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Wake up to a freshly brewed cup of coffee with these top performers

This story was updated in October 2022 to ensure all picks tested and vetted by the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Culinary Innovation Lab were in stock and correctly priced.

Single-serve coffee makers have grown in popularity over the years for the convenience of making a single cup of coffee in just a few minutes so there's no waiting for a pot to brew or wasted leftover coffee. A good single-serve coffee machine should deliver a tasty, hot cup of coffee just the way you like it without a lot of hassle.

However, not all single-serve coffee makers are created equal. Here at the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab, we love coffee and test coffee and espresso machines year-round. Over the years we have brewed over 1,000 cups of coffee in different machines, including drip coffee makers, French presses, portable coffee makers, Nespresso machines, cold brew coffee makers and espresso machines, to find the tastiest cups of coffee you can brew at home. Our GH experts tested 20 best-selling and highly-rated single-serve coffee machines from brands we trust such as Keurig, Cuisinart, Nespresso and more. When testing single-serve coffee makers we evaluate each model for ease of use such as how easy it is to fill the water reservoir, and how well it performs, for instance, water temperature testing as well as taste testing by our coffee experts. Our list includes the top-performing machines in our hands-on tests, as well as popular ones from brands our experts have tested in the past and trust.

You can read more about how we evaluated single-serve coffee makers in our Lab — plus everything you need to know to shop for the best single-serve coffee maker — at the end of this guide.

This machine from Keurig took the top spot in our tests and brewed the best-tasting coffee. It was consistently flavorful, full-bodied and smooth. Its easy-to-use control panel has simple buttons that allow you to choose from five drink sizes (from four to 12 ounces) and regular, strong or iced brews. But take note: The serving size options on the control panel aren't clearly marked with numbers (there are only pictures of cups in different heights).

The owner’s manual was clear and easy to follow, helping our testers quickly identify how to brew a cup of coffee. Out of all of the coffee makers we tested, the Keurig K-Elite boasted one of the largest water reservoirs at 75 ounces (or about nine cups of coffee) — meaning you won't have to refill constantly. If you prefer to use your own ground coffee, there's also a reusable filter attachment that can be purchased separately.

Although our testers noted that it preheats in under one-and-a-half minutes, if you don’t like waiting, this coffee maker has an auto-on feature that sets the exact time you want it to turn on in the morning.

This model is available in brushed silver, slate and gold.

If you're short on countertop space and want to save money, the BLACK+DECKER Single-Serve Coffee Maker is a compact brewer with a modest price tag. There's no fuss with this machine since it has just one simple start button that automatically shuts off at the end of the brew cycle. We found the included 16-ounce travel mug useful as a measuring cup to fill the water reservoir. The machine will brew all of the water you add, so make sure you measure your coffee accordingly.

Our experts found the included reusable filter easy to remove and clean. Another plus? All non-electric parts are top-rack dishwasher safe, so it's extra easy to clean up after making a cup. But beware if you decide not to use a travel mug: Our testers noticed that when using a regular mug, hot coffee would often splatter while brewing.

Unlike other single-serve coffeemakers that only offer options to use pods or pre-ground coffee, this compact Cuisinart machine has a built-in grinder that dispenses the coffee grounds into a reusable pod to give a freshly ground single cup of coffee. The trade-off is that it adds an extra step in the process to grind the beans, put the pod in the machine and brew, however, we found it was worth the extra effort and produced a tasty, medium-bodied cup of coffee.

For days you're in a rush or want to use decaf, the reusable filter pod can also be used with pre-ground coffee and any single-cup coffee pod such as Keurig K-cups. We also found that this machine was intuitive to use without needing the instruction manual, the capsule was easy to clean and the water tank is detachable for easy filling at the sink.

According to our tests, the Nespresso VertuoPlus was one of the best espresso machines that offer the convenience of using pods. It makes a well-rounded brew with frothy crema that was consistent in temperature and volume every time. It also brews other great-tasting single-serve coffee drinks, including double espresso, lungo and regular coffee in sizes up to 14 ounces. Our taste testers were impressed by the smooth and foamy crema that made the coffee seem silky smooth; one tester didn’t even need to add milk although that’s how she normally drinks her coffee.

