9 Best Single Cup Coffee Makers for Pods and Grounds (October 2026)
The best single cup coffee makers for pods and grounds include the Hamilton Beach FlexBrew Trio for a single cup or full carafe, the OXO Brew 8-Cup Single-Serve for a mug and a thermal carafe, and the Ninja Single Serve Pods & Grounds for pods, grounds and brew styles.
On this page (4 sections)
The Hamilton Beach FlexBrew Trio is the highest-scoring pick for a single cup coffee maker in this roundup, with an 8.2 score and both single-serve and carafe brewing. The OXO scored 8.4, so it ranks first overall for a mug option with a thermal carafe; the Ninja Single Serve scored 8.1 and offers pods, grounds and four brew styles.
Single-cup brewers vary in what they accept and how often you refill them. Some focus on pod coffee, while others take ground coffee, make iced drinks or also brew a pot.
For help choosing by household routine, see our guide to choosing the best coffee maker for your home. If you're deciding between pods and a reusable filter, read whether reusable K-Cups are worth it.
Our picks at a glance
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Best for pods, grounds and brew stylesNinja Single Serve Pods & Grounds
8.1/10 our score
See it on Amazon
Which single cup coffee makers fit different routines?
These coffee makers are ordered from highest score to lowest. Each one suits a different brewing need, from carafe brewing to a narrow footprint.
OXO Brew 8-Cup Single-Serve: Best for a mug and a thermal carafe
- Single-serve option with optional brew basket accessory
- 8-cup capacity
- Double-wall insulated thermal carafe
- Rainmaker showerhead
The OXO combines an 8-cup carafe brewer with an optional single-serve basket accessory. It fits a household that wants a mug option but also values a thermal carafe for a larger brew.
Pros
- Single-serve option and carafe brewing
- Thermal carafe
- Removable well accommodates different mug heights
Cons
- Single-serve basket accessory is optional
- Uses paper filters
The OXO Brew 8-Cup is a carafe brewer with an optional brew basket accessory for single-serve use. Its double-wall, vacuum-insulated carafe maintains heat, and the Rainmaker showerhead distributes water over the grounds.
For mug brewing, add a filter to the optional accessory and place it in the larger basket. The removable well makes room for short mugs and taller travel mugs, though the single-serve setup depends on that accessory.
Choose the OXO if you want an 8-cup carafe with a mug option. If pods and grounds matter more, compare it with the Ninja Single Serve.
Hamilton Beach FlexBrew Trio: Best for a single cup or full carafe
- Single cup with pod or grounds
- 12-cup carafe side
- Up to 10 oz with a pod or 14 oz travel mug with grounds
- Separate water reservoirs
- Regular and bold settings
The FlexBrew Trio pairs a single-serve side for pods or grounds with a 12-cup carafe brewer. It suits a home where one person wants a mug while others sometimes make a pot.
Pros
- Single cup and full carafe options
- Separate reservoirs
- Regular and bold settings
Cons
- Takes more counter space than a single-serve-only brewer
- Two brewing sides mean more parts to manage
The FlexBrew Trio pairs a 12-cup carafe side with a single-serve side for a pod or ground coffee. It suits a household where one person wants a mug while others sometimes make a pot.
With a pod, the single-serve side brews up to 10 oz. With grounds, it can fill a 14 oz travel mug.
Each side has a separate reservoir, and the cup rest removes to make room for a taller mug.
The carafe side has programmable wake-up brewing, regular and bold settings, and a warming period of up to 2 hours. This two-way design needs more counter space than a single-serve-only brewer.
Choose it when you want weekday mugs and occasional pots from one machine. If a single cup is all you need, a single-serve brewer may take less room.
Ninja Single Serve Pods & Grounds: Best for pods, grounds and brew styles
- Works with K-Cup style pods and grounds
- Classic, Rich, Over-Ice and Specialty brew styles
- 6 to 24 oz cup sizes
- 56 oz removable reservoir
- Built-in milk frother
This single-serve machine handles both pods and grounds, with four brew styles and cup sizes from 6 to 24 oz. A removable reservoir and built-in frother add useful range for daily drinks.
