The Best Single-Serve Coffee Makers of 2026

• Pod type: Non-pod, paper filters required
• Water reservoir capacity: 10 ounces
• Dimensions: 11.75 x 10.25 x 6.50 inches

The Moccamaster Cup-One by Technivorm lives somewhere between automatic drip coffee machine and pour-over coffee maker. You fill it with your choice of ground coffee; it sports the ease of a drip machine, but with the technique and taste of a pour-over brew.

When you switch on the Cup-One, it draws the water down to heat it then the wand releases an initial burst of 205°F water to bloom the grounds, just like pour-over. It then releases a steady stream of water with some steam bursts to agitate the grounds while brewing.

Due to this significantly different brewing method, the Moccamaster Cup-One takes longer than typical single-serve pod coffee makers, but we can excuse the lengthy brew time of four to five minutes—at least that’s five minutes we can go do something else rather than standing over the Chemex with a gooseneck kettle in hand.

The only thing we didn’t like about the Cup-One is having to keep track of a very tiny cleaning brush that is absolutely necessary to keep the drip running smoothly. If you don’t ensure that the tiny hole at the base of the brew basket is clear before brewing, it could clog and prevent water from draining, creating a potentially messy situation.

While the Cup-One isn’t zero-waste, the paper filters can go in the compost bin, which is better than endless plastic pods going to landfills.

• Pod type: K-Cup
• Water reservoir capacity: 60 ounces
• Dimensions: 12.5 x 15.3 x 11.7 inches

If you’re not ready to shell out hundreds of dollars on an Italian-made espresso machine but still crave the ability to make cappuccinos, lattes, and macchiatos, this machine might be right for you.

The control pad of this K-cup coffee maker gives you the option to brew espresso shots or six ounces to 12 ounces of regular coffee. If you like your coffee more intense, there’s also a “strong” button to intensify the brew strength.

Another highlight is the dishwasher safe milk frother positioned directly on the side of the machine. To make a latte, you only need to fill the frother with skim, whole, nut, or lactose-free milk and press a button.

We love this machine’s hands-free design and intuitive control panel. A stainless steel drip tray makes it easy to clean.

• Pod type: K-cup
• Water reservoir capacity: 75 ounces
• Dimensions: 9.9 x 12.7 x 13.1 inches

The K-Elite boasts a large 75-ounce reservoir that allows you to brew more cups of coffee at once than any other model in this roundup.

It brews five different cup sizes and comes with a button to adjust the brew strength of each cup. The K-Elite also features an iced coffee option, but it is not to be confused with brewing ice-cold coffee. It just makes the coffee more concentrated so ice won’t dilute the flavor.

The drip tray can be removed to accommodate most travel mugs.

• Pod type: Nespresso Vertuo
• Water reservoir capacity: 54 ounces
• Dimensions: 12.22 x 8.97 x 12.33 inches

The Nespresso VertuoLine Evoluo by De’Longhi is an excellent choice for people who want the convenience that comes with a pod brewer, but aren’t willing to compromise on flavor.

The Evoluo is capable of creating both espresso and regular coffee, but it can't make cocoa or iced coffee. In our tests, it brewed better tasting coffee than anything made by a K-cup brewer, and it puts a nice crema in your cup.

The Evoluo is constructed from high-quality materials and sports a one-touch brewing system. It also is considerably more expensive than many single-serve options, and its pods also are priced higher and can be more difficult to find.

• Pod type: Nespresso Vertuo
• Water reservoir capacity: 40 ounces
• Dimensions: 11.91 x 8.3 x 11.9 inches

The design of this Nespresso Vertuo is almost identical to its De’Longhi model. However, we noticed extremely loud noises during brewing tests and that knocked this model down the roundup a couple of spots.

As with other VertuoLine machines, it automatically reads the barcode on the capsules to determine the brew time, size, and temperature. Also like other machines in this line, it has a one-touch brewing system. Its 40-ounce reservoir can make about five cups of coffee before it needs to be refilled.

• Pod type: K-cup
• Water reservoir capacity: 52 ounces
• Dimensions: 11.6 x 9.2 x 12.5 inches

The K-Select is bulky, but without the brewing functionality of its high-end sibling, the K-Elite. It works fine if you’re a big Keurig fan, and you’re expecting a standard cup of brew every time you hit the button. It also features a strong brew button designed to increase the strength of your coffee.

The 52-ounce water tank can make up to seven cups of coffee, and the drip tray can be removed to accommodate most travel mugs. The machine also features an auto-off programmable button if you’re worried about your appliances zapping energy. The maintenance reminder will also alert you when it’s time for descaling.

• Pod type: K-cup
• Water reservoir capacity: 48 ounces
• Dimensions: 13.2 x 10.1 x 13.3 inches

The K-Classic, which has three brewing sizes, doesn’t have any special features, and its price point makes it much less appealing than other Keurigs that do more.

Also, let’s talk about the noise. The loud machine brews average-at-best coffee—but is it really worth enduring a soul-killing sound? My answer is no.

Like the K-Select, you can program the machine to automatically shut itself off to save energy. It doesn’t feature a carafe option for filling a large mug, but the drip tray is removable for larger travel cups.