Aqil Amjid
You will get to know what is a Keurig machine and why it is so famous compared to other brands. Besides, we have added a guide regarding how to best use a Keurig coffee machine. In addition, Keurig has to offer a lot of machines. Still, we have narrowed down the list to the 10 best machines based on hours of research and user experience. Also, a set of questions have been answered in the end, which will help you decide if you should go for a new Keurig coffee brewer.
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What is a Keurig?
Before starting with the reviews of these top-rated Keurig machines, let’s get to know what a Keurig actually is?
So, Keurig is a household brand that manufactures products like coffee machines, drinkware, and their world-famous K-cup pods, etc. But the reason Keurig is so famous is because of the way it brews your coffee. Unlike other drip coffee machines, a Keurig takes in a K-Cup pod and brews your coffee in under a minute. This is why people prefer it; you do not get this level of ease and speed in other coffee makers. Besides, the K-cup that you choose can be from hundreds of available options, so you will meet your choice of taste in a matter of days.
Now, if you want to know why do I need a Keurig coffee maker? Well, there can be numerous reasons for it. The first reason would be the ease of use of it; Keurigs are insanely easy to use. Next is the reason that you get your cup of coffee ready within a minute. This happens to all Keurig machines; none of them go beyond this limit. Some of these are programmable, making leaving home for jobs easier because the machine automatically prepares it. Similarly, there’s much more to it, but you will only realize those things when using a Keurig coffee maker.
How to Use a Keurig?
When using any coffee maker, certain things are standard across all models and manufacturers. Things like connecting the coffee machine to the power source, filling the reservoir, etc., are the same across all models, just that its positioning might be different. However, several things set apart a Keurig coffee maker. Anyway, for your convenience, we have covered the entire procedure of using a Keurig coffee maker.
Power & Water
Before you do anything else, you have to connect your coffee machine to a power source, without which, of course, it won’t work. Just to add, it is better to find a permanent space for your Keurig machine and connect it to a socket. This way, things become easy, and you don’t have to plug and unplug every time.
Then comes the part where you add water. In Keurig machines, adding water can be one of the three ways. The first type is where the reservoir comes out; you fill it under a tap and then slide it back in. The other type comprises a fixed reservoir that you have to fill using a carafe from the top. And then finally, there is another type that has no reservoir because it can be connected directly to your kitchen’s plumbing. This type only uses water when needed, so no water is misused and is always freshly used.
Choosing Coffee
Before you start brewing comes the part when you decide what type of coffee you will brew. We know that Keurig coffee makers use K-cup pods for brewing coffee. Over 160 different tastes are available, so you have to choose what you like the most. There is very little chance that your Keurig will also allow coffee grounds to be used instead of a K-cup. But being honest, K-cup is why you will buy or have bought a Keurig in the first place, then why bother using loose coffee grounds.
Inserting the K-Cup
Once you have decided which K-cup you will be using, you have to insert it into your Keurig. Every Keurig machine has a particular space for holding the K-cup. It is the same across all Keurig coffee makers because a standard is followed to raise no issues for Keurig users. Your coffee maker will have a handle on the front, which is mostly grey in color, this opens the lid, and you will be able to see the slot for the K-cup. Place your K-cup pod in there and then close the lid using the same handle. When fully completed, you will see either blue blinking light, or if your unit has a display on it, it will display “Ready to Brew.”
Start Brewing
After inserting the pod, some Keurig machines automatically start the brewing process if it knows that a proper mug is in place. Others will first wait for you to select the brew amount, which is usually in the form of mug sizes. So by choosing the brew amount, the brewing cycle will start, and you will have your coffee ready in less than a minute.
Remove K-Cup and Enjoy Coffee
Every time the brew cycle reaches its end, make sure you remove the used K-cup from its chamber. This is just to ensure that everything is in place and will work fine for subsequent use. Once removed, enjoy your coffee which your Keurig brewer has prepared for you, that’s all.
Best Keurig Coffee Makers in 2023
1. Keurig K-Classic Coffee Maker
Editor’s Choice
PROS:
Compact Design, Easy to Use
CONS:
Not Programmable
Each coffee machine manufacturer has its top seller, and for Keurig, it’s the K-Classic coffee maker. This coffee maker by Keurig is the simplest of them all and quickly brews a cup of coffee for you. The K-Classic comes with a compact design and stylish looks. It does not ask for a lot of space on your countertop either. Besides, it makes brewing coffee very easy. The reservoir can take up to 40 ounces of water which is more than enough for a single cup coffee brewer. Also, the drip tray is removable, so you can easily place a mug up to 7 inches tall.
