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The Best Single Serve Coffee Makers That Make Barista-Approved Coffee
Having a morning cup of coffee is essential for a lot of people to have a good start to their day. When you have a smaller household, it can be inconvenient to brew a whole pot of coffee, especially if you're taking it to-go. A single serve coffee pot allows you to brew a single serving of coffee in a faster and more efficient way. After comparing and reviewing products, our team determined that the Keurig K-Classic Coffee Maker was the best choice. It offers three cup sizes and has an auto-shutoff feature as a safety measure.
Our Top Picks For Single Serve Coffee Makers
View all ContentsWhat's the Best Single Serve Coffee Maker?
Best Overall
If you’re looking for a daily dose of caffeine but don’t want to compromise on the quality of your coffee machine, we think that the Keurig K-Classic Coffee Maker is perfect for you. This single serve coffee maker is manufactured using high-quality plastic that makes it corrosion-resistant, lightweight, and durable. It can brew coffee in three cup sizes, including 6, 8, and 10 ounces. It also comes with a removable 48-ounce water reservoir that can brew more than six mugs of coffee, saving you time and energy. The machine can also accommodate a 7.1-inch travel mug, which allows you to carry enough coffee while traveling. We also really liked the auto-off function that turns the machine off automatically if you don’t use it for two hours.
Pros
- Takes less than one minute to brew
- Comes with a removable drip tray
- Auto-off feature saves energy
Cons
- Machine has a short power cord
Runner-Up
We think the Hamilton Beach 2-Way Coffee Maker is a great coffee maker for larger families that vary in their coffee-drinking habits. This high-quality 2-way coffee maker allows you to brew a single-serve cup or a full pot in just a few easy steps. Its stainless steel design adds more durability and sturdiness and makes it corrosion-resistant and easy to clean. The auto-pause and pour functions and the included mesh coffee scoop make this coffee maker more user-friendly and convenient to use daily. We also liked that you can program it to make you a cup of coffee at a certain time of day, so you can wake up to a freshly brewed cup.
Pros
- Comes with a mesh-scoop
- Turns off automatically after 2 hours
- Has regular or bold coffee brewing options
Cons
- Not compatible with K-cup pods
Travel Size
The CHULUX Single-Serve Coffee Machine is an excellent travel coffee maker due to its compact size. Its outer body, available in many vibrant colors, is manufactured using plastic that makes it lightweight, durable, easy to clean, and easy to carry. The inner water tank is made of stainless steel to prevent corrosion and to avoid other potential health risks.
It’s designed to operate with just one button, making it a user-friendly experience. To use it, you simply have to add water to the reservoir, unlock the knob to place the coffee capsule inside, lock the knob, and press the button to brew. It also has one-button cleaning technology that makes cleaning more convenient and hassle-free. You can even use tea capsules to brew tea with this machine!
Pros
- Auto shut-off feature saves power
- Compatible with K-cups
- Detachable drip tray prevents splashing
Cons
- Takes longer than the Keurig to brew
Biggest Size
The Cuisinart 12-Cup Coffeemaker has everything you need to establish your very own coffee shop in your kitchen. Its 2-in-1 technology combines a full-size coffee maker and a single-serve brewer, allowing you to conveniently switch between making a full pot of coffee (up to 12 servings) or a single cup in 6, 8, and 12 oz serving sizes. In addition, it has many incredible features, like the ability to program your coffee maker to automatically prepare your cup of coffee at any particular time. You can also use the brew-pause function to have a sneak-peak in your coffee pot and put it back to continue brewing. It also comes with a reusable coffee filter so you can save money from repeatedly buying paper filters.
Pros
- Allows you to select temperature for brewing
- Water reservoir includes charcoal water filter
- Compatible with K-cup pods
Cons
- Has no base for shorter cups
Most Versatile
The Ninja Specialty 10-Cup Coffee Maker is one of the most versatile coffee makers on the market and allows you to brew coffee more conveniently. It is compatible with six cup sizes and includes 4 brew styles: Classic, Rich, Over Ice, or Specialty Brew, which brews a super-rich coffee concentrate for lattes, macchiatos, and other coffeehouse-style drinks. It also has a built-in frother and a removable water reservoir for easy cleaning. What we think is cool about this coffee maker is its auto-shutoff function that causes the machine to turn off when left unused for one hour, reducing your energy costs.
