Searching for new kitchen appliances can be stressful; you want them to be high-quality and perform well but also within your budget.
The market offers hundreds of choices, too, so finding one can become overwhelming, especially if you are not sure what you are looking for.
When it comes to coffee makers, you will find tons of different features that are offered. With that said, how can you even begin to know what to buy?
If you live alone and are looking for the best one serving coffee maker, we’ve got just the right options here for you.
Best One Serving Coffee Maker Reviews
Comparison Chart
Keurig K-Mini Plus Coffee Maker, Single Serve K-Cup Pod Coffee Brewer, Comes With 6 to 12 Oz. Brew Size, K-Cup Pod Storage, and Travel Mug Friendly, Black
Mueller Single Serve Pod Compatible Coffee Maker Machine With 4 Brew Sizes, Rapid Brew Technology with Large Removable 48 oz Water Tank
Sboly Single Serve Coffee Maker Brewer for K-Cup Pod & Ground Coffee Thermal Drip Instant Coffee Machine with Self Cleaning Function, Brew Strength Control
1. Keurig K-Slim Coffee Maker
This machine makes the list for its classic and familiar design. It can also use three different sizes of K cups (six-, eight-, and 10-ounce), making it a versatile choice no matter what you prefer to drink.
This popular choice is considered a classic due to its general ease of use. Many people from all walks of life enjoy its design, as well as the many features it has.
Product Highlights
The Keurig K-Slim has some defining features that make it stand out.
First, it can brew all of the most popular K cup pod sizes. Hence, no matter what you already have at home, this product can make use of it.
It is also simple to use with just a few buttons. Nothing complicated here—you just insert the coffee pod and push one button to get your hot drink fast.
This classic design also features a large water reservoir that can hold enough liquid for over six cups of coffee before needing a refill.
Finally, this product has an auto-off system, so you do not have to worry about whether or not you left it on while you are out.
The Good
We love the water tank on this machine; it feels like you rarely ever need to refill it. It is also super fast, delivering hot coffee in under a minute.
The controls are also simple. You will find just three buttons to choose your cup size, and it is all set to go after one press.
Also, there are plenty of brands of coffee pods that can fit into this machine.
You can use reusable ones that you fill with coffee grounds yourself or a generic brand of K cup coffee if you wish.
The Bad
This machine can be a little touchy. Some people have issues with it all the time; others never experience any.
The coffee maker may stop working for seemingly no reason at all after a few months.
This might be because of an issue that happens with the machine’s pump. It will be making a lot of noise and whirring, but no coffee comes out.
Customer support also has seemingly abandoned this product. Many customers report not hearing back after filing a complaint or request.
PROS
- Large water reservoir
- Classic, easy-to-use design
- Fits many sizes of K cups
- Comes from a trusted brand
- Available in multiple colors
CONS
- Issues with the pump system
- Little to no customer support
2. Keurig K Mini Coffee Maker
When it comes to any list of the best coffee makers, you can always expect that it would include one from Keurig.
This brand is a well-known market leader of high-quality coffee makers, and this is evident in the Keurig K Mini Coffee Maker.
Product Highlights
This slim coffee maker is perfect if you have little counter space but still want the benefits of a single-serving coffee machine.
This product can fit just about anywhere. It is less than five inches long and weighs, at most, two pounds. This makes it perfect for anyone with a small kitchen!
It is also compatible with the coffee pods you would use in the K Classic and also accepts reusable coffee filters.
This is also cheaper than the first one we reviewed, but not by too much. Buying this version will not save you a ton of money, but it will save you a ton of counter space.
The Good
The size is perfect for college dorms, small apartments, frequent travelers, or office spaces. Aside from its small size, we also like that it offers an energy-efficient auto-off function.
You will find that it is compatible with plenty of K cups, too, so you have a lot of beverage options.
This coffee maker will pour out as much water as you put in, allowing you to adjust it to your preference.
If you like strong coffee, pour less water into the back of the machine. If you need more water, you can just add more.
The Bad
This machine is slower than most other single-serve coffee makers.
If you do not have time to wait in the morning, this machine probably will not make your drink fast enough for you.
Keurig does offer warranties on this machine, and sadly, you may end up using it.
This seems to be fragile, and some customers report that theirs stopped working after just a few months. Still, Keurig does seem to be good at handling replacements, at least.
PROS
- Perfect size for small kitchens
- Compatible with many K cups
- Portable and easy to use
- Can be used for making tea and hot cocoa
CONS
- Extremely slow
- Fragile
- Might need to be replaced
3. Mueller Single Serve Coffee Maker
Mueller is a global brand that is dedicated to providing products that help make everyday life more comfortable and convenient.
Its home and kitchen appliances are a favorite among many households throughout the globe.
