Best Single Serve Coffee Maker Reviews

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Looking for the best single serve coffee maker? With our single serve coffee maker reviews, you can enjoy quick yet flavorsome coffee anytime.

#1 Single Serve Coffee Maker for Home Use

Nespresso Vertuo: The Nespresso brand is synonymous with quality and service and this Vertuo Coffee and Espresso Machine is no exception. It’s the best coffee machine in the roundup and worth every penny. The hermetically sealed aluminum pods ensure freshness and the intelligent extraction system uses ‘Centrifusion technology’ for optimum taste.

Budget Single Serve Coffee Maker

Keurig K55: For those on a tight budget, the K55 K-Classic is the best alternative for the ideal early morning cup of joe. Although it’s a low-cost pod-based machine, it will always deliver a consistent brew. Also, it’s easy to use and yet a capable coffee maker.

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Are you looking to buy a coffee machine to sate your early morning cravings and get your day started in the best way possible? In this roundup, we take a look at the best available machines aimed at coffee lovers who want to make an informed choice among the large crop and variety of models available.

With just about any of these coffee makers you’ll be making quality espressos, americanos, even teas, hot cider, cocoa… that will cost you a fraction of what you’d be paying at a cafe or restaurant and in the comfort of your own home or office.

We´ll concentrate on the automatic, pod and capsule-based machines and not on the simple steam-powered or drip models that make watery, tasteless brews or the more high-end, but pricey, cumbersome automatic or lever espresso machines.

We take a look and review some of the best models in the market, choosing the best among them, including the best overall value-for-money machines and best budget models.

 Best-Rated Single Serve Coffee Maker

Product Details
Our #1 Pick
Nespresso Vertuo Coffee & Espresso Machine by Breville with Aeroccino
With patented Centrifusion extraction technology, the Nespresso Vertuo Coffee & Espresso Machine by Breville with Aeroccino brews barista grade coffee, and includes a milk frother and capsule starter pack.

  • 5 Cup Sizes for Brewing
  • 40 Oz Reservoir
  • Brews In Under A Minute
Keurig K575 Single Serve Programmable K-Cup Coffee Maker
Versatile Keurig K575 Single Serve Programmable K-Cup Coffee Maker features multiple brew sizes including a full carafe (sold separately), strength and temperature controls, and fully programmable favorites brewable in under a minute!

  • 5 Cup Sizes for Brewing
  • 80 Oz Reservoir
  • Extra Large Color Touchscreen
Keurig K55 K-Classic Single Serve Programmable K-Cup Pod Coffee Maker
The Keurig K55 K-Classic Single Serve Programmable K-Cup Pod Coffee Maker features the three most popular brewing sizes, a programmable energy-saving auto off function, and simple button controls for easy brewing in under a minute.

  • 3 Cup Sizes for Brewing
  • 48 Oz Reservoir
  • Simple Button Controls
Value for Money Pick
BUNN MCU Single Cup Multi-Use Home Coffee Brewer
The versatile BUNN MCU Single Cup Multi-Use Home Coffee Brewer brews from K-cups, ground coffee, tea bags, and loose tea, and features a pause feature to infuse even more flavor into your beverage!

  • 4 to 14 Oz Brewing
  • 14 Oz Reservoir
  • Dishwasher Safe Components
Nespresso Vertuo Evoluo Coffee and Espresso Machine by De’Longhi
With patented Centrifusion extraction technology, the Nespresso Vertuo Evoluo Coffee and Espresso Machine by De’Longhi features an intelligent extraction system that automatically customizes brewing for the unique blend, and comes with milk frother and starter pack of brew capsules.

  • 5 Cup Sizes for Brewing
  • 54 Oz Reservoir
  • Brews In Under A Minute

In-Depth Single Serve Coffee Maker Reviews

#1: Nespresso Vertuo Coffee & Espresso Machine by Breville with Aeroccino

Nespresso is a quality manufacturer of both coffee machines and pods. It’s our top pick in this roundup mainly because it’s incredibly convenient to use and includes features you’d only get in a much higher-end espresso machine, for a much more affordable price.

