The 8 Best Single-Serve Coffee Makers of 2023

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Best Overall Single-Serve Coffee Maker

Hamilton Beach FlexBrew Coffee Maker

You’ll love waking up to freshly brewed coffee from this easy-to-use Hamilton Beach FlexBrew. It ranks as our best single-serve coffee maker overall because you can use it with or without pods. Not to mention it brews up to 10 ounces of coffee at a time, or up to 14 ounces with a pod. A pod holder and grounds basket are included with the machine, and the affordable price point makes it one of the best values.

The built-in pod-piercing needle easily removes for quick cleaning. Not cleaning your machine frequently is one of the biggest coffee mistakes, which is why this easy-to-use feature makes this Hamilton Beach model stand out in the crowd. You can also switch between best coffee brands or specialty pods without much fuss. You can’t go wrong with the Hamilton Beach Scoop single-serve coffee maker, either.

Pros

• Brews coffee grounds and pods
• Affordable price point
• Fits regular coffee mugs and most travel mugs
• Over 12,000 five-star Amazon reviews
• Easy to clean

Cons

• The maximum brew size is 14-ounces, which won’t fill large travel mugs

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Best Budget Single-Serve Coffee Maker

Black+Decker Single-Serve Coffee Maker

At under $30, this narrow-footprint Black+Decker single-serve coffee maker is a budget-friendly brewer that’s worth every dime—and then some! You’ll love the included permanent filter and travel mug that comes in the box. Use your own coffee grounds or coffee pods to brew directly into the 16-ounce thermal mug. Even better? The mug was designed to fit most car cup holders so you can take your java on the go.

This machine also has mostly dishwasher-safe parts, one-touch operation and an auto-shutoff function reviewers can’t stop raving about. All you’ll need to do is figure out which coffee creamer brands you’ll want to pour into your first brew. Pro tip: This coffee grinder is a must-have for fresh grounds on the daily.

Pros

• Affordable price point
• Brews grounds and coffee pods
• One-touch operation
• Mostly dishwasher-safe components
• Includes 16-ounce travel mug

Cons

• The pod puncture needle isn’t easily removed, so you’ll need to clean this by hand or with cleaning pods somewhat frequently

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Best Single-Serve Coffee Maker with Thermal Carafe

Keurig K-Duo Plus Coffee Maker

The extremely-reliable Keurig K-Duo Plus coffee maker tops our list of the best single-serve coffee makers with thermal carafes because it offers hotter coffee for longer periods of time than the majority of other models. It features multiple brew options that can be brewed directly into the thermal carafe, which holds a whopping 12 cups of coffee—a size far beyond the average. If you’re strictly into single-serves though, the machine fits most typical coffee mugs and travel mugs under eight inches tall. Individual brews are offered in six-, eight-, 10- and 12-ounce sizes.

Another helpful feature? You can program it to brew coffee up to 24 hours in advance and pause it mid-brew. Genius! Keep your Keurig in tip-top shape with these Keurig cleaning pods.

Pros

• Thermal carafe holds up to 12 cups of coffee and keeps it hot for hours
• Multiple brew sizes ranging from six ounces to 12 cups
• Program brew time in advance
• Two brew strengths
• Brews grounds or pods

Cons

• Pricier than other models, but shoppers say the reliable carafe is worth it

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Megan Wood/Taste of Home

Most Versatile Single-Serve Coffee Maker

Nespresso Vertuo Plus Coffee and Espresso Maker

Move over percolators, we found an espresso machine and coffee maker in one that brews in seconds. The Nespresso Vertuo Plus is made by De’Longhi (a beloved Italian brand) and offers rich, Italian-style single-serve brews every time. The machine comes in seven colors and makes both coffee and espresso. Choose from five or nearly-eight ounce coffee brews as well as single or double-shot espresso drinks.

Our Executive Shopping Editor, Megan Wood, has this machine in white and says, “I was a pour-over coffee fanatic but the Nespresso converted me. I love how quickly it brews a rich espresso shot and a full cup of morning coffee. Setting it up was simple, and though I’m picky about what I keep displayed on the kitchen counter—this beauty makes the cut.”

The large 40-ounce water tank makes coffee in a jiffy. In fact, it only takes 15 seconds for it to heat up and boasts an energy-saving, automatic shutoff function after nine minutes of inactivity. This is exactly the type of machine you’d expect to see in a luxury hotel room—or Megan’s kitchen. It’s so good, you’ll want to keep your new favorite cup of joe warm all morning long with a coffee mug warmer.

Pros

• Editor-tested and approved
• Brews both drip and espresso coffee drinks
• Rich Italian-style brewing
• Takes only 15 seconds to heat up
• Elegant, high-end design

Cons

• Higher than average price point
• Slight learning curve with choosing brew size

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Best Pour-Over Single-Serve Coffee Maker

Cosori Pour-Over Coffee Maker

This eye-catching pour-over coffee maker is a manual single-serve option that allows you to make a brilliant cuppa joe in just minutes. It includes a stainless steel mesh filter that extracts coffee’s natural aromatic oils and subtle flavors that would otherwise be absorbed by a paper filter. Because it doesn’t need any electricity, you can take this one on the go anywhere you can find hot water—like a campsite or RV park (speaking of, have you seen this portable espresso machine?). Pair it with these electric kettles for superior coffee brewing. Bonus: It doubles as an affordable coffee gift, right next to these coffee subscription boxes.

