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We tested cup after cup of Keurig coffee makers such as K-Slim, K-Elite, and K-Supreme Plus Smart to figure out which is the best of the bunch for your morning mug
We tested the top Keurigs on the market to determine which were top-performers.
Keurig coffee makers are undeniably convenient, but there are a number of ways to make better-tasting, less expensive, and less wasteful coffee almost as quickly. If you're set on a Keurig, we purchased the top six to test side-by-side. We evaluated each brewer's customizable features, how easy they are to use and clean, and how the coffee actually tastes. We've also tested them against competing brands. If you're not sure that a Keurig is right for you, we'll steer you toward coffee makers that consistently earn top scores in our tests. We understand that finding the perfect coffee machine for your tastes and budget is hard. We hope this review helps.
Keurig has many competitors in the single-cup and pod-coffee markets, and Nespresso models consistently outperform K-Cups in our tests. But, while Nespresso tends to produce a richer-tasting cup that avoids the plastic aftertaste of some K-Cups, both machines require expensive pods and produce waste that can be a nuisance to recycle properly. You can invest in refillable pods, but then you're basically making drip coffee. And, as K-Cup inventor John Sylvan told The Atlantic in 2015, “It's not like drip coffee is tough to make.” For a more robust discussion of different types of coffee makers, head to our comprehensive review of all types of coffee makers. If you want to peruse all things coffee, from grinders to top-rated electric kettles, we've got you covered there, too.
Editor's Note: We updated our Keurig review on November 22, 2024, to share more comparisons between machines in our award section.
The Keurig K-Supreme Plus Smart is the best Keurig coffee maker we've tested. Its excellent features make for a highly adjustable machine that is still simple and intuitive to use. There are six temperature settings, five brew sizes, and an iced coffee option. You can also choose how strong you want your coffee to be or rely on BrewID, which scans the K-Cup you insert and adjusts the strength and temperature settings automatically based on the manufacturer's recommendation. The Keurig app lets you start the machine remotely, schedule your caffeine intake, or adjust brew settings. It also includes step-by-step recipes and lets you automate your pod deliveries. This machine also makes the best-tasting coffee we've tried from a K-Cup.
Though the K-Supreme Plus Smart is the best we've tested, the coffee it makes can't compete with our favorite Nespresso machine or with a number of other coffee makers that aren't much harder to use. This machine also has a few glitches that get in the way of Keurig's “effortless coffee” reputation. It splashes occasionally and doesn't seem to have dishwasher-safe components, taking a bit longer to clean than other models we tested. It's not onerous, though, and we usually got by with a quick wipe-down. Still, if cleaning capabilities are a concern, another Keurig option we appreciate for its straightforward cleaning process is the Keurig K-Elite. The only cleaning required for this machine is a descaling process that is recommended every 3-6 months to clean built-up minerals. The initial setup of the K-Supreme Plus Smart isn't as streamlined as we hoped either, and we had issues pairing the machine to the app. Once connected, it worked great, and we had a hot cup of decent-tasting coffee waiting for us at the touch of a button (when we remembered to load the machine in advance).
The creator of the Keurig K-Cup makes drip coffee, according to a 2015 article in The Atlantic. K-Cup inventor John Sylvan told the publication why he doesn't own a Keurig, saying, “They're kind of expensive to use,” and noting that drip coffee is easy to make.
Cup Sizes: Between 6-12 oz | Dimensions: 11.3" x 4.5" x 12.1"
PROS
Small footprint
Simple design
Available in many colors
CONS
No removable reservoir
Prone to splashes
The Keurig K-Mini is extremely simple and convenient to use. Just pour 6 to 12 ounces of water into the non-removable tank, insert the K-cup, and press the machine's single, large button to start the cycle. We haven't found a coffee maker that's easier to use. It's also the smallest and lightest of the bunch, making it great for compact spaces like college dorms or apartments. Given its unintrusive design, this machine can easily be stored after every use rather than left on the countertop permanently. This machine is also available in seven fun colors. Best of all, it won't break the bank.
The K-Mini's simplicity might be a drawback for anyone who enjoys customizing their caffeine. Most Keurig machines let you select your cup size with the touch of a button. With this machine, you must decide how much water to pour into the 12-ounce tank. We aren't overly impressed with the quality of the coffee produced in our tests. It is often watery and weak. For those looking for more consistent performance out of their coffee, an alternative we like is the Keurig K-Classic. While this machine offers little to no customization, it provides a straightforward, respectable cup of coffee. The K-Mini also splashes quite often, and the machine's light colors do little to conceal the mess. Though we found the machine easy to wipe down in our tests, we had to do so after almost every use. Otherwise, this is a quick and easy way to get a caffeine jolt.
