Best Single Brew Coffee Makers

There's nothing better than a cup freshly brewed coffee to begin the day. That's why we're fans of single-brew coffee makers.

Consider what is most important for your brewing requirements, and what features you think are frills. Our criteria include a large reservoir, multiple brew setting and the reuse of coffee pods.

1. Does it take capsules or ground coffee?

Based on your preference depending on your preferences, you can pick one that uses beans ground or coffee pods. While there are a few models which exclusively make use of coffee pods, the majority of the models in our list can accommodate both. These models are great for those who want to have a variety of options available.

Nespresso's Vertuo Plus is a great example. It's part of the brand's newer Vertuoline and offers a one-touch reliable system that produces excellent espresso shots and brewed coffee. It was also the most efficient machine we've ever tested. It also comes with reusable pods that are better for the environment than K-Cups.

The Cuisinart grind & Brew is a fantastic option for those who prefer to grind coffee. It comes with a built-in conical burr grinder to make freshly ground coffee, and it offers three different sizes of brewing -eight, ten, and twelve ounces. It's more expensive than other single-serve models we have in our collection, but it's among the best Single brew coffee maker-tasting models we've tested.

For those who want the flexibility of using both kinds of pods or grounds may appreciate the runner-up in our review, the Instant Pot Dual Pod Plus. It's a model that's versatile, since it can brew using Keurig K-Cups or original Nespresso capsules. The company also offers its own compostable capsules. It also produces some of the most popular coffees of all the machines we've tested so far, while providing a range of additional functions, such as hot water for tea as well as a milk frother.

2. Is there a huge reservoir of water?

The top single-brew coffee maker will have a large water reservoir that can easily meet your needs. This will ensure that your machine doesn't always running low on water, which can affect the quality of your brew. When selecting a coffee maker, the amount of water in the reservoir is vital. It will determine how often you have to refill and empty the tank.

The BLACK+DECKER Single-Serve Compact Coffee Maker is a great choice for someone who wants an easy-to-use brewer that doesn't break the bank. It can make a cup of coffee in less than two minutes and can be programmed up to 24 hours in advance, making it ideal for those who want to drink their coffee at the go. It's compact and fits on a small counter. It's also the cheapest of our top choices. It also makes the most delicious coffee and has an integrated travel cup to make it easy. It did not get as high a score as other brewers we tested however the water reservoir is rather small.

If you're willing to spend more, the Keurig K-Supreme Smart Single-Serve coffee maker is our recommendation for upgrading. It has an excellent design with features that made it stand out in our tests. It is able to brew quickly and high coffee temperatures. It also offers three brew sizes, and is extremely easy to use. It's only downside is that you must remove it for a period of time which can be a hassle for people who drink a lot of coffee.

3. Does it come with multiple brewing settings?

The top single-brew coffee maker comes with a variety of settings, which include different cup sizes, types and quantities of drinks and the capability to make cold brew. This lets you customize your drink exactly how you like it and save time by skipping the step of boiling and steeping your grounds in hot water. This method makes use of cooler water which helps to preserve the flavor of coffee.

Epi's reviews single serve coffee makers editor Noah Kaufman is a big fan of the Bruvi single use coffee maker-serve espresso maker because it has several single-touch brewing options that make the perfect cup of joe, whether you prefer a less acidic beverage or an espresso-like shot with ice. The Bruvi also has the option of brewing that takes longer than the typical quick brew but is well worth the wait for a smooth and smooth cup.

In our tests, Bruvi consistently made a hot and consistent cup of coffee compared to all other single-serve machines we tried. The brewing cycle and timer are easy to program and it keeps your beverage hot for up to four hours. The Bruvi comes with a cold brew setting that alters the temperature and brew time to create a deliciously cool beverage.

Another standout was the Breville Precision Brewer, which offers six brew modes including Gold Fast, Strong and Iced. The Gold Brew Setting follows Specialty Coffee Association guidelines for an ideal cup of coffee, and the other settings are all adjustable, allowing you to tailor your experience to fit your individual preferences. The Breville Precision is narrower than many single-serve coffee brewers we tested. This allowed it to keep its brew temperature constant and increase the saturation of the coffee as well as a more consistent extraction of the beans.

4. Does it come with an automatic cleaning feature?

The top single-cup coffee makers feature self-cleaning features that eliminate any leftover grounds or used K-Cup pods out of the machine after each use. Some models will even notify you of the need for cleaning cycles. It is recommended to always read the manual for use or the manufacturer's website for detailed instructions. Different machines use different cleaning techniques.

The single-serve espresso maker from Bruvi is among the best single cup coffee maker we've tried. It features an easy, intuitive interface, produces great coffee, and requires minimal maintenance. It has a large reservoir of water and can be used to make hot or iced coffee. It comes with a variety of single-touch options, including low acid, Americano and cold brew. One drawback is that it takes longer to make than other models, but it's a minor flaw in an otherwise excellent product.

This coffee maker is one of our top picks for budgets since it's cheap and does a great job making a 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 contains detailed instructions on removing the reservoir and refilling it, emptying it, and for regular descaling. Unlike many other single-cup coffeemakers that require a disposable filter or reusable pods. It can be used to brew any type of coffee.

This coffee maker is ideal for those who love the convenience of single-serve K-Cups but don't like the taste or waste that comes with them. It has an enormous water tank as well as a built-in 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 reusable K-Cups or the brand's own recyclable pods. It also comes with steam buttons for making tea and a fold-away froth.

5. Does it have a programmeable timer?

The most efficient espresso maker that can be programmed allows you to set it up for the night before so that you wake up with a freshly brewed cup of coffee. This is especially convenient for those who are on the go or who do not need a pour-over pot or Moka pot.

Most programmable machines come with a basic timer that lasts for 24 hours. However, if you're looking for more advanced features, you might want to consider De'Longhi's COM532 which is our top single-cup pod machine. It has a digital touchscreen with multiple settings that allow you to customize your coffee to the kind you like, such as brewing temperature and strength. This model is the most expensive but it makes the most hot coffee out of all of our tested machines. Its carafe will keep it at the perfect drinking temperature for over an hour after it has been brewed.

Black + Decker Classic single-serve coffeemaker is a low-cost, programmable machine. It has a relatively small footprint, it's compatible with ESE (Eco-friendly single coffee maker-Serve) pods, and has simple controls that are easy to use. It scored highly in our taste test, is brews quickly, and has a dishwasher-safe water tank.

If you're tired of the pre-packaged beans and would prefer to save some money, a single-cup or manual drip brewer is an excellent alternative. You can grind your beans yourself to give a fresher flavor and to have more control over the flavor of your beverage. It's more work than using a pod-based coffee maker, but it could be worth it if your are an avid coffee drinker. Just be sure to weigh your beans and ground coffee with scales instead of measuring by volume to get the most consistent results.