News

Oct 23, 2024

Best Single-Serve Automated Coffee Makers of 2024 [Tested]

By Emily Way Tested by Sheri Kaz and Annamarie Higley Taste of Home's Editorial Process Updated on Oct. 18, 2024 Sometimes you need only one really good cup of coffee. That's why we found the best

By Emily Way

Tested by Sheri Kaz and Annamarie Higley

Taste of Home's Editorial Process

Updated on Oct. 18, 2024

Sometimes you need only one really good cup of coffee. That's why we found the best single-serve coffee maker machine options for every brew style and budget.

Our editors and experts handpick every product we feature. We may earn a commission from your purchases.Learn more.

Coffee has come a long way. Fifty years ago, folks were limited to a drip coffee maker or pour-over to curb their caffeine cravings. Nowadays, enjoying a piping hot specialty latte is as simple as mixing up a high-quality coffee concentrate or stopping by Starbucks for a fresh cup. However, nothing saves time and money (and tickles the tastebuds) like one of the best single-serve coffee maker machines.

“When looking for appliances, it’s nice for people to have the option to use a K-cup or preground coffee since it helps people save money,” says Sydney Manning, former barista and Editorial Coordinator on the Product Testing Team. “Plus, they can customize it more to their taste.”

In addition to convenience, the best single-serving coffee maker machines can make everything from simple cups to fancy drinks like lattes, iced drinks and even tea and hot chocolate. Some companies even offer instant bone broths for sick days—and having hot water at the ready is an easy way to whip up an instant ramen dish.

With so many options on the market, our Product Testing Team trialed the most popular picks. We tested 14 machines and brewed over 50 coffee drinks to determine which options come out on top and which ones flop. These are the 10 winners, categorized according to their best strengths.

Shop on Ninja

Shop on Amazon

Shop on Walmart

Shop on Wayfair

Shop on Ninja

Shop on Amazon

Shop on Walmart

Shop on Wayfair

Pros:

Cons:

Whether you’re craving a cup of flavored coffee or a smooth, velvety latte, the Ninja Single-Serve Pods & Grounds brewer is our pick for the best single-serve coffee maker overall. Boasting buttons for classic, rich, ice, or specialty brews and an onboard milk frother, this café-quality option feels like having a barista right at home.

“No need to run to the local coffee shop with this machine in the house! This one does it all: iced coffee, specialty coffee and frothed coffee from grounds or pods,” remarks Sheri Kaz, Product Tester. And she’s right—it truly is an all-in-one solution for budding home baristas.

Apart from its multifunctionality, it’s also a compact unit that is only 13 inches long and five inches wide. The large water reservoir holds up to 56 ounces, requiring fewer weekly refills. We also appreciate that the slim onboard milk frother sits in the back rather than on the side, freeing space for smaller kitchens.

“Our team is a big fan of Ninja’s ingenuity in general, and this coffee maker is another on the long list of Ninja products we love,” says Annamarie Higley, head of the Product Testing Team. “It has a frother, cord management and iced functionality—all for a fair price.”

Compatible with most K-Cup pods or coffee grounds, a handy status bar shows how far along each cup is in the brewing process. There’s also no need to worry about watery iced coffee—the machine automatically adjusts, pulling a richer and darker brew to account for the melted ice. It also brews significantly cooler for iced drinks—something we didn’t see in many of the other machines. Despite not being quite as robust as a barista’s, the basic frother also impresses when you want to add extra pizzazz to a cup.

This single-serve coffee maker is grounds for celebration at nearly half the price of our luxury picks!

Pods/grounds: Both | Specialty drink or features: Classic, Rich, Over Ice, or Specialty Coffee; Onboard milk frother | Cup clearance: 8 in. | Water reservoir size: 56 oz. | Brewing size: 6-24 oz.

Shop on Nespresso

Shop on Amazon

Shop on Walmart

Shop on Sur La Table

Shop on Nespresso

Shop on Amazon

Shop on Walmart

Shop on Sur La Table

Pros:

Cons:

Bonafide coffee snobs may believe that single-serve coffee machines are inappropriate for an at-home coffee bar. With a reputation for producing watery coffee, we completely get it—at least, until we found this holy grail brewer. The Nespresso Vertuo machine is a heavy-duty option that boasts a sleek look, incredible versatility and fast, one-touch brewing that never tastes weak.

