Why Best Single Cup Coffee Maker Is Everywhere This Year

best rated single serve coffee machines

If convenience is your top priority A single-cup coffee maker could be the best choice for you. These machines are smaller and more user-friendly than drip coffee makers.

There are models that use K-Cups or original Nespresso pods or reusable aftermarket pods. Some models can also make espresso-style shots, or iced coffee.

1. Cuisinart Grind & Brew

This well-designed machine from a reputable manufacturer can grind and brew one cup or an entire pot. It's smaller than many other coffee makers that incorporate grinders, which frees the space on the countertop to accommodate other appliances. Unlike some grinders that can leave a coarse granular consistency, the Grind & Brew uses a burr grinder that's designed to precisely crush beans to a specific size. This produces a more uniform ground coffee.

The Grind & Brew has an automatic shut-off, and a showerhead that evenly distributes water evenly across the grounds. This ensures consistency between the brews. It can be programmed to start brewing up to 24 hours in advance, and it provides a variety of control options, including a customizable clock display as well as coffee strength (mild medium, medium, or powerful), and a pause feature that lets you pour out a cup without halting the process.

This model is unique in that it can be used to brew K-Cups as well as whole beans. The choice between them is determined by your personal preference. The machine can hold 12 K-Cups or you can fill it with whole beans ground. The brew is a bit slower than our top choice however it is still sufficient to get your coffee ready before you wake up.

The Grind & Brew did well in our tests as a whole but fell short of our top overall score. Its brew temperature was the least stable of any model we tested. It shifted from the first coffee to the fifth by nearly 5 degrees, and it never achieved the 195-degree target set by the SCAA for excellent coffee.

It's worth having a dedicated grinder/brewer to use for your mornings. The machine is easy to use and clean with all of its components slipping into place and closing with an enthralling clack. It's also compact and light which is a great touch for those who don't have lots of extra counter space.

2. Smeg Drip coffee maker

This SMEG single cup coffeemaker is a great option if you're in the market for a sleek and compact machine to put in your home. The Italian-based brand is known for its  retro-styled appliances from the 1950s, and this drip filter coffee maker blends function and form in an elegant design that looks great on your counter. The auto-start function lets you to wake up with freshly brewed coffee. It can make 10 cups at once. You can also alter the strength of your brew by choosing from two different aroma settings (Delicate or Intense) and set an end-of-brewing alarm to remind you when it is ready.

This programmable espresso maker has a generous water tank of 1.4 liters, so you'll never run out of water. Its reusable filter limits unnecessary waste, and there is a clear water level indicator to inform you when it's time to refill. This coffee maker can also be used to make hot chocolate and herbal tea. The brewing cycle can be completed quickly, and the keep-warm plates helps keep your coffee warm until you are ready to drink.

This SMEG drip-filter coffee maker features four buttons that are simple to use. The LED clock displays the current settings. The permanent filter is dishwasher-safe, and it can be used over and over again. The spout has been designed to avoid spills. If you live in a region that has hard water the SMEG drip-filter coffee maker may require regular descale. You can descale the machine by pressing the automatic-start, on/off buttons for five second and pouring descaler solution or powder into the reservoir for water.

Another benefit of this programmable drip filter coffee maker is that it is compatible with ESE pods, which are an eco-friendly alternative to K-Cups and other single-serve pods. The only downside to this coffee maker is that it does not have a brew timer, so you'll need to manually adjust the start time every morning.

3. Oxo Brew 12-Cup Thermal Carafe

If you're seeking an espresso maker that can make a whole pot or just one cup and you're looking for a coffee maker that can do both, the Oxo Brew 12-Cup Thermal Carafe is worth checking out. It has a double-wall, vacuum-insulated stainless steel thermal carafe which keeps your coffee hot for hours. It also has a convenient, easy-to-use interactive display screen and a mixing tube that can be removed. The machine can be programmed to 24 hours ahead of time and the backlit LCD display shows the time remaining until your coffee is ready.

This coffee maker has two different brew baskets that can be used in small or large quantities. It is perfect for households with a variety of cup sizes and quantities. It's certified by the Specialty Coffee Association to brew Gold-standard coffee, and its BetterBrew Precision system and Rainmaker shower head evenly distributes the water evenly over your grounds to ensure the maximum flavor extraction.

This machine, unlike many pod-based machines, utilizes whole or regular ground beans (not proprietary ones) instead of pre-packaged capsules to make single-serve. The use of regular coffee grounds minimizes waste and saves money. The machine is also fast making a cup of coffee in less than six minutes. This machine is more expensive than the other drip coffee makers we tried. However its sleek design and top-quality construction make it a great option.

Many multifunction kitchen gadgets skew towards flashy and gimmicks however this drip coffee maker gets the job done without fuss. It's well-built and quiet. The user-friendly interface makes it easy to set the exact amount of water required to brew. We found the Brew Barista Brain to be a reliable machine, and it was able to handle our most difficult test coffee (Costco House Blend, medium grind) extremely well.

This model uses a spray of brewed ice instead of the usual immersion method. The result is much more drinkable than with infusion. It also has a preprogrammed setting that starts brewing exactly five minutes into the future. This will save you from waiting for your coffee to be brewed.

4. Bruvi Brewer

If you're looking to invest a bit more than your standard K-cup coffee maker, this sleek machine from Bruvi could be the perfect single-cup brewer. It makes use of "B-Pods" from Bruvi, which contain 40 percent more than the typical K-cup brewer. They are made of treated polypropylene and are designed to break down in composters and landfills without releasing microplastics (although it is not certified for organic waste). The B-Pods allow for hygienic brewing as each cup is sealed inside the pod. This means that there is no chance of the possibility of contaminating flavors between cups. The Bruvi's sleek and modern design is also impressive--the machine's touch screen comes to life only when you insert a pod and it will display the options available for that specific type of beverage.

The Bruvi has a range of options for cold brew coffee as well as iced coffees, including hot and iced americanos as well as espresso. The machine is also designed to utilize less water than a conventional single-serve brewer. This can help minimize dilution when you add Ice.

Another good thing about the Bruvi is that it's a much smarter single-serve pod brewer--it has an embedded camera that analyzes the unique code on each B-Pod before optimizing multiple brewing settings to match the specific type of coffee. So, you can trust that your Bruvi will make an excellent cup of coffee each and every time.

Finally, the Bruvi's drip tray can be adjusted to minimize splashing when pouring the beverage into a small mug or glass or even be removed completely for large travel mugs. The Bruvi comes with couple of additional features, including the ability to remove the reservoir of water and an automatic cleaning cycle that keeps it running efficiently and effectively.

While the Bruvi is pricier than other pod coffee makers, it's well worth it for its exceptional coffee taste and reduced environmental impact. It's a good choice when you frequently shifts between espresso and coffee, since its hygienic system of brewing allows for quick and simple conversion to cold brew or iced coffee--no need for a separate machine. It also includes a milk frother which is a welcome addition at this price.