The coffee maker features a sleek and modern design with a small footprint and our testers found the machine easy to use. Coffee is ready with just one touch of a button, with no fussing with the coffee types since the machine reads the barcode on the coffee capsule and brews it accordingly. The Nespresso VertuoPlus only takes large Nespresso capsules, but they come in nearly 30 flavor options.

This ultra-convenient coffee maker and espresso machine make a variety of drinks at the push of a button. It's a favorite of Nicole Papantoniou, Kitchen Appliances & Innovation Lab Director, for its easy-to-use and highly responsive touch screen as well as having a built-in frother that is removable to store leftover milk for use at a later time.

We were impressed with the fully automatic frother for making drinks like lattes and cappuccinos with a push of a button rather than making the milk in a separate frother and pouring it in ourselves. It can also brew over ice for iced coffee and make an array of other drinks such as flat whites, macchiato, regular coffee and more. It also makes hot milk and dispenses hot water for hot chocolate or tea. We also found cleanup a breeze and appreciate the frother is located on the machine so it doesn't take up more counter space.

This single-serve coffee maker uses a small reusable filter with coffee grounds so no pods or paper filters are required. It has a 14-ounce water tank and can make a larger cup of coffee, such as in a travel mug. Unlike most coffee machines that accommodate travel mugs but cause splashing with a shorter mug, this coffee maker is equipped with an adjustable drip tray, so there’s less coffee splattering onto the counter. The small footprint and compact design also make it ideal if you have limited counter space or need to store it when finished.

No matter what type of coffee you want, chances are the Spinn machine can make it. On top of making regular drip coffee and espresso, it can also make cold brew and nitro-like cold brew. We found the cold crew had a surprisingly pleasant creaminess to it and the nitro-like cold brew tasted creamy as well with a slightly thinner and smoother body.

We were impressed with how different the drip coffee, espresso and cold brews tasted due to the centrifugal brewing core that spins at varying speeds for each type of drink lending to their unique taste.

There are a number of drink options available like americanos, lungos, doppios and more. Keep in mind the Spinn does not froth milk, so you will frother separately for drinks with milk like lattes and cappuccinos. However, the Spinn app walks through how to make each drink option and offers customization to make it easy. The app also controls the entire machine so you can start a cup of coffee from your bed. The coffee machine has a control panel with a few drink options if you want to skip the app.

We also liked the sleek design, the large hopper and the detachable reservoir. Multiple of our experts and testers loved this machine for its convenience and ability to produce excellent coffee, but take note there's no option to have another type of bean for instance if you want decaf.

If you're looking for a no-fuss smart coffee maker, you'll love this Keurig machine. The new BrewID feature automatically recognizes the brand and roast of the pod and customizes the brew setting to the recommendations of the coffee experts who created it. However, you can still adjust the strength, temperature and size if you choose.

Our testers and experts raved about tasty coffee and the options to also further customize the temperature and strength of the coffee. In our tests, we found the control panel intuitive and simple to use as well as the app. Through the app, you can start the machine, make customizations and schedule a cup of coffee ahead of time. The downside to the coffee scheduling is that it must be confirmed on the app at the scheduled time before it starts, so it won't start while you sleep.

The K-Duo Plus is compatible with both K-Cups and a reusable filter for ground coffee to make an entire pot. It consistently brewed coffee at the same temperature and volume, not to mention the resulting coffee tasted flavorful and well-rounded. We love that the Keurig K-Duo Plus has multiple brew options and includes a thermal carafe that keeps up to 12 cups of coffee hot without a warming plate making it perfect for brunches where you want to keep the carafe at the table. It can also fit a cup up to eight inches tall, like a travel mug, the most space we saw in testing.

One of our favorite features is the 60-ounce removable water reservoir that rotates to the left, right or back to fit your counter space. Not only can you pre-program it to brew coffee up to 24 hours in advance, but this machine also has a button to pause the coffee maker mid-brew so that you can pour coffee from the carafe while it's still brewing.

