Best Keurig Coffee Maker: Top 6 Models for 2022

for many years we refused to write about keurig machines at home. the coffee they make can be questionable and they are doing mother earth no favors. but leaving the ego aside for a moment we realize; they still have a time and a place. here we are.

but let me repeat it: we are not fans of keurig coffee makers. Like most coffee fans, we prefer to be in control of the brewing process rather than relying on prepackaged Keurig pods.

Reading: Best keurig coffee maker 2015

but here we are; you are considering getting one. we’ll still help you choose among the best keurig coffee makers for your needs…but do it as a last resort!

read this: why you won’t find keurig machines in coffee shops

keurig is undoubtedly a popular and innovative company; launched their signature keurig k-cup mugs in 1998 and 22% of u.s. households. uu. use their machines (1). but you still won’t find a keurig in coffee shops, nor will any coffee connoisseur recommend one. instead, they would tell you to choose from these best coffee makers.

why? because these types of coffee machines do not allow you any control over the preparation process, apart from choosing a capsule flavor and pressing a few buttons.

We like to roast our coffee, grind it, or for those of us who don’t want to invest in all that, at least use brewing methods that let you choose the amount of ground coffee and brew time, like a manual pour over, a French press, an espresso machine or an automatic dripper, for example (2).

keurig tumblers are certainly fast and convenient, but…perhaps the main reason you’re considering one is because they’re so affordable, right?

wrong. You will end up spending more than if you were buying ground coffee. John Sylvan (founder of Keurig) himself admitted to not making coffee with his own invention because “they’re a bit expensive to use” (3), but that doesn’t seem to be the case when you’re actually buying the machine.

but the real cost of the keurig k cup is its environmental impact, which is why he also admitted; “sometimes I feel bad for ever having done it” (3). Made from different types of plastic and foil that make it difficult to separate and recycle, coffee pods and pods are bad for the environment, sitting in landfills for centuries. (4)

That’s why we’ll always recommend brewing methods that allow you to use ground coffee instead of stale coffee that’s been sitting in single-use plastic pods for a long time (which, in turn, will be in landfills for a long time ).

If the reason you’re looking for Keurig machines is that you value speed and convenience above anything else, you may want to consider these Keurig alternatives.

how to choose the right keurig model for your needs

If the prospect of pushing a button and ensuring consistency sounds better than what we just said, don’t be offended. there are so many different keurig models to choose from, so we’ll try to help you anyway (we’re still friends, right?).

We even list the best k cup coffee flavors. But when it comes to choosing the best Keurig coffee maker, here are some things you should know and keep in mind to find the right model for you.

wait, aren’t keurig k cups just generic coffee pods?

Given the incredible popularity of their unique coffee pods, Keurig pods are often used as a generic synonym. spoiler alert: they are not! If you’re looking to buy a Keurig machine thinking you’ll be able to use up that stock of Nespresso plastic coffee pods in your cupboard, you’re in for a nasty surprise, so we thought we’d do it. warn you:

Fortunately, Keurig is among the companies that introduced reusable alternatives (5). Once you’ve chosen from the best Keurig coffee makers on this list, we highly recommend you also get a My K-Cup Universal Reusable Filter at Amazon instead of relying on single-use plastic pods. Affordable, convenient, and designed to work with any Keurig model, this small coffee filter allows you to reduce the environmental footprint of your Keurig machine and experiment with your own grounds. It’s a win-win!

keurig features

As of this writing, all Keurig machines have some common features. they can give you a cup of coffee in a minute or less, they have a removable drip tray (which is not only a blessing when it comes to cleaning, but also means that can fit both a travel mug and a coffee mug), have a removable reservoir and, although the time may vary depending on the model, they all have an auto-off function. /strong> to save electricity.

some newer keurig models, like the keurig k-supreme line, feature multi-flow technology, which is essentially the equivalent of the showerhead water dispensing systems found in more expensive brewers like the technivorm moccamaster. here is our in depth review of the keurig k-supreme.

functionalities

Now that you know the features you’ll get with any Keurig model, think about what other options you need. it could be that that’s it (so a cheaper basic model will be the best keurig model for you) or maybe you want to be able to control the strength of your coffee, set a timer so your coffee machine wakes up before you make, or set different brew sizes.

