7 of the best single-serve coffee makers for your instant caffeine gratification

The Nespresso Vertuo(opens in a new tab) is the Jack-of-all-trades of single-serve coffee makers. It can brew espresso and coffee with ease, along with other specialty beverages. This set includes the milk frothing unit for creating creamy lattes and cappuccinos, and can even make cold foam for iced coffee beverages! Goodbye, Starbucks?

It comes in a variety of colors to suit any kitchen aesthetic, and its modern styling makes it a real display piece on the counter. One thing to keep in mind with this machine is that it requires the use of Nespresso-branded capsules, which can increase the overall cost of use. 

Users love how simple this machine is to use, with its one-touch brewing system one of the easiest in market. It uses a specialized barcode system in order to adjust brewing temperatures and speeds depending on the beverage type and size you’re making. 

Amazon user Tracie Blanchard(opens in a new tab) writes: 

“This is an amazing machine. Simple to use and the coffee is indescribable. I don’t even want to go get coffee. I’d rather stay home and have my Nespresso”

Another Amazon reviewer Kaille(opens in a new tab) says:

“Honestly, the Nespresso makes a great cup of coffee. I graduated from Keurig to Nespresso because I wasn't that impressed with the taste of a Keurig cup of coffee and I'm super happy I did. As I also enjoy a good latte, I bought the combo with the aeroccino and it was a great purchase. The combo gives you a nice discount on the aeroccino rather than buying it separately, and it makes frothed milk (in my opinion) quicker than any other frother I've used and much more simply. I also like that it can heat or cool the milk, making for a nice iced latte on a warm day. Definitely a great purchase and I recommend it if you are someone who likes both a flavorful coffee and espressos/latte and wants a low maintenance and quick way to make one!

For those who need a budget-friendly choice for brewing single-serve coffees, the Mr. Coffee Single-Serve Coffee Maker(opens in a new tab) is an excellent choice. Not only is it compatible with the popular K-Cup style coffee packs, you can use your own ground coffee if you prefer, since it comes with a reusable filter cup. 

It boasts a compact design that fits easily under most kitchen cabinets, and the 24-inch long power cord gives you plenty of placement options. It brews beverages up to 10 ounces at a time, and when brewing is complete, the machine shuts off automatically to save power. 

While the water reservoir is quite small on this machine, the pull-out coffee pod drawer makes for easy loading and discarding of used pods and filters. This way, you’re only pulling the machine out to add water to the tank. The adjustable cup tray lets users easily change the height for use with both mugs and travel cups for splash-free brewing. 

Amazon user Anna R.(opens in a new tab) writes: 

“Can't beat it for the price. Small so it doesn't take up much counter space. I've had it over a year now, and it still works perfectly.”

Amazon reviewer Allie(opens in a new tab) says:

“I wanted a K-Cup brewer that wouldn't break the wallet but was also efficient. This product was perfect (I caught the $10 off coupon too!). I'm the type of person who likes to try the fun flavors of coffee and experiment. I'm also the type of person who lives with four others who don't particularly care for K-Cups and instead the old fashioned carafe (they drink a LOT of coffee).

This product is small, light, easy to clean, affordable, and fits the common K-Cups. It's perfect for people who probably only have one or two cups a day (like myself) or the family who all have different tastes (and don't want several bottles of creamer taking up space in the fridge). I like the little storage place for the cord as well. That comes in handy when we need extra counter space because of a party or another event. As mentioned in previous reviews it does take between 2 1/2 - 3 minutes to make a cup of coffee. I don't find this annoying at all. While I am making breakfast and finding a morning cartoon my coffee is brewing and by the time I'm done my French Vanilla cappuccino is ready. I would most certainly recommend this product.”

This coffee maker is a hybrid machine, with both a single-serve unit and carafe brewer in one, making it perfect for families and those who entertain frequently. It comes available with or without an integrated coffee grinder, so you can enjoy the freshest brew possible each and every time. The single-serve side works with either loose ground coffee or disk-shaped soft pods, and brews up to 14 ounces at a time. It fits a standard-sized travel mug, but can adjust for shorter cups. 

Coffee enthusiasts will love that they can choose from a variety of brew strengths with this machine, and even pre-program the machine before going to bed at night to have their coffee ready for them in the morning. With the twist of a button, coffee drinkers can easily switch between single-serve and carafe brewing. 

Given that it’s basically two coffee makers in one, the machine takes up surprisingly little counter space, perfect for those with tiny kitchens. The control panel display is simple and intuitive to use, and the keep-hot plate keeps your java piping-hot after brewing, shutting off automatically after two hours.

Amazon user LauraZ(opens in a new tab) writes: 

“I love, love, love this coffee maker! Usually I am the only coffee drinker in the house so the ability to make one cup of coffee without having to use expensive pods has been wonderful. It's nice that I can use pods if I choose to, but the one-cup filter works great with my own ground coffee. I can brew directly into a travel cup if I want to or I can use a standard coffee mug if I'm going to be drinking my coffee at home. The machine shuts off automatically when one-cup brewing is finished and I never have to worry about whether I remembered to turn it off or not.”

When counter space is at a premium, the Nespresso Pixie is the best single-serve coffee maker. It features a small footprint and unassuming design that still makes great espresso and coffee. At just 11 cm wide, you might forget it’s there! Available in a choice of colors to suit your personal style, it heats up to ideal brewing temperature in just 25 seconds. After brewing using its 19 bars of pressure, it automatically turns off after nine minutes in order to help conserve power. 

