K-Cups are the best invention ever for us coffee drinkers!
Simply buy a single-serve coffee machine or a K-Cup coffee maker and a few K-Cups, and you’re all set for a rich coffee experience.
With their plethora of easy-to-brew options, K-Cups make it a more convenient and flavorful way to start your day with a cup of delicious coffee in hand. You also get to choose from a wide variety of flavors, roasts, and brands if you’re out in the market for K-Cups.
If you haven’t bought a K-Cup coffee maker yet but are planning to buy one soon, check out our detailed guide about the best K-cup coffee makers your money can buy.
No more waiting in long queues at your favorite coffee shop for a delicious brew. Enjoy superior coffee in under a minute with your own Keurig coffee brewer. All you need to do is insert a pod, choose your preferred cup size, and brew a cup of delicious, refreshing coffee.
With that in mind, let’s look at some of the best K-cup coffee makers on the market.
Best K-Cup Coffee Makers List
Keurig K-Elite Single Serve Coffee Maker
We couldn’t start off the list with just any Keurig machine. This one’s range of features makes it the best Keurig coffee maker out there for coffee drinkers. Here’s what it offers.
With a premium, stylish design, this Keurig coffee brewer adds charm to any space. It lets you brew 5 cup sizes – 4 ounces, 6 ounces, 8 ounces, 10 ounces, and 12 ounces, giving you options on the amount of coffee you want to consume. Its large 75-ounce water tank lets you brew 8 cups of the perfect coffee, cup after cup, helping you save on time. The reservoir is removable, allowing for easy cleaning and refilling.
Its Strong Brew Button increases the strength and intensity of your coffee’s flavor for a richer experience. The Iced Button lets you brew flavorful, delicious iced coffee at the touch of a button, making this machine the best dual coffee maker with K-Cup pods. You can also make other things besides coffee such as tea, hot cocoa, instant soups, or oatmeal with the Hot Water On Demand Button. However, you can’t make other types of coffee such as drip coffee, lattes, cappuccinos.
You can control the brew temperature to suit your individual needs by adjusting it between 187° and 192°. Its Quiet Brew Technology reduces noise while your coffee brews. The brewer comes with a bonus 6-count K-Cup® pod variety pack, a water filter handle, and a filter to give your coffee a flavorful boost. You can select from hundreds of delicious flavors of K-Cup pods, or even brew ground coffee using the Universal My K-Cup Reusable Coffee Filter that is sold separately.
You can fit travel mugs up to 7.2 inches tall in the removable drip tray. It also holds a single serving of coffee so that if your attention is shifted while brewing and your mug accidentally overflows, it won’t spill outside the tray. You can then simply remove and clean the tray, allowing for mess-free cleaning.
Its High Altitude Setting makes sure that your coffee maker works well even at altitudes greater than 5,000 feet. It comes with a programmable auto on/off feature that makes it energy-efficient.
The machine has a Brewer Maintenance Reminder that notifies you when you need to descale your coffee machine. Descaling helps remove built-up calcium deposits, giving you the best-tasting brew possible. It comes with a limited 1-year warranty.
Featured Specs
| Capacity | 75 ounces |
|---|---|
| Interface | Buttons |
| Weight | 8 pounds |
- Adjustable brew temperature between 187° and 192°
- Minimal noise
- Ice Button for delicious iced coffee
- 5 cup sizes for easy brewing19-bar pump system
- Removable drip tray
- Cannot froth milk
- No heating plate
- Not dishwasher safe
Keurig K-Supreme Single-Serve Coffee Maker
The second best K-Cup coffee maker has to be the K-Supreme. Check out its review to know whether it is the right choice for you.
The MultiStream Technology in the K-Supreme ensures every cup of java you consume is perfectly brewed. This technology extracts more flavor and aroma from the coffee beans compared to a regular coffee maker.
It has multiple brew sizes so you can brew just the amount of coffee you need. Choose between 6-ounce, 8-ounce, 10-ounce, and 12-ounce cup sizes. However, note that settings are not saved according to previous use. You need to choose the cup size each time you brew your daily cup.
A 66-ounce reservoir means you can make multiple cups of coffee back to back. You can even adjust the position of the reservoir to your convenience. However, because the reservoir is quite huge and removable, the tank is a little wobbly, so you need to be careful where you place your coffee machine.
No one wants confusion, especially first thing in the morning. Simple buttons allow for an easy interface when you are looking to make your brew. You can also customize your coffee strength according to your preferences. Press the Strong Button for a stronger brew or select the Hot Over Ice option for a cold coffee when you feel like it.
Also, after every 250 brews, you get a reminder that it is time to clean your machine, so you get amazing coffee every time. But it does not have an alert system to tell you to change the filter – a feature usually found in other coffee makers.
Keurig offers hundreds of coffee pod varieties, allowing you to choose from different flavors. You can even choose to brew your own blend with the My K-Cup Universal Reusable Coffee Filter.
