Credit:
Reviewed / Nespresso / Keurig / Moccamaster
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Reviewed / Nespresso / Keurig / Moccamaster
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Unlike most of the other pod brewers we tested, its compact design makes it easy to keep on your countertop or store if space is limited. Read More
The Keurig K-Café Smart brews coffee and makes lattes, and you can customize it all from your smartphone with a fun and easy-to-use app. Read More
The slim design of this Nespresso machine makes it great for busy countertops, but it has some faults when it comes to water tank size and longevity. Read More
The Moccamaster Cup-One delivers pour-over style coffee from an automatic single-serve machine, dispensing delicious coffee every time. Read More
The K-Café can handle small espresso shots, 12-ounce coffees, or cappuccino, and you can control the amount of flavor with a simple press of a button. Read More
The best single-serve coffee makers (also known as pod coffee makers) are a convenient way of quickly brewing a quality cup of coffee that rivals what you can find in your local coffee shop.
Our favorite single-serve coffee maker, the Nespresso VertuoPlus by Breville (available at Amazon for $139.97) , has a sleek design and is simply the best coffee maker that uses pods—brewing a strong, hot cup of coffee without any fuss. Its 40-ounce water reservoir is not the largest in our roundup, but its swivel bottom handle allows you to detach the tank for storage, depending on your counter space.
If your caffeine demands also include espresso drinks and iced coffee beverages, we recommend the Keurig K-Cafe, the most versatile single-serve maker we tested. And if you just can't decide between Nespresso and Keurig brews, we'd opt for the Instant Dual Pod Plus, which excels with K-cups, Nespresso capsules, and compostable pods.
The Nespresso VertuoPlus is the best single-serve coffee maker we've tested.
Compact
Fast brewing
Option for double espresso drinks
Water tank is relatively small
A sleek design with a small footprint earns this machine a spot on the counter.
Space saving, attractive design
Remote-controlled through fun app
Large water reservoir is easy to fill
Milk frother works very well
Doesn’t come with a reusable pod
Espresso shots are underwhelming
Sub-par pods still make bad coffee
The Nespresso Vertuo Next is the best single-serve coffee maker for small spaces.
Slim, sleek design
Quick brewing
Easy upkeep
Limited app compatibility
Small water tank
Possible longevity issues
Pour-over style water temperature and brewing method
Compostable filters
Simple and very easy to use
Auto shut off
Requires small cleaning brush that can be very easy to lose
Brews coffee, latte, and cappuccino
Large water reservoir
Features milk frother
May require large countertop space
A huge 72-ounce water tank
Option to brew strong coffee
Iced coffee
May require large countertop space
Auto-ejects used pods
Brews both espresso and coffee
Pods are recyclable
Control panel is slightly confusing to use
Considerably higher cost
Compact
Fast brewing
Options such for double espresso drinks
Water tank is relatively small
Auto turn-off to save electricity cost
Water reservoir is easy to fill
Bulky design
Auto shutoff saves on electricity
Water reservoir relatively small
Bulky design
We tested a variety of single-serve coffee makers to find the best one.
To find the best coffee maker, we set up top-rated single-serve pod coffee makers and brew at least 10 cups of coffee in each, assessing how long they take to brew, how easy their reservoirs are to fill, and how versatile they are for brewing tea, iced coffee, and hot chocolate.
We repeat this process with all machines over a week, also analyzing how simple each unit is to descale, how comfortable they are to use, how portable and well-built they are, and how effortless they are to store. We also take note of safety concerns and special features.
Other qualities we look for include the taste of the coffee and other beverages, the speed (all options we tested averaged one cup per minute), the temperature of the brew, how easy it is to disassemble parts for cleaning, and how easy it is to recycle the pods.
It's easy to insert pods into the Keurig coffee makers.
The launch of in-home Keurig machines in 2004 quickly shook up the entire coffee world and changed Americans’ daily caffeine habits.
Scientifically speaking, the mechanism behind Keurigs is similar to drip coffee makers, but much faster: Pour hot water over coffee beans and pressurize it to extract juices in under one minute.
After the K-cup technology patent expired, many more pod coffee manufacturers jumped into the game to break Keurig’s short-lived monopoly. Nestle’s Nespresso soon unveiled its more advanced VertuoLine of single-serve coffee makers with centrifusion technology, which can improve the taste tenfold.
Now, the two companies are the biggest players in the pod coffee industry.
A pod coffee maker is undeniably the most convenient alternative to fiddling with a French press or waiting for a drip coffee maker. Here are some things to consider when looking for a single-serve coffee maker.
The convenience of single-serve coffee makers comes at a price, especially once you factor in the cost of pods. Before purchasing any single-serve coffee maker, you should also consider the long-term cost and environmental impact of pods.
K-cup pods are widely available and don’t cost as much as pods for Nespresso machines. However, K-pods can be difficult to recycle. In contrast, Nespresso pods cost more and there are fewer flavors of coffee available. Nespresso pods are recyclable if mailed back to the company with pre-paid shipping labels, or delivered to a collection site.
Another option is reusable filters. They are more eco-friendly and can be purchased in brick-and-mortar stores and online, including on Amazon. There are a variety of types available, including silicone. If you choose a reusable mesh filter, be aware that it may be more difficult to clean.
The water reservoir capacity for pod coffee makers can vary greatly. The capacity of brewers we reviewed for the roundup ranged from 40 ounces to 75 ounces. Smaller machines can brew just a few cups, but take up less space on your countertop.
However, if you drink a number of cups of coffee each day, you likely want a machine that has a larger reservoir so you aren’t refilling it as frequently.
Like the water reservoir, the size of pod coffee makers can vary greatly. Since the larger machines will most likely live on your countertop, you should make sure you have enough space. Smaller machines can be more easily stored and can still deliver a great cup of coffee.
No matter which coffee pod brand you decide to purchase, it is important to properly care for your single-serve coffee maker.
Descaling your single-serve coffee maker regularly will keep your brews tasting fresh.
Aside from routine cleaning, such as wiping and rinsing, you should descale your machine once every six months. Why is descaling important?
Water we use to brew coffee contains minerals, commonly calcium and magnesium. Minerals can build up over time and gradually accumulate as limescale. This can affect the brewing temperature and taste of your coffee. Eventually, it could cause your machine to malfunction.
Valerie Li Stack is a senior staff writer for Kitchen & Cooking. She is an experienced home cook with a passion for experimenting with the cuisines of countries she's visited. Driven by an interest in food science, Valerie approaches the culinary scene with a firm grasp of cooking processes and extensive knowledge of ingredients. She believes food speaks to all people regardless of language and cultural background.
Monica is Reviewed's Kitchen & Cooking editor and an avid home cook; she's been testing a wide range of kitchen products at Reviewed for three years. Previously the Digital Editor at Culture Cheese Magazine (and a former barista), she's also had her work published in The Boston Globe, Modern Luxury, Boston Magazine, and more.
Freelance Editor, Kitchen & Appliances. Danielle has a B.S. from Syracuse University and a AAS in Culinary Arts from Newbury College. Previously, Danielle was a Test Cook and Associate Editor at America's Test Kitchen, as well as a freelance recipe developer and food writer. She’s the mom of two boys and loves making pizza on Friday nights.
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