Single Cup Coffee Makers

A single cup of coffeemaker can help you start your day with a delicious cup hot coffee. These stylish machines make great gifts for the coffee lovers in your life.

There's a single-cup maker for everyone, no matter if you prefer pods or grounds. Find out which models scored the highest in our tests for functionality durability, reliability, user-friendliness and aesthetics.

Simple to Use

A single cup coffee maker is a good idea if you only drink one cup of coffee per day and would like the convenience of being able to make it quickly. They're also great for a dorm room or office because they take up less space than a full-sized drip machine and don't have a reservoir of water to keep refilling.

These coffee makers work with pre-filled single-serve coffee pods or ground coffee. These coffee makers also have an option to "brew over Ice" which is perfect to make cold brew. We've also found that some reviews single serve coffee makers-cup coffee makers can be used with loose tea, which is great for those who prefer herbal or rooibos teas.

There are a variety of one cup coffee makers on the market which means you'll need to decide which features are important to you. For instance, you may need a larger water reservoir to reduce the amount of times you need to refill it. Some have removable water reservoirs that are easy to carry to the sink, whereas others don't have a water tank at all and require you to put in your own water.

Some of our top choices have a fast brewing time that can save you valuable morning minutes. Some include a thermal carafe that keeps your coffee warm for a couple of hours after the brew cycle ends, which can be an added convenience if you need your cup to last for a long time.

You'll also have to decide if you want K-Cups' ease of use or prefer using ground beans and filters. If you fall into the latter category, you might be interested in the Ninja CM407 and other options such as the Nespresso Essenza Mini. If you want to enjoy the flavor of espresso without the hassles that come with using a drip coffee maker then you should consider an AeroPress. Whatever type of brewer for one cup you pick, it's crucial to consider how many people you'll serve. A single-cup coffee maker isn't a good choice for a family of three or more that all consume coffee at the same time, as you'll likely have leftovers that are destined to be thrown away.

Cleaning is easy

While a single-cup coffee maker might seem like an efficient option for those traveling but it's essential to keep this workhorse clean. This is because, without proper care, gunk can build up in the carafe and basket, leaving an unpleasant taste. According to a study conducted by NSF International in 2011, if the reservoir is left unclean, it can harbor yeast and mold. Even though these nasty things won't have a serious impact on your health, it is nevertheless a bit unpleasant to wake up with a cup of coffee that isn't as good. A regular cleaning routine can bring back your coffee maker to its original splendor.

A quick clean using the one household item you likely always have on hand--white vinegar--can do wonders in getting rid of the build-up and hard water deposits which can cause your coffee maker to cease working properly. De-scaling should be done once a month or every three months using the same steps as you would to make coffee.

Begin by emptying the water carafe. Then, using a warm, soft soapy cloth, wipe down the lid of the mug as well as the brewing container. Pour equal parts of white vinegar and water into the reservoir. Brew the mixture like you would in a normal pot of individual coffee maker. Allow the mixture to rest for around 45 minutes to give the vinegar time to dissolve the calcium deposits that are in the machine's water reservoir and basket.

Once the 45-minute period has ended and the solution is poured out, pour it out and run a few brewing cycles with clean water to wash off any residue. If you don't have vinegar, a mix of baking soda and clean water can work. Make sure there are no seeds, pulp or rinds in the liquid.

If your Keurig has signs of more severe buildup, you can clean it by following the same procedure as described above. You can disassemble the machine to clean each component separately in soapy water. Then, rinse each part and dry it off before placing it back together.

Easy Maintenance

Our test subjects enjoy the convenience of a simple-to-use one-cup coffee maker even though a pour-over could be the best choice for the flavor. So, when testing single-serve brewers, we focused on the ease of daily maintenance--including how easy it was to refill the water reservoir, how simple it was to dump spent grounds or pods, and whether the instructions for descaling were clear and easy to follow.

We also looked at how much waste was produced by each model, whether it was in the form of disposable coffee cups and reusable filters or how often the brewer was required to be descaled. For the latter we examined how easy it was to get the machine back up and running using a home-based descaling solution which typically consists of warm soapy water.

This tiny beauty from Sboly is a great value for the price. It has a range of useful features. You can select between pods and grounds, and it can make a cup of 8 or 14 ounces. It is small enough to fit inside a cupboard.

Gift Giving Made Simple

If you're looking for a coffee lover, there are a lot of options for gifts. For instance, you can give your friend an assortment of their favorite beans or a stunning coffee mug. If you're looking to really impress, consider giving one of the top single serving coffee machine cup coffee makers for home use. These appliances will help your loved ones make the perfect espresso every time, and will save the cost of coffee shop visits.

Our experts have selected the best options for a wide range of budgets and lifestyles. They also have compiled shopping guides to aid you in making the right choice for your loved ones.

We recommend the Ninja CM407 because of its exceptional performance. It was able to produce the most hot cup of joe in our testing, and has several brewing options that let you select between just one serving or a full carafe. It's also compact and simple to use.

Another alternative is the Keurig K-Cafe, which also offers a wide range of coffee-making options. If you want to offer your family and friends with the convenience of K Cups or espresso it is the best alternative. For those who prefer to pour their coffee using a manual method we suggest the Chemex due to its sleek design and sturdy construction.

You can also present your friends a wonderful gift that'll help them enjoy their coffee to the max by giving them A Cupping Spoon. These tools are used to enhance the enjoyment of each cup of coffee by professional tasters. This will help you and your family enjoy the aroma, flavor and the texture of their coffee.

Don't forget the final aspects to a good cup of coffee. These include creamers and milks both dairy and non-dairy, syrups, sauces, as well as coffee liqueurs. So talk with your loved ones about what they like about their coffee, and what makes it different from the other person's. This will guide you to the perfect present that will bring a smile to their face.