Best Single Serve Coffee Maker for Perfect Coffee: Top 12 Options

Searching for a new coffee maker is something that can be a bit of a difficult process for many people. There is such a wide variety of machines that someone can buy so we will be looking at a specific kind of coffee machine today that is the best single-serve coffee maker for you. A single-serve coffee maker is growing in popularity and in this article, we will dive into the best single-serve coffee machines.

Top 12 Best Single Serve Coffee Maker Options

Here is a list that we compiled of the best single-serve coffee makers. They are in no particular order and each of them all has its unique spin on single-serve coffee machines.

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1. Aeropress Coffee Maker

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The Aeropress Coffee Maker is a gravity-powered and capsule-free single-serve coffee maker. It is inexpensive and operates similarly to a French press where you pour the hot water over the ground and then push the coffee through a microfilter. This makes sure that there are no gritty coffee grounds remaining in your cup. It requires no electricity and can brew a cup of coffee in less than a minute. The Aeropress is great for campers since it is meant to be portable.

Specifications

Brand: Aeropress
Uses coffee pods: No
Assembly required: No
Weight: 6.4 ounces

Sample Customer Review…I only started drinking coffee recently, having had major cravings during my last pregnancy for a flavor I had loathed my entire life. I am serious — I hated the way coffee smelled and tasted. But, thanks to the wonderful changes that occur with hormones, I wanted it all the time suddenly. After trying a Mr. Coffee Keurig maker that I also purchased here on Amazon, I had almost given up on making my own coffee at home that tasted close enough to the local coffee shop’s cup. As I did a little more research on single-cup options, I found the Aeropress and was a bit skeptical about its performance. However, even after just one cup, I knew I had a winner! At first, I used the included paper filters. The flavor was good, much better than with the Mr. Coffee I returned. I ordered the ultra-premium mesh filter from Altura (https://amzn.to/2cwSURC) and — wow! did it make a difference. Definitely get one of those to try with your Aeropress.
Read more reviews at Amazon.com

2. Ninja CM407

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Ninja CM407 is an electric coffee machine that uses ground coffee beans. This coffee machine is like bringing the coffee bar to your own kitchen. It has the ability to create four different styles of coffee, which are classic, rich, iced, or specialty. Specialty includes a rich coffee concentrate that accompanies your milk-based drink. This machine also has an automatic frother that has the ability to produce a smooth form from hot or cold milk. It also has the option to have a variety of coffee sizes. Finally, it is certified by the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) for its quality brewing.

Specifications

Brand: Ninja
Uses coffee pods: No
Assembly required: N/A
Weight: 50 ounces

Sample Customer Review…I used the quick start guide right off the bat and proceeded to brew my blueberry coffee. For the first time after using it, I could actually taste the flavor at its best! The machine itself is aesthetically pleasing, and it does the job of brewing, frothing, and creating specialty espresso drinks with such ease and perfection. There are so many settings and accessories that are included in the compact design that you can make whatever coffee you want. I am actually upset I spent so much money on buying other little machines, frothers, capsules, etc when all along this machine includes everything you need. The price is not cheap but it honestly does the job of about 4 separate machines that cost double what this does. I feel like this machine is what I have been missing and has really increased the quality of my home brewing system. Everything is so easy to use and clean. I couldn’t be happier to throw out my old coffee machines that were big and bulky and replacing them with this machine as my everyday. Love love love it and I would recommend this 100 percent.
Read more reviews at Amazon.com

3. Keurig K-Classic Coffee Maker

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Keurig’s simple design allows for a stress-free process of making your morning coffee. Despite its simple settings, you have multiple selections in terms of how you like it brewed. Along with it comes K-pods that serve a perfect size for sampling lots of varieties of coffee. With over 400 varieties to choose from, you’re for spontaneous mornings in the future.

Specifications

Brand: Keurig
Uses coffee pods: Yes
Some assembly required
Weight: 9 pounds

Sample Customer Review…My wife and I purchased the Keruig K55 many years ago and have loved this model since. It lasted at least 10 years until the other day. We have used and enjoyed it for about 10 years now until the other day when it stopped working. No matter which cup size we selected, it would only make the 6 oz. size and just barely that.
We cleaned the unit as suggested by the manufacturer as we have always done previously, but to no avail. So we decided to purchase a new Keurig machine. We were debating between the same K55 model that we have had for so many years and the Keruig K-Select model. We went with the K55 model again because neither of us drinks a 12 oz. cup of coffee and we were so happy with this model for so long. So we purchased a new K55 model on 12/1/2017 and it will be here on 12/3/2017 This coffee maker is the best and always makes a great cup of coffee.
Read more reviews at Amazon.com

4. Nespresso Pixie

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The Nespresso Pixie is an electric coffee machine that utilizes Nespresso capsules. It has a very simple espresso setup that produces a cafe-style cup of espresso served at home. It can create exactly what amount of coffee you want due to its high-pressure pump. This single-serve coffee machine also heats up water within 25 seconds.

