When all you need is a quick and easy way to get your caffeine fix, you’ll want a single serve coffee maker that brews one cup at a time. Here are the most budget friendly options on Amazon.
FYI, prices and ratings are accurate as of time of writing.
1. Keurig - K-Mini Coffee Maker
Highlight: At under five inches wide, it’s ideal for small spaces.
Helpful review: Fun fact about me–I was one of the first buyers of the Keurig coffee machines before anyone knew what a K-Cup was, and def before it was ever a normal kitchen accessory.
I’ve been a loyal customer since day one! I’ve been here since their machines were pretty much throw away trash, and even when they attempted to use their own branding for the pods during what I deemed their failed lockout scheme. I say all this to say that I’m not new to the Keurig world, and yea, yeah, I assumed I didn’t need another one of these, but lo and behold, turns out I did!
ORIGIN OF THE MINI:
I’m a big traveler and I’m the first to tell you that most hotels only have those single serve compact Keurig’s and I always bring all my coffee and tea with me. That hotel room ones are usually poorly designed and don’t really work for in home use if you ask me. So, yeah, when I first saw that there was a new mini version of this, consider my interest peaked. Essentially, I wanted to take this with me traveling! And I was hoping it was small enough to fit in my bag. I just need my coffee people!.
THE HOT WATER MAGIC TRICK:
A magic trick indeed! What I really need is like a dispenser that does single servings of hot water. And the rest of the world needs it too! I’m telling you. I’ve tried out so many different cheap models that always end up being overpriced and have issues in their design. I found one I really liked not that long ago but the manufacturer stopped making it. I really hoped that this new option could help me make a cup of boiling water so I could just have a quick late night tea or coffee. And then I found this baby–it’s it!
AS A COFFEE MAKER:
Keep in mind, it’s meant to be for a single cup, so it’s going to work like that. It’s really not that difficult to use either. All you do is place a single pod into the receptacle thing and then pour your cup of agua into the reservoir. And then you just push the button! A couple minutes, then you have it! When you don’t put it in the pod, but you still do everything else, then what comes out is hot water… nice, crisp, and clean! And you can use that for coffee or tea! Or just hot water. You can also choose different sizes, like between six and twelve ounces, which I personally like. Other models I’ve tried are usually just eight ounces. I like the freedom to make my soup, tea, or hot cocoa as strong as I want it to be!
WHY I LOVE IT:
I’m not one to always throw out five stars, but wow, this one is the type of super product I usually reserve that for! It’s made so well, you can tell it’s not cheap plastic and yet the design is just so simple. I really like how there’s a little cut out on the back of it so you can store the power cord inside, and it also comes with a three prong plug that is def commercial grade. It’s cool too because you don’t need to take out all the cord, you can just pull out a little bit to just reel in or yank out how much you need, so you don’t have all this extra cord on your kitchen counter.
Despite what some reviewers said, you seriously don’t need instructions for this thing. But the ones it comes with are written well, and I like how they have these larger color illustrations. Def easy to understand. After it's plugged in, all you have to do is lift the hinge door at the top and pour your water in. It’s awesome that you’re not limited to a fixed amount of water. You can actually fill it up with up to twelve, but as low as six ounces, and anywhere in between, which is just so cool, cause sometimes my preferences change! For that reason, it fills anywhere from a travel mug to a full sized normal mug.
After you’re done putting in the water, lift up the handle, and automatically it will turn the power back on. Then you insert a K cup and push the handle back down and then press the very large brew button on top. After you do that, the light will stop flashing, and the water will heat up and there ya go! Coffee is a brewin’! About forty seconds or so after that, the power will shut off on its own. That’s magic if you ask me. Got my first cup in one minute and eighteen seconds. And the water is just as hot as the last cup. I also love that no water is wasted during this whole process.
Oh, and you also don’t have to clean it because there’s not a holding tank like with regular sized coffee machines. You won’t even have to worry about water getting moldy.
WHAT REALLY SOLD ME:
Honestly, to everyone’s surprise, but mainly my own, I use this mini machine more than I use my larger fancy one. It’s just simpler and faster to use, and I like that I can heat up the water to use it for hot tea or hot water. It’s also just faster in general. Like actually filling up the tank and waiting for the machine to heat up takes longer, and this is super nice because I can just pop it in and there ya go! Two minutes max and coffee is already ready.
BUY OR NOT:
Some reviewers seem confused on what this actually is. It’s not full-sized and nowhere in the ads does it say that. This is about convenience, speeds, and absolutely no clean up. I love it. It’s a single serve machine and that’s what it’s meant to be. And for real, like waiting at Starbucks is gonna be pricier, and take you five times as long.
