Best Overall Keurig Coffee Maker
Keurig K-Elite Single-Serve Coffee Maker
The classics are classics for a reason, and the Keurig K-Elite Single-Serve Coffee Maker is a heavy hitter in the home coffee-maker scene. This coffee maker looks similar to the original Keurig models, but it’s turbocharged with plenty of updated features. Case in point: It brews both hot and iced drinks, and it can be programmed to make your drinks in advance (because what’s better than a cup of coffee waiting for you as soon as you roll out of bed?).
It’s right up there with the Nespresso Vertuo Plus and is a happy middle ground between Keurig’s most sophisticated and simplest models, granting customization and flexibility.
Pros
- It accommodates cup sizes ranging from 4-12 ounces
- Coffee strength is customizable
- Water reservoir holds 75 ounces (up to eight cups)
- Three colors available
- Easy to clean
Cons
- As a single-serve coffee maker, it can’t brew a large amount at once
Best Budget Keurig Coffee Maker
Keurig K-Mini Coffee Maker
The Keurig K-Mini Coffee Maker is the wallet-friendly answer to your coffee habit. (Set on a pricier model? Discover Keurig sales deals.) Slim enough to slip into any kitchen or dorm room without dominating counter space, this Keurig is a fan favorite for its affordability and size.
It doesn’t have any fancy bells or whistles, but it doesn’t need them. It’s efficient and ensures you have coffee on demand, whenever you need it, and Senior Shopping Editor Cher Checchio attests to this. “I’ve owned the Keurig K-Mini for a few years now, and it’s a total lifesaver, especially in the fall and winter. Every morning, I look forward to a single-serve brew in the comfort of my own home,” she says. “All I do is add water (usually around 8 ounces), pop in a pod of my choice (very into caramel macchiatos right now), press the button and my coffee is ready in no time.”
Pros
- Affordable price point
- Automatically turns off 90 seconds after your last brew to conserve energy
- Accommodates 6- to 12-ounce drinks
- Multiple colors available
- Cord storage for keeping your countertops free of clutter
Cons
- Only brews one cup of coffee at a time
- It lacks the programmability of other models, like temperature control or the “strong brew” option
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Best Splurge Keurig Coffee Maker
K-Cafe SMART Single-Serve Coffee Maker
Consider this find your live-in barista. The K-Café SMART Coffee Maker connects to Wi-Fi, so you can brew virtually (it also works with Amazon Alexa and Google Home). And like your favorite barista, it customizes drinks to your tastes and preferred temperatures. Plus, it brews everything from a traditional coffee to a cappuccino or latte. We could list all the Keurig’s accessories and features, but instead, we’ll leave it at this: This beauty turns your kitchen into your favorite café.
Pros
- BrewID technology recognizes any K-Cup and offers curated recommendations via the Keurig app
- Hyper-customized with numerous settings
- Multistream technology creates a fuller, richer flavor
- Includes a frother for hot or cold milk
Cons
- The frother can be finicky with different types of milk
- On the pricey side
- Keurig app required to take advantage of some features
Best Keurig Coffee Maker for Iced Coffee
Keurig K-Iced Single-Serve Coffee Maker
Iced coffee lovers, rejoice! Devoted fans believe every season is iced coffee season, yet it’s tricky to perfect the beverage at home. That’s where the K-Iced Single-Serve Coffee Maker comes to the rescue. Unlike traditional Keurig coffee makers, this pick automatically adjusts the temperature as it brews.
It starts by brewing coffee hot to extract the flavor, then it cools down so you can pour the coffee over ice without much melting. Your favorite iced coffee tumbler will get more action than ever! Don’t have a house full of iced coffee fans? It brews hot coffee too.
Pros
- Ideal for iced coffee brewing
- Automatically adjusts temperature for a strong iced coffee flavor
- Brews 8, 10 or 12 ounces of iced coffee
- Slim footprint
Cons
- Water reservoir only holds 42 ounces
Best Keurig Coffee Maker for Specialty Drinks
Keurig K-Café Single-Serve Coffee Maker
This single-serve member of the K-Café family lets you re-create your favorite coffee shop drinks with just a push of a button. Vanilla latte? Check. Cappuccino? Check. It adds a gourmet twist to your morning (or afternoon) without the price tag or effort.