Specifications

Brand: Nestle Nespresso
Uses coffee pods: No
Assembly required: No
Weight: 2.8 kg

Sample Customer Review…This little machine has an impressive amount of power behind it, the operation is basic common sense, it’s stylish, and shockingly low cost. The coffee pods have enough variety to suit any taste (I personally love Brazil, Ethiopia, Roma, and Livanto.)
My one hesitation was that it only has two pours and that my ideal cup of coffee is a hot Americano. No worries at all – just press the long pour twice in a row for a full 8oz coffee that is far superior to a pour-over and maintains a crema better than just adding hot water.
So glad I purchased this instead of a pricey or lower quality product – this is the perfect nexus of both.
Read more reviews at Amazon.com

5. Hamilton Beach 49980A Single Serve Coffee Brewer and Full Pot Coffee Maker

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The Hamilton Beach 49980A Single Serve Coffee Brewer and Full Pot Coffee Maker is the best of both worlds. On one hand it has the option to brew a single serve of coffee up to 14 ounces and then on the other hand it has a full pot of coffee that can make up to 12 cups of coffee. It is around a 72 ounce reservoir. This machine has the ability to brew regular coffee or bold coffee. It is also a great price for the ability that you have with this coffee machine.

Specifications

Brand: Hamilton Beach
Uses coffee pods: No
Capacity: 96 fluid ounces
Weight: 1.92 ounces

Sample Customer Review…So far so good! I received the coffee maker a few days ago and set it up in less than 5 minutes. It even came with a few paper filters for the carafe side so you don’t have to worry about having them on hand to start out. I brewed a full 12 cup carafe right away and it worked just as it said it would. No plastic taste to the coffee like other reviews have said. I programmed it so that it will brew a pot in the morning and that worked perfectly! I love waking up to fresh coffee and have the house smelling like a coffee shop! It is super easy to clean. The single serve filter and the carafe filter container as well as the carafe are all dishwasher safe, however I will probably wash them by hand just to be safe, I’ve read a lot of reviews about fragile carafes. With that said, my glass carafe was not damaged at all when it arrived. Amazon did a great job of packaging the product and I even received it in less time than I was supposed to. I ordered it around 3pm and received it the next day by 11am without paying for one day shipping! Gotta love Amazon! Lastly, the 2 hour automatic shut off is a wonder. I can leave the coffee on the warming plate without having to worry that I will forget to turn it off later. Overall this is a great coffee maker, I just hope it stands the test of time! Would definitely recommend to anyone looking for a coffee maker with single serve capabilities!
Read more reviews at Amazon.com

6. Cuisinart DCC- 3000 Coffee Maker

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The Cuisinart DCC-3000 Coffee Maker is an amazing coffee maker that allows you to brew up to 12 cups of coffee. It can keep the coffee hot for up to 4 hours and create the specific amount that you want. To work the machine you add the amount of water and coffee grounds that you want to make the cup of coffee. This machine is quite big but allows you to have the opportunity to have multiple cups of coffee throughout the day.

Specifications

Brand: Cuisinart
Uses coffee pods: No
Capacity: 1 cup
Warranty: Three years

Sample Customer Review…We have a one-cup-at-a-time coffeemaker with which I have a couple of criticisms (not hot enough coming out, and woe be unto she who puts too fine a grind in the reusable pod — the water will go down to a trickle), so I wanted to try a different kind. This machine is bigger than I expected, for some reason, and I don’t drink a ton of coffee so I wondered if I should even keep it. I’m very glad I did. It makes a fine cup of coffee and keeps it nice and hot for as long as you need it. I can get up, have my coffee, and hubby can sleep in and still have hot coffee when HE gets up, with no additional effort from either of us. I also love that I can program it. We get up quite early for farm chores and work, and setting it up the night before is great. One less morning chore!
Read more reviews at Amazon.com

7. Breville- Nespresso VertuoPlus

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The Breville-Nespresso VertuoPlus is the perfect coffee machine for someone who constantly wants a hot cup of espresso. There are a variety of brewing options that are very easy to use. This machine uses pods that create a great cup of coffee every time. It has 5 different cup sizes and comes with 27 different flavoring options. The machine reads each pod so it is very easy to use and 90 seconds later you get a cup of coffee. Lastly, the machine has a cute stylistic design that would look great on anyone’s counter.

