Owning a single-serve pod coffee maker is tempting, as it lets you prepare a cup quickly, effortlessly, and without creating a mess.
But it may be a bit hard to choose which is the best Keurig coffee machine to buy.
There are many models that this popular industry leader offers, so it may get intimidating when figuring out which one matches your personal needs best.
It has to have the right dimensions, the functions that you appreciate the most, and most importantly – brew the best-tasting cup of coffee. Of course, the price should also be taken into consideration. We should look for the best deals on Keurig machines and get the most reliable and best-functioning product for the money.
In this guide, you will find my top picks among Keurig coffee machines for home and office use. Furthermore, you will see the basic dissimilarities between different models.
Ultimately my goal is to ease the process of choosing the k-cup coffee maker that matches your personal requirements best.
So let’s dive in!
What are the Best Models among Keurig Coffee Machines: Reviews
If you’re in a hurry and you want to quickly figure out which is the top Keurig coffee maker for you, check out the table below.
You can click the model name to quickly jump to its review.
| Keurig Model: | Cup Sizes: | Water tank size: | Strength adjustment: | Temperature Adjustment: | Dimensions: | Price Bracket: |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. K-Elite | 4 oz. (118 ml.) 6 oz. (177 ml.) 8 oz. (237 ml.) 10 oz. (296 ml.) 12 oz. (355 ml.) |
75 oz. (2 liters and 220 ml.) | Has a strong button for a cup with higher flavor intensity (it takes a bit longer for the machine to prepare a cup if you use the button) | You can adjust the temperature within a range of 187°F to 192°F (86°C to 89°C) | H: 13.1” (33.2 cm.) W: 9.9” (25.1 cm.) D: 12.7” (32.2 cm.) (16.5”/42 cm high when bale is opened) |
$$ |
| 2. K-Cafe (with an integrated milk frother for lattes and cappuccinos) | 6 oz. (177 ml.) 8 oz. (237 ml.) 10 oz. (296 ml.) 12 oz. (355 ml.) concentrated shot option: 2 oz. (60 ml.) |
60 oz. (1 liter and 774 ml.) | Has a strong button for a fuller flavor (takes a bit longer to brew a cup if you use it). | No | H: 12.5” (32 cm.) W: 15.3” (39 cm.) D: 11.7” (30 cm.) |
$$$ |
| 3. K-Slim compact single-serve machine | 8 oz. (237 ml.) 10 oz. (296 ml.) 12 oz. (355 ml.) |
46 oz. (1360 ml.) | No | No | H: 12.14” (30.8 cm) W: 4.76” (12.1 cm) D: 15.2” (38.6 cm.) |
$ |
| 4. K-Duo Plus (you can make both a single serving with a k-cup, or a larger batch of filter brew with ground coffee) | single-serve: 6 oz. (177 ml.) 8 oz. (237 ml.) 10 oz. (296 ml.) 12 oz. (355 ml.) filter coffee: makes 6, 8, 10, or 12 cups at once |
60 oz. (1 liter and 774 ml.) the tank can be placed in multiple positions | Has a strong button for a bolder cup. | No. | H: 14.19” (36 cm.) W: 8.2” (20.8 cm.) D: 11.7” (29.7 cm.) 17.5 inches (44.5 cm.) high when the pod container is opened |
$$$ |
| 5. K-Supreme Plus Smart (can be connected to Wi-Fi and controlled through an App.) | 4 oz. (118 ml.) 6 oz. (177 ml.) 8 oz. (237 ml.) 10 oz. (296 ml.) 12 oz. (355 ml.) |
78 oz. (2 liters and 307 ml.) | Has a flavor strength adjustment feature. You can choose from 5 selections that appear on the digital screen: from “balanced” (weakest) to “intense” (strongest). | Has a temperature adjustment feature. You can choose from 6 selections: from “warm” to “max hot” | L:13.35” (33.9 cm.) W: 8.30” (21.1 cm.) H: 12.35″ (31.4 cm.) |
$$$$ |
| 6. K-1500 Commercial Grade (for office use, but many consumers choose it for home use as well) | 6 oz. (177 ml.) 8 oz. (237 ml.) 10 oz. (296 ml.) 12 oz. (355 ml.) |
96 oz. (2 liters and 839 milliliters) | Has a strong button. | No, but heats up fast, has a stronger heating element, and uses a quiet brew technology. | H: 12.35” (31.4 cm.) W: 10.25” (20 cm.) D: 12.1” (30.7 cm.) |
$$$$ |
Keurig pod coffee makers work by puncturing а k-cup capsule and inserting water through it. The hot water saturates the grounds and coffee starts dispensing into your mug. This lets you enjoy a cup quickly and effortlessly.