While the machine is only compatible with Nespresso’s proprietary pods, the capsules come in hundreds of different options that may sway your opinion in the Nespresso v.s. Keurig debate. Choices include lattes, espresso shots and other iced and hot specialty drinks. Thanks to the ridged, frosted plastic compartments, it also looks luxe on a counter. The machine is also available in five different colors: black, red, graphite metal, titan and silver.

Despite being a bit cumbersome to clean and set up prior to our first brew, maintaining the machine is simple. A dedicated button controls each three-round cleaning cycle, ensuring any buildup exits every last bit of the interior. It’s also one of the only buttons on the device since the machine automatically detects each pod and brews the size and strength accordingly.

Each brew—espresso, double espresso and coffee—produces a nice crema. For coffee newbies, crema is the red-brown foam that sits at the top of your espresso drink. It’s full of flavor and rich, inviting aromas that give each cup a café-style feel. This machine is for those who really covet their morning cup and enjoy a nice, strong flavor.

Pods/grounds: Nespresso Pods only | Specialty drink or features: Many, depending on the pods chosen | Cup clearance: 6 in. | Water reservoir size: 54 oz. | Brewing size: 5 oz., 8 oz., single and double espresso

Shop on Keurig

Shop on Amazon

Shop on Walmart

Shop on Wayfair

Shop on Keurig

Shop on Amazon

Shop on Walmart

Shop on Wayfair

Pros:

Cons:

Dream about being the hostess with the mostess? Nothing impresses guests like emerging from the kitchen with a tray of freshly brewed coffee drinks. The Keurig K-Elite comes with a massive 75-ounce water tank that brews up to six 12-ounce drinks before requiring a refill, making it the perfect pairing for parties and events.

One of the best Keurig coffee makers we’ve tested, the K-Elite offers a range of drink sizes, from mini four-ounce cups to behemoth 12-ounce drinks. The unit can make both iced and hot coffee, and its strength control buttons add additional flexibility to your favorite drinks. Caffeine lovers can even opt for plain hot water if they’re looking to steep their own tea bags or whip up a quick cup of instant ramen.

While brews are limited to K-Cups, the sheer variety of options on the market only makes this a concern for the most dedicated coffee aficionados. The option of gold, silver and slate shades helps this sleek, matte machine blend in with other appliances. Intuitive buttons and settings simplify adjusting the brew temperature.

In addition to providing a number of servings from a single tank, the K-Elite is also remarkably quiet and fast. It heats up as soon as you plug it in and doesn’t take too long to brew the coffee, so there’s no need to keep guests waiting while you brew their second wind.

Pods/grounds: K-Cups only | Specialty drink or features: Iced coffee, strong, hot water | Cup clearance: 7.5 in. without tray, 6.5 in. with tray | Water reservoir size: 75 oz. | Brewing size: 4, 6, 8, 10 or 12 oz.

Shop on Keurig

Shop on Amazon

Shop on Walmart

Shop on Wayfair

Shop on Keurig

Shop on Amazon

Shop on Walmart

Shop on Wayfair

Pros:

Cons:

Nothing beats a bold pop of color to wake you up in the morning. The Keurig K-Mini Plus is your best friend when style is central to your kitchen. It’s available in seven different shades, including cardinal red, cool aqua, evening teal, matte black, misty green, studio gray and simple white. It also easily slides onto smaller countertops at a humble 11 inches in length.

While it cannot make iced drinks like its K-Elite cousin, the K-Mini Plus provides several different brew sizes and strengths. A single-cup water tank and built-in coffee pod holder free up additional room for additional coffee bar essentials.

It may not offer the bells and whistles of some of the other options, but an auto shutoff feature and cute, vibrant colors make it a shoo-in for those seeking a simple cup with style. It’s a capable, easy-to-use machine that produces smooth-tasting brews to boot.

