If you’re anything like me, then you probably don’t stand a chance of waking up in the morning without a fresh, steaming hot cup of coffee in your hand.
Coffee comes in so many different forms and flavors, and everyone has their own preferences when it comes to their morning pick-me-up. There are many ways to get your daily dose of caffeine, as well as many dedicated machines for providing the perfect brew.
Single serve coffee makers can be found everywhere, from supermarkets to convenience stores to gas stations. They are great for both domestic and commercial purposes thanks to their consistency when it comes to making an excellent cup of coffee.
For anyone who owns one of these machines, you will know just how efficient they can be, as well as how good the coffee they make tastes.
With so many coffee makers on the market, it can be difficult to find the right one for your kitchen. That’s why we’ve put together this list of some of the best models for a quick, efficient and flavorful brew.
So if your old espresso machine is out of action, and you can’t bear the thought of drinking instant, then read on and discover 6 of the best single serve coffee machines.
OUR TOP PICK
EDITORS CHOICE
BEST VALUE
Cuisinart Premium Single-Serve Coffee maker
OUR TOP PICK
Keurig K-Classic Coffee Maker
The Keurig K-Classic is a compact single cup coffee maker that delivers delicious beverages at home or away. This model features the sleek, modern design of Keurig’s K-series which included many of the classic machines that put the company on the map.
It can brew multiple 6,8 and 10oz cups with a 48oz reservoir that can be removed to make refilling easier.
There is no pod-scanning module in this machine, meaning it will work with both licensed and unlicensed K-pods.
The drip tray can be removed for accommodating travel mugs that are up to 7.1in tall.
One of the best things about this coffee maker is how simple it is to use. All you have to do is turn it on, and press the button for your preferred cup size, and wait for the Keurig K-classic to work its magic.
You can buy this device in either red or black, and both models will look amazing on your kitchen countertop.
There are LED lights that will tell you when the reservoir needs refilling, or your machine needs descaling. To help you save on power, this unit will turn itself off automatically after 2 hours of inactivity.
Pros
- Larger removable reservoir.
- Can hold large travel mugs if you remove the drip tray.
- No pod-scanning technology allows you to use unlicensed K-cups.
Cons
- The inner pipes of this machine are prone to clogging.
Also available at: Target
EDITORS CHOICE
Nespresso BEC430TTN Pixie
This is one of the smallest coffee machines that Nespresso offers, so you shouldn’t have any trouble finding space for it on your kitchen counter.
Don’t let its small size fool you though, this compact coffee maker can make a mean cup of coffee in less than a minute, taking only 25s to heat up your water. It offers two sizes of cup from 1.35oz espressos to a 5oz lungo.
As if it wasn’t compact enough, this machine has a folding drip tray to fill larger travel mugs.
With only three buttons making up all the controls, this coffee maker is very easy to use. The Nespresso Pixie has a 19-bar pressure pump, which allows it to get the maximum flavor from every pod you put into it.
Like the Keurig we looked at above, this machine will turn itself off after 9 minutes, which will help to save on your electricity bill.
There is no pod-scanning technology in this unit, which means you can use third-party pods with no problems whatsoever. The Pixie is made in Switzerland from high quality components to ensure that you receive a coffee machine that will last for a long time.
Pros
- Folding drip tray for fitting larger mugs under the nozzle.
- Compact yet durable design.
- Compatible with third-party coffee pods.
Cons
- Can’t brew a full sized mug.
Also available at: Nespresso
BEST VALUE
Cuisinart Premium Single-Serve Coffee maker
The Cuisinart premium is similar in design to Keurig’s old B-series machines, with a stylish silver aesthetic that will look great in any modern kitchen.
It features a simple LCD screen on the front from which you can select between 5 different sizes of cup from 4-12oz.
With a 72oz removable reservoir, this coffee machine doesn’t require excessive maintenance and will be ready to brew you a fresh cup of joe every morning.
Unlike most single serve brewers, this one comes with a removable charcoal filter basket that removes fine particles before they reach your cup. This also allows you to use your own coffee grounds, so you don’t have to rely on pods all the time.
