There are so many coffee maker brands in the market, but Keurig seems to be the most reliable. This review looks at the best Keurig coffee makers that might be worth your money. [toc]
Keurig coffee maker buying guide
The first coffee maker I purchased quit after less than 3 days. Getting coffee out of it was a workout –the machine only took 3 ozs of water with each button push. For a sizeable mug of coffee, I would raise the handle up and down, pushing the button several times. On top of all that, the coffee wasn’t even strong and was only lukewarm. I got a replacement that also stopped working in just a few weeks. Being a coffee addict, I knew I had to get a better machine—my sanity depended on it. That’s when I stumbled upon Keurig and was utterly impressed by the speed and efficiency of their coffee machines. Here is the buying guide I used for my Keurig coffee maker.
Fast brewing speed
Keurig coffee machines are known for speed. This is their main advantage in the market. However, Keurig machines don’t brew coffee at the exact same pace; some are much faster. Consider finding a coffee maker that can make your coffee in less than a minute.
Large water reservoir
A small water reservoir means that you would only brew a few cups before you have to refill the tank again. Go for a coffee maker with a water reservoir that is more than 70 oz. That way, you can make several cups of coffee before having to refill it.
Programmable features
I like to wake up in the morning to a ready cup of coffee. Some Keurig machines can make that possible—you just set the time when you will need your coffee available, and then you will have it. On top of that, programmable machines have an auto-off feature that can help to save your electricity.
Ability to control brew strength
With older Keurig coffee machines, you will take the coffee as is given. However, some newer models allow you to select how strong you want your coffee made. I like that kind of personalization.
Ability to adjust the brew temperature
It would also be better to find a Keurig coffee maker that lets you customize your brew temperature. The flavor of your coffee is directly affected by the brewing temperature. You can find a warmth that brings out just the right taste from the beans.
Simple user interface
Consider buying a Keurig machine that has an LCD screen. The latter will enable you to easily navigate through your options, such as brewing temperature, time, and coffee strength, among others. An LCD screen is also a sign that the coffee maker has more useful features.
Maintenance alerts
Most of us forget to clean out our coffee makers. That results in a slow-performing machine and weak coffee flavors. It is very essential to clean and remove the calcium deposits that build up in the coffee maker. Luckily, some Keurig machines will alert you when it is time to descale the system so you will have no excuse for bad coffee.
Cup size
Keurig coffee makers have many different cup sizes. Typically, they include small (4-6 ounces) regular (8 ounces) and large (10-12 ounces). You can get the richest flavors with the 6-8 ounce K-Cups. Extra size cups can be handy for those that are trying to break free of their coffee addiction (the coffee is more diluted).
Best Keurig Coffee Makers in the Market
1. Keurig K-Elite Coffee Maker
You can choose from 5 different sizes between 4 and 12 ounces. Then also its large 75-ounce reservoir will enable you to brew up to 8 cups of coffee before having to refill. These are time-saving features, whose lack thereof could be a bummer in the mornings. According to the product specs, this coffee maker can brew your stimulating beverage in less than a minute. That’s something to be appreciated when there are many coffee lovers in your home. You don’t want to be caught in a traffic jam. One other inspiring quality is the ease of cleaning. As stated by the manufacturers, this machine comes with a removable drip tray (which can accommodate massive mugs by the way) for easy cleanup. The design of the removal drip prevents messing up the area with accidental spills. Things get much better with this coffee maker’s alert reminders. Unlike other coffee makers where performance might be bogged down by built-up calcium, the K-elite notifies you when it needs descaling. The latter is a cleanup process that removes calcium deposits. It not only improves performance but can also extend the life of a coffee maker. The workings of this machine are not limited to coffee. Even tea and chocolate lovers can use it too. Then again, its quiet brew technology significantly reduces noise when it is working. Despite its great features, sometimes the water comes out so fast that the coffee doesn’t get any flavor.
2. Keurig K155 Office Pro Coffee Maker
The K155 office pro is marketed as the next big thing when it comes to coffee makers. It’s a commercial system that could also be used at home. Its main highlight is a large capacity reservoir and shorter brewing time.
Large water reservoir It brews quietly Several size options Sends a descaling notification
It leaks water from the brewing sprout No display Lead is taken off instead of lifting
Unlike the 75-ounce water reservoir in the K-elite unit, this one has a 90-ounce tank. That volume, the manufacturer says, could enable you to brew up to 18 cups before having to refill it. That level of convenience could come in handy in an office setting. The brewing takes about 60 seconds, but before that, the machine takes about 3 minutes to heat water. Overall, these time frames are much shorter than what is possible with the K-elite. On those mornings when you snoozed your alarm a couple times, you might be glad that K155 saves your time. One drawback here is that you cannot connect the reservoir with a water line. That leaves you with one refilling option–pouring over. It’s a good thing, though, that the tank is removable and comes with a quick-drain feature. There is an LCD touchscreen here, and I would, therefore, recommend this model over the K-elite without hesitation. This LCD interface allows you to select your brew strength and temperature. You can also choose cup sizes from 4 to six ounces. One more attractive feature is the built-in descaling function. This allows one to keep the system clean and running optimally.
