6 Best Single-Serve Coffee Makers, According to Expert Testing
These top picks brew tasty coffee one cup at a time.
Tested by Nicole PapantoniouKitchen Appliances Lab Director
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Single-serve coffee makers are ideal for those who don't need a full pot of coffee and want the convenience of brewing one cup at a time with the push of a few buttons. Popular single-cup options include K-Cups or Nespresso capsules, but there are newcomer capsule coffee makers, as well as machines that let you use your favorite coffee.
In the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab, we test coffee and espresso makers year-round, including over 30 single-serve machines. To ensure you get a delicious cup of coffee every time, we evaluate performance, ease of use and, of course, taste. Our top picks include models compatible with capsules, ground coffee or both. Some machines even have additional features like a milk frother or built-in coffee grinder.
Nespresso VertuoPlus Coffee and Espresso Machine
Pros
- Brews a silky smooth coffee
- Testers found it easy to use
- Wide assortment of flavors, roasts and sizes
Cons
- Only takes Nespresso brand Vertuo capsules
- Coffee volume is specific to each capsule
Nespresso is known for making great espresso drinks, but Nespresso’s Vertuo line of machines can also make delicious coffee. They work by reading the barcode on the capsule and brewing it specifically for that coffee, including the size. (This differs from many single-serve coffee makers that require you to select a cup size.)
The Nespresso VertuoPlus only accepts large Nespresso capsules, but they come in a variety of sizes, coffee and espresso types, as well as roasts and flavors. This coffee maker features a sleek and modern design with a compact footprint, and our testers found the machine to be easy to use.
HOW IT PERFORMED IN OUR TESTS: In our tests, the coffee capsules made rich, well-rounded cups, round after round, that were consistent in temperature and volume. Our taste testers were impressed by the smooth crema that added silkiness to the coffee; one tester didn’t even want to add milk, even though that’s how she typically drinks her coffee.
TAKE NOTE: Because each capsule brews a specific size based on the coffee, you may need to buy different capsules to get a variety of brew sizes.
RELATED: Nespresso vs. Keurig: Which Coffee Machine Is Right for You?
| Brew sizes | 1.35, 2.7, 5, 8 and 14 oz |
| Brew options | Single-serve coffee and espresso |
| Coffee type | Vertuo Nespresso capsules |
| Water reservoir | Removable 37-oz capacity |
Keurig K-Supreme Plus Smart Coffee Maker
Pros
- Automatically adjusts brew settings to each K-cup
- Able to adjust temperature and strength
- Can start the machine through the app on a phone
Cons
- Scheduled coffee does not start automatically
If you're looking for a no-fuss smart coffee maker, this Keurig machine is it. The BrewID feature automatically recognizes the brand and roast of the pod, then customizes the brew setting according to the recommendations of the coffee experts who created it. However, you can still adjust the strength, temperature and size if you choose. Through the app, you can start the machine, make customizations and schedule a cup of coffee ahead of time.
HOW IT PERFORMED IN OUR TESTS: Our testers and experts alike were impressed with the hot, full-bodied coffee and the option to further customize the temperature and strength of the brew. The coffee also had a pleasant aroma. In our tests, we found both the control panel and the app to be intuitive and simple to use.
TAKE NOTE: The downside to the coffee scheduling is that it must be confirmed on the app at the scheduled time before it starts, so it won't brew while you sleep.
| Brew sizes | 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 oz |
| Brew options | 5 brew strength settings and iced |
| Coffee type | K-Cup or reusable filter filled with ground coffee |
| Water reservoir | Removable 78-oz capacity |
Ninja Pods & Grounds Specialty Single-Serve Coffee Maker
Pros
- Slim design makes for easy for storage
- Built-in frothing wand
- Onboard accessory storage
Cons
- Need to preheat milk before frothing for hot drinks
Compatible with both single-serve pods or coffee grounds, the Ninja makes delicious lattes, macchiatos, cappuccinos and other fun coffee drinks right at home. Choose your brew style — classic, rich, over ice or specialty — and use the built-in frothing wand to upgrade your coffee to a cappuccino or latte.