The Keurig K-Cafe provides the convenience of traditional Keurig coffee makers while offering specialty drinks like lattes, cappuccinos, and iced coffee. The K-Cafe makes this possible with pre-programmed settings, an espresso shot option, and a frother. It's the only Keurig we tested that includes this feature, and our mornings feel a lot more luxurious when topping our coffees with roughly two inches of foam. Even if you opt for black coffee, you can customize it by choosing your brew strength, water temperature, and cup size. The K-Cafe brewed some of the best-tasting coffee in the Keurig test, keeping a consistent temperature throughout the process. The brewer is straightforward and pleasant to use, with a large 60-ounce reservoir that is easy to refill and replace.
That spacious reservoir comes at a price, though. The brewer has a large footprint and is on the heavy side, making it a tough fit for small spaces. If counter space is limited, an alternative worth looking at for its compact size is the Keurig K-Slim. The K-Cafe also struggles to consistently pour the right amount of coffee. Its cup sizes varied more than the other Keurigs in the test. And while we love the experience of creating specialty drinks with this brewer, we weren't impressed with its espresso. It tasted more like concentrated coffee rather than a proper shot. If you're not picky, though, and you're just hoping for an easy latte at home, this machine could be right for you.
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Side-by-side testing to find our top three Keurig machines.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
How We Tested
We dedicated weeks and a mountain of K-cups to determine which Keurig stood out. Before we took our first sip, we laid out an in-depth plan to analyze each product. We purchased the most appealing options at full price to maximize our objectivity. Then we put each of these brewers through a series of comprehensive tests. These results represent hours of analyzing each brewer to the fullest.
Our Keurig coffee maker test focuses on four rating metrics:
Performance (35% of overall score weighting)
User Experience (30% weighting)
Customization (20% weighting)
Ease of Cleaning (15% weighting)
Why Trust GearLab
Leading our testing process is Genaveve Bradshaw. Over the years, Genaveve has acquired a refined taste for coffee. She is no novice when it comes to kitchen appliances. She has tested everything from coffee grinders to blenders and is a true kitchen expert. Joining Genaveve in this process is Becca Glades. Becca has also reviewed our top coffee makers and deeply understands how crucial a good cup of coffee can be. With these two coffee connoisseurs leading the team, you can rest assured that each of these Keurig coffee makers has been tested thoroughly.
Clark Tate joined the team to scrutinize pod coffee makers from an environmental perspective. With a master's degree in environmental science and a decade working in journalism, Clark spends a lot of time thinking about how to make our habits and routines more sustainable.
We brewed back-to-back cups of coffee, noting the flavor and texture of each.
We went through many K-Cups during our comprehensive testing phase.
Each brew was timed and had temperatures measured to compare consistency.
We brewed, timed, tasted, cleaned, customized, and thoroughly explored every one of these Keurig machines.
Analysis and Test Results
A good cup of coffee has been an essential part of the morning routine for many, many decades. To make yours the best it can be, we thoroughly examined each Keurig coffee maker, noting each model's strengths and weaknesses. We focused on how well these coffee makers performed while brewing three cups of coffee in a row. We also carefully considered each model's user experience, its customizable features, and how easy it is to clean.
What's the Best Value?
If you're in the market for a Keurig, you probably value convenience. We define value as a good balance between performance and price. The Keurig K-Supreme Plus Smart is one of the brand's most exceptional products, but it doesn't come with a premium price tag.
If you're shopping on a tight budget, the Keurig K-Mini is a straightforward, inexpensive machine that will work for those willing to forego adjustable features. Its minimalist design might be intriguing to some. The K-Slim offers a similar simple design but includes features the Mini lacks.
We found that more expensive options usually offer more features. If you're looking for ultimate adjustability and customization, it is worth shelling out the extra cash for one of these machines, like the K-Cafe. These machines also tend to brew more flavorful coffee, thanks to more consistent brewing processes.
To Save Money in the Long Run, Don't Buy a Keurig
The price of a Keurig coffee maker is deceptive. To use one, you need a steady supply of K-Cups, and they're much more expensive than just buying coffee beans or grounds alone. A number of coffee makers cost less initially and are less expensive to own over time. Many of them rival Keurig's famed convenience.
The Hamilton Beach The Scoop has a lower price tag than many of the top-ranked K-machines and comes with a reusable filter that works a lot like a K-Cup, for less.
The simple and supremely packable AeroPress is less expensive still. To use it, you just need to add grounds, boil and pour water, stir, and press. It delivers some of the best-tasting coffee we've tried.