Product Highlights
Even though this is not a Keurig product, this machine will still accept K cups.
Moreover, it can brew four different sizes of cups, which is one more than most. These sizes include six-, eight-, 10-, and 12-ounce cups.
The product also boasts a large, removable water tank, and the company claims that it will never give you a cold cup of coffee.
Mueller boasts that this will also last you much longer than a Keurig. It is fairly durable, as long as you take care of it.
The Good
We like that this coffee maker fits well underneath kitchen cabinets and does not feel invasive on your countertop.
It also makes your water very hot effectively and consistently, which is great for brewing coffee!
If you are looking for an alternative to a Keurig, this is a great option. It does everything the Keurig K Classic can and might even last you longer than one if you take care of it well.
The Bad
You need to clean this device thoroughly before using the first time. Many customers have reported that their coffee smelled and tasted like burned plastic.
You can clean the product by simply running a cleaning pod through the machine before use.
This is also on the slower side. This is only a problem if you are rushing in the morning and realize that the machine is still trying to brew your coffee.
PROS
- Good Keurig alternative
- Compact size and saves counter space
- Large water tank
CONS
- Pretty slow
- Can make coffee taste like plastic
4. Sboly Single Serve Coffee Maker
While not as popular as Keurig and Mueller, Sboly has also made a name for itself when it comes to high-quality yet affordable kitchen appliances.
Product Highlights
This single-serve coffee maker makes you a cup in three minutes—not as fast as the classic Keurig but not nearly as slow as the other options on this list.
This is also one of the more durable models and is compact, so it will save you a decent amount of counter space.
This coffee maker has the unique ability to either make you a cup of coffee using the coffee pods or the traditional way.
You can easily swap between the two methods, so you can pick whichever one you feel more comfortable with.
This product is also priced fairly and offers an auto-cleaning function, which is something that most other single-serve coffee makers do not have.
The Good
Being able to choose between K cups or traditional brewing is an amazing feature.
Plus, this product also has an auto-cleaning function. This is a great way to make sure your machine is clean, without having to put in the work.
What’s more, this machine also turns itself off after brewing a cup of coffee, ensuring your safety as well as lowering your energy bills.
Sboly’s coffee maker features a slim and sleek design that can match any kitchen decor.
It can make use of many different types of K cups and is super easy to clean, too.
Many customers reported that their coffee tasted great, and they preferred it over other brands of coffee makers.
The Bad
The coffee comes out hot but not hot enough that adding milk or creamer does not affect it.
As such, your drink will cool considerably after adding cold liquid to your mug.
You can still easily drink it, and it will taste great, but there are coffee drinkers out there who prefer their coffee to be as hot as possible.
It is a little on the slower side, too, and might leave grounds in your coffee, so expect to purchase more filters.
PROS
- Auto-clean function
- Slim design
- Great taste
CONS
- Brew temp too low for cold creamer
- Somewhat slow
- Needs filters
5. Chulux Single Serve Coffee Maker
Chulux is yet another trusted brand that is known for its premium products that don’t break the bank.
Product Highlights
This product has the most color options out of any of the others on this list.
If you are looking for a specific color theme to match your kitchen, this brand is sure to have one that will look nice.
It is light, thin, portable, and can also use either K cups or the traditional brewing method.
The price is also reasonable, easy to clean, and offers an auto shut-off system.
The Good
This machine is durable and will last longer than most Keurigs.
Plus, it takes up a lot less space than bulkier coffee makers.
It comes in plenty of cute, bright colors and will make a delicious cup of coffee each time.
The Bad
This machine is a little slow to heat up but does not take a very long time.
If you planned out your mornings, you could easily fit making a cup with this product into your routine. Still, it can be slow enough to be counted against it.
You should also be sure to thoroughly clean the piping system on this product frequently.
There have been reports that mold tends to start growing inside. This can be avoided by simply running water and white vinegar through the machine.
PROS
- Compact size
- Available in colorful designs
- Can use K cups
- Easy to clean
CONS
- Slow to heat up
- Can grow mold in the piping
Buyer’s Guide
Now that you have seen all the best single serve coffee makers out there, how do you decide which one to go with?
Reading reviews and lists of features of coffee makers can make it challenging to make a decision. Each one offers so many different things!
For that reason, it is understandable that many people choose to stick to one coffee maker for years.
It can be too easy to overlook an important feature and regret it later after you have the machine running at home and set up.
If you follow this buyer’s guide, you will have no problem picking out the best coffee machine for your needs.
Here are the four main aspects you should look for in an excellent one-serving coffee maker.
1. Ease of Use
First of all, you will want to be sure that you can use the product easily.
