We Tried Some of the Best Keurig-Style Coffee Makers Out There — Here Are Our Editor-Approved Picks

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It’s fair to say that opinions about Keurig-style coffee machines are generally on polar ends of the love-hate spectrum. Fans tend to like the convenience and satisfaction of a single cup of joe on demand—there’s a wide variety of pods available, and you can buy them in bulk for busy households.

Chances are, if you relish opening a bag of freshly roasted coffee beans and have the time and wherewithal to pour hot water over grounds (or make a pot of drip coffee, for that matter), a Keurig probably just isn’t your jam. (And if you despise Keurig for its environmental impact, read on for an update on the recyclability of K-cups—spoiler, it’s better than it once was.)

Full disclosure, I prefer a pour over for myriad reasons, but I’ve figured out how to make a satisfying cup of coffee with the model that’s on my folks’ kitchen counter—and they’re firmly in the thumbs-up camp, for the record. To put single-use coffee pods and machines to the test, we got our hands on Keurig machines and some other single-serve coffee makers to see how they compare—and whether it’s worth replacing your drip machine.

Read on for the best Keurig coffee makers we tried, along with brew for thought on what’s smart to consider before buying.

The Best Keurig Coffee Makers

• Best All-in-One: Keurig K-Cafe Single-Serve Coffee Maker

• Best for Frequent Use: Keurig K-Classic Coffee Maker

• Best for Coffee and Espresso: Breville Nespresso Vertuo Coffee and Espresso Machine

• Best Space-Saver: Keurig K-Supreme Coffee Maker

• Best Large Capacity: Cuisinart Single-Serve Coffee Maker

What to Consider

Capacity

Start your search by considering if the Keurig coffee maker’s water reservoir capacity fits your needs, which relates to the amount of counter space you have to dedicate to the machine. Capacity generally ranges from 40 to 72 ounces—that’s about five cups on the low end and ten on the high end.

The number of cups you’ll get out of each reservoir varies because most pod coffee makers offer at least three cup sizes—6, 8, and 10 ounces—and some add 4- and 12-ounce options. There are also models designed to accommodate a travel mug, with more space between the spout and the table so you can fit a taller cup.

Full-size models usually have removable reservoirs you can fill at your kitchen sink, and some have handles, like the Keurig K-Supreme.

Pod Recyclability

For the sake of clarity, there are two types of coffee pods: the cup style that Keurig and similar single-serve machines use, and the aluminum capsules used with Nespresso machines. K-cups essentially brew drip coffee, whereas capsules extract coffee under pressure.

As of 2020, all Keurig cups are recyclable, which requires removing the foil top, dumping or composting the grounds and inner filter, and washing out the plastic pod before throwing it in the recycling bin. The catch is that your local municipality may not be equipped to recycle them.

Keurig has its own K-cup recycling program, but it’s designed for commercial use, like in offices—and it’s rather expensive. Aluminum coffee pods like the kind Nespresso machines use are generally easier to recycle than K-cups, plus Nespresso’s capsule recycling program is free and available to consumers.

Features

Upgraded Keurig coffee makers give you the ability to brew coffee at regular strength or strong. Some have an over-ice setting, or make hot and cold espresso-style drinks and feature milk frothers.

If you want to brew freshly ground beans (and be kinder to the environment) there are models that include reusable filter cups. There are also Keurig coffee makers that you can program to brew at a later time or shut off automatically after a set time.

How We Selected

Because the word “Keurig” has become a vernacular catch-all for single-serve coffee makers, we included options from the name brand in addition to other single-serve, pod-based coffee makers from Breville and Cuisinart. The models we got our hands on range from large-capacity to space-savers, and we compared features of each and weighed them against price. We considered capacity, reservoir style, cup sizes, special settings, and overall aesthetics, among other attributes.

K-Cafe Single-Serve Coffee Maker

This Keurig gives you the whole shebang for making espresso-style hot or iced coffee drinks, like cappuccinos and lattes.

