The Best Single Cup Coffee Maker

If speed and convenience are your top priority A single serving french press-cup coffee maker might be the best option for you. They are smaller and more user-friendly than drip coffee makers.

You can choose from models that make use of K-Cups or Nespresso pods that are original or recycled aftermarket ones. Certain models can also make espresso-style shots as well as iced coffee.

1. Cuisinart Grind & Brew

The machine is designed to be elegant and stylish. It can grind and brew just one cup or a whole pot. It is smaller than other coffee makers that have a grinder. This lets you make use of the counter space to other appliances. The Grind and Brew's burr grinder is designed to crush beans to a precise size. This produces an even ground coffee.

The Grind & Brew also features an automatic shut-off as well as showerhead design that distributes the water evenly across the grounds, which helps ensure consistency from brew-to-brew. It can be programmed to start brewing up to 24 hrs in advance, and provides a variety of control options, including a customizable clock display and coffee strength (mild medium, medium, or powerful) and a brew pause feature that allows you to pour a cup out without halting the process.

One of the most interesting things about this model is that it can brew from whole beans as well as K-Cups. The choice between them is based on your personal preference. The machine can hold up to 12 K-Cups. Or you can fill the hopper with beans that are whole. The coffee brewing time is a bit slower than our top pick however, it's still quick enough for most people to have their coffee ready before they get up.

As a whole, the Grind & Brew performed well in our tests, however it did not achieve our highest overall score. The brew temperature was among the least stable of all model we test. It fluctuated from the initial brew to the fifth by almost 5 degrees, and it was never able to reach the 195 degree target set by the SCAA for the best coffee.

It's a minor price to pay for the convenience of having a grinder and brewer that can make your mornings easier. The machine is easy to clean and operate and maintain, with all its components sliding into place and closing with the sound of a satisfying click. It's also lightweight and compact which is perfect for those with a small counter space.

2. Smeg Drip Coffee Maker

If you are looking for an elegant and compact single-cup coffee maker to put in your kitchen, this model from SMEG is a great option. The Italian-based company is known for its retro-style '50s appliances, and this drip filter coffee maker blends function and form in an elegant design that will look good on your counter. The auto-start feature allows you to start your day with a pot of fresh coffee. It can make 10 cups at once. You can also pick between two aroma settings either Delicate or Intense, to customize the strength of your brew. Set an alarm to notify you when it's time to prepare.

This programmable espresso maker has a generous water tank of 1.4 Liters, meaning you won't run out of water. The reusable filter minimizes consumption and the level indicator tells you when it's time to refill. You can make use of this coffee maker to make hot chocolate or herbal tea. The brewing process can be completed quickly, and the keep-warm plates will help keep your coffee warm until you are ready to drink.

The sleek controls of this SMEG drip filter coffee maker are simple to use with just four buttons. Additionally, the LED clock display shows current settings. The permanent filter is dishwasher-safe, and it can be used again and again. The spout is designed to prevent spills. If you reside in a region with hard water the SMEG drip-filter coffee maker could require regular descale. You can descale the machine by pressing the automatic-start and on/off buttons for five seconds and then pouring the descaler solution into the water reservoir.

Another bonus of this drip filter coffee maker that can be programmed is that it's compatible with ESE pods that are a green alternative to K-Cups and other single serve pod coffee maker-serve pods. The only downside to this coffee maker is that it doesn't have an automatic brew timer. Therefore, you'll have to manually adjust the start time each morning.

3. Oxo Brew 12-Cup Thermal Carafe

The Oxo Brew 12-cup thermal carafe makes a great alternative if you're looking for an espresso maker that has the ability to make one cup or a whole pot. It comes with a stainless steel thermal carafe that has double walls and vacuum insulation that keeps coffee hot for many hours. It also comes with a handy, easy-to-use interactive display screen and a mixing tube that can be removed. The machine can be programmed up to 24 hours in advance, and the backlit LCD display displays the time remaining until the coffee is ready.

The coffee maker comes with two different brew baskets that can be used to brew small or large quantities. It is ideal for households that have a variety of cup sizes and quantities. It's certified by the Specialty Coffee Association to brew Gold-standard coffee, and its BetterBrew Precision system and Rainmaker shower head evenly distribute water over your grounds to ensure most flavorful extraction.

This machine, unlike most pod-based machines, uses regular ground or entire beans (not proprietary ones), instead of pre-packaged capsules to make single-serve. The use of regular coffee grounds decreases waste and helps save money. The machine is fast as well, brewing a pot in under six minutes. The only issue with this machine is that it's more expensive than other drip coffee makers we've test however its sleek design and durable construction make it a great choice.

Many multifunctional kitchen gadgets lean towards flashy and gimmicks, but this drip coffee maker does the job without any frills. It's quiet, well-built and features an easy-to-use interface that makes it easy to set the exact amount of water you wish to prepare. The Brew Barista brain is a reliable machine that handled our most difficult test coffee (Costco House Blend with medium grind) well.

This model uses a stream of brewed water that has been iced instead of the traditional immersion method. The result is much more drinkable than infusion. It also has a programable setting that starts the brew at exactly five minutes from now which will save you the hassle of standing around waiting for the coffee to be brewed.

4. Bruvi Brewer

This sleek reviews single serve coffee makers cup brewer from Bruvi is the perfect choice for those who are willing to pay just a bit more than a regular K-cup. It is made with what Bruvi calls "B-Pods," which contain 40 percent more coffee than a regular K-cup pod and are made with treated polypropylene that is designed to break into composters and landfills over time, leaving no microplastics in the process (though it's not certified for organic waste). The B-Pods also allow for the brewing process to be hygienic, with each individual cup being sealed inside the pod to ensure no cross-contamination of flavors between cups. The Bruvi's sleek and modern design is also striking. The touch screen will come to life when you insert a pod, and it will display the options for that particular kind of beverage.

The Bruvi has a range of cold brew coffee and iced coffees, including hot and iced americanos and espresso. The Bruvi is designed to use less than one serving of brewer. This can help minimize the dilution when adding the ice.

Another great feature of the Bruvi is that it's a much smarter single cup coffee brew-serve pod brewer. It has an embedded camera that scans the unique code on each B-Pod and then optimizes the brewing settings to suit the specific type of coffee. You can be certain that your Bruvi will always produce a delicious cup of espresso.

Finally, the drip tray of Bruvi can also be adjusted to minimize splashing, when brewing in a small mug, or even removed completely for tall travel mugs. The Bruvi comes with additional features, including a removable water tank and an automatic cleaning cycle to ensure that it is running efficiently and efficiently.

The Bruvi pod coffee maker is more expensive than other pod machines, however it's well worth the cost for its exceptional coffee flavor and less impact on the environment. It's an excellent choice for those who switch between espresso and coffee regularly, as its hygienic system allows for easy and quick transition to cold brew and iced coffee, without the need to purchase a separate coffee machine. It comes with a milk frother which is a nice feature for this price.