Looking for the Best Keurig Coffee Makers? Here are our top picks with detailed reviews, comparison charts and buying guides to help you purchase the perfect coffee machine for your needs.
Best Espresso Machine for Commercial Use
Keurig 575 2.0 Series – If you need a machine that gives you the ultimate brew, then you just can’t go wrong with the Keurig 575. However, if you’re looking for a machine that gives you total control over how you brew your coffee then I’d recommend checking out our commercial coffee maker reviews.
Keurig K145 OfficePRO Brewing System – The perfect brewing machine for an office. Keurig K145 is a durable coffee maker that brews you good coffee, consistently.
Best Coffee Machines for Home Use
Keurig K55 – Need something that can give you the perfect cup of coffee with your favorite flavor just before you leave for work? It’s no-hassle, brews good coffee and offers great value for money.
Top 5 Keurig Coffee Machines
1. Keurig K145 OfficePRO Brewing System
2. Keurig K55
3. Keurig 2.0 Series K250
4. Keurig K15
5. Keurig 2.0 K575
⇢ THE WINNERS: Best Keurig Coffee Makers
Design
Brewing Control
Price Range
Rating
Keurig K145 OfficePRO
Design: 4.5/5
Brewing Control: 4.5/5
Price Range: Premium
Rating: 4.9/5
Keurig K55 Coffee Maker
Design: 4.5/5
Brewing Control: 4.0/5
Price Range: Budget
Rating: 4.8/5
Keurig 2.0 K575 Series
Design: 4.5/5
Brewing Control: 4.5/5
Price Range: Premium
Rating: 4.5/5
Keurig 2.0 Series K250
Design: 4.5/5
Brewing Control: 4.5/5
Price Range: Budget
Rating: 4.5/5
Keurig K15 Coffee Maker
Design: 4.0/5
Brewing Control: 3.5/5
Price Range: Budget
Rating: 4.0/5
#1 Recommendation: Keurig K145 OfficePRO Brewing System
The Keurig K145 is a recommended choice for those who dig the ‘acquired taste’ of single cup coffee machines and the convenience and flexibility that comes with it.
In this detailed review, we cover the areas where the K145 hits the bull’s-eye, where it falters, and who should go for this.
Convenience
The Keurig K145 comes with a detachable reservoir with a capacity of 48 oz. so you can easily fill the reservoir from your faucet, and also clean it separately.
It fits perfectly with the brewer leaving no space for outside contamination. And you if wish to drain all the water, simply push the ‘Drain Brewer’ button and turn the switch on the back to ‘drain.’
Finally, the drip tray at the bottom is also removable and can help you easily clean all the spillage.
The OfficePro K145 scores full marks in hassle-free user cleaning and maintenance experience.
Versatility
Keurig changed the coffee making industry with flavored K-cups. The K145 supports traditional K-cups, so that, you have hundreds of flavors at your disposal, including multiple flavors of tea and lemonade.
In short, it gives you the option of getting multi-flavored beverages from one single machine. Not bad right?
You also get three cup sizes, 6oz., 8 oz. and 10 oz. so the important question is, does the taste vary in different sizes? Well yes! For hardcore coffee lovers 8 oz. has the perfect taste but at 10 oz. the coffee seems a little weak. Having said that, taste is a variable, and you can experiment with different flavors and sizes before you hit the ‘sweet spot.’ (You get a free trial pack of K-cups with your purchase. )
And yes, it takes a less than a minute to brew a fresh cup, and if you have your partner waiting, then the inbuilt water reserve tank further reduces the time for the second cup.
The Keurig K145 therefore, resonates with the efficient American.
Built to Last
The K145 has a sturdier housing which makes it 2 pounds heavier than the K45. The internal pump also drives more, power thus reducing the ‘brewing time’. Plus, with the combination of the heavy-duty power cord, it is also energy efficient.
Since the K145 was essentially designed for a small restaurant or office environment, the brewer lasts long and the machine is fairly low on maintenance.
