A single serve coffee maker is the fastest way to a fresh cup without brewing a whole pot — and you do not need a name-brand machine to get one. Under $50 you can find compact pod brewers, machines that take both pods and ground coffee, hot-and-iced brewers, and personal brewers that fill a travel mug.
Name-brand Keurig machines typically cost more than $50, so this guide focuses on the best-reviewed budget alternatives. We compared features, brew sizes and verified Amazon reviews to pick 6 strong options. For more features, see the best single serve coffee makers under $100.
Top 3 Best Single Serve Coffee Makers Under $50 at a Glance
CHULUX Mini Single Serve
Tastyle Mini Hot & Iced
COWSAR 2-in-1 Single ServeBest Single Serve Coffee Makers Under $50 in 2026
| Image | Product | Key Specs | Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. CHULUX Mini Single Serve Best Overall | Works with K-Cup style pods · One-button fast brewing | 4.2/5 35,363 reviews | Check Price |
| 2. Tastyle Mini Hot & Iced Best for Iced Coffee | Brews pods or grounds · Hot or over-ice brewing | 4.0/5 3,810 reviews | Check Price |
| 3. COWSAR 2-in-1 Single Serve Best with a Water Tank | 40 oz removable water tank · Pods or grounds | 4.0/5 670 reviews | Check Price |
 | 4. Elite Gourmet Personal Single-Serve Best for Ground Coffee | Brews in under 60 seconds · 14 oz insulated travel mug included | 4.3/5 9,642 reviews | Check Price |
 | 5. Tastyle Hot & Iced 16 oz Best for Big Cups | 5 cup sizes up to 16 oz · Bold brew setting | 4.0/5 1,456 reviews | Check Price |
 | 6. Mixpresso Single Serve Cheapest Pod Brewer | K-Cup pods or up to 20 g grounds · One-button, ~2-minute brew | 4.0/5 12,453 reviews | Check Price |
1. CHULUX Mini Single Serve – Best Overall
CHULUX Mini Single Serve Coffee Maker, Portable Pod Coffee Machine, White
Amazon rating: 4.2/5 from 35,363 reviews
Pros
Cons
The CHULUX Mini Single Serve is the best single serve coffee maker under $50 for most people. It works with K-Cup style pods, brews with a single button, and dispenses exactly as much water as you add, so cup size is easy to control up to 12 oz.
It is compact and light enough to move between kitchen, office and RV, and its 4.2/5 rating from more than 35,000 reviews makes it by far the most proven budget pod brewer we found.
Best for: Pod users who want a reliable, compact brewer at a low price.
May not fit: Anyone who wants to brew ground coffee or multiple cups without refilling.
2. Tastyle Mini Hot & Iced – Best for Iced Coffee
Tastyle Mini Single Serve Hot and Iced Coffee Maker for K Cup and Ground
Amazon rating: 4.0/5 from 3,810 reviews
Pros
Cons
The Tastyle Mini Hot & Iced is our pick for iced coffee fans. It brews K-Cup style pods or ground coffee either hot or over ice, and comes with a recipe book for iced drinks.
Brew sizes from 6 to 14 oz, a descaling reminder and a self-cleaning function make it easy to live with. The tank is fixed, so you add water for each cup.
Best for: Iced coffee drinkers who switch between pods and grounds.
May not fit: People who want a large removable reservoir.
3. COWSAR 2-in-1 Single Serve – Best with a Water Tank
Amazon rating: 4.0/5 from 670 reviews
Pros
Cons
The COWSAR 2-in-1 is the only machine under $50 here with a big removable 40 oz water tank, so you can brew several cups before refilling. It accepts both coffee capsules and ground coffee with a reusable filter.
Touch controls offer five brew sizes, and COWSAR says it preheats in about 15 seconds and brews a cup in under two minutes.
Best for: Households making several single cups a day.
May not fit: Very small spaces.
