Best Single Brew Coffee Makers

There’s nothing better than a cup of freshly brewed coffee to begin your day. That’s why we’re a fan of single brew coffee makers.

Think about what is the most important for your brewing requirements and what features consider frills. Our criteria includes a large reservoir, multiple brew setting, and the use of coffee pods that are reusable.

1. Do you prefer capsules or ground coffee?

Depending on what you prefer, you can choose one that uses coffee pods or beans ground. While we’ve included a few models that use only coffee pods in our list, the majority can accommodate both. This makes them an excellent option for those who like having a variety of options in their arsenal.

Our top pick is the Nespresso Vertuo Plus, is an excellent example of this. It’s part of the brand’s newer Vertuoline and offers a one-touch system that is foolproof and delivers excellent 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 & brew is a great alternative for those who prefer to grind coffee. It has a conical grinder built-in to make freshly ground coffee, and it offers three preset brewing sizes -eight, ten and twelve ounces. It’s more expensive than other single-serve options in our selection however it’s among the most delicious models we’ve test.

People who want the flexibility of using both 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, as well as the company’s compostable capsules (though they require an industrial composting facility). It also produces some of the hottest coffees of any machine we’ve tested so far, while providing a range of additional functions, such as hot water for tea and a milk frother.

2. Is there a large reservoir of water?

The best single-brew coffee maker comes with an enormous reservoir that can easily meet your requirements. This will stop your machine from running out of water frequently which can affect the quality of the coffee. When choosing a coffee maker, the amount of water in its reservoir is important. It will determine the frequency you need to refill and empty the tank.

The BLACK+DECKER Compact Single-Serve Coffee Maker is an excellent option for anyone looking for a machine that is simple to use that won’t break their bank. It brews one cup of coffee in just two minutes and can be programmed for up to 24 hours in advance, which makes it ideal for those who need to grab their joe on the go. This machine has a compact design that can be easily tucked away on the countertop. It is the least expensive of our top choices. It also makes the most delicious coffee and comes with an in-built 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 are willing to spend more, the Keurig K.Supreme Smart Single-Serve coffee maker is our top upgrade choice. It has an excellent design with features that stood out in our testing. It offers fast brewing time and high temperatures for coffee. It also offers three brew sizes and is extremely easy to use. Its only downside is that you must remove it for a period of time which could be a hassle for those who consume a lot of coffee.

3. Does it have multiple brewing settings?

The top single-brew coffee maker will have various settings for different sizes of cups, types of drinks, and the possibility of making cold brew. This lets you personalize your drink to exactly how you like it and save time by skipping the step of boiling your coffee and steeping it 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 its numerous options for brewing with a single tap. You can choose between the low-acid beverage or espresso shot over ice. The Bruvi also has the option of brewing which takes longer than the standard speedy brew, but is worth the wait for a smooth creamy cup.

In our tests, the Bruvi consistently brewed the most hot and consistent cup of coffee out of all the single-serve machines we test. The brewing process is simple to program and the timer can keep your beverage warm for upto 4 hours. The Bruvi comes with a cold brew setting that adjusts the brewing temperature and brew times to create a deliciously cool beverage.

Another highlight was the Breville Precision Brewer, which features six brew options, including Gold, Fast, Strong, and Iced. The Gold setting is built on the Specialty coffee Association’s guidelines for making the perfect cup of coffee. The other settings can be customized to suit your preferences. The Breville Precision is narrower than many single serving coffee maker-serve coffee brewers we have tried. This made it easier to keep its brew temperature constant 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 machines come with the option of automatically cleaning the machine. It removes used K-Cup pods or leftover grounds after every use. Certain models can even notify you of the need for cleaning cycles. It is important to read the user manual of the machine or the manufacturer’s website for specific guidelines as different machines come with different cleaning techniques.

The single-serve coffee maker by Bruvi is one of our favorites, as it has a simple and user-friendly interface, produces great-tasting coffee, and requires minimal daily maintenance. It has a large reservoir of water and can be used to make hot or iced coffee. It has a variety of one-touch options including low acid, Americano and cold brew. It takes longer to brew when compared to other models. However this is a minor fault in an otherwise excellent product.

This coffee maker is among our budget picks because it’s inexpensive and does a great job making the perfect cup of 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 manual contains specific instructions on how to remove the reservoir, refill it and do regular descaling. It can brew any kind of coffee, unlike many other single-cup machines.

This coffee maker is perfect for those who enjoy the convenience of single-serve K-Cups but dislike the taste or the waste that comes with the waste and taste. It comes with a large water tank and a built-in grinder that allows you to make a delicious cup coffee using ground beans. It offers a variety of options for brewing, including bold and over ice and it can be made with reusable K-Cups or the brand’s own recycled pods. It also comes with steam buttons for making tea and a fold-away froth.

5. Can it be programmed?

The best single brew coffee maker programmable coffee maker allows you to set it the night before to awake to the aroma of freshly brewed, hot coffee. This is particularly convenient for mornings when you’re in a hurry or for those who do not like the effort of using a pour-over or Moka pot.

The majority of coffee brewer single cup makers that can be programmed come with a basic 24-hour timer however, 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 according to the flavor you like, such as brewing temperature and strength. This model is the most expensive, however, it produces the most hot coffee of all our tested machines. Its carafe will keep it at a perfect drinking temperature for over an hour after brewing.

If you’re looking for a more affordable programmable coffee maker look into the Black + Decker Classic single serving french press-Serve Coffeemaker. It’s simple to use, has a small footprint and is compatible with ESE pods (Eco-friendly single-serve). It also scored highly in our tests of taste, is able to brew quickly, and comes with an easy-to-clean water tank that is dishwasher-safe.

If you’re sick of pre-packaged pods and would like to save more money, a single-cup or manual drip brewer is an excellent alternative. You can grind your own beans for more freshness and more control over the flavor of your drink. It’s more work than using a pod-based coffee maker, but it could be worth it if you’re a committed coffee lover. To ensure consistent results measure the weight of your coffee grounds and beans on a scale, instead of measuring by volume.