2021's Best Single-Serve Coffee Maker: A Detailed Review

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 picks, and find a coffee maker that’ll fit all your caffeine needs.

What Should I Look for Before I Buy a Single-Cup Coffee Maker?

Before deciding on a 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 pods is convenience — just pop it in, and the machine will do the work for you.

If you don’t want to use pods, go for a 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 pods
• Less packaging
• Fresh coffee equals better flavor

Unit Size

Further to this, single-serve 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. 

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. 

Brew Time

If you’re always in a hurry, a single-serve coffee maker 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. 

Experience Coffeehouse Quality in Your Own Home: The Best Single-Serve Coffee Makers in 2021

The Reigning Champion: Ninja Specialty Coffee Maker

Amazon | Ninja Specialty Coffee Maker

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 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. 

What We Like

• 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 

What We Don't Like

• Not fully programmable
• Tends to drip after brewing

Customer Review

Ease of Use Winner: Keurig K Classic

Amazon | Keurig K Classic

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. 

What We Like

• Easy to use
• 48 oz removable water reservoir 
• Compact and functional design
• Auto shut-off after being idle for two hours
• The price

What We Don’t Like

• 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

Customer Review

Most Versatile: Hamilton Beach FlexBrew 2-Way Coffee Maker

Amazon | Hamilton Beach Coffee Maker

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.

Hamilton Beach 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. 

What We Like

• Quality built
• Two sides with separate reservoirs
• Easy to clean
• Uses K-cups and ground coffee
• The price

What We Don’t Like

• Having to refill the reservoir after each use
• The lid doesn’t open all the way

Customer Review

For Coffee and Espresso: Breville-Nespresso Vertuo

Amazon | Breville-Nespresso Vertuo

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, 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

What We Like

• Options for various drinks
• LCD display and easy to use interface
• Recyclable aluminum capsules
• Good capacity
• Heats up in 3 seconds

What We Don’t Like

• Not very durable for its price

Customer Review

Hi-Tech Features: Cuisinart SS-10 

Amazon | Cuisinart Coffee Maker

Why is this Cuisinart 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.

What We Like

• 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

What We Don’t Like

• You can’t choose the strength of the brew
• Often times water isn’t hot enough

Customer Review

The Ultimate Single-Serve Coffee Maker Show-Down

Single-Serve Coffee Maker	Coffee Type	Water Reservoir Capacity	Dimensions in inches	Weight in lbs	Current Price
Ninja Specialty Coffee Maker	Ground coffee	50 oz	1.99 x 8.75 x 15.04	3.1	$139.99
Keurig K Classic	K-cups, ground coffee	48 oz	13.3 x 9.8 x 13	9	$79
Hamilton Beach FlexBrew	K-cups, ground coffee	40 oz	10.24 x 10.63 x 13.9	6.37	$99
Breville Nespresso and Coffee Machine	Capsules	40 oz	11.91 x 11.93 x 8.32	9.8	$279.99
Cuisinart SS-10	K-cup pods, ground coffee	72 oz	11 x 9.3 x 12.1	9.4	$139.90

Get All Your Coffee Drinker 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.

Featured Image: Pixy