The Best Single-Serve Coffee Makers of 2026

• Pod type: Nespresso Vertuo
• Water reservoir capacity: 40 ounces
• Dimensions: 16.7 x 5.6 x 12.8 inches

The Nespresso VertuoPlus by Breville delivers a dense, rich, and aromatic coffee. Our coffee had a foamy crema on top, and this single-serve coffee machine also brews espresso capsules, so you can make espresso, double espresso, and regular coffee.

Coffee drinkers will love its compact design; it can live on your countertop or be easily stored if your space is limited. The motorized head opens with a light lift, and used coffee pods are ejected into a hidden container, saving you from burning your fingers.

The Reviewed office has been personally using this machine for several years—and it still performs just like new, delivering full-bodied, crema-topped coffees every time.

If you’re interested in lattes, cappuccinos or steamed milk in your coffee, a milk frother is available if you opt for a bundled package. We think this is the best coffee maker in the pod game.

Read our full Nespresso VertuoPlus review

• Pod type: K-cup
• Water reservoir capacity: 60 ounces
• Dimensions: 12.1 x 11 x 17.2 inches

The latest Keurig K-Café Smart is an upgrade to any previous Keurig we’ve tested. It comes with a well-performing milk frother, and the connected app guides you through any recipe you can think of—from iced coffee to mocha lattes.

From the app, you can control the machine, adjust your brew settings, set schedules, and get reminders about cleaning. You can also shop for pods and accessories, making purchases directly through the app. In the Café Creations section, you can select a recipe for any kind of beverage you can think of, and get step-by-step directions.

We also love how convenient the machine is to use overall; the water tank is a breeze to remove and refill (thanks to the provided handle) and the design is sleek and space-saving.

Unfortunately, this machine doesn't come with a reusable pod, so if you're fussy about your coffee beans, you'll have to buy one separately. We also didn't love the espresso that came out of this machine; the shots were lacking any distinctive crema and that strong, espresso-like flavor. So if you're fussy about espresso shots, you might better off with our Nespresso winner (or a traditional espresso machine).

Read our full Keurig K-Café Smart review

• Pod type: K-cup, Nespresso Original, Instant Compostable, Reusable
• Water reservoir capacity: 68 ounces
• Dimensions: 7 x 13 x 14 inches

If your household is undecided on which pod coffee maker is best (i.e. the endless debate between Keurig and Nespresso), this machine might be the answer to your prayers.

The Instant Dual Pod Plus Coffee Maker is compatible with an array of different pods: K-cups, Nespresso Original capsules, Instant compostable pods, and even a provided reusable pod (which can be filled with your go-to coffee grounds).

During testing, we found that there's a lot to love about this machine—even beyond its obvious versatility. The coffee that we brewed in it was surprisingly rich and flavorful; we almost couldn't believe it had come from a pod. Nespresso shots came out with a delightful layer of crema, and Instant's compostable pods resulted in cups that were tasty and full bodied, especially when pressing the "Bold" button beforehand.

We also love that this machine has a spacious water tank with 68 ounces, so we didn't have to refill it as often as with other machines.

It might not be the fastest brewing machine (average time for an eight-ounce cup of coffee took about 80 seconds), but it's certainly the best single cup coffee maker for tasty coffee that'll satisfy the whole family.

Read our full Instant Dual Pod Plus review

• Pod type: Proprietary B-Pods
• Water reservoir capacity: 70 ounces
• Dimensions: 12.6 x 10.2 x 11.5 inches

Love the convenience of pod coffee makers, but hate to waste all that single-use plastic? Enter the Bruvi Brewer, a single-serve coffee maker that reimagines traditional pods to instead be made of bio-based and fully recyclable materials.

The Bruvi is a joy to use with plenty of smart features, like an intuitive touchscreen control panel, and settings for a wide variety of drinks—from espresso to cold brew to matcha lattes.

When we tested the Bruvi, we loved how it consistently brewed delicious, full-bodied coffee that certainly rivals the flavor of traditional K-cups. We also took advantage of the accompanying app, which allows users to choose their preferred brew strength and temperature, and even schedule brewing times in advance.

However, given that this machine is only compatible with the brand's B-Pods—and not with K-cups or Nespresso pods—be mindful that that will come with an additional cost, as B-Pods are pricier than similar products on the market.

Read our full Bruvi review

• Pod type: No pods; whole beans or grounds
• Water reservoir capacity: 64 ounces
• Dimensions: 4.99 x 12.08 x 14.44 inches

Drew Barrymore's line of Beautiful kitchen appliances are designed to be both affordable and, well, beautiful. But this little coffee machine also performs exceptionally well, especially given its small price tag.

With a built-in adjustable grinder, achieving a fresh, full-bodied cup of coffee every morning requires no effort on the user's end. This machine also features plenty of customization options, with six different size options to choose from as well as "Bold" and "Over Ice" strength options—both of which we found to deliver great-tasting results.

Plus, its ultra-slim design (under five inches wide!) means it's easy to find space for—even on busy countertops. And despite its small build, the water tank boasts a spacious 64-ounce capacity, which means refills are infrequent.

If you love the convenience of single-serve coffee makers but hate the taste (or waste) of pods, this affordable coffee maker is an excellent alternative.

Read our full Beautiful coffee maker review

• Pod type: Nespresso Vertuo
• Water reservoir capacity: 37 ounces
• Dimensions: 5.5 x 16.8 x 12.4 inches

If you love the convenience and flavor that comes with Nespresso coffee machines—but are short on counter space—the Vertuo Next is a great option.

This is the slimmest to come from Nespresso's line of coffee machines, with a small footprint and a variety of attractive colors to match any kitchen's palette. During testing, we loved how intuitive this machine was to use and how easy it was to upkeep. It can brew anything from a single espresso shot to a full cup of coffee and even an 18-ounce carafe.

The Vertuo Next can be paired with the Nespresso app to notify you when it's time to fill the water tank, remove the used capsules, or run the descaling function.

But the app doesn't allow for any remote functions, like brewing coffee from another room, for example. And we ran into a few other problems during testing, like the smaller-than-average water tank that calls for frequent refills. And a few long-term owners claim that the machine often develops functionality issues over time, which means that it may not be the longest-lasting option on this list.

Read our full Nespresso Vertuo Next review