Cons
A major gripe users have with the K145 the noise. Since it is designed keeping offices in mind, it doesn’t feature the Quiet Brew Technology, so yes, it does get a little loud. But it lasts for less than a minute, and the noise is lower than what you get from other kitchen appliances like a mixer.
Secondly, this model is not compatible with the MY K-cup, so if you are a fan of ground coffee, then this brewer is probably not for you.
Freshpresso Rating
Overall, if you are a fan of single cup brewed coffee, and want hassle free experience, then the Keurig K145 OfficePRO is worth having on your countertop. It is low on maintenance (with minimal cleaning), versatile (tons of flavors, including tea and lemonade) and delivers the same taste day in & day out.
We would recommend this over the Keurig K45, as it offers more features and a better user experience at a marginally higher cost. However, if you dig grounded coffee and MY K-CUP, then you can go for the K45.
For those who start their day with a cup of coffee, the programmable Keurig 2.0 models should be the preferred machines.
Pros
- Convenient – Refillable and detachable 48 oz. reservoir results in hassle-free cleaning, and you can get rid of all the water by pushing the ‘drain brewer’ button. Super Easy!
- Versatile – You have the option to choose from hundreds of flavored K-cups to get that perfect taste to start your day. So, you can also make tea, lemonade, and chilled beverages, all on a single machine and in under 60 seconds.
- Different Sizes – You get three different sizes, and the K145 can also accommodate a travel mug. The 8 oz. size gives that perfect taste craved by coffee lovers.
- Can Handle Abuse – Industry grade construction can handle multiple cups a day, without any change in the taste.
Cons
- Noisy – For about 10 seconds when the coffee is brewing, but not as bad as your hand mixer.
- Expensive – The single cup brewers using K-cups cost more compared to standard coffee makers that use ground coffee.
- Not compatible with my K-cup – So there is no way you can use your favourite flavour of ground coffee.
#2 Keurig K55 Coffee Maker – Best Budget Coffee Maker
Being one of the best sellers, the Keurig K55 combines ease-of-use, solid build quality and perfect coffee taste, in a single machine. It is an evolved version of the Keurig K45, with a few minor touchups.
We look at everything about the Keurig K55 right from the initial setup to the performance, but let’s start with the biggest takeaways.
Initial Setup
The assembly is super easy, just unpack everything, connect the power cord, and you are good to go. After you switch the power on, it will take about ten minutes to calibrate itself. You are also required to fill the reservoir, and the K55 will pass through hot water in order to clear contamination and make sure that everything is functional.
Next simply pop in your favorite K-Cup by lifting the lid, and you can now drink your favorite beverage.
Ease of Use
Keurig machines are known for their no-hassle operation, and the K55 follows the same tradition. The 48 oz. water reservoir is detachable and provides enough water for 4-5 8oz. cups, saving you the trouble of refilling.
When you add your K-Cup, you have an option to choose the size (6 oz., eight oz., or 10 oz.) and the smell of delicious coffee will reach you in under 60 seconds. Yes, it gets a bit noisy, but that is because of extraction of coffee from the K-cup and the pumping action.
It uses Quiet Brew technology, but the noise is still substantial.
And finally, you have the auto-turnoff feature, which makes sure that machine turns off; if you don’t return for a minute.
Ground Coffee
Ground coffee lovers have always maintained a distance from Keurig machines. But reusable filters make that possible. How? Get ahold of a reusable k-cup coffee filter, like the ones found here. Then fill them with your favorite grind. Check out our grinder review if you are planning on buying whole beans.
One thing, though, the taste of that ground coffee may not be exactly like you are accustomed too. Sometimes, the coffee might taste a little weak.
Pro Tip – Once your coffee is ready, clean the cup as soon as possible, it may be a little hot but after some time it ‘s hard to clean the cup.
Multiple Flavors
If you like to experiment, then the Keurig K55 is ideal. There are hundreds of flavors to choose from, and you can even brew tea or lemonade.
