Keurig is the market leader for single-serve coffee makers. The company offers several models that suit different requirements and budgets. Tons of Keurig models are available commercially, though many of them can be variations of the same machine, with different accessories packed in.
And, it’s worth noting that the company doesn’t exclusively offer single-serve coffee. Some of their machines can work with regular pre-ground coffee, there’s one with an automatic milk frother built-in!
We review the best Keurig models so you can have a better overview of what machines to consider. This isn’t an exhaustive list of all Keurig models, just the ones we think are the best to consider for purchase right now.
Top Keurig Models To Consider
- Keurig K-Supreme Plus Coffee Maker
- Keurig K-Cafe Coffee Maker
- Keurig K-Elite Coffee Maker
- Keurig K-Mini Plus Coffee Maker
- Keurig K-Duo Coffee Maker
- Keurig K155 Office Pro Commercial Coffee Maker
- Keurig K-Latte Single Serve K-Cup Coffee and Latte Maker
- Keurig K-Duo Plus Coffee Maker
- Keurig K1500 Coffee Maker
Editor’s Choice: Keurig K-Cafe Coffee Maker
If you’ve been reading my reviews, you know that I like the Keurig K-Cafe Coffee Maker. The machine is wonderfully versatile and does a great job at delivering wonderful coffee.
It brews K cups pretty well, and also extends the functionality of the coffee maker thanks to a built-in automatic milk frother. Your options aren’t just limited to coffee – you can get yourself a satisfying latte or cappuccino.
Reviews – The Best Keurig Coffee Makers On The Market
1. Keurig K-Supreme Plus Coffee Maker
Let’s start with Keurig’s latest offering, Keurig K-Supreme Plus Coffee Maker. This is the newest Keurig machine, so I can’t speak for its longevity. However, from what I see so far, it’s excellent.
Keurig has always been a champion for convenience with its K cups and quick brewing. This machine takes it further with individual profiles that remember your choice of brew.
K-Supreme Plus is a coffee maker with a removable water reservoir. The reservoir holds 78 oz water, which is fairly large and generous for home use. Available brew sizes are 4, 6, 8, 10, or 12 oz. Combine the lower brew sizes with the three strength adjustment options, and you can get yourself a delicious and strong K cup coffee.
Exteriors of the machine are covered in a stainless steel wrap, which gives it a lovely finish and elegant look. The reservoir fits nicely on the side, adding to the good looks of this Keurig coffee maker.
When you switch on this Keurig machine it can take about three minutes to deliver the first cup of coffee. However, if the machine is on, it will start pouring the cuppa in as little as 15 seconds.
There’s no need to wait after each cup, and you can pretty much brew them back to back – as long as there’s water in the reservoir.
What’s Special About This Coffee Maker?
There’s a reason I started this list with the Keurig K-Supreme Plus, even though it’s just found its way to the market. This coffee maker is the best of Keurig when it comes to flavor extraction from the coffee. In large part, this is due to the use of Keurig’s new “MultiStream Technology”.
Simply put, MultiStream Technology makes use of five needles in place of the usual one. All of these needles spray water into the coffee (K-cup), ensuring proper saturation of the grounds, which leads to better flavor.
In a way, this is quite similar to the showerheads used in automatic pour over coffee makers. Although, Keurig clearly doesn’t follow the same principles.
Another interesting aspect is the presence of three brew-strength settings and three temperature settings. A small display shows the current settings available. Another cool feature is the presence of programmable favorites. With three programmable options at hand, you could either set each to a different beverage or have each reserved for a family member.
Brew strength, size, and temperature buttons are neatly arranged on the top of the machine. Just above these are the three profile buttons and the “over ice” button. The latter can be used for brewing iced coffee.
A cheaper version is available in the form of the Keurig K-Supreme Coffee Maker. This one too uses the MultiStream technology. The differences lie in a smaller reservoir, and fewer options for brew size, strength, and temperature. This model also lacks the presence of programmable profile buttons.
Pros
- MultiStream technology leads to better flavor extraction
- Three options each for brew strength and brew temperature
- Large brew size selection
- Three programmable profiles
Cons
- Expensive as compared to conventional Keurig coffee makers
- Questionable compatibility with most existing reusable K cups, due to the use of five pins
2. Keurig K-Cafe Coffee Maker
Here’s our top choice for this category. I have to say, the ability of this machine to make lattes and cappuccinos plays a big part in this selection.
