Before the lunch rush in a restaurant kitchen, nobody brews a full pot for one person. Someone wants a quick cup, black or with a splash of milk, and wants it in the time it takes the comal to heat. At home the problem is the same: a 12-cup drip machine is too much coffee when only one person is drinking it, and half a pot left on the warmer tastes burnt by mid-morning.
A single-serve brewer solves that, but the choice is wider than it looks. Some machines take only one brand of pods, some take any ground coffee, and a few do both. This guide sorts them by what they brew, how much water they hold and how much counter they need, and names eight worth buying, from a Keurig that brews back to back to a one-cup Moccamaster that uses no pods at all.
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Quick verdict: which single-serve brewer to buy
For most homes the best single serve coffee maker is the Keurig K-Supreme: four cup sizes, a 66-ounce reservoir with two positions to suit your counter, and back-to-back brewing with no wait between cups. If you want to use your own ground coffee as well as pods, buy the Ninja Pods & Grounds, which brews up to 24 ounces and has an over-ice setting. For espresso-style shots and long coffees from one machine, choose the Nespresso Vertuo Pop+, and for the best cup from fresh grounds with no pods, the Technivorm Moccamaster Cup-One.
The details below explain what each machine actually takes, because the pod system you buy into matters more than the brand on the front.
Five single-serve brewers side by side
Our five standout picks, one for each kind of coffee drinker, with what each brews and how much water it holds, as the maker or listing states. All eight brewers are reviewed in full below.
| Brewer | Best for | Uses | Reservoir | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Keurig K-Supreme Single Serve Coffee MakerBest overall
|
Most homes, one cup after another | K-Cup pods | 66 oz, removable | View on Amazon |
Ninja Pods & Grounds Single Serve Coffee MakerPods and grounds
|
Pods some days, your own coffee others | K-Cup pods or ground coffee | 56 oz, removable | View on Amazon |
Nespresso Vertuo Pop+ Coffee and Espresso MachineBest for espresso-style
|
Espresso shots and full cups | Vertuo capsules only | 25 fl oz side tank | View on Amazon |
Technivorm Moccamaster Cup-One Coffee BrewerBest for ground coffee
|
Fresh-ground coffee, no pods | Ground coffee, paper filter | One 10 oz cup | View on Amazon |
| A small budget, pods or grounds | K-Cup pods or ground coffee | 14 oz | View on Amazon |
Product images from Amazon. Cup sizes and reservoirs are as stated by each maker or listing; check the listing before you buy.
Our picks for the best single serve coffee maker
These eight brewers cover the ways people make one cup at a time: K-Cup pod machines, a Nespresso capsule machine, brewers that take pods or your own grounds, a ground-coffee-only drip brewer and a manual press that needs only a kettle. Each pick says what it brews, how much water it holds and one honest reason to skip it.
1. Keurig K-Supreme Single Serve Coffee Maker – Back-to-Back Cups, Big Reservoir
The K-Supreme is the Keurig to buy if the household drinks several cups a morning. Its 66-ounce reservoir is large enough that you are not refilling it before every brew, and Keurig calls it dual-position: the reservoir can be set in either of two positions, so you can fit the machine to the space you have.
It brews 6, 8, 10 or 12 ounces from a K-Cup pod. Keurig says its MultiStream technology sends several streams of water into the pod to extract more flavor and aroma than its K-Classic brewer, and there is a strong button for a bolder cup and an iced setting that brews hot over ice. On a hot Houston afternoon that over-ice cup is the point: brew strong onto a tall glass of ice and add milk, or a spoon of horchata concentrate.
Keurig says it can brew back to back without waiting to reheat, which matters when two people want coffee before leaving the house. The drip tray area takes travel mugs up to 7 inches tall, and a maintenance alert reminds you to descale after every 250 brews.
The trade-off is the one that comes with every K-Cup machine: the listing describes it as working with K-Cup pods, so plan on buying pods rather than bagged coffee.
