What would your morning be without that first hot, fresh cup of coffee?
Rather than make a mad dash through the Starbucks drive-thru or gulp down a lukewarm cup of instant joe, you can indulge in an aromatic coffee anytime when you add a single cup coffee maker to your kitchen.
But which brewer is the best pick for your coffee palate, lifestyle, and budget? Find the best single serve coffee maker by learning more about the top 10 picks on the market today.
Table of Contents
Single Serve Coffee Maker Comparisons
| Model | Size | Weight | Color | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Melitta Ready Set Joe | 5.5 by 5 by 5” | 2.4 ounces | Black | |
| BUNN MCU | 9.2 by 13.5 by 16.5” | 10.5 pounds | Stainless steel | |
| Hamilton Beach 49981 | 9.8 by 7.6 by 13.6” | 5.5 pounds | Stainless steel | |
| Nespresso Pixie Espresso | 12.8 by 4.3 by 9.2” | 7.2 pounds | Black | |
| Mr. Coffee BVMC-KG6-001 | 10 by 13 by 12.5” | 8.3 pounds | Black | |
| Delonghi Dolce Gusto Genio | 12.4 by 7.7 by 13.5” | 5.5 pounds | Stainless steel | |
| Hamilton Beach 2-way | 13.7 by 11.4 by 15.4” | 9.4 pounds | Stainless steel | |
| Black & Decker Brew n' Go | 10.3 by 7 by 6.1“ | 1.6 pounds | Black | |
| Cuisinart SS-700 | 10.2 by 13.5 by 12.1” | 7.8 pounds | Silver | |
| Keurig K10 Mini Plus | 10.7 by 6.9 by 10.9” | 8.8 pounds | Taupe |
Single Serve Coffee Maker Reviews
1. Melitta Ready Set Joe Single Serve Coffee Maker
The Melitta Ready Set Joe single serve coffee maker is unlike any other single serve coffee brewer on the market. First, it is not an appliance but rather a freestanding cylindrical filter. It does not run on electricity or batteries. You simply place the filter over your mug, put in coffee grounds, and then pour in boiling water to brew an aromatic cup of coffee.
The filter itself utilizes cone-shaped paper liners that you can find at any grocery store. The filter is also BPA-free and dishwasher safe, ensuring quick and easy cleanup when you are on the go. You can keep it in your cupboard or a kitchen drawer and avoid taking up valuable space on your counters. Brewing a cup of coffee is fast and simple because you do not have to plug in the brewer or wait for the carafe to get full. You can have coffee within seconds, which can be ideal for those hectic and harried mornings before work.
- Portability
- Dishwasher safe and BPA-free
- Operates entirely without electricity or batteries
- Fits over your coffee mug easily
- Only brews one cup of coffee at a time
- Strength of the coffee is notably weaker than coffee brewed by a machine
- Users report finding minimal amount of grounds in their coffee cups
2. Bunn MCU Single Cup Multi-Use Home Coffee Brewer
The Bunn MCU single cup multi-use home coffee brewer is one of the best single cup coffee maker models on the market. It remains one of the most popular brewers because it is compatible with K-cups as well as loose coffee and tea grounds and tea bags. The brewer has a hot water drawer that brews up to 200 degrees Fahrenheit. It easily can brew up to 14 ounces within 60 seconds, making it perfect for that fast cup of coffee when you are heading out the door or simply do not want to wait for a 12-cup carafe to fill up with coffee.
It also is perfect for anyone who has limited counter space in the kitchen yet wants a brewer that will make fragrant cups of coffee quickly and easily. The appliance only weighs around 10 pounds and measures nine inches tall. It can conveniently be placed in the corner of a counter without taking up a lot of space. It also is easy to lift without being awkward or cumbersome.
The brewer comes in an industrial stainless steel finish that many people prefer for their countertop appliances. The stainless steel finish is easy to clean and does not show fingerprints or stains.