Besides making excellent espresso-type coffee in a variety of sizes, this Nespresso Vertuo model has an Aeroccino cream/milk frother which prepares a finely textured coffee latte or with crema.Nespresso Vertuo Coffee & Espresso Machine

The Nespresso’ intelligent extraction system uses ‘Centrifusion technology’. With a single touch of a button, the machine’s laser reader will recognize a pod’s barcode, adjusting and optimizing extraction parameters to spin capsules up to 7,000 RPM and up to 19 bars of pressure. There is no need to fiddle around and adjust settings yourself.

There are dozens of varieties of VertuoLine pods to choose from, and the machine will accept sizes and adjust parameters accordingly, with three serving cup sizes: 14 oz alto, 8 oz coffee, and 1.35 oz.

You’ll get optimal freshness from each aluminum-sealed single portion of fine roast ground coffee. The entire coffee making process is really fast, taking less than 15 seconds from spinning up to a ready-to-drink cup of coffee.

This machine is probably the easiest to use of all the coffee makers in this roundup, with its 1-touch button functionality, automated parameter settings, ease of cleaning, and auto-eject pod, it’s a snap.

We should also remark on the good selection of espresso and other coffee types available and on Nespresso’s outstanding customer service, which includes free shipping, repairs, and a loan machine during the one year warranty period.

Specs and Interesting Facts:

  • Ships with a sample of 12 pods, 8 coffee, and 4 espresso
  • BPA free water tanks
  • The machine isn’t compatible with Nespresso Original Line capsules
  • Automatic inactivity off mode, after 9 minutes
  • 15-second fast heat uptime
  • One-touch brewing
  • Size: 11.9 x 8.3 x 11.9 inches
  • Weight: 9.8 pounds
  • Material: Plastic, Aluminum
  • Includes removable drip tray, carafe, and a milk frother
  • Made in Switzerland

#2: Keurig K575 Single Serve Programmable K-Cup Coffee Maker (Best K-Cup Coffee Maker)

Keurig is a well-respected maker of pod-based coffee machines and the inventors of the K-Cup pod/capsule. The K575 is the top-of-line Keurig brewer and as such is full of features that guarantee the perfect cup of finely brewed coffee.

It also comes with settings for specialty beverages like mocha, chai, hot cocoa, and even chilled beverages.  With this quality coffee maker, you have total control over your brews, like customizable settings, strength and temperature control, brew size options and hot water on demand.Keurig K575 Single Serve Programmable K-Cup Coffee Maker

The K575 has a large color touch-screen to make it easy to see what’s going on at a glance. It gives you clear information about the brewing process and makes it easy to modify settings in accordance with your particular tastes.

After inserting any of the wide assortment of capsules available, the machine’s interactive technology will recognize the pod and automatically customize and optimize settings for the particular beverage type.

Included is a large 80 oz water reservoir, which means you can brew 10+ cups before having to refill, so you’ll be saving time and effort. The reservoir is removable and can be moved to your tap to fill it up at any time without having to lug the machine around. It holds a variety of different K-Cup pod brew sizes, for 4,6,10 and 12 oz, and carafe sizes, for 22,26 or 30 oz, although you’ll have to buy the carafe separately.

The K575’s strength control setting lets you regulate the boldness of your cup’s taste and with five temperature settings, you can have your brew as hot, or warm, as you desire. If you’re in the mood for just some hot water, you can select a brew size and dispense whatever amount you need.

You’ll get a finished cup of coffee, any hot beverage or water in under one minute, plus its programmability lets you automatically set the machine to turn on or off at set times. It’ll also automatically turn off when not in use to conserve energy.

Specs and Interesting Facts:

  • Weight: 13.7 lbs
  • Material Type: Plastic
  • Dimensions: 10.4 x 13.6 x 13.4 in
  • Pod Compatibility: K-Cup, K-Mug, and K-Carafe
  • Brew sizes: Up to 30 oz
  • Water Capacity: Removable 80 oz
  • Strength Control: Yes
  • Display Screen: 2.8″ color touchscreen
  • Energy Saver: Yes
  • Ships with two filters and a sample of six K-Cup Pods

#3: Keurig K55 K-Classic Single Serve Programmable K-Cup Pod Coffee Maker (Budget Pick)

Of all of Keurig’s coffee maker line, the K55 is undoubtedly the best value for money proposition and we could go as far as including all other pod-based models in that assertion. This is our preferred budget model and you would definitely not go wrong by choosing this easy to use, yet capable coffee brewing appliance.