This Keurig model gives you an option to brew 6, 8, or 10 ounces of coffee. So by adding 40 ounces to the reservoir, you can easily brew 4 large mugs, which are pretty nice if you live alone. More, the coffee machine has indicators for adding water and descaling. It lets you know when you need to add water and to descale it; this way, your machine works properly for a more extended period. Another good thing about it is that you are not bound to use k-cup pods. Instead, you can go for my K-cup reusable filter for adding your own coffee grounds into it. However, it is better to go for the k-cup pods because it will make things super easy. And best of all, you also get an auto-shut feature in it, so the coffee maker shuts off itself 2 hours post-brew.
2. Keurig K-Cafe Coffee Maker
Multiple brews in Keurig quality
PROS:
Brews Cappuccino/Latte, Built-in Frother
CONS:
Occupies Space
The K-cafe coffee maker by Keurig is sort of a multi-purpose coffee maker. It can brew coffee, cappuccino, or latte for you. But things don’t stop here, you can also use its built-in milk frother, and it really froths the milk nicely with a good amount of foam on it. Speaking of the design, the coffee maker is big because it has a lot going on the inside. So you will have to make some extra space for it on your countertop. But it can prove to be a good one for home use because you might get bored of coffee sometimes, and you will always have an option to take a shot of a cappuccino or latte for yourself.
All its controls lie at the top; from there, you can choose the cup size from 6 to 12 ounces. And you can also choose between coffee or cappuccino and latte. Also, the machine has an auto-shut feature, but you can turn the feature off if you want to. Besides, if you like your coffee to be strong, you can also go for it. Now the way it works is straightforward; all the controls for the brewing lie at the top of the lid. And those for the milk frother are at the front of the machines besides the frothing section. Its frother works excellent, makes a good amount of foam for your latte, and is dishwasher safe. Furthermore, you can also use this frother for a cold froth if you would like to. So, suppose you are buying a coffee maker for your family. In that case, this will be the best Keurig for home because it lets you have different drinks and is affordable compared to the features it offers.
3. Keurig K-Supreme Plus SMART
Smart & Convenient Brew
PROS:
Brew ID, Smart connectivity
CONS:
Bit pricey over old version
Keurig K-Supreme Plus Smart is a recently launched product by Keurig over the old models K-supreme and K-supreme plus. Although it’s a bit pricey than old ones, but the price worth some fantastic new features. You can manage the strength, temperature and quantity through a dial located on the machine’s top. Normally, almost all coffee makers offer these features; what’s new here? Have a look. The Brew Id feature is added by Keurig in this new model; it holds almost 900 official K-Cups settings gathered from coffee experts and helps the machine to recognize them within seconds. Your only job here is to press the “K” button on the brewer’s top and give the approval; the machine knows the rest of the work very well. You can do the customization even from the smartphone from anywhere by installing the Keurig application. At last, if you are looking for the best Keurig coffee machine that extracts different types of flavorful coffee smartly, Keurig K-Supreme Plus SMART is the best contender in the list.
4. Keurig K-Mini Coffee Maker
Portable champ
PROS:
Small Size, Portable
CONS:
Low Brew Temperature
People have different usage for coffee makers; for sure, they all brewed coffee but the why and how is different for all. The K-mini by Keurig is a small yet smart coffee maker when referring to the design. It is the type of Keurig that does not ask for extra space on your countertop because you can simply slide it in between any other appliances. The machine is 5 inches wide only, allowing you to place it anywhere and even carry it with you to other places. One can not say that it is the Best Keurig for home because you might need something quicker and higher capacity. But if you live alone or want an extra coffee machine for your guests, then it could be the perfect fit.
The coffee maker takes in up to 12 ounces of water in its reservoir. It will brew the amount of water you have in the container; there is no option for changing the brew volume. So if you add 12 ounces of water to the reservoir, you will get 12 ounces of water. And if you want to brew a small cup, you will have to add 6 ounces to the reservoir. Besides, there is no strength control feature too, so the taste of your coffee will be as per the machine is programmed by default. All this obviously is missing, but the way it is designed and brews your coffee is simply smart. This is why, if you want your coffee maker to be affordable and yet brew good coffee, the K-mini will be a good choice.