Perhaps the most economical option of all is the basic pour over. Even the premier pour over coffee makers cost as little as one or two bags of cheap coffee. While there is a learning curve to coaxing the highest-quality brew out of these simple cones, it comes down to pouring water slowly and with some precision. You'll have that down in no time. The Hario V60 Dripper is a classic example. We haven't found a better one.
The K-Supreme Plus Smart has a simple and intuitive interface that allows for ultimate functionality.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Performance
We rated each machine's performance based on how consistently it brews the types of coffee it offers, and how good that coffee tastes. We started by weighing our mugs and then brewing three cups of coffee with each machine while timing the process. We re-weighed each full mug to determine the volume accuracy and, thus, the consistency of its concentration of coffee. We also measured the temperature of each cup. After that, we tasted every cup, noting the body and flavor profile. We also assessed additional features like milk frothing, cold brew options, and adjustable settings.
The K-Elite earned top scores in this metric, remaining incredibly consistent throughout our tests. Its brew temperatures varied minimally and were among the highest we measured. Its volume output didn't vary at all. This machine brews 200 grams of steaming hot coffee time and time again. We expect a decent-tasting cup of coffee to have consistent temperature and volume, and the K-Elite had no trouble delivering.
The Elite includes a water filter to remove 97% of chlorine. Though it was difficult to tell if this changed the coffee's flavor, it was among the tastiest cups in the Keurig tests. This was also the fastest coffee maker tested, with a total brew time of less than 30 seconds.
The Keurig K-Elite has a wide variety of useful settings.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
The K-Supreme Plus Smart also performs well in this metric, brewing the best-tasting and most robust cup of any Keurig machine. Its adjustable temperature and strength settings led to noticeably different flavor profiles. The K-Supreme includes Keurig's BrewID feature. It recognizes which K-Cup you insert and automatically adjusts its settings to match manufacturer recommendations. You can override the presets, but we find that they work well. We are impressed with how quiet this machine is, as many of its competitors are quite loud.
The K-Supreme Plus Smart brews consistent coffee time and time again.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Most Keurig machines puncture each K-Cup with a single needle to add water to the grounds. The K-Slim and K-Supreme Plus Smart both employ the company's relatively new MultiStream Technology, which uses multiple needles to saturate the coffee grounds more evenly and brew a more flavorful cup of coffee.
MultiStream Technology incorporates more than one puncture needle to more evenly saturate grounds.
Credit: Genaveve Bradshaw
User Experience
Keurig coffee makers are known for making convenient, hassle-free coffee. We devised tests to make sure each machine meets this expectation, focusing on key aspects like how loud they are and how long it takes the water to heat and the coffee to brew.
We measured the footprint of each machine to see how much counter space they demanded and assessed how much water their reservoirs could hold and how easy they were to fill. Unsurprisingly, a well-designed reservoir can prevent spills and minimize cleanup hassle. We also noted how easily K-Cups could added, removed, and replaced.
Due to its versatility and user-friendliness, the K-Supreme Plus Smart earns top scores in this category. At 78 ounces, it has one of the largest reservoirs in the test. Since that much water can be quite heavy, we appreciate that the tank resembles a water pitcher with a helpful side handle. This seemingly minor detail prevents spills and makes it easy to insert the reservoir back into the machine.
The K-Supreme also has a simple interface and an intuitive app. The app isn't necessary to run the machine, but we find it makes it easier and more enjoyable to do so. The coffee maker also has a small screen that gives you nearly the same options that the app does.
K-Cups have been 100% recyclable since 2020, which is great, as long as there is a functional recycling center that accepts #5 plastics near you. Here's a Sierra Club article that will hopefully help you find one.
If you do opt for a Keurig, you'll need to decide whether or not it's important to you to recycle your K-Cups. If it is, be sure to factor in the time and effort to do so when you weigh its convenience against better-tasting alternatives.
Keurig also sells a reusable cup, and there are a number of third-party options for sale online. We haven't taste-tested Keurig coffee using any of these refillable options, so we can't comment on its performance. We can say that it adds an extra step to the process, making it more similar to conventional coffee-making methods.
The K-Supreme Plus Smart has a large reservoir with a handle that makes it easy to refill and transport.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
The Keurig K-Slim is one of the most effortless machines to use while still allowing you to adjust a few key settings. It has three cup size options and reminders to descale and refill the machine. The brewer is also among the smallest in the test, with a 46-ounce reservoir that's easy to fill and replace. The water heating cycle is incorporated into the brewing process, so there is no need to preheat the machine. Simply pop a K-Cup in, choose a size, and press start. The entire process takes roughly a minute and a half. We aren't impressed with the K-Cup housing, however. It feels finicky and is difficult to remove.
