Best Single Brew Coffee Makers
There's nothing more satisfying than a cup of freshly brewed coffee to start your day. That's why we're a fan of single brew coffee makers.
Take note of what is essential for your brewing needs, and what features you consider frills. Our criteria include a big reservoir of water, several brew settings, and the possibility to reuse coffee pods.
1. Do you need capsules or ground coffee?
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, the majority can accommodate both. This makes them an excellent option for those who appreciate 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 foolproof system that delivers exceptional espresso shots and brewed coffee. It's also the most efficient machine in our tests, and comes with reuseable capsules that are better to the environment than K-Cups.
The Cuisinart grind & blend is a great option for those who prefer to grind coffee. It has a conical grinder built-in to create freshly-ground coffee, and it offers three preset brewing sizes -eight, ten and twelve ounces. It's a bit more expensive than the other single-serve coffee makers we have in our line-up, but it was among the most flavorful models we tested and eliminates the need for disposable K-Cups or the waste associated with them.
For those who want the option of using two types of pods or grounds might like the second choice in our review of the Instant Pot Dual Pod Plus. It's a versatile model that can be used to brew coffee 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 most popular coffees of any machine we've tested so far and offers a variety of additional functions, such as hot water for tea as well as milk frother.
2. Is there a huge reservoir of water?
The top single brew coffee maker will have a large reservoir of water that is able to keep up with your needs. This will prevent your machine from running out of water continuously and affecting the quality of the brew. When you are choosing a coffee maker the amount of water that is in the reservoir is vital. It will determine how often you have to refill and drain the tank.
The BLACK+DECKER Single-Serve Compact Coffee Maker is a good option for someone who wants an easy-to-use brewer that won't cost a fortune. It can make a cup of coffee in under two minutes and can be programmed for up to 24 hours in advance, making it ideal for those who prefer to have a cup of coffee on the go. It has a compact design that fits well on the countertop, and is the least expensive of our top selections. It also makes the most delicious coffee and comes with a built-in travel cup for ease of use. It did not score as high as the other brewers that we tested but its water reservoir was relatively small.
If you're willing to spend a little more, our upgrade option the Keurig K-Supreme Smart Single-Serve Coffee Maker has a great design and features that stand out in our testing. It is able to brew quickly and high temperatures for coffee. It also has three brew sizes and is very easy to use. The only downside is that it requires a one-hour process to descale which could be a pain for those who drink a lot of coffee regularly.
3. Does it have multiple brew settings?
The top single-brew coffee maker can be set to multiple options, including various cup sizes, types and quantities of drinks and the ability to make cold brew. This allows you to tailor the drink to suit your preferences and also save time by not boiling or steeping the coffee grounds in hot water. This method makes use of cooler water which helps to preserve the flavor of coffee.
Epi's reviews editor Noah Kaufman is a big fan of the single-serve Bruvi coffee maker because it has several one-touch brewing options to allow for the perfect cup of coffee, regardless of whether you prefer a less acidic drink or espresso-like shot served over ice. The Bruvi has a brewing option that is more time-consuming than a quick brew but is worthwhile if you are looking for an incredibly smooth and rich cup.
In our tests, Bruvi consistently produced an equally hot cup of coffee in comparison to other single-serve machines that we test. The brewing cycle and timer are easy to program, and it will keep your beverage hot for up to four hours. If you're a fan of cold brew the Bruvi also has a dedicated brewing setting that adjusts the temperature and brew times to create a deliciously refreshing beverage.
Another notable feature was the Breville Precision Brewer, which features six brew options, including Gold Fast, Strong, and Iced. The Gold setting is based on the Specialty Coffee Association's guidelines for the perfect cup of coffee. The other settings can be altered to meet your needs. Unlike many of the other single-serve brewers that we tested the Breville Precision has a narrower base, which allowed it hold on to its brew temperature more effectively and encourage deeper saturation and an even extraction of the beans.
4. Does it have an auto-cleaning feature?
The top single-cup coffee makers come with a self-cleaning feature that removes any grounds that remain or used K-Cup pods out of the machine after every use. Certain models even let you know when it's time for cleaning. It is important to read the user manual of the machine or manufacturer website for specific guidelines because different machines use a variety of cleaning methods.
The
single serve pod coffee maker-serve espresso maker Bruvi makes is among the top we've ever used. It features a simple, intuitive interface, produces great coffee, and requires minimal maintenance. It comes with a large reservoir of water and can be used to make hot or iced coffee. It offers a range of one-touch options including low acid, Americano and cold brew. It takes longer to brew when compared to other models. However it's only a minor flaw in an otherwise excellent product.
This coffee maker is one of our top picks for budgets since it's not expensive and does a great job making the perfect cup of coffee. It has an ejectable water tank that weighs 40 ounces, which can be used for both K-Cups and ground coffee. The user's manual contains detailed instructions for removing the reservoir before refilling and emptying it, as well as 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 perfect for those who enjoy the convenience of single-serve K-Cups but don't like the taste or waste that comes with the waste and taste. It has a spacious water tank as well as a built-in grinder that allows you to make a delicious cup of joe from ground beans. It offers multiple options for brewing, including bold and over-ice. It can also be used with reused K-Cups and the brand's recyclable pods. It also features steam buttons to make tea and a foldaway frother.
5. Can it be programmed?
The Best Single Brew Coffee Maker (
Marvelvsdc.Faith) programmable espresso maker lets you set it up at night prior to so that you get up to a freshly brewed cup of coffee. This is particularly useful for those in a hurry or who don't want to use pour-over pots or Moka pot.
Most programmable machines come with the basic timer that runs for 24 hours. If you're interested in more advanced features, you might want to consider De'Longhi's COM532, which is our favorite single-cup pod machine. It has a touch-screen digital screen and multiple settings to personalize your coffee such as the temperature of brewing and the intensity.