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5. Keurig K-Elite Coffee Maker
Stylish & single serve
PROS:
Iced coffee capability, Brews multiple cup sizes
CONS:
Bit pricey
Keurig designs all of its coffee makers with special features and an ultimate look. Keurig K-Elite coffee maker is one of its masterpieces. This coffee brewer supports you best if you want a tasty and fresh cup of coffee in the morning on the go. Moreover, with a strong brew button on its display, you can enjoy the bold taste of your coffee’s flavor. Also, it can brew for you in multiple popular cup sizes such as 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12oz. What’s so special packed in the box with this machine? One water filter handle and the other one to ensure your brewed beverages taste their absolute best. In addition, you can get the hot water on demand with just one button touch. Also, the large water reservoir offers you to brew 8 cups before refilling.
6. Keurig K15 Coffee Maker
Stylish & single serve
PROS:
Affordable, Color Variation
CONS:
No Volume Control
Not all coffee makers are designed for ultimate features and smart options. This best Keurig brewer is for people who want something simple and easy to use. Something which does not require you to do a lot, just add the desired amount of water, add a K-cup pod, and brew coffee. Keurig K15 is one of the best k cup coffee makers, which has thousands of units sold so far and has thousands of happy users. It comes in a wide range of colors so you could choose the one which would ideally suit your countertop. The machine is 10 inches tall and 8 inches wide, so it would not ask for a lot of space.
As mentioned, the machine does not offer you many features; it is relatively simple to use. You will have to add water into the reservoir, but it should be the exact amount you want to brew because the K15 does not let you set the brew volume. Then you’ll have to insert the K-cup pod and close the lid. The light will turn blue on the button and start blinking; this indicates that the machine is ready to start the brewing process. When pressed, it will turn red, and the brewing process will begin. And just to let you know, this Keurig has an auto-shut feature that turns off the coffee maker if left idle for 90 seconds.
7. Keurig K250 Coffee Maker
Sleek, slim & best controls
PROS:
Brews Cup/Carafe, Strength Control
CONS:
Expensive
The K250 might seem like a simple coffee maker, but it is the best k coffee machine with all the bells and whistles on it. It comes with all the excellent features which you would like to have in your coffee maker. And all these features, in turn, give you more control over your cup of coffee. You won’t see a lot of differences in Keurig coffee makers, but the way they work always has some differences. This is because some of them are very basic, while others give you several options to customize and brew the perfect cup of your choice.
Speaking of what features this Keurig coffee maker has, first of all, it can brew a cup or a full carafe. You heard that right; using a k-carafe pod can brew up to 30 ounces of coffee, which is more than enough for a family of 3 – 4 people. Besides, you also get to control the strength of your coffee. So just in case you like your coffee to be bold than usual, you can do it using the LED control panel, which is a touch screen and works just fine. Another good thing is that while your coffee maker is brewing one cup, at the same time, it starts heating more water if you would like to brew another. By doing so, no time is wasted, and you get your second cup ready well under a minute.
8. Keurig K-Duo Coffee Maker
A programmable Keurig machine
PROS:
Dual System, Brew Strength Control
CONS:
No Simultaneous Brewing
The K-Duo is one of the newest coffee makers from Keurig. You do not usually see this type of coffee maker from Keurig because they always go for the K-cup style. But this one has both on them, you can go for brewing a single cup using a K-cup pod, or you can brew a full carafe using loose grounds with a filter in the filter basket. Keurig also sells a gold-tone permanent filter separately if you would like to go for that one. Design-wise, it is not so compact because it has dual brewing mechanisms in it. And for this reason, you will have to make extra space for it. The carafe side of it is capable of brewing up to 12 cups at a time.
The reservoir of this coffee machine can hold a maximum of 60 ounces of water which is good enough for multiple uses. On the K-cup side, you can brew 6, 8, 10, or 12 ounces of coffee; this can be adjusted using the control buttons on the top. Similarly, you can choose to brew 6, 8, 10, or 12 cups of coffee for the drip side. You will have to switch the mechanism using the button on the top and then choose the volume for either side. More, the machine is programmable as well, but that is only for the drip side. And you also have a button on it labeled strong, used for a stronger cup of coffee. But it is essential to know that both sides can not brew simultaneously. And the good thing of all this is that this top rated Keurig is budget-friendly despite all these features.