Keurig K-Cafe Coffee Maker is backed by a large 60 oz removable water reservoir, so it won’t need refills often. You get four brew-size options here, which are 6, 8, 10, and 12 oz. An additional “shot” option is available to brew a strong and concentrated 2 oz shot.
A separate option is available for brew strength, which works with normal brew-size choices. You can choose between “regular” and “strong” brew strengths. An auto shut-off feature switches off the machine after 2 hours of inactivity.
What’s Special About This Keurig Machine?
The presence of an integrated automatic milk frother is a big plus.
Generally, milk frothing attachments in coffee makers are the steam wand that’s seen in most espresso machines, or a frother attachment. Each of these requires some knowledge on the part of the user on how to froth milk.
The built-in frother deals with the situation in Keurig-style, and offers an automatic option that’s very convenient to use. Pressing a button to get velvety microfoam is tough to beat!
Buttons available on the machine enable choices including cold froth or froth for latte and cappuccino. Unless you choose cold frothing, the machine will heat the milk to the right temperature while frothing it.
Pair the froth with the 2 oz shot, and you’ve got yourself your choice of brew! Of course, recipes demand a shot of espresso for brewing cappuccinos or lattes. Keurig K-Cafe Coffee Maker can’t produce a true espresso. However, the strong shot can be a stand-in for espresso and deliver an acceptably good latte or cappuccino.
Most users won’t have a problem enjoying their latte being produced by this machine. For best results, I’d suggest using a strong K cup, or espresso K cups. The milk frother is dishwasher safe, so cleanup is a breeze.
Pros
- Includes a versatile automatic milk frother
- Several brew size options, including a 2 oz shot
- Dishwasher-safe frother also works with milk alternatives
- Includes high-altitude temperature setting
Cons
- Doesn’t brew true espresso so the cappuccino and latte may not taste authentic
- Auto-off feature may trip some GFCI circuit breakers (rare)
- A larger footprint due to the included frother
3. Keurig K-Elite Coffee Maker
Keurig K-Elite Coffee Maker is often considered as the spiritual successor to the Keurig 2.0 line. It’s worth noting that though some similarities exist, this is an entirely new machine with its own feature-set (as compared to the 2.0 line).
A small screen and control panel grace the top of the machine. Generally, the display shows time, but when the machine is being operated, it will show other pertinent information as well. Apart from the buttons and screen, the panel also has indicator LEDs for adding water (to the reservoir) and an alert for deep cleaning/descaling the coffee maker.
What’s Special About This Coffee Maker?
Keurig K-Elite Coffee Maker is a machine with a reasonable list of features and price. You get five brew size options, at 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 oz. Interestingly, the brew sizes aren’t explicitly marked on the panel, but are presented as icons. An iced coffee option is placed right next to the brew size selection.
Brew strength selection is also available, offering choices between “regular” and “strong”. Just next to it is a dedicated button for hot water dispensing – pretty useful for brewing tea or cup noodles!
Other features include temperature control, auto on/off, and high-altitude adjustment. The latter is pretty useful if you live in an area with high elevation above sea level. Elevation changes the boiling temperature of water and many are unable to adapt. An easy adjustment option like this one takes most of those worries away.
Keurig K-Elite Coffee Maker is backed by a large 75 oz removable water reservoir. It won’t need refills often, adding to the convenience. Just remember not to let the water sit in the reservoir for too long (more than a couple of days).
Other features include a removable drip tray and a brewing time of less than one minute. The machine delivers coffee fairly quickly, but that’s assuming it has been switched on for a few minutes. If you’ve just switched on the coffee maker in the morning, it might take about three minutes to deliver your cuppa.
Pros
- Feature-rich coffee maker
- Customizable temperature setting
- High-altitude settings
- Quick and easy to use
Cons
- The coffee maker is prone to short pours (delivering less than the chosen brew size)
4. Keurig K-Mini Plus Coffee Maker
Keurig K-Mini Plus Coffee Maker is a remarkably well-made and dependable coffee maker with a sub $100 price tag. One of the best cheap K cup coffee makers, this machine is compact and primed to deliver great coffee. Its tiny 12 oz water reservoir is removable, which is a nice touch of convenience for a machine this size.