- The ability to use both K-cups and loose grounds
- Brewing capability for tea and cocoa
- Easy-to-clean
- Lightweight and compact for countertop use
- No shut-off feature
- The inability to keep water in the reservoir hot while inactive
- Only available in stainless steel rather than colors like black, white, or off-white like other brands
3. Hamilton Beach 49981 Single Serve Scoop Coffee Maker
The Hamilton Beach 49981 single serve scoop coffee maker features an award winning design that makes it one of the best single serve coffee makers for sale today. It comes with its own built-in filter that lets you use your preferred brand of coffee grounds. It also has two different brew settings, regular and bold, allowing you to decide how strong you want your coffee brewed.
Unlike some of the other brewers on the market today, the Hamilton Beach 49981 is one of the safest models to use. It turns itself off when it is not in use. If you forget to turn it off, it shuts itself off automatically after several minutes of inactivity. It also will not run without water being poured in its reservoir first. Even if you accidentally push the brew button before filling up the reservoir, the brewer will remain inactive. This safety features minimizes the risk of fire and gives you the peace of mind that your brewer will be one of the safest appliances in your kitchen.
- Two different brew settings to match your preferences
- Safety shut-off feature to prevent fire and burn risks
- Capable of brewing fragrant coffee regardless of the brand of loose grounds you use
- Incompatible with K-cups and pods
- More cleanup required for the brewer and filter
- Coffee splashes as it brews, which can be messy and inconvenient
4. Nespresso Pixie Espresso Maker
The Nespresso Pixie espresso maker holds it own in the single serve coffee brewer market. While it most popularly is used to make single shots of espresso, it also is great for brewing Americano single serve coffee. With a Nespresso Pixie espresso maker in your kitchen, you have no need to visit a pricey coffeehouse or go through the drive-thru at a busy coffee chain store.
It also has a sleek, upscale look that will up the decorative ante in your kitchen. It comes with an easy-to-clean stainless steel finish with black trim. It measures 12 inches tall but is only nine inches wide, allowing it to fit easily on your kitchen counter without taking up too much space. It also only weighs seven pounds, making it lightweight and portable in case you move or want to rearrange your kitchen. You get the tasty flavor of a rich espresso or Americano single serve coffee without having to invest in a cumbersome and noisy espresso machine like those used in coffeehouses.
- Quick heat up time for fast single serve espresso and Americano coffee
- Compact size and lightweight for easy countertop storage
- The ability to make strong, fragrant coffee like that served in coffeehouses
- Few sample pods upon purchase
- Only compatible with the pricier Nespresso brand pods and not K-cup or off-brand cups or pods
- Cannot brew tea or cocoa
5. Mr. Coffee BVMC-KG6-001 Single Serve Coffee Brewer
When you want the performance of Keurig technology without the high price tag, you are in luck when you choose the Mr. Coffee BVMC-KC6-001 single serve coffee brewer. This brewer can make the perfect cup of coffee as well as tea and cocoa quickly and affordably. You can use cups and pods made by Keurig as well as those made by other leading companies and store brands.
The reservoir holds up to 40 ounces of water while the brewer itself offers three brewing sizes for your convenience. You can brew six, eight, or 10 ounces of coffee. Its tray can also be removed to accommodate larger travel size mugs. The brewer weighs a little over eight pounds and stands 10 inches tall. Its compact size lets it fit easily onto your counters without taking up too much space.
- The ability to make coffee as well as tea and cocoa
- Three brewing sizes for convenience
- Small size makes it ideal for countertop use and storage
- The inability to use loose grounds to make tea or coffee
- Only capable of using K-cups or off-brand pods and cups
- Faulty function after a relative short time
- Inability to brew coffee using harsher tap water
6. Delonghi Dolce Gusto Genio
Weighing in at a trim 5.5 pounds, the Delonghi Dolce Gusto Genio can brew both hot and cold drinks in mere seconds. Designed to use pods and cups made by Nescafe, this brewer measures 12 inches, making it the ideal countertop single cup brewer if you do not have a lot of space in your kitchen or you value a brewer for its compact size and reliable performance.
