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The two Finest Keurig Espresso Makers of 2024, Examined & Reviewed

Straight to the Level

Keurig machines could not wow each espresso critic or please the environmentally aware, however their comfort and velocity could attraction to informal espresso drinkers. My favourite brewer was the K-Supreme Single-Serve Coffee Maker. It had a comparatively small countertop footprint and will make iced espresso in addition to sizzling. For a machine that’s each compact and tremendous reasonably priced, I like to recommend the K-Mini.

I’ve a confession to make: I’m not a espresso professional. Don’t get me mistaken—I like the craft of it, and I admire it after I can take pleasure in a cup brewed by somebody who is aware of what they’re doing. Nonetheless, I discover it exhausting to recollect the intricacies of pulling an honest shot on our espresso machine, and I’ve to search for the best coffee-to-water ratios for every methodology each time. My ineptitude is especially embarrassing as a result of I delight myself on being a perfectionist within the kitchen—my probe thermometer has its personal carrying case, and baking by the gram provides me a thrill. However after I’m staring down the barrel of a French press or making an attempt to recollect what number of tablespoons of grounds so as to add to a drip machine filter—poof! My thoughts goes clean.

What I’m profoundly accustomed to, although, is the want for espresso. I is perhaps a morning particular person, however I’ll fade by midday if I’m not adequately caffeinated. That’s the place the Keurig brewer is available in. Though we at Critical Eats have been critical of these machines previously for his or her grind high quality and single-use plastics (all legitimate arguments), Keurigs can nonetheless brew a suitable cup for a lot of espresso drinkers. Plus, they do it with velocity and ease.

To seek out the most effective Keurig espresso makers, I examined seven fashions starting from $60 to $200. Some solely brewed cups of sizzling espresso, whereas others had distinctive options like built-in milk frothers or inside chilling programs for freshly brewed iced espresso. I assessed how a lot counter house every machine took up, the standard of espresso it brewed, and any additional features it had. Whereas all of the Keurigs did nicely, I discovered two I might suggest for his or her intuitiveness and affordability.

The Winners, at a Look


PHOTO: Amazon

The Okay-Supreme had a contemporary design and may brew six- to 12-ounce cups of sizzling espresso. It additionally had an possibility for making extra-strong espresso and a mode for brewing straight over ice. I appreciated that its water tank may very well be adjusted to take a seat on the facet or at the back of the brewer to swimsuit my counter house.

Keurig K-Mini Coffee Maker

PHOTO: Amazon

The easy Okay-Mini brewed sizzling espresso with the push of a button. It saved counter house by forgoing a water reservoir; as a substitute, it may very well be full of simply the water wanted on your cup earlier than every brew. At below $100, it was additionally essentially the most reasonably priced Keurig I examined.

The Exams

Some Keurigs had fancier options like built-in milk frothers (just like the one proven right here). I made to guage these too if the mannequin carried out nicely in my preliminary assessments.

Critical Eats / Ashlee Redger


  • Medium Roast Espresso Check: I inserted a well-liked medium roast coffee pod into every machine and timed how lengthy it took to brew an eight-ounce cup. I tasted the espresso with and with out cream and recorded my taste notes.
  • Darkish Roast Espresso Check: I repeated the medium roast check with a dark roast K-Cup pod.
  • Different Capabilities Check (Winners Solely): I used all of the capabilities of the top-performing fashions I hadn’t explored within the different assessments, like brewing iced coffees and utilizing built-in milk frothers to make lattes and cappuccinos. 
  • Cleansing and Usability Exams: I cleaned the Keurig machines in keeping with their instruction manuals after every use. I additionally paid shut consideration to how intuitive every mannequin was to function and if it was adaptable to completely different sizes of cups and drink preferences. 

What We Discovered

Keurig Machines Aren’t for Connoisseurs, However They Have been Constant

The Keurig machines all brewed pretty an identical espresso.