This single-serve coffee maker doesn’t have any explicit brew-size control options. Instead, it will brew the entire contents of its water reservoir. The way to control brew size is to put the amount of water you need into the reservoir. Effective brew size for Keurig K-Mini Plus is 6-12 oz, depending on how much water you add to the reservoir.
What Are The Salient Features Of This Keurig Machine?
Keurig K-Mini Plus is the best single serve coffee maker if you’re starved for space. Its footprint is tiny, its cost is reasonable, and it brews a great cup of coffee. An additional space-saving touch is a built-in storage for 9 K cups inside the machine. The pod storage adds convenience by making it easier to store K cups.
The machine also has cord storage so there’s less clutter. Other features include a removable drip tray that makes room for travel mugs as tall as 7-inches.
Brew strength selection is also available, and offers a choice between “regular” and “bold” coffee. The machine can take up to three minutes to brew a cup and auto shuts-off after 90 seconds of inactivity.
Pros
- Compact coffee maker with cord storage
- Includes built-in K cup storage
- Removable 12 oz water reservoir
Cons
- Brew quality can be inconsistent
See buying options and pricing
5. Keurig K-Duo Coffee Maker
As its name implies, Keurig K-Duo is a dual coffee maker. One side of this machine behaves like a conventional drip coffee maker and can brew a 12-cup carafe. The other side is the classic Keurig single-serve machine.
Dual coffee makers are an interesting choice and cater to a wider selection of preferences. Whether you want a full pot of coffee or a single cup, this machine can deliver whatever you prefer.
Both sides operate independently, but there’s a single control panel. It’s interesting how well Keurig has managed to integrate the classic drip coffee maker and its single-serve coffee maker.
The single-serve side can use K cups for brew-sizes of 6, 8, 10, or 12 oz. Similarly, the carafe side can be used to brew 6, 8, 10, or 12 cups!
On the control panel, you choose whether you want to brew a carafe or single cup, then simply hit the button for the brew size or number of cups as required. If you choose the single-serve, you get the brew-size. When choosing the carafe, you get the number of cups. The buttons remain the same. Simple, straightforward, and elegant.
Other Notable Features Of The Keurig K-Duo Coffee Maker
The control panel on this coffee maker includes a small screen that works as a clock and also shows settings for other features when in use. For example, this coffee maker is 24-hour programmable. You can set the timer through the control panel, and a fresh pot of coffee will be automatically brewed at your chosen time.
Programmable settings are available only for brewing the carafe and don’t work with K cups. That’s a bummer; I think the K cup side could equally benefit from the auto programming. Then again, it takes just a couple of minutes (or a few seconds if the machine is already running) to get the K cup brewed. The full carafe can take a few minutes.
A brew-strength selection between strong and regular is available for both sides. While the carafe side will gladly accept pre-ground coffee, the K cup side remains compatible with reusable K cups.
It’s possible to use paper filters for the drip coffee brewer. Reusable mesh filter baskets for Keurig may also be used.
Keurig K-Duo Coffee Maker has a 60 oz removable water reservoir. Both sides share the same reservoir, so be mindful of the water level before you start brewing. Only one brewer option (single-serve or carafe) can be used at a given time.
Pros
- Excellent build quality
- Carafe side is programmable up to 24 hours
- Convenient, 60 oz removable water reservoir
- Auto drip-stop function for carafe-side
- Easily switches between single serve and carafe drip coffee makers
Cons
- The included carafe isn’t very useful
- Single-serve side can have problems working with non-Keurig pods
6. Keurig K155 Office Pro Commercial Coffee Maker
Keurig K155 Office Pro Commercial Coffee Maker is built for use in a busier setting. You could use it at home, but its intended purpose is for a small workplace or office. The robust coffee maker dispenses drinks in less than a minute and is primed for busy use. You could brew several cups back-to-back without the system faltering in operation.
The coffee maker offers four brew sizes, viz. 4, 6, 8, and 10 oz. A bright and colorful touchscreen is available for a selection of brew size. The touchscreen also offers success to other functions like brew temperature, strength, and programmable auto on and off settings.
