The 3 Best Single-Serve Coffee Makers Rival Our Favorite Keurigs

Mar. 15, 2025

In This ArticleView AllIn This ArticleOur Top PicksBest OverallBest but CheaperA Solid BuyAdd to CartWhat to KnowBehind the ScenesWhy Trust PEOPLE?What Is PEOPLE Tested?

In This ArticleView All

View All

In This Article

Our Top Picks

Best Overall

Best but Cheaper

A Solid Buy

Add to Cart

What to Know

Behind the Scenes

Why Trust PEOPLE?

What Is PEOPLE Tested?

Photo:People / Henry Wortock

People / Henry Wortock

Speed and quality are paramount when it comes tobrewing a morning cup of coffee. That’s why single-serve, pod-style brewers are increasingly popular. And though certain brands — ahem, Keurig— seem to dominate the space, they’re not the only ones in town. We tested three top-performing single-serve coffee makers to find the best cup of java without the Keurig brand name.

After brewing dozens of cups of coffee, we found the best non-Keurig pod-style brewers for every home — and they’re all under $100.

Ninja Pod and Grounds Specialty Single-Serve Coffee Maker

Buy on AmazonBuy on TargetBuy on Best Buy

Star QualitiesNarrow, compact designIntuitive interfaceIncludes storage for grounds and measuring spoonQuiet operationRed FlagsPricier, but justifiable

Star QualitiesNarrow, compact designIntuitive interfaceIncludes storage for grounds and measuring spoonQuiet operation

Narrow, compact design

Intuitive interface

Includes storage for grounds and measuring spoon

Quiet operation

Red FlagsPricier, but justifiable

Pricier, but justifiable

This multipurpose coffee maker from Ninja does more than even our favorite Keurig models, including brewing both pods and grounds, storing coffee beans, and frothing milk. Plus, it brews pod-style java that’s just as tasty — if not tastier — than coffee from Keurig machines. TheNinja Single-Serve Coffee Makeris ahighly versatile but pleasantly compactand sleek-looking appliance that’s straightforward andblessedly quietfor early-morning operation.

Compared to our two favorite Keurig models, the Ninja wasmore intuitive and straightforward, with an easy-to-interpret interface. Thebrew was smootherthan Keurig’s, and the “rich” setting produced slightlybolder-tasting coffeefor those who like an extra jolt in the morning.

The Ninja’s range of brew sizes makes it a great option for larger households that enjoy full pots and individually brewed pods. The machine also has a handy feature for those looking to play barista at home — a fold-away frothing arm produces light, airy milk foam that fits your preferences.

The Final Verdict

Brew Options:Pod or grounds |Brew Sizes:6 to 12 ounces (pod); 6 to 24 ounces (grounds) |Brew Time:1:24 (single pod) |Frother:Yes |Removable Water Reservoir:Yes |Reservoir Capacity:56 ounces

PHOTO: People / Henry WortockPHOTO: People / Henry WortockPHOTO: People / Henry WortockPHOTO: People / Henry WortockPHOTO: People / Henry WortockPHOTO: People / Henry Wortock

Instant Solo Single-Serve Coffee Maker

Buy on AmazonBuy on TargetBuy on Walmart

Star QualitiesIntuitive designIncludes reusable pods for groundsEasy to cleanSleek lookingRed FlagsCoffee tends to spit out, creating a messWater reservoir lid doesn’t lock closed

Star QualitiesIntuitive designIncludes reusable pods for groundsEasy to cleanSleek looking

Intuitive design

Includes reusable pods for grounds

Easy to clean

Sleek looking

Red FlagsCoffee tends to spit out, creating a messWater reservoir lid doesn’t lock closed

Coffee tends to spit out, creating a mess

Water reservoir lid doesn’t lock closed

TheInstant Solo Coffee Makerlooks great on the counter and is both easy to use and easy on the wallet. Though the coffee it produced didn’t necessarily taste better than that of the Keurigs we compared it to, the machine got the job done, and the coffee was tasty enough to satisfy the average non-aficionado.

The snappy brew and straightforward interface make this a budget-friendly choice for households with several coffee drinkers. It has a large 40-ounce removable water reservoir that doesn’t need constant refilling and is easy to clean in the dishwasher. It also comes with a reusable pod that users can fill with their favorite grounds.

