Thinking about trying a single-serve coffee maker (also known as a pod coffee maker)? Knowing some of the comparisons with the traditional drip machine may help you make up your mind.
Speed
This is the biggest difference between single-serve machines and drip machines. Drip machines are inherently slow because the water is just dripping via gravity through all your coffee grounds and the filter. Single-serve machines force the water through under pressure so you will have your full cup of fresh coffee in under a minute.
Because you can brew so quickly, it practical to just brew each cup as you want it rather than do a full pot at once for later servings. This way, it's always fresh.
Cost
There are some inexpensive drip machines that will be much cheaper than a single-serve machine, but there are also some drip machines that cost more. For the most part, a single-serve brewer will cost around the same as a mid-range drip machine making it pretty equal in this regard.
The coffee itself is another story. A typical can of ground coffee that can be used in any drip machine is much cheaper than buying pre-made pods designed for your specific machine. It's still less expensive than buying a coffee-shop drink though.
Volume
This one is obvious, that a single-serve coffee maker only makes a single cup of coffee at a time. Depending on the model, a drip machine can brew between 4 and 12 cups (or more).
Sound
Drip machines are extremely quiet, mainly because there really aren't any moving parts inside. On the other hand, single-serve machines are relatively loud by comparison. They have faster heaters inside, and they also have pumps that have to run to build up the required pressure for fast brewing. They are not really loud machines, but certainly louder than the silent drip machine.
Variety
A drip brewer can be used to make any kind of coffee whatsoever, without any real limitations. Single-serve machines are limited by the available pods for their particular model, though some machines will have several dozens types and roasts of coffee to choose from. The Keurig brewer also offers a do-it-yourself type of pod that you can actually fill with your own choice of coffee, really eliminating this as an issue.
Flexibility
Depending on the model of brewer, many single-serve coffee makers can actually make more than just coffee. You can brew tea or make hot chocolate with many of them, something a drip machine can't handle. Also with the addition of a milk-filled pod, you can also use several single-serve machines to make lattes, macchiatos and cappuccinos. There is a great deal more that these brewers can do, compared to the typical drip coffee maker.
Clean Up
Another big plus for the pod machines is the ease of clean up. Because all the coffee grounds are kept inside the pod, you just toss the whole thing away. Drip machine have basket full of soggy ground that you have to dump out.
