The Best Single Cup Coffee Maker

If convenience is the primary aspect to you, then a single cup coffee maker could be the best option. These machines take up less counter space and are easier to use than drip counterparts.

You can pick from models that use K-Cups or Nespresso pods that are original or recycled aftermarket ones. Certain models also allow espresso-style shots or iced coffee.

1. Cuisinart Grind & Brew

The machine is designed to be elegant and stylish. It can grind and brew one cup or a full pot. It's smaller than some other coffee makers that have a grinder which makes it easier to free up space on the countertop to accommodate other appliances. Contrary to other grinders that leave the coffee with a coarse, granular consistency the Grind & Brew uses a burr grinder that is designed to precisely crush beans down to a specific size. This produces more uniform ground coffee.

The Grind & Brew also features an automatic shut-off feature and showerhead design that distributes the water evenly across the grounds, which helps ensure consistency from brew to. It can be programmed to begin making coffee up to 24 hours in advance, and provides multiple control options such as an adjustable clock display, coffee strength (mild, medium, or strong), and a brew pause feature that allows you to pour out a cup without halting the process.

One of the most interesting things about this model is that it can be brewed from both whole beans and K-Cups. The choice between them is dependent on your personal preferences. The machine can hold 12 K-Cups or you can fill it up with whole bean ground. The brew is a bit slower than our top choice, but it's still quick enough to get your coffee ready before you get up.

Overall the Grind & Brew performed well in our tests, but it was not able to achieve our top overall score. The brew temperatures of the Grind & Brew were the least stable among all models we tested. The temperature of the brew varied from the first to the fifth brew, by about 5°, and it failed to reach the SCAA's 195-degree target for great coffee.

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

2. Smeg Drip Coffee Maker

This SMEG single cup coffeemaker is a fantastic choice if you're looking to buy a compact and sleek machine to put in your home. The Italian-based company 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 design that will look good on your counter. It can brew up 10 cups of coffee machine single serve at once, and the auto start function makes it easy to wake up to a fresh pot of joe. You can also adjust your brew strength by selecting between two aroma settings (Delicate or Intense) and set an alarm for the end of the brewing process to remind you when it is ready.

This coffee maker programmable comes with a large 1.4-liter water tank, meaning you aren't worried about running out of water. Its reusable filter reduces unnecessary waste, and it has a clear water level indicator to let you know when it's time to refill. You can also use this coffee maker to brew hot chocolate and herbal tea. The brewing cycle can be completed in a short time, and the keep-warm plate will help to keep your coffee warm until you are ready to drink.

The sleek controls of this SMEG drip filter coffee maker are simple to navigate with four buttons that can be pushed, and the LED clock display displays the current settings. The permanent filter is dishwasher-safe and can be used again and again. The spout has been designed to prevent spills. If you live in a region with hard water, your SMEG drip-filter coffee maker might require regular descale. You can descale the machine by pressing the automatic-start, on/off buttons for five seconds, and then pouring the descaler solution into the reservoir of water.

This drip-filter coffee maker is programmable and also has the added bonus of being compatible with ESE pods. They are an eco-friendly alternative to K-Cups or other single-serve pods. The only drawback to this coffee maker is that it doesn't have an brew timer, which means you will need to manually adjust the start time each morning.

3. Oxo Brew 12-Cup Thermal Carafe

If you're seeking a coffee maker that has the capacity to make a whole pot of coffee or just one cup and you're looking for a coffee maker that can do both, the Oxo Brew 12-Cup Thermal Carafe is worth a look. It features a double-wall vacuum-insulated stainless steel thermal carafe that keeps your coffee hot for a long time. It also has a convenient interactive display screen that's user-friendly and comes with a removable mixer tube. The machine can be programmed to run up to 24 hours in advance of time. The LCD display backlit shows the remaining time until your coffee is ready.

The coffee maker comes with two differently sized brew baskets for small or large quantities, making it ideal for households that utilize a range of quantities and sizes of cups. It is certified by the Specialty Coffee Association for brewing Gold-standard coffee maker single serve. The BetterBrew Precision System and Rainmaker Shower Head evenly distribute water to your grounds, ensuring the best flavor extraction.

Contrary to the majority of pod-based coffee machines, this one makes use of regular ground or whole beans (not proprietary ones) instead of prepackaged single-serve capsules. The use of regular coffee grounds can save money and also cuts down on the waste generated by used pods. The machine is fast, too, brewing the pot in less than six minutes. It is more expensive than other drip coffee makers we tried. However its sleek design and high-quality build make it a top option.

This drip coffee maker is a fantastic alternative to multi-functional kitchen gadgets which are designed for gadgets. It's quiet, well-built, and features an easy-to-use interface that makes it easier to set the exact amount of water you want to prepare. The Brew Barista brain is a very reliable machine that was able to handle our most difficult test coffee (Costco House Blend with medium grind) very well.

Although most cold brew coffee makers use the immersion method however this model dispensates your brew with the help of iced water, which gives you the most drinkable results than what you get with infusion. It also has a programable setting that starts brewing exactly five minutes in the future. This saves you from waiting for your coffee brew.

4. Bruvi Brewer

This sleek single cup brewer from Bruvi is the ideal choice for those who are willing to spend less than a standard K-cup machine. It uses "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 in composters and landfills, without releasing microplastics (although it's not certified for organic waste). The B-Pods allow for hygienic brewing as each cup is sealed within the pod. This prevents the possibility of contaminating flavors between cups. The Bruvi's sleek and modern design is also impressive--the touch screen is activated only when you insert a pod. It then automatically displays the options available for that specific kind of beverage.

The Bruvi also offers multiple options for cold coffee and iced brew, including hot and iced espresso as well as americanos. And the machine is designed to make use of less water than a conventional single-serve brewer. This can help minimize dilution when you add Ice.

Another great feature of the Bruvi is that it's a smarter single-serve pod brewer--it has an embedded camera that scans the unique code on each B-Pod, and then optimizes various brewing settings to match the particular type of coffee. You can be sure that your Bruvi will produce a delicious cup of espresso.

Finally, the drip tray of Bruvi can be adjusted to reduce splashing when brewing with a small mug, or removed completely for tall travel mugs. The Bruvi also has a couple of additional features, including the ability to remove the reservoir of water and an automatic cleaning cycle that keeps it working efficiently and effectively.

While the Bruvi costs more than other pod coffee makers, it's well worth it for its exceptional coffee flavor and less environmental impact. It's a great option for those who switch between coffee and espresso regularly because its hygienic design allows for quick and easy transition to cold brew and iced coffee - no need to purchase a separate coffee machine. It includes a milk frother which is a nice addition for this price.