The Best Single Cup Coffee Maker

If you're looking for a simple priority A single-cup coffee maker could be the ideal choice for you. They occupy less counter space and are simpler to use than their drip counterparts.

You can pick from models that use K-Cups or Nespresso pods that are original or reused aftermarket pods. Some also make iced coffee, or espresso-style shots.

1. Cuisinart Grind & Brew

This well-designed machine from a reputable brand can grind and brew one cup or an entire pot. It's smaller than other coffee makers that incorporate grinders which means it frees the space on the countertop for other appliances. Unlike some grinders that can leave an uncooperative granular consistency, the Grind & Brew uses a burr grinder designed to precisely crush beans to a preset size. This creates an even ground coffee.

The Grind & Brew has an automatic shut-off, as well as showerhead that evenly distributes water evenly over the grounds. This ensures consistency between brews. It can be programmed to begin brewing up to 24 hrs in advance, and provides multiple control options such as a customizable clock display and coffee strength (mild medium, moderate, or strong) and a pause feature that lets you pour a cup out without interrupting the cycle.

This model is unique because it can be used to brew K-Cups and whole beans. The choice between both is based on your personal preference. The machine can hold 12 K-Cups, or you can fill it with whole bean ground. The coffee brewing time is a bit slower than our top choice however, it's still quick enough for most people to have their coffee ready when they wake up.

The Grind & Brew did well in our tests as a whole but fell short of our top overall score. The brew temperatures of the Grind & Brew were the most unstable of the models we tried. Its brew temperature varied from the first to the fifth brew by nearly 5°, and it failed to reach the SCAA's 195-degree target for great coffee.

It's worth having a dedicated grinder/brewer to use for your mornings. The machine is easy to clean and operate and maintain, with all its components sliding into place and opening/closing with a satisfying clunk. It's also light and compact which is perfect for those who have a limited 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 one from SMEG is a great choice. This drip filter coffee maker by the Italian brand is renowned for its retro-style appliances of the 1950s. It has an elegant design that combines function with form. The auto-start function lets you to get up to freshly brewed coffee. It can make 10 cups at once. You can also pick between two aroma settings, Intense or Delicate, to adjust the strength of your brew. Set an alarm to notify you when it's ready.

This programmable espresso maker comes with an enormous water tank of 1.4 liters, so you'll never run out of water. The reusable filter helps reduce waste, and there is a clear water level indicator to let you know when it's time to refill. The coffee maker can also be used to make hot chocolate and herbal tea. The brewing cycle is relatively fast, and it comes with a keep-warm plate to help ensure that your coffee stays warm until you're ready drink it.

This SMEG drip-filter coffee maker has four buttons that are easy to use. The LED clock displays the current settings. The permanent filter is dishwasher-safe, and it can be used over and over again. The spout is designed to prevent spills. If you reside in a region with hard water, your SMEG drip-filter coffee maker may require regular descale. There is a descale symbol on the front of the machine and you can remove the scale by pouring descaler powder or solution into the reservoir for water and pressing the on/off and auto-start buttons for five seconds.

This programmable drip-filter coffee maker also comes with the added benefit of being compatible with ESE pods. They're an eco-friendly alternative to K-Cups or other single pod coffee maker-serve pods. The only downside to this coffee maker is that it does not have a brew timer, so you will need to manually adjust the time of brewing each morning.

3. Oxo Brew 12-Cup Thermal Carafe

If you're looking for a coffee maker that can make a whole pot of coffee or just one cup then the Oxo Brew 12-Cup Thermal Carafe is worth checking out. It is a stainless steel thermal carafe, with double walls and a vacuum insulation that keeps coffee hot for several hours. It also has a convenient interactive display screen that is easy to use and a movable mixing tube. The machine can be programmed for up to 24 hours ahead of time. The LCD display backlit displays the remaining time until the coffee is ready.

The coffee maker comes with two brew baskets which can be used for small or large quantities. It is ideal for households with a range of cup sizes and amounts. It's certified by the Specialty Coffee Association to brew Gold-standard coffee. The BetterBrew Precision system and Rainmaker shower head evenly distributes the water over your grounds to ensure the maximum flavor extraction.

In contrast to most pod-based coffee machines, this one uses regular ground or whole beans (not proprietary ones) instead of prepackaged single coffee maker-serve capsules. Using standard coffee grounds saves money and also cuts down on the waste generated by used pods. The machine is fast and can make the pot in less than six minutes. This machine is more expensive than the other drip coffee makers that we have tested. However, its sleek design and high-quality construction make it a great option.

This drip coffee maker is a fantastic alternative to kitchen appliances that are multi-functional which are designed for gimmicks. It's built well and is quiet. The user-friendly interface allows you to determine the exact amount of water required to be brewed. We found the Brew Barista Brain to be a reliable machine, and it was able to handle our most difficult test coffee (Costco House Blend, medium grind) very well.

This model uses a stream of iced brewed water instead of the usual method of infusion. The result is more drinkable than if you use infusion. It also has a programmed setting that will start the brew at exactly five minutes from now and avoids the hassle of waiting for the coffee to be brewed.

4. Bruvi Brewer

If you're willing to spend a little more than your standard K-cup coffee maker, this sleek machine from Bruvi could be the perfect single cup brewer for you. It makes use of what Bruvi calls "B-Pods," which contain 40 percent more coffee than a normal K-cup pod and are made with treated polypropylene that is meant to break down in landfills and composters over time without leaving any microplastics behind (though it's not certified for organic waste). B-Pods also permit hygiene-conscious brewing, with every individual cup being sealed inside the pod to ensure no cross-contamination of flavors between cups. The sleek, modern design is also impressive--the touch screen is activated only when you insert a pod. It it displays the various options for that particular type of beverage.

The Bruvi also provides a variety of options for cold coffee and iced brew, including hot and iced espresso, as well as americanos. The machine is also designed to make use of less water than a traditional single-serve brewer, which could reduce dilution when you add Ice.

The Bruvi also comes with a camera embedded that scans every B-Pod's unique code and optimizes the brewing setting to match the type of coffee. So, you can rest assured that your Bruvi will consistently turn out an excellent cup of coffee each time.

Finally, the drip tray of Bruvi can also be adjusted to reduce splashing when brewing with a small mug, or even removed completely for tall travel mugs. The Bruvi also has a few extra features like a removable water reservoir and an automatic cleaning cycle to keep it running effectively and efficiently.

While the Bruvi is pricier than other pod coffee makers, it's worth it for its excellent coffee taste and lower environmental impact. It's an especially good option when you frequently changes between espresso and coffee because its clean brewing system allows for quick and easy conversion to cold brew or iced coffee without the need for an additional machine. It comes with milk frother, which is a great addition at this price.