Single Cup Coffee Makers

A single cup of coffeemaker can make it easier to start your day with a delicious cup of hot coffee. These fashionable machines make great gifts for the coffee lovers in your life.

There's a single cup brewer that is suitable for everyone, regardless of whether you prefer to use pods or grounds. Find out which models scored high in our tests for functionality durability, reliability, user-friendliness and aesthetics.

Easy to Use

If you only drink one cup of coffee each day, a single-cup coffee machine is the best option for you. It lets you make coffee quickly and easily. They're also ideal for dorm rooms or an office because they require less space than a large drip machine and have no reservoir of water to keep refilling.

These coffee makers use single-serve pods or coffee ground. They often also have an "brew over ice" option, which makes them good to make cold brew. Some single-cup coffeemakers can also be used with loose leaf tea, which is perfect for those who like herbal teas or rooibos.

There are a variety of one cup coffee makers that are available which means you'll need to choose which features are important to you. You might want to have a larger reservoir to decrease the number of times that you'll have to refill it. Some have removable water tanks that are easy to transport to the sink. Some don't even have a tank, and they require you to fill it by yourself.

A few of our top picks also have the ability to brew quickly, which can help you save valuable morning minutes. Some have a thermal cup that keeps your coffee hot for several hours after the brew process is over. This is an ideal option if need to keep your coffee warm.

You'll need to decide whether you prefer the convenience and ease of K-Cups, or if you prefer to grind coffee beans using a filter. If you're in the latter category then you might want to look into the Ninja CM407 or other options like the Nespresso Essenza Mini. If you'd like to enjoy the flavor of espresso without the hassles that come with using a drip coffee maker then you should consider an AeroPress. It's important to consider the number of people who will be drinking the coffee. A single cup coffee brew-cup coffee maker isn't a good choice for a family of three or more who all drink coffee at the same time, because you'll probably end up with leftovers that are destined to be thrown away.

Cleaning is easy

It is essential to clean your single-cup coffee maker. It's because, without proper care and maintenance gunk can build up in the machine’s carafe or basket, giving off an unpleasant taste. According to a study carried out by NSF International in 2011, when the reservoir is left unclean, it could be home to mold and yeast. Although these nasties won't seriously impact your health, it's a bit of a turn-off to awake to a cup of brew that tastes off. A regular cleaning routine can restore your coffee maker to its original glory.

White vinegar, a household item that you probably always have around, can do wonders in removing the hard water deposits and buildup that can cause your machine to stop working. De-scaling is recommended every month or every three months by following the same steps like you would make coffee.

Begin by emptying the carafe and cleaning the lid, mug, and brewing basket using a soft cloth that has been dipped in warm soapy water. Pour equal parts of white vinegar and water in the reservoir. Brew the mixture the same way as you would in a normal pot of coffee. Allow the mixture to sit in the water reservoir for 45 minutes. This will allow the vinegar to dissolve the calcium deposits.

Once the 45-minute period has passed then pour the solution out and run a few brewing cycles with clean water to wash off any remaining residue. If you don't happen to have vinegar, a mix of baking soda and clean water can do. Just make sure that there are no seeds, pulp or rinds in the solution.

If your Keurig is showing signs of a more severe build-up, you can also clean it with the same method described above by disassembling the machine to the point where you can wash each piece separately in warm, soapy water. Then, rinse the entire thing and towel-dry before placing it back together.

Easy Maintenance

While a regular pour-over may give the best taste however, the majority of our test subjects are happy with simple, straightforward one-cup coffee maker during busy working days. So, when testing single-serve brewers, we focused on the ease of daily maintenance--including how easy it was to refill the water reservoir, how simple it was to dump spent grounds or pods, and whether the instructions for descaling were clear and easy to follow.

We also took into account the amount of waste each model generated, whether that came in the form of disposable coffee cups or a reusable filter and how often the brewer needed to be descaled. For the latter we compared how easy it was to get the machine back up and running using a home-based descaling solution which is usually a combination of vinegar and warm soapy water.

Although a basic, entry-level single-serve coffee maker might not be the most durable or aesthetically appealing of our choices, this little beauty from Sboly comes with a wealth of innovative features for its price. You can choose between pods and grounds, and it can brew 8 or 14 ounces. It's compact enough to fit in the cupboard.

Ease of Gift Giving

If you're shopping for a coffee lover, there are a lot of options for gifts. You can give a person you love a beautiful coffee cup or even a bag of the most loved beans. If you're looking to impress, consider giving one serve coffee maker of the top single cup coffee makers that are suitable for home use. These gadgets can aid your loved ones to make the perfect cup of coffee each time, and also save money on trips to the local cafe.

Our experts have put together the top options that meet a range of budgets and styles. They have also compiled shopping guides to assist you in making the best choice for loved ones.

We recommend the Ninja CM407 because of its extraordinary performance. It was the most hottest cup we've ever tested and comes with multiple options for brewing that allow you to select between a single-serving or a whole carafe. Additionally, it's small and simple to use.

Another alternative is the Keurig K-Cafe, which also provides a variety of brewing options. It's the best choice if your family members or friends prefer the convenience of K-Cups or espresso. For those who prefer to pour their coffee using a manual method, we recommend the Chemex due to its sleek design and sturdy build.

Cupping Spoons are a fantastic option to present your loved ones with the gift of coffee. These tools are used to maximize the enjoyment of each cup of coffee by professional tasters. This will let you and your family enjoy the flavor, aroma and texture of their coffee.

Don't forget the finishing elements to a wonderful cup of coffee. These include creamers and milks, both dairy and non-dairy, syrups and sauces and even coffee liqueurs. Talk with your loved ones about what they like about their coffee and what makes it different from the next person's. This will help you choose the perfect gift to make their day.