At such an affordable price point, it’s hard to argue with the value of this little machine!

Pods/grounds: K-Cups only | Specialty drink or features: Strong/regular | Cup clearance: 6 in. | Water reservoir size: Single cup | Brewing size: 6-12 oz.

Shop on Cuisinart

Shop on Amazon

Shop on Walmart

Shop on Wayfair

Shop on Cuisinart

Shop on Amazon

Shop on Walmart

Shop on Wayfair

Pros:

Cons:

Brewing your own beans has never “bean” easier than with the Cuisinart DGB-2 Grind & Brew. It offers both the simplicity of pods and the flexibility of grounds, with a twist: There’s no need to grind your favorite roasts ahead of time. A built-in burr coffee grinder automatically funnels into the reusable pod, making it a one-step process to grind and brew your favorite blends.

Because the grinder automatically stops when the reusable pod is full, you don’t need to portion out your preferred beans. An internal charcoal water filter provides debris-free sips, erasing any worries about errant grounds. Surprisingly, we also found the unit fast and quiet—a big feat for a burr grinder!

One area the team found cumbersome is cleaning the machine. For the most part, it’s like the other machines, with steps for removing, emptying and cleaning the drip tray, water reservoir and pod holder. However, cleaning out the bean grinder and hopper is an additional (and time-consuming) process.

The hopper stays connected to the maker while the bottom piece (i.e., the grinder) pulls out for a deeper clean. If you still have beans in the hopper you cannot clean it until you fully grind all of the beans. A brush is included to knock debris loose in the grinder and hopper, though it’s a little difficult to get it fully clean.

While a bit inconvenient, it’s by no means a deal breaker for us—especially given the convenience of the grinder itself.

Pods/grounds: Both | Specialty drink or features: Built-in burr grinder | Cup clearance: 6 in. | Water reservoir size: 48 oz. | Brewing size: 8, 10, 12 oz.

Shop on Walmart

Shop on Walmart

Pros:

Cons:

Contrary to the $5 cups available at cafes, enjoying a basic cup of coffee doesn’t have to cost a fortune. The Mainstays Single Serve Coffee Maker rings up at only around $20, paying for itself in just a few uses. Compact at only eight inches long and compatible with both pods and grounds, this handy little machine doesn’t have to impress with sleek materials or flashy screens. It simply provides a nice, hot cup of coffee on a budget.

A generous seven-inch cup clearance accommodates mugs and travel cups alike, and an auto-shutoff feature adds a little peace of mind. It brews hotter than most other machines at 170°F, which creates a very steamy drink—just be careful while handling and sipping. Manual buttons on the side are simple to control, making this a nice pick for those who prefer minimalistic appliances.

While the coffee made by the machine is a bit weaker than the others and takes some time to brew, we find the cons a good tradeoff for the price. Because it’s so wallet-friendly, it’s the perfect addition to coffee gift baskets, college student care packages or as an office backup. While a cheaper construction clues us in that it isn’t exactly heirloom quality, it is an inexpensive option that’s a perfect first machine for those who are K-Cup curious.

Pods/grounds: Both | Specialty drink or features: No | Cup clearance: 7 in. | Water reservoir size: 14 oz. | Brewing size: 6-14 oz.

Shop on Mr. Coffee

Shop on Amazon

Shop on Walmart

Shop on Wayfair

Shop on Mr. Coffee

Shop on Amazon

Shop on Walmart

Shop on Wayfair

Pros:

Cons:

A hot cup of coffee is a great way to start the day. But for some of us, specialty drinks are the real morning MVP. Nothing satisfies like the velvety-smooth sip of a latte, after all! The Mr. Coffee 4-in-1 is our number one pick for those seeking their own stand-alone coffee bar. Equipped with a grounds basket and a sidecar station with a hot and cold milk frother, it’s the easiest and quickest way to enjoy a cappuccino on the go.

“I really like how the coffee tastes coming out of this Mr. Coffee machine,” says Sheri Kaz, Product Tester. “The frother works well on both cold and hot milk. It even has a built-in heater for warm drinks, which is nice and adds a special twist to the daily coffee grind.” Sheri also loves the 22-ounce insulated tumbler for iced coffee on the go. “It fits perfectly under the machine and keeps cold coffee cold,” she says.

