The Best
Single Cup Coffee MakerIf convenience is the primary factor for you, a
single cup coffee-cup coffee maker is the best choice. They are smaller and easier to use than drip coffee makers.
You can pick from models that use K-Cups Original Nespresso pods or recycled aftermarket ones. Some models can also make espresso-style shots or iced coffee.
1. Cuisinart Grind & Brew
This machine is designed to be elegant and stylish. It can grind and brew just
one cup coffee machines cup or a full pot. It's smaller than some other coffee makers that include a grinder which means it frees the space on the countertop to accommodate other appliances. The Grind & Brew's grinder is designed to crush beans to a precise size. This makes for a more consistent ground coffee.
The Grind & Brew has an automatic shut-off, and a showerhead that evenly distributes water over the grounds. This helps to ensure consistency between the brews. It can be programmed to start making coffee up to 24 hours ahead of time, and it provides multiple control options such as a custom clock display and coffee strength (mild, medium, or strong) and a pause brewing feature that lets you pour a cup of coffee without interrupting the cycle.
One of the most intriguing aspects of this model is that it is able to brew from whole beans as well as K-Cups. The choice between both is dependent on your personal preferences. The machine can hold up to 12 K-Cups. Or you can fill the hopper with beans that are whole. The brew is slower than our top choice, but it's still fast enough to have your coffee ready before you get up.
The Grind & Brew did well in our tests in general but fell short of our highest overall score. The brew temperature was the least stable among all models we test. The brew temperature fluctuated from the first to the fifth brew by almost 5degrees, and it was unable to meet the SCAA's 195 degree goal for great coffee.
It's worth having a dedicated grinder/brewer for your mornings. The machine is easy-to-use and clean. The entire machine fit into place and open/close with the satisfying "clunk". It's also compact and light, which is great for those with a small counter space.
2. Smeg Drip Coffee Maker
This SMEG single cup coffeemaker is an excellent option if you're looking for a sleek and compact machine to bring to your home. The Italian-based brand is known for its retro-styled appliances from the 1950s and this drip filter coffee machine is a perfect example of form and function. It has an elegant design that looks great on your counter. The auto-start function allows you to start your day with a pot of fresh coffee. It can make 10 cups at a time. You can also choose between two different aroma settings Intense and Delicate to customize the strength of your coffee. Set an alarm to notify you when the coffee is ready.
This coffee maker that can be programmed comes with a large 1.4-liter water tank, which means you do not have to worry about running out of water. The reusable filter minimizes waste and the water level indicator will let you know when you need to refill. The coffee maker can also be used to brew hot chocolate and herbal tea. The brewing cycle is relatively quick, and there's a keep-warm plate to help ensure that your coffee is kept warm until you're ready to drink it.
This SMEG drip-filter coffee maker comes with four buttons that are easy to use. The LED clock displays the current settings. The permanent filter is dishwasher-safe and can be used over and over again. The spout has been designed to prevent spills. If you live in a region with hard water, your SMEG drip-filter coffee maker may require regular descale. You can descale the machine by pressing the automatic-start and on/off buttons for five seconds, and then pouring the descaler solution or powder into the reservoir of water.
Another benefit of this drip filter coffee maker that is programmable is that it is compatible with ESE pods, which are an eco-friendly alternative to K-Cups and other single-serve pods. The only drawback to this coffee maker is that it doesn't have an automatic brew timer. Therefore, you'll need to manually adjust the time of brewing every morning.
3. Oxo Brew 12-Cup Thermal Carafe
If you're seeking an espresso maker that can brew a whole pot or just one cup, the Oxo Brew 12-Cup Thermal Carafe is worth a look. It includes a stainless-steel thermal carafe with a double wall and a vacuum insulation which keeps coffee hot for many hours. It also has a convenient, easy-to-use interactive display screen and a removable mixing tube. The machine can be programmed to run up to 24 hours in advance of time. The LCD display backlit displays the remaining time until the coffee is ready.
This coffee maker comes with two different brew baskets that can be used to brew small or large quantities. It is perfect for households with a variety of cup sizes and quantities. It is certified by the Specialty Coffee Association for brewing Gold-standard coffee. The BetterBrew Precision System and Rainmaker Shower Head evenly distribute water to your grounds, ensuring the maximum flavor extraction.
This machine, unlike most pod-based machines, uses whole or regular ground beans (not proprietary ones), instead of pre-packaged capsules for single-serve. The use of standard coffee grounds saves money and also reduces the waste generated by used pods. It's also very fast and can make a cup in less than six minutes. The only drawback to this machine is that it's more expensive than other drip coffee makers that we tried however its sleek design and high-end construction make it an excellent choice.
This drip coffee maker is a fantastic alternative to multi-functional kitchen appliances that are geared towards gadgets. It's built well and is quiet. The simple interface makes it easy to set the precise amount of water required to make. We found the Brew Barista Brain to be a very robust machine that was able to handle our most challenging test coffee (Costco House Blend, medium grind) extremely well.
This model makes use of a spray of brewed water that has been iced instead of the standard method of immersion. The result is much more drinkable than if you use infusion. It also has a programmable setting that begins the brew at exactly five minutes from now which will save you the hassle of waiting for your coffee to finish brewing.
4. Bruvi Brewer
If you're ready to invest a little more than your typical K-cup coffee maker, this sleek machine from Bruvi could be the perfect
single serve espresso machine cup brewer for you. It is made with what Bruvi calls "B-Pods," which contain 40 percent more coffee than a normal K-cup pod and are made with treated polypropylene that is meant to break into composters and landfills over time without leaving any microplastics left behind (though it's not certified for organic waste). The B-Pods permit the brewing process to be hygienic since each cup is sealed inside the pod. This helps prevent contamination of the flavor between cups. The Bruvi's sleek and modern design is impressive. The machine's touch screen will come to life when you insert a pod. It it displays the various options available for that specific kind of beverage.
The Bruvi also offers multiple options for cold brew and iced coffee, including hot and iced espresso and americanos. The Bruvi is made to use less than a
single coffee machines-serve brewer. This will help reduce the amount of dilution that occurs after adding Ice.
Another nice feature about the Bruvi is that it's a smarter single-serve pod brewer--it has an embedded camera that scans the unique code on each B-Pod and then optimizes the brewing settings to suit the specific type of coffee. So, you can rest assured that your Bruvi will produce an amazing cup of coffee every time.
The drip tray can be adjusted to minimize splashing, when brewing in a small mug, or even removed completely for larger travel mugs. The Bruvi also comes with a few additional features, such as the ability to remove the reservoir of water and an automatic cleaning cycle to keep it running effectively and efficiently.
The Bruvi pod coffee maker is more expensive than other pod machines however it's well worth the cost for its superior coffee taste and reduced impact on the environment. It's an especially good option if you're someone who regularly changes between espresso and coffee because its clean system of brewing allows for quick and simple transition to cold brew and iced coffee--no need for an additional machine. It also comes with milk frothers which is a great addition at this price.