Pros

• Reusable stainless steel filter
• Ideal for small households
• Holds 34-ounces
• Easy to clean
• Travel-friendly

Cons

• Not ideal for large households

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Best Large Capacity Single-Serve Coffee Maker

Cuisinart Premium Single-Serve Brewer

You can easily make a single cup of coffee with the touch of a button thanks to this Cuisinart Premium single-serve coffee brewer. It’s compatible with any brand of coffee pods and allows you to create your ideal size thanks to cup settings ranging from four- to 12-ounces. This handsome-looking machine also includes a HomeBarista reusable filter cup for either ground coffee or tea. Live an eco-friendlier life and get perfect single-serving brews every time.

The removable 72-ounce water reservoir is the largest on this list. While this larger footprint model is likely too big to sit on a compact kitchen island cart, it’s ideal for office workspaces and robust kitchens that have countertop real estate to spare. The machine’s thoughtful design also makes fitting larger, taller travel mugs easy. The removable drip tray makes cleanup simple.

Pros

• 72-ounce water reservoir
• Multiple brew sizes ranging from four- to 12-ounces
• Includes a refillable filter cup
• Modern design

Cons

• Takes up more counter space than most other models on the market

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Best Single-Serve Coffee Maker with Milk Frother

Keurig K-Cafe Special Edition

Frothy cappuccinos, lattes and other specialty drinks are all within reach if you have this Keurig K-Cafe single-serve coffee maker at home. As one of the best Keurig coffee makers, this special-edition machine comes in a modern nickel-colored metal finish. Choose from four cup sizes including six-, eight-, 10- and 12-ounce brews and then make the most of simple button controls. You can use any coffee pod, and here’s the kicker—this brilliant coffee machine even lets you make iced lattes and cappuccinos like the popular Starbucks pistachio latte.

“I have to say, I have been pleasantly surprised with the quality of this machine,” writes verified Amazon reviewer, Robyn Hartley. “The milk frother is amazing and easy to clean. I wasn’t sure I’d be able to make a good latte at home with a machine at this price point. Nice work Keurig! I love my lattes and I’m saving a ton of money making them at home.” We can’t think of a better coffee machine to fill your Starbucks cold cups.

Pros

• Makes hot and cold lattes, cappuccinos and other specialty drinks
• Milk frother attachment included
• Four cup sizes: six-, eight-, 10- and 12-ounces
• Simple button controls
• Large water reservoir holds up to 60 ounces at a time
• Energy-efficient auto shutoff feature

Cons

• Somewhat pricey, but reviewers note it’s worth it
• Cleaning the system takes about 10 minutes from start to finish

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Best Single-Serve Coffee Maker without Pods

Elite Gourmet Single-Serve Coffee Maker

There’s no need for wasteful filters or pods with the handy Elite Gourmet single-serve coffee maker. It includes a reusable filter that works with both coffee and loose-leaf teas. The machine includes a 14-ounce stainless steel travel mug that fits beneath the dispenser perfectly and slides right into most car cup holders. The narrow countertop footprint is a space-saving wonder that offers an impressive 600 watts of power and one-touch operation that makes coffee as good as you’d find at any popular coffee shop.

Shoppers note that this is also the best single-serve coffee maker you can travel with because the entire device fits into large handbags and small carry-on bags. Shoppers also love that it’s a total bargain. “This Elite Gourmet small coffee maker is absolutely adorable,” writes verified Amazon purchaser, Mills. “It’s easy to operate and I don’t have to wait for five to 10 minutes to get my cup of joe like I did with the two previous machines.”

Pros

• Reusable filter is included and works with both coffee grounds and teas
• Slim, compact footprint
• 600 watts for powerful brewing in a tiny package
• Affordable price point
• One-touch operation
• Includes a travel mug

Cons

• No brew strength options
• No large reservoir for additional brewing capacity

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What to Look for When Buying Single-Serve Coffee Makers

As a shopping writer and busy mom of five, I know a thing or two about coffee. The best single-serve coffee makers are easy to set up and even easier to clean. They also offer convenient functions like larger water reservoirs, preheating and brew time settings. It’s important to make sure your machine doesn’t require loads of extra coffee products and accessories that can add time and cost to brewing each cup. Models offering minimal splatter and countertop messes are additional perks.

How We Found the Best Single-Serve Coffee Makers

As shopping experts, our only job is to help you find a winning product. We start with the research and reporting basics—what products are made of, what they look like and how much they cost—to ensure that we’re only recommending the buys that are worth your time and money. Then, we research the features that speak to the product’s quality, taking advice from industry insiders and subject matter experts on what makes a product a smart value (or worthy of a splurge). Finally, we do the work of combing through user reviews to see how real people interact with the product, and if it stands up to the test.  

FAQs

What is a single-serve coffee maker?

A single-serve coffee maker quite literally brews one cup of coffee at a time. Some models exclusively brew one cup, while others have the option to brew multiple. It can come in the form of an espresso machine or coffee maker like Keurig. A single-serve coffee maker, however, generally isn’t a coffee maker with a built-in grinder.

How do you clean a single-serve coffee maker?

Learning how to clean a coffee maker is important for keeping your machine in tip-top shape. After all, no one likes coffee grounds floating in their cup—or worse, sour tasting coffee.

To clean a single-serve coffee maker, start by unplugging the machine and removing any accessories like the water reservoir or coffee pod holder. Thoroughly rinse the water reservoir with warm, soapy water. At this point, it’s important to read up on your single-serve coffee maker’s cleaning instructions. A good rule of thumb is pouring vinegar in the water reservoir and flushing it through the machine until the reservoir is empty. Then, fill the reservoir with water and run it through the machine until the reservoir is empty.

Can you make hot chocolate with a single-serve coffee maker?

If your single-serve coffee maker has a function to just brew hot water, then yes, it can be used to make hot chocolate. Simply pour the hot chocolate mixture into a mug, set the mug on the brew tray and press the hot water button.

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