10 of the Best Single-Serve Coffee Makers to Get Your Morning Started Right
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The intoxicating scent of coffee is one of the best parts of a morning routine, but brewing a fresh cup for one can be challenging. That is, unless you have one of the best single-serve coffee makers on your countertop. And the good news? Today’s caffeine machines are nothing like the clunkers we grew up with.
Instead, these budget-friendly appliances have new technologies that can make one hell of a good cup of joe in the comfort of your own home, hot or iced (thank you, Mr. Coffee maker, $60; $48), and in under five minutes flat. (Watch out, Starbucks and Dunkin.’) Plus, they can brew everything from espressos to cappuccinos (we're looking at you, Nespresso VertuoPlus Deluxe, $200; $140) in a single serving.
Ready for the "best part of waking up," as Folgers would say? Read on for the ten best single-serve coffee machines (which we selected from a list of more than 30) to give you the perfectly portioned boost you need.
The Best Single-Serve Coffee Makers at a Glance
How We Chose the Best Single-Serve Coffee Makers
When choosing the best single-serve coffee makers on the market, we looked to the best-loved brands in coffee making to peep their single-serve options, and paged through our favorite homeware retailers (Amazon and Williams Sonoma, among others) to view their top sellers as well. All the machines that made it to this list are top-rated by reviewers, PureWow editors or (in most cases), both.
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1. Nespresso De'Longhi VertuoPlus Coffee Maker
First on our list is the VertuoPlus (aka the crème de la crème of single servers). It was given high marks by our PureWow editor taste test, and editor Angela Pares says, "Unlike the OG Nespresso machines, which only create espresso shots, the Vertuo line brews a full-range of single-serve espresso and coffee beverages (1.5 to 8 ounces)... [Just] pop in the pod, push the button and you’re good to go. No, honestly, it’s that easy." Pares also explains that the VertuoPlus line uses an intelligent extraction system that recognizes each pod thanks to a barcode on the rim, which means you don’t need to ever manually adjust the setting on the machine—it will know the brew and drink size when you pop in the capsule. BTW, this deluxe model features a 60-ounce swivel water tank (compared to the regular VertuoPlus's 40-ounce tank), which means you won’t be running to the sink each time you want to brew a fresh cup.
2. Mr. Coffee Iced and Hot Coffee Maker
If iced coffee is a necessity that you can’t live without year-round (yes, even while waiting for the car to heat up in the dead of winter), you need this machine. Not only can it produce a barista-worthy cup of iced coffee in seconds, but it also has a hot brew option (you know, for an S.O. who thinks iced coffee in January is a crime). According to one reviewer, “The best part of all is that it's so easy to use. All that's needed to make a big tumbler of iced coffee are water, ice and coffee grounds. You simply drop a scoop-full of coffee grounds into the coffee filter at the top of the machine using a handy measuring spoon that comes with the device. Then, you fill a second compartment with water, the exact amount of which is helpfully labeled on the provided tumbler.” We love that you can use your own coffee in this machine, and (pro tip) can load it at night so your coffee is ready to go in four minutes with the push of a button in the A.M.
3. Ninja DualBrew Pro Coffee Maker
Looking for a quality machine that's worth the splurge? This is your guy. Not only does the Ninja DualBrew Pro brew 13 different serving sizes (ranging from small cups to whole carafes), but you can also choose between four brew styles: classic, rich, over ice or specialty (like cappuccinos and lattes). For particularly challenging mornings, you can even brew a coffee concentrate that you can use to create your own personalized concoction (and we won’t judge if you double up to craft one that would make Starbucks wince). Plus, the hot water system has a separate dispenser that you can use to make your morning oatmeal alongside your caffeinated beverage of choice. Oh, and did we mention that it has a compact design that allows you to place the 60-ounce water reservoir on the side or back of the machine to optimize counter space? Tiny apartment-dwellers, rejoice!
4. Cuisinart Grind-N-Brew Coffee Maker
Coffee connoisseurs, this one’s for you. This elegant machine can deliver a Starbucks-worthy sip with its built-in blade grinder that automatically grinds and brews whole beans into three beverage sizes (8-ounce, 10-ounce and 12-ounce), and can keep these beans fresh if you choose to pre-load due to the sealed storage lid. And, while we love having the option to brew freshly ground coffee, this baby is also conveniently compatible with any single-cup coffee pods (including Keurig's K-Cups) *and* pre-ground coffee. A win-win for every kind of coffee addict out there.
