Best Single Brew Coffee Makers

There's nothing better than a cup of freshly brewed coffee to begin your day. We love single pod coffee-brew coffee makers for this reason.

To find the best Single Brew coffee Maker one for you, consider what is most important to your brewing needs, and what features are frills. Our criteria includes a large reservoir of water, several brew settings, and the possibility to use reusable coffee pods.

1. Is it possible to buy capsules or ground coffee from this machine?

Based on your preferences, you may want to select a model that uses ground beans or coffee pods. While we've included a few models that only use coffee pods in our list, the majority can accommodate both. This versatility makes them a good option for those who like having a range of options in their arsenal.

Our top pick one, the Nespresso Vertuo Plus, is a great example of this. It's part of the brand's newer Vertuoline and offers a one cup coffee makers-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 recyclable capsules that are more friendly to the environment than K-Cups.

The Cuisinart grind & Brew is a fantastic alternative for those who prefer to grind coffee. It comes with a conical grinder that produces freshly ground coffee. It also comes with three brewing sizes that are pre-set including eight 12 ounces, ten and ten ounces. It's a bit more expensive than the other single-serve coffee makers we have in our line-up however, it was one of the best-tasting models we tested and it eliminates the need for disposable K-Cups or the waste associated with them.

Those who prefer to have the option of using two types of grounds or pods may appreciate the runner-up in our review of the Instant Pot Dual Pod Plus. It's a versatile device that can brew with Keurig K-Cups, original Nespresso pods, as well as the company's own compostable capsules (though they require an industrial composting facility). It also makes the most hot coffee we've ever tasted, and offers a variety of other functions, such as hot tea water or a milk frother.

2. Does it have a big water reservoir?

The top single serving french press-brew coffee maker has a large reservoir that can easily meet your requirements. This will ensure that your machine isn't constantly running out of water, which can affect the quality of your coffee. When selecting a coffee maker single maker, the amount of water that is in its reservoir is important. It will determine the frequency you need to refill and empty the tank.

The BLACK+DECKER Single-Serve Compact Coffee Maker is a great choice for those who want an easy-to-use brewer that won't cost you a fortune. It can brew 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 need to have a cup of coffee on the go. This machine is compact and can be tucked away on a tiny counter. It's also the least expensive among our top selections. It also produces the most hot coffee of the bunch and comes with a built-in travel mug for convenience. It did not score as high as the other brewers we tested however, and its water reservoir is rather small.

If you're willing spend more, the Keurig K.Supreme Smart Single-Serve coffee maker is our upgrade pick. It's a great design and features that stood out during our testing. It is able to brew quickly and high temperatures for coffee. It also offers three different brew sizes and is extremely easy 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 come with multiple brew settings?

The top single-brew coffee maker comes with a variety of settings, which include different cup sizes, types and quantities of drinks and the capability to make cold brew. This lets you customize the beverage to your preference and save time by not boiling and steeping the coffee grounds 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 because it offers several brewing options with just one click. You can choose from the low-acid beverage or a shot of espresso over ice. The Bruvi comes with a brewing option which takes longer than a quick brew, but is worth it if you're looking for an incredibly smooth and rich cup.

In our tests, Bruvi consistently made a hot and consistent cup of coffee in comparison to other single-serve machines that we tried. The brewing process is simple to program and the timer can keep your beverage warm for up to four hours. The Bruvi features the cold brew setting which adjusts temperature and brew times to create a deliciously cool beverage.

Breville Precision Brewer was another top-of-the-line product, with six brew settings including Gold, Strong, Fast and Iced. The Gold Brew Setting follows Specialty Coffee Association guidelines for an ideal cup of coffee, and the other settings are customizable, so you can customize your experience to fit your individual preferences. In contrast to the other single-serve brewers we tested the Breville Precision has a narrower base, which aided it to hold onto its brew temperature better and allow for deeper saturation and a more even extraction of the bean.

4. Does it have an automatic cleaning feature?

The best single-cup machines have an automatic cleaning feature that cleans the machine. This eliminates any used K-Cup pods and grounds after each use. Certain models even let you know when it's time for a cleaning cycle. It is important to read the manual for the user or manufacturer website for specific directions, since different machines have different cleaning techniques.

Bruvi’s single-serve espresso maker is among the best we've ever used. It has an intuitive, simple interface, produces excellent coffee, and requires little 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. One drawback is that it takes longer to drink than other models, however this is a minor issue in a great product.

This coffee maker is a great budget option because it's affordable and produces a fantastic cup of coffee. It has an adjustable water tank that weighs 40 ounces that can be used for both K-Cups or ground coffee. The user manual contains detailed instructions on how to remove the reservoir, re-fill it and then perform regular descaling. Contrary to other single-cup coffeemakers it doesn't require an empty filter or reusable pods. It can be used to make any kind of coffee.

This coffee maker is ideal for those who appreciate the convenience of single serve coffee system-serve K-Cups but aren't a fan of the taste or waste associated with them. It has an enormous water tank as well as an integrated grinder that allows you to make a delicious cup of coffee from ground beans. It comes with a variety of options for brewing, such as strong and over ice, and can be utilized with reused K-Cups or the brand's own recycled pods. It also comes with a steam button for tea and a foldaway milk frother.

5. Can it be programmed?

The most efficient espresso maker that can be programmed lets you set it up at night prior to so that you get up to freshly brewed coffee. This is particularly useful for those who are in a hurry or who do not prefer a pour-over pot or Moka pot.

The majority of coffee makers that can be programmed come with a basic 24-hour timer however, if you're looking for more advanced features you might think about the De'Longhi COM532, which is our favorite pod-based single-cup machine. It has a touch-screen digital screen and multiple settings to customize your coffee such as the brew temperature and intensity. This model is a bit expensive, yet it produces the hottest coffee of any of our machines we tested and its carafe is able to keep it at an optimal drinking temperature for more than an hour after the brewing.

Black + Decker Classic single-serve coffeemaker is a budget-friendly, programmeable machine that can be programmed. It is easy to use, has a compact footprint and is compatible with ESE pods (Eco-friendly single-serve). It also scored well in our taste tests, brews quickly, and comes with an easy-to-remove water tank, which is dishwasher safe.

If you're tired of the pre-packaged beans and would like to save more money, the single-cup or manual drip brewer is a great alternative. You can grind your own beans for a more fresh flavor and to have more control over your drink's flavor. It's more time-consuming than using a machine that utilizes pods, but if are a fan of coffee, it might be worth the effort. To get consistent results measure the weight of your coffee beans and ground coffee on a scale, instead of measuring by volume.