Critical Eats / Ashlee Redger


Keurig brewers work by pumping pressurized water via enclosed pods of floor espresso, chopping brewing instances from round 5 – 6 minutes (the time it takes for our favorite drip coffee makers) to lower than three. Espresso professional Jesse Raub has covered the process in additional depth, together with some criticisms of single-cup brewers. As he explains, Keurigs won’t ever be capable of present the standard of skillfully roasted beans which have been freshly ground proper earlier than brewing. The espresso in Okay-Cups tends to be oxidized because it’s floor weeks or months earlier than use. Plus, it’s floor too finely, portioned too low, and brewed too shortly, making it vulnerable to bitterness. Keurigs are additionally programmed to brew at 192°F, just below the best vary (194º to 205°F) decided by the Specialty Coffee Association. This will forestall a number of the flavors of sweetness and caramelization within the grinds from reaching the cup.

There are lots of of various sorts of Okay-Cups. All the most important espresso manufacturers have gotten into the sport, in addition to some unbiased roasters (to not point out tea and hot chocolate producers). Throughout testing, I discovered that an eight-ounce cup of espresso brewed from the identical kind of pod tasted an identical whether or not it got here out of the modest K-Mini or the souped-up K-Cafe SMART. Though Keurigs can extract undesirable flavors from some espresso, I discovered the medium and dark roast pods I attempted had been light- and medium-bodied (respectively) and never overly bitter or acidic. General, they had been completely drinkable and even gratifying, if a tad unexciting.

Brew Sizes and Options Different

The milk foam the Keurigs made was disappointing and much too pillowy.

Critical Eats / Ashlee Redger


On condition that pods got here out the identical no matter which mannequin was used to brew them, I based mostly my comparability of the machines on their brewing capabilities. Whereas all the opposite brewers may produce six- to 12-ounce cups, the K-Classic may solely brew as much as 10 ounces. It and the Okay-Mini had been additionally essentially the most restricted in different options. Neither mannequin had a Sturdy brew mode, which elevated the extraction time of the pod to yield a extra sturdy taste.

Not having a Sturdy brew function additionally meant the machines couldn’t brew over ice. The Over Ice setting meant different fashions just like the K-Elite may begin sizzling on Sturdy mode, then swap to a decrease temperature on the finish of brewing to scale back ice soften (albeit solely barely). I used to be skeptical of the Over Ice function (nobody likes a watery espresso), however I used to be pleasantly shocked. The stronger brew wasn’t noticeably bitter and held up nicely after some preliminary ice had melted (at the least whereas it was moderately recent). The K-Brew + Chill was explicitly designed for making iced espresso. It maintained a relaxing tank of water to quickly cool freshly brewed espresso earlier than meting out it into the glass. It did this job nicely and could be appropriate for individuals who like their espresso chilly with no need so as to add ice, however it was one of many priciest fashions of the lineup and took up about 70% extra countertop house than the successful K-Supreme (which had an Over Ice setting).

Keurig Machine Brewing Capabilities
 Product Brew Sizes Constructed-In Milk Frother Iced Espresso Power Management Temperature Management Countertop Footprint (sq. inches)
K-Supreme Six, eight, 10, or 12 ounces  No Over Ice mode (brews sizzling on Sturdy mode; dispenses heat) Sturdy mode  No 89 
K-Mini Six to 12 ounces  No  No  No  No  49
K-Classic  Six, eight, or 10 ounces  No  No  No  No  124
K-Elite  4, six, eight, 10, or 12 ounces No  Over Ice mode (brews sizzling on Sturdy mode; dispenses heat) Sturdy mode 187 to 192°F  130
K-Brew + Chill Six, eight, 10, or 12 ounces  No Fast-Chilled mode (brews sizzling; dispenses chilly) Sturdy mode  No  151
K-Cafe  Six, eight, 10, or 12 ounces, plus two-ounce espresso “shot” Sure. Chilly or heated latte or cappuccino choices  No Sturdy mode  No  170 
K-Cafe SMART Six, eight, 10, or 12 ounces, plus two- or four-ounce espresso “shot” Sure. Chilly or three ranges of heated froth Over Ice mode (brews sizzling on Sturdy mode; dispenses heat) 5 ranges: balanced, wealthy, sturdy, sturdy, and intense Six ranges: heat, hotter, sizzling, hotter, additional sizzling, max sizzling 120 

