These Single-Serve Coffee Makers Will Keep Everyone Caffeinated and Happy

• The Keurig K-Elite Coffee Maker Is on Major Sale for Black Friday
• Our top picks:
• 2) Single Serve Coffee Maker
• 3) Grind and Brew Single-Serve Coffeemaker
• 6) Premium Single-Serve Brewer
• 5) Dinamica Plus Single-Serve Coffee Maker & Espresso Machine
• 9) One Scoop One Cup Coffee Maker
• 7) Single Serve Coffee Maker
• 8) Keurig K-Supreme Plus Smart Coffee Maker
• 3) K-Duo Plus
• 5) Coffee and Espresso Maker
• 10) Flexbrew Trio Coffee Maker
• 10) Nutribullet Brew Choice Coffee Maker – Dark Gray
• How we test sunscreens
• How we test sunscreens
• How we test sunscreens

The Keurig K-Elite Coffee Maker Is on Major Sale for Black Friday

This story was updated in October 2022 to ensure all picks tested and vetted by the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Culinary Innovation Lab were in stock and correctly priced.

Single-serve coffee makers have continued to stand out for the convenience of making a single cup of coffee in just a few minutes — no waiting for a pot to brew or wasted leftover coffee. A good single-serve coffee machine should deliver a tasty, hot cup of coffee just the way you like it without a lot of hassle.

Here at the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab, we love coffee and test coffee products and espresso machines year-round. Over the years we have brewed over 1,000 cups of coffee in different machines, including drip coffee makers, French presses, portable coffee makers, Nespresso machines, cold brew coffee makers and espresso machines, to find the tastiest cups of coffee you can brew at home. For this guide, GH experts tested 20 best-selling and highly-rated single-serve coffee machines from brands we trust such as Keurig, Cuisinart, Nespresso and more. When testing single-serve coffee makers we evaluate each model for its ease of use including how easy it is to fill the water reservoir and how well it performs. We perform water temperature testing to make sure the brew is as flavorful as it can be — and of course our coffee experts taste every cup. Our list includes the top-performing machines in our hands-on tests as well as popular ones from brands our experts have tested in the past.

Our top picks:

You can read more about how we evaluated single-serve coffee makers in our Lab — plus everything you need to know to shop for the best single-serve coffee maker — at the end of this guide.

1) K-Elite

$139.99

This machine from Keurig took the top spot in our tests and brewed the best-tasting coffee. It was consistently flavorful, full-bodied and smooth. Its easy-to-use control panel has simple buttons that allow you to choose from five drink sizes (from 4 to 12 ounces) and regular, strong or iced brews. But take note: The serving size options on the control panel aren’t clearly marked with ounce numbers (there are only pictures of cups at different heights).

The owner’s manual was clear and easy to follow, helping our testers quickly identify how to brew a cup of coffee. Out of all of the coffee makers we tested, the Keurig K-Elite boasted one of the largest water reservoirs at 75 ounces (or about 9 cups of coffee) — meaning you won’t have to refill constantly. If you prefer to use your own ground coffee, there’s also a reusable filter attachment that can be purchased separately.

Although our testers noted that it preheats in under 90 seconds, if you don’t like waiting, this coffee maker has an auto-on feature that sets the exact time you want it to turn on in the morning.

This model is available in brushed silver, slate and gold.

2) Single Serve Coffee Maker

$24.99

If you’re short on countertop space and want to save money, the BLACK+DECKER Single-Serve Coffee Maker is a compact brewer with a modest price tag. There’s no fuss with this machine since it has just one simple start button and automatically shuts off at the end of the brew cycle. We found the included 16-ounce travel mug useful as a measuring cup to fill the water reservoir. The machine will brew all of the water you add, so make sure you measure your coffee accordingly.

The included reusable filter was easy to remove and clean. And all non-electric parts are top-rack dishwasher safe, so it’s extra easy to clean up after making a cup. But beware if you decide not to use a travel mug: During our testing, we noticed that when using a regular mug, hot coffee would often splatter while brewing.

