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

Extra options weren’t simply geared towards iced espresso lovers. The Okay-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 power to make two-ounce strong-brewed espresso “photographs,” which may very well be bolstered through the use of an espresso-roast Okay-Cup. I discovered the milk frothers disappointing, although. As a substitute of a positive microfoam, they each created thick, meringue-like foam that was exhausting to pour. It might be unimaginable 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 considered one of our favourite milk frothers to make use of on the facet somewhat than a built-in one.

The Value of Okay-Cups Can Add Up

Shopping for espresso in pod type will be extra pricey in the long term. For instance, the medium roast Okay-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 floor espresso would price about $0.34 per cup (if brewed with the Specialty Espresso Affiliation’s advisable 14 grams of espresso for eight ounces). In fact, the precise prices to 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 technique.

Espresso Pods Aren’t Very Recyclable

It’s additionally essential to think about the environmental affect 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 applications in the event that they’re peeled and emptied first. Sadly, it’s an more and more open secret that plastics recycling in america falls shockingly brief 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 Change Fee in September 2024 for making deceptive statements concerning the recyclability of Okay-Cup pods, a problem that Keurig resolved by including an advisory to shoppers to verify instantly with their native recycling services to see if their used pods will be accepted (or recycled). For many who need the benefit of a Keurig with out the waste, think about a reusable filter. They are often crammed with any floor espresso, permitting you extra management over the standard, worth, and plastic use of brewing with a Keurig.

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

Even given Okay-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 alternate options like single-serve espresso makers or reusable filters will be cheaper and produce much less waste, Keurig brewers and their suitable Okay-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 think about extra options to fit your preferences. Search for fashions with Sturdy and Over Ice brewing for those who like additional daring or iced espresso. Contemplate brewers within the Plus or SMART line for extra temperature and energy customizations and add-ons like app connectivity.

Our Favourite Keurig Machines

What we appreciated: I appreciated the clear aesthetic of the Okay-Supreme and most well-liked 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 behind 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 could be value ready till it goes on sale, or selecting a comparable brewer just like the Okay-Elite.

Key Specs

• Dimensions: 7.75 x 11.5 x 12 inches
• Weight: 5.5 kilos
• Twine size: 31.5 inches
• Water tank capability: 66 ounces
• Cup top 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 Sturdy brew modes
• Different options: Twin place water reservoir that may be positioned on the facet or behind 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 humid, non-abrasive, lint-free material to scrub exterior, drip tray, and water reservoir. The drip tray and water reservoir will 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 resolution each three to 6 months. 

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 crammed with simply the correct amount 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 often and need to retailer the machine between makes use of. The Okay-Mini was tremendous reasonably priced, too; it was nicely beneath $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
• Twine size: 27 inches
• Water tank capability: 12 ounces (to be crammed with desired amount earlier than every use)
• Cup top 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: Twine storage behind the machine; auto-off after 90 seconds
• Care directions: Flip off and unplug brewer earlier than cleansing. Use a humid, non-abrasive material to wipe the outside, water reservoir, and drip tray. The drip tray will also be eliminated and cleaned utilizing heat, soapy water. To rinse, run a 12-ounce brew cycle with out a pod inserted. Run a rinse cycle after brewing drinks like sizzling cocoa to stop taste switch between drinks. Descale with Keurig descaling resolution each three to 6 months. 

The Competitors

• Keurig Okay-Basic Espresso Maker: On the time of writing, the Okay-Basic was dearer than the successful Okay-Supreme (although the 2 appear to fluctuate in worth). The buttons have been obscure since they confirmed nonspecific cup icons somewhat than the brew volumes. It additionally took up more room than the Okay-Supreme and couldn’t brew greater than 10 ounces at a time.
• Keurig Okay-Elite Single Serve Espresso Maker: This mannequin had a couple of additional 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 enable scheduled brewing—it simply preheated the machine, saving two minutes at most. The Okay-Elite additionally had ambiguous cup icons on its buttons somewhat than ounces. 
• Keurig Okay-Brew + Chill Espresso 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 major distinction within the taste or energy 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 match for somebody who prefers their espresso chilly with out the chance of it getting watered down by ice.
• Keurig Okay-Cafe Single Serve Espresso, 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 exhausting to pour.
• Keurig Okay-Cafe SMART Single Serve Espresso Maker: The sensible model of the Okay-Cafe added some techy options, like six temperatures, 5 brew energy 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 out a good center floor. Though the Okay-Cafe SMART supplied probably the most customization of the lineup, it was additionally the priciest. This mannequin should be choice 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 produced from quantity 5 polypropylene plastic, are technically accepted at many recycling services 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 measurement. Verify together with your native recycling heart to find out in the event that they settle for—and recycle—Okay-Cups earlier than putting them in your blue bin.

How do you descale a Keurig?

It’s advisable 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 may let you know when it is time to carry out upkeep. You’ll want a bottle of descaling resolution, however seek the advice of Keurig’s web site for particular directions about your mannequin as a result of the steps fluctuate relying on the water reservoir sort 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 might shatter from the temperature modifications. Many Keurig machines, like our successful Okay-Supreme mannequin, provide a definite Over Ice brew mode that lowers the warmth partway by brewing to reduce the quantity of ice that melts, protecting your espresso colder and extra strong.

Does a Keurig make espresso?

No. Keurig machines use some stress to push water by espresso pods and brew quicker than drip espresso makers, however they don’t exert sufficient power to recreate true espresso. Nonetheless, there are espresso roast Okay-Cups, and the fashions within the Okay-Cafe line can mimic historically brewed espresso with two-ounce “photographs” of extra-strength espresso. If you’d like a machine that routinely brews espressos somewhat than espresso, think about a Nespresso machine as a substitute.

Why We’re the Specialists

• Ashlee Redger is a contract meals author who’s been reviewing tools for Severe 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 residence cooks.
• She has written many critiques for Severe Eats, together with Nespresso machines. 
• For this evaluation, Ashlee examined seven Keurig machines. She in contrast the standard and intuitiveness throughout the lineup by brewing two varieties 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 journey mugs.