Why we like it
- Four cup sizes: 6, 8, 10 and 12 oz
- 66 oz dual-position reservoir
- Brews a second cup right away, with no reheat wait
- Strong setting and a brew-over-ice option
- Fits travel mugs up to 7 inches tall
Key specifications
| Brewer | Keurig K-Supreme |
|---|---|
| Uses | K-Cup pods |
| Cup sizes | 6, 8, 10, 12 oz |
| Reservoir | 66 oz, removable, dual-position |
| Pod cost note | Pods only, per the listing |
| Footprint | Not stated; dual-position reservoir |
| Iced option | Yes, brews hot over ice |
| Warranty | Not stated on the listing |
Why we recommend it
A household with two or three coffee drinkers who like the speed of pods. The large reservoir and the back-to-back brewing are what set it apart from smaller Keurigs, and the strong and iced settings cover most of what people ask of a pod machine.
Skip it if you want to brew your own coffee beans. The K-Supreme is built around K-Cup pods, and buying pods costs more per cup than bagged coffee over time.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Big reservoir, fewer refills
- No wait between cups
- Strong and over-ice settings
- Flexible reservoir position
Cons
- Pods only, per the listing
- Footprint not published on the listing
- Descaling needed every 250 brews
2. Ninja Pods & Grounds Single Serve Coffee Maker – Pods or Your Own Coffee
Ninja’s PB051 answers the most common complaint about pod machines: it takes K-Cup pods through an adapter, and it also brews loose ground coffee from a removable basket with a permanent filter. That means you can keep a box of pods for rushed mornings and still brew a bag of Chiapas or Veracruz coffee you bought on purpose.
It brews from 6 to 24 ounces, the widest range on this list, so one machine can make a short cup or fill a large travel tumbler. There are four brew styles. Classic and Rich cover everyday coffee, Over Ice brews to suit a glass full of ice, and Specialty makes a concentrated brew meant for lattes and other milk drinks.
A fold-away milk frother is built into the side, and Ninja includes a scoop, the pod adapter, the brew basket and the permanent filter. The 56-ounce reservoir is removable for filling at the sink, and the drip tray adjusts for travel mugs.
For a coffee drinker who likes café de olla, the grounds basket is the useful part: you can brew strong coffee from your own grounds and stir in piloncillo and cinnamon afterwards, which a sealed pod will not let you adjust.
Why we like it
- Brews K-Cup pods or your own ground coffee
- Cup sizes from 6 to 24 oz
- Four brew styles, including Over Ice and a concentrated Specialty brew
- Built-in fold-away milk frother
- Removable 56 oz reservoir
Key specifications
| Brewer | Ninja PB051 |
|---|---|
| Uses | K-Cup pods (with adapter) or ground coffee |
| Cup sizes | 6 to 24 oz |
| Reservoir | 56 oz, removable |
| Pod cost note | Any grounds or pods |
| Footprint | Not stated on the listing |
| Iced option | Yes, Over Ice brew style |
| Warranty | 1-year limited |
Why we recommend it
Anyone who does not want to be locked into pods. It is the most flexible machine here: pods, grounds, a big-mug setting and a frother in one body, and the grounds basket keeps the cost per cup down when you brew your own coffee.
Skip it if counter space is tight. With the frother, the basket and the adapter, there are more parts to store and rinse than on a pod-only machine, and Ninja’s listing does not give its dimensions.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Pods or grounds
- Brews up to 24 oz
- Built-in frother
- Over-ice setting
Cons
- More parts to rinse and store
- Dimensions not on the listing
- Pod adapter is one more piece to keep track of
3. Nespresso Vertuo Pop+ Coffee and Espresso Machine – Coffee and Espresso, One Button
Nespresso’s Vertuo machines brew both a mug of coffee and an espresso shot from capsules, which the K-Cup machines above cannot. The Pop+ is the compact model: Nespresso lists five sizes, 5, 8 and 12-ounce coffees plus single and double espressos, brewed hot or over ice.
It is a one-touch machine. You drop in a capsule, close the lid and press the button, and Nespresso says it heats up in about 30 seconds. The water tank sits at the side, holds 25 fluid ounces and lifts off for filling, and there is a descaling alert and an adjustable drip tray.
