Best Single Brew Coffee Makers

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

To determine the best option for you, think about what is most important to your brewing requirements and what features are frills. Our criteria include a big water reservoir, multiple brew settings, and the possibility to use coffee pods that are reusable.

1. Does it take capsules or ground coffee?

Depending on your preference, you may want to choose a model which uses ground beans or coffee pods. While we've included a few models that only use coffee pods in our roundup, most can accommodate both. This versatility makes them a good option for those who like having a wide selection of options at hand.

Our top pick, the Nespresso Vertuo Plus, is a great example of this. It's part of the brand's newer Vertuoline and offers a one-touch system that is foolproof and delivers excellent espresso shots and brewed coffee. It's also the most efficient machine we've seen in our testing and comes with reusable capsules that are kinder to the environment than K-Cups.

The Cuisinart grind & brew is a great option for those who prefer to grind coffee. It has a built-in conical grinder that creates freshly-ground coffee. It also comes with three preset brewing size options including eight ounces, ten and twelve ounces. It's a bit more costly than the other single-serve coffee makers in our lineup, but it was among the most delicious models we tried and eliminates the need for disposable K-Cups or the waste that comes with the waste associated with them.

Those who prefer to have the option of using two types of pods or grounds may appreciate the runner-up in our review, the Instant Pot Dual Pod Plus. It's a model that is flexible, as it can be used to brew coffee using Keurig K-Cups or original Nespresso capsules. The company also offers its own compostable capsules. It also produces the most intense coffee we've ever tested and comes with a variety of other features, such as hot water for tea or a milk frother.

2. Does it have a big water reservoir?

The top single-brew coffee maker will have a huge reservoir of water that is able to keep up with your demands. This will ensure that your machine is not constantly running out of water, which can affect the quality of your brew. When choosing a coffee maker the amount of water that is in the reservoir is vital. It will determine the frequency you need to refill and drain the tank.

The BLACK+DECKER Single-Serve Compact Coffee Maker is a good option for someone who wants an easy-to-use brewer that won't break the bank. It can brew one cup of coffee in less than two minutes, and it can be programmed to brew for up to 24 hours ahead. This is ideal for people who are always on the move. It's compact and fits on a small counter. It's also the least expensive among our top selections. It also produces the most hot coffee and has a built-in travel cup to make it easy. It didn't score as high as the other brewers in our testing however its water reservoir is rather small.

If you're willing spend more, the Keurig K-Supreme Smart single serve coffee machines-Serve coffee maker is our upgrade pick. It has an excellent design with features that stood out in our tests. It has fast brewing times and high temperatures for coffee, and the possibility of three different sizes of brew. It's also extremely easy to use. The only drawback is that it requires a one hour descaling process 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 can be set to multiple options, including various cup sizes, types and quantities of beverages, as well as the possibility of making a cold brew. This lets you customize the drink to your liking and reduce time by not boiling and steeping the coffee grounds in hot water. This method also makes use of cooler water, which helps preserve the flavor of your coffee.

Epi's reviews editor Noah Kaufman is a big fan of the single serve coffee makers-serve Bruvi coffee maker because it has several single serve coffee system-touch brewing options that make you to make the perfect cup joe, whether you prefer a low acidity drink or espresso-like shot served over ice. The Bruvi comes with a brewing option that is more time-consuming than a quick brew but is worth it if you're looking for smooth and rich coffee.

In our tests, Bruvi consistently made consistently hot cups of coffee, compared to all other single-serve machines that we test. Its brewing cycle and timer are easy to program and keeps your beverage hot for up to four hours. If you're a lover of cold brew the Bruvi also comes with a setting for brewing that adjusts the temperature and brew duration to create a deliciously refreshing beverage.

Another notable feature was the Breville Precision Brewer, which features six brew options, including Gold, Fast, Strong, and Iced. The Gold brew setting follows Specialty Coffee Association guidelines for the perfect cup of coffee, and the other settings are all customizable so you can tailor your experience to meet your personal preferences. Contrary to other single-serve brewers we tried the Breville Precision has a narrower base, which allowed it to hold onto its brew temperature better and promote deeper saturation as well as a more even extraction of the beans.

4. Does it come with an automatic cleaning feature?

The top single-cup machines come with a feature that automatically cleans the machine. This removes any used K-Cup pods and grounds after each use. Some models will even notify you of the need for cleaning cycles. It's important to check the machine's user manual or the manufacturer's website for specific guidelines as different machines come with various cleaning methods.

The single-serve espresso maker from Bruvi is among the top we've ever used. It has a simple, intuitive interface, produces excellent coffee, and requires little maintenance. It has a large water reservoir and can be used to make hot or iced coffee. It offers a range of one-touch options like low acid, Americano and cold brew. The only drawback is that it takes longer to drink than other models, but this is a minor flaw in an otherwise excellent product.

This coffee maker is a budget pick because it's inexpensive and produces a fantastic cup of coffee. It comes with a removable 40 ounce water tank and can be used with both K-Cups as well as ground coffee. The user's manual provides detailed instructions on how to remove the reservoir, re-fill it and perform regular descaling. Contrary to other single-cup coffeemakers that require a disposable filter or reusable pods. It can be used to brew any kind of coffee.

This coffee maker is a great alternative for those who appreciate the convenience of single-serve coffee, but dislikes the taste or waste of K-Cups. It has an enormous water tank as well as an integrated grinder that allows you to make a delicious cup coffee from ground beans. It has multiple options for brewing, including bold and over ice, and it can be used with recyclable K-Cups or the brand's recyclable pods. It also comes with steam buttons to make tea and a foldaway frother.

5. Can it be programmed?

The best programmable espresso maker allows you to set it up for the night before so that you can get up to freshly brewed coffee. This is particularly convenient for mornings when you're in a hurry or for those who don't want the effort of using pour-over or Moka pot.

The majority of programmable machines have an initial timer that runs for 24 hours. However, if you're looking for more advanced features, you may want to consider De'Longhi's COM532 that is our top single-cup pod machine. It has a touch-screen digital screen and a variety of settings to personalize your coffee, including the temperature of the brew and the intensity. This model is a bit expensive, yet it produces the most intense coffee out of any of our tested machines and its carafe is able to keep it at a perfect drinking temperature for more than an hour after it has been brewed.

If you're looking for a budget-friendly programmable coffee machine, check out the Black + Decker Classic Single-Serve Coffeemaker. It is easy to use, has a compact footprint, and is compatible with ESE pods (Eco-friendly single-serve). It scored highly in our taste test, is brews fast, and has a dishwasher-safe water tank.

If you're sick of pre-packaged pods and would prefer to save some money, an individual-cup or manual drip brewer is a good alternative. You can grind your own beans to get a fresher taste and more control over the flavor of your drink. It's more time-consuming than using a machine that uses pods, but if are a coffee lover it might be worth it. To get regular results measure the weight of your coffee beans and ground coffee on a scale, instead of measuring by volume.