HINTS:
This is faster than any other machine I’ve used to make coffee. It’s not full sized, but it’s irrelevant. It works and that’s what matters. I will say that depending where you live, it may take a little longer–mountains or sea level will affect it. Science, people. Science. All you have to do is press the button to brew it right after you lower the pod, and then you’re good to go. In other words, all you need to do is read the instructions.
THE FINAL WORD:
If you can’t tell that I love this thing, lemme scream it from the rooftops again. I LOVE THIS THING! Don’t waste your time on other machines. Get this. You won’t regret it. — Megan MacGregor
Get it from Amazon now: $99.99 & FREE Returns
2. Hamilton Beach - FlexBrew Trio Coffee Maker
Highlight: Easy touch program to produce ready made coffee.
Helpful review: I'm not a huge fan of crowding my kitchen but I love my coffee–a lot. Having a two in one coffee machine is literally the best thing that’s ever happened to me. I’m serious! The design of this thing is exactly what I was hoping for. It’s fourteen inches tall, which is the perfect size, just know that you’ll need space above the area where you fill with water. I also love how the actual machine doesn’t get as hot as you expect. I’ve been to a lot of homes and visited and tried out a lot of different types of machines, and I can say with confidence that this is by far the best I’ve tried.
DESIGN:
- On the carafe side: The design is clear and to the point and the carafe pulls in and out without hassle. The coffee is super hot, too, which is exactly what you can hope for! I’ve never even spilled a drop of water when I fill the water back up, and the basket for the coffee grounds is super easy to use.
- On the individual cup side: You can store the do-it-yourself pods or use the k cup doubles as a rest for your cuppa joe. The riser on this is easy to pull out and is great if you use taller coffee mugs like I do. .
- I love how the exterior is black and matte–you can’t see fingerprints as much on this as you might on stainless steel. The cord is about twenty one inches long, and obviously you’ll need it by an outlet, but it fits well.
- I love how the single cups taste so much stronger than my usual K cup. And it even comes out hotter. With the carafe side, you can also create smoother and hotter cups of coffee.
NOTES:
- It doesn’t beep when it's done, and although I have to remind myself to check it, I like the silence aspect of that.
- A ten cup carafe takes about nine minutes and thirty eight seconds.
- A twelve ounce travel mug takes about three minutes.
- The K Cup side is a bit loud–it has a shorter cycle to heat and produce the coffee, but that’s normal.
- You can see the water level on both sides.
- Shuts off automatically.
- 2 hour cycle that keeps it warm.
- Not really a con in my opinion, but there are a few drips when the k cup side is finished. Overall, I really can’t recommend this enough! — Heather LaRee
Get it from Amazon now: $119.85 & FREE Returns
3. Keurig - K-Classic Coffee Maker
Highlight: Descaling is automatic.
Helpful review: I’m not a huge coffee drinker except for my pumpkin spiced lattes, but I have twins now, and I need an extra boost in the morning (they just started learning to walk! I don’t always want an entire pot of coffee, so I figured I’d give the single serve option a try. There’s a lot of different brands on the market, but I knew I wanted to try this one because of the price.
After the Keurig arrived, it was super easy to set up because it came with a really clear step by step instruction manual. It only takes a few minutes and then you’re good to go and ready to start brewing your first cuppa joe! The lights illuminate and guide you through the brewing process and although there’s a slight learning curve, you pick it up pretty fast. I don’t even have to give it much thought now, which is great especially since I’m still asleep in the mornings lol.
BREWING:
Super simple and easy to figure out. Hit the power button to turn it on, the heating lights will come on, there might be some noises, and then you’ll see the three size options pop up. Just put your mug up, lift up the holder and slide in your k cup. There’s three size options: 5.25 oz., 7.25 oz. and 9.25 oz. Pick the size you want, and wahlah! Sixty seconds later and you’ll have a cup of coffee ready to go!
WATER RESERVOIR:
The machine holds about forty eight oz. of water which is awesome because you won’t have to refill it every time you’re ready for a cup. That’s honestly the main reason I wanted this machine. I brew 2 cups a day and I only have to refill the water reservoir like every few days or so. I like using bottled water for this, but it’s pretty much just a preference on that.
CLEANING:
So easy to clean. You can remove the drip tray and wipe it down a few times a week. I also really like to clean down the outside since it can get splatters of coffee on it. If you really wanna clean it in depth, you can also do the holder, water reservoir, needles and funnel. But just be careful with the needles, as that’s what pokes the hole in the k cups, so you want to make sure you don’t damage them.
COFFEE PODS:
You can buy the K cup pods pretty much anyways, and you can even mix up which brands or flavors you want to try out. It just has to be a k cup pod to work, which is awesome. I like to mix and match different flavors. Just keep in mind that not all pods are created equally, and some are pricier than others. I really like that the flavors don’t blend between the cups, super convenient if you ask me. I also like the smaller mug size, the 7.25 setting, but that’s definitely just personal taste.
