Tired of never finishing up that large cup of coffee your regular coffee maker makes? We are, too.
The solution?
A single-serve coffee maker that can:
- Make the perfect amount of coffee for you
- Brew the coffee directly into your mug
- Brew many different kinds of coffee
But.
Not all single-serve brewers are the same. Do you want an iced coffee, a cappuccino, a latte, or an espresso? There’s a brewer for any kind of java you prefer.
At Nomad Coffee Club, we’ve made the only single cup coffee maker list you’ll ever need. Check out our top picks below, and find a single serve coffee maker that’ll fit all your caffeine needs.
The Ultimate Single-Serve Coffee Maker Show-Down
| Top Picks + Price* | Highlights |
|
| Best Single-Serve Coffee Maker Overall |
|
|
|
| Easiest to Use Single-Serve Coffee Maker |
|
|
|
Hamilton Beach FlexBrew | Most Versatile Single-Serve Coffee Maker |
|
|
|
Breville Nespresso and Coffee Machine | Best Single-Serve Coffee and Espresso Maker |
|
|
|
Cuisinart SS-10P1 | Best Single-Serve Coffee Maker with Hi-Tech Features |
|
|
*Prices updated at time of publishing
Table of Contents
How to Choose the Best Single-Cup Coffee Maker for Your Needs
Before deciding on a single serve coffee maker, think about your needs. Do you want the easiest to use coffee maker, or one that makes different kinds of coffee?
And that’s not all.
Coffee Pods vs. Coffee Grounds
What’s your favorite coffee? The majority of single-serve brewers can be used with single-use pods you buy at a store.
The main advantage to coffee pods is convenience — just pop it in, and the machine will do the work for you.
If you don’t want to use coffee pods, go for a single serve coffee maker with a filter. Then you can use ground coffee instead.
While ground coffee means work if you ground it yourself, there are also some benefits to it:
- Save on the cost of coffee pods
- Less packaging
- Fresh coffee equals better flavor
Unit Brew Size
Further to this, single-serve coffee brewers come in different sizes. Take a look at your counter space to ensure you choose the one that’ll fit best and leave enough space for other kitchen appliances.
Ask yourself, how much coffee do you drink a day? If you have only one cup, you don’t have to go for a device with a lot of water capacity.
But, if you need several cups to keep you sustained or if several people will use the machine, a larger reservoir means you won’t have to refill all the time.
Coffee Brewing Options
Brewing options are endless. Some of the coffee types you can choose are:
- Hot coffee
- Cappuccino
- Iced coffee
- Latte
- Cold brew
- Espresso
Note: The more features the unit has, then the steeper the price and the bigger the size. However, if you’re a coffee enthusiast, this investment can pay off.
Yet, if you won’t use the extra features, you’ll have wasted your funds as well as precious counter space.
Coffee Brew Time
If you’re always in a hurry, a single serve coffee machine is an ideal choice. These devices can make your brew in a much shorter time than traditional coffee makers.
If your main priority is speed, check the manufacturer info in the store or online before settling on a device. It should state how long one brew takes.
With all these considerations in mind, you’ll be ready to pick the perfect single-serve coffee maker. Now, let’s explore options.
The Best Single-Serve Coffee Makers of 2023 in Detail
The Reigning Champion: Ninja Specialty Coffee Maker
Ninja CM401 Specialty Coffee Maker | $169.99 from Amazon
With a Ninja Specialty Coffee Maker, there’s no need to limit yourself. With the push of a button, you can get a regular coffee or cold drinks.
With this coffee brewer, it’ll feel like having your own personal Starbucks.
It comes in four brew sizes, and you can go for a brew that's:
- Classic
- Rich
- Black
- Milky
With this maker, the sky's the limit. You can choose your cup size with a dial, create special brews, and froth the milk for a latte or a cappuccino.
Note: This coffee maker doesn't need pods, but uses ground coffee. If you need ground coffee, Nomad Coffee Club has got all your needs covered — with our monthly coffee subscription service, you'll never run out.
With all of these features, there are still some points to mention. In all honesty, no brewer is perfect.