It comes with simple push-button controlled brewing operation and accepts a variety of industry standard K-Cup sizes to ensure that you get a perfect cup of coffee every time, whether it be mild, strong, decaffeinated or flavored, even cocoa and tea.

Keurig K55 K-Classic Single Serve Programmable K-Cup Pod Coffee Maker

It has a large 48 oz reservoir, that’ll hold 6+ worth of cups of water between refills, something that’s appreciated in a budget single-serve machine, and there is a variety of serving sizes as well: 6, 8, and 10 oz.

The machine allows you to choose from hundreds of K-cup varieties, both from Keurig and from compatible brands. They’re available in a wide variety of flavors and brands as well as prices (some being very affordable).

Among the most popular brands are great flavors from Starbucks, Green Mountain, Folgers, Laughing Man, Donut Shop, Lipton, and a lot more. You can also grind and brew your own beans with the Keurig Classic Series My K-Cup Reusable Coffee Filter. And, importantly, the flavors don’t blend from one cup to the next.

But brewing aside, its the ease of cleaning and maintenance that makes the K55 K-Classic the best single serve coffee maker for the lazy coffee lovers. It’s simple and easy to clean by wiping it down with a damp rag and you can wash it with soapy water. Its descaling cleaning feature helps to remove calcium deposits, which build up inside a coffee maker over time.

It has an auto-off feature that will turn off the machine after two hours of idleness, which will minimize wear and tear and save energy. The machine also includes a charcoal water filter cartridge kit and two charcoal pod filters, which practically guarantees excellent coffee even if your tap water isn’t quite up to par.

Specs and Interesting Facts:

  • Pod compatibility: K-Cup
  • Brew sizes: 6, 8, and 10 oz
  • Water capacity: Removable 48 oz
  • Strength Control: No
  • Display Screen: Simple button controls
  • Energy Saver: Yes
  • Dimensions: 13.3 x 9.8 x 13 in
  • Weight: 12 lbs
  • Material Type: Plastic

#4: BUNN MCU Single Cup Multi-Use Home Coffee Brewer

This affordable single cup coffee maker is rugged and very easy to use. It’s reliable in its ability to quickly and consistently brew an excellent cup of coffee with just a push of a button. It has a small footprint and is cleverly designed to be able to use industry standard K-Cup pods as well as fresh ground beans.BUNN MCU Single Cup Multi-Use Home Coffee Brewer

Getting coffee made with the Bunn MyCafe MCU is a matter of about two minutes from first turning it on and less than one minute for any subsequent cups. It has a retro brushed steel industrial design that hearkens back to urban diners of more than three decades ago.

Its features are up to date though, with an innovative set of drawers, or detachable brewing heads that slide in and out of the coffee maker. With the four interchangeable drawers, it can handle K-Cups, ground coffee, soft coffee, and tea pods, loose tea, tea bags, and hot water.

The minimalist design includes just two buttons and one LED which will change from red to green when it starts heating up. There is a brew and also a pulse button, the latter slowing down the brew of your beverage and increases its flavor and strength, which is easy to regulate this way. The amount of water stored corresponds to the exact of coffee you’ll brew at one go, so there’s no reservoir involved.

The Bunn does not have automatic an on/off button. Once you plug it in it’s always on, but automatically resets after six hours of idle time. After twenty-six hours, it goes into sleep mode. It wakes up and heats right up when you need to use it again.

Specs and Interesting Facts:

  • Material: Plastic
  • Pod compatibility: K-Cups. Also ground coffee, soft coffee, tea pods, tea bags, and loose tea
  • Serving size: 4 to 14 oz
  • Pulse Brew option for extracting bolder flavor
  • Removable drip tray will fit most travel mugs
  • Warranty: 2-year
  • Water Capacity: 14 oz
  • Dimensions: 9.2 x 13.5 x 16.5 inches
  • Weight: 10.5 pounds
  • Internal water temperature: 200°F

#5: Nespresso Vertuo Evoluo Coffee and Espresso Machine by De’Longhi

Nespresso’s coffee makers are superb in their ability to create delicious freshly brewed coffee and espresso at the touch of a button, and the Vertuo Evoluo model by De’Longhi is no exception.

