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It is August and you are getting ready for your first dorm room. As a coffee lover you want to have access to coffee late at night as you study. The search for the perfect coffeemaker for a dorm room begins in the aisle of your local discount store. There are many brands and many sizes to choose from. How do you start to eliminate the possibilities?

As a college student the most important factor to consider is size. The reality is that you just don't have that much room in a dorm. So you must narrow out the coffee makers that just take up too much room.

The second decision then is between the small 4-cup coffee maker and the coffee makers that prepare the coffee right into the thermal cup. The deciding factor is that you do not have a sink to wash dishes in your room, so the less dishes you create the better. By having the coffee made right into your thermal cup you leave out one piece of the dishwashing equation: the carafe. Less dishes is always better. Plus if you decide you want to make a cup before you go somewhere you have the thermal cup to take with you.

The advantages to the 4-cup coffee maker are that it is inexpensive and does not require special coffees or filters. Most cost around $20 or less at most retail stores. There are not many brands of this coffeemaker and there are usually no bells, whistles or timers.

The disadvantage to the individual cup coffee maker is that they are more expensive. Expect to spend $50-60 dollars quite commonly. They usually require specific coffee pods and brands to use in the machine also. Although the coffee pods are more expensive and specific to the brand, they will be convenient because it will be ready to pop in the machine without requiring separate filters and containers of coffee. No scooping or dropping grounds on your dorm room floor. Easy clean up is the key here.

The choice narrows down to 1) An inexpensive machine that makes an inexpensive cup of coffee that requires a little more clean up or 2) An expensive machine that will require more expensive coffee supplies but has easy clean up and portability.

Learn more about this author, MJ Suttor.
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