3) Grind and Brew Single-Serve Coffeemaker

$149.95

Unlike other single-serve coffeemakers that only offer options to use pods or pre-ground coffee, this compact Cuisinart machine has a built-in grinder that dispenses coffee grounds into a reusable pod for a freshly ground single cup of coffee. The trade-off is that it adds an extra step in the process to grind the beans, put the pod in the machine and brew. We found it was worth the extra effort for the tasty, medium-bodied cup of coffee it brewed in our test.

For days you’re in a rush or want to use decaf, the reusable filter pod can also be used with pre-ground coffee or you can load any single-cup coffee pod such as Keurig K-cups. We also found that this machine was intuitive to use without the instruction manual. The capsule was easy to clean and the water tank is detachable for easy filling at the sink.

6) Premium Single-Serve Brewer

$148.99

The Cuisinart Premium Single-Serve coffee maker eliminates the need for frequent refills with its large 72-ounce removable water reservoir. It comes with a reusable filter that is brilliantly hidden in a compartment on the right side of the machine. Our testers found it easy to access and use. In our tests, we found it takes virtually no time to preheat and this model brewed a cup of coffee in under 90 seconds. It also consistently brewed a hot cup of coffee at 172º F.

Choose from five drink sizes on an easy-to-read LED-lit control panel. We found the arrow buttons weren’t immediately intuitive but they became easy to use with practice. Its programmable rinse cycle flushes out residual flavors between brews and our testers liked that it consistently brewed flavorful and well-rounded coffee.

4) VertuoPlus

$175.99

According to our tests, the Nespresso VertuoPlus was one of the best espresso machines to offer the convenience of using pods. It makes a well-rounded brew with frothy crema that was consistent in temperature and volume every time. It also brews other great-tasting single-serve coffee drinks including double espresso, lungo and regular coffee in sizes up to 14 ounces. Our taste testers were impressed by the smooth and foamy crema that made the coffee taste silky smooth; one tester didn’t even want to add milk even though that’s how she normally drinks her coffee.

The coffee maker features a sleek and modern design with a small footprint and our testers found the machine easy to use. Coffee is ready with one touch of a button since the machine reads the barcode on the coffee capsule and brews it accordingly. The Nespresso VertuoPlus only takes large Nespresso capsules, but they come in nearly 30 flavor options.

5) Dinamica Plus Single-Serve Coffee Maker & Espresso Machine

$1699.95

This ultra-convenient coffee maker and espresso machine make a variety of drinks at the push of a button. It’s a favorite of Nicole Papantoniou, Kitchen Appliances & Innovation Lab Director, for its easy-to-use and highly responsive touch screen as well as its built-in frother that is removable to store leftover milk for use at a later time.

We were impressed with the fully automatic frother for making drinks like lattes and cappuccinos with a push of a button rather than making the milk in a separate frother and pouring it in ourselves. It can also brew over ice for iced coffee and make an array of other drinks such as flat whites, macchiato, regular coffee and more. It also makes hot milk and dispenses hot water for hot chocolate or tea. We found cleanup a breeze and appreciate that the frother is located on the machine so it doesn’t take up more counter space.

9) One Scoop One Cup Coffee Maker

$19.99

This single-serve coffee maker uses a small reusable filter so no pods or paper filters are required. It has a 14-ounce water tank and can make a larger cup of coffee which is great for filling your travel mug. Unlike most coffee machines that accommodate travel mugs but cause splashing with a shorter mug, this coffee maker is equipped with an adjustable drip tray that you can adjust to the height of your mug. The small footprint and compact design also make it ideal if you have limited counter space or need to store it when finished.

7) Single Serve Coffee Maker

$799.00

No matter what type of coffee you want, chances are the Spinn machine can make it. On top of regular drip coffee and espresso, it can also make cold brew and nitro-like cold brew. We found the cold brew had a surprisingly pleasant creaminess to it and the nitro-like cold brew also tasted creamy with a slightly thinner and smoother body.

We were impressed with how different the drip coffee, espresso and cold brews tasted. This is thanks to the centrifugal brewing core that spins at varying speeds for each type of drink lending to their unique tastes.

There are a number of drink options available like americanos, lungos, doppios and more. Keep in mind that the Spinn does not froth milk, so you will need a separate frother to make drinks with milk like lattes and cappuccinos. However, the Spinn app walks you through how to make each drink and offers customization to make it easy. The app also controls the entire machine so you can start a cup of coffee from your bed. The coffee machine still has a control panel with a few drink options if you want to skip the app.