Featured Specs
| Capacity | 66 fl. oz. |
|---|---|
| Interface | Buttons |
| Weight | 5.78 pounds |
- Multiple brew sizes
- Large, adjustable reservoir
- MultiStream Technology for enhanced flavor and aroma
- Automatic reminder to clean the machine after 250 brews
- Customizable coffee strength
- Easy interface
- Wobbly reservoir
- No option to save favorite settings
- No alert system to remind you to change the filter
- Cannot control the temperature of the heating system manually
Keurig K-Select Single Serve Coffee Maker
Don’t feel like spending too much but still want a good option for your daily brew? Here’s the best Keurig machine priced mid-range, making the K-Select a good value for money buy.
The K-Select has a sleek design that easily fits anywhere on your countertop. So if you don’t have too much space for your coffee machine, you don’t need to worry.
The machine has 4 cup sizes to make sure that you don’t brew more than you need. Choose between 6-ounce, 8-ounce, 10-ounce, and 12-ounce sizes for the perfect amount of coffee.
Taste the wake-up call you need with a single click of a button. This machine includes a Strong Brew button to make your morning cuppa stronger. However, it does not include any additional settings for temperature control. This does not allow you to make a cold coffee or even a piping hot cup of java. You also cannot prepare multiple variations of coffee such as drip coffee, lattes, and cappuccinos.
The Quiet Brew Technology ensures that your coffee machine doesn’t sound like a racecar each time you are preparing yourself a cup of java. Its programmable auto off feature lets you decide how much time you want to pass between your brew and the auto off, in case you need time to decide before making another.
Is your coffee mug a little too big? The K-Select can easily fit up to a 7-inch tall travel mug. It also includes a built-in reminder to let you know when it’s time for a proper clean.
Made from fingerprint-resistant material, the K-Select ensures a clean look always. You also have a range of color options to choose from, including Mattes (Navy, White, Black), Oasis, Vintage Red, Volcanic Glass, and Marine Blue.
Featured Specs
| Capacity | 52 fl. oz. |
|---|---|
| Interface | Buttons |
| Weight | 7.4 pounds |
- Sleek, compact design
- 4 cup sizes
- Quiet Brew Technology
- Has a programmable auto off feature
- Strong Brew button for stronger coffee
- Accommodates up to a 7-inch tall coffee mug
- No additional settings for temperature control
- Cannot froth milk
- Not dishwasher-safe
- Cannot be used to prepare drip coffee, lattes, and cappuccinos
Keurig K-Mini Plus Single Serve Coffee Maker
One of the best small K-Cup coffee maker models from Keurig, this coffee machine is ideal if you need to travel often and wish to carry your coffee machine along with you.
If you don’t have too much space on your counter, the K-Mini Plus’ new sleek design is less than 5 inches wide. This allows you to comfortably place the coffee machine anywhere, even if you are short on space. It also holds up to 9 K-Cup pods for superior portability and non-cluttered countertops.
However, it has a limited water reservoir capacity and you need to refill the removable tank each time you make your cup of coffee. This is especially tedious if you’re a heavy coffee drinker or brew for your whole family.
Its removable drip tray allows you to adjust up to 7-inch tall mugs without any hassle. You can also brew your coffee in multiple beverage sizes. Choose between 6 to 12 ounces, depending on how large you want your cup of coffee.
But you cannot adjust the heat settings of the coffee machine. Heat plays an important role in the intensity of your beverage.
Also, the absence of Quiet Brew technology means there is a distinct noise heard when the machine is brewing your cup.
Featured Specs
| Capacity | 12 ounces |
|---|---|
| Interface | Buttons |
| Weight | 4.6 pounds |
- Holds up to 9 K-Cup pods
- Removable drip tray
- Multiple beverage sizes
- Small, sleek design
- Not dishwasher safe
- No option to adjust heat settings
- No Quiet Brew technology
- Cannot be used to make latte or drip variations of coffee
Keurig K Mini Single Serve Coffee Maker
This one is pretty much similar to the K-Mini Plus, but with fewer features. It may not be the best rated K-Cup coffee maker available, but hey, it still makes a great cup of coffee.
The machine is less than 5 inches wide and can fit into any compact space on your countertop, making it easy to store. Its cord storage features makes it a travel-friendly option. But unlike the K-Mini Plus, this machine does not include pod storage. You will need to store your pods separately. Given that it is extremely lightweight, it is also more prone to accidents. A single sweep of your hand can make it go flying from the countertop.
You can select your serving size from between 6- to 12-ounce options to make your perfect cup. However, it does not include a water reservoir that allows for more than one cup of coffee. You will need to refill the machine each time you wish to brew a cup. The water reservoir is also non-removable, forcing you to either bring the water to the machine or take the machine to the water source.
It does not have Quiet Brew Technology, so you can expect a noisy brewing process. You also cannot adjust the temperature settings. Hence, you cannot make iced teas. Nor can you make coffees in variations such as drips or lattes.