Nespresso says each cup comes topped with a velvety layer of coffee foam. For a café con leche or a cortado after lunch it is the closest thing to a café on this list without buying an espresso machine and a grinder.
The limit is the capsule. The listing says Vertuo capsules work only in Vertuo machines, so every cup comes from Nespresso’s range. Nespresso says the aluminum capsules are recyclable through its free recycling program.
Why we like it
- Brews coffee and espresso: 5, 8 and 12 oz coffees, single and double espresso
- Hot or over-ice brewing
- About 30-second heat-up, per Nespresso
- Compact body with a 25 fl oz side tank
- Aluminum capsules recyclable through Nespresso’s program
Key specifications
| Brewer | Nespresso Vertuo Pop+ by De’Longhi (ENV92B) |
|---|---|
| Uses | Nespresso Vertuo capsules |
| Cup sizes | 5, 8, 12 oz coffee; single and double espresso |
| Reservoir | 25 fl oz, removable side tank |
| Pod cost note | Vertuo capsules only |
| Footprint | Compact, per the listing; dimensions not stated |
| Iced option | Yes, brews over ice |
| Warranty | Not stated on the listing |
Why we recommend it
The person who wants an espresso shot one day and a mug of coffee the next without learning to pull shots. It is small, fast to heat and simple to use.
Skip it if you want to use any coffee you like. Vertuo capsules are the only thing it brews, and the small tank needs refilling more often than a Keurig’s.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Espresso and coffee from one machine
- Fast heat-up
- Small footprint
- Recycling program for capsules
Cons
- Vertuo capsules only
- Small 25 fl oz tank
- No grounds option
4. Technivorm Moccamaster Cup-One Coffee Brewer – One Cup from Fresh Grounds
The Cup-One is a one-cup version of the Moccamaster drip brewer, made by the Dutch company that builds the full-size KBT. It uses no pods. You put a paper filter and your own ground coffee in the brew basket, fill the reservoir for one cup, and flip one switch. Technivorm says it brews a 10-ounce cup in about four minutes.
The listing says the brewer is pump-free and heats the water to the correct temperature for coffee extraction, and that it turns itself off when the brew cycle ends. It is also quiet, which matters if one person gets up earlier than the rest of the house.
Technivorm says every Moccamaster is handmade in the Netherlands, and the listing states that the plastics are free of BPA, BPS, BPF and phthalates, with stainless steel and aluminum for the rest. It carries a 5-year warranty, the longest on this list.
It is slower than a pod machine and makes one size, but the cup is whatever coffee you buy and grind, which is the reason to choose it. Our guide to the best coffee maker covers the full-size Moccamaster if you sometimes need a pot.
Why we like it
- Uses your own ground coffee, no pods
- Brews a 10 oz cup in about four minutes, per Technivorm
- Pump-free, shuts off after brewing
- Handmade in the Netherlands
- 5-year warranty
Key specifications
| Brewer | Technivorm Moccamaster Cup-One (69211) |
|---|---|
| Uses | Ground coffee with paper filters |
| Cup sizes | One 10 oz cup |
| Reservoir | Single cup |
| Pod cost note | Any grounds, no pods |
| Footprint | Not stated on the listing |
| Iced option | Not stated |
| Warranty | 5 years |
Why we recommend it
The coffee drinker who already buys good beans and wants one cup at a time without pods. It is simple, built to last and backed by the longest warranty here.
Skip it if you want speed or choice of sizes. It makes one 10-ounce cup in about four minutes and needs paper filters, so it is slower than any pod machine.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Any coffee you like
- 5-year warranty
- Quiet, one-switch operation
- BPA, BPS and BPF-free plastics, per the listing
Cons
- One cup size
- Slower than pod machines
- Needs its own paper filters
5. Keurig K-Mini Single Serve Coffee Maker – Under 5 Inches Wide
The K-Mini is Keurig’s slimmest brewer, and Keurig says it is less than 5 inches wide. There is no standing reservoir. You pour in fresh water for each cup, anywhere from 6 to 12 ounces, so the machine only ever holds what you are about to drink.