Specifications

Brand: Breville
Uses coffee pods: No; uses aluminum capsules
Capacity: 2 cups
Weight: 12 pounds

Sample Customer Review…This thing is so cool. I like to use the espresso pod to make iced lattes, hot lattes are good but an iced one is my favorite. They have so many different roasts and flavors to choose from. They’re slightly expensive per pod, but worth it because it tastes just as good if not better than a real cafe. Worth the money, go grab it!
When I discovered Nespresso, I never wanted to go back to any other brand of coffee! The flavors are delicious, and you don’t even need to add anything extra! The best part, it is brewed at a perfect temperature so you won’t burn your tongue off if you take a sip right away! Highly, highly recommend!
Review from Williams Sanoma

8. Mr. Coffee Café Barista Espresso and Cappuccino Maker

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The Mr. Coffee Cafe Barista Espresso and Cappuccino Maker is perfect for the person who is not a fan of your basic black coffee. It has a milk reservoir and a one-touch control panel that makes it very easy to use. It can make all different types of coffee drinks so you don’t have to go to a coffee shop ever again.

Specifications

Brand: Mr. Coffee
Uses coffee pods: No
Automatically froths milk
Weight: 10.37 pounds

Sample Customer Review…Great machine for the price. I spent a good amount of time researching for an espresso and latte machine. I looked over different brands and costs and while I agree this is not a expensive or professional machine, it does make great espressos and lattes. Very easy to use and clean and definitely love the taste. My daughter loves the hot chocolate with frothed milk and even my wife likes her cappuccinos. I read a few reviews regarding water leaks and I can’t see this to be a problem, it’s more on if the water tank is inserted properly. I also have a Kerrigan machine and they both are almost the same size. One more thing, the machine starts and warms water faster (no more than a 5-7 minutes). Definitely a great buy so far. If you are looking for a decent price and great coffee maker this is the one for you.
Read more reviews at Amazon.com

9. Sboly Single Serve

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The Sboly Single Serve is a very versatile machine that is electric and utilizes K-cups and ground coffee beans. It has a very simple design and can fit in perfectly with the rest of your kitchen appliances. This machine is very easy to use and has the ability to heat up the water very quickly. An interesting feature that this machine possesses is that it has an auto-clean function which helps with the maintenance of the product.

Specifications

Brand: Sboly
Uses coffee pods: Yes
Capacity: 14 ounces
Weight: 2.53 pounds

Sample customer review…I was hesitant to purchase this coffee maker because of the low price but gave it a try due to the mostly positive reviews. This machine makes a better single cup of coffee than my previous Keurig or Nespresso machines. The cup comes out very hot and does not need 30 seconds in the microwave after brewing like my previous machines. I am now buying one for work.
Read more reviews at Amazon.com

10. Black+ Decker Brew ‘n Go Personal Coffee Maker

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The Black+ Decker Brew ‘n Go Personal Coffee Maker is the perfect single serve coffee maker for the on the go traveler. It creates the perfect amount of coffee that fits inside of the 15 ounce travel cup and is very easy to use. This is perfect for convenience and makes for less clean up when it comes to making for daily caffeine fix.

Specifications

Brand: BLACK + DECKER
Uses coffee pods: No
Capacity: 0.45 Liters
Material: Stainless Steel

Sample Customer Review…Finally – after many, many Goldilocks moments of trial and error – I’ve found the perfect instant coffeemaker! I prefer cold-dripped coffee above all else, but because of the hassle of making it, I don’t always have it on hand. Depending on my schedule and energy, I can go from a day or two to months before I have time the time or inclination to make – and wait for – another batch. So it’s important to have a Plan B coffee option on hand in the interim. I am very, very happy with this purchase and would buy it again as well as recommend it to others!
Read more reviews at Amazon.com

11. Hamilton Beach Single Serve Coffee Maker

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The Hamilton Beach Single Serve Coffee Maker is another amazing single serve coffee maker. This one can brew either a regular or bold coffee in two different sizes, either a 8 ounce or 14 ounce. It has a 14 ounce water reservoir. To make the coffee it takes 90 seconds for the 8 ounce coffee and 2.5 minutes for the 14 ounce coffee. They also use a built-in mesh filter so you don’t have to use the K-cups.

