Sometimes a whole pot of coffee is just too much. You just need a single cup that you can make and take with you on your way to wherever it is you need to be. Having a single serve coffee maker on hand can make it so much easier. You can use these coffee makers to make a cup when you are ready for it and not have to worry about reheating or throwing out an unused pot.
Single serve coffee makers come in a lot of different varieties. You can find coffee makers for k cups as well as single serve coffee makers that you fill and brew using beans or ground coffee of your own. No matter what your preferences are, we have several options to help you find the best single serve coffee maker for your needs.
In this guide, we will share with you our top picks for the best single serve coffee maker choices, complete with reviews and details that you need to know in order to make an informed decision. We have some really great options in store to make your search for single serve coffee makers an easy one.
Related Review: Best Single Serve Coffee Makers with No Pods
The Best Single Serve Coffee Makers Reviewed
1. Best Overall: Keurig K Cups Mini Single Serve Coffee K Cup Coffee Pods
Let’s start off our reviews with a classic. This is one of the best single serve coffee makers you are going to find. Coffee maker K cups have been popular since they originated with Keurig K cup models several years ago. These are convenient and perfect for your oversized travel mug as well.
The Keurig K Cup mini may earn some bonus points because you can use pre made k cups coffee pods to brew and easy cup of coffee. You just need to make sure there is water in the water reservoir for the K cups coffee maker to turn the ground coffee in the pods into a delicious cup of coffee in minutes.
These are so easy to use and the Keurig K Cup coffee pods allow you to vary between flavor choices and not have to worry about measuring out hot water or ground coffee. Just grab your coffee pod and and this coffee maker for k cups will do the rest of the work for you.
Pros
- The original coffee makers for k cup
- K Cup is easy to use
- Fill the water reservoir and brew or even just get hot water
- Single serve that fills cups of coffee or a travel mug
- The best single serve coffee maker on the market
Cons
- The cord is pretty short so coffee makers must be close to the outlet
- The mini does take longer to brew than some single serve coffee makers
Why We Like It
While there are some things that could certainly be better, you can’t go wrong with a classic from Keurig. The mini still gives you plenty of functionality but takes up only a minimal amount of space to make your single serve coffee when you need it. It’s not the Keurig K Elite but you will notice it’s still a reliable option.
2. Cuisinart SS-10P1 Premium Single Serve Coffee Maker
Next on our list is a premium option from Cuisinart. It is a bit more expensive but it appears to be well worth the cost and is highly-rated across the board. You can choose from silver, light gray, black, or white models. This option takes the single pods as well, making it versatile.
In terms of a single serve coffee maker, this option stands out because it has a large water reservoir and a digital screen. You can brew or get a cup of hot water and it’s super easy to use as well. You can also choose the single serve brew size for your cups of coffee, ranging from 4-12 ounces.
The drip tray is removable to make cleaning up easy or to accommodate a larger cup size, like a travel mug. You will also receive instruction books that give you any type of instructions you might need. The cord is nice and long so you can set up however you need to. We love that this is a single serve coffee maker while also having a water reservoir so you don’t have to fill it every time.
Pros
- Includes a 72 oz. water reservoir
- Makes cups from 4-12 ounces
- Digital display screen
- Easy to use and clean up
- Compatible with single serve coffee pods
Cons
- There is no alert when you are out of water, the machine just simply won't brew
- Compared to previous models, the materials seem to be not as great of quality
Why We Like It
Cuisinart has been known for years for their quality and technology. This option is a great choice. We love the extra water and the functionality to make whatever size of coffee you need!
Related Review: Best Coffee Maker Under 50
3. Ninja Specialty Coffee Maker with Glass Carafe
If you’re looking for the cream of the crop, you’ve found it here. You probably are familiar with the Ninja name and this best single serve option truly stands out amongst its competitors. It’s a win for sure! It is another premium option that costs a bit more but you won’t find anything better most likely.
This Ninja specialty single serve coffee maker also comes with a glass carafe so you can make a full pot if you need to. Choose from various cup size options, including a travel mug, an extra-large cup, a regular cup, half a pot, or a full pot. You can make classic, rich, or over ice coffee. Fill the water line to meet your needs and let the machine do the work.
This works with ground coffee and not the pods. You can raise the try for single serve cup of coffee options so you don’t make a mess. This is perhaps the machine with the most versatility and usefulness as well as premium single serve coffee makers quality.