If you enjoy coffee with a fuller flavor, a nice foam layer, but you still want to use a single-serve pod coffee machine, Nespresso may be a better alternative to Keurig for you. If that’s the case, you can check out my guide on the best Nespresso coffee makers.
Related Post: Nespresso vs. Keurig
On the other hand, if you’re used to having drip coffee, and you aren’t that pretentious about your cup’s flavor, a Keurig can be an ideal maker for your home.
These machines are reliable, easy-to-use, and their maintenance is pretty straightforward.
Furthermore Keurig models have 1 year warranty. The company’s customer support team is extremely helpful when you’re experiencing issues with your machine. This undoubtedly reduces the chances of disappointments after your purchase.
So here are the reviews of the best Keurig coffee machines:
1. Keurig K-Elite
Click here to check out the price and more photos on Amazon.
The Keurig K-Elite is undoubtedly the best Keurig coffee maker for those who are looking for an affordable and sturdy pod coffee machine that has all the essential features.
It has the ideal range of cup sizes: 4-,6-, 8- 10-, and 12-ounce cups.
To brew the best-tasting coffee, the K-Elite also has a strength button that lets you prepare a stronger cup with a bolder flavor.
Furthermore, you can adjust the brew temperature according to your preference.
Unlike other Keurig models, this machine has a hot water button that you can use if you want to preheat your cup before brewing.
This option is also useful when you want to dispense hot water over your oats, tea, or instant soup.
The Keurig K-Elite has an auto-on feature. You can set a time at which the machine will automatically turn on and heat the water.
If you take advantage of this function, you can set the machine to be ready to use as soon as you wake up in the morning.
You will just need to insert the pod and click the button of the preferred cup size, and your coffee will start brewing. This way you will get your caffeine fix as fast as possible.
The Keurig K-Elite has a removable water container with a capacity of 75 oz., so you won’t need to refill the tank too often. The only disadvantage is that the water tank doesn’t have a handle, so it makes refilling a bit more awkward, which can lead to spillages.
You can easily fit a variety of coffee mugs and cups on its tray, including a tall glass, filled with ice cubes.
Having said that, I don’t notice much difference between the iced coffee, prepared with the regular 6-ounce button, and the iced coffee button.
The drip tray is removable, so it will even fit a taller travel mug which is ideal for those who want to grab their coffee and head somewhere else.
Related Post: Best Thermal Coffee Mugs for Travel
The Keurig K-Elite is also quite reliable, one of the sturdiest k-cup coffee makers.
Its owners rarely experience issues with the machine and it serves them for years.
It has a descaling indicator that lights up once the machine needs a bit of maintenance. This feature reminds you to take proper care of your Keurig and make it last longer.
Related Post: Best Coffee Maker Descalers
With that being said, even if you experience issues with your K-Elite, you can take advantage of the 1-year warranty and get in touch with the lovely Keurig customer service representatives. They are always ready to help and come up with a solution to your problem.
All in all, the Keurig K-elite is undoubtedly one of the top Keurig coffee machines. It has all the features a Keurig owner would need, it’s extremely easy to use, and it’s one of the sturdiest k-cup coffee makers that will last for years.
Furthermore, even though it has all the essential functions, it’s moderately priced compared to other models.
So if you go for the Keurig K-Elite you’ll be getting the best bang for your buck.
2. Keurig K-Cafe
Click here to check out the price and more photos on Amazon.
The K-Cafe is the top pick among Keurig models for those who are fans of adding milk to their coffee.
It’s also the best single-serve Keurig machine for individuals who like classic espresso-based coffee drinks, such as lattes and cappuccinos.
Its preset buttons let you brew 6, 8, 10, and 12-ounce cups.
It also has a shot option for a more concentrated 2-ounce serving, which is ideal for a homemade latte.
The K-Cafe is the only Keurig model for home use that has an integrated milk frother.
You can utilize it to easily prepare both hot and cold milk froth.
If you’re using plant-based milk for your homemade lattes, make sure that it’s protein enriched. This way you will achieve the desired froth texture with your K-cup coffee maker.
The K-cafe model has a strong button feature that lets you brew a cup with a higher intensity. This is ideal for lattes and cappuccinos, as it results in a drink with a better-pronounced coffee flavor.
Just keep in mind that the homemade K-cup beverage you end up with will be much different than a drink from a coffee shop. After all, it’s not possible to make a true espresso with a Keurig coffee maker.
