The Best Single Cup Coffee Maker

If speed and convenience are your top priority A single cup coffee maker-cup coffee maker could be the ideal choice for you. They occupy less counter space and are more simple to use than their drip counterparts.

There are models that use K-Cups or Nespresso original pods or reusable aftermarket pods. Certain models also allow espresso-style shots or iced coffee.

1. Cuisinart Grind & Brew

This machine is designed to be sleek and stylish. It can grind and brew one cup or even a whole pot. It is smaller than other coffee makers with a grinder. This lets you use the counter space for other appliances. Unlike some grinders that can leave the coffee with a coarse, granular consistency the Grind & Brew uses a burr grinder that's designed to precisely crush beans to a preset size. This produces an even ground coffee.

The Grind & Brew also features an automatic shut-off as well as a showerhead design that distributes water evenly over the grounds, which helps ensure consistency from brew-to-brew. It can be programmed up to 24 hours in advance of time to start making brew. It also offers several options for controlling the process, including an adjustable clock and coffee strength (mild or medium), and a brew-pause function, which allows you to pour a cup without interrupting the cycle.

This model is unique in that it can brew both K-Cups as well as whole beans. The choice between them is based on your preference. The machine can hold up to 12 K-Cups. Or you can fill the hopper with ground beans. The brew is a bit slower than our top choice, however it is still quick enough to get your coffee ready before you get up.

The Grind & Brew did well in our overall tests but was not able to achieve our top overall score. The brew temperature was among the least stable of any model we tested. The temperature of the brew varied from the first to the fifth brew, by about 5degrees, and it failed to meet the SCAA's 195 degree goal for great coffee.

However, it's a small cost to pay for the convenience of having a grinder and brewer to make your mornings less hectic. The machine is easy to operate and clean with all of its components slotting into place and opening/closing with a satisfying clunk. It's also lightweight and compact which is ideal for those with a small counter space.

2. Smeg Drip coffee maker

If you're looking for a sleek and compact single cup coffee machines-cup coffee maker to put in your kitchen, this one from SMEG is a fantastic choice. The Italian-based brand is known for its '50s retro-style appliances, and this drip filter coffee maker is a perfect example of form and function. It has an elegant style that will look great on your counter. It can brew up to 10 cups of coffee in one go and the auto-start function makes it easy to wake up to a fresh pot of joe. You can also pick between two aroma settings either Delicate or Intense, to alter the strength of your brew. Set an alarm for when it's ready.

This espresso maker that can be programmed has an ample water tank of 1.4 liters, so you'll never be able to run out. Its reusable filter reduces unnecessary waste, and there's a clear water level indicator to let you know when it's time to refill. The coffee maker can be used to make hot chocolate or herbal tea. The brewing process is rapid, and there's a keep-warm plate to help ensure that your coffee remains warm until you're ready to drink it.

This SMEG drip-filter coffee maker features four buttons that are simple to use. The LED clock shows the current settings. The permanent filter is dishwasher safe and is able to be used again. The spout has been made to stop spills. If you live in a region that has hard water the SMEG drip-filter coffee maker might need to be periodically descaled. You can descale the machine by pressing the automatic-start, on/off buttons for five seconds, and then pouring descaler solution or powder into the water reservoir.

Another benefit of this drip filter coffee maker that is programmable is that it is compatible with ESE pods which are a green alternative to K-Cups and other single-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 start time every morning.

3. Oxo Brew 12-Cup Thermal Carafe

The Oxo Brew 12-Cup thermal carafe is an excellent option if you want a coffee maker with the ability to make one cup or a whole pot. It includes 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 interactive display screen that is easy to use and a movable mixing tube. The machine can be programmed for up to 24 hours in advance, and the LCD backlight display shows the time remaining until the coffee is ready.

The coffee maker comes with two different size brew baskets that can be used for small or large quantities, making it ideal for households that utilize a range of sizes and quantities of cups. It's certified by the Specialty Coffee Association to brew Gold-standard coffee. Its BetterBrew Precision system and Rainmaker shower head evenly distribute water over your grounds to ensure the maximum flavor extraction.

This machine, unlike many pod-based machines, makes use of regular ground or entire beans (not proprietary ones), instead of pre-packaged capsules to make single coffee maker-serve. The use of regular coffee grounds is cheaper and also reduces waste from used pods. The machine is quick, too, brewing the pot in less than six minutes. The machine is more expensive than other drip coffee makers that we tried. However its sleek design and top-quality build make it a top option.

Many multifunction kitchen gadgets skew towards flashy features and gimmicks however this drip coffee maker can do the job without fuss. It's sturdy and quiet. The simple interface allows you to set the precise amount of water to be brewed. The Brew Barista brain was a very reliable machine that was able to handle our most difficult test coffee (Costco House Blend with medium grind) very well.

This model uses a spray of iced brewed water instead of the traditional method of infusion. The result is much more drinkable than if you use infusion. It also has a programmable setting that will start the brew 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 utilizes "B-Pods" from Bruvi, which have 40 percent more than the typical K-cup brewer. They are made of treated polypropylene and are designed to break down over time in composters and landfills without leaving behind microplastics (although it's not certified for organic waste). The B-Pods are an hygienic brewing experience since each cup is sealed inside the pod. This prevents contamination of the flavor between cups. The Bruvi is also noteworthy for its sleek and modern design. The touch screen comes to life when you insert the pod. It then displays the options available depending on the kind of beverage you are drinking.

The Bruvi offers a variety of options for cold brew coffee and Iced coffees, which include hot and iced americanos and espresso. The machine is also designed to utilize less water than a traditional best single brew coffee maker-serve brewer, which could help reduce dilution when add the ice.

Another nice feature about the Bruvi is that it's a smarter single serving coffee machine-serve pod brewer. It has an embedded camera that examines the unique code of each B-Pod and then optimizes the brewing settings to suit the specific type of coffee. You can be sure that your Bruvi will always provide a delicious cup espresso.

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

The pod coffee maker Bruvi is more expensive than other pod machines but it's worth the price for its exceptional coffee flavor and reduced impact on the environment. It's a great choice if you're someone who regularly switches between coffee and espresso, since its hygienic brewing system allows for quick and simple conversion to cold brew or iced coffee, without the need for an additional machine. It also comes with a milk frother, which is a welcome addition at this price.