Best Single Brew Coffee Makers

There's no better way to start your day than with a cup coffee specially made for you. We like single-brew coffee makers due to this reason.

To determine the best option for you, think about what is most important to your brewing needs, and what extra features seem like frills. Our criteria include a big reservoir, multiple brew setting and the reuse of coffee pods.

1. Do you prefer capsules or ground coffee?

Based on your preference, you can choose one that uses coffee pods or beans ground. While we have a few models that rely solely on coffee pods in our list, the majority can accommodate both. This makes them a good choice for those who enjoy having a wide selection of options available.

Nespresso's Vertuo Plus is an excellent example. It's part of the brand's newest Vertuoline and offers a one-touch reliable system that produces excellent espresso shots and brewed coffee. It was also the most efficient machine we've tested and comes with reuseable pods that are better for the environment than K-Cups.

If you prefer to use ground coffee then the Cuisinart Grind & Brew is a great option. It comes with a conical grinder that creates freshly-ground coffee. It also has three brewing sizes that are pre-set that include eight, ten and twelve inches. It's more expensive than some single-serve models in our lineup but it's one of the best tasting ones we've test.

For those who want the flexibility of using both types of pods or grounds could be interested in the second option in our review, the Instant Pot Dual Pod Plus. It's a machine that's versatile, as it can brew with Keurig K-Cups or original Nespresso capsules. The company also offers its own compostable capsules. It also produces some of the hottest coffee of all the machines we've tested and offers a variety 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 constantly, which could affect the quality of the coffee brewer single cup. When you are choosing a coffee maker the amount of water in the reservoir is crucial. It will determine the frequency you need to refill and drain the tank.

The BLACK+DECKER Single-Serve Compact Coffee Maker is a great option for someone who wants an easy-to-use coffee maker that won't cost you a fortune. It brews one cup of coffee in under two minutes and can be programmed up to 24 hours in advance, making it perfect for those who prefer to drink their coffee at the go. It's compact and can be placed on a compact counter. It's also the cheapest of our top selections. It also produces the hottest coffee and comes with a travel mug for ease of use. It did not get as high a score as other brewers we tested however the water reservoir is quite small.

If you're willing to pay a bit more, our upgrade option the Keurig K-Supreme Smart Single-Serve Coffee Maker has an excellent design and features that make it stand out from our testing. It provides quick brewing time and high temperatures for coffee, and the option of three sizes of brew. It's also extremely simple to use. The only drawback is that it requires a one-hour descaling process which could be a pain for those who drink lots of coffee regularly.

3. Does it have multiple brew settings?

The best single-brew coffee maker comes with a variety of settings, which include different sizes, types and amounts of beverages as well as the ability to make cold brew. This allows you to customize the drink to your liking and reduce time by not boiling or steeping the grounds of coffee in hot water. This method also uses cooler water, which can help preserve the flavor of your coffee.

Noah Kaufman, the editor of Epi's Reviews, is a fan of the Bruvi Single-Serve Espresso Maker because it offers several brewing options with just one click. You can choose from an acid-free beverage or espresso shot over ice. The Bruvi also comes with an brewing option that is more time-consuming than a typical speedy brew, but is worth it for a full, smooth cup.

In our tests the Bruvi consistently made the most consistent and hot cup of coffee among all the single-serve machines that we tested. Its brewing cycle is easy to program and the timer can keep your beverage warm for up to 4 hours. If you're a fan cold brew the Bruvi also has a setting for brewing that can adjust the temperature and brew time to create a deliciously refreshing beverage.

Breville Precision Brewer was another outstanding product, offering six brew options, including Gold Strong, Fast, Strong and Iced. The Gold setting is built on the Specialty coffee Association's guidelines for the perfect cup of coffee. The other settings can be adjusted to your personal preferences. Unlike many of the other single-serve brewers that we tested the Breville Precision has a narrower base, which helped it to hold onto its brew temperature more effectively and allow for deeper saturation and a more even extraction of the bean.

4. Does it come with an automatic cleaning feature?

The top single-cup machines come with a feature that automatically cleans the machine. This eliminates any used K-Cup pods or leftover grounds after every use. Certain models even let you know when it's time to start a cleaning cycle. You should always check the manual for use or the manufacturer's website for detailed instructions. Different machines use different cleaning methods.

Bruvi’s single-serve espresso maker is among the Best single brew Coffee maker we've tried. It has an easy, intuitive interface, produces great coffee, and needs minimal maintenance. It has a large reservoir of water and can be used to brew hot or iced coffee. It offers a range of one-touch options like low acid, Americano and cold brew. It takes longer to brew compared to other models. However it's an insignificant flaw in an otherwise excellent product.

This coffee maker is one of our budget picks because it's cheap and is capable of making an espresso. It comes with a removable 40 ounce water tank and can be used with both K-Cups as well as ground coffee. The user's manual contains specific instructions for getting rid of the reservoir before refilling and emptying it, as well as regular descaling. Unlike many other single-cup coffeemakers that require the use of a filter that is disposable or reusable pods and 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 that comes with them. It has an enormous water tank as well as a built-in grinder, which allows you to make a delicious cup of coffee using ground beans. It comes with a variety of options for brewing, including strong and over ice, and it can be utilized with recyclable K-Cups or the brand's own recycled pods. It also has a steam button for tea as well as a foldable milk frother.

5. Does it have a programmable timer?

The best programmable coffee maker allows you to set it the night before so that you get up to a cup of hot, freshly brewed coffee. This is particularly convenient for mornings when you're in a rush or for those who don't want the effort of using pour-over or Moka pot.

Most programmable machines offer the basic timer that lasts for 24 hours. However, if you're interested in more advanced features, you may want to consider De'Longhi's COM532 which is our top single-cup pod machine. It features a digital touch screen and multiple settings to personalize your coffee such as the temperature of the brew and the intensity. It's pricey, but it produces the hottest coffee of any of our machines and the carafe will keep it at a perfect drinking temperature for more than an hour after the brewing.

If you're looking for a more economical programmable machine for your coffee look into the Black + Decker Classic Single-Serve Coffeemaker. It's a compact footprint, and is compatible with ESE (Eco-friendly Single-Serve) pods, and comes with simple controls that make it easy to use. It also scored highly in our tests of taste, brews quickly, and has an easy-to-remove water tank, which is dishwasher safe.

If you're fed up of buying coffee pods that are already packaged and ready to go and want to save money, think about a single-cup or manual drip brewer. You can grind your beans yourself for a more fresh taste and more control over the flavor of your drink. It's more work than using a pod-based machine however, it's worthwhile if you're an avid coffee drinker. Make sure you weigh your coffee machine single serve beans and ground coffee with scales instead of measuring by volume, so that you can get the most consistent results.