8 Best Single Serve Coffee Makers Reviewed

crazy by Editorial Staff | Updated on April 24th, 2023

A single-serve coffee maker is an ideal solution if you’re looking for convenience and fast, quality coffee. Whether you’re an avid coffee lover or just looking for a quick pick-me-up, these machines feature a variety of settings and styles that let you make a cup of coffee just the way you like it.


From traditional drip to espresso, we’ve rounded up the 8 best single-serve coffee makers on the market, so you can find the one that’s perfect for you. Whether you’re looking for something that’s fast, easy to use, or budget-friendly, there’s something here for everyone. So, sit back, relax, and get ready to find your perfect single-serve coffee maker.

single serve coffee maker

8 Best Single Serve Coffee Makers Reviewed

So, if you’re ready, check out some of our premium suggestions that complement your daily morning routine.8 Best Single Serve Coffee Makers Reviewed

Black + Decker Brew’ n’ Go Personal Coffee Maker

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The Black + Decker Brew’ n Go Personal Coffee Maker is ideal for people with an active lifestyle. It brews coffee directly into a 15-ounce stainless steel thermal mug that fits most car cup, holders. The convenient one-touch operation and removable filter basket with a permanent filter make it a great choice for busy mornings. It’s small and brews one cup at a time, making it perfect for single people who need to move quickly.

Pros

  • Speedy brews
  • Decent travel mug
  • Comes with a travel mug
  • Compact design
  • Removable filter basket to facilitate cleaning
  • Uses pods or loose grounds on the reusable mesh filter
  • Automatic shutoff
  • Affordable

Cons

  • Small capacity, 15 oz.
  • Can mess up when using fine grounds
  • Not designed for repeated coffee making. 

Hamilton Beach Single-Serve Coffee Maker (49981A)

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The Hamilton Beach Single-Serve Coffee Maker (49981A) is a well-thought-out home machine that gets good reviews for quickly and efficiently brewing coffee. This stainless steel coffee maker can brew an 8 oz. cup in less than 90 seconds or a 14 oz. Travel mug in just 4 minutes. It also has an easy-to-use and intuitive design, allowing for customizable cup sizes and flavors with a simple button.

Customers have given the Hamilton Beach Single-Serve Coffee Maker (49981A) an average rating of 4.45 out of 5 stars, praising it for its fast brewing capabilities and high-quality stainless steel construction. With its user-friendly design, quick brew times, and reliable performance, this single-serve coffee maker will satisfy even the most discerning coffee lover.

Pros

  • Compact stainless steel design
  • Fits travel mug
  • You choose between the bold and regular coffee
  • Built-in mesh filter
  • Auto shuts after use
  • A wide drip tray reduces the chances of spills and mess.

Cons

  • Not designed for repeated use
  • Don’t support the use of pods or capsules

Ninja Coffee Bar Single-Serve System

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The Ninja Coffee Bar cf111 Single-Serve System is a next-generation coffee machine with various brew types and sizes. It has a built-in frother with hot and cold frothing capabilities and delicious coffee recipes to create and enjoy.

It comes in Cup to XL Multi-Serve brewing sizes. The reservoir holds 22 oz.; hence, you need a refill. You can brew your grounds to get Classic to Rich to specialty to get fancy tastes and flavors of coffee. 

The pod-free single-serve brewing allows users to use coffee grounds and adjust the amount used, giving them more freedom and control over their coffee. Reviews for this system are generally positive, with users praising its easy setup and operation and the quality of the coffee it produces.

Overall, the Ninja Coffee Bar cf111 Single-Serve System is an excellent choice for a reliable, high-quality home coffee maker.

Pros

  • Comes with multiple brewing sizes
  • Turns off automatically
  • Can brew multiple cups
  • Various brewing types
  • Optional built-in frother
  • XL settings for travel cups and mugs
  • Can brew cold and hot drinks
  • Affordable considering the features

Cons

  • Not suitable for entrepreneur purposes 22 oz.
  • Requires more cleaning compared to Keurig and other simpler machines
  • Quite expensive compared to other single-serve brewers

Nespresso Inissia Espresso Machine

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This brewer has a sturdy and eye-catching design. It supports quick heat-up and brews time, and you can buy it with a frother. It uses a high-pressure pump producing up to 19 bars. It makes the perfect espresso shots. It has a larger reservoir compared to the Ninja Coffee Bar Machine. 

The Nespresso Inissia Espresso Machine is a great choice for a compact and powerful espresso maker. With an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars, this machine is praised for its easy-to-use programmable espresso and lungo buttons, sleek and simple design on a small footprint, and durable construction.

The one-touch buttons easily make your favorite espresso or lungo, while the Aeroccino attachment allows you to make creamy cappuccinos and lattes in no time. The Nespresso Inissia Espresso Machine is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a high-quality espresso maker at an affordable price.

Pros

  • It takes 25-seconds to warm up and 30 seconds to brew
  • Compact design
  • Has a 24 oz. reservoir
  • Can make espresso shots
  • Auto shut off after 9 minutes
  • You can buy a separate reusable pod.