The auto on here doesn’t mean that the machine will automatically brew a cuppa, like with programmable drip coffee makers. Instead, it just switches on the machine and prepares it for action. Once the machine is ready, it will brew your choice of K cup in under a minute.
Similarly, the auto-off can switch off the machine at pre-selected times. Both these options are clearly useful for an office setting. You can set the machine to switch on right as work begins and switch off once office hours are done.
Other Notable Features Of Keurig K155 Office Pro Commercial Coffee Maker
The machine comes with a 90 oz removable water reservoir. Once filled, it is capable of delivering several cups of coffee. If you need a higher coffee capacity, consider looking into a coffee maker with water line.
Customers often confuse the Keurig K155 Office Pro as a direct water line coffee maker. It isn’t. The coffee maker for that is the Keurig K150P Commercial Brewing System, which is equipped to handle a direct line connection.
Both these coffee makers are practically twins in looks and operation, so the confusion is understandable. However, Keurig K150P supports a direct water line, while Keurig K155 doesn’t.
A removable drip tray is included with the machine to allow the use of taller travel mugs. The full color LCD touchscreen is very responsive and easy to use. You can also set the machine to work in different languages, the supported languages are English, Spanish, and French.
Pros
- Large, robust coffee maker
- Full color and responsive touchscreen for controls
- Easy operation and management
- Fast brew time
- Auto on and off
Cons
- No direct water line, so busy locations will need to refill the reservoir continuously
- Compatibility issues with the reusable My K-Cup
7. Keurig K-Latte Single Serve K-Cup Coffee and Latte Maker
Made for sale at Walmart, Keurig K-Latte Single Serve K-Cup Coffee and Latte Maker is a wonderfully cost-effective pick. In a sense, it looks like the Keurig K-Classic coffee maker, though its functions follow the line of the Keurig K-Cafe.
As its name implies, this machine specializes in brewing a latte, though it can be used as a regular Keurig coffee maker as well. Additionally, it includes an automatic milk frother to prepare milk for your lattes and cappuccinos. The milk frother here is a separate unit, and is not built into the machine, like with the K-Cafe.
I’m almost impressed that Keurig managed to shove all these options and features into this budget coffee maker. But that surprise washes away on seeing the build quality. Some corners have been cut, but that’s okay, because this coffee maker delivers great value and fun for your coffee.
What’s So Special About The Keurig K-Latte Single Serve K-Cup Coffee and Latte Maker?
The great value of this machine comes with its impressive range of features. Brew sizes available with this machine are 6, 8, and 10 oz. It also includes a “shot” option that brews a very strong and smaller brew. Add frothed milk to this shot, and you’ve got yourself a wonderful latte.
Keurig K-Latte includes a removable drip tray, which makes room for a 7-inch tall travel mug. A 36 oz removable water reservoir makes refills convenient. Another feature is the auto shut-off, which kicks in if the brewer has been unused for 2 hours.
Remember, the shot option brews a concentrated coffee, not an espresso. Keurig machines don’t have a pressure system to brew a “true” espresso. Most people might not be bothered by the difference, but it’s good to expect a slightly different taste than your conventional latte or cappuccino.
Pros
- Attractive pricing
- Includes automatic milk frother
- Has a shot option for brewing lattes and cappuccinos
Cons
- Somewhat unsatisfactory build quality
8. Keurig K-Duo Plus Coffee Maker
Keurig K-Duo Plus Coffee Maker is another dual coffee maker. Essentially, it is similar to the Keurig K-Duo, though the Plus variant gets more compact and has a better build. It’s one of the more impressive Keurig models, and manages to do a lot in its compact body.
There are no separate sections here for brewing regular drip coffee and K cups. Instead, whether it brews ground coffee or K cups is decided by the buttons pressed by the user. Ground coffee and K cups have separate areas where they’re placed. When you’re ready, simply hit the control panel and choose whether you want to brew a carafe or a cup.
Much like the K-Duo, the brew-size and carafe volume are handled by the same buttons. You can brew 6, 8, 10, or 12 oz of coffee, or choose 6, 8, 10, or 12 cups when brewing a carafe.
What’s Special About This Coffee Maker?
Keurig K-Duo Plus is more compact than other dual coffee makers. That’s because rather than separating the delivery areas for carafe and K cups, this machine integrates them both in the same body.