Speaking of pods, the Cuisinart Premium is compatible with all varieties of K-cup pods.
If you aren’t in the mood for coffee, then you can use the hot water button for making tea, cocoa, or any other warm beverage your heart desires.
The drip tray on the bottom is removable, so you can fill travel mugs up for when you need your caffeine hit on the go. Overall, this is a versatile machine that will keep any coffee lover happy for a long time.
Pros
- Offers 5 different cup sizes.
- Large 72oz reservoir.
- The LCD screen makes this machine very easy to use
Cons
- Can spray coffee if the cup isn’t properly seated in the machine.
Also available at: Walmart
RUNNER UP
Ninja CP307 Hot and Cold Brewed System
This Ninja system is not only designed for hot brewing, but can also be used to make iced coffees as well.
It doesn’t use pods, and instead has two different baskets, one of which is for coffee grounds, while the other can be used for tea. These baskets give you ultimate control over your beverage, and also means less plastic is wasted with discarded pods.
To work this machine, you simply place your favorite ground coffee or loose-leaf tea in the top chamber and press the buttons to add either hot or cold water.
The auto-IQ function allows the machine to recognize which type of beverage you have placed in the top compartment to provide you with the correct options on the display.
As well as filter baskets, you will also receive a Ninja scoop for getting the right amount of grounds or leaves for your chosen cup size.
You can adjust the height of the drip tray for fitting any size of mug, and even carafes or travel mugs under the nozzle.
The Ninja CP307 also comes with a fold out milk frother for making flat whites or cappuccinos, all from the same machine.
With the simple controls, you can make up to 5 different sizes of drink, and there is even a button for cleaning your machine when necessary.
Pros
- Versatile coffee machine that can brew hot or cold beverages.
- No pods means no plastic waste and complete control over your drink.
- Includes a fold out milk frother and separate baskets for coffee grounds and tea leaves.
Cons
- No heating plate for keeping your carafe warm.
RUNNER UP
Hamilton Beach 49987 The Scoop Single Serve Coffee Maker
The Hamilton Beach Scoop single serve coffee maker is another machine that doesn’t use single serve coffee pods. This allows you to enjoy your brew without having to worry about waste plastic.
It is far more compact than the Ninja we looked at above, and will easily fit on your kitchen counter without taking up too much space. This unit is also incredibly fast and can brew a fresh mug of steaming hot coffee in a matter of minutes.
It comes with a reusable filter basket that you can spoon your preferred coffee grounds into. The Beach 49987 can brew cups anywhere between 8 and 14oz from its 40oz removable water reservoir.
While it can’t make espressos, this is a great machine for those who love a nice large cup of coffee to start their day off.
The adjustable drip tray can be raised up to bring your cup closer to the nozzle, which means you can get as much of your drink in the mug as possible. There is a bold button at the top that can be used to make your drink extra strong.
This single serve coffee machine has an auto shut-off function, which allows you to walk away after your brew is complete without worrying about your electricity bill.
Pros
- Doesn’t use pods.
- Bold button for making a bold brew
- Superfast brew time.
Cons
- No espresso options.
Also available at: HamiltonBeach
RUNNER UP
Nespresso BNE800BSS Creatista Plus Espresso Machine
Our final product is quite pricey, but worth it for a premium coffee machine that delivers a quality of brew you would normally only expect from a professional barista.
The entire Creatista Plus is made from a body of brushed stainless steel, which makes it incredibly durable and stylish at the same time.
The smallest drink size offered by this model is a 1.35oz espresso, while the largest is a 5oz lungo. It sports a 50.7 oz removable water reservoir, which will make several drinks before needing a refill.
The Creatista plus has an LCD screen, which makes it super easy to use. There is a slide out cup holder for keeping smaller mugs closer to the nozzle, but this unit can also accommodate larger travel mugs as well.
With no pod scanning module in the brew chamber, this unit will work with third party pods as well as the original Nespresso variety.
Our favorite feature of this machine is the inbuilt milk frother that allows you to brew specialty drinks as well as regular coffee.
