4 Best Single-Serve Coffeemakers of 2024, Tested and Reviewed
Whether you prefer pods, grounds, espresso or a combo, we’ve got the best brewer for you!
Our Top Single-Serve Coffeemaker Picks
- Best Overall: Nespresso Vertuo Plus
- Best Keurig: Keurig K-Classic Coffeemaker
- Most Versatile: Cuisinart Premium Single-Serve Coffeemaker
- Best Compact: Keurig K-Mini Coffeemaker
Tested by Joelle Battista
While it’s hard to resist that first silky-smooth sip of a coffee shop drink on a busy morning, it also comes with its fair share of downfalls (like shelling out almost $8 for a latte in New York City where our editors are based – ouch). When you’re sick of waiting in the drive-through line or simply want to stay in your pajamas at home, a solid coffeemaker can be the difference between a great cup of coffee and a mediocre one. There are dozens of ways to brew coffee at home, but the single-serve coffee maker stands out for one big reason: convenience! Unlike other brewing methods, single-serve coffeemakers are fast and low-maintenance.
With all the options in today's market, it can be hard to figure out which coffee maker really does bring the flavor you’re looking for with the convenience you need in your morning routine. We understand that having a reliable, delicious and easy morning coffee routine is essential to the day. Keeping that in mind, we researched and bought the most highly rated single-serve coffee machines on the market and tested them thoroughly so you can guarantee you’ll have the perfect cup o’joe at home when you want one.
How We Tested
- Makes both coffee and espresso
- Relatively small footprint
- Recyclable pod system
- Cannot use grounds
- Pods are expensive
The Nespresso Vertuo Plus is the single-serve coffeemaker for people who want to go above and beyond for their morning cup, without having to sacrifice the convenience of the single-serve style brewer. Nespresso is one of the top names in coffee and their range of coffeemakers and coffee pods is constantly pushing the boundaries of quality for at-home brewing. The Vertuo Plus goes beyond the average pod-style brewing system by offering a range of coffee styles and sizes, from a crema-laden espresso to a 7.7 oz cup of coffee. At just over 5 inches wide, the Vertuo Plus won’t take up a lot of real estate on your counter while simultaneously packing a serious amount of power. It’s worth noting that the aluminum pods that are compatible with the Vertuo Plus will cost you more than typical K-Cups will, but the quality of the coffee is worth the investment and the pods are recyclable through Nespresso’s Capsule recycling program!
- Brew Sizes 1.35 oz (espresso), 2.7 oz (double espresso), 5.07 oz (grand lungo), 7.77 oz (coffee)
- Water Reservoir 40 oz
- Coffee Type Nespresso pods
- Dimensions 16.7 “ x 5.6” x 12.8”
- Large water reservoir
- Simple to operate
- Fast brewing
- Large footprint
- No reusable pod included
When you want top K-Cup brewing performance without having too many options or a complicated interface, the Keurig K-Classic Coffeemaker is true to its name: a classic! This iconic brewer and the Keurig name are synonymous with single-serve coffee and for good reason. This coffeemaker offers a fantastic K-Cup brew without any fuss at all and without sacrificing some key options like variable cup size and a large water reservoir. The coffee is consistent, cup to cup, creating that perfect K-Cup brew, from flavor to temperature, in each use. There’s no reusable filter pod included, so if you want to use your own grounds, you’ll have to buy that separately. If you’re a die-hard K-Cup coffee fan and are just looking for a simple yet reliable workhorse, this is the brewer for you.
- Brew Sizes 6 oz, 8 oz, 10 oz
- Water Reservoir 48 oz
- Coffee Type Pods
- Dimensions 13.2” x 10.1” x 13.3”
- Programmable
- Includes refillable capsule for fresh grounds
- Standalone hot water and rinse functions
- Larger footprint
- Long heat-up time
The Cuisinart Premium Single-Serve Coffeemaker takes the average K-Cup brewing experience and seriously elevates it. With timed programmable brewing, a built-in charcoal filter to purify the water pre-brew, an included HomeBarista reusable coffee pod, 5 drink size options and adjustable heat settings, we couldn’t find any reasons not to love this coffeemaker. Of all the K-Cup makers we tested, we found that this unit made the best-tasting K-Cup coffee AND the best-tasting coffee from fresh grounds, and at a temperature that was perfect for drinking straight or with milk. We appreciated the customization options to get the perfect brew as well as the rinse and hot water features, catering to hot drinks outside of just coffee. This coffeemaker has a slightly bigger footprint on the counter but is worth every square inch- plus it has a working clock!