Pros
- Can make the best single serve cup of coffee or a pot
- Uses ground coffee with a smart scoop technology
- Premium model with a lot of functionality
- You can brew frothy, rich, or even iced blends
- Very nice and very well-made single serve coffee maker
Cons
- The pot will not keep the coffee warm for very long after the brew time
- The pot can be challenging to wash because it has a narrow opening
Why We Like It
If you’re going to spring for a premium option, you might as well go with one of the best brew options available. This best single serve maker will brew for your travel mug or cup in no time. It’s easy to use and will get you a delicious cup of coffee in the end.
4. Hamilton Beach Scoop Single Serve Coffee Maker, Fast Brewing
Hamilton Beach is another well-known maker of kitchen small appliances. They are standard quality and this is a pretty great single serve coffee maker option to consider. There aren’t a lot of different options, it’s pretty much just a prep and go pot to get your single serve cup from water.
You can choose from regular or bold for your cup flavor. You will use ground coffee for these single serve coffee makers. This pot has fast brew technology. You can brew a traditional 8-ounce cup in less than 90 seconds. You can also brew a travel size and it only takes a couple of minutes.
The coffee maker is made with stainless steel. It is durable and easy to clean. You will need water to brew or the machine simply won’t brew so be sure to check the coffee maker with each use. The drip tray even lifts so you don’t have any dripping messes from the brewing process.
Pros
- Hamilton Beach is a well-known brand
- Reusable filter for ground coffee. A permanent filter is a scoop
- Make your favorite coffee with regular coffee or bold brew settings
- Single cup coffee maker that accommodates 2 cup sizes
- Brew coffee in just a matter of minutes, no matter the brew sizes
Cons
- Some users notice a bit of a plastic taste from this coffee machine at first
- The drip coffee splashes up and clean up can be a bit tedious
Why We Like It
There are a few things to be aware of but we love this single serve coffee maker because it is simple and adjustable to your needs. It also makes a fast cup of coffee when you need a brew in a hurry.
5. Budget Choice: Chefman InstaCoffee Single Serve Coffee Brewer
If you just want a simple single serve brewer this could be a great option for you. The No products found. doesn’t have any bells or whistles to it but it is a budget-friendly option that is highly-rated across the board and will get you a good cup of joe with just one touch. This option is compatible with k cup pods.
There is no removable water reservoir here to contend with. Just add water to the fixed ounce water reservoir and brew up to a 14-ounce cup from the coffee pod in no time. These single serve machines are great for travel coffee makers. They have a slim design and use a coffee so the ease of use is unrenowned and they can travel from home if you need them to.
No paper filters are needed, this has a traditional reusable mesh filter. It’s compact and adjustable to bring you delicious hot coffee with minimal effort. You can also switch to grounds if you prefer those over the pods. Brew time is quick. The unit is covered by a 1-year assurance.
Pros
- No water reservoir to contend with or remove
- Single serve coffee makers with one-touch operation
- Works with pod coffee or ground coffee
- Compact design single serve machine
- Simple features in a budget-friendly system
Cons
- The water does not get as hot as some coffee maker options
- Does not fit all cup pod sizes
Why We Like It
This coffee maker is simple. It is best for ground coffee since not all pods will fit but it’s one of the best slim coffee maker options you will find, especially for the price.
We Think You May Be Interested In: Battery Powered Coffee Maker Reviews
6. Casara Single Serve Coffee Maker with Programmable Timer
Here is another one cup coffee maker that has a lot to offer and comes at a budget-friendly price point. Casara Single Serve Coffee Maker is a compact model that you add water to as needed. It doesn’t have a detachable reservoir. It does offer a removable filter basket that is labeled as dishwasher safe when it needs a good cleaning
This coffee maker is slim and compact but also provides you with some versatility options. You can’t really make hot water that won’t have some coffee flavor but you can brew coffee from ground coffee and can brew tea as well. The coffee is the intended feature but you can always change it up.
There is a LCD display that is lit up. You can program the coffee maker to start your coffee for you. Just prep with water and ground coffee and you can feel a 14-ounce travel mug so you can take it and go. The design is eco-friendly, to leave a smaller footprint bust still get you the best coffee that you need.
Pros
- Uses ground coffee in a reusable filter
- Brews up to 14 ounces
- Programmable up to 24 hours
- Includes a travel mug
- Very compact design that looks and works great
Cons
- The machine is fairly noisy while operating
- Some mugs don't fit well under the coffee maker
Why We Like It
Our final option is a classic choice because you can program it to wake up to fresh coffee. If you’re a coffee drinker that needs coffee to even think about functioning, this will be perfect!