Different models offer different features, and we’ve summarized them in our keurig coffee maker reviews below.

only black coffee or more?

Unlike nespresso machines and the ninja coffee bar, what you’ll get with a basic keurig machine is a cup of drip coffee. some models, however, are more versatile: they allow you to froth milk, make tea, iced tea, a pot of drip coffee, or even iced coffee. here’s our guide on how to make iced coffee with a keurig by the way.

so before you spend money on something more expensive, think about what you really expect from your new coffee maker. Read our Nespresso vs Keurig post to learn the difference between these manufacturers. Our comparison between the ninja coffee bar and the keurig coffee maker could also help you if you are considering a machine that does not use pods or capsules.

size

models in the current keurig range vary considerably in size. While most coffee makers are a standard drip coffee maker size and would work on any countertop, some of them can get quite large, especially if they have additional froth/drip features. on the contrary, some are particularly small and portable. We have included the size of each model to make things easier for you.

keurig comparison: the 6 best keurig coffee machines of 2022

Now that you know what to look out for, read our reviews to find the best Keurig K-cup coffee maker for you.

Available in black or red, this is an iconic classic and it’s a great capsule machine. We believe this single-serve coffee machine is excellent value for money and matches the quality of some more expensive Keurig models. If you are looking for a simple, intuitive machine, without too many options or flashy screens, the Classic K coffee maker may be what you are looking for.

You can make your usual cup of coffee, but also other hot (or even cold!) drinks, so you definitely won’t get bored. Thanks to the minimalist interface consisting of a few old-style buttons, you can also choose between 3 different brew sizes. The 48-ounce removable reservoir means you can have a 6-ounce cup of coffee every day for a week without refilling. It is also very easy to clean and descale.

If you just want a consistent cup of coffee without breaking the bank, this convenient single-serve brewer is the best Keurig machine for you. If you think you’re likely to take this with you, you might also consider the Keurig K15, which is a smaller, more portable package with similar functionality. but if you’re still torn between this keurig model and its predecessor, you can read our detailed k50 vs k55 comparison here.

don’t want your coffee maker to take up too much space in your kitchen? perhaps you would like to be able to take it with you when you go on vacation? then we think you will love the k-mini plus! taking it with you is even easier thanks to cord storage and the included pod storage unit that holds up to 9 k-cup coffee pods.

this is the slimmest keurig and with its sleek design and five colors, we have no doubt it will fit and look great on your countertop.

The only downside to this model is that you can only brew one serving of coffee at a time. If that’s a deal breaker, there’s a Keurig model you can hook up to the water line. you can brew 6-12 oz of coffee and choose to brew it stronger if you have one of those i-days that you desperately need a caffeine fix.

If you prefer to have a simple yet compact and portable coffee maker instead of a larger one with many features, the K-Mini Plus Coffee Maker is the best Keurig machine for you. Read our full Keurig K-Mini Plus review to learn more.

Why not check out other portable travel coffee makers that don’t even need to be plugged in to make yourself a fresh brew?

There are a lot of things we like about the k-elite. Its 3 different premium brush styles make it the most elegant and stylish of all the best Keurig coffee makers, while the 75-ounce water reservoir means it’s perfect for larger households (or for those who don’t want to have to fill it out another day). what most catches our attention, however, are its functionalities and quality.

You can prepare 5 different portion sizes and, if you prefer, choose the strong preparation option. Or how about a nice cup of flavorful iced coffee? yes, you can get that with the iced option too, while the hot water button makes this coffee maker ideal when it comes to making a cup of tea or even adding water to instant soups or oatmeal. Thanks to the brew temperature control (very rare when it comes to Keurig models!) you can adjust it between 187-192°F and even adjust the altitude setting to ensure the best results.