5. The Bruvi BV-01 Coffee Maker
Iced coffee enthusiasts—this one's for you. Bruvi mastered the art of brewing at-home cold brew at a perfect temperature to avoid dilution when it's poured over ice, while still offering plenty of hot coffee and espresso options for days when you want something warmer. PureWow's food editor Taryn Pire tested this first-of-its-kind machine and says it's a great option for those who like to switch between beverages types. "The Bruvi can make seven different drinks: coffee, espresso, Americano (hot or iced), cold brew, iced coffee, infused coffee and tea (including matcha lattes)," Pire explains. "That being said, understand that the java brewed for cold brew and iced coffee will come out hot, but it’ll be optimally brewed at a lower temperature to hopefully minimize dilution post-ice. So, it doesn’t *exactly* make cold brew from start to finish, but it will make a hot base that’s prime for serving cold." She also notes that the set-up feels particularly easy—though the machine does take up a bit more space than other options.
6. Keurig K-Duo Coffee Maker
Behold, the king of all Keurigs. Perfect for large families, the K-duo offers the best of both worlds by including a brew cup and a carafe that allows you to use both ground coffee and K-Cup pods. Now, you can fill your travel mug before you head out the door while still leaving an entire carafe of warm, delicious coffee for the entire fam (thanks to its built-in heating plate). Plus, its 60-ounce water reservoir is shared between single serve and carafe brewing (which means fewer water refills for you), and its 'Programmable Carafe Auto Brew' function allows you to set your preferred brew time up to 24 hours in advance, so you can wake up to a fresh pot.
7. Black+Decker CM618 Coffee Maker
Simple, affordable and compact, this small-but-mighty machine can brew both grounds and pods into the included 16-ounce thermal mug at the ideal temperature. One reviewer raves: “Because this machine does not have any fancy operations like brew strengths etc., I [also] bought a pricier, fancier coffee maker for my home. After having coffee from both, I wish I had bought two of these instead. The coffee from this little maker is so bold and rich, I end up having to use [less] grounds to make a delicious cup of coffee to start my day.” Thanks to its automatic shut-off feature, you can grab your brew and rush out the door with your caffeinated mind at ease.
8. Hamilton Beach FlexBrew Coffee Maker
If you’re someone who can barely remember your name before your morning caffeine fix, a machine with lots of bells and whistles probably sounds like your worst nightmare. Luckily, this no-frills coffee maker can brew up to 14-ounces of morning-saving coffee with the press of a button, and since it has over ??12,500 5-star ratings, it clearly gets the job done right. Just place your pod—or grounds—in the holder, lower the lid and press brew (or ‘bold brew,’ for when you need a powerful pick-me-up). One reviewer says, “The coffee quality is superb, and it is so quick and easy...I bought this little gem of a machine thinking I would be using it only for the occasional cup of pod coffee, but it has become my number one way of making coffee all day and every day."
9. Nespresso Vertuo Pop+ Coffee Maker
If you want a single-serve coffee maker that’s more functional than you are in the morning, this app-connected model will let you save your precious brainpower for more important things. PureWow Assistant Commerce Editor Natalie LaBarbera says, "I love the ease of being able to just pop in a pod and have a perfectly crafted espresso or larger coffee in the morning. It's also great that it connects to an app on your phone, so if anything needs adjusting you'll know right away. The machine's small size is perfect for my limited counter space, too." She adds that the machine recognizes which size brew you want based on the pod that's put in, so you don't have to mess around with different settings. We also love that it comes in eight colors, from basic to eye-catching, meaning it’ll make a statement or blend seamlessly into your kitchen decor.
10. Chefman InstaCoffee Max Coffee Maker
Don't have time to wait around for a complicated brew in the A.M.? This baby is made for you busy bees, as it can brew 6 to 14 ounces of fresh joe (with K-Cups or grounds)—all in about 30 seconds. Not to mention, it’s super easy to use. Simply adjust its built-in lift to indicate your mug size and press start on its seamless one-touch control. When you’re done with your daily cup, the self-cleaning function is ready to prep the machine for tomorrow’s brew. Now, off you go!
Bruvi Review: Is the First Single-Serve Coffee Machine with a Cold Brew Option Worth the Spend?
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