Cons

  • 2-cup capacity
  • You need to buy a frother separately
  • Only uses Nespresso coffee pods, which are not everyone’s favorite
  • Drips even after the process is over
  • Quite expensive

Keurig K-Elite Coffee Maker

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The Keurig K-Elite coffee maker is a top-notch machine, hailed by users across the web for its brew quality and additional features. It has impressive features, including five cup sizes, a strong brew setting, an iced setting, a striking brushed finish, and metal details.

Its powerful features favor  black coffee drinkers. It does not have a frother or milk dispenser. It has an auto-on feature and a 75 oz. Allows you to brew 8 cups before having to refill

Not only does the machine make great-tasting coffee, tea, and cocoa, but it also does so in less than a minute. With almost all brewing options covered, the K-Elite is an all-rounder coffee maker that will look great in any kitchen.

  • 75 oz. reservoir; hence convenient to draw several cups
  • 4, 6, 8, 10, 12oz. Enjoy the most popular cup sizes
  • Allows you to brew 8 cups before having to refill
  • The auto-on feature helps you time the coffee to get ready when you are ready.
  • Alerts you when it is time to descale your coffee maker
  • Good pricing
  • Has a reusable pod
  • Does not drip after the brewing process is done

Cons

  • Must be descaled regularly to remove calcium deposits
  • Must use K-Cups

Nespresso VertuoPlus Deluxe Coffee and Espresso Maker

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The Nespresso VertuoPlus Deluxe Coffee and Espresso Maker is ideal for those who desire convenience and quality coffee without visiting a cafe. It features a large 60 oz water tank that can be placed on either side, making it more versatile than the Nespresso Vertuo model.

Another key features are a removable water tank that swivels around the machine. You can move the tank to the right or left as you prefer. You don’t need to input anything into the machine. It has bar codes that communicate everything it needs to know. It prepares perfect shots of espresso and coffee with great simplicity.

The Nespresso VertuoPlus Deluxe has a fast water-heating time and uses Centrifusion technology to create barista-quality espresso and coffee. This machine is great for those who want to save money, as it comes with espresso and coffee capsules, enabling them to meet their taste needs.

Furthermore, the Nespresso by Breville VertuoPlus Coffee and Espresso Maker Deluxe with Aeroccino milk frother provides a complete coffee experience. Overall, the Nespresso VertuoPlus Deluxe is an excellent choice for users seeking a no-fuss, no-frills machine that can produce high-quality drinks quickly.

Pros

  • Makes espresso
  • 60 oz. reservoir for heavy drinkers or enterprise use
  • Movable water tank
  • Has a fancy design
  • has recyclable aluminum capsules
  • robust centrifugal extraction at about 7,000 rpm
  • you can buy a reusable capsule

Cons

  • you must buy capsules in the size of your choice
  • must use Nespresso capsules
  • drips after the brewing process are done
  • you must learn to use this machine

Keurig K-Mini Plus Coffee Maker

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The Keurig K-Mini Plus Coffee Maker is a great option for those looking for a coffee maker with various features at an affordable price. It has a maximum brew size of 12 ounces, making it ideal for small tumblers while offering a strong brew option.

The used K-Cup storage and strong brew options make it a great choice for those wanting something more than the basic models.

The pod storage unit can accommodate up to 9 K-Cups, making it easier to travel with. Instead of tossing K-Cups in your bag, you can stack them in your storage compartment and head out.

The machine is 5 inches wide, making it perfect for small kitchen spaces. Furthermore, it has the excellent build quality and extra features like brew strength, making it the best model reviewed.

The Keurig K-Mini Plus Coffee Maker can brew coffee, tea, hot cocoa, specialty, and iced beverages in any size cup from 6 ounces to 12 ounces. Customers have given this machine great reviews, and its slim profile makes it perfect for tight places.

Pros

  • You can adjust temperature sizes.
  • Add Water each time 6 – 12 oz.
  • Removable water reservoir.
  • Carafes a single-serve sups
  • Easy auto on and off
  • Reusable pod
  • Brews single-sizes 6 – 12 oz.

Cons

  • Small and add Water each time
  • Recommends use of water filters

Mr. Coffee Café Barista Espresso and Cappuccino Maker

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The Mr. Coffee Café Barista Espresso and Cappuccino Maker is an entry-level machine with many simple features. It offers users an automatic espresso-making experience at an attractive price of $200.

This is your best option if you don’t like an all-black cup of coffee. It has a milk reservoir and a whole kit-and-caboodle to help you if you are bad at mixing correctly. In addition, it has a one-touch control panel and a sizeable reservoir. This machine makes lattes, cappuccinos, and regular black coffee quickly. 

The machine creates dark, rich espresso with a 15-bar pump and a milk frother that can dispense automatically. This machine is perfect for beginners due to its low price, ease of use, and quality of drinks it produces.

It requires some maintenance, however, as the frother needs cleaning at least every few weeks. Overall, the Mr. Coffee Café Barista is a great value-for-money choice for those looking for cafe-style drinks in their home.