And yes, if you don’t add any K-cup, it will still give you hot water, which can be used for oatmeal.
In short, the Keurig K55 is a versatile machine.
Cons
The Keurig K55 doesn’t feature a descaling option. So you have to get rid of the water manually. You also need to use a descaling liquid to make sure that there isn’t any contamination. We recommend using vinegar for cleaning.
Apart from this, the Keurig K55 does a damn good job in every aspect.
Freshpresso Rating
For a working couple who needs a coffee maker, the Keurig K55 would be our top recommendation. It brews delicious coffee, is simple and quick in operation and you can choose from multiple flavors.
If you are a heavy coffee drinker or have a big family, we would recommend you to go for models like the Keurig K145 that can handle more abuse, and also feature descaling.
And if you like bigger cups, then go for Keurig K475 or Keurig K575, as they are compatible with K-Carafe Pods and K-Mugs.
Pros
- Ease of Use – Just like other Keurig Machines, this one can be operated by a baby. Add water to the reservoir, add your favorite K-Cup, select the size and bam, delicious coffee will hit your taste buds, in under 60 seconds.
- Love Ground Coffee? Well, the K55 is compatible with a reusable filter that allows you to use your favorite ground coffee.
- For the Coffee Lovers – K-Cups give you the flexibility to choose from tons of flavors, from multiple brands. You also get K-Cups for tea, hot cocoa, etc. Mainly you can find a flavor for every mood, and you have the Keurig K55 to make it for you.
Cons
- No Descaling – The Keurig K55 doesn’t feature descaling, so this can make cleaning a bit of a hassle. You will need to buy a descaling liquid to make sure that there isn’t any contamination.
3rd Pick: Keurig 2.0 Series K250 Coffee Maker
The Keurig K250 is the basic model in the 2.0 series. It shares the same brewing technology but lack certain advanced brewing control features, found in K575 or K475.
Initial Setup and Cycle
When you power up the machine for the first time, you are prompted to add water, lift the lid and press brew. This is done to get the machine booted up for operation.
Initially, it takes few minutes to heat the water in the reservoir but for regular use, it takes less than a minute to complete the whole brewing cycle.
You also get filters that can be installed in the reservoir and it is recommended to install them to prevent accumulation of calcium in the reservoir which can affect the brew of the machine.
Operation and Convenience
The Keurig K250 features a 40 oz. reservoir, located at the back of the machine. This has helped to make the machine more compact and require less kitchen real-estate compared to other 2.0 models.
The operation is similar to other Keurig machines, you simply have to pop in the K-cup and you are good to go.
The K250 features a black and white touchscreen that allows you to control the strength of your coffee and choose the brew size.
Talking about brew sizes, you can brew larger quantities thanks to K-carafe and K-mugs. You get a separate pod for Carafes and they are noticeably larger compared to K-cups.
There are four different sizes for K-cup, K-mug and K-carafe thus offering more flexibility to the user.
The K250 lacks the temperature control and auto-brew settings which are found in K475 and K575, but unless you are a hardcore coffee lover, these features don’t offer much value.
Cons
The K250 shares the common problem with other Keurig 2.0 models. You cannot use third party K-cups and have to rely on Keurig K-cups only. The machines scan the K-cup (and K-carafe) and if you are using a 3-party pod or older Keurig K-cup, you are notified that this not optimized for brewing.
So, if you have an old stockpile, you should get rid of those and buy new ones to use with K250.
Luckily, you can use Keurig 2.0 Reusable filter, for your favorite ground coffee. It doesn’t work for carafes and K-mugs as of now.
Freshpresso Rating – Best Bang for your Buck
The K250 has all the core features that make the 2.0 series unique like bigger brewing size and strength control option. It also features a fully functional touch screen and has a premium build quality.
It lacks certain ‘advanced’ brewing features, but for the average coffee drinker, they don’t really offer much utility and K250 costs considerably less compared to the K575.
