Best Single Brew Coffee Makers

There's nothing more satisfying than a cup of freshly brewed coffee to start your day. That's why we're fans of single pod coffee maker-brew coffee makers.

Think about what is the most important to you in terms of your brewing needs and what features think are frills. Our criteria include a large reservoir of water, several brew settings, and the capability to use coffee pods that are reusable.

1. Does it take capsules or ground coffee?

Depending on your preference, you may want to choose a model that brews using ground beans or coffee pods. While there are a few options that solely utilize coffee pods, the majority of models in our selection can be used with both. This makes them a great option for those who like having a variety of options at hand.

Nespresso's Vertuo Plus is an excellent example. It's part of the brand's newer Vertuoline and comes with a one-touch reliable system that produces excellent espresso shots and brewed coffee. It's also the most efficient machine we've seen in our tests and comes with reusable capsules that are kinder to the environment than K-Cups.

The Cuisinart grind & brew is a great alternative for those who prefer ground coffee. It comes with a built-in conical grinder that creates freshly-ground coffee. It also comes with three preset brewing size options including eight, ten and twelve inches. It's more expensive than some single-serve models in our lineup but it's among the best-tasting ones we test.

The Instant Pot Dual Pod Plus, our runner-up is a great choice for those who wish to be able to utilize both kinds of pods and grounds. It's a model that is flexible, as it can brew with Keurig K-Cups or original Nespresso capsules. The company also offers its own compostable capsules. It also produces the most intense coffee we've ever tasted, and offers a variety of other functions like hot tea water or a milk frother.

2. Is there a huge reservoir of water?

The best single brew coffee maker will have a large reservoir of water that is able to keep up with your demands. This will ensure that your machine isn't constantly running out of water, which could affect the quality of your brew. When selecting a coffee maker the amount of water in its reservoir is important. It will determine the frequency at which you will need to refill and drain the tank.

The BLACK+DECKER Single-Serve Compact Coffee Maker is a great choice for those who want an easy-to-use coffee maker that won't break the bank. It can brew the perfect cup of coffee in just two minutes, and can be programmed to brew for up to 24 hours in advance. This is great for people who are always in motion. This machine is compact and can be placed on a compact counter. It's also the least expensive among our top picks. It also produces the hottest coffee and comes with a travel mug for ease of use. It did not score as high as the other brewers that we tested, but its water reservoir was small.

If you're willing to spend a bit more, our upgrade choice the Keurig K.Supreme Smart Single-Serve Coffee Maker has an excellent design and features that stand out in our testing. It has fast brewing times as well as high temperatures for coffee and the possibility of three different brew sizes, and it's extremely easy to use. The only drawback is that it requires a one hour descaling process which could be a hassle for those who drink a lot of coffee regularly.

3. Does it have multiple brewing settings?

The top single-brew coffee maker can be set to multiple settings, which include different sizes, styles and amounts of beverages, as well as the capability to make cold brew. This allows you to customize the drink to suit your preferences and reduce time by not boiling or steeping the grounds of coffee in hot water. This method also makes use of cooler water, which can help keep the flavor of your coffee.

Epi's reviews editor Noah Kaufman is a big fan of the Bruvi single-serve coffee maker because it offers a variety of one-touch brewing options to allow for the perfect cup of coffee, whether you prefer a less acidic beverage or an espresso-like shot served over ice. The Bruvi has a brewing option that takes longer than a quick brew, but is worth it if you want an incredibly smooth and rich cup.

In our tests, Bruvi consistently brewed an equally hot cup of coffee compared to all other single-serve machines we tested. The brewing cycle is simple to program and the timer will keep your beverage warm for up to four hours. If you're a lover of cold brew The Bruvi also comes with a brewing setting that adjusts the temperature and brew times to make a refreshing and delicious beverage.

Another notable feature was the Breville Precision Brewer, which has six brewing modes, including Gold Fast, Strong, and Iced. The Gold setting is built on the Specialty coffee Association's guidelines for making the perfect cup of coffee. The other settings can be adjusted to suit your preferences. Contrary to other single-serve brewers we tested, the Breville Precision has a narrower base, which aided it to hold onto its brew temperature more effectively and encourage deeper saturation and a more even extraction of the coffee.

4. Does it come with an automatic cleaning feature?

The best single-cup machines have the option of automatically cleaning the machine. It removes used K-Cup pods or grounds left over after each use. Some models will even notify you when it's time for a cleaning cycle. It is important to read the manual for the user or manufacturer website for specific directions as different machines come with different cleaning techniques.

The single-serve coffee maker from Bruvi is among our top choices because it features a simple and intuitive user interface, produces great-tasting coffee, and requires minimal daily maintenance. It has a large reservoir of water and can be used to brew hot or iced coffee. It has a variety of single-touch options, including low acid, Americano and cold brew. The only disadvantage is that it takes longer to brew than other models, however this is a minor flaw in a great product.

This coffee maker is a budget pick because it's inexpensive and makes a great cup coffee. It comes with a removable 40-ounce water tank that is compatible with K-Cups as well as ground coffee. The user's manual provides detailed instructions on how you can remove the reservoir, fill it up and perform regular descaling. In contrast to other single-cup coffee makers that require the use of a filter that is disposable or reusable pods and can be used to brew any type of coffee.

This coffee maker is an excellent option for anyone who likes the convenience of single-serve coffee but dislikes the taste and waste of K-Cups. It has a large water tank as well as an integrated grinder that makes it easy to make a delicious cup coffee from ground beans. It comes with a variety of options for brewing, including strong and over-ice. It can also be used with recyclable K-Cups and the brand's compostable pods. It also has a steam button for tea as well as a foldable milk frother.

5. Is it programmable?

The most programmable espresso maker lets you set it up for the night before so that you wake up with freshly brewed coffee. This is especially helpful for mornings when you're in a rush or for those who do not like the effort of using a pour-over or Moka pot.

Most programmable coffee makers come with a basic 24-hour timer, but If you're looking for more advanced features you might think about the De'Longhi COM532, which is our favorite pod-based single-cup machine. It has a digital touchscreen with multiple settings that let you customize your coffee to the kind you like, including brewing temperature and strength. The machine is expensive, but it makes the hottest coffee of any of our machines and its carafe keeps it at a perfect drinking temperature for more than an hour after brewing.

Black + Decker Classic single-serve coffeemaker is a low-cost, programmeable machine that can be programmed. It's simple to use, has a small footprint, and is compatible with ESE pods (Eco-friendly single-serve). It also scored well in our taste tests, brews quickly, and features an easy-to-clean water tank that is dishwasher-safe.

If you're sick of the pre-packaged beans and would like to save more money, the single-cup or manual drip brewer is a great option. You can grind your own beans to give a fresher flavor and to have more control over your drink's flavor. It's more work than using a pod-based machine but it could be worth it if your are an avid coffee drinker. Just be sure to weigh your beans and ground coffee with scales instead of measuring by volume, so that you can achieve the most consistent results.