Convenient fill lines on the cup and recipes printed on the included scoop are small but sweet details we appreciate. The machine also brews rather quickly and silently, making it a good pick for early risers. Many of the parts are dishwasher safe, making it a breeze to clean as well. The only drawback is the one-serving water tank, which must be refilled for each cup.

As someone who tested it last year to write our Mr. Coffee 4-in-1 review, I can confirm that this machine makes coffee snobs into single-cup converts. I used my Mr. Coffee 4-in-1 for an entire summer and enjoyed some of the best iced coffee I’ve ever had. My tip? Pick up a pack of Cometeer pods and pop one into the grounds basket for a cup that feels like it’s from a local café.

Pods/grounds: Grounds only | Specialty drink or features: Hot, ice, cold foam, hot latte, hot cappuccino | Cup clearance: 8 in. | Water reservoir size: Up to 16 oz. | Brewing size: 8, 12, or 16 oz.

Shop on L'or Coffee

Shop on Amazon

Shop on Walmart

Shop on Macy's

Shop on L'or Coffee

Shop on Amazon

Shop on Walmart

Shop on Macy's

Pros:

Cons:

Espresso is a coveted drink for coffee fiends, offering a burst of energy in a small and flavorful package. Those who love this small-yet-mighty morning shot should consider investing in the L’or Barista Coffee & Espresso System. Our testers found themselves captivated by the excellent flavor and ease of use of this gorgeous and feature-rich machine.

There’s no need to choose between espresso or coffee—the L’or Barista brews both beverages flawlessly. Each cup comes from one of the hundreds of available L’or Pods, which provide everything from single-origin options to exotic, rich espresso concentrates that produce lots of flavorful crema. The machine automatically detects each pod and adjusts the brewing temperature accordingly.

“If you love espresso, you’ll love the Lor Barista,” says tester Sheri. “As a former barista, our team member Sydney was quite impressed with the crema this machine was able to create.”

In addition to creating near-professional drinks, the controls on the machine are relatively simple. Just insert your pod and select your brew size. The lack of confounding buttons and knobs adds to the sleek, minimalistic look of the machine. It truly looks luxe sitting on a coffee bar or counter! Even better, used pods tumble into a temporary storage compartment, so there’s no mess to clean directly after each cup.

“I’m not usually a fan of podded coffee, but this machine made a flavorful and fresh-tasting brew. Plus, the dual dispenser was fun to watch,” says Sheri.

Pods/grounds: L’or Pods only | Specialty drink or features: Coffee or Espresso | Cup clearance: 6 in. with drip tray, 4.5 in. without | Water reservoir size: 40 oz. | Brewing size: 1.4-12 oz.

Shop on Bruvi

Shop on Amazon

Shop on Bruvi

Shop on Amazon

Pros:

Cons:

Home baristas and caffeine fiends, listen up! The Bruvi BV-01 Brewer is our favorite option for an all-in-one machine that makes café-quality drinks at the touch of a button. Boasting convenient touchscreen controls and true, high-pressure espresso capabilities, it’s akin to having an at-home barista.

Features like eco-friendly B-Pods, used pod storage and a helpful phone app round out this pricey pick. While the cost is higher than the other options, it’s built to last through years of use. Additionally, the phone app offers tons of functionality, including remote or scheduled brewing and easy pod ordering. It logs what type of pods you’re using and how many brews you’ve done. There’s even a chart that details your daily, weekly and monthly use—handy for those looking to track their caffeine consumption.

“I love that you can wake up to a brewed cup of joe via the app,” says Sheri. “Having the option to brew on ‘low acid’ mode and adjust the temperature are high-level features.”

While the use of B-Pods may seem limiting, offerings include some of the best coffee brands. Klatch, Wonderland and Spellbinder are all available options, among dozens of others. Its many brew options are also laid out in a touch-screen menu that’s as simple to navigate as it is fun. While the coffee and espresso quality varies based on the brands you brew, we believe that the myriad options and heirloom quality make this machine well worth the higher price tag.

