I must admit that I’m usually good for a few hours after one cup of coffee in the morning.
This isn't the case for everyone, of course, but it's definitely common for many not to want to make an entire pot of coffee every morning.
That's why single-serve coffee makers exist on the market!
Quick Answer: What is the best single-serve coffee maker?
Some of the best single-serve coffee makers include the Keurig K-Cafe Smart Single-Serve, the Grosche Milano Stovetop Espresso Maker, and the Hamilton Beach FlexBrew. These machines are ideal for individuals seeking convenience and high quality.
The best option depends on your preferred brewing method: drip, espresso, French press, or pour-over.
Different people prefer different types of coffee, so this article will explore various coffee-making styles that are ideal for a single serving.
I'll also share an overview of 15 excellent single-serve coffee makers, covering various brewing styles and budgets.
Keep reading to find out which single-serve coffee maker is the best for you!
The best single-serve coffee makers: an overview
There are several excellent single-serve coffee makers available for purchase, each with unique design features.
Let's go through an overview of the 15 best single-serve coffee makers:
1. Keurig K-Cafe Smart Single-Serve Coffee Maker
The Keurig K-Cafe drip coffee maker is a single-serve machine that can connect to your home's WiFi to act as your very own 'smart' coffee maker!
From your phone, you can program your machine to dispense your favorite caffeinated beverage at any time.
You can choose between a regular coffee, a cappuccino, or a latte.
The machine allows you to choose between four brew sizes and features a milk frother.
| Pros | Cons |
| The Keurig app offers a variety of recipes and menus. | The Keurig K-Cafe can be picky with some non-Keurig K-Cups or reusable pods, depending on the specific pod style you use. |
2. Hario V60 Ceramic Coffee Dripper
Classic Ceramic Dripper: Specially designed to produce an evenly brewed cup of coffee.
The Hario V60 is a simple (but fragile) coffee dripper that can make as many cups as you want, as long as you grind up the correct amount of coffee beans.
It works the same way pour-over coffee works. You just place the Hario V60 over your mug and brew your coffee directly without making additional messes.
Unlike other products on this list, the Hario V60 isn't automated; however, manually preparing your own coffee gives you a degree of control that no machine can.
| Pros | Cons |
| The Hario coffee dripper is one ceramic piece of equipment that is easily stored and packed away to bring on trips. | The ceramic can be quite fragile and easily damaged if dropped. |
3. Grosche Milano Stovetop Espresso Maker
The Grosche Milano Stovetop Espresso Maker is a charming stovetop coffee maker, ideal for preparing a single-serving cup of espresso.
It comes in various sizes, allowing you to purchase one for single servings or an espresso maker that can make up to 12 cups of coffee.
It also comes in an assortment of fun colors to choose from.
| Pros | Cons |
| It's very easy to clean and can brew several servings if needed. | This espresso maker can prove challenging to screw together, causing it to sometimes leak from the waist. |
4. L'OR Barista System Coffee and Espresso Machine
This coffee and espresso machine is elegant, modern, and efficient.
You can brew coffee using pods or pour yourself an espresso with this dual-action coffee maker.
This machine originates from France and offers excellent espresso in several serving sizes, allowing you to choose the size that suits your preference for single-serve coffee.
| Pros | Cons |
| This coffee maker always pours a thick layer of crema (foamy cream) on top of your espresso. | L'OR coffee can be considered weaker by those who prefer very strong black coffee. |
5. Hamilton Beach FlexBrew Single-Serve Coffee Maker
This standard single-serve coffee maker is reliable and easy to use.
It uses K-Cup-compatible pods to pour a single, 10-ounce (296 ml) beverage when using pods.
If you use a travel mug and your own coffee grounds, it can brew up to 14 oz (414 ml).
It's a straightforward machine that focuses on doing one job well: brewing a fast, reliable cup of coffee.
| Pros | Cons |
| It brews a delicious cup of joe in just three minutes. | Certain K-Cups can penetrate the coffee filter, creating a hole and allowing excess grounds to leak into your mug. |
6. AeroPress Go Portable Travel Coffee Kit
The AeroPress Portable Travel coffee maker is extremely convenient for use by those who enjoy traveling, camping, and hiking.
