These Are the Best Single Serve Coffee Makers
There’s something satisfying about going the extra mile to make the perfect cup of coffee, but there’s also something satisfying about doing as little as possible to get your caffeine fix when you’re already having a busy morning. Single-serve coffee makers produce one cup of java without much fanfare or effort and have been popular for a long time, but there is enough competition that you may not know what to get.
Nespresso
The Nespresso Vertuo line not only offers a fast espresso version of the brand’s classic machines, but also different size options that allow you to brew full cups of coffee. In fact, thanks to my Nespresso Next ($128.50), I’m drinking it right now, but any of the machines in this range are a great choice; your choice depends on the size of your counter space. What I love about Nespresso machines is how fast they work: my Keurig takes significantly longer to heat the water from the reservoir and turn it into a cup of coffee, but the Nespresso pumps out a full shot in just over a minute.
Keurig
While Nespresso offers fancier options, Keurig offers variety. I have the K-Mini ($89.99) in a tiny size that gives me six- or 12-ounce beers on demand without the frills. Other, slightly more expensive options offer temperature controls, strength controls, cold brew settings, heating plates, and more, depending on what you need, but most are priced under $199.99. It takes longer to heat up than Nespresso, but offers more options overall.
Famiworths
If you’re not yet sure you want to spend a lot of money on this endeavor, consider the Famiworths Mini Coffee Maker ($37.99), which uses the same K-Cups as the Keurig and even has cup size options. This is a great starter product for single serve brewing because you can learn how to use the pods and get cups quickly without spending a lot of money first.
Moccamaster
The Moccamaster Cup-One ($250) is an eco-friendly option if you’re not inclined to use single-serve pods. This is a coffee maker that dispenses one cup of coffee at a time, so you don’t have to hold onto a whole cup of coffee all day, but you don’t have to feel bad about wasting plastic. “Use 18–19 grams of coffee per 10-ounce cup, grind it medium-sized, and you’ll get a cup that tastes the same as most single-serve pour-overs,” says Maciej Kasperowicz, director of coffee at Trade Coffee and one of 400 certified Q. graders – or trained coffee graders – around the world.
Aeropress
Kasperowicz also recommends the Aeropress ($39.95) for anyone willing to do a little manual (but fun!) work to get a single cup. He brews the coffee by filling it with water in the main plastic tube. You insert a second tube to force the coffee through the filter cap. “The AeroPress is truly versatile. You can get a really strong cup, almost like espresso. You can make something that tastes like regular drip coffee. It may look a little intimidating, but the internet is full of easy AeroPress recipes. great taste ,” he says.
Getting the most out of your single-serve coffee maker
To get the most out of your single serve coffee maker, you may have to buy a little more stuff.
I’ve been using reusable K-Cups for brewing regular old coffee grounds for years. They’re easy to find ( Amazon sells a pack of two for $5.75 ) and are an eco-friendly alternative to using and throwing away lots of single-use pods. These disposable capsules also take up a lot of space. If you use them, consider a holder like this box from DecoBrothers that holds Nespresso Vertuo pods ($28.77) or this rotating K-Cup holder ($13.89).