It’s important to note that the Instant machine made more of a mess than the Keurig models when dispensing coffee into a wide-mouthed mug. Our tester reported that the spout spits coffee on the counter, which is annoying to clean up. If you find a tall cup that contains the splatter, however, the Instant Solo is an uncomplicated, reliable pod-style brewer. It does away with the waste of single-use K-cups and accommodates a range of coffee drinkers whenever the caffeine craving strikes.

Brew Options:Pods |Brew Sizes:8, 10, or 12 ounces |Brew Time:1:33 (single pod) |Frother:No |Removable Water Reservoir:Yes |Reservoir Capacity:40 ounces

PHOTO: People / Henry WortockPHOTO: People / Henry WortockPHOTO: People / Henry WortockPHOTO: People / Henry WortockPHOTO: People / Henry Wortock

Cuisinart Soho Single-Serve Coffee Maker

Buy on AmazonBuy on TargetBuy on Williams-Sonoma

Star QualitiesSimple to useFits easily in small spacesProduced the hottest cup of coffeeRed FlagsOpaque water reservoir doesn’t detach

Star QualitiesSimple to useFits easily in small spacesProduced the hottest cup of coffee

Simple to use

Fits easily in small spaces

Produced the hottest cup of coffee

Red FlagsOpaque water reservoir doesn’t detach

Opaque water reservoir doesn’t detach

TheCuisinart Soho Single-Serve Coffee Makeris an attractive, compact option that does one job and does it well with just a few extra steps compared to our two top picks.

The machine’s water reservoir is smaller than the competition (12 ounces) and can’t be removed for filling or cleaning, which is a drawback. You have to fill the reservoir before every brew, adding enough water to meet your preferred coffee strength — less water produces a stronger cup, and more water will dilute the flavor.

This coffee maker has a single button, so there’s no messing this one up. Press “brew” and watch as your java is dispensed in less than 90 seconds — the fastest time of any brewer we tested for this article. It’s efficient, quiet, and takes up minimal countertop space, so it can easily be tucked out of the way in a crowded kitchen.

Brew Options:Pods |Brew Sizes:8, 10, or 12 ounces |Brew Time:1:24 (single pod) |Frother:No |Removable Water Reservoir:No |Reservoir Capacity:12 ounces

Perfect Pod EZ-Scoop Coffee Scooper and Funnel

Amazon

Buy on Amazon

Noalto Reusable Stainless Steel K-Cups

These stainless-steel reusable pods are dishwasher-safe, plastic-free, and won’t leave a trace of plastic flavor in your coffee. Plus, you can fill them with your favorite grounds.

Amazon Basics Coffee Pod Storage Drawer

Keep your coffee nook organized and easy to access with this storage solution designed specifically for K-cups.

What to Know About Single-Serve Coffee Makers

Type of Pods

Unless you’re using the grounds setting on theNinja Single-Serve Coffee Maker, you’ll need individual pods to brew coffee in these machines. All three models are compatible with K-cups from Keurig, so you’ll have your choice of caffeinated and non-caffeinated drinks, including tea and even hot chocolate. But if you’d rather use grounds from your favorite local roastery instead,reusable podswork in all three machines. TheInstant Soloeven comes with one reusable pod to get you started, but if more than one person is using the machine, it might be nice to have a few backups.

Water Reservoir

Two of the coffee makers on this list, the Ninja and Instant models, have large removable water reservoirs. This is a handy feature in households with multiple coffee drinkers. A large water supply eliminates the extra step of filling the machine for every cup, and a removable container makes cleaning significantly easier, too. The two reservoirs on the machines tested here are also dishwasher-safe.

Price Range

Our three favorite non-Keurig single-serve coffee makers range in price from $60 to $100. They’re comparable to some of our top Keurig picks, including theK-SlimandK-Express, which are less than $100 right now.

Our testers brewed standard K-cups in the machines and tested any additional features, such as brewing grounds and frothing milk. They also cleaned all the parts and scored the machines on the following attributes:

Lizzy Briskinis a lifestyle, food, and travel writer and PEOPLE contributor. She has a culinary degree and is the former food editor at Real Simple and Food Network Magazines. For this article on the best single-serve coffee makers, she analyzed the insights from our panel of real-world testers who put each of these machines to the test against leading Keurig models tested in our lab.

We created thePEOPLE Tested seal of approvalto help you find the very best products for your life. We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs.

In short, PEOPLE Tested provides recommendations you can trust — every day, every purchase.

source: people.com