Pros
- Accepts pods and grounds
- Four brew styles
- Built-in milk frother
Cons
- Wider feature set may be more than a pod-only routine needs
- Footprint is 13.07 in deep
The Ninja Single Serve takes pods and grounds and includes a removable brew basket, pod adapter and permanent filter. Its four brew styles are Classic, Rich, Over-Ice and Specialty, with cup sizes from 6 to 24 oz.
The 56 oz removable reservoir supports multiple brews between refills. The built-in frother folds away when you're not using it.
It measures 5.51 in wide and 13.07 in deep. Check your counter depth as well as its width.
Choose this model for pods, grounds, iced coffee and milk drinks. For a larger reservoir, compare it with the Ninja XL.
Ninja XL Single Serve: Best for fewer reservoir refills
- Works with K-Cup style pods and grounds
- 68 oz removable reservoir
- Classic, Rich, Over-Ice and Specialty brew styles
- 6 to 24 oz cup sizes
- Built-in milk frother
The XL version offers the same pod and grounds flexibility and four brew styles as the other Ninja pick, with a 68 oz reservoir. It fits buyers who want to brew several servings before refilling.
Pros
- Largest reservoir among the single-serve picks here
- Accepts pods and grounds
- Built-in milk frother
Cons
- 13.07 in depth needs counter space
- More reservoir capacity may be unnecessary for one daily cup
The Ninja XL has the same four brew styles and 6 to 24 oz cup range as the other Ninja pick, with a larger 68 oz removable reservoir. That capacity may suit you if you brew several servings between refills.
It accepts pods and grounds and includes a pod adapter, removable brew basket, permanent filter and built-in milk frother. Its dimensions are 5.51 in wide by 13.07 in deep, so the XL name refers to its reservoir capacity.
Choose it when reservoir capacity matters most. If you brew one cup at a time, the 56 oz reservoir on the other Ninja may be enough.
Cuisinart SS-10 Single Serve: Best for a large water reservoir
- Works with pods and ground coffee
- 72 oz reservoir
- Reusable coffee filter included
- Adjustable temperature
- Auto on/off and rinse function
A 72 oz reservoir supports multiple brews between refills, and the SS-10 accepts pods or grounds. Programmable controls, adjustable temperature and an auto-rinse function add convenience.
Pros
- Largest reservoir among these picks
- Works with pods and grounds
- Programmable controls
Cons
- The large reservoir takes more room than a one-cup fill design
- Check your preferred pod format before buying
The Cuisinart SS-10 pairs pod and grounds brewing with a 72 oz reservoir. It includes a reusable coffee filter and a built-in charcoal water filter.
Its programmable backlit LCD includes auto on/off, adjustable temperature settings and an auto-rinse function. It also has a hot water button for tea, soup or other drinks that call for hot water.
Choose it if you want a large reservoir and programmable controls. Check that your preferred pod format is compatible.
Keurig K-Compact: Best for straightforward pod brewing
- K-Cup pods
- 6, 8 and 10 oz sizes
- 36 oz removable reservoir
- Removable drip tray
- Hot water option
The K-Compact keeps brewing simple with three cup sizes, button controls and a removable 36 oz reservoir. Choose it for pod convenience and hot water on demand.
Pros
- Simple button controls
- Removable reservoir and drip tray
- Hot water option
Cons
- Grounds need a separate reusable filter
- No dedicated iced setting
The K-Compact offers 6, 8 and 10 oz cup sizes, button controls and a removable 36 oz reservoir. Smart Start heats and brews in one process, and the drip tray comes out to fit a travel mug up to 7 in tall.
For hot water, open and close the handle without a pod, then select a cup size. To brew grounds, you need a separate Keurig Universal My K-Cup reusable filter.
Choose it for straightforward pod brewing and a removable reservoir. If you want an iced setting, compare it with the K-Iced.
Ninja XL Single Serve: Best for fewer reservoir refills
- Works with K-Cup style pods and grounds
- 68 oz removable reservoir
- Classic, Rich, Over-Ice and Specialty brew styles
- 6 to 24 oz cup sizes
- Built-in milk frother
The XL version offers the same pod and grounds flexibility and four brew styles as the other Ninja pick, with a 68 oz reservoir. It fits buyers who want to brew several servings before refilling.