PROGRAMMABLE AUTO OFF TIMER:
I love that you can program the brewer so it sets off the machine after two hours–the instructions explain how to do this.
NOISE:
I saw some reviews that said this thing is noisy, but honestly, I don’t really see it. There’s like a loud hum, but only sometimes, not always. Not more than a standard machine, that’s for sure. I don’t hear it when my husband brews it in the morning while I’m still sleeping.
ALL IN ALL:
I’ve used it daily for three months, and have had zero issues. It’s about twelve inches from the front to the back, nine inches if you’re measuring the side to the side, and about thirteen and a half inches on the tall side. No one visiting has ever had any issues figuring out how to use it, and I don’t have the most tech savvy parents. It’s really that easy. Now I can keep up with the twins and I don’t have to think twice about how to brew coffee. Well worth it, if you ask me. No regrets at all! I love this thing so much and will update in the future!
UPDATE:
After eight months, this thing still works great. Talk about an affordable piece of equipment, and one that’s never let me down. I’m brewing about four cups a day now, and I love trying out the different pods and have never had an issue with the taste overflowing from one to the next. Really can’t recommend this enough! Super easy to clean too. You won’t regret adding this to your kitchen! — Kristin Bernstein
Get it from Amazon now: $149.99 & FREE Returns
4. CHULUX - Coffee Brewer for Single Cup Capsules
Highlight: Compact and fits perfect in smaller kitchens.
Helpful review: I really wanted to try this thing out for a long time before writing a review, so here I am, one year to the day of making this purchase, and man I am so happy about this product.
I’ve had a lot of Keurigs, and I’ll be the first to tell you that these things do not always last–and the majority of them do not last a year, that’s for sure. I was so over it, and that’s when I decided to switch things up and try out getting a Chulux. Wow, I just can’t say enough good things about it! Let me tell you first hand, this thing is night and day from the massive bulkiness of my old Keruigs. At first I wasn’t sure about the size, but now I can’t get over the compact size of it. It’s honestly perfect.
The old Keurig machines I used were honestly designed wrong. The water sits in the tubes, and what does that mean? MOLD. The only way to fix it was to take it apart and it was such a pain in the butt. Or you could use their special solution, but I just really didn’t like having to use it. Seemed like a way for them to make more money and I never felt like it was actually clean.
You can just tell that this CHULUX machine is going to last longer. My one con with the Chulux though is that the water overflows from the particle strainer at the bottom and you can have a little bit of a black flow. It’s a design flaw, but all you have to do is take out the strainer, and I have zero issues with any foreign stuff getting into the machine. I saw some reviews that said grounds came out of the pods, but that was never an issue for me, so not sure what they were talking about. Maybe try different pods?
I did a test and found that the Chulux took about five seconds longer to heat up than the Keuring, but honestly it still doesn’t make a difference. This machine is better and I will be staying with this one. If the manufacturer wanted any tips though, I’d say maybe make it so it brews faster, but definitely add larger holes in the water strainer. Otherwise, I love it! Thanks a bunch CHULUX! — Thomas Sunderland
Get it from Amazon now: $55.99 & FREE Returns
5. Cuisinart - Coffee-on-Demand Programmable Coffeemaker
Highlight: Self cleaning, auto shut off, with twenty four hour advance start.
Helpful review: Before I get rollin’, here me out! This cord is not two inches like some negative reviewers said. It’s like sixteen to twenty. Those people are dumb. No other way to say it. Literally read the instructions, people. The cord is inside the machine, and then you just need to pull the cord out. And if it’s not coming, just pull harder.
After our older machine vomited up a Noah’s Ark level of water on our counter, I was over buckling for the cheap stuff. I wanted something nicer, something that could produce a reliable cup of coffee without creating a massive mess every day. I also knew that I wanted to be able to program a time for the brew to start so I wouldn’t forget about doing it.
And then I found this beaut! I love how easy it is to adjust the coffee so it stays hot, and then it will shut off on its own. Def a plus considering my husband and I have a fast paced life and we always forget to shut things off.
OTHER PROS:
- Very quiet beep when the coffee is ready. Love how I can remove the water reservoir. Also, it's so easy to read the markings on the outside to check the cycle and find out how many cups it will produce.
- It comes with a reusable filter, but I throw in paper filters to catch extra sediment, just to be safe. Either way, it’s nice to have the option. It can actually fill up to a thirty two ounce mug if you remove the bottom tray, and you hold the mug under. That’s not often, but it’s a nice perk.
- It’s so easy to clean and honestly, the taste has been consistent and really good.
SOME CONS:
- There’s some condensation that forms underneath the brewing lid and the reservoir if I end up leaving the lid in place. Small thing, and just a personal preference, but it could cause mildew if you don’t clean regularly. You can shark the water residue off the lid and that helps, too.
