4 Best Keurig Coffee Machines, According to Food Network Kitchen
Whether you're looking for a single-serve machine or one that brews a whole carafe, we found the best Keurig machine for you.
Our Top Keurig Machine Picks
- Best Overall: Keurig K-Elite
- Best for Small Spaces: Keurig K-Mini
- Best High-End Machine: Keurig K-Cafe
- Best for Big Batches: Keurig K-Duo Plus
By Regina Ragone and Rachel Trujillo for Food Network Kitchen
When the original Keurig coffee maker was introduced more than 20 years ago, it revolutionized the way people make coffee. Instead of a whole carafe, coffee drinkers could now brew a single cup at home in a matter of minutes thanks to a tiny pod. Since then, the line has evolved to include a variety of models that provide more than just a quick cup of joe. We took a look at every Keurig on the market and determined which was the best Keurig machine overall, best for small spaces (like dorms or apartments), best high-end machine and best for bigger batches of coffee to help you find the best Keurig for you.
Things to Consider About Keurig Coffee Machines
Before diving in, there are a few major things to consider when purchasing a Keurig machine.
- Functionality: Most Keurig coffee makers are designed to brew a single cup of coffee, but the brand has also expanded to include models that have milk frothers, iced coffee settings and more. It’s also important to consider how much water the reservoir holds, whether you like a strong brew and if you want an automatic on/off function.
- Single-Serve vs. Carafe Machines: Keurig makes machines that can brew single-serve cups or whole carafes in addition to single cups of coffee. If you like to make more than one cup at a time or reguarly host brunch or dinner parties, you might want to consider the carafe option.
- For Single-Serve Machines: If you’ve decided a single-cup brewer is right for you, the next thing you’ll need to consider is how big your cup is. Keurig single-cup machines can range from three to five sizes or custom sizing, depending on the model.
What to Know About the Types of Keurig Machines
Coffee, Cappuccino and Latte Machines
These machines make a strong shot of coffee (to mimic espresso) and have a milk frother. K-Café and K-Latte both have integrated milk frothers, but the K-Café makes both hot and cold froth and the K-Latte only makes hot froth. Only the K-Café’s frother is dishwasher safe.
Carafe and Single-Serve Combination Machines
Both the K-Duo and K-Duo Plus can brew both single-serve cups of coffee and a whole carafe. They are compatible with K-Cup pods and ground coffee (scooped into a paper or permanent filter). They are not compatible with K-Carafe, K-Mug, Vue or Rivo pods. Both machines have programmable settings for carafe brewing, so you can set up your machine to auto-brew for up to 24 hours in advance. They also both have a Pause & Pour feature, which automatically pauses mid-brew for 20 seconds allowing you to pour a cup before the full brew cycle is complete. Both machines can brew up to 12-cup carafes and 12-ounce single-serve cups.
If you’re looking for options when brewing, this Keurig has almost everything covered. The K-Elite can brew either 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 ounces of coffee, and the reservoir can hold up to 75 ounces. Equipped with extra features, the K-Elite has auto-on/auto-off, a strong-brew option, and the ability to adjust the temperature of your beverage. Brew coffee from 187 degrees F to 192 degrees F, or opt for the iced coffee or tea setting. With this, you’ll be able to brew a cup of coffee that will retain full flavor even as the ice starts melting in your cup. Plus, the K-Elite also has hot water on demand, which is perfect for oatmeal or soup.
Perfect for any dorm room, bathroom or small space, the K-Mini brews any cup size between 6 and 12 ounces and comes in five colors (and some special edition styles). The reservoir holds enough water for a single cup, and the brewer also has a strong brew option, which changes brew strength according to the cup size you choose.
The K-Café can brew 6-, 8-, 10-, and 12-ounce cups of coffee (but all rely on the same amount of coffee, so the larger the cup, the weaker the coffee will be). There is a button for strong coffee and another for a "shot" of concentrated coffee to use as the base of cappuccino and lattes. It has a 60-ounce removable water reservoir and can accommodate a 7-inch travel mug. This machine has an iced coffee setting that allows it to brew a stronger coffee, so that ice doesn’t dilute it.
If you love the convenience of the pods but also need to be able to brew more than one cup at a time, the K-Duo Plus can easily switch from a single-serve to drip coffee machine. This model has a 12-cup thermal carafe, and a reservoir that can be positioned to the right, left or along the back of the brewer to optimize counter space.
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