Coffee for One? We Review The Best Single Cup Coffee Makers

The operational principle behind most single cup coffee makers is pretty much identical: you insert a pod (or in some cases you can also use a reusable filter pod with ground coffee), that the machine then pierces (if necessary). Water from the reservoir is heated, but not boiled, and then forced at pressure through the coffee in the pod and out into your cup below.

There are plenty of benefits to using a single cup coffee maker; let’s look at some of the key ones below.

Save Space

One-cup coffee makers tend to be compact units. Even in larger kitchens, counter space can still be an issue with all of today’s modern must-have gadgets. Single cup coffee makers generally have small footprints and clean lines, so they don’t take up space but still look good within your decor. 

Waste Less Coffee

Using a single cup coffee maker saves you from making too much coffee. Trying to dose for one with a full pot coffee maker always results in wasted coffee, especially if you end up making multiple carafes while trying to get the strength just right.

Save Money

Thanks to their energy efficiency and automatic shut-off functions, one-cup coffee makers can reduce your energy consumption compared to older, more traditional models. This factor alone can save you money, but these single serving coffee makers can be even more beneficial to your bank account because they can reduce your consumption at big coffee chains. Once you can make excellent coffee at home at the touch of a button, you can easily reduce the amount of money you spend drinking coffee elsewhere. This could potentially save you several hundred dollars a year. 

Quick and Easy to Use

One-cup coffee makers are renowned for their ease of use: insert a pod, press a button and enjoy your freshly brewed coffee. The majority also heat up within seconds and are all a major improvement on traditional percolator models. Grabbing a coffee to go from your own machine before you race out the door is much faster than stopping by to pick up one on your way into work and can be of comparable quality to barista made coffees. 

Easy Maintenance

Unlike the coffee machines of yesteryear or a complex traditional machine, one-cup coffee makers are easy to care for. Most will even have a cleaning program or an indicator to let you know when it’s time for a quick descale.

When you’re looking for a single cup coffee maker, you might be a little bewildered with all of the extras and marketing hype. Here’s a quick guide to the essential features worth looking out for in a one-cup coffee maker.

Compatible Pod Types

You need to be certain that your coffee maker is compatible with the kind of pods that you would like to use. If you don’t already have any set preferences, you should still take this into consideration. Certain types of pod offer a wider variety of choice, not just of coffee blends but also of tea, cocoa and other hot drinks. In addition, prices between different types of pod can also differ drastically and can add up to quite a large amount over the course of a year. 

Our advice? Always check the availability and price of pods. Sometimes it is more cost effective to pay more for a machine if it can save you money on the pods, so make sure you do your homework.

Option to Use Ground Coffee

Certain brands of one-cup coffee makers give you the option to use ground coffee thanks to a reusable filter pod that you can fill with your own freshly ground coffee. You usually have to purchase these pods separately, but they are extremely useful, can equate to a huge saving over a year, and are also better for the environment. The freedom to choose a particular blend or to try out a custom one can also breathe new life into your daily coffee ritual.

Physical Size

With small modern kitchens, space is often of a premium. Whether you are just looking to keep your countertops clutter-free or you are searching for a coffee maker for your RV or a dorm room, physical size can be the deciding factor in your choice of single-cup coffee maker. Be sure to also check the height as well as the width and depth. If the water reservoir does not remove and you have to lift the lid, make sure you’ll have space under your cupboards to do so. 

Reservoir Size

If you’re not opting for one of the most compact models and you tend to drink a fair amount of coffee or longer coffees, then a single cup coffee maker with a large reservoir might make more sense for your needs. This will cut back on the number of times that you will need to fill it up per day. 

Travel Mug Compatible

While you can always fill up a smaller cup several times, if you like to grab a coffee to go at the end of your morning dash, then having a coffee maker that can accommodate your travel mug makes sense. This will save you time and prevent potential coffee spills while transferring your coffee to your travel mug in a rush. 

Milk Frother

For lattes, cappuccinos and flat-white lovers, it can make sense to purchase a one-cup coffee maker complete with an integrated milk frother. It can also be a handy option to have when making coffee for visitors and guests as well as other family members. 

Automatic Shut-Off Function

An automatic shut-off function can make your coffee maker last longer and reduce your electrical consumption for additional savings. Some one-cup coffee machines shut-off one they’ve finished brewing while others stay on for a set amount of time. If you intend to be frequently using yours throughout the day, you’ll probably want to look for one that stays on for a while or comes with an adjustable auto shut-off function.

Pre-Programmed Brew Sizes

For the ultimate ease of use, look for a one-cup coffee maker that brews your favorite coffee size. Some brew a large range of sizes, while others offer customizable options. Some of the smaller models will brew whatever amount you put in the reservoir. Decide what works best for your needs and general coffee drinking habits

Here’s a selection of some of the most commonly asked questions concerning one-cup coffee makers.

• What are the different types of single cup coffee makers? 

• Single cup coffee makers are generally divided into different types depending upon the type of pod or capsule that they take and the types of coffees that they are designed to make. Popular types of pod systems include K-Pods and Nespresso, but you may also find other varieties.

  Some single cup coffee makers may be branded as espresso makers, meaning they produce a shorter, more concentrated, superior quality espresso than standard one-cup coffee makers do. Other models that contain an integrated milk frother may be branded more as multi-purpose coffee makers as they can be used to make lattes and cappuccinos as well as standard cups of coffee.

• Can I make lattes and other coffee drinks with a single cup coffee maker?  

• Yes, you can, but if your single cup coffee maker does not have an integrated milk frother you will need to purchase a separate one. Your one-cup coffee maker will simply provide the coffee and it will be up to you to create the hot milk and foam. You can also purchase one-cup coffee makers that have integrated milk frothers or advanced features including heating and frothing the milk for you.

• Are single cup coffee makers difficult to clean?  

• No, single cup coffee makers are designed to be easy to clean. Most have detachable elements, such as reservoirs and drip trays, that can often be placed in your dishwasher. Ones with milk frothers may self-purge or have detachable ends that can also be placed in your dishwasher. To keep your one-cup coffee maker sparkling clean and running well, it is recommended that you follow the manufacturer’s guidance and descale your machine as advised.

• Can I use instant coffee in a single cup coffee maker?  

• No, it is not recommended. If you have run out of pods and don’t want to boil your kettle, simply put your instant coffee in your cup and run water through your coffee machine without the pod. 

• Are single cup coffee makers noisy?  

• While some models are noisier than others, unless you’re using one in a quiet office environment, you’re unlikely to be bothered by the noise from your one-cup coffee maker. They also work quickly, so even if you do purchase a noisy model, it’s going to be done in seconds so you really won’t have to listen to it for long.