Further options weren’t simply geared towards iced espresso lovers. The K-Cafe and Okay-Cafe SMART had built-in milk frothers to make latte- and cappuccino-style drinks. They couldn’t make true espresso, however they did have the flexibility to make two-ounce strong-brewed espresso “pictures,” which may very well be bolstered through the use of an espresso-roast K-Cup. I discovered the milk frothers disappointing, although. As a substitute of a high quality microfoam, they each created thick, meringue-like foam that was exhausting to pour. It might be unattainable to make use of for latte artwork and appeared extra appropriate for making spoonable, bone-dry cappuccinos than sippable, velvety espresso drinks (even when utilized in latte mode). The Okay-Cafe SMART did have an additional adjustable frother degree, however my testing didn’t yield center floor between barely and overly frothed. For cafe-style drinks, I might suggest one in all our favourite milk frothers to make use of on the facet quite than a built-in one.

The Value of Okay-Cups Can Add Up

Utilizing Keurig pods is not truly cost-saving.

Critical Eats / Ashlee Redger


Shopping for espresso in pod type may be extra expensive in the long term. For instance, the medium roast K-Cups I used for my testing value about $0.51 per pod when purchased in bulk on-line on the time of writing. Comparatively, an 18-ounce bag of the identical ground coffee would value about $0.34 per cup (if brewed with the Specialty Espresso Affiliation’s really helpful 14 grams of espresso for eight ounces). After all, the precise prices on your state of affairs would fluctuate relying on what sort of espresso you like and the way a lot you drink, however on this occasion, one cup a day would add as much as about $61 extra per 12 months utilizing Okay-Cups. Though not a deal-breaking distinction for a lot of, it’s one side to think about when selecting your go-to brewing methodology.

Espresso Pods Aren’t Very Recyclable

Simply because a Keurig pods says it may be recycled does not imply it is going to be (sadly).

Critical Eats / Ashlee Redger


It’s additionally vital to think about the environmental influence of Keurig machines. All Okay-Cup pods have been made out of quantity 5 polypropylene plastic since 2020, which is technically accepted by many single-stream recycling packages in the event that they’re peeled and emptied first. Sadly, it’s an more and more open secret that plastics recycling in the USA falls shockingly short of what shoppers are led to imagine. Additionally, acceptance at a facility doesn’t imply they’ll even be recycled. A 2022 report from Greenpeace calls the precise recycling charges of those sorts of pods “low to negligible” at lower than 2%. Keurig was additionally penalized $1.5 million by the Securities and Trade Fee in September 2024 for making deceptive statements in regards to the recyclability of Okay-Cup pods, a difficulty that Keurig resolved by including an advisory to shoppers to test straight with their native recycling amenities to see if their used pods may be accepted (or recycled). For many who need the benefit of a Keurig with out the waste, take into account a reusable filter. They are often full of any floor espresso, permitting you extra management over the standard, value, and plastic use of brewing with a Keurig.

The Standards: What to Search for in a Keurig Espresso Maker

Critical Eats / Ashlee Redger


Even given Okay-Cups’ elevated value, various high quality, and recyclability (or lack thereof), Keurig was nonetheless estimated to be the go-to for 40 million households worldwide on the finish of 2023. The “why” isn’t any shock; throughout testing, all of the machines may brew a cup of espresso in about two-and-a-half minutes or much less with just about no cleanup, wasted dregs, or effort past selecting the pod and brew dimension. Whereas alternate options like single-serve coffee makers or reusable filters may be cheaper and produce much less waste, Keurig brewers and their appropriate Okay-Cups can present unmatched comfort for individuals with restricted mobility, time, and power. Since pods come out about the identical in every Keurig brewer, I like to recommend discovering a mannequin that’s inside your price range and may brew in sizes that match your favourite mugs, then take into account further options to fit your preferences. Search for fashions with Sturdy and Over Ice brewing in the event you like additional daring or iced espresso. Think about brewers within the Plus or SMART line for extra temperature and power customizations and add-ons like app connectivity.

