6 Best Single-Serve Coffee Makers, According to Expert Testing

• Cuisinart Premium Single-Serve Brewer: This coffee maker preheats quickly and can brew a cup in under 90 seconds. It also consistently delivered flavorful, well-rounded, hot cups of coffee. The control buttons weren't immediately intuitive, but we eventually got the hang of them. In recent testing, we preferred the Cuisinart model with the unique built-in grinder.
• The Cumulus Machine: We immediately loved this machine’s modern design, which comes in trendy carbon and cream colors. However, the machine only makes cold drinks. Testers gave mixed reviews on taste, with some comparing it to high-quality coffeehouse fare and others finding it too bitter. However, the nitro feature received positive feedback, and we've had no issues during long-term use.
  
• illy Café Easy Coffee Machine: This is the only single-serve machine we tested that uses 100% compostable paper pods (most use plastic or aluminum pods). You can also use ground espresso. It doesn’t make traditional American coffee—only espresso or a slightly larger lungo shot—but it brews both options incredibly quickly (about 30 seconds for espresso, and about 50 seconds for lungo). Since we focused on machines that could make full cups of coffee, it didn’t fit for this guide, but it’s a viable option for espresso drinkers.
• Keurig K-Crema: This Keurig model includes a "pressure" setting meant to produce a layer of foamy crema on espresso and coffee drinks. It's easy to use and compact, but the coffee lacked body, and it splattered while brewing.
• Keurig K-Elite: This machine took the top spot in our previous tests for brewing consistently flavorful, full-bodied, and smooth coffee. 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 control panel were clearly marked with ounce numbers (rather than pictures). In more recent tests, we preferred the customization options and smart capabilities of the Keurig K-Supreme.
• xBloom: We tested both the older xBloom Original and newer xBloom Studio, which are automated pour-over machines. We were impressed by the quality of the coffee and the pour-over functionality, which carefully and evenly coated the grounds with hot water, with short pauses 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 for xBloom Studio to be too steep for casual drinkers. For example, the dials on this machine are not labeled and can be difficult to decipher.
  

The kitchen gear experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen & Cooking Lab and Test Kitchen tested 32 models from top-performing brands to find the best single-serve coffee makers. We also send select machines to consumer testers for at-home use and to gather daily performance feedback.

In the Lab, we evaluate each machine across the following criteria:

✔️ Single-use coffee pods vs. reusable filters: Many single-serve coffee makers use store-bought pods. These capsules are convenient but pricier than ground coffee.

If you prefer not to use pods, some single-serve machines use a reusable filter filled with ground coffee, such as our Cuisinart and Bruvi picks. 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 are dishwasher-safe.

✔️ Water reservoir: If you brew multiple servings per day, you'll benefit from a large water reservoir. We recommend removable water tanks with handles that are easy to carry to the sink.

✔️ Brewing sizes: While some single-serve coffee makers brew only one cup size, some have more options, from single espresso shots to 16-ounce mugs.

✔️ Brewing options: Most single-serve coffee makers offer various brew strengths such as classic, rich, over ice, single, or double espresso shots.

✔️ Coffee type: Some machines are only compatible with their brand’s specific capsules, while others have the flexibility of using ground coffee, capsules, or both.

Lizzy Briskin is a contributor and product analyst in the GH Kitchen & Cooking Lab. She's a trained chef, food writer, recipe developer, and avid coffee drinker. She tested single-serve coffee makers for this guide's most recent update.

Jamie Ueda has tested and written about dozens of coffee and espresso makers. She tests and writes about everything coffee-related for GH. She has a passion for coffee and has completed rigorous 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 & Cooking 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 them daily.