So, if you are in the market for a bigger brew size, hassle free operation and versatility then the K250 is the best value Keurig Machine.
Pros
- Multiple Sizes – You can brew multiple sizes (from 4 ounces to 30 oz.) through K-Mug and K-carafes.
- Strength Control – It gives you an option to control the strength of your coffee from light, medium to strong. You can also optimize your brewing if you live on a high altitude with just a click of a button.
- Multiple Flavors – Like other Keurig 2.0 models you can choose any flavor, from hundreds of available options.
- Best Bang for your Buck – It is significantly cheaper compared to other 2.0 models and offers the best value for the price.
Cons
Restricted – Like other Keurig 2.0 machines you cannot use third party K-cups or older Keurig K-cups and have to use pods manufactured after January, 2014.
4th Pick: Keurig K15 Coffee Maker
We like to call the Keurig K15 as the college students’ dream. It is easily the most convenient way to brew your coffee and with Keurig’s versatility, you get a sweet package in the form of K15.
Initial Impressions
This is the most compact of the Keurig coffee makers and doesn’t take much space on your countertop. A smaller size makes it ideal if you want it for a college room or a studio apartment.
Even with a smaller footprint, Keurig made no compromises with the build quality and it feels like a well-built sturdy machine. The setup is similar to other Keurig models and you simply need to add water to the compartment and press the brew button.
Overall, a no-fuss brewing experience is the highlight of the K15.
Convenience
To a brew a coffee you simply need to open the lid and pop in your favorite type of K-cup. Then, you need to fill the small water tank behind the lid. There are indications in the tank for different sizes (6, 8 or 10 oz.). It is recommended to pour water before you insert your K-cup.
Once you close the lid, the light surrounding the Brew button starts flashing and you simply have to push the button to start the brewing process. It takes about a minute and a half for the water to heat up (the light turns red when the water is heating up).
In terms of strength, we would say the coffee tastes ‘medium’ and if you love hard or strong coffee, you can go for high end models. The K15 requires minimal cleaning, and you simply need to add a descaling solution in the tank to clean the machine.
Overall, if you are always running late or need a quick cup of coffee in the morning, the Keurig K15 is right up your alley.
Versatility
With the Keurig K15 you can brew anything you like. It supports all kinds of K-cups (third party K-cups also) and you can choose from a ton of flavours and types. You can also brew a cup of tea or hot cocoa with this.
If you are a fan of ground coffee, then you can use My K-cup (a reusable cup) in which you can add your favourite coffee and brew.
If you like to experiment, then the K15 is ideal and, in this regard, it is even better than some high-end models like the Keurig K575 which do not support third party K-cups or ground coffee.
Cons
The major complaint people have with this is the brewing time. It takes roughly 110 seconds to brew a single cup. Since there is no ‘inside tank’, the machine cannot store hot water and it needs to reheat after each cycle.
Also, if you need multiple cups then you have to refill the tank every single time, as no water is stored within the K15.
Finally, you have zero control over the brewing and you cannot change the strength of the coffee.
Freshpresso Rating
The Keurig K15 is highly recommended for college students or if those of you living alone in a small apartment. The brewing is super easy, you can experiment with flavors and maintenance costs are negligible.
However, if you drink multiple cups or live with a family, then we would recommend you to go for the K55 or the Keurig K155 (which cost a few bucks more but have a reservoir and strength control options.)
Pros
- Effortless Brewing – Simply pop in the K-cup, add water and press the Brew button. (So simple that your 4-year-old kid can brew coffee)
- Minimal Cleaning – Since there is no reservoir, no extra cleaning is required. You are only required to descale once in a while.
- Brew Anything – With multiple varieties of K-cups, you can brew your favourite cuppa coffee or choose from other beverages like tea or hot cocoa (all on a single compact Machine). You can also use your favourite ground coffee.