Our Favourite Keurig Machines

Keurig K-Supreme Single Serve K-Cup Pod Coffee Maker

PHOTO: Amazon

What we appreciated: I appreciated the clear aesthetic of the Okay-Supreme and most popular it over the hulking designs of the Okay-Basic and Okay-Elite machines. I additionally appreciated the intuitiveness of this mannequin, which had buttons that listed the brew sizes in ounces and clear indicator lights for when the machine wanted to be refilled or descaled. It had a dual-position water tank that may very well be positioned on the left or at the back of the machine to suit your counter house higher.

What we didn’t like: Whereas this machine was solely $100 on the time of writing, the worth fluctuated by about $40 in the course of the course of my testing. In case you are on a price range, it could be value ready till it goes on sale, or selecting a comparable brewer just like the K-Elite.

Key Specs

  • Dimensions: 7.75 x 11.5 x 12 inches
  • Weight: 5.5 kilos
  • Wire size: 31.5 inches
  • Water tank capability: 66 ounces
  • Cup peak allowance: 6 inches (as much as 7 inches with the drip tray eliminated)
  • Brewing sizes: 6, 8, 10, or 12 ounces
  • Further brewing modes: Over Ice and Sturdy brew modes
  • Different options: Twin place water reservoir that may be positioned on the facet or at the back of the brewer; excessive altitude mode; optionally available water reservoir filter insert; descale and add water indicators; auto-off after 5 minutes
  • Care directions: Flip off and unplug brewer earlier than cleansing. Use a moist, non-abrasive, lint-free material to wash exterior, drip tray, and water reservoir. The drip tray and water reservoir may also be eliminated and washed with heat, soapy water and dried with a lint-free material. Run a rinse cycle after brewing drinks like sizzling cocoa to stop taste switch between drinks. Change the water filter each two months, and descale with Keurig descaling solution each three to 6 months. 

Keurig K-Mini Coffee Maker

PHOTO: Amazon

What we appreciated: This streamlined mannequin coated the fundamentals with none additional frills. It had a single-brew water reservoir on high that was designed to be full of simply the correct quantity of water (between six to 12 ounces) earlier than every use. It took up about half the counter house of different fashions, making it a unbelievable alternative for small kitchens, dorm rooms, and individuals who don’t drink espresso frequently and need to retailer the machine between makes use of. The Okay-Mini was tremendous reasonably priced, too; it was nicely below $100 on the time of publishing.

What we didn’t like: The Okay-Mini took about two-and-a-half minutes to brew its cups throughout testing, a couple of minute longer than different fashions. It additionally didn’t have choices for Sturdy or Over Ice brewing. Since its water reservoir was stationary, it couldn’t be eliminated for cleansing.

Key Specs

  • Dimensions: 4.25 x 11.5 x 12 inches
  • Weight: 4.4 kilos
  • Wire size: 27 inches
  • Water tank capability: 12 ounces (to be full of desired amount earlier than every use)
  • Cup peak allowance: 6 inches (as much as 7 inches with the drip tray eliminated)
  • Brewing sizes: 6 to 12 ounces
  • Further brewing modes: None
  • Different options: Wire storage at the back of the machine; auto-off after 90 seconds
  • Care directions: Flip off and unplug brewer earlier than cleansing. Use a moist, non-abrasive material to wipe the outside, water reservoir, and drip tray. The drip tray may also be eliminated and cleaned utilizing heat, soapy water. To rinse, run a 12-ounce brew cycle and not using a pod inserted. Run a rinse cycle after brewing drinks like sizzling cocoa to stop taste switch between drinks. Descale with Keurig descaling solution each three to 6 months. 

