Transform into your own barista with these at-home Best K-Cup Pods coffee machines.
Starting the day with a cup of coffee is unbeatable, and a single-serve coffee maker allows you to quickly brew a cup whenever you want. Whether you crave a simple drip coffee or a latte or cappuccino on demand, single-serve coffee makers are now more capable than ever of producing a delicious, rich brew. They’re often as simple to use as pressing a button. At the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab, we’ve tested various coffee makers and tasted the results to ensure you’re getting a great cup of coffee every time.
Here are our top choices:
BEST OVERALL Best K-Cup Pods MAKER: Keurig K-Elite
PROS:
- Top-performing in our tests
- Can also make iced brews
- Large water tank
CONS:
- Serving sizes aren’t marked with numbers
Starting the day with a cup of coffee is unbeatable, and a single-serve coffee maker allows you to quickly brew a cup whenever you want. Whether you crave a simple drip coffee or a latte or cappuccino on demand, single-serve coffee makers are now more capable than ever of producing a delicious, rich brew. They’re often as simple to use as pressing a button.
At the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab, we’ve tested various coffee makers and tasted the results to ensure you’re getting a great cup of coffee every time.
CLICK HERE TO SHOP FOR OUR KEURIG K-CUP PODS
The Keurig K-Elite secured the top spot in our tests, consistently brewing the best-tasting coffee that was flavorful, full-bodied, and smooth. Its user-friendly control panel features simple buttons to select from five drink sizes (ranging from 4 to 12 ounces) and options for regular, strong, or iced brews. However, note that the serving size options on the control panel are indicated by pictures of cups at different heights rather than ounce numbers.
The owner’s manual was clear and easy to follow, helping our testers quickly learn how to brew a cup of coffee. Among all the coffee makers we tested, the Keurig K-Elite had one of the largest water reservoirs at 75 ounces (approximately 9 cups of coffee), meaning you won’t have to refill it constantly. Additionally, if you prefer to use your own ground coffee, a reusable filter attachment can be purchased separately.
Our testers also noted that it preheats in under 90 seconds. For those who dislike waiting, this coffee maker has an auto-on feature that allows you to set the exact time you want it to turn on.
Feature | Description |
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Brew sizes | 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 ounces |
Brewing options | Regular, strong, iced, and hot water |
Water reservoir | Removable 75-ounce capacity |
Coffee type | K-Cup or reusable filter filled with ground coffee |
BEST VALUE SINGLE-SERVE COFFEE MAKER: BLACK+DECKER K-Cup Pods Coffee Maker
Category | Details |
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PROS |
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CONS |
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If you’re short on countertop space and want to keep your morning coffee routine simple, the BLACK+DECKER Single-Serve Coffee Maker is a compact brewer with a modest price tag. There’s no fuss with this machine since it has just one simple start button and automatically shuts off at the end of the brew cycle. We found the included 16-ounce travel mug useful as a measuring cup to fill the water reservoir. The machine will brew all of the water you add, so be sure to measure your coffee accordingly.
In our testing, we found that the included reusable filter was easy to remove and clean. And all non-electric parts are top-rack dishwasher safe, so it’s extra easy to clean up after making a cup. But beware if you decide not to use a travel mug: We noticed that when using a regular mug, hot coffee would often splatter while brewing.
Feature | Description |
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Brew sizes | 16 ounces |
Brew options | Regular |
Water reservoir | Attached 16-ounce capacity |
Coffee type | Soft pod or reusable filter filled with ground coffee |
BEST SINGLE-SERVE COFFEE MAKER WITH GRINDER: Cuisinart Grind and Brew Single-Serve Coffeemaker
PROS | CONS |
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Unlike other single-serve coffeemakers that only offer options to use pods or pre-ground coffee, this compact Cuisinart machine has a built-in grinder that dispenses coffee grounds into a reusable pod for a freshly ground single cup of coffee. The trade-off is that it adds an extra step in the process: grind the beans, put the pod in the machine then brew. We found it was worth the extra effort for the tasty, medium-bodied cup of coffee it brewed in our test.
If you’re in a rush or want to use decaf, the reusable filter pod can also be used with pre-ground coffee, or you can load any single-cup coffee pod such as Keurig K-cups. We also found that this machine was intuitive to use without the instruction manual. The capsule was easy to clean and the water tank is detachable for easy filling at the sink.
