Best Single Brew Coffee Makers

There's no better way to begin your day than with a cup coffee specially made for you. This is why we love single-brew coffee makers.

To determine the best option for you, consider what is most important to your brewing needs, and what features are frills. Our criteria include a big reservoir, multiple brew settings and the reuse of coffee pods.

1. Can I buy capsules or ground coffee in this machine?

Depending on what you prefer depending on your preferences, you can pick one that uses coffee pods or beans ground. While we've included a few models that use only coffee pods in our roundup, most can accommodate both. This makes them an excellent option for those who like having a variety of options at hand.

Nespresso's Vertuo Plus is a great example. It's part of the brand's newer Vertuoline and offers a one-touch system that is foolproof and delivers excellent espresso shots and brewed coffee. It's also the most efficient machine we've ever tested. It also comes with refillable pods that are more beneficial for the environment than K-Cups.

For those who prefer to stick with ground coffee and prefer to use the Cuisinart Grind & Brew is another fantastic option. It comes with a built-in conical burr grinder to create freshly-ground coffee, and it offers three preset brewing sizes -eight, ten and twelve ounces. It's more expensive than other single-serve coffee makers in our lineup however it was one of the best-tasting models we tested and it does away with the need to throw away K-Cups or the waste associated with the waste associated with them.

Those who prefer to have the flexibility of using both types of pods or grounds may appreciate the runner-up in our review of the Instant Pot Dual Pod Plus. It's a versatile machine that can brew with Keurig K-Cups, original Nespresso pods, as well as the company's own compostable capsules (though they require an industrial composting facility). It also makes the most hot coffee we've ever tasted and comes with a variety of other functions, such as hot water for tea or a milk frother.

2. Is there a vast reservoir of water?

The best single-brew coffee maker comes with a large reservoir that will easily meet your requirements. This will prevent your machine from running out of water continuously which can affect the quality of the coffee. When you are choosing a coffee maker, the amount of water that is in its reservoir is important. It will determine the frequency at which you will need to refill and drain the tank.

The BLACK+DECKER Compact Single-Serve Coffee Maker is a great alternative for those looking for a machine that is simple to use that won't cost a fortune. It can make a cup of coffee in under two minutes and can be programmed to run up to 24 hours in advance, making it perfect for those who prefer to drink their coffee at the go. It's compact and can be placed on a compact counter. It's also the least expensive among our top choices. It also produces the most hot coffee we've seen and comes with a built-in travel mug for ease of use. It didn't score as high as the other brewers in our testing however its water reservoir is rather small.

If you're willing to pay a bit more, our upgrade pick the Keurig K-Supreme Smart Single-Serve Coffee Maker is a stunning design and features that stand out in our testing. It offers fast brewing time and high temperatures for coffee. It also offers three brew sizes and is very easy to use. Its only downside is that you have to remove it for a period of time which can be a hassle for people who drink a lot of coffee.

3. Does it have multiple brewing settings?

The best single brew coffee maker has several settings for various cup sizes, types of drinks, and the capability to make cold brew. This allows you to customize the drink to your liking and reduce time by not boiling and steeping the coffee grounds in hot water. This method uses cooler water, which helps preserve the flavor of coffee.

Epi's reviews of single serve coffee makers editor Noah Kaufman is a big fan of the Bruvi single-serve coffee maker because it has several single-touch brewing options that make you to make the perfect cup coffee, whether you prefer a low acid beverage or an espresso-like shot served over ice. The Bruvi has a brewing option that takes longer than a simple brew but it's worth it if you're looking for an incredibly smooth and rich cup.

In our tests, the Bruvi consistently brewed the most consistent and hot cup of coffee out of all the single-serve machines we test. Its brewing cycle is easy to program and the timer will keep your beverage warm for up to 4 hours. The Bruvi has the cold brew setting which adjusts the brewing temperature and brew times to create a refreshingly cool beverage.

Another notable feature was the Breville Precision Brewer, which has six brewing modes, including Gold Fast, Strong and Iced. The Gold setting is built on the Specialty coffee Association's guidelines for the perfect cup of coffee. The other settings can be adjusted to meet your needs. The Breville Precision is narrower than many single-serve coffee brewers we have tested. This helped it to maintain its brew temperature and increase the saturation of the coffee as well as an even extraction of the beans.

4. Does it have self-cleaning features?

The best single-cup machines have an automatic cleaning feature that cleans the machine. This eliminates any used K-Cup pods or leftover grounds after each use. Certain models even notify you of the need for a cleaning cycle. It's essential to look through the machine's user manual or manufacturer website for specific directions as different machines come with various cleaning methods.

Bruvi's single-serve coffee maker is among our top choices because it features a simple and intuitive user interface, produces delicious coffee, and requires little maintenance. It can be used for brewing hot or cold drinks. It offers a range of single-touch options, including low acid, Americano and cold brew. The only disadvantage is that it takes longer to make than other models, however it's a minor flaw in a product that is otherwise great.

This coffee maker is a good budget choice because it's inexpensive and produces a fantastic cup of coffee. It has an ejectable water tank that weighs 40 ounces, which can be used for both K-Cups as well as ground coffee. The user's manual provides specific instructions for getting rid of the reservoir and refilling it, emptying it, as well as regular descaling. It is able to brew any kind of coffee, in contrast to other single-cup machines.

This coffee maker is an excellent alternative for those who appreciate the convenience of single-serve coffee, but isn't a fan of the taste or the waste of K-Cups. It comes with a large water tank as well as an integrated grinder that allows you to make a delicious cup coffee from ground beans. It comes with a variety of options for brewing, including bold and over-ice. It can be used with recyclable K-Cups and the brand's recyclable pods. It also has steam buttons for tea, as well as a fold-away milk frother.

5. Does it have a programmeable timer?

The most efficient espresso maker that can be programmed lets you set it up for the night before, so you can awake to a freshly brewed cup of coffee. This is particularly helpful for those who are on the go or who don't prefer a pour-over pot or Moka pot.

Most programmable machines offer a basic timer that runs for 24 hours. If you're looking for more advanced features, you might want to consider De'Longhi's COM532, which is our favorite single-cup pod machine. It comes with a digital touch screen with multiple settings to customize your coffee, including the temperature of the brew and the intensity. This model is the most expensive but it makes the hottest coffee out of all of our tested machines. Its carafe will keep it at a perfect temperature for drinking for more than an hour after it has been brewed.

Black + Decker Classic single-serve coffeemaker is a budget-friendly and programmable machine. It is easy to use, has a compact footprint, and is compatible with ESE pods (Eco-friendly single coffee brewer-serve). It scored well in our test of taste, brews fast, and has a dishwasher-safe water tank.

If you are tired of the pre-packaged beans and would like to save more money, an individual-cup or manual drip brewer is an excellent option. You can grind your own beans to give a fresher taste and more control over your drink's flavor. It's more work than using a pod-based machine but it may be worth it if you're an avid coffee drinker. To ensure consistent results make sure you weigh your coffee beans and ground coffee on a scale instead measuring by volume.