The Cuisinart Premium Single-Serve coffee maker eliminates the need for frequent refills with its large 72-ounce removable water reservoir. It comes with a reusable filter that is brilliantly hidden in a compartment on the right side of the machine and our testers found it easy to access and use. In our tests, we found it takes virtually no time to preheat and this model brewed a cup of coffee in under one-and-a-half minutes. It also consistently brewed a hot cup of coffee at 172º F.

Choose from five drink sizes on an LED-lit control panel that is easy to read and use, but we found the arrow buttons weren't immediately intuitive. Its programmable rinse cycle flushes out residual flavors between brews and our testers liked that it consistently brewed flavorful and well-rounded coffee.

The kitchen tech experts in the Good Housekeeping Institute tested 20 best-selling models from brands we trust to find the best single-serve coffee makers.

When we test single-serve coffee makers we evaluate the ease of use and performance. We assess how easy each coffee maker is to set up, the clarity of the instruction manual and note how intuitive each one is to use as well as how easy it is to clean the coffee machine after use. We also consider ease of use when it comes to filling the water reservoir, preheat time and brew time.

When making coffee, we measure the temperature after brewing to ensure a hot cup of coffee. We brew multiple cups to check for the consistency and functionality of the machine. We also note anything that's not consumer friendly such as coffee splashing out of the mug while brewing.

Finally, we taste each cup of coffee in search of a full-bodied cup of coffee with little to no acidity and bitterness. Also considered: the cost and availability of coffee pods, refills and paper filters.

✔️ Single-use coffee pods vs. reusable filters: Most single-serve coffee makers use store-bought coffee pods, like the popular K-Cup pods from Keurig. Pods are small plastic or aluminum cups that contains pre-portioned ground coffee and a built-in filter. K-Cups and capsules are convenient to use, but are more expensive than using your own ground coffee. And while some pods are recyclable, like K-Cups, you need to remove the grounds and foil first, and check with your local recycling facility that they can process the type of plastic your pods are made from. Soft pods are a popular alternative: The ground coffee comes in a tea bag-like round paper filter, which eliminates the plastic waste.If you prefer a coffee maker with no pods, there are single-serve machines that feature a reusable filter to fill with your own ground coffee. Reusable filters are definitely the more eco-friendly option, but note that the filters do need to be washed after each use. All of the reusable filters we tested were easy to detach from the coffee maker and dishwasher-safe. We recommend adding two tablespoons of ground coffee into the reusable filter for a six-ounce cup of coffee.

✔️ Water reservoir: Consider how often you brew coffee. For two or more servings per day, you would benefit from a large water reservoir which means less refilling. When it comes to refilling, some water reservoirs are removable and have handles that make it easy to carry to the sink to refill and clean, while others are permanently attached to the coffee maker. Others lack a water reservoir altogether and require you to measure and add the amount of water you want to brew each time.

✔️Brewing options: While some single-serve coffee makers brew only one cup size, some models provide more brewing options from single espresso shots up to 16 ounces (perfect for a travel mug), with coffee choices ranging from basic (like regular or strong brew coffee) to fancy (think iced drinks, or even cappuccinos and lattes on more advanced models that have milk frothing attachments).

✔️ Speed: One advantage of single-serve coffee makers is that you can get a cup of coffee quickly. Some models have a powerful heating mechanism that can boil water and brew coffee in less than one minute! Others require you to heat and pour your own water over the ground coffee. In our tests, the average time it took to brew an eight-ounce cup of coffee was about two minutes.

Jamie Kim's first job at Good Housekeeping Institute was testing a variety of consumer products, including coffee makers. Since then she has tested and written about many coffee and espresso makers as well as kitchen-related and cooking tools. She has a passion for coffee and has even attended a coffee cupping class. Over the years she's taste-tested hundreds of cups of coffee. She holds an apparel and textile design degree as well as mechanical engineering.

Nicole Papantoniou has run the Good Housekeeping Kitchen Appliances and Culinary Innovation Lab since 2019; she oversees all the content and testing related to kitchen and cooking appliances, including coffee makers. Previously she worked in product development for small kitchen appliances and tools since 2014 as well as in several test kitchens, where she tested and developed recipes and food content starting in 2012. She has a grand diplome in classic culinary arts from the former French Culinary Institute and a certificate in culinary nutrition from the former Natural Gourmet Institute, now both known as the Institute of Culinary Education.