Specifications

Brand: Hamilton Beach
Uses coffee pods: No
Capacity: 14 fluid ounces
Weight: 5.25 pounds

Sample Customer Review…My old Hamilton Beach died on me. I was using the old one with jerry-rigged filters which were regular coffee filters with edges trimmed. worked like a champ for many years, then one day, dead. This is an improvement, for sure. The coffee basket has one of those fine metal filters, then BELOW the basket is a SECOND fine metal filter. Just scoop your coffee into it, and you have a choice of Bold or Regular…Bold is slower at releasing the water. Very tall…my tall insulated travel mug has over an inch of clearance. Can flip the bottom so a large ceramic cup will be closer to the spout. Great coffee maker!!
Read more reviews at Amazon.com

12. Adir Single Serve Coffee Maker

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Lightweight, inexpensive, and portable; Adir makes brewing coffee hassle-free. The travel mug is meant to fit most cup holders, and is small enough to put in your cubicle or behind your counter. A unique feature of this coffee maker is that it’s environmentally friendly. Its permanent filter eliminates the need for paper filters. Try this sustainable coffeemaker today, and start your day right.

Specifications

Brand: Adirchef
Uses coffee pods: No
Capacity: 14.88 ounces
Weight: 1.3 pounds

Sample Customer Review…
With the current Covid situation we were not sure that the hotels on our Colorado road trip from Michigan would be having coffee facilities in the rooms.
So we decided to buy a cheap and cheerful coffee maker to take with us. This little guy is lightweight and easy to use. We ran one cycle without coffee to rinse it through and after that, we just rinsed it with cold water. We did not notice any off-flavors, the coffee tasted just as good as it does in our home coffee maker.
We used this machine every day on our 10-day trip, making morning and evening brews. We used it to fill our Yeti flasks (the tall 16oz Yeti flasks DO NOT fit under the spout – you have to use the supplied flask and decant to the Yeti). It performed perfectly, it did not leak, it heated the water very quickly every time.
Read more reviews at Amazon.com

Buying Guide: Things to Consider When Purchasing The Best Single Serve Coffee Maker

Single-serve coffee machines are used to make a single serving of coffee so you don’t have to make too much for a large number of people. They are perfect for any individual who is looking to make a smaller quantity of coffee.

What to look for in a Machine?

When looking at what qualities to look for in a machine, there are a number of things to think of. The first one is the cost of the pods. You can definitely spend a lot of money per day by strictly using pods. There is an option to buy reusable pods, but this is something to consider when looking at single-use machines. This would be a more environmentally-friendly option since using pods everyday can create a lot of unnecessary waste.

There is also another option to find single-serve machines that come with a reusable cup. Another thing to consider is the variety of flavors that the pods offer. If you can’t find one you like then this might not be the option for you. You also need to consider the clean-up process for this and the reservoir size. These are all things to keep in mind when debating whether or not to buy a single-serve coffee machine. Now, we will move onto finding a machine that will fit your everyday routine.

Reasons to Buy a Single-Serve Coffee Machine

There are a variety of reasons why someone would want this specific type of device. One reason why someone would need one is if they are living alone or if they were the only person in their household that drinks coffee. This would be the easiest option so you wouldn’t have to make too much coffee for yourself.

Another reason is if you are just a casual coffee drinker. If you only have one cup of coffee per day and don’t need more than this type of machine is exactly what you need. Finally, the last reason is if you are in a hurry. A single-serve machine is the best for convenience since it makes a cup of coffee very quickly.

Features in the Coffee Maker

When looking at what type of single serve coffee maker to pick from there are some features that you might want to consider when evaluating your options.

Electric vs Gravity Powered

One feature that you might want to consider is whether the machine is electric powered or gravity-powered. Electric powered obviously works with electricity, but gravity-powered ones allow for time or air pressure to mix with your grounds and then help with extracting the flavor. Depending on your coffee needs, one might be easier than the other. The easiest one to operate tends to be the electric coffee maker. When you are traveling or are going camping, the gravity-powered one will be for you.

K-Cups

Another feature that you need to consider is whether or not you want to use K-cups. As I have previously talked about, these tend to be bad for the environment and are filling up the landfills very quickly. If you look at the other side of the argument, K-cups provide easy brewing for everyone and have a wide variety of flavors to choose from. They also tend to cost a lot more than buying coffee beans or grounds. These are some things to consider when looking at the features of the coffee machine.

Pods vs Capsules

Coffee pods and capsules are two very different coffee ground containers. The capsules are small plastic cups that are placed into the machine and then the hot water blasts through them. These tend to stay fresher longer. Pods on the other hand are round bags of ground coffee grounds. They usually are biodegradable which is great for the environment, but they tend to lose their flavoring faster than capsules since they are exposed to the air. It is important to consider whether or not you want your coffee machine to have either one of these systems.

Conclusion

Looking at the variety of these nine different machines, each one of them all have their own unique spin on the single serve coffee machine. Whether or not you care about the environmental effects of the K-cups or if you prefer an electric coffee machine should be included into your decision when picking one of these machines. All of the best single-serve coffee makers are an amazing investment if you want a cup of coffee at your convenience at any time of day.

Happy Brewing.

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Written by Ariadna Louer and Nicole Espinoza