Best
single pod coffee Brew Coffee Makers
There's nothing better than a cup of freshly brewed coffee at the beginning of your day. We love single-brew coffee makers for this reason.
Consider what is most important to you in terms of your brewing needs, and what features you think are frills. Our criteria includes a large reservoir, multiple brew settings, and the use of reusable coffee pods.
1. Do you prefer capsules or ground coffee?
Depending on the style you prefer, you can choose one that uses beans ground or coffee pods. While there are a few options which exclusively make use of coffee pods but the majority of models in our roundup can accommodate both. This versatility makes them a great option for those who appreciate having a wide selection of options available.
Our top choice one, the Nespresso Vertuo Plus, is a fantastic example of this. It's part of the brand's latest Vertuoline and offers a one-touch reliable system that produces excellent espresso shots and brewed coffee. It's also the most efficient machine we've seen in our tests and comes with reuseable capsules that are better to the environment than K-Cups.
For those who prefer to stick with ground coffee, the Cuisinart Grind & Brew is a great alternative. It uses a built-in conical burr grinder to make freshly-ground coffee and it offers three brewing sizes that are preset- eight, ten, and twelve ounces. It's more expensive than some single-serve models in our lineup however it's among the most delicious models we've tested.
The Instant Pot Dual Pod Plus, our runner-up, is a great option for those who want to be able to utilize both kinds of pods or grounds. It's a versatile machine 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 best coffees of any machine we've tested to date and offers a variety of additional functions, including hot water for tea and milk frother.
2. Is there a huge reservoir of water?
The
best single brew coffee maker will have a huge reservoir of water that is able to meet your needs. This will stop your machine from running out of water frequently, which could affect the quality of the brew. The amount of water that is in the reservoir is an important factor to consider when choosing a coffee maker, as it will determine how often you will have to fill 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 a fortune. It can make a cup of coffee under two minutes and can be programmed to brew for up to 24 hours ahead. This is great for those who are always moving. This machine has a compact design that fits well on a small countertop and is the cheapest of our top choices. It also makes the most delicious coffee and comes with an in-built travel cup for convenience. It did not perform as well as the other brewers in our testing however, and its water reservoir is rather small.
If you are willing to spend more, the Keurig K-Supreme Smart Single-Serve coffee maker is our upgrade pick. It's got a stunning design and features that stood out in our testing. It has fast brewing times and high temperatures for coffee. It also comes with three different brew sizes and is extremely easy to use. The only drawback is that it requires a one-hour process to descale, which can be a hassle for those who drink lots of coffee regularly.
3. Does it have multiple brewing settings?
The most efficient single brew coffee maker will come with multiple settings for different sizes of cups, types of beverages, and the capability to make cold brew. This lets you customize the beverage to your preference and reduce time by not boiling or steeping the coffee grounds in hot water. This method uses cooler water that helps keep the coffee's flavor intact.
Noah Kaufman, the editor of Epi's
reviews single serve coffee makers, is a big fan of the Bruvi Single Serve Coffee Maker, due to its numerous brewing options with just one touch. You can choose between a low-acidity beverage or a shot of espresso over ice. The Bruvi has a brewing option that takes longer than a quick brew, but is worth it if you want smooth and rich coffee.
In our tests, Bruvi consistently made consistently hot cups of coffee compared to all 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. 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, Strong and Iced. The Gold Brew Setting follows Specialty Coffee Association guidelines for an ideal cup of coffee, while the other settings are all adjustable, allowing you to tailor your experience to fit your preferences. The Breville Precision is narrower than many single-serve coffee brewers we tried. This helped it to maintain its brew temperature and encourage deeper saturation and an even extraction of the beans.
4. Does it have an automatic cleaning feature?
The best single-cup machines have the option of automatically cleaning the machine. It removes used K-Cup pods or leftover grounds after each use. Certain models can even alert you to the need for cleaning cycles. It is important to read the manual for the user or the manufacturer's website for specific directions as different machines come with a variety of cleaning methods.
The single-serve coffee maker by Bruvi is among our top picks due to its simple and user-friendly interface, produces great-tasting coffee, and requires little maintenance. It has a large water reservoir and can be used to make hot or iced coffee. It also offers a variety of brewing options with one touch which include low acid, Americano, and cold brew. The only drawback is that it takes longer to make than other models, however it's a minor flaw in an otherwise excellent product.
This coffee maker is a great budget option because it's cheap and makes a great cup of coffee. It has an adjustable water tank that weighs 40 ounces, which can be used to make K-Cups and ground coffee. Its user manual includes detailed instructions for taking the reservoir off and refilling it, emptying it, and performing regular descaling. Unlike many other single-cup coffeemakers it doesn't require the use of a filter that is disposable or reusable pods. It can be used to brew any type of coffee.
This coffee maker is a fantastic alternative for anyone who enjoys the convenience of single-serve coffee, but dislikes the taste or waste of K-Cups. It has a spacious water tank as well as a grinder built-in that makes it easy to make an excellent cup of joe using ground beans. It has a variety of options for brewing, including strong and over-ice. It can also be used with reusable K-Cups and the brand's recyclable pods. It also has a steam button for tea and a foldaway milk frother.
5. Is it programmable?
The most programmable espresso maker lets you set it up the night before so that you awake to freshly brewed coffee. This is particularly useful for those who are on the go or who do not prefer pour-over pots or Moka pot.
The majority of programmable machines have a basic timer that runs for 24 hours. If you're looking for more advanced features, you might want to consider De'Longhi's COM532 that is our top single-cup pod machine. It features a digital touch screen and multiple settings to customize your coffee including the temperature of the brew and the intensity. This model is the most expensive however, it produces the most hot coffee out of all of our tested machines. Its carafe also keeps it at a perfect temperature for drinking for more than an hour after brewing.
If you're looking to buy a affordable programmable coffee maker take a look at the Black + Decker Classic Single-Serve Coffeemaker. It's a compact footprint, is compatible with ESE (Eco-friendly Single-Serve) pods, and comes with simple controls that make it easy to use. It also scored well in our tests of taste, brews quickly, and comes with an easy-to-remove water tank, which is dishwasher safe.
If you're fed up of buying pre-packaged coffee pods to save money, consider a manual drip or single-cup brewer. You can grind your own beans to get more freshness and more control over the flavor of your drink. It is more time-consuming than using a machine that utilizes pods, however if you are a fan of coffee, it could be worth it. Be sure to weigh your
personal coffee maker beans and ground coffee using scales instead of measuring by volume to get the most consistent results.