The Keurig K-Slim has a simple design yet has options for cup size and reminders to descale and refill the machine.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
The K-Elite and K-Cafe both have intuitive interfaces with clearly labeled buttons. The K-Elite is similar in size and shape to the K-Classic, but includes a wider range of settings. It is also the fastest to heat the water and includes a sizable 75-ounce reservoir. Both of these features are great for those planning on sharing the machine, and the K-Elite will have no trouble brewing back-to-back cups of coffee.
The K-Cafe is similar in functionality with its hefty 60-ounce reservoir. However, this machine includes unique pre-programmed buttons to create specialty coffees like lattes and cappuccinos.
The K-Elite has a large reservoir that prevents the need to constantly refill the brewer.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Customization
Keurig machines are often highly customizable. While most include cup size options, some have the ability to adjust additional settings like brew strength and temperature. Others include auto-on, auto-off, and iced coffee settings. To judge this metric, we assessed how many features each machine had and how well they worked. We also considered each Keurig's maximum mug size and available colorways.
The K-Supreme Plus Smart is easily the most customizable Keurig we've tested. Though the app is not necessary to run the machine, it increases the brewer's functionality, allowing you to choose from five sizes and strengths and six temperatures. You can also create a brewing schedule by choosing dates and times to begin brewing.
The app allows you to favorite and name up to 10 setting profiles, which we found convenient for multiple users or variable tastes. The program will also track your brewing activity and give you recommendations based on your tastes. The K-Supreme is available in two colors: black stainless and stainless.
The K-Supreme Plus features an easy-to-use app that gives precise control of your brewing process.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
We were particularly impressed with the K-Cafe as it offers more features than the rest. Though it doesn't have auto-on or temperature controls, it froths milk, includes a shot setting, and makes specialty drinks. The shots aren't as strong as we prefer and don't compete with a dedicated espresso machine, but we appreciated the option to make hot or cold specialty drinks.
Because water boils at lower temperatures at higher elevations, Keurig includes a high elevation mode on both the K-Elite and K-Slim models. This mode lowers the max temperature to 187 °F above 5,000 feet to avoid over-extracting the coffee grounds, providing a better-balanced cup of coffee.
The K-Cafe includes a milk frother capable of creating cold and hot foam.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Though the K-Mini doesn't have adjustable features, it does come in the largest selection of colors. We found this colorful opportunity delightful and an excellent way to celebrate your style. These compact brewers can fit almost anywhere and, with this many color options, can easily blend into any room.
All of the brewers tested can accommodate a 7-inch mug with the drip tray removed. The K-Elite and K-Cafe can accommodate slightly larger mugs, with a max size of 7.2 inches.
The Keurig K-Mini takes up relatively little counter space and comes in various fun colors.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Ease of Cleaning
We understand the inconvenience of cleaning a coffee maker constantly. That's why we inspect each brewer to see how much it splashes while brewing our coffee. We also meticulously cleaned each machine, including the reservoir, drip tray, and K-Cup housing. We deduct points if the components aren't dishwasher safe or if fingerprints are visible.
The K-Elite and K-Classic were the easiest to clean. Both machines minimize splashes and show no visible fingerprints, so we don't need to wipe down the machine constantly. When it came to deep cleaning these machines, the descaling process was straightforward. The K-Classic drip tray is machine washable, which makes it easier to clean.
The K-Classic has a straightforward and easy-to-use design. Its color and finish easily conceal coffee spots.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Most of these brewers splash a bit during brewing but are easy enough to wipe down. Light-colored machines showed coffee spots more readily. Likewise, some of the machines with metallic finishes showed fingerprints. Every machine we tested has a removable drip tray and K-Cup holder that are easy to hand wash. The K-Cafe had the most dishwasher-safe components, including the frother, reservoir, and drip tray. The K-Supreme has no dishwasher-safe parts.
Drip trays can easily be removed for cleaning or to create more space for larger mugs.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Like traditional drip coffee makers, Keurig machines need to be descaled regularly. Most need to be descaled every three to six months, though this can depend entirely on how often it is used. All of the brewers we tested have a descale indicator light.
The K-Supreme Plus Smart has the most intuitive descale mode. It walks you through the entire process on the Keurig app and will notify you when the process is complete. The K-Slim also has a fairly straightforward descaling process. Though there is no app to walk you through this, the brewer's simple interface includes a descaling light that indicates where you are in the process.
Setting up our side-by-side tests.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Conclusion
Keurig coffee makers make coffee without committing much time or hassle. Using the right brewer can easily become a joyful part of your morning routine. We hope our in-depth review has helped you decide on a new coffee maker based on your preferences and needs. If you've landed on a Keurig, you're going to want some K-Cups for your new brewer.
