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The Best Single Cup Coffee Maker

If convenience is your top priority, a single-cup coffee maker could be the ideal choice for you. These machines take up less counter space and are easier to use than their drip counterparts.

You can pick between models that use K-Cups or Nespresso pods that are original or reusable pods from the aftermarket. Some also make iced coffee, or espresso-style shots.

1. Cuisinart Grind & Brew

This sleekly designed machine from a reputable brand can grind and brew a single cup or a whole pot. It's smaller than many other coffee makers that incorporate grinders, which frees the space on the countertop to accommodate other appliances. Contrary to other grinders that leave an uncooperative granular consistency, the Grind & Brew uses a burr grinder designed to precisely crush beans down to a specific size. This results in a more uniform ground coffee.

The Grind & Brew has an automatic shut-off, and a showerhead that evenly distributes water evenly across the grounds. This ensures consistency between brews. It can be programmed to begin brewing up to 24 hrs ahead of time, and it offers multiple control options like a custom clock display, coffee strength (mild medium, moderate, or strong), and a pause brewing feature that lets you pour out a cup without interrupting the cycle.

One of the most intriguing things about this model is that it can be brewed from both whole beans and K-Cups. The choice between them is determined by your personal preference. The machine can hold 12 K-Cups, or you can fill it up with whole beans that have been ground. The brew is slower than our top choice but still quick enough to make your coffee when you wake up.

The Grind & Brew did well in our overall tests but fell short of our top overall score. The brew temperature was among the least stable of any model we tested. The temperature of the brew varied from the first to the fifth brew, by about 5degrees, and it failed to reach the SCAA's 195-degree target for great coffee.

It's worthwhile to have an exclusive grinder/brewer for your mornings. The machine is easy-to-use and easy to clean. All of its components are easily positioned and can be opened or closed with a satisfying "clunk". It's also light and compact, which is great for those who have a limited counter space.

2. Smeg Drip Coffee Maker

If you're looking for an elegant and compact single cup coffee maker to put in your kitchen, this one from SMEG is a great option. The Italian-based company is known for its retro-style '50s appliances, and this drip filter coffee maker is a perfect example of form and function. It has an elegant design that will look good on your counter. It can brew up 10 cups of coffee at a time and the auto-start function makes it easy to get up to a fresh cup of coffee. You can also pick between two aroma settings, Intense or coffeee Delicate, to customize the strength of your brew. Set an alarm to when it's time to prepare.

This programmable espresso maker comes with an enormous water tank of 1.4 Liters, which means you won't have to worry about running out. The reusable filter helps reduce waste, and it has a clear indicator of the water level to let you know when it's time to refill. You can also use this coffee maker to make hot chocolate or herbal tea. The brewing cycle is relatively fast, and it comes with an insulated plate that keeps warm to ensure that your coffee remains warm until you're ready to drink it.

This SMEG drip-filter coffee maker features four buttons that are simple to use. The LED clock displays the current settings. The dishwasher-safe permanent filter as well as the reused filter reduce waste, and the spout is designed to avoid spills. If you live in an area with hard water, the SMEG drip filter coffee maker has to be cleaned regularly. You can descale the machine by pressing the automatic-start and off/on buttons for five second and pouring the descaler solution into the reservoir for water.

This drip-filter coffee maker that can be programmed also comes with the added benefit of being compatible with ESE pods. They're an eco-friendly alternative to K-Cups or other single-serve pods. The only downside to this coffee maker is that it doesn't have a brew timer, so you'll need to manually adjust the start time every morning.

3. Oxo Brew 12-Cup Thermal Carafe

The Oxo Brew 12-cup thermal carafe is an excellent alternative for those who want an espresso maker that has the capability to brew a single cup or a complete pot. It has a double-wall, vacuum-insulated stainless steel thermal carafe which keeps your coffee hot for a long time. It also comes with a convenient interactive display screen and a mixing tube that can be removed. The machine can be programmed to run up to 24 hours in advance of time and the LCD display backlit shows the remaining time until your coffee is ready.

This coffee maker has two brew baskets which can be used to brew small or large quantities. It is perfect for households with a range of cup sizes and amounts. It's certified by the Specialty Coffee Association to brew Gold-standard coffee. Its BetterBrew Precision system and Rainmaker shower head evenly distribute the water over your grounds to ensure maximum flavor extraction.

In contrast to most pod-based coffee machines, this one makes use of whole or regular ground beans (not proprietary ones) instead of prepackaged single-serve capsules. Using standard coffee grounds saves money and also cuts down on waste from used pods. The machine is speedy and can make the pot in less than six minutes. The machine is more expensive than the other drip coffee makers we tested. However, its sleek design and top-quality construction make it a great choice.

A lot of multi-functional kitchen appliances sway towards flashy features and gimmicks, but this drip coffee maker gets the job done without any frills. It's quiet, well-built, and has a simple interface that allows you to set the exact amount of water that you want to prepare. We found the Brew Barista Brain to be a reliable machine and it handled our most challenging test coffee (Costco House Blend, medium grind) very well.

While the majority of cold brew coffee makers employ the method of immersion the model here dispenses your brew Stay Caffeinated on-the-go with Digital Coffee Maker an ice-infused water spray that gives you an even more drinkable outcome than the one you get from infusion. It also has a programmed setting that starts the brew exactly five minutes from now which will save you the hassle of waiting for your coffee to finish brewing.

4. Bruvi Brewer

If you're looking to invest a bit more than the standard K-cup coffee maker, this sleek machine from Bruvi could be the ideal single-cup brewer for you. It uses "B-Pods" from Bruvi, which have 40 percent more than the regular K-cup pod. They are composed of treated polypropylene and are designed to break down in composters and landfills, without releasing microplastics (although it is not certified for organic waste). The B-Pods allow for the brewing process to be hygienic since each cup is sealed inside the pod. This prevents the possibility of contaminating flavors between cups. The Bruvi's sleek and modern design is also striking. The touch screen will come to life when you insert a pod. It it displays the various options for that particular kind of beverage.

The Bruvi also offers multiple options for cold coffee and iced brew including hot and iced espresso and americanos. The machine is also designed to utilize less water than a traditional single-serve brewer, which could help minimize dilution when you add Ice.

Another great feature of the Bruvi is that it's a smarter single-serve pod brewer--it has an embedded camera that examines the unique code of each B-Pod, and then optimizes various brewing settings to match the specific kind of coffee. You can be certain that your Bruvi will produce a delicious cup of espresso.

The drip tray of the Bruvi can be adjusted to limit splashing when pouring the beverage into a small glass or mug, and it can even be removed completely for tall travel mugs. The Bruvi comes with extra features, like an insulated water tank that can be removed and an automatic cleaning process to ensure that it is running efficiently and efficiently.

The Bruvi pod coffee maker is more expensive than other pod machines but it's worth the price for its superior coffee taste and reduced environmental impact. It's a great choice for those who switch between coffee and espresso regularly because its hygienic design allows for quick and easy transition to cold brew and iced coffee without the need to purchase a separate coffee machine. It also includes milk frothers, which is a welcome addition at this price point.