At first glance, there are few reasons to choose a single-serve coffee maker when there are options available that allow you to make 5 or even 12 cups at a time. However, single-serve coffee makers also have their perks. The best thing about small, instant 1-cup coffee makers is that they are really easy to clean and leave virtually no mess after use. These machines also let you make cappuccinos, macchiatos, or lattes in only a minute or two. On the other hand, those who choose a coffee machine for an entire office or just love plain coffee would benefit more from buying a higher capacity machine. For an environment with a high number of coffee drinkers, it makes more sense to choose a 5-cup or 12-cup coffee maker.