Cons
- Slow – This model is slower compared to other Keurig machines. (Takes about 2 minutes to brew a single cup)
- Since there is no reservoir, brewing multiple cups takes time. (With multiple refills)
- Pretty Basic – Since it is a base model, you don’t get any advanced features like strength control or auto brew.
5th Pick: Keurig 2.0 K575 Series
With the launch of the Keurig 2.0 series, everyone was hoping for a revamp in single serve coffee brewers. The K500 series is currently the best Keurig has to offer regarding features and quality. But is the upgrade worth it? We talk all about that in this review.
Initial Impressions
Right off the bat, the K575 resembles a standard Keurig brewer. It features a removable 80 oz. reservoir (which is the largest in a Keurig brewer) and the overall build quality looks improved, with a cleaner finish. (Full marks for the design).
However, the latest addition in the the Keurig 2.0 line is the touchscreen. The K575 features the most “feature-rich” display. It works well and is responsive to touch (however the colors aren’t vibrant).
The brewing remains simple, simply lift the brew head, pop in the K-cup (or K-carafe) and hit the brew button.
The initial setup doesn’t take long and the machines simply passes water to calibrate itself.
Note – If you are confused between K500, K550 or K575, it is basically the same brewer but you get more K-cups in the K575 compared to the K500.
Performance and Features
With the Keurig 2.0 series, you can now brew larger quantities. You get a separate K-carafe pack that can brew from 22 to 30 oz. of coffee at a time. You can also brew the regular K-cups (from 4 to 12 oz.)
For the regular K-cups, it takes about 55 seconds to brew the coffee and for K-carafe it takes less than 5 minutes. With K-carafe, you can get around 4-5 cups of freshly brewed coffee.
Along with the size, you can also select the strength from mild to strong. This gives a greater control to the users as they can now brew a coffee according to their taste. You can also select high altitude settings which customizes the brewing for a hot and strong coffee that is suitable in high altitudes.
And finally, you can also change the brew temperature, which gives a different texture to your coffee, a great feature for coffee aficionados.
Talking about the touchscreen, you can use it to program the brewer to automatically turn on (or auto brew) at a specific time. This feature can be used to get a fresh coffee “Pre-brewed” when you get up. You can also customize the display by changing the wallpaper, color and language preference (these features can more or less be termed as gimmicky).
And finally the 80 oz. reservoir is compatible with a filter and can easily brew up to two full carafes without refill.
Versatility
With Keurig brewers you get the versatility of choosing from hundreds of flavors and types. With 2.0 brewers you can only use Keurig branded K-cups or K-carafes, but still there are several options available.
Also, for carafe packs of drinks like cocoa, you have a number on the pack which can be selected once you place it in the brewer. This basically alters the brewing according to that particular drink. Thus with a single brewer you can not only get different types of drinks, but you can also alter the brewing technique. (This is one of the most underrated but unique feature of the K575).
Recently, Keurig has introduced 2.0 series reusable filters that allow you to use your favorite ground coffee and brew it in Keurig K575. However, the reusable pod as of now is only available for cups and not for carafes.
Cons
The only thing that holds this machine from being an overwhelming success is its restrictive nature –
With the K575 (and other 2.0 series Keurig Machines) you can only use Keurig branded K-cups. Third party pods cost less, and offer more options to the user than Keurig branded K-cups.
Furthermore, older Keurig K-cups are also not compatible, so if you have been stocking the K-cups in your house, you will not be able to use them with the Keurig K575.
Now you can find some videos which show you how to bypass this (and make way for other K-cups) but this voids the warranty and you are at risk of a complete malfunction.
Finally, the auto-brew feature can only be used with K-carafes and not the regular K-cups.
Freshpresso Rating
Because of all the restrictions we won’t naturally recommend the K575 brewer to the average coffee drinker. If you are in the market for larger size in a single serve, then you can go for Keurig K250. It costs less but you have to give up on certain brewing controls.
On the other hand, if you’re a hardcore coffee aficionado and want greater control over brewing, then the K575 is the only Keurig Machine that can let you do so.