Feature | Description |
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Brew sizes | 8, 10 and 12 ounces |
Brew options | Regular |
Water reservoir | Removable 48-ounce capacity |
Coffee type | Reusable filter filled with freshly ground beans, pre-ground coffee or single-cup pods |
BEST LARGE-CAPACITY SINGLE-SERVE COFFEE MAKER: Cuisinart Premium Single-Serve Brewer
PROS | CONS |
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The Cuisinart Premium Single-Serve coffee maker eliminates the need for frequent refills with its large 72-ounce removable water reservoir. It comes with a reusable filter that is brilliantly hidden in a compartment on the right side of the machine. Our testers found it easy to access and use. In our tests, we found it preheats very quickly, brewing a cup of coffee in under 90 seconds. It also consistently delivered a hot cup of coffee at 172º F.
Choose from five drink sizes on an easy-to-read LED-lit control panel. We found the arrow buttons weren’t immediately intuitive but they became easy to use with practice. Its programmable rinse cycle flushes out residual flavors between brews, and our testers liked that it consistently brewed flavorful and well-rounded coffee.
Feature | Description |
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Brew sizes | 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 ounces |
Brew options | Regular and hot water |
Water reservoir | Removable 72-ounce capacity |
Coffee type | K-Cup or reusable filter filled with ground coffee |
Best Single-Serve Coffee and Espresso Maker with Pods
Breville Nespresso VertuoPlus
Pros
- Brews a silky smooth coffee
- Testers found it easy to use
- Nearly 30 flavor options
Cons
- Only takes Nespresso brand Vertuo capsules
Specification | Details |
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Brew sizes | 1.35, 2.7, 5, 8 and 14 ounces |
Brew options | Regular coffee and espresso |
Water reservoir | Removable 37-ounce capacity |
Coffee type | Large Nespresso capsules |
Best K-Cup Pods Coffee Maker for Cappuccinos and Lattes
Lavazza Coffee Classy Plus
Pros
- Milk froths automatically
- Easy clean up and budget-friendly
Cons
- Machine doesn’t shut off automatically
Specification | Details |
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Brew sizes | 8 ounces |
Brew options | Espresso, double shot, lungo, macchiato, cappuccino, latte and 8-ounce coffee |
Water reservoir | Removable 41.6-ounce capacity |
Coffee type | Blue or Expert capsules or reusable filter filled with ground coffee |
Best Single-Serve Coffee Maker to Use Without Pods
Ninja Pods & Grounds Specialty Single-Serve Coffee Maker
Pros
- Slim design makes for easy storage
- Built-in frothing wand
- Onboard accessory storage
Cons
- Frothing wand does not heat milk
Specification | Details |
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Brew sizes | 6, 8, 10, 12, 18 or 24 ounces |
Brew options | Classic, rich, over ice and specialty |
Water reservoir | Removable 56-ounce capacity |
Coffee type | K-cups or coffee grounds |
Best K-Cup Pods Maker for All Types of Coffee
SPINN Espresso & Coffee Machine
Pros
- Makes cold brew and nitro-like cold brew
- Wide array of drink options
- Can start coffee maker through the Spinn app on phone
Cons
- No option for a second type of bean like decaf
- Must froth milk separately
Specification | Details |
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Brew sizes | Customizable up to 20 ounces |
Brew options | Customizable |
Water reservoir | Removable 40-ounce capacity |
Coffee type | Whole beans |
Best Smart Single-Serve Coffee Maker
Keurig K-Supreme Plus Smart Coffee Maker
Pros
- Automatically adjusts brew settings to each K-cup
- Able to adjust temperature and strength
- Can start the machine through the app on a phone
Cons
- Scheduled coffee does not start automatically
Specification | Details |
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Brew sizes | 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 ounces |
Brew options | Five brew strength settings and iced |
Water reservoir | Removable 78-ounce capacity |
Coffee type | K-Cup or reusable filter filled with ground coffee |
Best K-Cup Pods Coffee Maker with Thermal Carafe
Keurig K-Duo Plus
Pros
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- Consistent brewing
- Compatible with K-Cups or reusable filter
- Includes a 12-cup thermal carafe