All you need to do is add water and coffee grounds, let it sit for a few minutes, and then slowly press down on the lid, similar to a French press.
The compression will leave you with a yummy, rich mug for a cool morning in the mountains.
You can drink your coffee straight from the travel mug, so you don't have to worry about packing a mug with you.
| Pros | Cons |
| In just one minute, it will brew a delicious cup of joe or a few espresso shots for your busy mornings. | Occasionally, the plunger may be hard to press, making it challenging to press it into your coffee grounds. |
7. Rainbean Mini French Press Coffee Maker
The Rainbean Mini French Press is a lovely French press that can make a minimum of one cup of coffee in just a few minutes.
With stainless steel parts, the Rainbean is easy to take apart and clean after use.
The machine also comes with several accessories that make preparing your coffee easy, including a coffee scoop and a cleaning brush.
| Pros | Cons |
| The Rainbean's impenetrable filter prevents any excessive grains from escaping into your coffee. | The French press is not made using tempered glass, so it is more fragile than other coffee makers. |
8. Bella Dual Brew Single Serve Coffee Maker
The Bella Dual Brew is a retro-looking single-serve coffee maker that can use ground coffee or K-Cups to make a full-bodied beverage.
It's also equipped with an automatic shut-off feature and is very simple to use.
Instead of being swarmed with buttons, flashing lights, or crazy features, it has a single On button.
The machine is made of plastic and comes in a variety of fun colors.
It has a serving capacity of up to 14 oz (414 ml).
| Pros | Cons |
| It has an adjustable drip tray, so it can accommodate larger mugs. | Because it's mostly plastic, it may not feel as durable as higher-end single-serve machines. |
9. Cuisinart Single Serve Coffee Maker
Cuisinart is a well-known brand that produces a wide range of kitchen equipment, including this single-serve coffee maker.
This machine is slightly heavier than the other coffee makers I've discussed so far, and that's because it holds a 72-ounce (2.13-liter) water reservoir.
It can produce a large number of single servings without requiring you to worry about refilling it with water or coffee grounds.
This is one of the easiest ways to make single-serve coffee with minimal effort.
The purchase also comes with a coffee filter that should be used during brewing.
| Pros | Cons |
| This machine uses both coffee pods and ground coffee to brew a delicious cup of coffee. | The machine is a lot larger and heavier than other single-serve makers. |
10. Jura Capresso Nordic ENA4
If you're looking to buy an excellent coffee maker and have the funds to splurge, the Jura Capresso Nordic maker is one of a kind.
This stainless steel espresso machine has a removable water tank for easy cleaning.
Most Jura customers are regulars, using their espresso machines for years before needing to replace them with a new one.
| Pros | Cons |
| This machine grinds and brews your coffee beans in one place. | Occasionally, the machine will let coffee grounds slip through the filter. |
11. BCS Copper Turkish Coffee Pot
This BCS Turkish coffee pot is a uniquely designed coffee pot, perfect for serving a single cup of Turkish coffee made over the stovetop.
If you're from Turkey or have tried Turkish coffee, you know that it is delicious and one of the most accessible types of coffee to make.
While it's ideal to have a Turkish coffee pot, Turkish coffee can be made in any stovetop-safe pot.
| Pros | Cons |
| This BCS Copper coffee pot is just the right size for a single serving of coffee. | Making Turkish coffee is a fully immersive experience, so this isn't a great option for those who can't supervise their coffee over the stovetop. |
12. Nespresso Vertuo Plus Coffee and Espresso Maker
The Nespresso Vertuo Plus Coffee and Espresso Maker allows you to make single-serve coffee and espresso in various sizes with just a few simple steps.
