4 Best Single-Serve Coffee Makers of 2025, Lab-Tested and Reviewed
Out of hundreds of pod brewers tested, these models from Keurig, Nespresso, and Ninja conveniently deliver cup after cup of hot coffee
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A single-serve coffee maker can help jump-start your morning: Switch it on, pop in a pod, and press start. Before you know it, you’ll have a piping hot cup.
In Consumer Reports’ coffee maker lab, our pod coffee machine tests focus on finding the single-serve machines that are the most convenient, fastest, and most consistent. That’s because the coffee you get from a pod most likely won’t match what comes from a top-performing drip brewer. Pod coffee simply isn’t as high quality, or as fresh, Consumer Reports’ experts say. But that doesn’t mean any model will do.
In our tests, we time brew speed for the first cup and those that follow, note the temperature, and record cup size to determine consistency. We also evaluate the convenience of operation and cleaning each machine.
In addition to those factors, when you’re shopping for a new single-serve coffee maker, you’ll also want to consider the type of coffee pods you want to use. “Keurig K-Cups offer a much greater variety of blends and coffee brands compared with Nespresso,” says Ginny Lui, who oversees CR’s coffee maker testing.
Below, we review the best pod brewers for each major type of coffee pod, including Keurig K-Cups, Nespresso Original, and Nespresso Vertuo. We also give you our top-rated combination coffee maker, a machine that brews both from pods and ground coffee. For those who only want a cup but prefer to use their own ground coffee, we also highlight a drip coffee maker that can brew a single cup at a time. CR members can click on each model name for more detailed ratings and reviews.
To see other highly rated models, check our complete pod coffee maker ratings, and learn more about what type of brewer is right for you in our coffee maker buying guide.
For those looking to buy a pod coffee maker, we also have advice for recycling K-Cups, Nespresso capsules, and other coffee pods.
Best Keurig K-Cup Brewer
The CR Recommended Keurig K-Café Smart performs excellently in our tests, delivering the first cup of coffee and subsequent cups especially quickly and dispensing a uniform amount of coffee across multiple cups. It’s easy to use, too, whether you need to adjust brew strength or refill and clean the machine. This machine also packs in a ton of features, from basics like an auto-shutoff function, a removable water reservoir, and a height-adjustable drip tray to standout features that include a built-in milk frother, WiFi connectivity, and programmability. There’s even a setting for espresso and coffee over ice.
Best Nespresso Original Brewer
One of the top-rated single-serve machines, the Nespresso Essenza Mini stands out with stellar marks in CR’s brew time tests and for the ability to control brew volume and strength. It’s also especially compact, making it a good fit for most countertops. A height-adjustable drip tray and an auto-shutoff function add convenience. Like other Nespresso models, it requires Nespresso capsules, which the company recycles at no charge if you ship them back using a prepaid bag. You can also take them to a store that participates in Nespresso’s recycling program.
Best Nespresso Vertuo Brewer
The Nespresso Vertuo Lattissima earns very good scores for first-cup speed, repeat-cup speed, and convenience, and has controls for brew size and strength, giving it a very good score for brewing range. This machine may be pricey, but it includes a built-in milk frother with a 16-ounce carafe. Plus, the Nespresso brand has an excellent owner satisfaction score and a very good predicted reliability score, based on CR’s member surveys. But this model was only mediocre in our temperature consistency tests across multiple cups.
Best Combination Brewer
If you’re looking for a more versatile coffee maker that delivers great performance, the Ninja Espresso & Coffee Barista System may fit the bill. In addition to allowing you to brew a full pot of drip coffee, you can make individual cups using Nespresso capsules. Plus, it has a built-in milk frother. As a drip coffee maker, this machine receives very good scores for convenience and carafe handling, as well as brew performance, meaning it’s able to brew at a temperature between 195° F and 205° F for 5 to 6 minutes for optimal flavor. As a single-serve machine, this model received excellent scores for first-cup speed and repeat-cup speed, but it was mediocre for brewing range settings and fell short in our temperature consistency tests.
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