The 9 Best Single-Serve Coffee Makers

Looking for the cream (or half-and-half) of the crop? Look no further than the Keurig K-Elite. This coffee maker has it all—it’s fast, easy to use, and per the Good Housekeeping Institute's testers, yields the most "consistently flavorful, full-bodied and smooth" java of any option on our list. If convenience is your main priority, this model has a 75-ounce (or 9-cup) reservoir for infrequent refills and an automatic turn-on feature that sets the exact time you want it to turn on for your morning cup or mid-afternoon wake-up.

Though the control panel buttons have pictures of cups at different heights instead of numbers to indicate size, which may take some getting used to, the K-Elite offers a solid range of serving size and brew options. You can also purchase a reusable filter attachment if you prefer to use your own ground coffee.

Whether you’d like to avoid the whole plastic pod situation entirely or you're brewing on a budget, consider the Bella One Scoop One Cup. Perfect for those with limited counter or storage space, this compact single-serve coffee maker uses a small reusable filter to brew your coffee ground—no pods, paper filters, or tough-to-clean vessels required.

The 14-ounce water tank means you can make enough coffee to adequately fill your travel mug if you like to caffeinate on the go, but "unlike most coffee machines that accommodate travel mugs, but cause splashing with a shorter mug," the Good Housekeeping Institute found the adjustable drip tray allows for "less coffee splattering onto the counter." It’s good to note, though, that it offers only one brew type and no automatic shut off feature.

Who says you can’t have it all? Consistency is key with the Keurig K-Duo Plus, which the GHI’s kitchen tech experts found not only produced a flavorful, well-rounded cup of joe, but also "consistently brewed coffee at the same temperature and volume."

It's compatible with both K-Cup and reusable filters, and has an ultra-programmable machine with multiple brew size and strength options, a 12-cup thermal carafe, and a removable 60-ounce water tank that rotates to fit your counter space. Though this model is the priciest of our recommendations, you certainly get what you pay for—for example, the ability to schedule and even pause your brew!

Whether your break room’s coffee maker is on its last legs or you’re looking for a model that can withstand your household’s need for multiple cups of that sweet, sweet bean juice, consider Cuisinart’s Premium Single-Serve Brewer. This machine yields a consistently hot cup of coffee and, per the Good Housekeeping Institute, "of all the coffee makers we tested, this model brewed a cup of coffee fastest, in under one-and-a-half minutes."

In addition to offering five drink sizes and compatibility with both K-Cups and reusable filters, there are plenty of benefits to this user-friendly model outside of the delicious, well-rounded coffee it consistently produces.

Though the arrow buttons on the LED-lit control panel aren’t the most intuitive, we think you’ll be blown away by the Cuisinart's convenient 72-ounce removable reservoir, programmable rinse cycle for easy clean-up between brews, and—our personal favorite—a reusable filter tucked away in a hidden compartment on the side of the machine.

True to its name, the Nespresso VertuoPlus Deluxe Coffee & Espresso Machine is a regular coffee virtuoso, offering a functional and user-friendly interface, consistent temperature and volume, a removable 60-ounce tank, and a sleek, modern design. With just the touch of a button, you can create frothy crema and well-rounded, silky-smooth beverages like single or double espresso, lungo, and, you know, just regular coffee. In fact, one of the Good Housekeeping Institute's testers "didn’t even need to add milk, although that’s how she normally drinks her coffee."

This machine can make a delicious cup of java in sizes up to 14 ounces, depending on what pod you’ve selected. Speaking of which, this model only takes Nespresso’s VertuoLine premium capsules, but there are nearly 30 flavor options available, so you’re sure to find something you like. You can also send any used pods to Nespresso for them to recycle!

If your mantra is “Have coffee, will travel”, then allow us to introduce you to your newest adventure buddy: the AeroPress. Whether you’re camping or frequently find yourself on business trips, this compact coffee maker is easy to pack, clean, and store. The Good Housekeeping Institute was impressed that "all parts comfortably fit into a gallon-sized zip top bag making it perfect for packing." Simply place this brewer filter-side down over your mug, fill it with hot water (and your favorite ground coffee, of course), and push the removable plunger through the plastic tube down into the cup to produce up to eight ounces of java.

Though the AeroPress does require brand-specific paper filters, they give you 350 when you buy it to get yourself started, and you’ll save more money in the long run by not having to purchase pricier single-use pods.

Perfect for a single person household, small spaces, or dorm rooms, we recommend the Keurig K-Mini Plus if you just need one regular cup of joe to get you going. Available in a wide variety of colors to match your style, this coffee maker features a permanently attached tank that accommodates 10-ounces of water—just enough for a single cup.

The Good Housekeeping Institute noted that this machine's coffee was "among the lowest rated of any in our test by our taste panel," and it takes a couple minutes to brew and lacks the option to control the size and strength of your coffee (outside of choosing which of the many K-cup flavors at your disposal).

However, it makes up for its shortcomings with its ease of use, excellent customer service, and ability to produce adequate coffee at the optimal time and temperature.

Three truly is a magic number, as you’ll see with the Hamilton Beach FlexBrew Trio, which can make a delicious cup or a full pot of coffee using K-Cups, reusable single-serve filters, and ground coffee with the accompanying 12-cup carafe. This model features two different reservoirs, including a removable 40-ounce water tank, which does make it bulkier than the other options we recommend, but it also means you’ll have plenty of options, whether you’re entertaining a whole group or just meeting your partner halfway in the great coffee-versus-tea debate.

If “surface of the sun” level hot is your jam (no judgment, but also… who hurt you?), this may not be your ideal machine, but according to the Good Housekeeping Institute, the easy-to-operate FlexBrew "did have a fairly fast brew time."

From Americanos to cappuccinos, channel your inner barista with the feature-packed Philips 3200 Series Fully Automatic Espresso Machine, which the Good Housekeeping Institute's test panel said yielded a "flavorful but light-bodied" brew. You are in full control of every beverage you create with the ability to adjust the strength, size, and even amount of milk added with just the push of a few buttons.

Unlike most other milk frothers, this coffee maker’s attachment forgoes a straw, so you get all that foamy goodness without being a nightmare to clean. Plus, you can easily detach the water tank for easy storage and cleaning.