It's a 'smart' espresso machine, meaning it can connect to your home or office wireless network, as well as to your smartphone, for automatic programming at your fingertips.
| Pros | Cons |
| This machine can make various coffee sizes, from espresso to a carafe of coffee. | After extended use, this coffee maker may experience some leakage. |
13. NutriBullet Brew Choice Pod + Carafe
The Nutribullet Brew Pod is a compact coffee machine that brews either K-Cups or ground coffee into a carafe.
It also comes with a small platform for single-serve brewing. Simply place your mug on top of the platform to brew directly into it.
It features an LED display and includes a unit base, nylon filter, and glass carafe.
The carafe and water reservoir can be washed by hand or in the dishwasher.
| Pros | Cons |
| The NutriBullet comes with a 1-year warranty in case anything malfunctions. | The bottom of the machine is prone to leakage. |
14. Instant Pod, 3-in-1 Espresso, K-Cup Pod & Coffee Maker
This machine is designed to brew espresso-style drinks and regular coffee using capsules/pods (depending on the system) and can also brew from ground coffee.
This makes it a very convenient and fun machine to own. It's also programmable, which makes regular brewing easier.
The Instant Pod is a compact machine perfect for small spaces, but it can be adjusted to accommodate travel mugs.
| Pros | Cons |
| This machine comes with pods that can be dropped into the water tank for easy cleaning. | Too many bells and whistles can cause technical problems and glitches. |
15. Coffee Gator Espresso Machine
The Coffee Gator Espresso is an awesome machine that brews K-Cups or coffee grounds to make delicious, creamy espresso.
The coffee maker brews your desired beverage in 60 seconds, which is a lifesaver if you need your espresso in a pinch!
Designed in Italy, the Coffee Gator produces a foamy layer of crema for an authentic espresso experience.
| Pros | Cons |
| This machine isn't the most intuitive to use, but it comes with a troubleshooting manual to help with any issues. | It can take a little trial and error to dial in your shot quality and milk texture, especially if you're new to espresso. |
How do you pick the right single-serve coffee maker?
Picking the right single-serve coffee maker can be a challenge, especially if you're new to coffee or brewing at home.
The primary consideration is how you prefer to prepare your coffee.
There are various styles of coffee brewing, including Turkish, pour-over, drip, French press, and espresso.
Some methods brew automatically with minimal input, while others are hands-on and require you to stay involved.
Others, on the other hand, require you to keep a careful watch, as the process involves specific techniques.
To select the best single-serve coffee maker for yourself, consider the brewing styles and how you prefer to enjoy coffee.
For example, if you usually make coffee while you're running out the door for work in the morning, an automatic, programmable machine might be your best option.
However, if you enjoy making specialized beverages for friends, family, or guests, you may consider purchasing a French press or stovetop Moka pot for the best-tasting coffee.
Similarly, a portable coffee maker is a great option for those who plan to camp or hike and need a convenient way to brew their favorite morning pick-me-up.
If you're purchasing a machine for the office, consider one with multiple features.
Let's explore the five styles of coffee brewing to figure out which one is best for you.
5 styles of coffee brewing
Some brewing traditions, such as Turkish coffee, date back centuries. Others (espresso, drip machines, pour-over with paper filters) are more modern inventions.
I'll start with Turkish coffee, a stovetop brewing method that's one of the oldest coffee traditions still widely enjoyed today.
Then, I'll move on to the other, more Western brewing methods.
If you have a grinder and want to know more about the best grind size for each brewing style, check out this coffee grind size chart.
Turkish coffee
Turkish coffee is a traditional staple in Turkey and surrounding regions, brewed on the stovetop with very finely ground coffee.
To start, you'll need ground coffee (finely ground), cold water, and sugar.
Combine all the ingredients in a pot and place it on the stove over medium heat.
Heat the mixture until it begins to foam and rise toward the top, then remove it from the heat before it boils over.
Transfer some foam from the pot into your mug.
Continue to boil the coffee for an additional 30 seconds, then remove the pot from the stove and pour the remaining liquid into your glass. It's truly as easy as that!
