Best Single-Serve Coffee Makers

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A single-serve coffee maker suits a small kitchen because it skips the bulky carafe and warming plate that a drip machine demands, brewing straight into your mug and freeing up the space in between. Begin with the footprint, and pay attention to height as well as width, since some models need clearance above to lift the lid and drop in a pod. Reservoir size is the next trade-off: a small tank keeps the machine compact but means refilling more often, while a larger tank adds bulk you may not want on a short counter. Consider what you brew from, because some machines take only proprietary pods, others accept a reusable filter basket for ground coffee, and the flexible ones let you use both. A reusable filter also cuts waste and running costs, which adds up over time. Look for adjustable cup sizes so you can fill anything from an espresso cup to a travel mug, and a drip tray that removes to fit that taller mug. Fast heat-up is a nice perk in a busy morning kitchen. Quieter operation matters if the machine sits near a bedroom in a studio apartment. Most compact single-serve brewers run from about 40 to 130 dollars, depending on features and pod system. The main downside is cost per cup with proprietary pods, so factor that in. For one or two coffee drinkers with limited counter space, it is a tidy fit.