Best Single Brew Coffee Makers

There's no better way to begin your day than with a cup coffee specially made for you. We like single-brew coffee makers due to this reason.

To determine the best option for you, think about the most important aspects to your brewing needs and the extra features that seem like frills. Our criteria include a big reservoir of water, several brew settings, and the capability to reuse coffee pods.

1. Do you need capsules or ground coffee?

Based on your preference, you can choose a model which uses either beans ground or coffee pods. While we've included a few models that only use coffee pods in our roundup, most can accommodate both. This versatility makes them a good option for those who appreciate having a variety of options in their arsenal.

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

If you prefer to use ground coffee then 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 the other single use coffee maker-serve coffee makers in our lineup, but it was among the most flavorful models we tested and removes the need for disposable K-Cups or the waste that comes with them.

People who want the option of using two types of grounds or pods might like the second choice in our review of the Instant Pot Dual Pod Plus. It's a versatile device that can brew using Keurig K-Cups, original Nespresso pods, and the company's own compostable capsules (though they require an industrial composting facility). It also produces some of the best coffees of all the machines we've tested to date and offers a variety of other functions, including hot water for tea as well as a milk frother.

2. Is there a vast reservoir of water?

The top single brew coffee maker will have a big water reservoir that can easily meet your needs. This will ensure that your machine doesn't always running low on water, which could affect the quality of your brew. When selecting 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 an excellent option for anyone looking for a simple-to-use machine that won't cost a fortune. It can make the perfect cup of coffee in just two minutes, and it can be programmed to brew up to 24 hours in advance. This is great for those who are always on the move. It has a compact design that is perfect for a small countertop and is the cheapest of 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 quite small.

If you're willing to spend a little more, our upgrade choice the Keurig K-Supreme Single-Serve Smart Coffee Maker has an excellent design and features that make it stand out in our tests. It is able to brew quickly and high coffee temperatures. It also has three brew sizes, and is very easy to use. The only downside is that it requires a one-hour descaling process, which can be a hassle for those who drink a lot of coffee on a regular basis.

3. Does it come with different brewing options?

The best single brew coffee maker will have various settings for different cup sizes, varieties of drinks, and the ability to make cold brew. This allows you to tailor the drink to suit your preferences and save time by not boiling or steeping the coffee grounds in hot water. This method makes use of cooler water which helps to keep the coffee's flavor intact.

Epi's reviews editor Noah Kaufman is a big fan of the Bruvi single-serve coffee maker because it offers a variety of one-touch brewing options to allow for the perfect cup of coffee, regardless of whether you prefer a low acid drink or espresso-style shot over ice. The Bruvi also has a brewing setting that takes longer than a typical quick brew, but is worth it for a rich creamy cup.

In our tests the Bruvi consistently produced the hottest and most consistent cup of coffee among the single-serve machines that we tested. The brewing process is simple to program, and the timer keeps your beverage warm for upto 4 hours. The Bruvi features a cold brew setting that alters the temperature and brew time to create a refreshingly cool beverage.

Breville Precision Brewer was another standout, offering six brew options, including Gold, Strong, Fast and Iced. The Gold Brew Setting follows Specialty Coffee Association guidelines for an ideal cup of coffee, whereas the other settings are all customizable so you can tailor your experience to meet your personal preferences. The Breville Precision is narrower than many single serve coffee maker-serve coffee brewers that we tested. This allowed it to maintain its brew temperature and increase the saturation of the coffee and an even extraction of the beans.

4. Does it come with an automatic cleaning feature?

The top single-cup models have the option of automatically cleaning the machine. It removes used K-Cup pods or leftover grounds after each use. Certain models even notify you of the need for cleaning cycles. It's essential to look through the machine's user manual or manufacturer website for specific directions as different machines come with different cleaning techniques.

The single-serve espresso maker Bruvi makes is one of the best we've tried. It has a simple, intuitive interface, produces great coffee, and requires minimal maintenance. It can be used to make hot or cold drinks. It also has a range of brewing options with one touch, including low acid, Americano, and cold brew. One disadvantage is that it takes longer to brew than other models, however this is a minor flaw in a product that is otherwise great.

This coffee maker is a great budget option because it's inexpensive and makes a great cup coffee. It comes with a removable 40-ounce water tank that can be used with both K-Cups as well as ground coffee. The user's manual provides detailed instructions on how you can remove the reservoir, fill it up and then perform regular descaling. Contrary to other single-cup coffeemakers it doesn't require a disposable filter or reusable pods. It can be used to brew any type of coffee.

This coffee maker is a fantastic option for anyone who likes the convenience of single serve coffee system-serve coffee, but dislikes the taste and waste of K-Cups. It has a large water tank and a convenient grinder built-in that makes it easy to make a delicious cup of joe from ground beans. It comes with a variety of options for brewing, including strong and over-ice. It can also be used with reusable K-Cups and the brand's compostable pods. It also comes with steam buttons for tea, as well as a fold-away milk frother.

5. Does it come with a programmable timer?

The most programmable espresso maker allows you to set it up at night prior to, so you can wake up with a freshly brewed cup of coffee. This is especially useful for mornings when you're in a rush or for those who don't want the hassle of using a pour-over or Moka pot.

The majority of coffee makers that can be programmed offer a basic 24-hour timer, but should you want more advanced features, you might think about the De'Longhi COM532, our favorite pod-based single-cup machine. It has a digital touchscreen with multiple settings that let you customize your coffee to the kind you like, such as brewing temperature and strength. It's pricey, but it produces the most intense coffee out of any of our machines we tested and its carafe keeps it at the ideal drinking temperature for more than an hour after the brewing.

If you're looking to buy a budget-friendly programmable coffee machine look into the Black + Decker Classic Single-Serve Coffeemaker. It's easy to use, has a compact footprint and is compatible with ESE pods (Eco-friendly single-serve). It scored very well in our taste test, is brews fast, and has a dishwasher-safe water tank.

If you're fed up of buying pre-packaged coffee pods and want to save even more money, consider a single pod coffee-cup brewer or a manual drip. You can grind your own beans to get more freshness and more control over the flavor of your beverage. It is more time-consuming than using a machine that makes use of pods, however if you are a coffee lover it might be worth it. To get reliable results make sure you weigh your coffee grounds and beans on a scale, instead of measuring by volume.