This model offers four different brew sizes when using pods and six different brew sizes when using coffee grounds, providing a great variety of size options for those who enjoy changing things up daily. We also appreciated the onboard accessory storage, so you'll never misplace your measuring scoop again. When you're done, the frothing wand tucks into the machine, and the slender design allows it to easily slide into storage until you use it again.
HOW IT PERFORMED IN OUR TESTS: In our tests, we found this machine made good coffee with a well-balanced flavor. It also frothed both hot and cold milk well, but you'll have to heat the milk separately yourself; the wand doesn't steam the milk.
TAKE NOTE: The frothing wand does not heat milk.
| Brew sizes | 6, 8, 10, 12, 18 or 24 oz |
| Brew options | Classic, rich, over ice and specialty |
| Coffee type | K-cups or coffee grounds |
| Water reservoir | Removable 56-oz capacity |
Pros
- Control panel is intuitive
- A lot of easy-to-use customization options
- Produces complex, smooth coffee with little to no bitterness
Cons
- Capsules may need to be repositioned
For a high-end coffee experience with the ease of a single-serve machine, opt for the Bruvi BV-01 Brewer. The sleek touchscreen control panel lights up with clear, easy-to-read lettering and a simple start/stop button, making brewing first thing in the morning fuss-free. Choose from options like hotter, low acid, stronger, cold brew, iced, Americano and espresso with the touch of a button. The customizations are easy to select and don’t require referring to the user manual to learn how they work.
Use reusable pods with your own ground coffee or opt for Bruvi “B-Pods.” After inserting the B-Pod, the machine scans the label and optimizes the brew time, water temperature and other metrics. According to the brand, these pods break down more rapidly than untreated plastics, allowing you to simply throw them away. While this machine is more expensive than many others on this list, we found the coffee to have a complex aroma, balanced acidity and smooth finish with very little bitterness.
HOW IT PERFORMED IN OUR TESTS: Testers appreciated the machine’s ease of use, customization and flavorful coffee. One stated they loved the option for matcha capsules, which are rare in capsule machines.
TAKE NOTE: Over time, a few of our testers noticed that some capsules occasionally needed repositioning to work correctly.
| Brew sizes | 6, 8, 10 or 12 oz |
| Brew options | Espresso, infused, hotter, low acid, americano, stronger, iced, cold brew |
| Coffee type | Bruvi B-Pods |
| Water reservoir | Removable 70-oz capacity |
Lavazza Coffee Classy Plus
Pros
- Milk froths automatically in cup
- Small and easy to store
- Makes delicious cappuccinos and lattes
Cons
- Machine doesn't shut off automatically
This all-in-one machine blew us away in our testing. It froths the foam for cappuccinos and lattes directly in your cup, then adds the coffee capsule to create a delicious drink. No need to follow multiple steps or switch to a different attachment. This unique ability earned it a Good Housekeeping Coffee Award. It even froths well with plant-based milk, which can often be trickier to work with, and there are three foam options so you can choose if you want more or less.
You can either use Lavazza Blue or Lavazza Expert capsules. Your desired beverage can be pre-selected during the 40-second boot-up time with just the click of a button. Coffee options include a shot or double shot of espresso, lungo, Italian-style coffee or a regular cup of drip coffee. Even better, this innovative pick is easy to store and won't clutter your countertop, thanks to its small size.
HOW IT PERFORMED IN OUR TESTS: We used this machine in the Lab for about a year. Our expert testers and staff members found that it was easy, convenient and most importantly, created great-tasting cappuccinos and lattes.
TAKE NOTE: Make sure to turn the machine off after use, as it doesn't shut off automatically.
RELATED: The Best Latte Machines, Tested by Kitchen Appliance Pros
| Brew sizes | 8 oz |
| Brew options | Espresso, double shot, lungo, macchiato, cappuccino, latte and 8-oz coffee |
| Coffee type | Blue or Expert capsules or reusable filter filled with ground coffee |
| Water reservoir | Removable 41.6-oz capacity |
Cuisinart Grind and Brew Single-Serve Coffee Maker
Pros
- Grinds beans for a single cup of coffee
- Can also use pre-ground coffee and single cup pods
- Easy to use
Cons
- Grinding and brewing is a two-step process
Unlike other single-serve coffee makers that only offer options to use pods or pre-ground coffee, this compact Cuisinart machine features a built-in grinder that dispenses coffee grounds into a reusable pod, providing a freshly ground single cup of coffee. If you're in a hurry, the reusable filter pod can also be used with pre-ground coffee, or you can load compatible single-cup coffee pods, such as Keurig K-Cups.
