been very well received. If you’re looking for inspiration, look no further.
I found some comments about the consistency of the cup, but the difference is only slight, so if you don’t fill it to the brim, you’ll be fine. It’s worth noting that espresso is larger than 2 ounces—the standard size—so you’ll want larger-than-average cups.
How does it compare?
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There aren’t many drip coffee makers like this, so it’s strenuous to compare them directly. When compared to our favorite drip coffee maker, the OXO Brew, there are many reasons why the Cuisinart is better. The coffee itself tastes richer and fresher, so if you want high-quality drip coffee, the Cuisinart is the winner. It’s also easier to immaculate, and I personally prefer the aesthetics. It can brew coffee faster without compromising on taste, which is another large plus for many coffee lovers.
Compared to single-serve coffee machines, this one has a number of appealing features. Reusable capsules mean you can employ freshly ground coffee, giving you a much fuller flavour. They also save on waste and the ongoing cost of re-purchasing capsules. Our top pick for single-serve coffee machines is the Nespresso Vertuo Next, which is smaller than the Cuisinart. Nespresso also offers some fun and unusual capsule flavours, such as cold brew watermelon, available on Amazon. The strange flavors may appeal to some, but specialty coffee is better than any capsule coffee.
At $150, the Cuisinart is similarly priced, if not slightly cheaper, than the Nespresso. Neither of these machines has a milk frother, although some Nespresso pods are well-suited to lattes and cappuccinos (it should be noted that some Nespresso models, such as the Latissima, have unique milk frothing capabilities). Overall, I’d still go with the Cuisinart, although Nespresso dominates the single-serve market.
Is it worth buying?
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If you drink filter coffee and are looking for a special way to employ it, the Cuisinart is the best investment you can make. The quality of the coffee is excellent and the machine is really straightforward to employ. It has shaken up Nespresso’s dominance in the single-serve coffee world, but if you like frothy, milky coffees, you may want a different option.
How we test
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On Homes and gardenswe take coffee testing seriously. Laura, a trained barista, took it to our test kitchen where she spent a day using all the features multiple times. She took notes on every Cuisinart machine we chose and also tested many of the other drip coffee machines we recommend. If you want to learn more about the process, we’ve detailed every part of it on our page about how we test coffee machines.