As an alternative to the Keurig K-Cafe, I recommend the Nespresso Lattissima One. It’s a bit more expensive single-serve pod coffee maker. Nevertheless, if you want a latte that’s more akin to the one you’d get from a coffee shop, the Lattissima One is a better option than the K-Cafe.
Related Post: Nespresso vs. Espresso
Just like the K-Elite, the K-Cafe has a descale indicator, which facilitates maintenance.
Furthermore – the drip tray is removable, so you could easily fit a taller travel mug (around 7 inches/ 18 cm).
The water reservoir of the K-Cafe can hold 60 ounces, so you will be able to brew at least five 12-oz cups without the need to do a refill.
In conclusion, with the K-Cafe you can make a variety of coffee drinks in different serving sizes, it’s easy to clean, maintain, and it’s pretty straightforward in terms of setup and use.
Considering all of that, along with the affordable price, it’s safe to say that the K-Cafe is one of the best Keurig coffee makers.
3. Keurig K-Slim
Click here to check out the price and more photos on Amazon.
The Keurig K-Slim is one of the best models for those who want a compact, affordable, and reliable single-serve coffee machine. It brews 8-, 10-, and 12-ounce cups. It has a 46-ounce-removable water tank.
This tank capacity is one of the reasons why I prefer the K-Slim compared to another compact Keurig model – the K-Mini.
The K-Mini only brews 6 to 10-ounce cups and you need to refill the tank with the desired coffee volume before each brew. This does have its advantages, as this way you’re making sure that you’re making a cup with freshly added water. This could result in a better-tasting cup of coffee.
Related Post: Best Water for Coffee
This could be because of the MultiStream Technology® the K-Slim coffee machine uses. The improved technology results in fuller flavor and aroma.
Even though the K-Slim is a tiny bit larger compared to the K-Mini, it’s still a compact k-cup coffee maker that will save space on your kitchen counter. It’s also worth mentioning that the K-Slim can fit a travel mug, unlike the K-Mini.
Furthermore, the Slim is overall sturdier and more reliable compared to the Mini Keurig model.
For all the aforementioned reasons, the K-Slim unit made it into my list as the best coffee machine for someone who’s looking for the most affordable single-serve pod machine.
4. Keurig K-Duo Plus Single-Serve & Carafe Coffee Maker
Click here to check out the price and more photos on Amazon.
The K-Duo Plus coffee maker is the top pick for those who want to have the option to brew a single cup or a larger batch of coffee at once. Along with its pod container, it has a drawer with a mesh filter in the front that holds ground coffee.
You can make 6, 8, 10, or 12 cups of coffee at once. For each cup, you need to add 1 scoop of ground beans.
The pod container is situated on the top of the machine.
As with other Keurig models, you should use the handle to open it up and insert the k-cup. If you are to use a pod, the machine allows you to brew a serving of 6, 8, 10, or 12 ounces.
The thing is that once you open the pod container the machine gets a bit too high (17.5 inches).
Therefore, if you’re planning on placing it underneath the kitchen cabinets, you may need to pull the machine out to be able to insert a k-cup.
The good news about this maker is that it has a removable 60 oz. water reservoir that can be placed on the left, right, or back of the brewer. This way you can adjust it to ideally match your kitchen counter arrangement.
Furthermore, the carafe will keep the coffee from oxidizing and ultimately keep the flavors and aromas for longer.
Related Post: How long do K-Cups and Nespresso pods last?
Furthermore, if you can’t wait for the full brew cycle to end, you can take out the carafe mid-brew and quickly pour some freshly brewed hot coffee into your cup. The machine will pause its brew cycle for 20 seconds, so make sure you put the carafe back in place timely.
Just like the K-Cafe and the K-Elite, the K-Duo has a “strong” button that lets you prepare a cup with a higher intensity. If you press the strong button the coffee preparation will take a bit longer, but if you ask me – it’s worth the wait.
Once you remove the drip tray you can easily fit a travel mug or a tall glass under the coffee spout of your K-Duo.
So even though there isn’t an iced coffee button, you can easily brew a 6-ounce cup over a glass that’s filled with ice cubes.
So if you’re an iced coffee fan, you won’t be disappointed.
All in all, the K-Duo Plus is undoubtedly one of the best Keurig models, as it merges the worlds of single-serve pod coffee makers and drip coffee machines.
Many coffee consumers look for this sort of flexibility, so if you’re one of them, don’t hesitate to get this reliable unit.
5. Keurig K-Supreme Plus Smart
Click here to check out the price and more photos on Amazon.
The Keurig K-Supreme Plus Smart is a single-serve coffee maker that can be connected to wi-fi and controlled through an app from your phone.
Furthermore, it can read the QR code that’s printed on the foil lid of some Keurig capsules to provide the optimal brewing conditions for the specific ground beans in the k-cup you’ve inserted.