Pods/grounds: B-Pods only | Specialty drink or features: Coffee, true high-pressure espresso, Americano, cold brew, iced coffee, infused coffee and matcha latte, hot water | Cup clearance: 6.5 in. | Water reservoir size: 70 oz. | Brewing size: 6-12 oz., single or double shot espresso

Shop on Amazon

Shop on Wayfair

Shop on Amazon

Shop on Wayfair

Pros:

Cons:

For many of us, the best single-serve coffee maker machines are simple, small and stylish. Enter: The Haden Single Serve Coffee Maker. This mini-machine takes up only five inches of space, so it easily squeezes onto a crowded counter. At under 11 inches high, it also sits under shorter cabinet clearances. It comes in three stylish shades, including powder blue, ivory and handsome black and gold options.

The flexibility to use both grounds and pods makes it easy to brew your favorite organic coffee brands quickly. An adjustable nozzle that gives up to six inches of clearance fits both short and taller cups flawlessly. While the water tank only takes about a cup’s worth of liquid at a time, we do love the smaller footprint this provides. One-touch operation makes this an ideal option for those who prefer a simple cup to fancier frappes.

Because it costs a quarter of the price of luxury options, it’s a good budget-friendly alternative. Plus, thanks to its rounded shape and chrome details, it looks just as luxe on a counter as the high-end options.

Pods/grounds: Both | Specialty drink or features: No | Cup clearance: 6 in. | Water reservoir size: 14 oz. | Brewing size: 6-14 oz.

Each cup of coffee is as one-of-a-kind as the person enjoying it. It’s important to consider your own routines and preferences when choosing a single-serve coffee maker. The most important considerations include brewing method, cup strength and temperature, special features, tank size and longevity.

According to Sydney, it’s important to consider how each machine brews up its respective cup—especially for machines that produce “cold brew” or “iced” coffees, which tend to err on the watery side. Additionally, those who covet variety in their morning cup (or already have a coffee brand they’re loyal to) should opt for a machine that uses grounds rather than K-Cups or proprietary pods. Some machines even offer the flexibility to use both pods and grounds.

While some machines offer a nice, strong cup, others use brewing methods and temperatures that produce a weaker cup overall. Those who prefer a more robust cup should seek machines with custom strength settings and higher temperatures—not too high, though, as temperatures over 205 degrees Fahrenheit may burn the grounds, giving the coffee a bad flavor. Those who prefer absolute control over their cup should opt for machines like the Bruvi BV-01 Brewer, which let you choose your own brew temperature.

In addition to strength, think about any special features you’d enjoy. While some single-serve coffee makers are relatively basic, others include bells and whistles that mimic an at-home barista. “I consider special features like frothers, built-in grinders or an iced coffee feature that actually does a good job and doesn’t make the coffee too watery big pluses,” says Sydney.

Sydney also suggests finding a water tank with a good-sized water reservoir, as refilling it before brewing a cup is a tedious addition to morning routines. However, that depends on your space.

“Some have very large water tanks, which can be handy so you don’t have to refill as often but can be a detractor if you’re working with space limitations,” says culinary assistant Margaret Knoebel.

Margaret also suggests considering longevity. This includes not just the machine’s durability, but also the required equipment and pods. “Some brands are more picky about using only their pods, which can be a detractor when your favorite flavor gets discontinued. Or worse, the machine stops being made!” she says.

Our Product Testing and Shopping Teams have a combined decade of experience testing and evaluating products. As purveyors of everything from the best coffee subscriptions to the best coffee products, we are passionate about our morning brew. We conducted all tests in our Product Testing Lab under controlled conditions to rate each brush’s performance. Our team spent an estimated 30 hours on this test, including researching, sourcing, intake and testing the products.

For this piece, we also consulted Sydney Manning, a former barista, Editorial Coordinator and Product Tester. Throughout the process, she provided guidance on what to look for in a single-serve coffee maker. We also spoke to culinary assistant Margaret Knoebel for additional insight.