That suits a dorm room, an office or a kitchen where every inch of counter is taken. The cord tucks into the back for storage or carrying, and Keurig says the machine switches itself off 90 seconds after the last brew.
The removable drip tray lets travel mugs up to 7 inches tall fit under the spout, and Keurig says the tray holds a full accidental brew, which helps if you forget to put a cup under it. Keurig also says it works with its My K-Cup universal reusable filter, sold separately, if you want to brew your own ground coffee.
Keurig recalled an older machine called the MINI Plus through the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission over a burn hazard; that is a different model from the K-Mini on this page.
Why we like it
- Less than 5 inches wide
- Any cup size from 6 to 12 oz
- Turns off 90 seconds after brewing
- Cord storage for tidy counters and carrying
- Works with the My K-Cup reusable filter, sold separately
Key specifications
| Brewer | Keurig K-Mini |
|---|---|
| Uses | K-Cup pods; own grounds with the My K-Cup filter, sold separately |
| Cup sizes | 6 to 12 oz |
| Reservoir | None; fill for each cup |
| Pod cost note | Pods, or grounds with an extra filter |
| Footprint | Less than 5 in wide |
| Iced option | Not stated |
| Warranty | Not stated on the listing |
Why we recommend it
Anyone short on space who drinks one cup at a time. It is the easiest Keurig to fit in a small kitchen and the easiest to put away.
Skip it if more than one person wants coffee. Filling it for every cup gets old quickly, and it has no strong or iced setting.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Very slim
- Brews only what you pour in
- Auto-off
- Cord storage
Cons
- Fill it for every cup
- No strong or iced setting listed
- Grounds need an extra filter
6. Hamilton Beach FlexBrew Single Serve Coffee Maker – Pods or Grounds for Less
Hamilton Beach’s FlexBrew does the same pods-or-grounds job as the Ninja in a smaller, simpler body. It comes with a pod holder and a single-serve basket for ground coffee. With a pod it brews up to 10 ounces, and with grounds up to 14 ounces.
The maker says it brews a hot 8-ounce cup in about two minutes, and it measures 13.8 inches high, 4.9 inches wide and 11 inches deep, according to Hamilton Beach. The 14-ounce reservoir has a water window so you can see how much you are brewing.
Touch controls offer a regular or a bold brew, and that is about it, which is the appeal. There is no menu to learn and few parts to wash: the basket or pod holder and the drip area.
It has a one-year warranty. The small reservoir means it is filled for each cup or two, so it suits one coffee drinker better than a family.
Why we like it
- Brews K-Cup pods (up to 10 oz) or grounds (up to 14 oz)
- Pod holder and grounds basket both included
- About two minutes for an 8 oz cup, per Hamilton Beach
- 4.9 inches wide
- Regular and bold settings
Key specifications
| Brewer | Hamilton Beach FlexBrew (49900) |
|---|---|
| Uses | K-Cup pods or ground coffee |
| Cup sizes | Up to 10 oz with a pod, up to 14 oz with grounds |
| Reservoir | 14 oz, with water window |
| Pod cost note | Any grounds or pods |
| Footprint | 13.8 H x 4.9 W x 11 D in (Hamilton Beach) |
| Iced option | Not stated |
| Warranty | 1 year |
Why we recommend it
One coffee drinker on a budget who wants the choice of pods or ground coffee. It is slim, quick and simple, and the grounds basket keeps the cost per cup down.
Skip it if you brew several cups in a row. The 14-ounce reservoir holds about one large mug, so you will be refilling it for each cup.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Pods or grounds
- Slim, under 5 inches wide
- Quick brew
- Simple controls
Cons
- Small reservoir
- No iced setting listed
- Pod cups top out at 10 oz
7. Cuisinart Premium Single-Serve Coffee Maker – Largest Reservoir, Programmable
Cuisinart’s SS-10 has the largest reservoir on this list: 72 ounces, with a built-in charcoal water filter. The listing calls it a pod coffee machine but does not say which pod brands it takes, so check with Cuisinart before you buy for a particular pod. It comes with a reusable coffee filter for your own ground coffee.
