What's the Difference Between a K-Cup Single-Serve Brewer and a Coffee Pod Brewer?

In the world of one cup coffee makers, there are two major competing formats.

Coffee makers made by Keurig use K-Cups.

Machines made by Senseo and other manufacturers use coffee pods, which look like round, plump tea bags.

K-Cups and coffee pods contain just the right amount of ground coffee to make a single cup of coffee.

And that's the attraction of single serve brewers. Just add a K-Cup or coffee pod in the holder provided, close the lid, press a button...and presto, you get a fresh cup of gourmet coffee.

No coffee beans to grind. No messy filers to clean up.

Both systems deliver what coffee lovers want - great gourmet coffee, without the fuss and cleanup associated with traditional grinders and brewers.

But which is the best system? Brewers which use K-Cups? Or brewers that use coffee pods?

Both formats have their advantages.

K-Cups are full sealed for freshness and need no additional packaging. While coffee pods need to be individually packaged to keep them fresh.

K-Cups can literally be dropped into the holder in the brewer. While coffee pods have to be placed carefully in the holder, to avoiding leakage during brewing.

K-Cups come out of the brewer dry, clean and ready for the garbage bin. Coffee pods are wet and hot, just like a used tea bag.

K-Cups are more expensive to buy than coffee pods. And there is a wider variety of coffees to choose from in the coffee pod format.

In other words, both systems have their advantages and disadvantages.

And they both deliver a great cup of coffee.

At the end of the day, you may make your choice based as much on the brewer as you do on the format.

Do you like the look and features of the Keurig one cup brewers? Or do you prefer the design and feel of a coffee pod brewer, like the Senseo?

Whatever choice you make, be sure to spend some time researching the various options before you buy.