Pros
- Smart scoop included in the package
- Removable water reservoir for easy cleaning
- Built-in frother creates silky smooth foam
Cons
- A bit expensive compared to similar products
Single Serve Coffee Makers: A Buying Guide
Coffee lovers know that there’s no alternative to a perfect cup of coffee. But what if you are always in a hurry and don’t have enough time to prepare it? Well, this is where a single-serve coffee maker comes in handy. It is designed to brew your coffee faster and allows you to make only enough for a single serving at a time. In this buying guide, we’ll share the most important factors to consider when looking to buy a single serve coffee maker to ensure you make the best purchasing decision possible.
How to Choose the Right Single Serve Coffee Maker
Material
The top-quality coffee machines are mostly designed using plastic or stainless steel for their unique benefits. Plastic makes a machine lightweight, portable, and easy to maintain. However, stainless steel is generally used because of its corrosion-resistance and durability. As a result, stainless steel machines are a bit more expensive than plastic ones. So, consider your budget before you make the final choice.
Weight, Size, and Capacity
The machine’s weight, capacity, and size contribute to its portability and efficiency. Therefore, you need to thoroughly consider these factors. If your purpose is to buy a travel-friendly, lightweight machine, you should choose a lighter option. A coffee maker’s liquid capacity is also of utmost importance because if you have a big family, you’ll need a machine that can produce enough coffee for the entire family. Different machines have different capacities ranging from 0.75 pounds to 6.25 pounds of liquid. So, choose according to your needs.
Brew Time
The brew time of coffee machines also differs from one model to another. Generally, they take one to three minutes to brew your coffee or teacup. So, make sure to invest in a product that has fast brewing time.
Compatibility
Most modern coffee machines are compatible with K-cup pods or other commercial coffee pods, but some are not. So, you’ll need to focus on this aspect as well. K-cup pods are readily available on the market and are comparatively cheaper than other reusable and biodegradable alternatives. Alternatively, you can purchase a reusable coffee filter to save you money in the long-run on coffee filters.
Design
Some coffee-making machines have a 2-in-1 design, featuring a single-serve coffee maker and a full-size coffee maker. In these models, you can make a single mug of coffee when you are in a hurry or prepare a full pot. Thus, they are ideal for families as well as parties. Coffee makers also come in an array of colors and styles, so choose one that matches your preferences.
Ease of Cleaning
Most single serve coffee makers are made with detachable parts that you can remove, wash, and reattach after removing dirt and deposits. Some models are even designed with one-button cleaning technology that requires you to press just one button for complete cleaning. You can also perform descaling to remove calcium, chlorine, and other harmful deposits from the machine.
Additional Features
Additional features that add more value include an auto-off feature that automatically switches off the machine to preserve energy and extend its efficiency. Some coffee machines are also designed with an auto-on feature, which allows you to set a time when you want them to turn on and make your cup of coffee automatically. These features can make a coffee machine more versatile.
People Also Asked
What is a K-cup used in a single-serve coffee machine?
A K-Cup is a sealed cartridge containing coffee or tea that is used in a coffee machine for brewing. It takes the place of filling regular paper coffee filters with ground coffee manually.
Can I use any coffee pod in any coffee machine?
Every coffee machine has its own product specifications that list which coffee pods they are compatible with. Be sure to check the product information to determine your machine's compatibility with certain coffee pods.
Can I use my coffee maker to boil water?
Yes, you can use your coffee maker to boil water for tea or other uses in the kitchen.
How do I clean my single serve coffee machine?
To clean your coffee machine, remove all inner parts (filters, the water reservoir, and cartridges) and hand wash them with warm water and mild soap. To clean the outer part of the machine, you can wipe it down with a damp cloth if needed. If your machine has a self-cleaning feature, follow the instructions in the product manual to use it.
How do I brew coffee with my machine?
Most coffee makers require users to insert a coffee pod or a reusable cartridge filled with coffee grounds in the machine, fill the water reservoir with water, and press a "Start" or "Brew" button. Check your product's manual for brewing instructions specific to your model.