Pros
- You can now brew larger quantity (up to 30oz) with the K-Carafe pack.
- It features an intuitive display that further simplifies the brewing process and with customization features (like strength control) you have greater control over the brew.
- You can program the machine to turn on at a specific time and brew your coffee.
- It comes with the standard versatility of brewing different style of coffee and other drinks like tea, cocoa etc. (However there is a big catch).
- Ground Coffee can be used through my k-Cup 2.0 Reusable filters
Cons
- The devices scan the K-Cup, and you can only use the ones which have the Keurig branding, thus eliminating K-cups from other brands.
- Also, older Keurig k-cups (manufactured before January, 2014) are not compatible with K575.
- The features seem gimmicky as the programmable setting is only available for K-carafe and not for regular K-cups.
The Complete List of Current Keurig Coffee Makers
Keurig K475 and Keurig K575
Price at Launch: $179.99
If you are looking for a coffee maker for your whole family, then K475 and K575 are the biggest and baddest machines that the Keurig has to offer. There are quite similar when it comes to functionality and there are two major difference between them –
- The K475 features a 70 oz. water reservoir while the Keurig K575 features an 80 oz. water reservoir.
- The Keurig K575 is more feature rich with high altitude adjustment, multiple language operation and hot water on demand.
Apart from giving you strength control and the functionality to brew bigger sizes, these two have few other nifty features. First up, you can alter the temperature of the brew, so if you like a warmer coffee you can do that with ease. Next it comes with programming features like auto on. What it does is, it automatically brews coffee for you at a set time. (Another feature loved by coffee lovers).
Also since it scans the K-cup, it automatically adjusts the brew for different drinks. This basically means that if you brew drinks like hot cocoa, the taste of ones brewed by Keurig K575 will be best among all single serve machines.
The K475 and the K575 offer a lot of utility to the user and are by far are the most convenient Keurig machines out there.
On the downside, you are restricted to only Keurig branded K-cups and the reusable filter doesn’t support K-carafe size.
Overall, this is recommended only if you are going to brew a lot of coffee or if you are true coffee lover who likes to experiment with flavour and brewing operation.
Keurig K250
Price at Launch: $129.99
Keurig showcases its technological prowess in the 2.0 line and the K250 is what the company has to offer for personal use. It takes the standard convenience that is associated with Keurig machines and gives greater control over the brew, giving incredible value to the user.
The most common complaint with Keurig users was that, the coffee brewed is somewhat mild. Well, the Keurig K250 puts that to rest as you can now select ‘strong’ option on the touchscreen, which basically adjusts the brewing process giving you a stronger brew.
That’s not at all, with the Keurig 2.0 line you can now brew up to 30 oz. of coffee with K-mugs and K-carafe. To brew a 10 oz. cup, it takes the standard time of 60 seconds but you can brew the whole 30 oz. K-carafe in under 5 minutes.
The downside is that you can only use Keurig branded K-cups (or K-carafes) as the machine scans them before brewing. However, with 2.0 reusable filter you can brew ground coffee.
Overall, the K250 is the best bang for your buck because if offers greater user control and better brewing operation, and costs just a little more than your standard Keurig K55.
Keurig K130 and K150
Price at Launch on Keurig.com: $299.99
The K130 and the K150 are one of the oldest Keurig models still in operation. They are no longer marketed by Keurig but you can still buy them through many retailers.
The operation is like what you expect from a standard Keurig machine. Fill water in the reservoir, insert the K-cup and hit the brew button. The Keurig K130 takes a bit longer to brew a 10 oz. cup (2 minutes). The Keurig K150 is designed for a commercial setting and it takes about the same time.
However, the coffee brewed on both these models is somewhat milder and also it is on the colder side. This is because the brewing technology is outdated and Keurig has improved it over the years.
Our obvious recommendation for anyone looking to buy the K150 would be to go for the Keurig K145 and those of you looking to buy the Keurig K130 (or Keurig B130) should go for the K55.