HOW IT PERFORMED IN OUR TESTS: The extra step of grinding beans into the capsule paid off with a flavorful, medium-bodied cup in our test. The machine was intuitive to use even without the manual, the capsule was easy to clean and the detachable water tank made refilling simple.
TAKE NOTE: The trade-off of freshly ground coffee is that it adds an extra step to the process: grind the beans, insert the pod into the machine and then brew.
RELATED: The Best Coffee Makers With Grinders, Tested by Experts
| Brew sizes | 8, 10 and 12 oz |
| Brew options | Single-serve coffee |
| Coffee type | Resuable filter filled with freshly ground beans, pre-ground coffee or single-cup pods |
| Water reservoir | Removable 48-oz capacity |
Other single-serve coffee makers we tested
We've tested over 30 single-serve coffee machines from brands such as Keurig, Cuisinart, Nespresso, Mr. Coffee, SharkNinja, L’Or, Lavazza, Aeropress, Jura, Hamilton Beach, Beautiful by Drew, Chefman and more. Read on for more information on coffee makers included in our most recent tests:
- Cuisinart Premium Single-Serve Brewer: In our tests, this coffee maker preheated quickly, brewing a cup of coffee in under 90 seconds. It also consistently delivered flavorful, well-rounded, hot cups of coffee. It offers five drink sizes, and we found the arrow buttons weren't immediately intuitive, but they became easy to use with practice. In more recent testing, we preferred the Cuisinart model with the unique built-in grinder.
- The Cumulus Machine: One of the first things we noticed was this machine’s modern design, featuring trendy carbon and cream color options. The Cumulus is built exclusively for cold drinks, including cold espresso, cold brew and nitro cold brew. Testers gave mixed reviews on the taste of the coffee and espresso, with some comparing it to high-quality coffeehouse fare and others commenting that it was too bitter. However, the nitro feature received positive feedback from testers, and no issues have occurred with long-term use.
- illy Café Easy Coffee Machine: This is the only single-serve machine we tested that uses 100% compostable paper pods (compared to the plastic or aluminum pods that most single-serve coffee makers use). You can also use ground espresso. It doesn’t make traditional American coffee — you can choose between an espresso shot or a slightly larger lungo shot — but it brews either option incredibly quickly (about 30 seconds for an espresso, and about 50 seconds for a lungo). Since we focused on machines that could make full cups of coffee, it didn’t make sense for this round-up, but it’s a viable option for espresso drinkers.
- Keurig K-Elite: This machine took the top spot in our previous tests for brewing coffee that was consistently flavorful, full-bodied and smooth. Its easy-to-use control panel features simple buttons with five drink sizes (ranging from 4 to 12 ounces) and options for regular, strong or iced brews. We wish the serving size options on the control panel were clearly marked with ounce numbers (rather than pictures of different-sized cups). In more recent tests, we preferred the customization options and smart capabilities of the newer Keurig K-Supreme.
- Spinn Espresso & Coffee Machine: We removed this machine, which made cold brew and a nitro-like version of cold brew in addition to regular drip coffee and espresso, from our list because it is no longer in stock. We look forward to testing their newer model, the Spinn 2, which is currently available for pre-order.
- xBloom: We tested both the older xBloom Original and newer xBloom Studio, which are automated pour-over machines. With both machines, we were impressed by the quality of the coffee and the pour-over functionality, which carefully and evenly coated the grounds with hot coffee, with short pauses in between pours to allow the grinds to bloom. The machines, especially the easier-to-use xBloom Original, are great options for pour-over enthusiasts. We found the learning curve on the xBloom Studio too high for the casual drinker. For example, the dials on this machine are not labeled and mostly operate using symbols (rather than words) on the light-up display.
