The Top 8 Single-Serve Brewers for Your Morning Cup of Joe
Buying one of the best single-serve coffee makers can be more practical than purchasing a traditional drip coffee maker if you live alone or are the only coffee drinker in your household. Unless you plan on drinking a lot of coffee each day, standard coffee makers require you to brew at least four cups at a time. The Cuisinart Single-Serve Reservoir Coffee Maker is our top pick because it is compatible with all major brands of coffee pods and has a reusable filter cup for using with loose coffee.
If you only need one cup of coffee at a time, the best single-serve coffee makers are an easy and inexpensive solution. [ ] just one cup of coffee
Photo by Retailers / Illustration by ForbesMaryna Gray, director of coffee at Bean Box, says, "The main advantages of a single-serve coffee maker are its speed and ease of use compared to brewing a whole pot." "With single-serve, you'll never have to reheat or drink coffee that's been sitting on a warmer for hours; you'll always have a fresh, hot cup of coffee whenever you want it." Additionally, if you are the only person who will be drinking the coffee, it would be wasteful to brew an entire pot. ”
There are several designs to choose from when shopping for a single-cup coffee maker. Single-cup coffee is brewed in a matter of minutes with the help of a Keurig or similar pod coffee maker, which is widely known and used. But there are also pour-over coffee makers that don't require electricity and single-cup coffee makers that use a drip method. Additionally, "super espresso" machines that brew single cups of coffee, espresso, and milk-based beverages have become increasingly popular. These are the best single-serve coffee makers of 2023, whether you're looking for something simple and inexpensive or something fancy and luxurious.
Drip/pod style | 11 x 9 cm 33 x 12 Height: 13 inches | Capacity of water tank: 72 ounces
The Cuisinart Premium Single-Serve Brewer is your best bet if you want to enjoy your coffee however you like it, whether that's out of a K-cup, another pre-packaged pod, or freshly ground. It works with any coffee pod brand and includes a filter cup that can be used with loose coffee. The machine has a button for making drinks in four, six, eight, ten, and twelve ounces, and its drip tray is detachable, so you can brew right into your thermos or other portable container.
This single-cup brewer gives you a lot of leeway in crafting your ideal cup of joe by allowing you to set the brewing temperature and program it to start at any time within the next 24 hours. It has a water filter already installed for cleaner coffee, and it has an automatic rinse function for quick cleanup.
Pros:
- Coffee in capsules or beans
- Five Drink Sizes
- Thermostatically Variable
Cons:
Characterized as a Pod, 9 in. in length 9 x 12 7 x 13 Scale: 1 inch | Capacity of water tank: 75 ounces
There are numerous Keurig models currently on the market, but the Keurig K-Elite Coffee Maker is the best option for most people due to its optimal combination of features and price. The K-cups that are compatible with this pod coffee maker's brewing system come in 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 ounce serving sizes. The machine not only brews hot coffee, but iced coffee as well, and there's even a "Strong Brew" button for when you really need that caffeine kick.
The 75-ounce water reservoir in this Keurig allows for brewing of up to eight cups before requiring a refill, and the detachable drip tray makes it easy to use with travel mugs. Even more, it has a number of customizable options like high-altitude mode and temperature regulation.
Keurigs are popular because of their K-cups, but the My K-Cup Reusable Coffee Filter lets you use your own ground coffee instead. Please note that this item is not included.
Pros:
- Drinks in 5 Sizes
- Huge water storage facility
- Controllable heating and cooling settings
Cons:
- Disposable filter included; reusable filters available for purchase separately.
Machine of the highest caliber for making espresso; 17 05 x 9 69 x 14 Height: 61" | Capacity of Water Tank: 60 oz.
For a more flavorful cup of coffee, most coffee connoisseurs, including Gray, recommend using freshly ground beans. The Philips 3200 Series Fully Automatic Espresso Machine has a built-in bean hopper and grinder with 12 settings, guaranteeing fresh grounds for every cup.
This high-end appliance can grind fresh beans for each cup of coffee, espresso, cappuccino, latte macchiato, or americano that you make. The coffee maker's one-of-a-kind LatteGo frothing system automatically whips up velvety smooth foam to top your drink of choice, and you can customize the brew strength and serving size for each individual cup.
Pros:
- Incorporated bean-grinder
- This recipe is good for five servings.
- Instantaneous milk-frothing machine
Cons:
Pod-shaped; twelve inches in length 1 x 11 x 17 a diameter of 2 inches | a capacity of 60 ounces for its water tank
One of Keurig's most cutting-edge offerings is the K-Café Smart Coffee Maker, which includes Wi-Fi connectivity and a built-in milk frother. Coffee, lattes, and cappuccinos can all be brewed automatically by this pod-style machine; the pods can be purchased separately, and the frother has three speeds and can produce hot or cold foam.
There are more ways to personalize this Keurig than with other models. There are five different brew strength settings, six different temperature settings, and if you sync it with the Keurig app, you can get instructions for making a wide range of specialty beverages.
Pros:
- Prepares espresso and coffee
- Included milk frother
- Added options for personalization
Cons:
- There's no way to reuse the pods
Press for brewing coffee; four-inch height, two-inch diameter. 6 x 3 6 x 3 Water storage capacity: nada | Height: 6 inches
Although it doesn't appear to be much, the Aeropress Original Coffee and Espresso Maker is highly recommended by many professionals. Add your preferred ground coffee to the press, followed by hot water and a stir in this convenient single-cup coffee maker. When you press the plunger, your 8 ounces of coffee will be ready in under a minute. You won't believe how silky it is or how rich the flavor is. The press's one-of-a-kind microfilters trap sediment and allow you to brew both hot and cold beverages. Because of its portability and light weight, the Aeropress can be used anywhere, from the office to a remote campsite.
