Best Single Brew Coffee Makers

There's nothing better than a cup freshly brewed coffee to start your day. We are a fan of single-brew coffee makers for this reason.

Consider what is most important for your brewing needs and what features consider frills. Our criteria includes a large reservoir of water, several brew settings, and the capability to use reusable coffee pods.

1. Does it take capsules or ground coffee?

Depending on what you prefer, you can choose a model which uses either coffee pods or beans ground. While we have some models that only use coffee pods in our list, the majority can accommodate both. This makes them a great option for those who appreciate having a range of options at hand.

Our top pick one, the Nespresso Vertuo Plus, is a fantastic example of this. It's part of the newer Vertuoline from the brand and features an easy-to-use one-touch system that produces excellent espresso shots and brewed beans. It was also the most efficient machine we've ever tested. It also comes with reuseable pods that are better for the environment than K-Cups.

If you prefer to use ground coffee, the Cuisinart Grind & Brew is a fantastic alternative. It comes with a conical grinder that makes freshly-ground coffee. It also has three brewing sizes that are pre-set: eight 12 ounces, ten and ten ounces. It's more expensive than some single-serve models in our lineup however it's among the most delicious models we've test.

The Instant Pot Dual Pod Plus, our runner-up, is a great option for those who wish to be able to utilize both kinds of pods or grounds. It's a model that's versatile, since it can brew using Keurig K-Cups or original Nespresso capsules. The company also sells its own compostable capsules. It also produces the hottest coffee we've ever tasted and has a range of other functions, such as hot tea water or a milk frother.

2. Does it have a huge water reservoir?

The top single brew coffee maker will have a big reservoir of water that is able to meet your needs. This will ensure that your machine isn't always running low on water, which can impact the quality of your coffee. 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 how often you will have to fill and drain the tank.

The BLACK+DECKER Compact single cup coffee maker-Serve Coffee Maker is a great alternative for those seeking a user-friendly machine that won't break their bank. It can make one cup of coffee in less than two minutes and can be programmed to brew for up to 24 hours in advance. This is perfect for those who are constantly in motion. It's compact and can be tucked away on a tiny counter. It's also the cheapest of our top picks. It also makes the hottest coffee and has an in-built travel cup for convenience. It did not score as high as the other brewers that we tested however, its water reservoir was relatively small.

If you are willing to spend more, the Keurig Super Smart Single-Serve coffee maker is our recommendation for upgrading. It has an excellent design, and has features that stood out in our tests. 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 problem for those who drink lots of coffee regularly.

3. Does it have multiple brew settings?

The best single brew coffee maker will have several settings for various cup sizes, types of drinks, and the ability to make cold brew. This allows you to customize your drink exactly to how you prefer it, and also save a few minutes by avoiding the process of boiling and steeping your coffee grounds in hot water. This method makes use of cooler water that helps keep the coffee's flavor intact.

Epi's reviews editor Noah Kaufman is a big fan of the Bruvi single-serve espresso maker due to its numerous one-touch brewing options to allow the perfect cup of joe, whether you prefer a low acidity drink or espresso-style shot over ice. The Bruvi also has a brewing setting which takes longer than a typical quick brew but is well worth the wait for a smooth and smooth cup.

In our tests, Bruvi consistently produced a hot and consistent cup of coffee compared to all other single serve coffee makers-serve machines we test. Its brewing cycle and timer are simple to program, and it will keep your beverage hot for up to four hours. If you're a fan cold brew, the Bruvi also comes with a setting for brewing that adjusts the temperature and brew duration to make a refreshing and delicious beverage.

Breville Precision Brewer was another outstanding product, offering six brew settings, including Gold Strong, Fast, Strong and Iced. The Gold Brew Setting follows Specialty Coffee Association guidelines for an ideal cup of coffee, whereas the other settings are adjustable, allowing you to tailor your experience to fit your personal preferences. Unlike many of the other single-serve brewers we tested Breville Precision Breville Precision has a narrower base, which aided it hold on to its brew temperature better and allow for deeper saturation and more evenly extracted of the beans.

4. Does it come with an auto-cleaning feature?

The best single-cup machines have a feature that automatically cleans the machine. It removes used K-Cup pods and grounds after every use. Certain models even alert you to the need for a cleaning cycle. It's essential to look through the manual for the user or the manufacturer's website for specific directions because different machines use various cleaning methods.

The single-serve coffee maker by Bruvi is one serve coffee maker of our favorites due to its simple and intuitive user interface, makes great tasting coffee, and requires minimal regular maintenance. It has a large water reservoir and can be used to brew hot or iced coffee. It also offers a variety of brewing options with one touch that include low acid, Americano, and cold brew. It takes longer to brew when compared to other models. However this is an insignificant flaw in a great product.

This coffee maker is among our budget picks because it's cheap and does a good job making the perfect cup of coffee. It comes with a removable 40 ounce water tank and can be used with both K-Cups and ground coffee. The user's manual contains specific instructions for taking the reservoir off before refilling and emptying it, as well as 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 brewer single cup.

This coffee maker is a great option for anyone who likes the convenience of single-serve coffee, but dislikes the taste or waste of K-Cups. It has a spacious water tank as well as a integrated grinder that makes it easy to create an excellent cup of coffee from ground beans. It comes with a variety of options for brewing, including strong and over-ice. It can also be used with reused K-Cups and the brand's compostable pods. It also comes with a steam button for tea and a foldaway milk frother.

5. Can it be programmed?

The best programmable espresso maker lets you set it up at night prior to so that you awake to freshly brewed coffee. This is particularly helpful for those who are in a hurry or who do not need a pour-over or Moka pot.

Most programmable machines offer a basic timer that runs for 24 hours. If you're interested in more advanced features, you might be interested in De'Longhi's COM532 that is our top single use coffee maker-cup pod machine. It comes with a digital touch screen with multiple options to alter the coffee you drink such as the temperature of brewing and the intensity. It's expensive, but it makes the most hot coffee of any of our machines and its carafe is able to keep it at an optimal drinking temperature for over an hour after it has been brewed.

Black + Decker Classic single-serve coffeemaker is a low-cost, programmeable machine that can be programmed. It has a small footprint, is compatible with ESE (Eco-friendly Single-Serve) pods, and comes with simple controls that make it easy to use. It also scored highly in our taste tests, brews quickly, and has an easy-to-clean water tank that is dishwasher-safe.

If you're sick of pre-packaged pods and like to save money, the single-cup or manual drip brewer is a good option. You can grind your own beans to get better taste and more control over the flavor of your beverage. It's more work than using a pod-based machine, but it could be worthwhile if you're a committed coffee lover. Just be sure to weigh your coffee beans and ground coffee using a scale rather than measuring by volume, so that you can achieve the best results.