Single Serving Coffee Maker

A single-serving coffee maker can make a quick cup of coffee at the touch of one button. These machines make use of pre-packaged pods or ground beans with a built-in filtration system.

Some models also come with a drawer to hold tea and another one for hot water. They're generally smaller than the carafe and brew versions, so they can fit easily on busy counters.

Accelerate

A lot of single-serve coffee machines are renowned for their ability to make hot coffee quickly. Certain coffee makers come with heating mechanisms that allow them to heat and brew the cup in less than a minute. Some take longer. For comparison, it takes about three minutes to brew a full carafe of drip coffee using a regular coffee maker.

The top single-serve coffee makers also have simple, easy-to-follow cleaning and descaling procedure that minimizes downtime in between uses. This ensures that your favorite hot beverage always tastes great.

If you're looking to buy a simple machine that requires minimal maintenance, we suggest the BLACK+DECKER single pod coffee-Serve Coffee Maker. It's compact and comes with low cost that can be used in nearly every kitchen. It is shut off automatically at end of the brewing cycle and helps avoid messy spills.

Another easy-to-use option is the Bruvi single-serve coffee brewer from Nespresso which is pre-dated by Keurig. It has a convenient touchscreen control panel that allows users to choose from eight different sizes of cups. It also has the option of cold-brew and an espresso-style button that lets you to make your own beverage with just one click.

This machine has an individual water reservoir for each of its two brewing stations which we found to be helpful for households with multiple coffee drinkers. The 40-oz reservoir that is removable is enough to brew 12 cups back to the beginning, which is ideal for those who require their caffeine fix throughout the day. This model also has an automatic filling feature. You don't need to refill the tank with water.

This model comes with a large filter basket for ground coffee that enables you to choose between a regular or a bold mug. It can also accommodate a travel mug that is reusable (not included) which makes it a great choice for those who prefer to skip the coffee pods and enjoy the flavor of freshly brewed beans. The brewing station is programable, meaning you can set it up to prepare your favorite joe for up to 24 hours in advance.

Convenience

A single-serve coffee maker is a great option for anyone looking to make a cup of coffee while on the move. These models come with built-in K-Cup or ground coffee filter, which means you can use them to make your favorite blend, as well as single-serve flavor options like hazelnut, vanilla, caramel and vanilla.

Many models have receptacles that accept single-use pods. This eliminates the need for you to recycle or throw away many plastic cups every time you use your machine. There are many different pods available, and not all are equal. Some, like Keurig K-Cup pods or Nespresso Vertuo capsules are more expensive than utilizing your own grounds and a reusable filter. When shopping for a single-serve coffee maker, consider how much you will spend on pods each month to determine whether the model that works with grounds or reusable filter is more economical in the long term.

If you're planning on brewing coffee for more than just yourself every morning, you should consider looking for a coffee maker with a larger reservoir of water. All those individual cups add quickly, so a larger capacity will mean less trips to the sink for refills. We've also seen a few models that come with a smaller drip tray that can be removed to accommodate large travel mugs. This is handy if you need to brew on the go.

If you're concerned about the impact on the environment of a single-serve coffee maker that uses single-use plastic pods, then check out our list of the most eco-friendly single-serve machines. They come with options that can brew in a matter of minutes and even offer a variety of beverage sizes ranging from espresso to lungo so you can tailor your daily fix to the way you like it. Many of these models also have features that cater to the desire for more affordable eco-friendly pods. For example, some accept recyclable K-Cups or capsules made of biodegradable, recyclable materials. If you're looking to lower your carbon footprint while enjoying a convenient and delicious single-serve coffee, there's no better choice than one of these machines.

Variety

There are a variety of ways to make coffee. However, single-serve coffee makers are the most convenient. If you're tired of waiting in the drive-through line for your morning espresso or just want to brew a quick cup of coffee, a good single serve maker will help you save time and money.

The best rated single serve coffee machines single brew coffee-serving coffee makers can accept both pre-packaged K-cups and beans ground, which means you can select from a wide range of flavors and roasts. Some of the more advanced models can also make hot chocolate or tea and can make lattes and cappuccino. These machines typically have drawers for each kind of beverage, meaning you can grab the one you want without having to search around your kitchen.

Some models can also brew an entire carafe of coffee which is ideal for those who drink more than just one cup a day. These models are ideal if you want to make a large quantity of coffee for your family or have guests over. A single-serve coffee maker that is programmable can be programmed at night and then turn on automatically in the early morning. This gives you peace of mind that your coffee will be ready when you wake up, and you don't have to worry about a scalding mess on your counter or in your cup.

A manual brewing technique such as the pour-over or moka pot is an alternative to a single-serve coffee maker and will allow you to create a rich and delicious cup of coffee that will rival any shop's. These methods are more difficult to get started however they can be very rewarding. It's important to remember this is your kitchen and coffee is yours, so you can do whatever you want.

If you're looking for ways to reduce the amount of waste you generate look into purchasing a product with reusable filters and a removable reservoir. This will ensure that you only use a small amount of plastic each time you brew and can help protect the environment.

Easy of Use

A single-serving machine can be a great option for anyone who lives on their own or has a limited space in their home. This kind of brewer produces a small amount and has an insulated pod that can be removed to make cleaning simpler. It's more convenient than purchasing a cup of coffee from your local coffee shop or brewing the entire pot in drip machines.

In addition to being compact and simple, a lot of single-serve coffee makers can utilize both K-Cups and ground coffee in separate drawers which gives you more options than your typical Keurig or Nespresso system. If you're a dedicated coffee drinker looking for the best of both worlds, consider selecting a dual-use model that can also make a complete pot of drip coffee.

It's important to note that most single-serve machines only make five ounces of coffee per cycle. This may be less than you are used to. You can find machines that can brew up to 12 ounces of coffee however, and these are a good choice for someone who drinks a lot of coffee throughout the day, or would like a bit of caffeine in the afternoon.

It is important to keep your coffee maker clean and descaled, regardless of whether you have a dual-use system or a single-serve model. These steps will remove the mineral residue that may build up in your brewer, which could cause it to stop functioning or even taste bad. The majority of manufacturers recommend descaling at least every one to three months, and most have instructions for how to do it in their instruction manuals.

The coffee experts at The Spruce Eats have tested and reviewed dozens of single-serve brewers including the ones featured on this list. Each model was evaluated on the basis its function, durability and the ease of setup and breakdown. The reviewers also considered aesthetics and warranties. The models that made it to this list were those that stood out in all these categories and brewed delicious coffee in a compact and durable design.