What’s more important is that the K-Supreme Plus Smart has all the essential single-serve coffee machine features, as well as some that will improve your coffee’s flavor.
Firstly, it gives you flexibility in terms of cup sizes: you can make 4-, 6-, 8-, 10-, and 12-ounce servings.
It also has an iced coffee preset button which is appreciated by many.
You can also dial in how hot you want your coffee to be by using the temperature button.
Once you click it, 6 temperature selections will appear on the tilted digital screen: max hot, x-hot, hotter, hot, warmer, and warm.
After selecting the desired brewing variables (volume, strength, temperature) according to your personal preference, just save the settings.
The machine gives you the option to save up to 10 customized presets as favorites. If you wish, you can even name them through the use of the application.
The Supreme Plus water reservoir is removable which makes it easier to clean.
The water tank has a capacity of 78 oz., so you won’t need to refill it too often.
You can insert a pod, fill the water tank, and place a mug on the drip tray the night before. Once you wake up in the morning, you can brew a cup while you’re still in bed by using the application.
The machine also keeps track of how many pods you’ve used. This way the app knows when you’re about to run out of capsules. You can take advantage of the smart delivery program and never have to worry about being left without coffee in the morning.
Cleaning and maintenance are pretty straightforward.
It’s easy to figure out when your K-Supreme Plus Smart needs descaling, as a message will appear on its screen.
You should also do a hot water rinse brew after preparing a cup to remove the coffee grounds from the prongs and prevent clogging.
To make things easier, you can save a 4-ounce, max hot water rinse preset as a favorite and create a habit to use it after you prepare a cup.
It’s also necessary to occasionally wipe the scanner eye inside the pod holder to make sure it can read the QR code.
The most valuable advantage of the K-Supreme Plus Smart coffee maker is its ability to make the best-tasting Keurig coffee.
The adjustable strength and temperature settings, combined with the advanced MultiStream Technology® really do improve your coffee’s flavor.
Considering all the other features of this machine, the K-Supreme Plus Smart is surely one of the best Keurig models.
6. Keurig K-1500 Commercial Coffee Maker
Click here to check out the price and more photos on Amazon.
Because of its ease of use, long shelf life, large 96-ounce water tank, quiet brew technology, and ability to make tasty coffee, The Keurig K-1500 is the best model for office use. Furthermore, because of its performance, many individuals have chosen this single-serve coffee machine for home use, as it’s also ideal if you have many family members living under the same roof.
It brews coffee in 4 cup sizes: 6, 8, 10, and 12 ounces.
As with other Keurig models, the K-1500 has a strong button that lets you brew a cup with a fuller coffee flavor.
Just keep in mind that it takes a bit longer to prepare a cup if you use this feature.
With that being said, this k-cup maker heats up pretty quickly because of its stronger heating element compared to home-grade models. Therefore, you will be able to make multiple cups back-to-back quicker.
After all, when building the K-1500 machine, manufacturers have kept in mind that you’d want to make a cup fast, and go back to your office work with your coffee mug in your hands.
What also makes this coffee maker stand out is the fact its brew pump is extra quiet. That’s why many home users go for this commercial Keurig maker. After all, you wouldn’t want to wake up your little ones while you’re preparing your morning cup of Joe.
This feature is only available in commercial-grade Keurig models, but it actually can help with descaling and ultimately keep your machine’s excellent performance for longer.
Speaking of descaling – like other Keurig models, this one has a descale indicator that will light up to remind you to perform a cycle with a decalcifying solution.
What’s also worth noting is that the Keurig K-1500 is rather compact and sturdy. It won’t take much space on the counter, even though it’s a commercial-grade coffee maker. It actually has pretty similar dimensions to the K-Elite.
In conclusion, if you want a quiet and reliable Keurig coffee maker for home or office use, that also makes great-tasting coffee, the K-1500 Commercial model is undoubtedly one of your best options.
Final Words
I hope that you found this guide helpful and that you’ve selected the Keurig coffee machine that suits you best.
If you’re looking for the best price, I highly recommend checking out the links to Amazon that I’ve provided in this article. There you can find some great deals on the listed k-cup single-serve machines. Even more so on black friday.
You can also buy a Keurig coffee maker with a great discount in the official Keurig website if you go for the option to build a starter kit. This means that you can take advantage of a significantly lower price for the machine itself by purchasing a 12-month coffee pod subscription.
Leave me a comment below to share your experience with Keurig coffee makers. Let me know which model you went for and why? Of course, feel free to ask me a question if anything’s left unclear – I’d love to assist!
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