Pros
- Largest reservoir among the single-serve picks here
- Accepts pods and grounds
- Built-in milk frother
Cons
- 13.07 in depth needs counter space
- More reservoir capacity may be unnecessary for one daily cup
The Ninja XL has the same four brew styles and 6 to 24 oz cup range as the other Ninja pick, with a larger 68 oz removable reservoir. That capacity may suit you if you brew several servings between refills.
It accepts pods and grounds and includes a pod adapter, removable brew basket, permanent filter and built-in milk frother. Its dimensions are 5.51 in wide by 13.07 in deep, so the XL name refers to its reservoir capacity.
Choose it when reservoir capacity matters most. If you brew one cup at a time, the 56 oz reservoir on the other Ninja may be enough.
Keurig K-Iced: Best for hot and iced pod coffee
- K-Cup pods, with optional My K-Cup filter for grounds
- Over-Ice brew setting
- Strong Brew setting for hot coffee
- 8, 10 and 12 oz sizes
- 42 oz removable reservoir
The K-Iced is built around pod brewing, with an Over-Ice setting and a Strong Brew option for hot coffee. Ground coffee requires a separately sold My K-Cup Universal filter.
Pros
- Dedicated Over-Ice setting
- Three cup sizes
- Removable reservoir
Cons
- Grounds require an extra filter
- Offers fewer brew styles than the Ninja models
The K-Iced has an Over-Ice setting that starts hotter, then cools down to help limit ice melt. Strong Brew makes hot coffee more intense.
It offers 8, 10 and 12 oz sizes and has a removable 42 oz reservoir. Grounds require a separately sold My K-Cup Universal filter.
Choose it for iced coffee and K-Cup pod brewing. For grounds without buying an accessory, consider a model that includes a grounds basket.
Hamilton Beach FlexBrew Advanced: Best for a narrow hot or iced brewer
- Works with K-Cup pods and grounds
- Hot and iced coffee modes
- 5.5 in wide
- 45 oz removable reservoir
- Regular and bold settings
At 5.5 in wide, this brewer combines pod and grounds options with hot and iced coffee modes. The 45 oz removable reservoir can brew up to five 8 oz cups before refilling.
Pros
- Narrow width
- Hot and iced brew options
- Regular and bold strength settings
Cons
- No carafe option
- Fewer brew styles than the Ninja picks
The FlexBrew Advanced combines hot and iced brewing with K-Cup pods or grounds. At 5.5 in wide, it has a narrow design, and its removable 45 oz reservoir can brew up to five 8 oz cups before a refill.
Regular and bold settings let you change the strength of hot coffee. It includes a pod holder and grounds basket for switching between the two inputs.
Choose it for a narrow counter and hot or iced drinks. It doesn't have a carafe side, so consider the FlexBrew Trio if you need pot brewing too.
Keurig K-Mini Mate: Best for the tightest counters
- 4 in wide
- K-Cup pod brewing
- One-cup reservoir
- Brews up to 12 oz
- Fits travel mugs up to 7.25 in
The 4 in wide K-Mini Mate takes little counter width and brews a single pod cup up to 12 oz. Its one-cup reservoir means you add water for each brew.
Pros
- Narrowest brewer in this roundup
- Brews up to 12 oz
- Travel mug friendly
Cons
- Pod-only brewing
- One-cup reservoir needs refilling each time
The K-Mini Mate is 4 in wide and brews one K-Cup pod serving up to 12 oz. It can fit a travel mug up to 7.25 in tall.
Its one-cup reservoir means you add water for each brew. That's simple if you make one serving at a time, but less convenient when several people need coffee in a row.
Choose it when counter width matters most and pod brewing suits you. For grounds, a larger reservoir or more brew styles, compare another pick in this guide.
How should you compare pods, grounds and reservoir size?
Start with the coffee input you want most often, then check reservoir capacity. A brewer that accepts both pods and grounds gives you more options, while a pod-only model can keep daily steps simple.
