The Best Single-Serve Coffee Makers for a Quick Caffeine Boost

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
Ninja Specialty Coffee Maker | Best Single-Serve Coffee Maker Overall | $169.99 from Amazon	Versatile Sleek finish Glass or thermal carafe Super simple interface Brews ground coffee 50 oz water capacity
Keurig K- Slim Coffee Maker | Easiest to Use Single-Serve Coffee Maker | $82.99 from Amazon	Easy to use Compact Functional design Auto shut-off after two idle hours Brews K-cups or ground coffee 48 oz water capacity
Hamilton Beach FlexBrew | Most Versatile Single-Serve Coffee Maker | $112.00 from Amazon	Easy to clean Quality build Two sides with separate reservoirs Brews K-cups or ground coffee 40 oz water capacity
Breville Nespresso and Coffee Machine | Best Single-Serve Coffee and Espresso Maker | $259.95 from Amazon	Heats up in 3 seconds Options for various drink types LCD display Brews using capsules (recyclable) 40 oz water capacity
Cuisinart SS-10P1 | Best Single-Serve Coffee Maker with Hi-Tech Features | $149.95 from Amazon	Brew done in less than a minute Programmable timer Gigantic water tank Eco-friendly with reusable filters Brews K-cups or ground coffee 72 oz water capacity

*Prices updated at time of publishing

 

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
It's versatile You can choose between a glass or a thermal carafe Super simple interface Removable water reservoir A sleek finish will complement any kitchen decor	Not fully programmable Tends to drip after brewing

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:

1. Add the pod
2. Select the cup size — six, eight, and ten ounces are available
3. 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
Easy to use 48 oz removable water reservoir Compact and functional design Auto shut-off after being idle for two hours The price	Numerous Amazon reviews are claiming the quality has fallen over the years, and it doesn’t live up to today’s standards Some users report short working-time

>> 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
Quality built Two sides with separate reservoirs Easy to clean Uses K-cups and ground coffee The price	Having to refill the reservoir after each use The lid doesn’t open all the way

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
Options for various drinks LCD display and easy to use interface Recyclable aluminum capsules Good capacity Heats up in 3 seconds	Not very durable for its price

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
Programmable timer A gigantic water tank Five cup sizes Compatible with K-cups Environment friendly with reusable filters Brew done in less than a minute	You can’t choose the strength of the brew Often times water isn’t hot enough

FAQs About Single Cup Coffee Makers