We also liked the sleek design, large hopper and detachable reservoir. Simply load your favorite whole beans into the machine and it will grind them to order. Several of our experts and testers loved this machine for its convenience and ability to produce excellent coffee. Take note: You can only load one type of bean into the machine at once, so if you have a decaf drinker in the house, they’ll need to use another machine.

8) Keurig K-Supreme Plus Smart Coffee Maker

$221.99

If you’re looking for a no-fuss smart coffee maker, you’ll love this Keurig machine. The new BrewID feature automatically recognizes the brand and roast of the pod and customizes the brew setting to the recommendations of the coffee experts who created it. However, you can still adjust the strength, temperature and size if you choose.

Our testers and experts raved about tasty coffee and the option to further customize the temperature and strength of the brew. In our tests, we found both the control panel and the app to be intuitive and simple to use. Through the app, you can start the machine, make customizations and schedule a cup of coffee ahead of time. 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.

3) K-Duo Plus

$193.04

The K-Duo Plus is compatible with K-Cups for a single cup and a reusable filter for ground coffee to make an entire pot. In our testing, it consistently brewed coffee at the same temperature and volume, not to mention the resulting coffee tasted flavorful and well-rounded. We love that the Keurig K-Duo Plus has multiple brew options and includes a thermal carafe that keeps up to 12 cups of coffee hot without a warming plate. It can also fit a travel mug up to 8 inches tall — the most space we saw in testing.

One of our favorite features is the 60-ounce removable water reservoir that rotates to the left, right or back to fit your counter space. Not only can you pre-program it to brew coffee up to 24 hours in advance, but this machine also has a button to pause the coffee maker mid-brew so that you can pour from the carafe while it’s still brewing.

8) K-Cafe

$222.00

If you like frothy milk in your latte or cappuccino, this single-serve coffee maker is for you. The Keurig K-Cafe not only makes regular coffee, it can also brew shots for lattes and cappuccinos using a regular K-Cup. (We recommend buying the espresso roast K-cups that have a stronger flavor.) The built-in frother with steaming cup will prepare both hot and cold milk in under two minutes and it’s dishwasher-safe. It also has a lid so you can store extra frothed milk in the fridge for next time.

The Keurig K-Cafe features a well-marked and easy-to-use control panel for both brewing coffee and frothing milk. One of our favorite features is the “strong” button that brews a fuller flavored cup no matter which size you choose.

5) Coffee and Espresso Maker

$39.95

The Aeropress is a coffee brewer made of a plastic tube with a filter on one end and a removable plunger on the other. The gadget is placed, filter-side down, over a cup and filled with ground coffee and hot water (you will need a separate source of hot water to brew the coffee, like a kettle). The plunger pushes the coffee down into the cup.At less than six inches tall and about four inches wide, the AeroPress is compact and travel-friendly. Plus, it was one of the few in our tests that does not require coffee pods.

Our testers liked that all parts comfortably fit into a gallon-sized zip top bag making it perfect for packing, plus it was a breeze to wash. The AeroPress does require brand-specific paper filters (350 are included with the product) and we recommend carefully reading the simple but important-to-follow instructions to get the best tasting cup of coffee.

10) Flexbrew Trio Coffee Maker

$111.54

With this Hamilton Beach machine you can make a full pot of coffee and a single-serve at the same time with two different reservoirs, making it great for when you have company over and need a full pot and a single-serve of tea or if you and your partner have different coffee preferences. The 12-cup carafe has the option to choose regular or bold coffee and the single-serve side lets you brew with K-Cups or the ground coffee of your choice.

In our tests, we found this coffee maker easy to use without needing to refer to the instruction manual. We were impressed with the 40-ounce water reservoir that eliminates the need for frequent refills — the tank is also removable making required refills a breeze. We found the temperature of its just-brewed coffee to be hot but not piping hot if that’s your thing, though it did have a fairly fast brew time.