4. Elite Gourmet Personal Single-Serve – Best for Ground Coffee
Elite Gourmet EHC113M Personal Single-Serve Compact Coffee Maker, Mint
Amazon rating: 4.3/5 from 9,642 reviews
Pros
Cons
If you prefer ground coffee to pods, the Elite Gourmet Personal Single-Serve is the best value. It brews straight into the included 14 oz insulated stainless steel travel mug in under 60 seconds, using a reusable filter.
At around $22 with a 4.3/5 rating from more than 9,000 reviews, it is ideal for commuters.
Best for: Commuters who use ground coffee.
May not fit: Pod users.
5. Tastyle Hot & Iced 16 oz – Best for Big Cups
Tastyle Single Serve Coffee Maker Hot and Iced with Bold Brew, Up to 16 Oz
Amazon rating: 4.0/5 from 1,456 reviews
Pros
Cons
The Tastyle Hot & Iced 16 oz is for people who drink big cups. It offers five sizes up to 16 oz, a Bold setting, and over-ice brewing, with both a K-pod holder and a reusable ground filter included.
Remove the drip tray and it fits travel mugs, and a descaling reminder helps keep flavor fresh.
Best for: Big-mug drinkers who want bold or iced options.
May not fit: Anyone wanting a removable reservoir.
6. Mixpresso Single Serve – Cheapest Pod Brewer
Mixpresso Single Serve Coffee Maker K Cup Coffee Maker for K Pods & Grounds
Amazon rating: 4.0/5 from 12,453 reviews
Pros
Cons
The Mixpresso Single Serve is the cheapest pod-compatible brewer we recommend. It brews K-Cup pods or up to 20 g of grounds with one button in about two minutes, and its visible 12 oz tank makes cup size easy to set.
It is a simple, space-saving brewer with a 4.0/5 rating from more than 12,000 reviews.
Best for: Desks, dorms and the tightest budgets.
May not fit: Tall travel mugs and multi-cup households.
How to Choose a Single Serve Coffee Maker Under $50
Pods, Grounds, or Both?
Pods are convenient but cost more per cup. Machines like the Tastyle, COWSAR and Mixpresso accept both K-Cup style pods and ground coffee, letting you switch to cheaper grounds when you want.
Water Reservoir
Most budget single serve brewers have a one-cup tank you fill each time. If you make several cups a day, the COWSAR’s 40 oz removable tank saves time.
Cup Size and Mug Clearance
Check maximum brew size (12–16 oz) and how tall a mug fits. The Tastyle 16 oz handles large cups; some mini brewers only fit cups around 4 inches tall without removing the drip tray.
Iced and Bold Options
Over-ice and bold settings, found on the Tastyle models, help make stronger hot coffee and iced coffee that is not watered down.
Cleaning
Descaling reminders and self-clean cycles (Tastyle, COWSAR) help keep single serve machines tasting fresh, since mineral buildup affects small brewers quickly.
FAQ
What is the best single serve coffee maker under $50?
The CHULUX Mini Single Serve is our top pick thanks to its simple one-button brewing, compact design and more than 35,000 reviews.
Can I get a Keurig for under $50?
Keurig models generally cost more than $50 at regular prices, though sales happen. The budget brewers in this guide work with K-Cup style pods for less.
Which single serve coffee maker works with ground coffee?
The Tastyle, COWSAR and Mixpresso models accept both pods and grounds. The Elite Gourmet brews ground coffee only, straight into its travel mug.
Do cheap single serve coffee makers last?
With regular descaling, they can last years. Choose a model with a descaling reminder if you tend to forget maintenance.
Final Verdict
The CHULUX Mini is the best single serve coffee maker under $50 for pod users. The Tastyle Mini Hot & Iced is the best pick for iced coffee and grounds, and the COWSAR 2-in-1 is best if you want a big water tank.
Prefer ground coffee on the go? Choose the Elite Gourmet with its travel mug. Prices change frequently, so check before buying. For brand-name Keurig and Ninja options, see the best single serve coffee makers under $100 or our best coffee makers under $50.
Related buying guides: Best Single Serve Coffee Makers Under $100 · Best Single Serve Coffee Makers Under $150 · Best Coffee Makers Under $50