There is a water refill indicator light that alerts you to when the reservoir needs refilling, and the folding drip tray underneath allows for brewing larger single serve coffee cups and recipes. The one-touch programmable buttons make brewing easy. 

There are a choice of 16 different espresso blends for this machine, so everyone is sure to find something they like. If you sign up for the Nespresso Club, you can even have capsules mailed to you on a regular schedule so you’ll never be without caffeine! 

Amazon user Al929(opens in a new tab) writes: 

“I love this thing. I only drink espresso unless someone else makes coffee for me. Most people take issue with the limited third party pod options but the Nespresso pods are outstanding. Potential buyers should be sure that this line will have the coffee options they're into before buying.”

If you enjoy drinking coffee year-round, but prefer the cool enjoyment of an iced coffee when the temps are up, the Keurig Elite(opens in a new tab) is just what you need. Not only does it brew standard K-Cups hot—it has a special “iced coffee” feature that lets you make iced coffee quickly and easily by adjusting the size and strength of the hot coffee it puts out. All you need to do is fill your cup underneath with ice!

The original single-serve coffee maker brand, this machine is a dependable workhorse for those who enjoy a lot of coffee and other hot beverages. It can also brew hot chocolate and apple cider pods if caffeine isn’t really your thing. The large water reservoir means you don’t have to fill up too frequently between drinks, and the machine features special technology so that it brews quieter. There’s even a high altitude setting for those who need it. 

One special feature on this machine is the hot water on-demand feature, which lets you enjoy hot water dispensing for things like making oatmeal or instant soups with just the push of a button. Automatic on and off programming ensures the machine only runs when you need it to, and helps to conserve power. When primed and ready, it can brew a hot cuppa in less than a minute. The removable drip tray slides out so you can brew directly into a travel mug, and can hold a whole brew in case you forget to put your cup underneath.   

Amazon user Marshall smith(opens in a new tab) writes: 

“Ordered My Keurig k- elite a few weeks ago. I thought I was one of the last hold outs to buy one. Most of my family has the Keurig and not the k-elite. I'm so happy with this coffee maker its a dream. No more coffee down the drain because I made to much for one person. I can set my temp up for hotter coffee and because of its compact design It will open under my counter without pulling it out. It also hold close to 72 ounce's of water so less filling it up.. I'm happy I waited to get one because I love the new K-Elite.”

The BLACK+DECKER Brew 'n Go Personal Coffeemaker(opens in a new tab) has no fancy bells or whistles, but that’s part of what makes is so great. It’s a straightforward option for those who just want a single cup of coffee in the morning that they can easily take with them as they’re heading out the door. It brews directly into the included travel mug for added convenience, but can also brew into a standard coffee cup if you’re planning to enjoy your cuppa Joe at home.

The one-touch operation is simple to use. Just fill your cup with water and add to the tank, add your loose grounds to the reusable filter, and flip the switch. You’ll have a full hot cup of coffee ready to go in just a few minutes. It is also compatible with soft pods if you prefer not to mess around with loose grounds. The compact design makes it great for use at home, at work, or in dorm rooms. 

Automatic shut-off means you don’t have to worry about excess power consumption or electrical hazards as you head out the door, and the 24-inch long power cord provides plenty of placement options. The included travel mug fits nicely into most standard car cup holders for added convenience. 

Amazon user Angel(opens in a new tab) (opens in a new tab)writes: 

“Love, love, love this product! It's less than $20 and makes the perfect single cup of coffee. Built in coffee filter, and a free good quality travel mug that could cost you as much as this whole coffee maker. It brews FAST! Great for making hot water for tea or instant soups FAST! Ridiculously easy to use.”

For those who like to have plenty of options when brewing their coffee, the Cuisinart SS-10 Premium Single-Serve Coffeemaker(opens in a new tab) is an excellent choice. The amount of programmable options make this a good pick for households whose coffee tastes vary. Choose from auto on and off features, brew temperature, and cup size. It is compatible with K-Cups for added convenience, and includes a reusable filter cup for use with your favorite loose grounds. 

One standout feature is the machine’s hot water button, which lets users instantly dispense hot water for making instant coffee, soups, tea, or hot chocolate. When you’re done brewing, use the rinse feature to instantly clean the inside of the brew chamber. There’s no waiting for this machine to heat up, and it can dispense a hot cup of coffee in under a minute—perfect for those busy mornings!

A charcoal water filter for ensures the best tasting coffee, while the large water reservoir means you can brew several cups of coffee before having to refill the tank. It uses only BPA-free plastics for added safety and peace of mind. The removable drip tray slides out so that you can brew directly into a travel mug for added convenience. 

Amazon user Carolina Kat(opens in a new tab) writes: 

“As a loyal Keurig consumer, it was stepping far outside the box for me to purchase this coffeemaker but I am so glad that I did. I've been using Keurigs from the year they came out, and after the third machine quit on me - this one less than two years old - I decided to stop throwing good money after bad. Truthfully the quality of their machines has declined to the point of unacceptability. In searching for alternatives, I settled on this one, and what a wonderful cup of coffee I keep getting out of it! I did not think I would like the auto shutoff feature, because it takes an age to warm up the Keurigs, but this one brews a FAST delicious cup of coffee, from off to hot coffee in under a minute. It is a marked improvement over my previous coffeemaker both in taste and speed of brewing. If like me you're struggling over an alternative to the bi-yearly Keurig purchase, give this one a try. You're welcome.”