The Keurig Carafe included with this machine is a 12-cup thermal carafe. This carafe has a superior construction and better usability as compared to the glass carafe with the K-Duo. It’s possible to switch between carafe mode and pod mode at the touch of a button.
Keurig K-Duo Plus has the ground coffee filter basket placed right at the front of the machine. You could use paper filters or a permanent/reusable filter. K cups take a more central position and are placed right above the control panel.
A small LCD on the control panel shows the time. It also makes it more convenient to set up the time for programmable auto brewing for the drip coffee maker. The coffee maker has a multi-position water reservoir that can be placed according to the user’s preference. The removable water reservoir has a 60 oz capacity.
Pros
- Compact coffee maker (compared to its peers)
- Included thermal carafe is useful and convenient
- Multi-position 60 oz water reservoir can be placed on whatever side the consumer chooses
Cons
- Sometimes rejects non-Keurig K cups randomly
See buying options, pricing, and discounts
9. Keurig K1500 Coffee Maker
Keurig K1500 coffee maker is meant for use in a small business or office. According to the company, this coffee maker is best suited for office spaces with up to 15 people. In intended use, it is quite similar to the Keurig K155 Office Pro. However, it is different in terms of operation and interface.
The control panel and management here are handled by a few buttons. Brew size options include 6, 8, 10, and 12 oz. Since this is built to be used in a relatively busier environment, the coffee maker has no trouble brewing cups of coffee back-to-back.
Though it’s large and quick, this is also a relatively quiet coffee maker. It does make some noise, but that’s surprisingly lower than other similar coffee makers, including those from Keurig.
Other Features Of The Keurig K1500
The large coffee maker comes with a large 96 oz water reservoir. That’s plenty, but in an office setting, I guess it will end up having to be refilled a few times a day. If your workplace really sees a beeline to the coffee machine, investing in a plumbed coffee maker might be worth it.
Apart from the brew size selection, the control panel also holds the brew strength button. Hit this button to choose between “strong” and “regular” coffee. Other pointers on the panel are LED indicators for auto off, low water (reservoir), and descaling.
Pros
- Well-built coffee maker
- Relatively silent operation
- Fast brew time
Cons
- Occasional problems with short pour
The Buyers’ Guide — Things You Should Know When Choosing A Coffee Maker
What About Keurig 2.0 Models? Where Can I Find Them?
Many people have Keurig 2.0 models, and as time approaches for a replacement, they obviously look for their Keurig machines. Well, there is no luck on that front. Keurig gave up on the 2.0 series and has since moved to a different direction. The biggest benefit is that there are no more DRM or related problems.
However, many of us liked the touchscreen and the night light accents that several Keurig 2.0 models offered. Keurig has moved away from touchscreens and nightlights. It actually makes good sense to say goodbye to touchscreen controls.
It’s easier to hit a button on the panel, rather than sift through menus to get your preferred brew settings. Well, the night light is a loss, but hey, we can’t get everything!
You could probably get hold of something like the K475 coffee maker. Or even it’s larger sibling, the Keurig K575. Some Keurig 2.0 models like the Keurig K200 are also being sold as renewed or refurbished items.
I’ll suggest against buying these models. Keurig is done with the 2.0 line. Besides, the K Mug and K-Carafe have been discontinued as well. It makes more sense to choose newer, modern technology rather than the one that the company is “retiring.”
If you compare them, newer models have an obvious edge.
What’s The Deal With Keurig?
As the single-serve pods were invented, the entire coffee industry went a big change. K cups or pods burst onto the scene and became immediate hits. As the single-serve market grew, it attracted not just coffee producers and sellers, but also coffee machine companies.
Several companies offer single serve coffee makers. However, it’s Keurig that rules this market. Delicious K cups are the default standard of the single-serve coffee makers, And Keurig machines have the lion’s share of the coffee maker market.
The single-serve coffee makers have grown rapidly. Statistics suggest that in 2019, over 40% of coffee machine owners owned a single-serve machine.
Yup, the niche is that big. So there’s no surprise that single-serve coffee makers get more attention.
The larger problem here are the plastic K cups. They rarely get recycled – including the ones that claim to be made from recyclable plastic. Therefore, tens of billions of these small plastic cups have found their way into the landfills and oceans. Apparently, there are enough plastic K cups in landfills to cover the earth several times.