3. Keurig K575 K-Cup Coffee Maker
Keurig has taken things a notch higher with the K575 K-Cup Coffee maker. This is an elegantly designed system that is also programmable.
Large 90-ounce reservoir LCD interface Fast brew time
The coffee has a plastic taste
The LCD screen here is much more advanced than K 155’s. You can control how strong you want your coffee to come out. You can also adjust the temperature levels to what you deem desirable for your cup of Joe. Part of the LCD is a programmable digital clock. It can help you to monitor your beverage’s brewing time so that you get just the right flavor of the brew. You can also program this machine to brew your cup of coffee (autonomously) when the clock hits 5 am or whatever time for that matter. Better still, this LCD screen glows brightly in the dark, and you can choose from different nightlight colors to glitz up your kitchen. Another striking feature here, methinks, is the hot water on demand function. This machine can serve as a hot water dispenser. You just select the right temperature and press the hot water on a demand button to dispense hot water. Its water reservoir is larger than what you get with the K-elite. The 80oz tank might enable you to brew not less than 10 cups before having to refill. That can significantly save you time and ease your morning routines. The reservoir is removable, which makes the refilling process less painstaking. The Keurig K575 coffee machine comes with a multiple k-cup pods brew sizes between 4 and 12 oz. That means you can get just the right amount of coffee when you need it.
4. Keurig K-Mini Coffee Maker Model
The K-Mini Keurig coffee maker occupies less space (it is less than 5 inches wide). It could thus be ideal for small kitchens, apartments, or dorms.
It is programmable; lights, time and 5 different brew temperatures Large water reservoir Easy to clean – the drip tray is removable for that purpose Fast brewing times—less than a minute
The needles regularly jam resulting in a big mess No descaling alerts yet the machine just won’t work until you clean it
It has simple features, including a selection of brew sizes between six and 12 ounces. You can select the strength of the brew that you prefer. I find that to be a surprising convenience coming from such a small coffee maker. Cleaning is probably less stressful; the machine features a removable drip tray for that purpose. This tray can accommodate large travel mugs up to 7 inches tall. That can be a blessing on days when you need to drown your sorrows in coffee. Another unique feature here is the auto-off function. It turns off your coffee maker one and a half minutes after your last brew. It helps to save energy so that your caffeine pleasures don’t lead to unbearable energy bills. Despite its many attractive features, we have to disclose that this is a very noisy coffee maker. That can be a deal-breaker if the rest of your family don’t wake up as early as you do.
5. Keurig K-Classic Coffee Maker
This is the oldest model of all the Keurig coffee makers in this review. You might like its vintage design and set of exciting features.
Ultra-compact Brew size of six or 12 ounces No plastic taste
Noisy Coffee comes out weaker and lukewarm
The K-Classic can brew different sizes of K-Cup pods, including 6, 8, and 10oz. You can get the strongest taste with the 6 oz brew size. The water reservoir is larger than what you get with the K-Mini. This one is 48 oz, and as they have stated, you can brew 6 plus cups before having to refill. That can significantly save your time. This reservoir is also removable and thus makes the refilling process less stressful. Even though it doesn’t have an LCD screen, it has an easy to use interface with buttons for adding water, heating, and descaling. There is also an auto-off feature here that could help you save energy when the machine is not in use. This feature will turn off your K-Classic if it sits idle for 2 hours, which apparently is not as efficient as the K575’s 90 seconds. The descaling functionality is critically essential too. It helps to remove calcium deposits that often build up in a coffee maker over time. The result could be a better performance and excellent tasting coffee. Even though it is not as sophisticated as the latest models, the K-Classic is a fast working coffee machine. You could get your coffee in less than a minute
The Best Pick
Keurig K575 K-Cup Coffee Maker is the pick of the bunch. Its superiority arises from its large water reservoir (80OZ) that can let you brew up to ten cups before having to refill. This is also a fully programmable coffee maker that could meet the demands of a modern coffee lover.
The medium size water reservoir Quick brewing Shuts off automatically
Basic interface Doesn’t last long
The LCD screen has extensive features. You can adjust the glowing luminosity of this screen to embellish your kitchen with several color lights. This is also where you get to set your preferred coffee temperature and strength. Better still, you can program this machine to brew you a cup of coffee for when you need it. It’s also easy to clean. The water reservoir is removable, which makes refilling an easy process. Your coffee is brewed in less than a minute, and you can choose between several brew sizes from 4 to 12 oz. These features and more are what make the Keurig K575 K-Cup a remarkable coffee maker.