Ninja's downside is that dripping happens frequently, and the filter — while reusable — makes it messier to use compared to other coffee makers.
| Pros | Cons |
|
|
Ease of Use Winner: Keurig K Slim
Keurig K Slim | $82.99 from Amazon
What makes Keurig K stand out from all the other pod coffee makers?
It asks the minimum of you, and the button controls are easy to use.
To start your brew with Keurig K:
- Add the pod
- Select the cup size — six, eight, and ten ounces are available
- Press a button and the coffee will be brewed straight into your mug
What’s more, if your family consists of many coffee lovers but you’re tight on counter space, Keurig K is still the best choice. It’s capable of serving up to 4 cups with one fill.
Another favorite feature Keurig has is descaling — the removal of calcium deposits that build up inside the coffee brewer over time. It’ll make cleaning your Keurig a breeze.
| Pros | Cons |
|
|
>> Check out our full review of the best K-Cup coffee makers
Most Versatile: Hamilton Beach FlexBrew Dual Coffee Maker
Hamilton Beach Coffee Maker | $112.00 from Amazon
While Keurig offers convenience, Hamilton Beach offers quality.
It has two sides:
- A single server — Works with both ground coffee and coffee pods
- A pot server — Has a 12-cup glass carafe
This may make it sound bulky, but it’s compact and won’t take up too much of your kitchen counter space.
Both of these sides have separate water reservoirs, but herein lies the problem — you’ll have to refill the single server reservoir every time it’s used.
On the other hand, the pot side doesn’t have this inconvenience. You can set it up to automatically brew a pot of coffee.
The Hamilton Beach single serve coffee maker has Easy-Touch programming, which means your coffee will be ready when you wake up. After brewing, your coffee will stay warm for 2 hours before the brewer shuts off.
| Pros | Cons |
|
|
For Coffee and Espresso: Breville-Nespresso Vertuo
Breville-Nespresso Vertuo | $259.95 from Amazon
Calling all coffee fanatics — here’s a fantastic coffee and espresso machine.
What makes this stand out among the other pod machines? The technology called “centrifusion.”
Let’s explain.
You insert a capsule, which rotates 7000 times a minute, and it blends ground coffee with water to make the perfect crema. Once it’s done, the capsule will pop out on its own.
What’s more, the Vertuo’s advanced technology can automatically recognize the blend you’ve picked. What does this mean for you?
It’ll automatically brew depending on the capsule selected. You’ll end up with an espresso or a coffee just like one from your favored coffee haunt.
Other features include:
- Hot and cold coffee
- Five brew sizes
- A one-touch brewing system
- A milk frother
- An automatic cleaning process
- A stainless milk jug
| Pros | Cons |
|
|
Hi-Tech Features: Cuisinart SS-10P1 Single Serve Coffee Maker
Cuisinart Coffee Maker | $149.95 from Amazon
Why is this Cuisinart Single Serve Coffee Maker miles better than other pod machines? Because it comes equipped with features such as:
- Programmable brewing — To set a time for your brew
- A button for hot water — In case you’re longing for tea
- Adjustable water temperature
- Reusable filter cup
- 72 oz water tank — Meaning there’s no need to refill after every cup
- Charcoal water filter — Ensuring the best tasting coffee
Cuisinart gives you freedom of choice:
- Serving sizes — 4, 6, 8, 10, or 12 oz
- Hot water button — You can make coffee, cocoa, tea, or soup
And, thanks to the rinse feature that cleans the brew chamber, it doesn’t need much work from you.
| Pros | Cons |
|
|
FAQs About Single Cup Coffee Makers
Get All Your Coffee Needs Met With Nomad Coffee Club
We hope that in our single-cup coffee maker selection, you’ll find the one that aligns best with your needs, personality, and preferences.
To make sure you never run out of coffee for that much needed morning kick, choose between 3, 6, or a 12-month coffee subscription.
To become an expert barista, check out the brewing guide to an amazing cup of coffee.
Additional Reading
The Best Moka Pots and Stovetop Espresso Makers
The Best Coffee Storage Containers
How Do I Steam Milk at Home
The Best Burr Coffee Grinders Reviewed
The Best Coffee Scales of 2023