It features a setting for brewing a concentrated shot from a regular pod, and a built-in dishwasher-safe milk frother with preset buttons so there’s no guessing on milk temperature or foam type. You can also brew an extra strong cup of coffee.

Another highlight of this Keurig coffee maker is that the reservoir’s capacity is more than most at 60 ounces, plus there’s a handle for easy refilling. While it’s hard to find fault with all this machine offers, for the price a digital display would be a nice step up.

K-Classic Coffee Maker

There’s a lot to like about the Keurig coffee maker, particularly if you’re searching for an affordable model that can withstand frequent use.

Those attributes make it perfect in any office setting, just like ours. It’s one of the several desk-side coffee makers and espresso machines we have set up in our desk clump, and it gets the intended job done.

The K-Classic is as about as straightforward as a single-serve coffee maker gets, ideal for a first caffeine jolt of the day when your brain is still waking up. It brews relatively fast and it has a large bin for used pods, plus it features a programmable auto-shutoff to save energy—a big help since no one remembers to shut the machine off.

It isn’t without drawbacks, however. It takes up considerable counter space and the reservoir is on the small side for its size. It’s also louder than other Keurig coffee makers we tested and splashes coffee while brewing. Still, for the price and functionality, this basic model is tough to beat.

Nespresso Vertuo Coffee and Espresso Machine

While we didn’t include this single-serve coffee and espresso machine in our testing pool, a few of us have used it in our personal lives and only have good things to say. The coffee it makes is smooth and super hot, and it scratches that coffee shop itch for less (though the pods aren’t cheap).

The Nespresso Vertuo is somewhat of a hybrid. It makes a fine cup of regular coffee and a true shot of espresso—both under an impressive 19 bars of pressure—using an aluminum pod (or capsule) rather than a cup.

Not unsurprisingly, the machine was developed for the American market for coffee drinkers who like the taste of espresso, but want it supersized.

K-Supreme Coffee Maker

If you have several coffee drinkers in the house but lack counter space, Keurig’s K-Supreme is well worth a look. The space-saving model has an impressive 66-ounce capacity despite its narrow footprint, plus the reservoir fits on the side or in back to suit your counter setup.

This is the Keurig coffee maker on my family’s kitchen counter, and it does a good job serving up joe with three all-day coffee drinkers in the house. Having a handle on the reservoir is pretty much a game-changer as far as I’m concerned; I can’t imagine why it isn’t standard on all single-serve coffee and espresso makers since they all need to be refilled so frequently.

Another thing that I really appreciate about this model is the option for a strong brew, since my coffee taste is dark roast or no roast. I use the setting along with the 6-ounce cup size, and pop in one of the Peet’s Major Dickason’s blend pods.

I drink it black, and on my satisfaction scale of one to 10, it’s easily a seven or eight. The machine also features cold brew setting that my dad uses on occasion and enjoys.

I’d say the only slight drawback is that this Keurig coffee maker doesn't seem to brew as fast as other Keurigs I've used, though it does brew pods back-to-back without needing to reheat the water.

Single-Serve Coffee Maker

There's a lot to like about this single-serve coffee maker. For starters, it offers a generous 72-ounce removable water reservoir without taking up too much of a footprint on the counter thanks to it's tall, slim design.

We also appreciate its front digital control panel, with a straightforward menu to select cup size, make hot water, or to program brewing. These features are a definite upgrade from any of the Keurig's we tested with comparable or higher price points.

The Cuisinart coffee maker comes with a reusable filter cup for coffee or tea and is compatible with most single-serve pods. It's also available in a 40-ounce model, and in three colors.

Single-Serve Coffee System

We had high hopes for the Bruvi. Design-forward with bamboo and cheeky phrases in the spirit of what your TK says at a boutique hotel. The price tag is considerable. Can only take B-Pods, which are darn expensive, as much as $30 for a box of 60. The pods can be tossed in the trash and are biodegradable in landfills, so they're certainly better for the environment than any plastic pod but tough on your wallet.

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