- Brew Sizes 4 oz, 6 oz, 8 oz, 10 oz, 12 oz
- Water Reservoir 72 oz
- Coffee Type Pods or grounds
- Dimensions 9.33" x 11.03" x 12.13"
- Fast brewing
- Small footprint
- Easy to use
- Need to refill the water reservoir for each cup
- Reservoir cannot be removed for cleaning
If you take the brewing performance of the Keurig K-Classic Coffeemaker and shrink it down to a tiny footprint, you’ve got the Keurig K-Mini Coffeemaker. This powerful little coffeemaker perfectly combines speed, compact size, and simplicity (and did we mention it comes in an array of cute colors?). With only one button to worry about and consistent brewing performance, it truly doesn’t get easier to brew a great cup of coffee. We loved that this coffeemaker had the same delicious coffee as its more serious cousin (the Keurig K-Classic Coffeemaker) but with even more speed and while taking up significantly less counter space. Something to keep in mind is that the water reservoir only holds enough for one serving of coffee at a time, so you’ll have to refill with water each time you go to make a cup. This coffeemaker requires minimal maintenance while packing power in a compact footprint and is perfect for someone looking to get that cup of coffee quickly and easily.
- Brew Sizes 6 oz, 8 oz, 10 oz, 12 oz
- Water Reservoir 12 oz (can only hold 1 cup’s worth of water at a time)
- Coffee Type Pods
- Dimensions 11.3" x 4.5" x 12.1"
Our testing included a lineup of 10 top-rated single-serve coffee makers on the market, ranging in price from $49 to $179. After documenting some of the specs of each model, including warranties (if any at all) and noting special programs and accessories, each machine was put to the test. Following the manufacturer's instructions, each coffee maker was primed and cleaned before the first cup of coffee was made, guaranteeing the best and most pure coffee flavor during the actual testing. From there, we made multiple cups of coffee with each machine, noting temperature, aroma, the amount of time it took to brew and most importantly, the flavor of each cup. We made sure to notice details like how easy the machine was to program, how easy it was to clean, and the consistency of the coffee made over multiple uses. If the coffee maker provided multiple ways to make coffee (like a pod brewer that included a refillable basket for grounds), we made sure to test these options as well and factor the results into our final decision making. Ultimately, our top choices all had the same thing in common: great-tasting coffee that was quick and easy to make.
What to Consider Before Buying a Single-Serve Coffeemaker
Type of Coffee
Knowing the type of coffee you want to make is the first step to choosing the correct brewer. If you love to grind your coffee fresh at home, be sure to opt for a machine that is compatible with grounds. While many of the single-serve K-Cup brewers are compatible with reusable pods, the Cuisinart Premium Single-Serve Coffeemaker on our list includes a reusable filter cup that can be used with any brand of ground coffee you like. If you’re someone who likes coffee and the occasional espresso, the Nespresso VertuoPlus from our list offers the best of both worlds without having to sacrifice the quality of either. Though it’s worth noting Nespresso machine pods can be on the pricier side.
Counter Space
Single-serve coffeemakers are known for convenience, and a big part of that usually involves living on the countertop for easy access and a quick brew when you need it. It doesn’t hurt to measure your available counter space and have an idea of how much room your potential coffeemaker will take up before moving forward with a purchase.
Budget
Single-serve coffee makers are typically more than just the initial investment of the machine and a bag of coffee on occasion if you’re planning on using pods (like K-Cups or Nespresso pods). Know that the price of the pods can range. For example, K-Cups could range from less than fifty cents to upwards of a dollar per pod, and Nespresso Vertuo pods are even more expensive at over a dollar per pod. Using grounds and a reusable filter cup will almost always be more budget-friendly, so keep the coffeemaker’s compatibility with grounds in mind if you're on a tight budget.
FAQs
Are single-serve coffeemakers sustainable?
Whether or not single-serve coffeemakers are sustainable depends on a few factors that are specific to the user and to the coffeemaker itself. First of all, not all single-serve coffee pods are recyclable, which can create serious waste with each cup of coffee. For example, some K-Cup pods (which are primarily made of plastic) might show a symbol on the box to indicate they’re recyclable, but not all communities accept that type of plastic; it is up to the consumer to do the research and find out if their community accepts that plastic-type for recycling. Nespresso pods, on the other hand, are made of aluminum rather than plastic. Nespresso has a free recycling program that allows consumers to send back used coffee pods so that the coffee grounds can be composted and the aluminum can be reused to make more pods. Either way, pod-based coffee will never be as sustainable as using a reusable pod that allows consumers to add their own ground coffee, brew, then clean and reuse the pod.
How much does a single-serve coffeemaker cost?
Single-serve coffeemakers range in cost from as low as $25 to as high as $200 or more. Typically, the more expensive the coffeemaker, the more features it comes with or water it holds in its reservoir. Less expensive models are usually more lightweight, could be on the smaller side, and likely don’t have the functionality or customization options of some of the more middle-of-the-range priced models.
Who should buy a single-serve coffeemaker?
The most notable thing about single-serve coffeemakers is their convenience. If you’re tired of constantly making more coffee than you can drink, or are in need of a quicker solution to coffee in the morning, a single-serve coffeemaker is the best option. The winners on our list all reduce prep time, brew time and cleaning time versus other coffeemaker styles, while not sacrificing the quality of the coffee they make.
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