9. Keurig K1500 Single Serve Commercial
Commercial Keurig coffee maker
PROS:
Premium Build, Large Reservoir
CONS:
Price
The k1500 again is from the commercial series of Keurig. It is most suitable for an office space where 10 to 15 people work. Commercial coffee makers from Keurig always come with something extra. For this reason, they come with a slightly higher price point. This one is expensive, but the way it operates and works for your employees is simply stunning. A good thing about this machine is that the pump is pretty quiet, so no such noise is produced, disturbing people trying to focus on work. The reservoir is one of the largest among all Keurigs; it can take up to 96 ounces of enormous water. In most cases, you won’t need to refill it again during the entire workday.
This best Keurig coffee maker lets you brew 6, 8, 10, or 12 ounces of coffee which is pretty standard in all Keurig models. And of course, it uses a K-cup pod which again is standard for Keurig coffee machines. The build is pretty premium; it is the type that will work for years to come. So the high price of it is totally justifiable because of the build quality here. The machine comes with an auto-shut feature that turns off the coffee maker if left idle for 2 hours after brewing. Last but not least, it has something which other Keurigs usually don’t have. There is a drainage system at the back, which may come in handy at times when going off on vacation or when it’s time to descale it.
10. Keurig K155 Office Pro
Perfect for office use
PROS:
Direct Water Connection, 90 Ounce Reservoir
CONS:
Expensive
The K155 Office Pro belongs to the commercial series of Keurig. It doesn’t necessarily need to be used at your workplace, but this is it if you are looking for one. Certain features on it can make things very easy for you at work. Speaking of its design, the coffee maker is a bit large in size, so you will have to make room for it wherever you place it. In the commercial series, there is nothing much regarding the way it works. But such coffee makers are made for faster brewing, and the brewing capacity is increased as well. This coffee maker here can brew around 48 cups in a massive hour.
The reservoir of this Keurig can accommodate 90 ounces of water which is well enough for medium-size businesses. But things don’t stop here; if you have more people at your office, the consumption is high. You can simply connect the coffee maker to a plumbing connection, and you will be free from filling the reservoir. There are separate hot and cold water lines on the back, which can be easily connected to the plumbing. The machine is programmable, and you can also set the brew temperature as per your will. Also, you can select the auto-on programmable feature, and it will do the rest. Plus, you can change the language of the control panel from English to Spanish or French.
Is Keurig Coffee Maker Repairable?
No doubt, it is. You can go for some professional and repair it, or you can contact from wherever you bought, and they will get it fixed for you. On the off chance that you do not want to go for the above two methods, you can do it at your home yourself. All Keurig machines easily let you take off the parts one by one and try to check what’s wrong on the inside. However, all the risk is on you; we recommend contacting a professional and letting him do the work.
What is the difference between coffee pods and K-cups?
These two things are used for the same purpose, brewing coffee but different based on how you use them. A coffee pod is generally a filter bag containing simple coffee grounds in it. It can be used in most coffee makers unless it is a Nespresso machine or a Keurig brewer. On the other hand, a K-cup is a disposable plastic container with coffee grounds and filtering material on the inside. It works because a Keurig coffee machine punctures two holes in this container, one on top and the other at the bottom. Then hot water enters through the top, extracts the coffee, and flows out the bottom.
Are K-cup pods reusable?
No, they are not! K-cup pods are disposable plastic containers that you have to throw away once used. However, Keurig offers an alternate which is called My K-cup pod. It is the same as the K-cup pod in functional but is made of hard plastic and is reusable. It is always nice to have my K-cup pod as a backup if you run out of k-cup pods or forget to buy more.
Does Keurig Offer Warranty?
Yes, all of them come with one year warranty. Once you buy a new Keurig, register it online on the official website or by filling and submitting the warranty card, which you get inside the packaging of your new Keurig. If your Keurig encounters any issue, the company at its option would either repair or replace your brewer. In case of a replacement, you get a new one-year warranty starting from the date you get your new or reconditioned replacement Keurig.
How often should I descale my Keurig coffee machine?
Ideally, it is good to descale your Keurig every week or 10 days at most. You can very easily remove all the removable parts of the machine using the instructions manual. Then you can use warm soapy water or vinegar on an excellent descaling process. For further assistance, check out our piece on how to clean a coffee maker and get to know multiple ways of washing your coffee machine.
Zeeshan Ayaz
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