The Delonghi Dolce Gusto Genio utilizes a pressure based system that lets you draw maximum flavor out of each coffee pod. Despite its sophisticated appearance, it is easy to use with its 7-level LED display and short brew time. You can choose the size and intensity of each cup of coffee. The brewer also is perfect for making iced coffee drinks. You can choose from 18 different flavors available from Nescafe. Sample flavors like Americano, Chocochino, Macchiato, latte, and more. The appliance comes with six free Nescafe pods so you can enjoy your brewer right away.
- Lightweight and small enough to fit on your counters
- Bright LED display for easy programming and use
- 18 flavors of Nescafe available with the brewer
- Incompatible with loose ground coffee or other brands of pods and cups
- Inability to make froth on top of coffee
- Questionable warranty and durability
7. Hamilton Beach 2-way Single Serve Coffee Brewer
The Hamilton Beach 2-Way single serve coffee brewer lets you brew both a large pot of coffee alongside your single serving at the same time. Built large enough to accommodate a 12-serving glass carafe, this combo appliance also has a side for making a single cup of coffee for when you are on the go or want to get a head start on your morning coffee.
It comes with both a basket for coffee grounds as well as a holder for soft pods. It also comes with two separate brew strengths, regular and bold, so that you can choose how strong you want your single serve coffee to be. Despite its dual function, the brewer only weighs nine pounds and measures around 12 inches tall, making it the ideal size for placing on your counter.
This single serve brewer comes with an LED display that you can program with the time and date. It also shuts off automatically after two hours of inactivity. This safety feature, combined with its ability to make both large and single servings of coffee, make it the perfect addition to your kitchen when you want the convenience of coffee on the go or the enjoyment of a larger pot for your days off or weekends at home.
- The ability to make large and single servings simultaneously
- Two different brewing strengths
- Small and lightweight enough for countertop use
- Bright programmable LED display
- Incompatible with K-cups or loose grounds
- Weaker taste despite different brew settings
- Inability to brew tea or cocoa for single serve purposes
8. Black & Decker Brew N’ Go Personal Coffee Maker DCM18S
Black & Decker is a brand that has long been associated with high-quality household appliances. Its Brew N’ Go personal coffee maker DCM18S is yet another great addition to this brand with its durable performance and easy-to-use interface. It has its own built-in filter so you do not need to buy paper filters at the store. The filter can also be removed and cleaned in your dishwasher.
Along with being easy to use, this single serve coffee maker also comes with its own 12 ounce travel mug. The mug fits perfectly under the machine’s dispenser, letting you brew the perfect cup of coffee before work or a long car ride. The machine is also sleek and upscale with its black and white finish and compact size. It weighs just a little over 2 pounds and stands a bit more than 10 inches, letting it fit snugly into any corner of your kitchen counter.
The Brew N’ Go is built with safety in mind and comes with an automatic shut-off function for peace of mind. After several minutes of inactivity, it turns itself off so that you avoid the worry of fires and burns. It brews not only coffee but also hot chocolate and tea. The single serve water reservoir also holds the ideal amount of water for instant soup.
- Detachable filter that can be cleaned in the dishwasher
- User-friendly interface and design
- Capable of brewing up to 12 ounces of coffee
- Incompatible with K-cups and pods
- Messy brewing
- Spitting if water is added while the machine is hot
9. Cuisinart SS-700 Single Serve Brewing System
With its industrial chic design and stainless steel finish, the Cuisinart SS-700 single serve brewing system lets you brew a single cup of coffee without the hassle or expense. It is designed to use standard K-cups like those available from Keurig and off-brands. However, it also has its own removable filter so you can use your favorite ground coffee or loose leaf tea as well.