It has five cup-size settings, though the listing does not give them in ounces. The backlit display is fully programmable, with auto on and off, adjustable temperature and an auto-rinse that cleans the brew chamber, and the listing names a hot water dispenser for tea or a mug of Mexican hot chocolate.
The listing gives no dimensions, so measure your counter and confirm the size with Cuisinart first. It carries a limited three-year warranty.
With that reservoir and the hot water option, it suits a shared kitchen or a small office where several people make one cup each through the morning.
Why we like it
- 72 oz reservoir with a charcoal water filter
- Adjustable temperature control and auto-rinse
- Reusable filter cup included for ground coffee
- Hot water dispenser for tea or hot chocolate
- Limited three-year warranty
Key specifications
| Brewer | Cuisinart SS-10P1 |
|---|---|
| Uses | Pods (brands not stated in the listing) or ground coffee in the reusable filter |
| Cup sizes | Five settings; ounces not stated in the listing |
| Reservoir | 72 oz, charcoal filter |
| Pod cost note | Any grounds; pod brands not stated |
| Footprint | Not stated in the listing |
| Iced option | Not stated |
| Warranty | Limited 3-year |
Why we recommend it
A busy kitchen or office where many single cups are brewed each day. It refills least often of anything here and gives you pods, grounds and hot water from one machine.
Skip it if counter space is tight and you need a stated footprint before buying, or if you want the 24-ounce top size of the Ninja.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Biggest reservoir
- Pods or grounds
- Hot water on demand
- Three-year warranty
Cons
- Dimensions not stated
- Cup sizes in ounces not stated
- Charcoal filter needs replacing over time
8. AeroPress Original Coffee Press – One Cup, No Plug Needed
The AeroPress is not a machine at all. It is a plastic chamber and plunger that sits on top of a mug: you add ground coffee and hot water, wait, and press the coffee through a paper micro-filter. AeroPress says a cup takes about two minutes, and 50 paper filters come in the box.
AeroPress describes it as part French press, part pour-over and part espresso-style brewer, and it gives you control over the grind, the water temperature and the steep time, so you can make a short, strong coffee for milk drinks or a full mug. It also makes cold brew and iced coffee, the maker says.
It is lightweight and shatterproof, and AeroPress pitches it for travel, the office and camping. Cleaning is a matter of pushing out the puck of grounds and rinsing the plunger.
You need a kettle, and it makes one mug at a time, so it suits someone who already heats water for tea. Our guide to the best French press covers the bigger steep-and-press option.
Why we like it
- About two minutes per cup, per AeroPress
- 50 paper micro-filters included
- Lightweight and shatterproof
- Control over grind, temperature and steep time
- One-year warranty
Key specifications
| Brewer | AeroPress Original (85A01) |
|---|---|
| Uses | Ground coffee with paper micro-filters |
| Cup sizes | One mug per press; size not stated on the listing |
| Reservoir | None; pour water from a kettle |
| Pod cost note | Any grounds, no pods |
| Footprint | Compact and portable |
| Iced option | Yes, iced coffee and cold brew, per AeroPress |
| Warranty | 1 year |
Why we recommend it
The coffee drinker who travels, camps or has no room for another appliance. It costs little to run, uses any coffee and goes anywhere.
Skip it if you want push-button coffee. You need a kettle, a grinder or ground coffee, and a minute or two of attention for every cup.
Pros and cons
Pros
- No electricity needed
- Any coffee you like
- Shatterproof and portable
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Needs a kettle
- One mug at a time
- Manual, not push-button
How to choose a single-serve coffee maker
Start with what goes in the machine, because that decides what every cup costs and tastes like for as long as you own it.
Pods, capsules or grounds
Keurig machines take K-Cup pods, which many coffee brands make. Nespresso machines take their own capsules: Vertuo capsules only fit Vertuo machines, and Original capsules only fit Original machines. Brewers such as the Ninja, the Hamilton Beach FlexBrew and the Cuisinart also take your own ground coffee, and the Moccamaster Cup-One and the AeroPress take nothing but grounds. If you buy coffee from a local roaster, or like a Mexican bean from Chiapas or Veracruz, choose a machine that brews grounds.