We Think You’ll Like: Best 4 Cup Coffee Maker
Buyer’s Guide
As you decide the best single serve coffee maker for your needs, there are several coffee criteria things that you will want to consider before you choose.
We all have different needs, whether you prefer a pod coffee maker or single serve brewers that let you brew a strong coffee without a pod, there are plenty of options and things to know. We have some helpful tips on things that you may want to keep in mind as you select a choice for a new single serve coffee machine.
Size
If you like to be able to use coffee on the go, you will need a capsule that can have whatever size of coffee you need for your convenience. There are some options out there that brew just a traditional 8-ounce coffee while other products let you choose from multiple sizes and even brew strength settings.
If your goal is to pour your drinks and get on the road, be sure to keep the capability of brewing into your travel coffee mug at the forefront of your decision. The size of coffee brewer that is best for you may have a water reservoir to keep water available while others will simply have a tank attached to the coffee maker.
You won’t just want to know the size of coffee you can achieve but also the size of the machine and what will best fit your designated area. Are you going to travel with it, do you have suitable counter space, what can you comfortably accommodate?
These are purely up to your needs and preferences but definitely something to be aware of as you choose your best option.
Ground Vs. Pod Coffee
Here is another feature that will be totally preferential to you. Do you like your coffee to come from a simple pod or do you prefer to use grounds? Maybe you like to be able to pick and choose depending on the mood at the moment?
There are coffee pot options that allow you to choose, there are also coffee options that only use pods or only use grounds. Pay attention to this detail so you can acquire according to your desires. Using grounds does give you a little bit more control if you like a strong brew but the pods can often have a lot of different flavors.
Going with an option that has reusable coffee pods or filters is more eco-friendly but really the choice is up to you.
Brewing Capabilities
We talked a little bit about size of brewing options earlier and this is still important. However, in this section we want you to determine whether you want multiple brewing capabilities. If you like a strong coffee, you might want a coffee machine that allows you to brew boldly.
Many coffee machines have multiple options for you to get the coffee that you want from the machine. We certainly don’t want you to choose something only to find you can’t get coffee strong enough for your preferences.
Speed
Some machines will be quick and others will be not so quick. Again, this is a matter of preference but if you are going to be standing around waiting for your coffee to finish, is that going to cause a problem for you?
We’ve even included a programmable option here that allows you to prepare your coffee the night before and set a time. Some brewers work more quickly with rapid brew systems so just take this into consideration as you choose an option for your home.
Brewing time can range from 1 minute to 5 minutes, sometimes even longer so keep this factor in mind.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Single Serve Coffee Makers Worth It?
One of the best things to keep in mind here, is your preferences. While the best prices are often associated with pot coffee makers, a single serve option might be what will best accommodate your needs and that’s really what is important.
Some of these are actually pretty price-friendly. If you know that you won’t need a full pot then why waste coffee? Choose a single serve maker and your life will be much easier and there will be far less coffee wasted as well.
What is the Best Keurig Coffee Maker for a Single Person?
We love the Keurig mini that we shared as our best overall option. It’s simple and convenient and brews several different sizes. It’s a mini option so it takes up less space overall. The Keurig Elite is another really great option because it has the additional reservoir tank for holding your water. Which you prefer is totally up to you!
What Single Serve Brewer Has the Best Temperature Control?
In some capsules, you will find that there are options that have a button to keep your cup warm. Unfortunately, some brewers just don’t get as hot as others. It can be hard for the brewer to maximize the perfect temperature while also being quick. You don’t want cold coffee (aside from iced coffee) but you also don’t want it to get bitter or acidic from being too hot.
We really can’t tell you which gets the hottest or has the best temperature but you should pay close attention to the details to ensure you are getting what you want.
Conclusion
Coffee lovers unite to find the very best solution for your coffee goals! We all have different preferences but no matter what yours are, you’re bound to find a suitable option listed in these reviews. We hope you find something that will suit you just fine!
Expert Tip
Choose a coffee maker that gives you a little bit of versatility so that you can make a small cup or fill a mug to take with you – whatever the mood requires!
Did You Know?
Did you know that coffee is the world’s second most traded commodity? It falls into line right after crude oil and is the number one sought-after beverage apart from water.
Imagine waking up one morning and your coffee maker isn’t working! We’ve got you covered with all of the details you need to make the coffee when you have no maker on hand.
Learn MoreAmazon Recommends:
