Single Cup Coffee Makers

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

If you prefer to use pods or grounds, there's a good single-cup brewer available for you. Find out which models scored highly in our tests for function and durability, as well as user-friendliness and aesthetics.

Simple to Use

A single cup coffee maker is an excellent idea for those who drink only one cup of coffee a day and prefer the convenience of being able to make it quickly. They are also perfect for a dorm or office since they take up less space than a large sized drip machine, and there is no need to refill the water reservoir.

The coffee makers are equipped with pre-filled single-serve coffee pods that are filled with ground coffee. These coffee makers also have the option to "brew over Ice" which is great for making cold brew. Some single-cup coffeemakers may be used with loose leaf tea which is great for those who like the taste of rooibos or herbal 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 example, you might want a large water reservoir to reduce the number of times you need to fill it up. Some come with removable water tanks that are easy to transport to the sink. Some don't even have a tank, and they require you to fill it by yourself.

Some of our top picks have a quick coffee brewing time that will save you valuable morning minutes. Some come with a thermal carafe that keeps your coffee warm for a couple of hours after the brew cycle ends, which could be a great benefit if you need your cup to last for a long period of time.

It's also important to decide if you prefer the convenience of K-Cups or prefer using ground beans and a filter. If you fall in the latter category, you may be interested in the Ninja CM407 and other options like the Nespresso Essenza Mini. Alternatively, you might choose an AeroPress If you enjoy the flavor of espresso made at home but don't want the additional work involved with traditional drip coffee makers. Whatever one-cup brewer you choose, it's important to think about how many people you might be serving. If you're a family of three or more people who consume coffee together, a single-cup coffeemaker isn't the best option. You'll end up with a lot of coffee wasted.

Ease of Cleaning

While a single-cup coffee maker may seem like an efficient solution for people on the go however, it's crucial to keep this workhorse clean. This is because, without proper maintenance, gunk can build up in the machine's basket and carafe, causing a bitter taste. And if the machine is left dirty for too long the reservoir may be home to yeast and mold according to a 2011 study conducted by NSF International. Even though these nasty things will not have a significant impact on your health, it's nonetheless a bit unsettling to wake up with the smell of coffee that tastes bad. A regular cleaning routine can bring back your coffee maker to its original glory.

White vinegar, a household item that you probably always have around, can do wonders to remove the hard water deposits and buildup that can cause your machine to stop functioning. We recommend de-scaling your machine once every month (or every three months) using the same steps you would use to brew your coffee.

Start by emptying the water carafe. Then with a soft, warm soapy cloth, clean down the mug and lid as well as the brewing basket. Then, add equal parts of white vinegar and water into the reservoir. Make the mixture as you would in a normal pot of coffee. Allow the mixture to sit for approximately 45 minutes and allow the vinegar to dissolve the calcium deposits in the reservoir of water and basket.

After the 45-minute time limit has passed and the solution is poured out, pour it out and run several brewing cycles using clean water to rinse away any residue. If you don't have vinegar on hand or a mixture of baking soda and water could work, but make sure there aren't any seeds pulp, rind, or seeds in the solution.

If your Keurig is showing signs of more extensive build-up, you can also clean it using the same method described above by disassembling the machine until it reaches a point where you can wash each component separately in warm, soapy water. Then, rinse each component and dry it before putting it back together.

Maintenance Ease

Our testers enjoy the ease of using a single cup coffee maker-cup coffee maker, even though a pour-over might be the best option for the taste. So, when testing single-serve coffee 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 took into account how much waste each model generated regardless of whether it was in the form of disposable coffee cups or a filter that can be reused, and how often the brewer had to be descaled. We also tested how easy it was to remove the scale from the machine at home by using an answer that is typically a mixture of vinegar and warm soapy water.

This tiny beauty from Sboly is a great value for the price. It comes with a variety of useful features. It allows you to choose between grounds and pods, can brew either an 8 or 14-ounce cup, and is small enough to tuck away in the cabinet.

Gift Giving Made Easy

There are many gift ideas for coffee lovers. You can gift a person you love a beautiful coffee cup or even a bag of the favorite beans. If you're looking to impress, consider gifting one of the top single cup coffee makers for home use. These gadgets can help your loved ones brew the perfect cup of coffee every time and save them money on trips to the local coffee shop.

Our experts have curated the best options for a wide range of budgets and lifestyles. They've also put together useful shopping guides to assist you in making the best selection for your loved ones.

We recommend the Ninja CM407 because of its exceptional performance. It produced the most smoky cup of coffee in our testing, and has different brewing settings that let you select between just one serving or a whole carafe. Plus, it's compact and user-friendly.

Keurig K-Cafe is a different option, as it offers various different brewing options. If you want to offer your family and friends the convenience of K Cups or espresso it is the best alternative. And for those who prefer pouring manually, we love the Chemex with its sleek design and sturdy construction.

Cupping Spoons are a fantastic way to give your friends the gift of coffee. These tools are used to maximize the enjoyment of every cup of coffee by professional tasters. This will let you and your family enjoy the flavor, aroma and the texture of their coffee.

Of course, don't ignore the final factors that make a good cup of coffee: creamers and milks (both dairy and non), sauces and syrups, and even coffee liquors. Talk to your friends about what they like in their coffee and how they differ from the next person. This will help you choose the perfect gift to make their day.