Nespresso Vertuo Evoluo Coffee and Espresso Machine

It’s more affordable than our top pick, the Vertuo by Breville model but doesn’t skimp on functionality and features.

It also offers fast and delicious capsule-based intelligent extraction with Centrifusion technology, two cup sizes, two capsule sizes, short heating time, automatic capsule extraction and automatic shutoff.

With the Nespresso’ intelligent extraction system’s Centrifusion technology and a single touch of a button, the machine’s laser reader recognizes a pod’s barcode, adjusting and optimizing extraction parameters to spin capsules to up to 7,000 RPM and 19 bars of pressure. So there’s no need to fiddle around and adjust settings yourself.

There are many dozens of varieties of VertuoLine pods you can choose from, and the machine will accept sizes and adjust parameters accordingly, with two serving cup sizes: 7.7 oz coffee and 1.35 oz espresso.

Optimal freshness is guaranteed from each aluminum-sealed single portion of fine roast ground coffee. The entire coffee making process is really fast, taking 15-20 seconds from spinning up to a ready-to-drink cup of coffee.

This coffee machine is a snap to use, with its 1-touch button functionality, automated parameter settings, ease of cleaning, and auto-eject pod. As with all Nespresso machines, we should also mention the good selection of espresso and other coffee types available and on Nespresso’s outstanding customer service.

The Nespresso Vertuo Evoluo Coffee and Espresso Machine by De’Longhi ships with 12 VertuoLine capsules showing off unique aroma profiles. It also has an extra large 54 oz water tank and a container that’ll fit 17 used capsules.

Specs and Interesting Facts:

  • Dimensions: 9 x 12.2 x 12.3 in
  • Water Tank Capacity: 54 oz
  • Container Capacity: 13 Large Nespresso Capsules
  • Weight: 11 lbs
  • Power: 1,350W
  • Centrifusion Speed: 7,000 rpm
  • Removable Water Tank: Yes
  • Power Save Mode: Yes
  • Cup Sizes: Two – 8 oz coffee and 1.35 oz espresso

#6: Keurig K40 Elite Brewing System

The K40 elite is one of Keurig’s budget line coffee machines, and for a modest price, you’ll be getting some fine brews from a wide selection of K-Cup pod varieties. Brewing times are quick, at less than 40 seconds, and the machine has a big removable 48 oz water reservoir.

Keurig K40 Elite Brewing System

It also comes with features typically found in higher-end models like indicator lights, an auto-off feature, a removable drip tray that can take on travel mugs, all of which result in hot and consistent coffee, tea and cocoa blends.

When you turn the K40 on and have it filled with water, it takes about 4 minutes for a one-time setup process, which heats the water reservoir, illuminating the light marked ‘Heating’ on the LED control panel.

The LED then turns off and the ‘Small mug’ button starts flashing, meaning you can press the button for the cleansing brew, which you’ll have to get rid of in the sink. Then you hit the button again and your brew will be ready in about fifteen more seconds. Then another push and fifteen more seconds for a second brew, and so on.

The machine has a programmable auto on/off feature and can produce up to six cups before needing to refill the 48 oz water tank. You can brew three different cup sizes with a range of 6-10 oz. and can brew coffee as well as tea cocoa, and iced and specialty beverages.  It’s easy to clean and maintain thanks to the removable drip tray.

Like the other two Keurig model we review in this roundup, the K40 lets you choose from hundreds of K-cup varieties, both from Keurig and from compatible brands. You can get them in a wide variety of flavors and brands as well as prices, including some being very affordable ones.

Among the most popular brands are flavors from such well-known manufacturers as Starbucks, Green Mountain, Folgers, Laughing Man, Donut Shop, Lipton, and a lot more. You can use your own ground beans and brew them with this machine.