This unit offers three different texture levels and milk temperature for creating the perfect cappuccino or flat white. It even comes with a stainless steel milk jug for holding your frothed milk and creating your own swirling latte art.
Pros
- Can be used with third party pods.
- Includes an inbuilt milk frother with milk jug.
- Simple and easy to use.
Cons
- No option to cold-froth milk.
Also available at: Nespresso
Buyers Guide
If you are someone who loves a good cup of coffee every morning, then you should consider investing in one of these high-quality single serve coffee makers.
These machines are designed specifically to make just one cup of the best tasting coffee you have even tried. We have included this buyer’s guide to walk you through the basic features these machines have and what to look out for while shopping for one.
Pods Or No Pods
The first thing you should consider is whether you want a machine that uses pods or a removable filter basket.
Pods are very convenient, as they come in a variety of different flavors and always have the correct portion of coffee grounds inside them for your chosen drink.
Some people may also prefer the taste that coffee pods offer, not to mention they will help you to save a lot of time on your morning routine.
However, for some coffee fanatics, you simply can’t beat the taste of freshly ground beans. If you agree with this sentiment, then you may want a machine that has a removable filter basket you can place your own grounds into.
Not only does this give you more control over the type of beans used in your drink, but it is also much better for the environment since it produces less waste plastic.
Available Cup Sizes
I’ve never been a big fan of espressos, since I prefer to have a large mug of steaming hot coffee for starting my morning.
However, this isn’t the case for everyone, and you will want a machine that can make your cup of joe exactly the way you want it.
This means checking to see if a coffee maker can provide your preferred drink size. Cup sizes are often shown in fluid ounces, with espressos coming in at 1.35oz and larger mugs requiring up to 8oz or more.
Naturally, you will want a coffee maker that can fill your largest cup. Some people may even want a unit that can fill a full carafe, although if you do go with this option, you may need to buy a heating plate for keeping your beverage warm.
Bear in mind that if you do want to make larger cups of coffee, then you will need a machine with enough space between the nozzle and drip tray.
Many units will actually allow you to remove the drip tray for accommodating larger travel mugs.
Water Reservoir Size
If you make up to 3 or 4 cups of coffee a day, then it will pay to buy a machine with a larger water reservoir. This means that you won’t need to keep refilling the water tank every day, which helps to save on time.
However, you don’t want to leave large amounts of water standing for long periods of time. Doing this can lead to mineral deposits which may damage the internals of your machine, requiring it to be descaled.
As such, you want to buy a machine with a large enough water tank for fulfilling your daily caffeine needs, while not being so large that you frequently have large amounts of stagnant water left overnight.
Do You Want To Make Other Drinks?
All of the machines on this list can make a cup of regular black coffee, but only some of them are capable of making other beverages as well.
If you like a cup of black or herbal tea now and again, then you will want to invest in a device with a hot water button.
Coffee makers that use filter baskets can also be used with loose-leaf tea, although you may want to buy a separate filter to prevent the flavor being affected.
Some models can even brew over ice, which is great if you want to make iced coffee or tea as well as the hot variety.
Finally, if you are a fan of cappuccinos, lattes or flat whites, then you may want to look into buying a single serve machine that comes with an inbuilt milk frother.
This will allow you to add hot milk to all of your beverages for barista style drinks made in the comfort of your home.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is A Single Serve Coffee Maker?
Single serve coffee makers are designed to make a single cup of coffee, espresso, or cocoa. Since they often make smaller portion sizes, they’re great for making a quick brew that is ready to drink in a matter of minutes.
Many of these machines will allow you to alter their settings to customize your coffee and get it just the way you like it.
How Do I Clean My Coffee Machine
If you notice that your morning cup of joe isn’t tasting quite the way it should, then your coffee machine may need cleaning.
To do this, fill the reservoir with a 50-50 mixture of white vinegar and water. You can then press the brew button and let your machine soak in this mixture.
After you have run the brew process a few times, you can flush the system through with clean water to remove any leftover vinegar.