Its plastic build gives the machine a comparatively shabby appearance. This coffee machine helps you save energy with the auto off feature that turns the machine off after 90 seconds of non-usage.
Featured Specs
| Capacity | 12 ounces |
|---|---|
| Interface | Buttons |
| Weight | 4.6 pounds |
- 2 serving sizes
- Easy to store
- Travel-friendly
- Saves energy
- No pod storage
- Non-removable water reservoir
- Temperature settings cannot be adjusted
- Noisy brewing process
K-Cup Coffee Maker FAQ
Now that you’ve got a fair idea of the best K-Cup coffee maker models available on the market, check out some of the popular questions first-time K-Cup coffee drinkers usually ask. It may help you narrow your search for the right coffee machine.
What can I use instead of K-Cup?
K-Cup packs are basically one-time-use coffee brewing capsules. And while you might have many reasons to love them, namely, the variety of flavors and whatnot, there are those who might want to use alternatives as well. Whether it is because they have run out of K-Cups or do not like the amount of non-biodegradable packaging, there are a few alternatives to choose from.
While K-Cups are “supposed” to be used with Keurig coffee brewers, the K-Cup model inspired others to come up with their own variants, albeit with different names and Ekobrew cups are a good example.
You can choose to fill in your desired blend in the cup, brew your java, and rinse and repeat for as long as you want. This works as an eco-friendly alternative for K-Cups, and is compatible with most Keurig coffee brewers and other commercial systems.
Another option would be OneCoffee’s soft pod. Its design allows for more hot water to seep into the coffee blend, allowing the aroma and flavor to be captured completely. Also, the soft pods are compatible with most coffee machines and 99% compostable. Doesn’t hurt to hurt the Earth a little less, yes?
You may also find many alternatives for K-Cups either online or in local stores, especially when you’re looking to experiment with flavors not offered by Keurig.
How long does a Keurig machine last?
If maintained properly, coffee machines last for approximately 5 years and the same goes for a Keurig coffee machine. But to make sure that your machine does last that long, follow a proper cleaning regime — that includes descaling to ensure that all parts of the machine can function as they should.
Besides a clogged-up machine, the major reasons for a defunct machine would be if the heating element burns out or the materials wear out after a period of time.
The easiest and least expensive way to clean your Keurig machine would be rinsing it through with vinegar a few times. This should break down any residue and help in washing it away aka descaling. After that, just run cold water through it a few more times to ensure that you have rinsed it properly. You don’t want your coffee to taste like vinegar after all, do you?
The proper and deep-cleanse method would be to unplug the brewer to remove both the water reservoir and drip tray. Hold the brewer downside up and tap the base hard to remove any remains, and do the vinegar wash again. Using a brush and cloth would definitely help. Just make sure that the bristles of the brush are soft and the cloth is made of a soft material to not leave any unsightly scratches.
You should keep in mind that the machine works only with specific capsules, namely the K-Cup. If the market stops supplying these capsules, the machine may just lose its utility.
But considering the popularity of the K-cup coffee maker, that’s not something you have to worry about. Even alternatives to the K-Cups have come up. All you need to do is pay attention and maintain your machine as well as you can.
What happens if you don’t change the Keurig filter?
No matter how good your coffee beans and your coffee machine is, if the water used tastes weird, then your coffee will inevitably taste weirder.
Your filter plays a major part in ensuring that the coffee grounds don’t end up in the cup of coffee that you are brewing. But if you don’t change your filter when it’s needed, the residual flavor sticks to the water that seeps through.
You should change your filter at least once in 2 months. This calculation accounts for 40 gallons of coffee. If you have 1 cup a day, the filter can last you up to 10 months.
Not changing your filter will cause the water to get increasingly dirty. Dirty water equals muddy coffee. Also, it is always better to maintain your coffee machine as carefully as possible, so it lasts longer. That includes replacing your filter whenever the need arises.
Can you use the same K-Cup twice?
K-Cups are single-serve coffee capsules that help you brew some of the best coffee out there. It also means that you can just use them once each time. A second use would basically be like using the same spent coffee grounds over and over again —
no added benefit. On the other hand, there are other options to use a K-Cup again, by using reusable coffee filters.
A prime example would be to use the Keurig My K-Cup Reusable Coffee Filter provided by Keurig itself. By using this filter, you can add ground coffee every time you wish to brew yourself a cup. Clean and reuse. It’s as simple as that.
Conclusion
If you like starting your morning routine with a fresh brew but without the hassle and inconvenience of going to a coffee shop or brewing your coffee in a pot, K-Cup coffee makers are your silent savior.
While it can be rather tough to choose one that suits your needs and budget, our list is a handy guide that will help you scout the best Keurig deals and choose the best single-serve K-Cup coffee maker worth your time and money.
So, save time and energy and start your mornings on a fresh, happy note. Cheers to great coffee mornings!
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Last Updated on November 22, 2021 by nihar