If you're interested in making Turkish coffee, all you need is a pot that's safe to use on the stovetop and your ingredients.
Pour-over coffee
Pour-over coffee works by continuously saturating the coffee grounds for the whole brewing cycle.
You'll pour water over the grinds slowly in a spiraling, circular motion.
The water extracts the compounds from the coffee grounds as it steeps and pours into your mug or a coffee pot.
The pour-over coffee method is one that requires careful supervision, especially because it won't brew unless you're pouring the water.
If you're looking for a machine that will brew automatically in a matter of minutes, the pour-over style isn't for you.
The best single-serve pour-over coffee maker
If you are looking for a brewing method that is more intimate and hands-on, the pour-over method is perfect.
The Hario V60 Coffee Dripper is an excellent option because it allows you to place it directly over your mug, enabling you to brew your coffee without needing to transfer it from a pot.
Just ensure that you grind the correct amount of coffee beans into your filter and use the appropriate amount of water for a single serving.
This article provides a detailed overview of pour-over coffee.
Drip coffee
Drip coffee is a standard, automatic brewing method that involves placing ground coffee beans into a filter, filling a water tank, and pressing the 'start' button.
It is the classic style of coffee that most adults in large families prefer, as it can be made in under ten minutes.
The best single-serve drip coffee maker
While drip coffee is most commonly used for more than a single serving, there are still various drip coffee makers that allow for a single serving.
The Capresso Nordic, Cuisinart Single Serve, Bella, and Hamilton Beach coffee makers listed above are all excellent drip-coffee method machines.
Drip coffee is similar in concept to pour-over (where water filters through grounds), but it's automated and typically less adjustable.
You place the coffee grounds in a filter basket, and once you press the start button, the machine automatically filters water through the basket to saturate the grounds.
French press coffee
The French press is a popular method for brewing coffee, originating from France and Italy.
It involves using a plunger to compact the coffee grounds with water, extracting the coffee compounds. The result is a creamy, delicious cup of joe.
Depending on the size of the French press and the amount of coffee grounds, this brewing method will make one to two servings.
French press coffee is excellent for the solo traveler or the solo coffee drinker of the family.
It takes only a few minutes, so it's a quick option to add to your morning routine.
The best single-serve French press
The Rainbean is a great French press coffee maker. You can also use an AeroPress, as it works similarly and produces one to two servings in just a few minutes.
They are also easily packed and stored because of their small size. The AeroPress is made of plastic, so it's less fragile.
The Rainbean, although slightly more fragile than the AeroPress, is also small and portable.
Check out this article for a comprehensive guide on using a French press.
Espresso
Espresso isn't quite the same as brewed coffee. It's stronger and much more concentrated, and it's poured into shots.
These shots can be consumed on their own or mixed with brewed coffee for an extra 'oomph.'
Some fancy espresso machines also act as coffee makers, and others are dedicated solely to this viscous, bitter beverage.
Espresso shots are ideal for preparing lattes, cappuccinos, and other coffee beverages.
The best single-serve espresso
If you like espresso, the Jura coffee maker and the LOR Barista system are your best options.
Both are impressive machines.
The Jura coffee maker is an excellent, single-serve espresso maker, and the L'OR Barista system can brew espresso-style drinks using capsules (and some models support more than one capsule format; check your specific model).
You can also use a stovetop espresso machine, such as the Grosche Milano Stovetop coffee maker, to make fresh espresso-like coffee.
You simply use espresso powder in the grounds basket instead of coffee grounds.
You simply use finely ground coffee (often labeled as an espresso grind/espresso roast) in the grounds basket.
This works because the stovetop coffee maker only takes one serving of coffee grounds at a time.
Final thoughts
In conclusion, there is a variety of excellent coffee makers that can make a single cup of coffee, including the Keurig K-Cafe Smart Serve and Cuisinart Single-Serve coffee maker.
Some can make a single cup of brewed coffee or a single espresso shot, each with unique features.
I hope you feel confident enough to choose the right coffee maker for your needs, regardless of your preferred brewing method.