This system can brew four different cup sizes so you can choose the perfect serving size each time. Choose from four, six, eight, and 10 ounce servings, plenty to fill any standard coffee cup or travel mug. The machine is simple to use and only requires that you push the Brew button when you are ready for your single serve coffee. For your convenience, the machine also shuts off when it is not in use.
Also for your convenience, this system comes with a 12-cup sampler as well as a charcoal filter. It is programmable with an LED display backed by blue lighting. It also comes with a manufacturer’s warranty that safeguards against manufacturing defects and damages. Although this machine weighs a bit more than others on the market at 15 pounds, it is still lightweight and compact enough to fit easily on your kitchen counters.
- The ability to use both K-cups and off-brand cups and pods
- Capable of using loose grounds and tea bags
- Four different brew sizes
- Bright programmable LED display
- Somewhat intolerant of regular tap water
- Gets clogged and needs descaling if you do not use filtered water
- Needing frequent filter changes
10. Keurig K10 Mini Plus
Keurig has made a name for itself in the single serve coffee brewer market, and it does not disappoint with its K10 Mini Plus. Featuring its elegant matte taupe color, this brewer can quickly make a six ounce cup of coffee and also steep tea or hot cocoa with the push of the Brew button.
It comes with six free sample cups, allowing you to use your new brewer quickly without having to shop for additional cups. It lets you choose the perfect serving size each time with its three brewing sizes. Choose from six, eight, and 10 ounce brew sizes.
The brewer’s drip tray is removable and dishwasher safe, allowing for easy cleanup. You can also remove the tray to accommodate larger travel and coffee mugs.
- The ability to make coffee, tea, and cocoa
- Unique taupe color
- Removable tray so you can fill larger travel mugs
- Unable to use loose grounds for brewing unless you buy a separate filter
- Fickle performance after a few uses
- Total malfunction or failure to brew properly in some reported cases
How to Choose the Best Single Serve Coffee Maker
What exactly should you look for when shopping for the perfect single serve coffee maker? How can you select one that will serve you well and give you the long use that you want when you buy one of these brewers for your home? To help you find the best single serve brewer, you should keep some basic criteria in mind when comparing and contrasting today’s top choices.
Brewer Design
One of the primary aspects you may consider first is the brewer’s user-friendly design. Some of the brewers available today feature complex interfaces while others are relatively basic and self-explanatory in their use. Before you shop for one of these appliances, you should think about whether or not you want to be able to push a single button to brew a cup of coffee or if you want the option of brewing espressos, Americanos, and other types of single serve coffees.
Dimensions
You also should consider how much space you have in your kitchen for one of these brewers. Most of today’s models are relatively compact and lightweight. Most weigh under 15 pounds and are only 10 to 12 inches tall. Still, if you live in an apartment with little counter space or would rather save your counter space for other appliances, you should shop for a brewer that will accommodate the space you have available for it.
Beverage Preference
Another important factor that you should think about centers on what kind of coffee and other beverages you want to be able to brew with your appliance. If you want the option of using loose grounds along with cups or pods, you should shop for a brewer that comes with its own filter as well as a space for cups and pods. If you want to brew tea, hot cocoa, or water for soup, you should also look for a brewer that offers features like a removable tray or a reservoir for heating up water for other beverages.
Price
Finally, you should think about the budget you have available for one of these single serve brewers. You can find these appliances available for a wide range of prices. Some, particularly those made by popular brands like Keurig or Black & Decker, tend to be higher in price than those made by lesser known brands.
The higher priced brewers often have capabilities that outperform their lesser priced counterparts. However, when you are shopping on a budget or want to restrict the amount that you spend on a single serve brewer, you should keep the price range found with these appliances in mind.
Conclusion
Single serve coffee brewers make serving up your morning joe simple and quick. They save you time and money by letting you brew the right size cup of coffee without having to go through the Starbucks drive-thru or waiting for a 12-serving pot to fill up with hot coffee.
These top 10 models rank high with customers who appreciate their ease of use and coffee brewing capabilities. Use these reviews and the single serve coffee maker buyers guide to shop for your own today.