These machines come with update brewing technology and overall are a bit more convenient to use.
Keurig K145
Price at Launch on Keurig.com: $119.99
If you are looking for a Keurig machine that can be used for office settings, then the K145 is what you should get. In terms of functionality it is quite similar to the K55.
It features a 48 oz. water reservoir can brew up to 10 oz. of coffee and the whole process takes less than minutes. It supports Keurig reusable filter which helps you to brew ground coffee. Finally, it requires minimal maintenance and if there is is a need to descale, it lets you know with the LED light notification.
However, what sets it apart is its construction. The housing more or less is made of plastic with a tinge of metal at the handle and reservoir. However, the heating element is the most durable in the Keurig line. Thanks to this you can brew multiple cups in a day and the machine will continue to deliver for years.
If you are looking for a coffee maker that can handle a volume of 40-50 drinks in a day, then the Keurig K145 is by far most convenient option out there.
Keurig K55
Price at Launch on Keurig.com: $119.99
A global best seller, the Keurig K55 is our top recommendation in the Budget Category of Single Serve Machines. First up, the matte finish makes it a true eye-candy and you’ll love to have to this on your countertop. It has a relatively compact footprint and since the water reservoir is on the side, refilling it is also super convenient.
The operation again is a breeze. You just have to add water, insert your K-cup and select the size of coffee you want to brew. With the 48 oz. water reservoir you can brew multiple cups one after the other. To brew a 10 oz., the Keurig takes just 60 seconds making it super convenient. It also supports the Keurig reusable filter which helps you to brew your favorite ground coffee.
Apart from that you can chose from hundreds of flavors available from different brands.
It is recommended to add filter in the water reservoir to reduce the need for descaling but if the mineral deposits increase then the machine lets you no thanks to a LED light on top.
Overall, if you are looking for hassle free brewing, the this is hands down the best Keurig machine you can get on a budget.
Keurig K15
Price at Launch on Keurig.com: $99.99
The most basic model in the Keurig line the K15 is designed for use by an individual. There is no internal water tank and it brews coffee on demand.
The whole operation is quite simple. Add water to the tank, pop in your K-cup and hit the brew button. It takes about two minutes to brew a cup which is the slowest in the Keurig line. It can brew three sizes – 6, 8 and 10 oz. and you have to add the same amount of water before every brew.
It offers little utility to the user as there is no brew control feature and you have to rely on the default settings for all the different flavors of K-cups. The build quality is also not that impressive and the housing is majorly made of plastic.
Overall, this machine is recommended for individuals who just drink a cup or two in a day. However, spending just 10 bucks more and getting a Keurig K55 makes more sense because it brews faster, comes with an internal water tank and has a better build quality all around.
Top 10 Keurig Espresso Machines
A Brief History of Keurig
Keurig brand of coffee makers – a name that resonates in almost every American home today – went from obscure anonymity to billion dollar revenues almost overnight, most people think. But what they do not know is that for Keurig founders Peter Dragone and John Sylvan, ‘overnight’ dragged on for more than two decades. The reputation of the brand, whose name means ‘excellence’ in Dutch, is a testimony to the grit and willpower of two young men who refused to give up on an original idea in the face of adversity.
Dragone and Sylvan had been friends since their varsity days at Colby College in Maine around the late 1970s. A tech graduate, Sylvan quit his job in Massachusetts in early 1990. A germinating idea to solve the problem of lack of fresh coffee in office spaces had prompted his move. Tired of the full pot of brewing coffee that sat for endless hours at workplaces, turning bitter, stale and cold, Sylvan wanted to manufacture a single serve pod of coffee ground and a machine that would brew a fresh cup every time.
In 1992, after two years of living in Greater Boston and conducting several trials to build a prototype, he roped in his former roommate Dragone, to help create a business model. Dragone was at that time working as a partner and director of finance for a reputed firm. Thus, Keurig was born.
