Best Single Brew Coffee Makers
There's nothing more satisfying than a cup of freshly brewed coffee to start the day. This is why we love
single brew coffee makers.
To determine the best option for you, consider what is most important to your brewing needs, and the extra features that seem like frills. Our criteria includes a large reservoir, multiple brew setting and the reuse of coffee pods.
1. Do you prefer capsules or ground coffee?
Depending on the style you prefer, you may want to choose a model which brews using coffee pods or ground beans. While we have a few models that only use coffee pods in our list, the majority can accommodate both. These models are great for those who prefer to have a range of options available.
Nespresso's Vertuo Plus is an excellent example. It's part of the brand's latest Vertuoline and features a single-touch foolproof system that delivers exceptional espresso shots and brewed coffee. It's also the most efficient machine we tested and comes with reusable pods that are better for the environment than K-Cups.
For those who prefer to use ground coffee, the Cuisinart Grind & Brew is another fantastic option. It comes with a built-in conical burr grinder to make freshly ground coffee, and it has three different sizes of brewing -- eight, ten, and twelve ounces. It's more expensive than the other single-serve models in our lineup however it's among the most delicious ones we tested.
For those who want the option of using two kinds of pods or grounds could be interested in the second option in our review of the Instant Pot Dual Pod Plus. It's a versatile model that can be used to brew coffee using Keurig K-Cups, original Nespresso pods, as well as the company's compostable capsules (though they require an industrial composting facility). It also produces some of the most popular coffees of all the machines we've tested to date as well as offering a variety of additional functions, such as hot water for tea as well as a milk frother.
2. Is there a vast reservoir of water?
The best
single brew coffee maker will have a large reservoir of water that is able to keep up with your demands. This will ensure that your machine is not always running low on water, which could affect the quality of your brew. The amount of water that is in the reservoir is also an important factor to consider when choosing a coffee maker, as it will determine the frequency you have to refill and empty the tank.
The BLACK+DECKER Compact Single-Serve Coffee Maker is a great alternative for those looking for a simple-to-use machine that won't break their bank. It can make a cup of coffee in just two minutes and can be programmed for up to 24 hours in advance, making it perfect for those who need to drink their coffee at the go. It's compact and can be tucked away on a tiny counter. It's also the cheapest among our top choices. It also produces the most hot coffee of the bunch and comes with a travel mug for ease of use. It didn't score as well as the other brewers we tested, but its water reservoir was small.
If you are willing to spend more, the Keurig K.Supreme Smart Single-Serve coffee maker is our top upgrade choice. It's got a stunning design and features that stood out in our testing. It offers fast brewing time and high temperatures for coffee. It also comes with three brew sizes and is extremely easy to use. The only drawback is that it requires a one-hour process to descale, which can be a pain for those who drink a lot of coffee regularly.
3. Does it have multiple brewing settings?
The top single-brew coffee maker has multiple options, including various sizes, styles and amounts of beverages as well as the possibility of making a cold brew. This allows you to tailor the drink to suit your preferences and reduce time by not boiling or steeping the coffee grounds in hot water. This method uses cooler water which helps to keep the coffee's flavor intact.
Noah Kaufman, the editor of Epi's
reviews single serve coffee makers, is a big fan of the Bruvi Single-Serve Espresso Maker, due to its numerous options for brewing with a single click. You can choose between an acid-free beverage or a shot of espresso over ice. The Bruvi offers brewing options that is more time-consuming than a quick brew, but is worthwhile if you are looking for smooth and rich coffee.
In our tests, Bruvi consistently brewed consistently hot cups of coffee in comparison to other single-serve machines we test. The brewing process is simple to program, and the timer keeps your beverage warm for up to 4 hours. The Bruvi has a cold brew setting that adjusts temperature and brew times to create a refreshingly cool beverage.
Breville Precision Brewer was another outstanding product, offering six brew settings including Gold Strong, Fast and Iced. The Gold setting is built on the Specialty coffee Association's guidelines for making the perfect cup of coffee. All other settings can be altered to suit your preferences. Contrary to other
single serve coffee makers comparison-serve brewers we tried Breville Precision Breville Precision has a narrower base, which helped it to hold its brew temperature more effectively and allow for deeper saturation and more evenly extracted of the beans.
4. Does it have an auto-cleaning feature?
The best single-cup machines have a feature that automatically cleans the machine. It removes used K-Cup pods or grounds left over after every use. Certain models can even notify you of the need for an ongoing cleaning process. Always refer to the user manual or manufacturer's website for detailed instructions. Different machines employ different cleaning techniques.
The single-serve coffee maker by Bruvi is one of our favorites because it features a simple and user-friendly interface, makes great tasting coffee, and requires only minimal regular maintenance. It can be used for brewing hot or iced drinks. It has a variety of single-touch options, including low acid, Americano and cold brew. Its one drawback is that it takes longer to drink than other models, however it's a minor flaw in a product that is otherwise great.
This coffee maker is a great budget option because it's inexpensive and produces a fantastic cup of coffee. It has an adjustable water tank of 40 ounces, which can be used to make K-Cups as well as ground coffee. The user's manual provides specific instructions on how to remove the reservoir, fill it up and perform regular descaling. Unlike many other single-cup coffeemakers, it doesn't require the use of a filter that is disposable or reusable pods and can be used to brew any type of coffee.
This coffee maker is a fantastic alternative for anyone who enjoys the convenience of single-serve coffee, but dislikes the taste and waste of K-Cups. It has a spacious water tank as well as a integrated grinder which makes it easy to create a delicious cup of joe using ground beans. It offers a variety of options for brewing, such as bold and over ice and can be used with recyclable K-Cups or the brand's recyclable pods. It also has steam buttons for tea and a foldaway milk frother.
5. Does it have a programmeable timer?
The best programmable espresso maker lets you set it up the night before so that you can awake to freshly brewed coffee. This is particularly useful for those who are on the go or who don't need a pour-over or Moka pot.
The majority of coffee makers that can be programmed provide a basic timer for 24 hours however, if you're looking for more advanced features, you may want to consider the De'Longhi Com532, our favorite pod-based single-cup machine. It has a digital touchscreen with multiple settings that let you alter your coffee to the type you prefer, including brew temperature and strength. This model is the most expensive but it makes the hottest coffee of all our tested machines.