Thanks to its programmable features, you can set the time it comes on in the morning (meaning you won’t have to wait for your morning cup of coffee!) and how long it stays on. turns off after your last beer, saving you energy. quiet brew technology minimizes machine noise and maintenance reminder lets you know when it’s time to descale your coffee maker.

if you can forego a couple of the k-elite’s features (notably the ice cream button and temperature control), the k-select will save you 10 to 15 percent compared to the k-elite. But if you want the best Keurig has to offer, look no further than this programmable model. read our full k-elite review here.

It’s hard to get the whole office to agree on something, especially when it comes to important things like coffee and beverages, but we think the Keurig K155 Office Pro could do the trick.

allows you to choose between coffee and other types of hot and cold beverages, as well as 4 different brew sizes, while the 90-ounce water tank allows you to you won’t have to refill multiple times when making coffee for everyone.

We especially like the intuitive and interactive LCD screen: this full-color touch screen allows you to choose features such as brew temperature control and language (English, Spanish or French) . you can also set a clock and, if you want your coffee maker to follow your lifestyle from 9 to 5, the automatic on/off function.

As the name suggests, this is the best keurig for the office: just knowing that this brewer will be waiting for you at work will certainly help with the old Monday blues.

Do you like your coffee black, but also can’t resist the sparkling or frothy magic of other coffee-based beverages? then bring some coffee shop vibes to your kitchen with this all-in-one coffee maker.

This great Keurig coffee maker comes with a dishwasher-safe frother that you can use for milk and dairy-free alternatives. simply press the shot button (which will give you an espresso-style shot) and froth the milk for a latte or cappuccino.

Obviously, you can still enjoy classic Keurig black coffee, choosing between 4 different portion sizes and the option to make your coffee stronger thanks to the strength control.

the k-café also has a smart start option, which means you can choose the brew size before waiting for the machine to heat up (and then it will automatically brew as soon as be ready ). This model has a large 60 oz. water reservoir and a helpful descaling reminder. Read our full k-cafe review here.

If you like the look of it but prefer it to be even more elegant, you can check out the special edition k-cafe on amazon, which comes with a premium nickel finish and a metal handle and drip tray.

If you want to experiment with lattes and are still on the fence, we recommend you also take a look at these ninja coffee makers.

do you like keurig k cups and big pots of joe? Do you happen to like waking up to the smell of coffee too? then check out keurig’s newest model: the k-duo plus.

The 12-cup thermal carafe keeps it warm for 2 hours, while the 20-second pause & the pour-over function means you won’t have to wait until the entire carafe has been filled before you can enjoy your first cup of coffee of the day.

k-duo plus has an intuitive and easy-to-use interface that includes a button to control the intensity and allows you to program your coffee up to 24 hours in advance. You’ll also notice 4 buttons numbered 6, 8, 10, and 12 – they refer to the number of cups if you’re brewing drip coffee, or the single cup brew size (in ounces) if you’re using k-cups. nice and easy!

another fantastic feature of this model is the 62 oz multi-position water reservoir, which can be placed on the left, right or back of the main body, which means you definitely won’t have a problem fitting everything on your counter.

so… who doesn’t love a great pot of coffee? If you’re interested in this model, you might want to consider dropping the k-cup item and going straight for a drip coffee maker. If you’re curious but don’t know where to start, you can check out our list of scaa approved drippers.

the verdict

after doing this keurig comparison and experimenting with the different models in their current range, we think that their best k-cup coffee maker is the k-elite: this little programmable coffee maker allows you to customize your preparation much more than other keurig machines thanks to features like temperature control (plus, it’s incredibly stylish!).

we still think that if you value speed and convenience, drip coffee makers are better options than the best k-cup makers, as they allow you to choose the amount of grounds (and remember that buying ground coffee is cheaper than capsules!) and have a smaller environmental footprint (6). Either way, we hope you found our keurig coffee maker reviews helpful, and good luck with your choice!