After all, no one wants to struggle with a complicated machine before they have had their first cup of coffee in the morning.
All of the coffee makers in this guide are relatively easy to use. Some offer traditional filter methods for brewing, but all of them also feature a K cup system.
To use this feature, you simply insert the cup, close the lid, and push the button of the size of the cup you have. It will then start brewing right away.
See how easy this process is?
The ease of use is imperative to single-serving coffee makers, which is why most people buy them over other styles.
Consumers want something sleek and straightforward to use when brewing their coffee, and one-serving coffee makers are the best choice in that case.
2. Price
You will also want to be sure that you are not overspending on your appliance.
Researching and comparing prices is always helpful when buying something new, no matter what that might be.
All of the products in this guide cost less than $100; however, some are more expensive than others.
Keep this in mind when browsing for a coffee maker; you do not want to get sticker shock when you go to check out, right?
Remember that an expensive coffee maker can not brew a delicious cup of coffee out of bad coffee grounds.
While pricing is important, you do not need to choose the most expensive options when you are shopping.
You will want to save money for K cups and creamers, too, or whatever else you use to dress up your cup of coffee.
3. Counter Space
If you use the counters frequently in your kitchen, why would you want to clutter them?
Slim coffee makers are essential to saving space in your kitchen.
Upgrading from your bulky model will make the space feel much more open and roomy; you will not regret it.
Plenty of the coffee makers on this list are thinner than most popular models.
Even the bulkier models listed here are not completely inconvenient, although it is up to the size and space available in your home.
4. Extra Features
Think about what you would want your coffee maker to do, aside from just making you a hot drink in the morning.
Do you want it to have an auto-off system, clean itself, or also have space for traditional brewing?
The extra features you choose are entirely up to your needs, so do not be afraid to ask about what exactly these machines can do.
FAQs
1. Are single-serve coffee makers worth it?
Yes, single-serve coffee makers save you money, especially if you have a habit of going to coffee shops for your cup.
If you are always rushing in the mornings, they also can brew your cup of coffee much faster than a traditional pot.
Single-serve coffee makers will not make more coffee than you can drink, so you do not have to waste any leftover coffee after you make a cup.
2. Should you leave water in your coffee maker?
While you could leave water in your coffee maker, you should not do so for more than a few days.
You will want to run a cleaning pod or water mixed with vinegar through the machine every other day or so, too. This prevents mold and cleans out the machine’s piping systems.
3. Do some coffee makers make better coffee?
Yes, coffee machines that get hotter have been shown to make a better brew of coffee. However, it is entirely up to your taste.
A more expensive machine might have more features, but it still can not make a bad batch of coffee taste good.
If your machine is old, you might taste the difference in a new coffee maker. Many factors contribute to how they make your coffee taste.
4. How often should you replace your coffee maker?
A quality coffee maker can last around five years, but some people claim that they have been using the same one for decades.
When your coffee maker stops working properly, it is probably time to buy a new one.
Also, you will want to replace it if you can no longer find coffee pods that fit it, or the water does not get as hot as it used to.
You will be able to taste the difference significantly when you upgrade your machine.
5. Is it cheaper to use reusable K cups?
Yes! You can save up to $300 a year by switching to a reusable K cup filter.
The pods are also heavily packaged and cause a lot of waste. Hence, by switching, you are also doing our planet a favor.
Reusable K cups last a long, long time, and you can put any flavor or brand of coffee you desire in it.
Moreover, they can fit in almost any coffee maker nowadays, so there is no real reason not to own at least one. You will be glad for this purchase.
Final Verdict
Considering all the features and everything in the buyer’s guide, which would be your number 1 choice as the best one serving coffee maker?
If you ask us, it would have to be the Sboly Single Serve Coffee Maker.
The Sboly coffee maker also brews a delicious tasting cup of coffee every time. Indeed, it is everything a coffee drinker is looking for in a single-serve coffee maker.
This coffee maker is simple to use, not overly expensive, and portable.
It has plenty of extra features that are useful, too, such as automatically cleaning itself after brewing a cup.
It is also compact and fairly durable, making it worth the price. This product will last you a good while, and if it does not, customer service will be there to help you.
Anyone in your family would love to receive this as a gift. In fact, many customers reported that they enjoyed this maker much more than those made by other brands.
While any coffee lover would enjoy a Sboly, the Keurig K Classic Coffee Maker is a good alternative.
This design is a “classic” for a reason. You see these Keurigs everywhere, and they do make a decent cup of coffee.
This product is a little bulkier than the Sboly maker, but it will not eat up all the space on your counter, either.
It can be overwhelming to buy a new appliance for your kitchen, especially one as necessary as a machine that helps make a good, hot cup of coffee.
Hopefully, this guide was able to help you out.