Margaret is a culinary assistant at Taste of Home, where she prepares recipes for the photo studio and creates cooking videos. She tests the recipe contest submissions for Taste of Home, so if you submit recipes often, Margaret knows your name and loves to read about how you created each dish!

She’s an alumna of the Culinary Institute of America, where she earned degrees in baking and pastry arts. When not baking at work or at home, you can find Margaret reading or hanging out with her golden doodle, Annie.

First, we located the top-selling single-serve coffee makers at several retailers, including Walmart, Amazon, Sur La Table, and Wayfair. We tested 14 machines, performing roughly 10 tests on each brewer. Testers brewed over 50 coffee drinks and collected more than 450 data points for this analysis.

To ensure the most apples-to-apples comparisons possible, all of these coffee drinks were made with Eight O’Clock Coffee Original Medium Roast Ground Coffee, Eight O’Clock Coffee Original Medium Roast K-Cups, and Eight O’Clock Coffee 100% Colombian Peaks Medium Roast Whole Bean Coffee.

All tea was made with Twinings of London English Breakfast Tea K-Cup Pods. The exceptions are coffee drinks made in the Nespresso, Lor and Bruvi machines, which take only proprietary capsules.

We evaluated each machine based on the following criteria: setup and assembly, specs, construction and appearance, performance, cleaning and value.

Testers read the user manual, noting its clarity and helpfulness. They then set up and filled coffee makers and noted the ease of the process.

For this category, we examine each appliance’s construction and overall look, measure the length of the cord and determine the height of the cup compartment. Notes on appearance also include:

Testers brew at least three beverages in each single-cup coffee maker. They utilize as many settings as possible to get a feel for the breadth of the machine’s functionality. When available, we make a cappuccino, cold brew and regular cup of coffee in various sizes and with both grounds and pods. We make a strong and regular cup of coffee in various sizes for lower-level machines. For all machines, we also look at:

For those machines that offer an iced coffee setting, we measure the temperature of the iced coffee directly after output. Testers try each beverage and gauge its quality/strength and the success of its execution if it’s a specialty drink. Testers then evaluate any accessories, such as a milk frother, on-unit storage or a water cycle.

Testers clean each one-cup coffee maker. We rinse the water tank, clean out the grounds if applicable and wipe down any splash marks. Then, we assess the ease of the process. We also examine:

Value is the final consideration. Testers evaluate each single-serve coffee maker’s score and then look at the cost. We note whether or not each is worth the price, which indicates its value. Any warranty information also falls into this category. Lastly, we noted who each pick is best for (e.g. home baristas, morning rushers, those who enjoy variety, etc.).

According to our tests, the overall best-rated single-serve coffee maker is the Ninja Single-Serve Pods & Grounds Specialty Coffee Maker. Outfitting a coffee bar or looking for a reliable morning pick-me-up? In our tests, we find the Ninja Pods and Grounds brewer a reliable all-in-one that delivers a dang good cup quietly and quickly.

Keurig has a reputation as one of the best coffee makers for single-serve cups. However, your best option depends on the coffee types you enjoy. Keurig offers a plethora of machines. They tackle everything from a simple steamy mug of coffee to iced beverages and tea. They’re easy to use and come in an assortment of setups that fit kitchens of all sizes.

On the other hand, some options, like the Bruvi BV-01 Brewer, offer additional bells and whistles worth considering. These include app controls and special brew settings for matcha tea, espresso shots and true cold brew. That said, there aren’t as many machine varieties to choose from, so your options are rather limited when it comes to look and size.

While each of these top single-serve coffee maker brands uses similar brew methods, there are key differences. Keurig coffee pods come in a variety of brands and styles. Some make coffee, while others are capable of hot chocolate, tea and savory options like bone broth. It’s even possible to secure reusable K-Cup pods that you can fill with your favorite grounds.

On the other hand, Nespresso pods are proprietary. While a few pod kits allow you to fill your pods, these are more labor-intensive. However, Nespresso machines are built to expertly extract espresso. This makes them an excellent pick for coffee enthusiasts. The choice between Nespresso and Keurig really comes down to your own preferences.