10) Nutribullet Brew Choice Coffee Maker – Dark Gray

$99.99

If you find yourself needing a full pot of coffee some days and a single cup on others, Nutribullet just launched their first single-serve coffee maker with the option of being able to brew a single cup or swap out the pod for a filter so you can brew a full pot of coffee. The single-serve pod setting allows for 6-, 8- and 12-ounce sizes and the carafe has the option of brewing six, nine and 12 cups of coffee.

While you do need to swap between pods and the filter to brew a single cup or a full-size pot rather than having both functions side by side, this machine has a relatively small footprint while still giving both options.

How we test sunscreens

The kitchen tech experts in the Good Housekeeping Institute tested 20 best-selling models from brands we trust to find the best single-serve coffee makers.

When we test single-serve coffee makers we evaluate their ease of use and performance. We assess how easy each coffee maker is to set up, the clarity of the instruction manual, how intuitive each one is to use and how easy it is clean the coffee machine after use. We also consider ease of use when it comes to filling the water reservoir, preheat time and brew time.

When making coffee, we measure the temperature after brewing to ensure a hot cup of coffee. We brew multiple cups to check for the consistency and functionality of the machine. We also note anything that’s not consumer friendly such as coffee splashing out of the mug while brewing or a difficult-to-read control panel.

Finally, we taste each cup of coffee in search of a full-bodied brew with little to no acidity or bitterness. We also consider the cost and availability of coffee pods, refills and paper filters.

How we test sunscreens

✔️ Single-use coffee pods vs. reusable filters: Most single-serve coffee makers use store-bought coffee pods, like the popular K-Cup pods from Keurig. Pods are small plastic or aluminum cups that contain pre-portioned ground coffee and a built-in filter. K-Cups and capsules are convenient to use but are more expensive than using your own ground coffee. And while some pods are recyclable, like K-Cups, you need to remove the grounds and foil first and check with your local recycling facility to ensure they can process the type of plastic your pods are made from. Soft pods are a popular alternative: The ground coffee comes in a tea bag-like round paper filter, which eliminates the plastic waste.

If you prefer a coffee maker with no pods, there are single-serve machines that feature a reusable filter to fill with your own ground coffee. Reusable filters are definitely the more eco-friendly option but the filters need to be washed after each use. All of the reusable filters we tested were easy to detach from the coffee maker and dishwasher-safe. We recommend adding 2 tablespoons of ground coffee into the reusable filter for a 6-ounce cup of coffee.

✔️ Water reservoir: Consider how often you brew coffee. For two or more servings per day, you would benefit from a large water reservoir which means less refilling. Some water reservoirs are removable and have handles that make it easy to carry to the sink to refill and clean. Others are permanently attached to the coffee maker so you may want to have a spouted pitcher on hand to refill it. Others lack a water reservoir altogether and require you to measure and add the amount of water you want to brew each time.

✔️ Brewing options: While some single-serve coffee makers brew only one cup size, some models provide more brewing options from single espresso shots up to 16 ounces (perfect for a travel mug). Coffee choices range from basic (like regular or strong brew coffee) to fancy (think iced drinks or even cappuccinos and lattes on more advanced models that have milk frothing attachments).

✔️ Speed: One advantage of a single-serve coffee maker is its quick brew time. Some models have a powerful heating mechanism that can heat the water and brew the coffee in less than a minute! Others require you to heat and pour your own water over the ground coffee. In our tests, the average time it took to brew an 8-ounce cup of coffee was about two minutes.

How we test sunscreens

Jamie Kim’s first job at Good Housekeeping Institute was testing a variety of consumer products, including coffee makers. Since then she has tested and written about many coffee and espresso makers as well as kitchen-related and cooking tools. She has a passion for coffee and has even attended a coffee cupping class. Over the years she’s taste-tested hundreds of cups of coffee. She holds an apparel and textile design degree as well as mechanical engineering.

Nicole Papantoniou has run the Good Housekeeping Kitchen Appliances and Culinary Innovation Lab since 2019; she oversees all the content and testing related to kitchen and cooking appliances, including coffee makers. Previously she worked in product development for small kitchen appliances and tools since 2014 as well as in several test kitchens, where she tested and developed recipes and food content starting in 2012. She has a grand diplome in classic culinary arts from the former French Culinary Institute and a certificate in culinary nutrition from the former Natural Gourmet Institute, now both known as the Institute of Culinary Education.