- There’s some deeper grooves that you really have to dig into when you clean, but a simple brush will do the trick. Make sure you drain it inside the sink, as the drain feature is in a weird place and can spill if you’re not careful.
- Sometimes our power goes off in a bad storm, and this thing has a five to ten second delay, and you have to reset it afterwards, and it's kind of annoying because it’s not super easy, so make sure you keep the manual.
All in all, I really like it. The design works, even with the small things that are kind of off. So far I think it’s gonna last. I definitely recommend it! — Rony J. Mitchell
Get it from Amazon now: $119.95 & FREE Returns
6. Keurig - K-Elite Coffee Maker
Highlight: Increase the brew strength with the touch of a button.
Helpful review: The air pump on our last machine died, and I knew I wanted a new one. I was unsure about this brand at first, because of some reviews about weaker coffee, but after reviewing positive reviews and realizing it was probably just user error, I decided to give it a go. And I’m so happy I did!
In terms of appearance, it looks so good. You can tell it’s made well, and the material is metal instead of plastic. I love how large the water reservoir is, and it’s super easy to insert and remove. The drip tray is shallow, so there’s no issue sliding in tall mugs, which is great. Design is way better than other machines I’ve tried in the past.
So how does it taste? Freaking amazing! Seriously, the best I’ve ever had from Keurig, like ever! Now I have to admit that I don’t use coffee pods, I use whole bean coffee that I grind fresh and then use the K-pod that you can fill in your own.
I like my coffee strong, so I always go for a dark roast, and then fill it just below the travel mug option. Then I put it on strong, pick the largest option, which is like 10 ounces, and it comes out perfect!
I’m so happy I had to get a new machine, because this is better than anything I’ve ever used in the past. Especially if you like to grind your own coffee, you’re really going to love this thing.
I would recommend ignoring the negative reviews. Cause if you want great coffee, then just grind it fresh just use the ‘My K Pod’. With this method, you control grind quality and the freshness. Just follow the instructions. And if it doesn’t work, and your coffee sucks, then that’s on you friend. Cause this thing is great. — Terry Lopez
Get it from Amazon now: $189.99 & FREE Returns
7. Hamilton Beach - Scoop Single Serve Coffee Maker
Highlight: Brew different sizes with an adjustable stand.
Helpful review: I was unsure about this coffee machine because of some of the mixed reviews, but after a month straight, I can tell you for sure, this thing is worth it! I do recommend doing a run through with white vinegar first, and then two rounds of water, just so you can remove the plastic taste. I also clean it like this once a month, but that’s just me.
I do have to start this by saying that I don’t drink coffee, but I love hot drinks, so I use this to make tea and decaf. I essentially brew it just like you would brew coffee. And I knew I wanted a machine that could make individual servings. This machine does this and more. With two water levels, you can clearly see the marking of the eight ounce and fourteen ounce options. No measuring cup needed!
It comes with two filters and the second mesh filter will catch any small ground that seep through the metal filter. After you brew, you just push up the three parts–both of the filters and the drip cup, and then you just dump the grinds. Then you can rinse out the three parts. Personally, I leave the lid open so it can dry out. It does an awesome job on the setting marked bold. It ends up dripping a little bit slower than the other regular setting. There’s sometimes an extra drip, but not a big deal.
Overall, it’s just a straightforward and easy to use machine with basic parts that gets the job done. Super easy to clean and looks really sleek. Barely takes up any space either, just read the sizes and double check your counter space before taking the leap. My old model had an extra filter/scoop, and this one only has one, but not a huge deal. I still love it! — Vivian S. Martin
Get it from Amazon now: $49.85 & FREE Returns
8. BLACK+DECKER - Single Serve Coffeemaker
Highlight: Ideal for coffee drinkers who lead an active, on to go life.
Helpful review: Love this thing so much. After two years, it still does the trick. Everything I wanted! It can brew a mug of coffee from regular grounds, but you can also use soft pods (the non Keurig style ones). No issue removing the filter and basket and they’re so easy to clean. Just do a quick rinse under the faucet! I love that it comes with a plastic mug. It’s durable, hasn’t leaked, and even keeps it warm for over an hour.
Just a pro-tip: I like to put in my cramer, then brew it with the lid on, and then it’s already ready to go!
There’s also an obvious line where you put in the water. Fresh water is required for each pour, but I honestly like this feature, and you can just fill it up the night before. Make sure you play around with the grounds to figure out how much you want to make the strength you’re looking for. But that’s pretty standard as with most coffee machines. I like it under half full and find ti brews it perfectly for my taste.
Once you got that, then you’re good to go! Literally. You just press a button and then you have coffee. It will light up when it’s brewing and then shut off. Straightforward and easy.
I think other mugs could probably work if they’re the right size. Just keep in mind that the bottom of this mug is built in plastic, but it’s not a warmer. — Larry C. Kemp
Get it from Amazon now: $29.99 & FREE Returns