Best Single Brew Coffee Makers
There's no better way to start your day than with a cup coffee specially made for you. That's why we're fans of single-brew coffee makers.
To determine the best option for you, think about what's most important to your brewing needs and what features are frills. Our criteria include a large reservoir of water, multiple brewing settings, and the possibility to use reusable coffee pods.
1. Do you prefer capsules or ground coffee?
Depending on the style you prefer, you may want to choose a model which makes coffee using ground beans or coffee pods. While we've included a few models that only use coffee pods in our roundup, most can accommodate both. These models are great for those who like to have a wide range of options.
Our top pick one, the Nespresso Vertuo Plus, is an excellent example of this. It's a part of the newer Vertuoline from the company and comes with a foolproof one-touch system that gives excellent espresso shots and coffee beans that are brewed. It's also the most efficient machine we've tested and comes with reusable pods that are better for the environment than K-Cups.
For those who prefer to use ground coffee then the Cuisinart Grind & Brew is a great alternative. It uses a conical grinder built-in to create freshly-ground coffee, and it has three preset brewing sizes -eight, ten, and twelve ounces. It's a bit more expensive than other single-serve coffee makers we have in our line-up however it was one of the
best single brew coffee maker-tasting models we tested and it does away with the need to throw away K-Cups or the waste that comes with the waste associated with them.
The Instant Pot Dual Pod Plus is our second-placed choice is a great choice for those who wish to be able to use both types of pods or grounds. It's a versatile model that can brew using Keurig K-Cups, original Nespresso pods, and also the company's compostable capsules (though they require an industrial composting facility). It also produces some of the most popular coffees of any machine we've tested, while providing a range of additional functions, including hot water for tea as well as milk frother.
2. Does it have a huge water reservoir?
The best single-brew coffee maker has a large reservoir that can easily meet your requirements. This will stop your machine from running out of water continuously, which could affect the quality of the coffee. The amount of water in the reservoir is also an important consideration when selecting the right coffee maker, since it will determine the frequency at which you need to refill and drain the tank.
The BLACK+DECKER Single-Serve Compact Coffee Maker is a great choice for anyone looking for an easy-to-use coffee maker that won't cost you a fortune. It brews one cup of coffee in less than two minutes and can be programmed to run up to 24 hours in advance, which makes it perfect for those who want to drink their coffee on the go. It's compact and can be tucked away on a tiny counter. It's also the least expensive among our top choices. It also produces the most hot coffee and has an in-built travel cup for convenience. It didn't get as high a score as other brewers in our testing however the water reservoir is relatively small.
If you are willing to spend more, the Keurig Super Smart Single-Serve coffee maker is our top upgrade choice. It has an excellent design and features that stood out in our tests. It has fast brewing times as well as high temperatures for coffee and the possibility of three sizes of brew, and is extremely easy to use. The only drawback is that you need to descal it for an hour which can be a hassle for people who consume a lot of coffee.
3. Does it come with different brewing options?
The top single-brew coffee maker will come with various settings for different cup sizes, types of beverages, as well as the ability to make cold brew. This lets you customize the drink to your liking and save time by not boiling and steeping the grounds of the coffee in hot water. This method uses cooler water which helps to keep the coffee's flavor.
Noah Kaufman, the editor of Epi's Reviews, is a huge fan of the Bruvi
Single Serve Coffee Maker due to the fact that it provides a variety of options for brewing with just one click. You can select the low-acid beverage or espresso shot over ice. The Bruvi has a brewing option which takes longer than a quick brew but it's worth it if you want an incredibly smooth and rich cup.
In our tests, Bruvi consistently produced an equally hot cup of coffee, compared to all other single-serve machines we test. Its brewing cycle is easy to program, and the timer keeps your beverage warm for up to 4 hours. The Bruvi has a cold brew setting that adjusts the brewing temperature and brew times to make a refreshingly cool beverage.
Breville Precision Brewer was another outstanding product, offering six brew settings including Gold Strong, Fast and Iced. The Gold brew setting follows Specialty Coffee Association guidelines for an ideal cup of coffee, while the other settings are adjustable, allowing you to tailor your experience to meet your personal preferences. The Breville Precision is narrower than many of the single-serve coffee brewers we test. This allowed it to maintain its brew temperature and to encourage a deeper saturation and a more consistent 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. It removes used K-Cup pods or grounds left over after every use. Certain models even let you know when it's time to start a cleaning cycle. It's important to check the manual for the user or the manufacturer's website for specific instructions because different machines use a variety of cleaning methods.
The single-serve coffee maker from Bruvi is one of our favorites, as it has a simple and user-friendly interface, produces great-tasting coffee, and requires only minimal regular maintenance. It can be used for brewing hot or iced drinks. It has a variety of single-touch options, including low acid, Americano and cold brew. It takes longer to brew compared to other models. However this is a minor fault in an otherwise excellent product.
This coffee maker is a great budget option because it's affordable and makes a great cup coffee. It has an adjustable water tank of 40 ounces that can be used for K-Cups and ground coffee. The user's manual provides detailed instructions on how you can remove the reservoir, refill it and then perform regular descaling. Unlike many other single-cup coffeemakers, it doesn't require an empty 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 dislike the taste or waste associated with the waste and taste. It has a large water tank as well as a integrated grinder that allows you to make an amazing cup of joe from ground beans. It comes with a variety of options for brewing, including strong and over-ice. It can be used with reusable K-Cups and the brand's recycled pods. It also comes with a steam button for tea, as well as a fold-away milk frother.
5. Does it come with a programmable timer?
The most efficient espresso maker that can be programmed lets you set it up the night before so that you can awake to freshly brewed coffee. This is especially helpful for mornings when you're in a hurry or for those who don't want the hassle of using pour-over or Moka pot.
The majority of programmable machines have a basic timer of 24 hours. If you're looking for more advanced features, you might be interested in De'Longhi's COM532, which is our favorite single-cup pod machine.
