Single Serving Coffee Maker

A single serving coffee maker single maker can make a quick cup of coffee with the push of a button. These machines make use of pre-packaged pods, or ground coffee beans that have a built-in filtering system.

Certain models also have an extra drawer for tea and another for hot water. They're typically smaller than their counterparts with a brew-and-carafe and easily fit on busy countertops.

Speed up

Many single-serve coffee machines are famous for their capacity to brew hot coffee quickly. Some models have a sophisticated heating mechanism that allows you to make a cup of coffee within a matter of minutes while others take a bit longer. Comparatively, it takes around three minutes to brew an entire carafe with a traditional drip coffee maker.

The best single-serve espresso machine also come with a simple, quick cleaning and descaling process that reduces the time between usages. This ensures that your favorite hot beverage always tastes the best.

If you're looking for a simple machine that requires little maintenance, we recommend the BLACK+DECKER Single-Serve Espresso Maker. It's small and inexpensive and is a great choice for any kitchen. Additionally, it shuts down automatically when the brewing cycle finishes, which helps prevent messy spills.

The Bruvi single serve coffee brewer that was launched by Nespresso prior to Keurig is a different, easy-to-use alternative. It has an LCD control panel that lets you select from eight different sizes of cups. We also love that it has the option of cold brew as well as an espresso-style shot button that lets you create your own one-touch beverage.

The machine comes with a separate water reservoir for each of its two brewing stations which we found to be beneficial for households with multiple coffee drinkers. The 40-oz reservoir that is removable can be used to brew 12 cups back to back, which could be ideal for those who require their caffeine fix throughout the day. We also liked that the brewing station on this model includes an auto-fill function, which means you do not need to fill the tank with water.

This model comes with a large filter basket for ground coffee that enables you to choose between an ordinary or a striking mug. It can also be used with a travel cup (not included), which is a great option for those who prefer to stay clear of coffee pods but still appreciate the flavor of freshly brewed beans. The brewing station can be programmed to brew up to 24 hours ahead.

Convenience

Anyone who needs to make coffee on the run will find a single serve coffee machines-serving coffee maker a great option. These models are equipped with an integrated K-Cup or a ground coffee filter, so you can make your preferred blend, and also single-serve flavor options like hazelnut, vanilla, caramel and vanilla.

We've also seen plenty of models that have receptacles for single-use pods. This means you don't have to dispose or recycle a bunch of empty plastic cups each time you use your device. There are many different pods available, and not all are to be equal. Certain pods, such as Keurig K-Cup pods or Nespresso Vertuo capsules, are more expensive than using your own grounds and a reusable filter. When shopping for a single cup coffee maker-serve coffee maker, consider the amount you'll spend on pods every month to determine whether the model that works with grounds or reusable filter would be more affordable in the long run.

If you're planning to brew coffee for more than yourself in the morning, also look for a model that has a larger reservoir of water. A larger capacity can save your trips to the sink. Certain models come with a removable drip tray which can accommodate large travel mugs. This is a great feature for those moving around.

If you're worried about the impact on the environment of a single cup coffee makers-serve coffee maker that uses single-use plastic pods, then check our list of best eco friendly single-serve machines. These machines offer options that brew coffee in minutes, and come with a variety of sizes for your drink from espresso to lungo. You'll find many of these models with features that address the need for less-expensive, more sustainable pods, too, such as those that accept reused K-Cups and capsules made from biodegradable and recyclable materials. These machines are the ideal choice if you're looking to reduce your carbon footprint, and also enjoy an easy cup of single-serve espresso.

Variety

There are a lot of different methods to make coffee, but single-serve options offer a convenience that's hard to beat. Whether you're tired of waiting in line at the drive-through for your morning espresso, or simply want to brew an instant cup of coffee A good single serve maker will save you time and money.

The best single-serving coffee makers can accept K-cups pre-packaged and beans ground, meaning you can pick from a range of flavors and roasts. Some of the more sophisticated models can also make tea, hot chocolate and cappuccino or lattes. The machines come with drawers for each type of beverage, so you don't have to look around in your kitchen.

Some models can also brew an entire carafe of coffee, which is ideal for those who drink more than only a cup of coffee a day. They can be ideal when you're hosting guests or just want to to brew a large pot of coffee to share with your household. A single-serve programmable coffee maker can be programmed at night and will turn on automatically in the early morning. This gives you peace of mind that your coffee will be ready when you get up, and also means you don't have to fret about a scalding mess on your counter or in your cup.

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

You should consider buying a device with reusable filters and an easily removable reservoir in case you wish to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide you generate. This will ensure that you only use a tiny amount of plastic each time you make a brew, and will help save the environment.

Easy of Use

A single-serving machine can be a great option for those who live alone or has limited space in their home. This type of brewer makes little amount of coffee and comes with an insulated pod that can be removed to make cleaning simpler. It's more convenient than getting a cup of coffee from your local coffee shop or brewing an entire pot of coffee on drip machines.

In addition to being compact and easy to use, many single-serve coffee makers can make use of both K-Cups as well as ground coffee in a separate drawer offering more options than the typical Keurig or Nespresso system. If you are a coffee enthusiast looking for the most efficient of both, then consider a dual-use coffee maker that can also make full pots of drip coffee.

One thing to remember is that single-serve systems only brew 5oz of coffee per cycle, which can be less than what you're used to drinking. There are machines that can brew 12 ounces of coffee, which is a great alternative for those who consume a lot of coffee or caffeine throughout the day.

It's important to keep your coffee maker regularly cleaned and descaled, no matter if you have a dual-use system or one-serve models. These steps will remove the mineral residue that can build within your brewer, which could cause it to stop working or taste bad. Most manufacturers recommend descaling your brewer every one to three months and provide directions on 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. They assessed each model based on function and durability, as well as ease of set-up and breakdown, aesthetics and included warranty. These models were selected because they stood out from the rest in each of these categories, and also produced delicious coffee with small dimensions.