The guide to reusable K-Cups explains what to consider when brewing grounds in a pod machine. Also check Keurig cup sizes if you're unsure how the ounce settings compare with your mug.
Which single cup coffee maker is best for pods and grounds?
The Ninja Single Serve is a strong fit for both inputs, with an included pod adapter and removable brew basket. The FlexBrew Trio, Cuisinart SS-10 and FlexBrew Advanced also handle pods and grounds.
The K-Iced and K-Compact can use grounds with a compatible reusable filter, but that accessory is separate. The K-Mini Mate is designed for K-Cup pods.
How much reservoir capacity do you need?
A larger removable reservoir can reduce how often you refill when making several drinks. The Cuisinart SS-10 has a 72 oz tank, the Ninja XL has 68 oz, and the FlexBrew Advanced has 45 oz.
The K-Mini Mate takes a different approach: add fresh water for each serving. Pick the pattern that fits how many cups you make between refills.
Do you need a carafe as well as single-serve brewing?
A carafe can help when more than one person wants coffee or you sometimes make a larger batch. The FlexBrew Trio has a 12-cup carafe side, while the OXO combines an 8-cup carafe with an optional single-serve accessory.
If you only make one mug at a time, a dedicated single-serve brewer may take less counter space and involve fewer parts. Measure the available area before choosing a two-way machine.
Which single cup brewer works for iced coffee?
The Ninja models include an Over-Ice brew style, the K-Iced has a dedicated Over-Ice setting, and the FlexBrew Advanced supports hot and iced coffee.
For a step-by-step method using a pod machine, see how to make iced coffee with a Keurig. Check the cup size and the amount of ice you plan to add.
How we chose these single cup coffee makers
We compared the stated features against common single-cup needs: pod and grounds options, brew sizes, reservoir design, iced settings, carafe brewing and counter width. We favored features that fit a clear use case, such as a removable tank for several cups or a narrow body for a tight counter.
Our score weighs specs, features and buyer feedback against what you're shopping for. The OXO and FlexBrew Trio serve buyers who want carafe brewing, while the Ninja models offer more brew styles and input flexibility.
Which single cup coffee maker should you choose?
Choose the OXO Brew 8-Cup for an 8-cup thermal carafe and optional single-serve accessory. Pick the FlexBrew Trio if you want a single cup and 12-cup carafe, or the Ninja Single Serve Pods & Grounds for pods, grounds and four brew styles.
For hot and iced drinks, compare the K-Iced, Ninja and FlexBrew Advanced by input type and reservoir size. If you want a larger pot as well as a mug, read our guide to choosing a coffee maker for your home.
Our top 3 picks at a glance
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Best for pods, grounds and brew styles
Ninja Single Serve Pods & Grounds
8.1/10 our score
See it on Amazon
Frequently asked questions
What is the best single cup coffee maker for pods and grounds?
The Ninja Single Serve Pods & Grounds is a strong fit if you want both input types, four brew styles and a built-in frother. The Hamilton Beach FlexBrew Trio is a better fit if you also want a 12-cup carafe.
For a simpler pod-only routine, consider a Keurig model.
Can a single cup coffee maker use both pods and ground coffee?
Yes, several models accept both. The Ninja Single Serve, Ninja XL, FlexBrew Trio, Cuisinart SS-10 and FlexBrew Advanced include ways to brew grounds and pods.
Keurig K-Iced and K-Compact can use grounds with a compatible reusable filter, while the K-Mini Mate is pod focused.
Which single serve coffee maker is best for iced coffee?
The Ninja models have an Over-Ice brew style, and the Keurig K-Iced has a dedicated Over-Ice setting. The FlexBrew Advanced also offers hot and iced modes.
Choose by the cup size and input type you want, then follow the machine's instructions for brewing over ice.
What should I check before buying a single cup coffee maker?
Check whether you want pods, grounds or both, then compare the brew sizes, reservoir capacity and width. A one-cup reservoir takes less space but needs water for each brew, while a removable tank can support multiple cups between refills.
Measure the counter and mug clearance before choosing.
