Single Cup Coffee Makers

A single cup coffee maker with pods cup of coffee maker can help you begin your day with a delicious, hot cup of coffee. These stylish machines make great gifts for the coffee lovers in your life.

If you prefer using pods or grounds or pods, there's a top single cup brewer out there for you. Find out which models performed best in our tests on function, durability and user-friendliness.

Ease of Use

A single cup coffee maker is an excellent idea if you only drink one cup of coffee a day and want the convenience of making it quickly. They're also ideal for a dorm or office because they take up less space than a full sized drip machine, and there is no requirement to refill the water reservoir.

The coffee makers are made with single-serve pods or coffee ground. They may also come with an "brew over ice" option which makes them ideal for making a cold brew. Some single-cup coffeemakers may be used with loose leaf tea, which is ideal for those who like the taste of rooibos or herbal teas.

There are a variety of one cup coffee makers that are available which means you'll need to decide which features are important to you. For instance, you might need a larger water reservoir to reduce the number of times you'll need to refill it. Some come with removable water tanks that you can easily transport to the sink. Some don't have a tank, and they require you to fill it yourself.

Our top choices also have an extremely fast brewing time, which can save you precious morning time. Some come with a thermal carafe that keeps your coffee warm for a couple of hours after the brew process has finished, which can be an added convenience for those who want their coffee to last a long time.

You'll need to decide whether you prefer the convenience and ease of K-Cups or if you prefer to use ground coffee beans with filters. If you fall in the latter category, you may be interested in the Ninja CM407 and other options such as the Nespresso Essenza Mini. If you're looking to enjoy the taste of espresso without the hassles that come with a drip coffee maker, you can opt for an AeroPress. It is important to think about the number of people who will be drinking the coffee. A single-cup coffee maker isn't a good choice for families of three or more who all drink coffee at the same time, as you'll likely have leftovers that will be wasted.

Cleaning is easy

It is important to wash your single-cup coffee machine. Because, if you don't take proper care, gunk could build up in the machine's basket and carafe, which can leave bitter taste. According to a study conducted by NSF International in 2011, if the reservoir is left dirty, it may be a home for yeast and mold. Although these nasties won't seriously impact your health, it could be an unpleasant experience to wake up to a cup of brew that doesn't taste good. However, implementing regular cleaning routines will aid in restoring your coffee maker to its out-of-the-box splendor.

A simple clean with the only household item you likely always have at hand, white vinegar, can do wonders when it comes to getting rid of the accumulation of hard water and sludge that can cause your coffee maker to stop functioning properly. De-scaling should be done once a month or every three months, using the same procedures as you would to make coffee.

Start by emptying the water carafe. Then using an incredibly soft, warm soapy cloth, clean down the mug and lid as well as the brewing container. Next, pour equal parts white vinegar and water into the reservoir. Then, brew the mixture like you would with the normal coffee maker. Let the mixture sit for approximately 45 minutes, which will give the vinegar a chance to dissolve the calcium deposits inside the machine's water reservoir as well as basket.

After 45 minutes After 45 minutes, drain the solution and run several brewing cycles with clean water to wash away any remaining residue. If you don't happen to have vinegar, a mixture of baking soda and clean water will work. Make sure there aren't any seeds, pulp or rinds in the solution.

If your Keurig is showing signs of more extensive buildup It is possible to clean it with the same method as above. You can disassemble the machine so that you can wash each part separately in soapy water that is warm. Then, wash each part in soapy water, and dry it with a towel before placing the machine back together.

Ease of Maintenance

While a regular pour-over may give the best taste, most of our testers appreciate the convenience of an easy, simple one cup coffee machines-cup coffee maker during busy days at work. So, when testing single-serve brewers, we focused on the ease of daily maintenance--including how easy it was to refill the water reservoir, how simple it was to dump spent grounds or pods, and whether the instructions for descaling were clear and easy to follow.

We also looked at the amount of waste produced by the various models, whether it was in the form of disposable coffee cups or reusable filters, or how often the brewer was required to be descaled. For the latter we examined how easy it was to get the machine back up and running using a home-based descaling solution which typically consists of vinegar and warm soapy water.

While a bare-bones single-serve coffee maker may not be the most durable or visually appealing of our choices however, this tiny beauty from Sboly offers an impressive number of smart features for the price. You can choose between grounds and pods and it can brew 8 or 14 ounces. It's small enough to fit inside a cupboard.

Gift Giving Made Simple

There are many ideas for gifts for coffee lovers. For instance, you could give your friend a bag of their favorite beans or a beautiful coffee mug. If you're looking to really impress, consider giving one of the top single cup coffee makers for home use. These gadgets will help your loved ones to make the perfect cup of coffee every time and save them money on trips to the local coffee shop.

Our experts have put together the best options to accommodate a variety of budgets and lifestyles. They've also compiled useful shopping guides to help you make the right selection for your loved ones.

Among our picks we recommend the Ninja CM407 for its exceptional performance. It produced the most smoky cup of coffee during our tests and has different brewing settings that let you choose between just one serving or a full carafe. Plus, it's compact and simple to use.

Another option is the Keurig K-Cafe, which also offers a wide selection of choices for brewing. It's the best choice if your family members or friends want the convenience of K-Cups or espresso. For those who prefer to pour their coffee manually, we recommend the Chemex due to its stylish design and sturdy build.

Cupping Spoons are a fantastic option to present your loved ones with the gift of coffee. These tools are used by professional coffee tasters to make the most of each sip. This will allow you and your family to enjoy the aroma, flavor, and texture of their coffee.

Don't forget the finishing aspects to a good cup of coffee. These include milks and creamers, both dairy and non-dairy, syrups and sauces, and even coffee drinks. Talk to your acquaintances about what they love in their coffee and how it differs from other people. This will help you pick the perfect present to make their day.