How we test single-serve coffee makers
The kitchen gear experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute and Good Housekeeping Test Kitchen tested over 30 models from trusted brands to find the best single-serve coffee makers. When we test single-serve coffee makers, we evaluate their ease of use and performance.
- We evaluate the ease of setting up and operating each coffee maker, and assess how clearly the control panel is labeled and if it's user-friendly. We also note the ease of cleaning, such as whether parts are dishwasher-safe or hand-wash only. We also consider whether the water reservoir is removable and easy to fill.
- When making coffee, we record the preheat time, measure the brew time and check the temperature of multiple cups after brewing to ensure each one is consistently hot. We also note anything that's not consumer-friendly, such as coffee splashing out of the mug while brewing.
- Finally, we taste each cup of coffee in search of a well-balanced combination of flavor, acidity and body with little bitterness. We also consider the cost and availability of coffee pods, refills and paper filters.
What to look for when buying a single-serve coffee maker
✔️ Single-use coffee pods vs. reusable filters: Many single-serve coffee makers use store-bought coffee pods, like the popular K-Cup pods from Keurig. These capsules are convenient to use, but are more expensive than using your own ground coffee.
If you prefer a coffee maker without pods, there are single-serve machines that feature a reusable filter for filling with your own ground coffee. Reusable filters are the more eco-friendly option, but they require washing after each use. All of the reusable filters we tested were easy to detach from the coffee maker and dishwasher-safe.
✔️ Water reservoir: If you brew multiple servings per day, you'll benefit from a large water reservoir, which means less refilling. Consider water tanks that are removable with handles, making them easy to carry to the sink to refill and clean.
✔️ Brewing sizes: While some single-serve coffee makers brew only one cup size, some models provide more brewing options from single espresso shots to 16-ounce brews (perfect for a travel mug).
✔️ Brewing options: Most single-serve coffee makers offer various brew strengths such as classic, rich, over ice or single or double shots of espresso.
✔️ Coffee type: Some machines are only compatible with their brand’s specific capsules, while others offer greater flexibility by allowing you to use ground coffee, capsules or both.
Which coffee machine makes both single cups and full pots?
The Cuisinart 4-In-1 Coffee Machine offers 6-, 8- and 10-ounce single-serve coffee cups and can make a full 12-cup pot of drip coffee. One standout feature is that it's compatible with both K-Cups and Nespresso capsules. Plus, it features a built-in frothing wand for creating lattes or cappuccinos. In our tests, it brewed hot, flavorful and balanced coffee.
This is one of our favorite dual coffee makers for its wide range of drink options, but there are also other great dual coffee makers to suit different preferences.
RELATED: The Best High-End Coffee Makers
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Jamie Ueda has tested and written about dozens upon dozens of coffee and espresso makers. She tests and writes about everything coffee-related throughout the year. She has a passion for coffee and has even attended a coffee cupping class. She has a passion for coffee and has completed rigorous coffee courses from the SCA (Specialty Coffee Association) in coffee brewing, barista skills and sensory tasting. She regularly tests and contributes her knowledge as a judge in the Good Housekeeping Kitchen Gear, Coffee and Tea Awards.
Nicole Papantoniou has run the Good Housekeeping Kitchen Appliances and Culinary Innovation Lab since 2019. She oversees all content and testing relating to kitchen and cooking appliances, including coffee makers. Over the years she's tested numerous coffee makers and continues to road-test different coffee makers daily.
Jamie Ueda is a consumer products expert with over 17 years of experience in areas of product development and manufacturing. She has held leading roles at both mid-size consumer goods companies and one of the most notable and largest apparel brands in the world. Jamie has contributed to several of the GH Institute Labs, including Kitchen Appliances, Media and Tech, Textiles and Home Appliances. In her free time she enjoys cooking, traveling, and working out.
Nicole (she/her) is the director of the Good Housekeeping Institute's Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab, where she has overseen content and testing related to kitchen and cooking appliances, tools and gear since 2019. She’s an experienced product tester and recipe creator, trained in classic culinary arts and culinary nutrition. She has worked in test kitchens for small kitchen appliance brands and national magazines, including Family Circle and Ladies’ Home Journal.
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