Pros

  • You have full control of the machine
  • Has a removable reservoir
  • Froths on your behalf
  • One-touch control panel
  • Uses grounds, pods, and reusable pods

Cons

  • Not programmable
  • Can’t make a full carafe
  • It is among the most expensive coffee makers

Things to consider before buying a single-cup coffee maker

Single-cup coffee makers come in all shapes, sizes, colors, and features. With so many options, it’s good to have a clear picture of your coffee maker needs.

If you want to answer quickly, consider the ones that are easy to clean, the reservoir size, and your drinking habits. Unfortunately, some single-serve machines are limited to a limited selection of flavors and brands.

Depending on your needs, you can choose a reusable pod, which leads to less waste. There are reusable baskets for large coffee machines. The majority of coffee drinkers are fine with single-serve coffee makers.

7 Tips for Buying Single-Serve Coffee Makers

Below we have listed 7 points you should look at (maybe even write down on a piece of paper). Then at the end of this article, you should be much better armed to go out and grab the best single-cup coffee maker for your home or office!

1. What sort of coffee drinks do I want?

This is a super important first question, as many single-cup coffee makers can only make certain types of drinks. So think about what you want from your next coffee maker.

  • Do you like a filter/brewed style of coffee?
  • Are you more of an espresso drinker?
  • Bit of a fan of the milky, flavored coffee drinks?
  • Do you want the option to drink tea or hot chocolate?

Decide what type of drinks you are most keen on, and write that down as your number one consideration. Six to go!

2. How many cups of coffee do I normally drink?

Do you rarely pull the coffee maker out? Maybe just for entertaining guests? Or are you a huge coffee addict needing more caffeine than food?

  • Some single-cup coffee brewers have water reservoirs, some do not, and some you can plumb into the mains water.
  • If you need multiple coffees quickly, go for a machine with a big water reservoir.
  • A few single-serve coffee makers can only make one cup of coffee before you need to refill.

If you have a large family or drink a lot of coffee, look at a model that can be plumbed into the water mains. This means you’ll never have to fill your coffee machine, and you can enjoy endless coffee!

3. How much space do I have for my new single-cup coffee brewers?

Looking to get a coffee pod maker for your boat, dorm room, or small kitchen? You’ll be after a good space-saver coffee maker. If, however, you need a coffee machine for your Brady Bunch-sized family or office tea room – you may need something a little larger!

  • You can buy tiny-sized, ultra-portable single-cup coffee brewers – like the Keurig B30 Mini coffee maker.
  • Some commercial-grade coffee makers are pretty big but built to last!
  • Several companies make coffee makers that can be installed on the wall or under the counter.

4. What budget do I have for a single-cup coffee maker?

Are you a Bill Gates or a Bill No-Gates? Poverty-stricken student in need of a late-night caffeine fix or are you after an extra coffee brewer for your summer home in the mountains?

  • Be sure to check some of the larger online stores for savings.
  • The cheapest isn’t always the best! So spend a little more and buy quality.
  • Speaking of quality, try to find a UL commercial-rated coffee maker if you can – Built to last.

5. How much money am I willing to spend on coffee pods?

So you’ve got the machine you want in mind… but how much are the coffee pods? They might only be 50 cents a pop, but this can add up pretty quickly. Many people I know get hooked on using two coffee pods per cup to give them that extra kick! This, of course, will double your coffee pods budget…

As Keurig k cups offer, buying variety packs is a good way to try varieties while keeping costs down.

  • Companies like Green Mountain coffee pods offer savings if you become a regular customer.
  • Keep your eye on sites like Amazon or Coffeewiz. They often have packs of K-cups on sale.
  • I find espresso coffee pods (called E.S.E. pods) are the pick of the bunch!

Set yourself a budget, and try to stick to it. A shiny new toy in your kitchen can easily become a financial burden if not used thoughtfully!

6. View single-cup coffee maker reviews.

Self-explanatory this one, I guess… But many people walk into their local shop or jump online and buy the first cool-looking pod coffee maker they see. Do your research!!! Look at single-cup coffee maker reviews, and you’ll soon get a feel for which models people find to be the best coffee makers.

7. Check the single-serve coffee maker ratings.

Many coffee maker review sites post coffee maker ratings for each coffee machine. These are a great quick way to see how people rate them and how many people have rated them. No point buying a 5-star-rated machine if only one person thinks it’s 5 stars… Go for machines that have been reviewed or rated by lots of people. Safety in numbers… Do you know?

These 7 points should help you choose the best single-cup coffee maker for your needs. So take your time, research, follow these points and enjoy the variety of the single-cup coffee maker world!!!

Conclusion 

You need to know your intentions with the single-service coffee maker. If you are on a budget and need a good quality machine, I would advise Mr. Coffee Café Barista Espresso and Cappuccino Maker. However, there are no bad options besides the ones I have recommended here. Buy the one that addresses your needs satisfactorily.

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Editorial Staff

The editorial staff at Crazy Coffee Crave is a team of coffee enthusiasts & Baristas who enjoy the one thing we all think about as soon as we get up in the morning. Trusted by thousands of readers worldwide.