It’s a solid addition to households with more than one drinker of coffee, hot cocoa or tea. People can customize the drink size to their craving and get coffee in an instant. Keep in mind that this Keurig model isn’t an espresso maker; however, the different settings can make a stronger brew.
Pros
- Includes dishwasher-safe milk frother
- Shuts off after two hours to conserve energy
- Compatible with all K-Cup pods
- Alerts you when it’s time to descale
- More affordable than the Keurig SMART Coffee Maker
Cons
- Takes up more counter space than other Keurig models
- The frother doesn’t work equally well with all milks
Best Keurig Coffee Maker for a Crowd
Keurig Office Pro Coffee Maker
Whether you’re regularly entertaining or trying to keep your team properly caffeinated, the Keurig Office Pro is a workhorse of a coffee maker. With a 90-ounce water reservoir and a 60-second brew time, it handles ongoing demand throughout the day and doesn’t require constant refills. While you’re at it, place your abundance of pods in one of these attractive holders.
It’s also extremely customizable. Users can control the temperature via touchscreen and pick a variety of cup sizes (it also accommodates travel mugs). Although it’s intended for an office, it’s sleek enough to fit in your kitchen if you need to keep the coffee flowing at home. Check out these coffee grinders for the freshest brew possible.
Pros
- Ideal for offices or large households
- Durable and doesn’t show wear
- Quiet brew
- Easy to disassemble and clean
Cons
- On the pricey side
- Doesn’t include a carafe
- Larger footprint
Best Keurig Coffee Maker for Small Spaces
Keurig K-Duo Plus Coffee Maker
Proving that small truly can be mighty, the Keurig K-Duo Plus Coffee Maker accommodates both a coffee carafe and your go-to cup. It’s slim and minimal, which makes it an ideal addition to your kitchen lineup without consuming too much counter space. The machine’s brewing versatility is a good fit for households with multiple people because you can brew enough coffee for everyone or just make a quick afternoon cup.
Although the design is on the simpler side, it boasts plenty of noteworthy features, such as pre-programmability that allows you to wake up to the smell of fresh coffee. Looking for more space-friendly coffee options? A percolator brews coffee on your stovetop.
Pros
- Smaller footprint
- Water reservoir attaches to either side of the coffee maker
- Brew sizes range from 6 to 12 ounces
- Pause & Pour feature lets you pause the brew halfway through
- Carafe keeps coffee warm for up to two hours
Cons
- Water reservoir is smaller than some other models
- Does not include a built-in grinder
How We Found the Best Keurig Coffee Makers
Sorting through the various Keurig models and identifying their similarities and differences can be dizzying—so we did it for you! For this comprehensive guide to the best Keurig coffee makers, we took into account online reviews as well as our own staffers’ experiences. Additionally, we looked at features and functions and how they’d best serve different types of customers, price points and sizing. Those models that made this list are a good value based on their price and functionality, received high ratings either from our experts or online reviewers, and, of course, serve up a delicious cup of coffee.
FAQ
How do you clean and descale a Keurig?
You need to clean your Keurig often. Luckily, it’s simple. Cleaning a Keurig keeps mold and bacteria at bay, and improves the taste of your coffee by preventing mineral build-up.
There are various ways to clean your Keurig, including with Keurig cleaning pods and Keurig descaling solution. You can also clean it with vinegar by filling the reservoir halfway with white distilled vinegar and the rest of the way with water. Run brew cycles until the entire reservoir is empty. Just remember to rinse it out with plain water afterward so your coffee doesn’t have that vinegar tang!
Aim to descale your Keurig every three to six months, depending on how often you use it. If you’re a daily user, you’ll want to clean the exterior, water reservoir, dry tray and pod holder once a week. This regular maintenance will help extend your Keurig’s life.
Can you make espresso in a Keurig?
You can’t make espresso in a Keurig because pulling espresso requires a large amount of pressure to force the water through the coffee grounds. But depending on what type of Keurig you own, you can customize the strength of your coffee for espresso-style drinks. If you’re looking for an espresso maker, we highly recommend the Breville Bambino Plus.
How long do Keurigs last?
Keurig machines generally last between three and five years, depending on how often you use them. You’ll know it’s time to replace the coffee maker when your coffee comes out cooler than usual, tastes watery or requires a longer time to brew.