Pros:
- Conveniently small and light
- Conveniently fast and simple to use
- Consistently pleasant outcomes
Cons:
Coffee Maker: Pour-Over | Size: 5" x "5" x "5" A height of 5" | Storage for water = nada
The OXO Brew Pour-Over removes the learning curve and the guesswork from making coffee in a pour-over brewer. This inexpensive gadget is made to fit snugly over your coffee cup and doesn't cost much. A cone-shaped filter and your preferred coffee grounds are all that's required to make a pot of coffee. You can then connect the water tank and add up to 12 ounces of hot water. Coffee that is always flavorful and well-balanced, thanks to the auto-drink tank's ability to regulate the flow of water. When you're done, simply toss everything into the dishwasher for a quick cleanup.
Pros:
- Budget-friendly
- Clear and legible labels
- All the pieces can be cleaned in the dishwasher
Cons:
- It's possible for white to get dirty over time.
Model: Pour-Over | Cup Size: 5" 5 x 5 Water reservoir: nada | Dimensions: 6 x 1 inches
The lightweight silicone body of the GSI Outdoors Java Drip Collapsible Pour-Over Coffee Maker flattens out to a disc just an inch in diameter, making it ideal for packing in a camping kitchen or other small space. A pour-over coffee maker consists of a filter in the shape of a cone that sits atop a regular coffee cup or travel mug. The larger form factor of the pour-over means that it can be used to brew several cups of coffee simultaneously.
The special flange of the Java Drip makes it simple to position the brewer over your mug, and it also protects against spills. Furthermore, it is very cheap, which is a huge plus.
Pros:
- Budget-friendly
- Lightweight
- Flexibility in design
Cons:
- A weaker brew is the result of a larger drip hole.
The type is a drip and the size is 8. 75 x 11 99 x 15 Dimensions: 4.40 ounces | 0.04-inch depth
The Ninja CM401 Specialty 10-Cup Coffee Maker is perfect if you want to brew coffee for a small group or just yourself. It has a 10-cup capacity and can also brew a full carafe. There are a total of six brew sizes available from this multifunctional machine: single serve, extra large, travel, multiserve, half carafe, and full 10-cup carafe. You can select from four different brew types, including the classic, rich, over ice, and specialty brew. This machine can make coffee to your specifications.
And that's not all The majority of the Ninja Specialty Coffee Maker is washable in the dishwasher, and it comes with a foldable milk frother that can froth either hot or cold milk for your beverages.
Pros:
- Configuration options galore
- Brewing by the cup or by the carafe.
- With a built-in milk frother,
Cons:
Add a single-cup coffee maker to your kitchen appliances. It's important to think about these details while comparing models to select the best one for your family's needs.
Style
The various single-cup coffee makers on the market today each have their own set of advantages. There are both conventional drip models and pod-based machines available in the electric variety. In the case of a drip model, you can use your own coffee grounds, while the pods eliminate the need for measuring and filters. Those who prefer espresso-based beverages also have access to high-end machines that produce single-serve brews of coffee, lattes, and more.
In contrast, a few varieties of single-cup coffee makers are manually operated. Making a single cup of coffee in a pour-over is a common practice because of the convenience and versatility it offers. Coffee presses are another option for making just one cup, and they tend to be lightweight, compact, and easy to transport.
Selections in Coffee
It's important to think about what kind of coffee you can use with your new machine because the quality of your coffee beans or grounds has a direct impact on the quality of your brew. In contrast to the filters and ground coffee or pre-packaged coffee pods used by other machines, those with built-in grinders allow you to use whole beans in high-end models.
Most notably, despite their convenience, coffee pods are the most constrictive choice. Gray suggests that, if you're set on purchasing a pod machine, you should look for one that is compatible with reusable pod cups. This will allow you to use your own coffee beans for brewing specialty beverages. "It's not easy to find decent coffee in pod form, and the ones that do are usually more expensive than the alternatives." ”
Features
Most manual coffee makers are quite simple in design and lack any additional features that might be found on more expensive electric models. Depending on the model, you may be able to customize the brew strength, water temperature, and even make iced coffee with a single-cup coffee maker.
Some high-end single-cup coffee makers can even brew espresso and other specialty drinks: "A push-button espresso machine for the home isn't cheap, but that coffee will taste better than most single-serve drip brews," says Gray. For making milk-based drinks like lattes and cappuccinos, some espresso makers include built-in milk frothers.
Should You Invest In A Coffee Pod Machine?
Some people absolutely adore coffee pod machines, while others cannot stand them. Coffee pods' main advantages are their convenience and speed. Select your preferred pod, insert it into the machine, and press the button to begin brewing. In no time at all, you'll be enjoying a hot mug of coffee. Additionally, many of the leading coffee companies, such as Starbucks and Dunkin' Donuts, now offer their own coffee pods, expanding consumers' options even further.
But if you're picky about your coffee, a pod machine might not satisfy you. Coffee pods are convenient, but the quick brewing time usually means a weaker cup of joe.
Just what are the drawbacks of using coffee pods that only contain enough for one serving?
Throwaway coffee pods have been criticized for their environmental impact. If you drink one or more cups per day, the plastic pods will accumulate as non-recyclable waste because they are intended to be discarded after use. Even though "pod-based coffee has its own waste built-in," Gray says, "there are reusable pod baskets available on the market."
On top of that, drip coffee makers produce far superior flavor than coffee pods. Gray says that the main drawback of single-serve coffee is that the taste and quality are typically lower. "Many pod and single-serve brewers brew at a lower temp so the end cup is at a safer temperature, which can mean the coffee is going to be a little under-extracted." ”

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