Single-cup coffee makers have become a hit in many kitchens. But how do you know if it's right for you? Whether you're looking to buy your first brewer ever or you're thinking of replacing your current one, here are six types of people the one-cup coffee maker is perfect for.

Those With Hectic Lifestyles

How busy is your life? Do you roll out of bed just in the nick of time to shower, get dressed, and grab a pastry as you're stumbling out the door? If so, you're the perfect candidate for a one-cup coffee maker. With a traditional brewer, it's going to take a few minutes to put in the filter, scoop the coffee, fill it with water, and wait for the machine to brew. And face it—sometimes those few extra minutes are needed to get to work on time and avoid yet another scolding from the boss.

Single-cup coffee makers are already filled with more than enough water ahead of time—enough so that you can make multiple cups. When you're ready to brew, simply press a button, drop in a k-cup, and in less than a minute, you've got a fresh cup of coffee. This is much faster than traditional coffee pots.

Instant Coffee Drinkers

Maybe you've never bothered with investing in a coffee maker because you only drink one cup here and there, and a traditional 12-cup brewer seemed to be a waste. So instead, you've settled on instant coffee when you're in the mood.

But have you bothered to research where instant coffee comes from? It's not the same as ground coffee beans. More like crystals, instant coffee is nothing more than the residue that's left behind after the stuff is brewed. Then it's either freeze or spray dried before being packaged in bulk quantity, so by the time you drink it, it's not all that fresh. You see, coffee offers its peak flavor when consumed within 2 weeks of being roasted, but that instant coffee could be years old.

Single k-cups, while capable of being brewed "instantly," are far from the instant variety you get in the stores. The cups are filled with real coffee, individually packaged with an air-tight seal, which keeps the contents fresh until you brew them.

Now you don't have to throw away that jar of instant coffee out of spite. It's actually highly concentrated, which makes it wonderful for adding to recipes that call for a coffee flavor. But when it comes to drinking a single serving of the stuff, you're much better off with a machine that brews a single k-cup.

People Who Shop Online

Do you do a lot of online shopping? If so, you'll be glad to know that k-cups can be purchased from online retailers. In fact, you generally have a broader selection to choose from when it comes to purchasing your coffee online.

Many grocery stores and convenience stores do carry some k-cups for those in a pinch. But the savvy online shopper can find a ton of places that offer coupons and discounts as well.

Those Who Want Easy Cleanup

Most people would jump at the chance to have fewer dishes piled up in the sink. And with a single-cup brewer, you can have just that. With no carafe or coffee-filter cradle to clean, your time is freed up to do other things. One of the more popular single-cup coffee makers needs to be cleaned with vinegar and water only once every 3-6 months. 

Tea-Only Drinkers

If you don't drink coffee, you've probably never considered buying a coffee maker at all. But what if you're a tea fanatic or you drink hot chocolate year round? One of the many advantages of a single-cup coffee maker is that k-cups can be purchased with a variety of "fillings." Whether you're looking for your favorite brand of black tea or you like white hot chocolate, options abound.

Those With Large Households

Maybe you drink a full pot of coffee or tea per day, but you have other household members whose tastes vary. For example, maybe you like an Italian roast while your spouse is partial to the coffee that comes from the local donut shop down the street. Single-cup coffee makers allow everyone in the house to choose the flavor and strength they like without having to wait on an entire pot to brew in between.

Check out companies like 11th Street Coffee if you're interested in learning more or buying some single-serve k-cups.