The Best Single Cup Coffee Maker

If you're looking for a simple priority the single serve coffee and espresso maker-cup coffee maker could be the best option for you. These machines take up less counter space and are simpler to use than their drip counterparts.

There are models that make use of K-Cups or original Nespresso pods or reusable aftermarket pods. Some can 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 is smaller than other coffee makers that have a grinder. This allows you to use the counter space for other appliances. The Grind & Brew's burr grinder is designed to crush beans to a specific size. This results in a more consistent ground coffee.

The Grind & Brew has an automatic shut-off and showerheads that evenly distribute water over the grounds. This helps to ensure consistency between the brews. It can be programmed up to 24 hours prior to time to start the brewing process. It also provides various control options, including an adjustable clock as well as coffee strength (mild or medium) and a brew-pause option that lets you pour a cup of coffee without disrupting the process.

One of the most interesting things about this model is that it can be brewed from whole beans as well as K-Cups. The choice of which one to use is contingent on your preference. The machine can hold 12 K-Cups, or you can fill it with whole bean ground. The brew is slower than our top choice but it's still sufficient to get your coffee ready when you wake up.

Overall the Grind & Brew performed well in our tests, however it did not achieve our best single cup coffee maker overall score. Its brew temperatures were the most unstable of all models we tried. It fluctuated from the initial coffee to the fifth by nearly 5 degrees, and it did not reach the 195-degree goal set by the SCAA for the best coffee.

However, it's a small cost to pay for the convenience of having a grinder and brewer that will make your mornings less hectic. It's easy to use and clean. The entire machine fit into place and open/close with the satisfying "clunk". It's also compact and light which is a great feature for those who don't have a lot of extra countertop space.

2. Smeg Drip coffee maker

If you're looking for an elegant and compact single-cup coffee maker to add to your kitchen, this one from SMEG is a fantastic choice. This drip filter coffee maker from the Italian brand is famous for its retro-style appliances of the 1950s. It is elegant in its design and combines function and form. The auto-start function allows you to get up to a pot of fresh coffee. It can brew 10 cups at once. You can also alter the strength of your brew by selecting between two aroma settings (Delicate or Intense) and set an alarm at the end of brewing to remind you when the coffee is ready.

This coffee maker that can be programmed has a generous 1.4-liter water tank, which means you aren't worried about running out of water. Its reusable filter reduces unnecessary waste, and it has an indicator that shows the water level to let you know when it's time to refill. You can also use this coffee maker to make hot chocolate or herbal tea. The brewing cycle is relatively quick, and there's an appliance that keeps your coffee warm to ensure that your coffee is kept warm until you're ready to drink it.

The simple controls on this SMEG drip filter coffee maker are easy to use using four buttons that can be pushed, and the LED clock displays current settings. The dishwasher-safe permanent filter and reuseable filter help to reduce waste, while the drip spout is designed so that it will not cause spills. If you live in a place that has hard water, your SMEG drip-filter coffee maker may require periodic 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 water reservoir and pressing the on/off and automatic-start buttons for five seconds.

This programmable drip-filter coffee maker also has the added bonus of being compatible with ESE pods. These are an eco-friendly alternative to K-Cups or other single-serve pods. This coffee maker comes with only one flaw that it doesn't have an brew-timer. You'll need to establish the start time each morning.

3. Oxo Brew 12-Cup Thermal Carafe

The Oxo Brew 12-Cup thermal carafe makes a great option if you want a coffee maker with the ability to make one cup or a full pot. It features a double-wall vacuum-insulated stainless steel thermal carafe which keeps your coffee hot for a long time. It also has a convenient, easy-to-use interactive display screen and a mixing tube that can be removed. The machine can be programmed up to 24 hours ahead of time, and the LCD display backlit displays the remaining time until your coffee is ready.

The coffee maker comes with two different size brew baskets that can be used for large or small batches and is ideal for households that use various quantities and sizes of cups. It is certified by the Specialty Coffee Association for brewing Gold-standard coffee. The BetterBrew Precision System and Rainmaker Shower Head evenly disperse water throughout your grounds to ensure maximum flavor extraction.

Contrary to the majority of pod-based coffee machines, this one uses regular ground or whole beans (not proprietary ones) instead of prepackaged, single serving french press-serve capsules. The use of regular coffee grounds is cheaper and also cuts down on the waste of used pods. The machine is also speedy making a cup of coffee in less than six minutes. The machine is more expensive than other drip coffee makers we have tested. However its sleek design and top-quality build make it a top choice.

Many multifunctional kitchen gadgets lean towards flashy features and gimmicks however this drip coffee maker can do the job without fuss. It's built well and is quiet. The simple interface allows you to set the precise amount of water needed to make. The Brew Barista brain was a very robust machine that was able to deal with 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 immersion. The result is much more drinkable than with infusion. It also has a programmed setting that starts brewing five minutes from now. This will save you from having to wait for your coffee to be brewed.

4. Bruvi Brewer

If you're looking to invest a little more than your standard K-cup coffee maker, this sleek machine from Bruvi could be the ideal single cup brewer for you. It uses "B-Pods" from Bruvi, which have 40 percent more than the standard K-cup pod. They are made of treated polypropylene and are designed to break down in composters and landfills without leaving behind microplastics (although it is not certified for organic waste). The B-Pods allow for an hygienic brewing experience since each cup is sealed within the pod. This prevents flavor contamination between cups. The Bruvi's sleek and modern design is also impressive--the touch screen will come to life when you insert a pod. It it will display the options for that type of beverage.

The Bruvi also provides a variety of options for cold brew and iced coffee, including hot and iced espresso, as well as americanos. The Bruvi is made to use less than a single-serve brewer. This will help reduce dilution after adding Ice.

Another nice feature about the Bruvi is that it's a more intelligent single-serve pod brewer. It has an embedded camera that scans the unique code on each B-Pod, and then optimizes the brewing settings to suit the type of coffee. Therefore, you can be sure that your Bruvi will produce an amazing cup of coffee each time.

Finally, the Bruvi's drip tray can be adjusted to minimize splashing when brewing into a small mug or glass and can be removed completely for tall travel mugs. The Bruvi comes with few extra features like a removable water reservoir and an automatic cleaning cycle to keep it working efficiently and effectively.

The pod coffee maker from Bruvi is more expensive than other pod makers, however it's well worth the cost for its superior coffee taste and reduced environmental impact. It's a good choice when you frequently changes between espresso and coffee because its clean system of brewing allows for rapid and simple change to cold brew or iced coffee--no need for a separate machine. It includes milk frother, which is a nice addition for this price.