Best Single Brew Coffee Makers

There's nothing more satisfying than a cup of freshly brewed coffee at the beginning of the day. This is why we love single brew coffee makers.

To find the best one for you, think about what's most important to your brewing requirements and the extra features that seem like frills. Our criteria includes a large water reservoir, multiple brew settings, and the capability to use reusable coffee pods.

1. Can I buy capsules or ground coffee in this machine?

Depending on the style you prefer depending on your preferences, you might want to select a model that makes coffee using coffee pods or ground beans. While we've included a few models that use only coffee pods in our roundup, the majority can accommodate both. This versatility makes them a great choice for those who enjoy having a variety of options available.

Our top choice one, the Nespresso Vertuo Plus, is an excellent example of this. It's part of the brand's newer Vertuoline and comes with a one-touch system that is foolproof and delivers excellent espresso shots and brewed coffee. It was also the most efficient machine we tested and comes with refillable pods that are more beneficial for the environment than K-Cups.

The Cuisinart grind & Brew is a fantastic option for those who prefer ground coffee. It has a built-in conical burr grinder to make freshly ground coffee, and it comes with three preset brewing sizes -eight, ten, and twelve ounces. It's more expensive than some single-serve models we have in our collection, however it's among the most delicious ones we've tested.

For those who want the option of using two types of pods or grounds may appreciate the runner-up in our review of the Instant Pot Dual Pod Plus. It's a model that is flexible, as it can brew using Keurig K-Cups or original Nespresso capsules. The company also sells its own compostable capsules. It also produces the most intense coffee we've ever tried, and offers a variety of other functions including hot tea water or a milk frother.

2. Is there a large reservoir of water?

The best single-brew coffee maker comes with a large reservoir that can easily meet your needs. This will ensure that your machine isn't constantly running out of water, which could affect the quality of your coffee. When selecting a coffee maker the amount of water that is in the reservoir is vital. It will determine how often you have 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 doesn't break the bank. It can brew a cup of coffee under two minutes and can be programmed to brew up to 24 hours ahead. This is great for those who are always on the move. 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 hottest coffee of the bunch and comes with a built-in travel mug for ease of use. It didn't perform as well as the other brewers in our testing however, and its water reservoir is quite small.

If you're willing a bit more, our upgrade choice the Keurig K.Supreme Smart Single-Serve Coffee Maker has a great design and features that stand out from our testing. It has fast brewing times as well as high temperatures for coffee and the option of three sizes of brew, and is extremely simple to use. Its only downside is that you need to remove it for a period of time which could be a hassle for people who consume a lot of coffee.

3. Does it have multiple brewing settings?

The top single-brew coffee maker comes with a variety of settings, which include different cup sizes, types and amounts of beverages as well as the capability to make cold brew. This lets you customize your drink exactly to how you like it and reduce time by avoiding the process of boiling and steeping your coffee grounds in hot water. This method also makes use of cooler water, which helps keep the flavor of your coffee.

Noah Kaufman, the editor of Epi's Reviews, is a fan of the Bruvi Single Serve Coffee Maker because it offers several options for brewing with just one tap. You can choose between the low-acid beverage or espresso shot over ice. The Bruvi also has the option of brewing that takes longer than the typical quick brew but is well worth the wait for a smooth, smooth cup.

In our tests the Bruvi consistently produced the hottest and most consistent cup of coffee among all the single-serve machines that we tested. Its brewing cycle is easy to program, and the timer keeps your beverage warm for upto 4 hours. If you're a lover of cold brew, the Bruvi also has a dedicated setting for brewing that adjusts the temperature and brew time to create a deliciously refreshing beverage.

Another highlight was the Breville Precision Brewer, which features six brew options, including Gold Fast, Strong, Fast and Iced. The Gold setting is inspired by the Specialty Coffee Association's guidelines for making the perfect cup of coffee. All other settings can be adjusted to your personal preferences. Contrary to other single-serve brewers that we tested the Breville Precision has a narrower base, which aided it hold on to the temperature of its brew better and encourage deeper saturation and an even extraction of the beans.

4. Does it come with an auto-cleaning feature?

The top single cup coffee maker uk-cup models have a feature that automatically cleans the machine. This eliminates any used K-Cup pods and grounds after every use. Some models will even notify you when it's time for a cleaning cycle. It's important to check the manual for the user or the manufacturer's website for specific directions as different machines come with different cleaning techniques.

The single-serve espresso maker from Bruvi is one of the best we've ever used. It features an easy, intuitive interface, makes great coffee, and requires minimal maintenance. It can be used to brew hot or cold drinks. It also has a range of one-touch brewing options that include low acid, Americano, and cold brew. It takes longer to brew compared to other models. However, this is an insignificant flaw in a great product.

This coffee maker is a great budget option because it's inexpensive and makes a great cup of coffee. It has an ejectable water tank of 40 ounces that can be used for K-Cups and ground coffee. The user's manual provides detailed instructions for removing the reservoir before refilling and emptying it, and for regular descaling. It can brew any kind of coffee, in contrast to other single-cup machines.

This coffee maker is a great alternative for anyone who enjoys the convenience of single-serve coffee but isn't a fan of the taste or the waste of K-Cups. It has a large water tank and a built-in grinder that allows you to make a delicious cup of coffee from ground beans. It comes with a variety of brewing options, including bold and over ice and it can be made with reusable K-Cups or the brand's own recyclable pods. It also comes with steam buttons for tea as well as a foldable milk frother.

5. Is it programmable?

The most programmable coffee maker allows you to set it the night before so that you awake to a cup of hot, freshly brewed coffee. This is especially helpful for mornings when you're in a rush or for those who don't like the hassle of using pour-overs or a Moka pot.

Most programmable machines come with a basic timer of 24 hours. However, if you're interested in more advanced features, you might think about De'Longhi's Com532 that is our top single-cup pod machine. It comes with a touchscreen and multiple settings that let you alter your coffee according to the flavor you like, such as brewing temperature and strength. This model is the most expensive, however, it produces the most hot coffee out of all of our tested machines. Its carafe will keep it at the perfect drinking temperature for over an hour after it has been brewed.

Black + Decker Classic single-serve coffeemaker is a budget-friendly, programmable machine. It's a compact footprint, it's compatible with ESE (Eco-friendly Single-Serve) pods, and has simple controls that make it easy to use. It also scored well in our tests of taste, brews quickly, and features 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, consider a manual drip or single-cup brewer. You can grind your own beans to get a fresher taste and more control over your drink's flavor. It is more time-consuming than using a machine that utilizes pods, but if you are a coffee enthusiast, it might be worth it. Be sure to weigh your beans and ground coffee with a scale rather than measuring by volume to ensure you achieve the best results.