The cash-strapped duo did most of the tasting and testing themselves, to the point where Sylvan was diagnosed with caffeine poisoning after regularly consuming 30 to 40 cups of coffee a day.
Finally, the design and automation were perfected to create what you know as Keurig coffee machines, today.
The machine’s biggest plus it that it brews a fresh cup every time and does not let your coffee go stale. Today, after years of research and innovation, Keurig manufactures single serve coffee pods – K-pods – in a vast variety of flavors. It also produces K-pods for hot chocolate and a range of teas. Although some users complain of faulty machines and complicated operational controls, Keurig has received largely positive feedbacks and is a popular product among coffee lovers.
Keurig’s Product Line
If you are considering purchasing a Keurig brewer and are wondering which would be the best model to invest in, you sure are concerned about performance and longevity of the coffee maker you buy.
But once you start comparing Keurig variants and going through user feedback from several sources, you will realize that the difference between several variants of Keurig coffee brewers has more to do with the number of features a machine has than its performance. This is because all Keurig machines using K-cups essentially utilize the same brewing methodology and perform similarly.
The one stark difference between the variants is the size of the water reservoirs each possess and the individual brewing capacities regarding cup size options.
Keurig manufactures two main types of coffee makers – for home use and for commercial. Two of the commercial machines – K145 and K155 – are also deemed suitable for home use and perform optimally when used by large families or offices with compact teams or small eateries and restaurants.
Since the machines are very precise in nature, they sometimes come across as mercurial to many users. Hitches and malfunctions most often stem from coffee grounds getting stuck inside the filter or the spray nozzle. But these blockages can be easily cleaned to make your machine work as good as new once again.
In some instances, mineral build-ups occur in the machines components causing it to sputter and spew and resulting in the coffee tasting a bit off. A minor descaling process using chemicals can fix this trouble easily.
However, to ensure hassle-free and smooth performance, it is advised that you use spring water or bottled water in the machine to brew your cup of coffee and steer clear of undistilled or hard water that contains a lot of minerals leading to a build-up.
But if unfortunately, your machine does malfunction, Keurig is very good at offering prompt replacements.
Brand HighLights
- Minimum Brewing time: With most machines churning out a cuppa in under a minute, your coffee is ready in no time
- No wastage: Since the K-cups that work with Keurig machines are pre-measured, packed and sealed, there are no chances of wastage or spillage.
- Variety: The K-cups come in a plethora of flavors and serving sizes ranging from a single cup to a four-cup carafe. The sheer number of options ensures you never run out of choices.
- Customisations: You can program the machines to make the coffee at a temperature and strength that suits your taste buds the best.
- Automatic: It switches on and off and heats the water all on its own which means you don’t have to bother much about keeping the machine prepared for its next rounds of coffee making.
Brand LowLights
- Inflexibility: All of the Keurig machines only operate with dedicated K-cups making them a tad inconvenient and limited. This is, in fact, the biggest drawback of these coffee makers.
- Serving size: Most of the machines produced are single serve brewers. Some of the high-end machines can brew at most 4 cups at a time making it tough to serve multiple cups when you have company.
- Price: The machines and the K-cups are quite a bit more expensive as compared to other coffee makers or single serve pods in the market.
Best Keurig Coffee Makers
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Keurig K145 OfficePRO
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Keurig K55
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Keurig 2.0 Series K250
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Keurig K15
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Keurig 2.0 K575
Summary
If you're looking for the best espresso machine out there then Keurig 2.0 K575 is our top recommendation for 2017. It's a complete beast of a machine when it comes to brewing great coffee.
However, if you're looking for a budget option then Keurig K55 is the go-to coffee machine for us. It offers everything you need to make a good cup of coffee, without all the bells and whistles and at a great price!
Keurig K145 OfficePRO
Keurig K55 Coffee Maker
Keurig 2.0 K575 Series
Keurig 2.0 Series K250
Keurig K15 Coffee Maker
