The problem that many consumers have with brewing their coffee is that they don’t need to brew an entire pot of coffee, they may only need a single cup. Using a drip coffeemaker to make just a single cup of coffee, however, is almost impossible. With most drip coffeemakers, even smaller models, the consumer will often have to make at least a few cups of coffee to even use the machine. That can be very wasteful and can cause the consumer to half to pour out most of what they’ve brewed.

Fortunately, consumers do have the ability to brew a single cup of coffee. All they have to do is to purchase the best single-serve coffee maker. A model that can be used to serve up a single cup of coffee. Now consumers who only drink a single cup of coffee don’t have to worry about pouring a half a pot of coffee down the drain. They can brew what they drink. To help our readers find the single-serve models that work well for them, we’ve reviewed a few of the best models.

Quick Summary of the Best Single Serve Coffee Makers

Best Overall: Sboly Thermal-Drip Single-Serve Coffee Maker

When consumers want to brew a single cup of coffee, they want a reliable machine, have the features that they need and are easy-to-use. Fortunately, this model checks off all of those features quite well. It’s a machine that provides the consumer with the ability to make coffee they want to make it and clean it up easily when it’s time to clean it. It’s also a machine that does an amazing job of brewing coffee. Sure, this model does cost more than the other models we’ve reviewed, but there is no other single-serve coffee maker that has the features this one has.

One of the first things that we would like to mention is that this model offers 2-in-1 brewing. What we mean by that is the consumer can use coffee pods to make a single cup of coffee or they can use traditional coffee grounds. And we quite frankly think this is quite revolutionary. After all, some people hate using coffee pods for coffee brewing and would rather make coffee the way they always make it. On the other hand, some people like to use coffee pods and find them more convenient to use. Either way, the consumer wants to brew this coffee, this machine is ready to help them out with that job.

This coffee machine has several other features worth talking about. The one feature we like is the auto-cleaning button. This button makes cleaning the machine easier than ever before. All the consumer has to do is press two buttons, and the machine will clean itself. Other features worth mentioning before we end this review is that this model has a compact design that allows it to be placed virtually anywhere, an upgraded basket filter, and an auto-shutoff feature that will automatically turn the machine off after it has completed a brewing cycle. All of these features make this one of the best single-serve coffee makers around. It’s certainly one we’d like to recommend to all of our readers.

What we liked about it
– This machine offers 2-in-1 brewing.
– This machine can self-clean itself.
– It has an automatic shutoff feature.

Also Recommended: Hamilton Beach Fast-Brewing Coffee Maker

Another single-serve coffee maker that we think works well is this one from Hamilton Beach. This model is designed to brew a single 8-ounce cup of coffee in 90-seconds or a 14-ounce travel mug in 2-1/2 minutes. It’s a model that features a mesh scoop filter that allows the consumer to brew with any coffee grounds that they choose and it has a durable design. It also has a stainless steel exterior that’s easy to wipe off after use. It’s a machine that allows the consumer to brew a cup of hot, flavorful coffee for pennies on the dollar. That reason alone is enough of a reason for most people to investigate this model further.

This machine also allows the consumer to use a variety of different cups with it. That’s thanks to this model’s adjustable stand that can hold standard coffee cups up to travel mugs and any cups in between. We also liked the idea for the steel-mesh scoop filter that came with this model, although we do say that it leaves a lot to be desired. This basket filter is supposed to eliminate the need for paper filters, but we found that isn’t always the case. Sometimes sediment from the coffee ground would work its way through the filter and into a cup of coffee. It doesn’t happen much but it can happen and is worth thinking about.

Some of the features that we found on this model include settings that allow the consumer to choose from regular coffee or bold coffee, an automatic shut-off feature that turns the machine off after the brew cycle and a wide drip-tray that also acts as a drain for any excess coffee that might drip. All of these things make this coffee maker a great one for people who simply want a single cup of coffee from their machine and nothing more. And it seems like a machine that seems like it will hold up to brewing many, many cups of coffee. All of these reasons are why we enjoy this coffee machine.

What we liked about it
– This machine can make single-servings of coffee quickly.
– It makes coffee for pennies on the dollar per cup.

Also Consider: Chefman Insta-Coffee Coffee Maker

Even though this isn’t the perfect single-serve coffee machine, it is a model that’s still pretty good. It offers the user a quick brew time that allows them to make a cup of coffee in 30-seconds flat. That’s from the moment the machine starts brewing to the time it finishes its cycle, which is impressive. We also like the fact that this machine is compatible with not only K-cup pods but also coffee grounds as well. And it comes with a reusable filter. The one thing that we weren’t happy about is that this machine doesn’t come with a mug–the consumer has to use their own. For the price, we kind of expected it to come with a mug, so needless to say, we were disappointed.