Cup sizes
Check the largest size. Most pod machines top out at 12 ounces; the Ninja brews up to 24, which fills a large tumbler. Espresso-only capsule machines brew shots, not mugs.
Reservoir
A big reservoir means fewer trips to the sink. The Cuisinart holds 72 ounces and the K-Supreme 66, enough for several cups; the K-Mini has none, and you fill it each time. Removable reservoirs are easier to fill and clean.
Footprint and mug height
Measure the space under your cabinets, and remember that many brewers open at the top to load a pod. If you fill a travel mug before work, check the clearance under the spout: Keurig gives 7 inches for the K-Supreme and K-Mini.
Iced coffee
In a hot climate, an over-ice setting earns its place. The K-Supreme, Ninja and Vertuo Pop+ all brew to suit a glass of ice, which keeps iced coffee from tasting watered down.
How we chose these eight brewers
We started with what a restaurant kitchen asks of a one-cup brewer: a decent cup fast, simple controls, and parts that are easy to rinse between uses. We then limited the list to machines sold on Amazon in the United States and in stock when we checked, from makers who publish what the machine brews, its cup sizes and its reservoir. Specifications come from the Amazon listings and, where we could read them, the makers’ own product pages from Hamilton Beach and Breville. We checked the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s recall database for every brand; the only related recall we found was Keurig’s MINI Plus, which is a different model from the brewers here. We have not brewed with these machines, and we do not quote reviewers whose guides we could not read. BUNN’s My Cafe pod brewer was left out because Amazon listed it as low in stock when we checked.
Single-serve coffee questions, answered
Which single-serve coffee maker is best for home use?
For most homes, the Keurig K-Supreme: four cup sizes, a large reservoir and no wait between cups. If you want to brew your own coffee too, choose the Ninja Pods & Grounds.
Is a pod machine or a grounds machine better?
Pods are faster and tidier; grounds cost less per cup and let you choose any coffee. A machine that does both, such as the Ninja or the Hamilton Beach FlexBrew, avoids having to pick.
What about America’s Test Kitchen and Consumer Reports?
We were not able to read America’s Test Kitchen’s or Consumer Reports’ current single-serve ratings, so we do not quote them. Our picks rest on the makers’ specifications and the listings, which we cite.
Can you make espresso in a single-serve coffee maker?
Only in a capsule espresso machine such as the Nespresso Vertuo Pop+. K-Cup brewers make strong coffee, not espresso. For a full espresso setup with a steam wand, you need a separate espresso machine.
How do you keep a single-serve brewer clean?
Empty the drip tray and the used pods daily, rinse removable baskets and filters after use, and descale as the maker says; Keurig’s K-Supreme reminds you after every 250 brews. Change the water regularly rather than letting it sit in the reservoir for days.
Our last word on one-cup coffee
Buy the Keurig K-Supreme if you want quick pod coffee for a household, the Ninja Pods & Grounds if you want pods and your own coffee from one machine, and the Moccamaster Cup-One if the coffee itself matters most. If you sometimes brew for a crowd, see our guide to the best coffee maker for full-pot drip machines, and our best cold brew coffee maker guide for a pitcher of iced coffee that keeps in the fridge.
More coffee gear we’ve covered: coffee grinders, espresso machines, pour-over drippers, milk frothers, coffee mugs, espresso grinders, travel mugs.
Need a full pot sometimes? See our guide to the best single and multi-serve coffee makers.
On a budget? See our guide to the best value single-serve coffee makers.
Rather skip the pods? See our guide to the best single-serve coffee makers without pods.
Set on a Keurig? See our guide to the best Keurig coffee makers.
Related guide: Best k cup holder.
Related guide: Single serve vs drip coffee maker.
Iced coffee and horchata go well together; our guide to the best horchata mix covers the mixes worth buying. And if you would rather someone else made breakfast, see the menu or call to order.