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

Extra options weren’t simply geared towards iced espresso lovers. The K-Cafe and Ok-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 power to make two-ounce strong-brewed espresso “pictures,” which could possibly be bolstered through the use of an espresso-roast K-Cup. I discovered the milk frothers disappointing, although. As an alternative of a fantastic microfoam, they each created thick, meringue-like foam that was onerous to pour. It could 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 Ok-Cafe SMART did have an additional adjustable frother degree, however my testing didn’t yield a very good center floor between barely and overly frothed. For cafe-style drinks, I might advocate certainly one of our favourite milk frothers to make use of on the facet fairly than a built-in one.

The Price of Ok-Cups Can Add Up

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 price 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 price 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 scenario would differ 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 Ok-Cups. Though not a deal-breaking distinction for a lot of, it’s one side to contemplate when selecting your go-to brewing technique.

Espresso Pods Aren’t Very Recyclable

It’s additionally essential to contemplate the environmental influence of Keurig machines. All Ok-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 customers are led to imagine. Additionally, acceptance at a facility doesn’t imply they are going to 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 Alternate Fee in September 2024 for making deceptive statements in regards to the recyclability of Ok-Cup pods, a difficulty that Keurig resolved by including an advisory to customers to examine immediately with their native recycling amenities to see if their used pods may be accepted (or recycled). For individuals who need the convenience of a Keurig with out the waste, contemplate 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

Even given Ok-Cups’ elevated price, 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” is not 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 nearly no cleanup, wasted dregs, or effort past selecting the pod and brew measurement. Whereas options like single-serve espresso makers or reusable filters may be cheaper and produce much less waste, Keurig brewers and their suitable Ok-Cups can present unmatched comfort for individuals with restricted mobility, time, and vitality. Since pods come out about the identical in every Keurig brewer, I like to recommend discovering a mannequin that’s inside your finances and may brew in sizes that match your favourite mugs, then contemplate extra options to fit your preferences. Search for fashions with Robust and Over Ice brewing for those who like further daring or iced espresso. Take into account brewers within the Plus or SMART line for extra temperature and power customizations and add-ons like app connectivity.

Our Favourite Keurig Machines

What we preferred: I appreciated the clear aesthetic of the Ok-Supreme and most well-liked it over the hulking designs of the Ok-Traditional and Ok-Elite machines. I additionally preferred 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 could possibly 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 throughout the course of my testing. If you’re on a finances, it might 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
• Extra brewing modes: Over Ice and Robust 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; non-obligatory 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 scrub 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 forestall taste switch between drinks. Substitute the water filter each two months, and descale with Keurig descaling solution each three to 6 months. 

What we preferred: This streamlined mannequin coated the fundamentals with none further 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 incredible alternative for small kitchens, dorm rooms, and individuals who don’t drink espresso repeatedly and wish to retailer the machine between makes use of. The Ok-Mini was tremendous reasonably priced, too; it was nicely underneath $100 on the time of publishing.

What we didn’t like: The Ok-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 Robust 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
• Extra 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 with no pod inserted. Run a rinse cycle after brewing drinks like sizzling cocoa to forestall 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 Ok-Traditional was costlier than the successful Ok-Supreme (although the 2 appear to differ in value). The buttons had been imprecise since they confirmed nonspecific cup icons fairly than the brew volumes. It additionally took up more room than the Ok-Supreme and couldn’t brew greater than 10 ounces at a time.
• Keurig K-Elite Single Serve Coffee Maker: This mannequin had a couple of further options that originally appeared interesting, like adjustable temperatures and auto-on scheduling. However it may solely be adjusted 5 levels (from 187º to 192°F), and its auto-on didn’t permit scheduled brewing—it simply preheated the machine, saving two minutes at most. The Ok-Elite additionally had ambiguous cup icons on its buttons fairly 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 allotting it for iced drinks. It did what it stated (and successfully, at that), however I didn’t discover a major 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 extra house and was one of the vital costly fashions within the lineup. Nonetheless, I may see this being a very good 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 powerful 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 onerous to pour.
• Keurig K-Cafe SMART Single Serve Coffee Maker: The good model of the Ok-Cafe added some techy options, like six temperatures, 5 brew power settings, and programmable favorites. It is also 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 with no good center floor. Though the Ok-Cafe SMART supplied essentially the most customization of the lineup, it was additionally the priciest. This mannequin should be a very good choice for households with totally different sorts of espresso drinkers or those that prefer to dial in on their good cup.

FAQs

Are Ok-Cups recyclable?

Whereas Ok-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 on the whole, it might be unable to course of Ok-Cups due to their measurement. Verify together with your native recycling middle to find out in the event that they settle for—and recycle—Ok-Cups earlier than putting them in your blue bin.

How do you descale a Keurig?

It’s really helpful that you just descale your Keurig brewer each three to 6 months or each 250 brews for machines which are used closely. Some brewers have an indicator gentle that may 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 differ 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 by brewing to attenuate the quantity of ice that melts, holding your espresso colder and extra sturdy.

Does a Keurig make espresso?

No. Keurig machines use some strain to push water by espresso pods and brew quicker than drip espresso makers, however they don’t exert sufficient pressure to recreate true espresso. Nonetheless, there are espresso roast K-Cups, and the fashions within the Ok-Cafe line can mimic historically brewed espresso with two-ounce “pictures” of extra-strength espresso. In order for you a machine that routinely brews espressos fairly than espresso, contemplate a Nespresso machine as an alternative.

Why We’re the Specialists

• Ashlee Redger is a contract food author who’s been reviewing tools for Critical Eats since 2022. She has interned at America’s Take a look at Kitchen, created shopper merchandise and restaurant menus for nationwide manufacturers, and developed a whole bunch of recipes for dwelling cooks.
• She has written many evaluations for Critical Eats, together with Nespresso machines. 
• For this overview, Ashlee examined seven Keurig machines. She in contrast the standard and intuitiveness throughout the lineup by brewing two sorts of Ok-Cups with every mannequin. She additionally used machines with further 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 journey mugs.