What we did like about this model, however, was that it had a compact design that allowed it to be placed anywhere in the kitchen without using up a lot of counter space. Another impressive thing was that this model could be operated with just one-touch. We mean that once the machine was set up, the consumer could use its one-touch operation to brew the perfect 14-ounce cup of coffee at the perfect temperature. This machine also comes with a K-cup holder, in addition to its reusable filter, so consumers can choose how they brew their next cup of coffee.

This 950-watt coffee maker is extremely easy to use and it’s CETL-approved, so consumers can rest assured that it’s safe to use. It’s a model that also comes with a self-cleaning feature, so consumers with hard water don’t have to spend all of their time worrying about mineral buildup when using their machine. We think with its space-saving design and all of its features, that it’s a good model for use not only at home but also at work or a dorm. It allows the consumer to enjoy a single serving of quality hot coffee no matter where they’re at and it brews coffee quickly.

What we liked about it
– This model has a quick brew cycle.
– It has a small footprint.

The Ultimate Single-Serve Coffee Maker Guide

Now that we’ve covered some of the best single-serve coffee makers, it’s time to turn our attention to selecting the one that’s best for your home. Since every person is different, you need to think about what you’re needs are and then compare them against some of the more common features found on these machines. To help our readers keep in mind what features they need to consider before purchasing one of these machines. Having said that, let’s just jump right into things and get this guide started.

[wc_fa icon=”cutlery” margin_left=”” margin_right=”10″ class=””][/wc_fa]First Step: Choose A Model

When it comes to single-serve coffee machines, the consumer has three choices available to them. Some models brew single-serve pods or capsules, models that brew ground coffee and models that can brew both K-cups and ground coffee. We prefer models that are 2-in-1 models and can brew both grounds and pods, but some people may only need to brew one or the other. Regardless, the consumer should take the time to consider which model would fit their needs the best. 

[wc_fa icon=”cutlery” margin_left=”” margin_right=”10″ class=””][/wc_fa]Second Step: Choose The Right Coffee Capacity

Another thing that the consumer should think about is the capacity of the coffeemaker. Although you would think that single-serve would be an informative descriptor for a coffee maker, the truth is that that term means different things to different manufactures. Some manufacturers think that it means a single 5-ounce cup of coffee and other manufacturers think that it means a single 14-ounce cup of coffee. No matter what capacity is needed, however, the consumer should make sure that the machine is capable of brewing the amount they need to be brewed. 

[wc_fa icon=”cutlery” margin_left=”” margin_right=”10″ class=””][/wc_fa]Third Step: Consider Power & Performance

It’s also a good idea for the consumer to consider the power and performance of a particular coffee maker before they decide to purchase it. Generally speaking, the more power these coffee makers have the faster they can brew a cup of coffee. Some of the best single-serve coffee makers can brew a cup of coffee in as little as 30-seconds, while others might take 60-90 seconds to brew the same amount of coffee. If this time difference is important to you, then be sure to make sure that your potential new coffee maker can brew that quickly. 

[wc_fa icon=”cutlery” margin_left=”” margin_right=”10″ class=””][/wc_fa]Fourth Step: Think About The Machine’s Ease-Of-Use

The next thing to consider is how easy the coffee maker is to use. Some models have an easy-to-read and use control panel that makes it simple to set up and brew coffee, and others are even easier to use with a single push-button operation mode. Since you’re going to be interacting with the machine on a daily basis, you are probably going to want to choose a model that’s easy to set up and operate. 

Whether the machine has an automatic cleaning mode is another thing that can make it easier to use. Many models can clean themselves with the simple push of a button, and that’s can really help the consumer keep their machine clean. In areas with hard water, this is especially important and can mean the difference between a machine that’s operating normally and a machine that’s clogged up and not brewing at all. 

[wc_fa icon=”cutlery” margin_left=”” margin_right=”10″ class=””][/wc_fa]Fifth Step: Don’t Forget About Your Budget

When buying one of these machines, you might also want to consider how much you want to spend. Do you need a budget model with only a few features or do you want one of the more expensive models that have a plethora of features? There’s no right or wrong budget for choosing a single-serve coffee maker, all you have to do is choose your budget and then confine your search to that budget. 

[wc_fa icon=”cutlery” margin_left=”” margin_right=”10″ class=””][/wc_fa]Other Features To Consider

As this guide winds down, we would like to take a few moments to go over some of the other features that you might want to consider before purchasing your next coffee maker. Although the above features are the basics of what the consumer should consider before purchasing their next machine, the following features are the ones that can increase the versatility of the machine—or at least, make the machine more fun to use. Let’s look at them more closely, shall we?

  • Adjustable Drip Trays
  • Reusable Coffee Filter
  • Automatic Shutoff Feature

[wc_fa icon=”cutlery” margin_left=”” margin_right=”10″ class=””][/wc_fa]Finally, Before We Go

All of the information above is what the consumer needs to consider before they purchase their next single-serve coffee maker. If you choose one of the models we have on our top list and/or follow the recommendations we’ve outlined in this guide, then there’s no reason why you shouldn’t end up with a machine that serves your purposes well.Â