Another obvious aspect is the cost. K cups are more expensive than conventional ground coffee. To be clear, this isn’t being slightly more expensive, but being way more expensive. If you’re taking the single-serve route this way, learn how to use reusable K cups. That way, you’ll be able to save a ton of money while reducing your carbon footprint.
The Keurig Advantage
A big reason Keurig machines and K cups are so popular is due to their vast and impressive ecosystem. You can find anything from gourmet Kona coffee K cups to hot chocolate and green tea K cups for your machine. The huge ecosystem makes the adoption of K cups easier for coffee sellers as well as coffee machine manufacturers.
The biggest advantage that K cups have is convenience. Just pop a pod into the machine and press a button to get your choice of coffee. There isn’t much effort required, and the coffee is available within minutes. No more need to wait for a full pot to brew!
The convenience and ease of use are big drivers for the popularity of K cups.
Which Keurig Should I Buy?
So what’s the best Keurig coffee maker for me? As we see in the Keurig reviews here, the machines cover a variety of purposes and requirements. Several other models present more on the offerings of Keurig.
The answer to which Keurig should I buy is straightforward – take a good, hard look at your requirements. Keurig offers everything from compact machines that barely take any space, to large and feature-rich coffee makers. They make everything from machines fit (and cheap enough) to be used in a college dorm, to those that could grace a post business.
If you’re on a budget, take a look at the Keurig K Mini Plus. If you prefer frothed milk and lattes, Keurig K cafe is a great choice. Similarly, Keurig K1500 can be a great choice for use in a business or office environment.
These are just quick recommendations. Take a look at the options above to find the best Keurig machine for your use.
Keurig Machine Cleaning And Maintenance
Every coffee machine needs careful cleaning and maintenance for best results. In general daily use, you could simply wipe down the machine with a cloth. Running a cleansing cycle or just an empty cycle with water are good enough.
Every month or two, the coffee maker will require a deep cleaning or descaling. Many Keurig machines light up an indicator to let you know that it’s time for descaling. Don’t just depend on the light or indicators.
If it has been a month or two since the last cleaning, just go ahead and descale it – indicator or not! It’s also useful to know a few things about expected Keurig Coffee maker problems. Simple maintenance won’t just keep your machine running smooth, it will also ensure that the brew remains tasty and delicious to the max.
Keurig Models FAQs
Why is Keurig so popular?
The simplicity of use and quick delivery of brew makes the Keurig very popular with customers. Rather than making long preparations, you can simply chuck a K cup into the coffee maker and enjoy your choice of brew. The huge K cup ecosystem also means that several K cups flavors and functions are available easily.
Besides, the coffee makers offer an excellent value for money. Even the higher-end models seem to be reasonably priced. As for the entry-level options, their low price points are easy attractions for most consumers.
How long do Keurigs usually last?
Most Keurig machines are sold with a warranty of one year. On average though, you can expect Keurig machines to last longer. It is suggested that Keurig machines last for almost 5 years. That’s a decent-enough number and provides an encouraging view of the quality of these machines.
To be clear, drip coffee machines generally last longer on an average. But that’s likely due to the difference in use and preferences. This isn’t an exact number, so there’s a good chance individual models and machines will work differently.
Can you use K cups twice?
Yes, but no! K cups are built exclusively for single use and should not be brewed again. Of course, there is no law against brewing the same K cup again! Brewing the same K cup for a second time will result in a weak and watery brew. The smart choice is to brew the K cup just once.
However, if you must have a stronger brew, consider going with two K cups with small brew sizes (like 6 oz each).
Making It Count — The Keurig Machine To Pick
Keurig offers a fairly large number of options to pick from. While they’re all significantly based on the single-serve K cups, there are differences that make them suitable for different requirements. Take a look at the reviews here and you’ll see the best Keurig models to consider and choose from.
Our top pick for this category is the Keurig K Cafe Coffee Maker. If you prefer some classic drip coffee brewing, Keurig K-Duo is a suitable pick. For a classic K cup experience, give the Keurig K-Elite a shot. Finally, if you’re looking for a robust coffee maker for your workplace/office or even for home use, Keurig K1500 is an excellent pick.