The Competitors

  • Keurig K-Classic Coffee Maker: On the time of writing, the Okay-Basic was costlier than the successful Okay-Supreme (although the 2 appear to fluctuate in value). The buttons had been imprecise since they confirmed nonspecific cup icons quite than the brew volumes. It additionally took up extra space than the Okay-Supreme and couldn’t brew greater than 10 ounces at a time.
  • Keurig K-Elite Single Serve Coffee Maker: This mannequin had just a few additional options that originally appeared interesting, like adjustable temperatures and auto-on scheduling. But it surely may solely be adjusted 5 levels (from 187º to 192°F), and its auto-on didn’t enable scheduled brewing—it simply preheated the machine, saving two minutes at most. The Okay-Elite additionally had ambiguous cup icons on its buttons quite than ounces. 
  • Keurig K-Brew + Chill Coffee Maker: This mannequin had a tank of chilled water that it used to quickly cool brewed espresso earlier than meting out it for iced drinks. It did what it mentioned (and successfully, at that), however I didn’t discover a big distinction within the taste or power of the chilled espresso and the cups I made utilizing the Over Ice mode of different fashions. It required further house and was probably the most costly fashions within the lineup. Nonetheless, I may see this being match for somebody who prefers their espresso chilly with out the danger of it getting watered down by ice.
  • Keurig K-Cafe Single Serve Coffee, Latte, and Cappuccino Maker: Along with its common espresso choices, this machine included a robust two-ounce “shot” brew to mimic espresso for latte- and cappuccino-style drinks. It additionally got here with a dishwasher-friendly milk pitcher that nested into the machine and will warmth and froth 4 to 6 ounces of milk at a time. I discovered the frothed milk it produced to be foamy, thick, and exhausting to pour.
  • Keurig K-Cafe SMART Single Serve Coffee Maker: The sensible model of the Okay-Cafe added some techy options, like six temperatures, 5 brew power settings, and programmable favorites. It may be paired with a smartphone to make changes and schedule brews remotely (although I used to be torn on the practicality of this since brews took lower than two minutes). Its milk pitcher allowed for 3 froth ranges plus a chilly foam mode; even so, I discovered the frothed milk both too skinny or thick for my liking and not using a good center floor. Though the Okay-Cafe SMART supplied essentially the most customization of the lineup, it was additionally the priciest. This mannequin should be possibility for households with completely different sorts of espresso drinkers or those that wish to dial in on their good cup.

FAQs

Are Okay-Cups recyclable?

Whereas Okay-Cups, that are constructed from quantity 5 polypropylene plastic, are technically accepted at many recycling amenities if they’re peeled and emptied, most of them are not processed for post-consumer use. Even when a facility accepts quantity 5 plastics generally, it could be unable to course of Okay-Cups due to their dimension. Test along with your native recycling heart to find out in the event that they settle for—and recycle—Okay-Cups earlier than inserting them in your blue bin.

How do you descale a Keurig?

It’s really helpful that you simply descale your Keurig brewer each three to 6 months or each 250 brews for machines which can be used closely. Some brewers have an indicator mild that can let you know when it is time to carry out upkeep. You’ll want a bottle of descaling solution, however seek the advice of Keurig’s website for particular directions about your mannequin as a result of the steps fluctuate relying on the water reservoir kind and brewing modes.

How do you make iced espresso from a Keurig?

Fill a big cup midway with ice and brew your required espresso pod over high. Use a non-glass cup, as untempered glass could shatter from the temperature adjustments. Many Keurig machines, like our successful K-Supreme mannequin, supply a definite Over Ice brew mode that lowers the warmth partway via brewing to reduce the quantity of ice that melts, conserving your espresso colder and extra sturdy.

Does a Keurig make espresso?

No. Keurig machines use some stress to push water via espresso pods and brew quicker than drip coffee makers, however they don’t exert sufficient power to recreate true espresso. Nonetheless, there are espresso roast K-Cups, and the fashions within the Okay-Cafe line can mimic historically brewed espresso with two-ounce “pictures” of extra-strength espresso. If you would like a machine that robotically brews espressos quite than espresso, take into account a Nespresso machine as a substitute.

Why We’re the Consultants

  • Ashlee Redger is a contract meals author who’s been reviewing tools for Critical Eats since 2022. She has interned at America’s Check Kitchen, created shopper merchandise and restaurant menus for nationwide manufacturers, and developed lots of of recipes for house cooks.
  • She has written many evaluations for Critical Eats, together with Nespresso machines
  • For this evaluate, Ashlee examined seven Keurig machines. She in contrast the standard and intuitiveness throughout the lineup by brewing two sorts of Okay-Cups with every mannequin. She additionally used machines with additional options to make iced coffees, lattes, and cappuccinos. 
  • We’ve reviewed every kind of espresso gear, together with drip brewers, small space-friendly machines, and even travel mugs.

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