Specs and Interesting Facts:

  • Dimensions: 12.2 x 14.9 x 14.2 in
  • Weight: 13.1 lbs
  • Material Type: Plastic
  • Reservoir capacity: 48 oz
  • Removable Water Tank: Yes
  • Cup sizes: Three: 6 oz, 8 oz, and 10 oz
  • Capsule type: K-Cups (reusable K-Cups available for using your own ground beans)

# 7: Cuisinart SS-10 Premium Single-Serve Coffee Maker

Cuisinart SS-10 Premium Single-Serve Coffee Maker

The Cuisinart SS-10 is an excellent pod-based coffee machine choice with a lot of customization possibilities. You can choose from a variety of serving sizes, a wide temperature range, and from brewing options for making tea soup or cocoa, as well as coffee.

It uses industry-standard K-Cup capsules, so you can also choose from hundreds of coffee varieties, flavors, and brands, including using your own ground beans in reusable filter cups.

The machine’s drip tray pulls out and lets you use different size travel mugs, with five cup sizes between 4 and 12 oz, and its 72 oz water reservoir means you won’t be constantly refilling the tank. The SS-10 has a number of interesting features commonly found in higher end machines, like a blue, backlit LCD which includes a programmable clock.

A hot water button is ideal for concocting hot beverages and its rinse feature makes it easy to clean the inside of the brew chamber. It also has a charcoal water filter, so you can use regular tap water and not have to worry about its quality.

Specs and Interesting Facts:

  • Dimensions: 9.33 x 11.03 x 12.13 in
  • Weight: 15.1 lbs
  • Material Type: Plastic
  • Reservoir capacity: 40 oz
  • Removable Water Tank: Yes
  • Cup sizes: three, 6 oz, 8 oz, and 10 oz
  • Capsule type: K-Cups (reusable K-Cups available for using your own ground beans)
  • 24 hour programmable: Yes
  • Auto Off: 30 minutes
  • Clean Function: Yes
  • BPA Free: Yes
  • Water brewing temperature: 195-degrees F

Single Serve Coffee Maker Buying Guide

Now that you have read about our top picks above, below are few features that we have based our roundup on. These features will help you make a better, wiser choice.

Budget

The prices of the pod or capsule-based coffee makers in this roundup are in the $75-$180 range, so you won’t be spending a fortune to enjoy good coffee.

These machines use a brewing pump, just like the higher-end bean-to-cup machines that typically retail for more than $400, and you can typically use third party capsules that are convenient to store and available in any supermarket, and not worry about finding coffee beans with their shorter shelf lives (some of them actually use a centrifuge instead of a pump, which is conceptually very similar and also results in a quality brew).

Functionality

To use one of these machines, you just insert any of the dozens of available types of capsules, which are pre-filled with ground coffee, press a button, and in some cases make other adjustments, and after a short time, you’ll get a cup-full of authentic, tasty coffee.

You’ll have to make sure there’s water in the reservoir before starting, taking into account that some models will store enough water for making several cups of coffee, while others just hold one cup’s worth and you’ll be refilling every time you brew.

Then, you turn the power on and wait a few minutes for the machine to warm up, place the pitcher or cup under the brewing head, stick in a capsule or pod, hit the brew button, and wait for your cup to be filled.

Capsule Types:

VertuoLine Pod

There are two basic types of capsules that will fit the models we cover in our roundup. Nespresso coffee machines use a proprietary capsule, called VertuoLine Pod. They’re single serve pods that come in three different sizes: espresso (1.35 oz), lungo (3.70 oz) and long coffee (up to 17 oz).

Their retail cost is $0.90-1.25 and they use a barcode scanning technology that lets the machine know the optimum parameters for brewing using its ‘intelligent extraction system’, which is based on centrifugal force, instead of on a pump.

A large variety of coffee types, intensities and flavor varieties of pods are available, with colorful Italian names: Intenso, Stormo, Odacio, Melozio, Hazelino, Caramelizio, Decaffeinato… You can also get reusable pods, which will result in a cheaper cost per cup and let you use any ground coffee you want.

K-Cups

The other alternative is the K-Cup pods, which are also single cup containers, and were originally manufactured by Keurig, a competing coffee machine manufacturer, which we also review here. They have become an industry standard and are used by the other coffee machines on the roundup (except Nespresso).

You can buy K-Cup pods anywhere and in a very wide variety of types and flavors. Pods can be purchased for as little as 28 cents per cup, which is comparable to what you’d pay if you grind the beans yourself (you can put ground beans into reusable K-Cup pods), although you’ll typically be paying much higher prices for quality coffee blends.