Best Keurig Coffee Maker 2023: Tested and Rated (2023)

If you need a new coffee maker but are on a budget, one of Keurig's best coffee makers could be the answer. Keurig machines are distinguished by their affordable and practical design. Simply insert a pod, select your coffee size and the coffee maker does the rest. It often takes less than a minute to produce a full cup of joe. And while the Keurig isn't best known for its flavor, some machines stand out from the rest, particularly those that feature the "strong" brew option.

But how do you know which Keurig coffee maker is best for your kitchen? We've tested a variety of machines to help you. We configure each machine in-house, just like you would, taking into account all the strengths and weaknesses behind the design. First we look at the quality of the coffee produced and the speed, temperature and energy with which it was brewed. We checked for noise during use because you don't want to wake everyone up right away. Additionally, we considered the convenience behind the design, including ease of use, easy cleaning, and compact overall construction. With that in mind, we've compiled the list below to showcase the best Keurig coffee makers. Whether you need a model that can produce milky beverages or one that takes up minimal counter space, we have the answer.

The best Keurig coffee makers currently available

Part coffeemaker, part milk frother, the K-Cafe is the best Keurig coffeemaker because it combines the best of both worlds between capsule machines and tabletop espresso machines. During testing, we found that the "strong" brew function offered a deeper, richer K-cup coffee flavor, while the "shot" function, which brews a 2-ounce, espresso-style concentrate, is an excellent replica of a tasty one espresso is. . Its milk frother is an added bonus, allowing you to heat and froth dairy and milk alternatives for hot and frozen lattes and cappuccinos at the touch of a button and in under two minutes.

After brewing three cups of each serving size, we measured the average time it takes the K-Cafe to brew one cup at 36 seconds, just behind the slightly faster K-Elite and K-Classic. The mouthpiece, on the other hand, is a longer process, taking an average of one minute and 35 seconds per pitcher. It should be noted that K-Café cannot brew and froth milk at the same time. The steamer is also located on the right side of the machine, which can be frustrating for left-handed users. However, this is the only Keurig model with a built-in milk frother, making it arguably the brand's most versatile offering.

Although we liked K-Cafe's coffee, we found the temperatures a bit low. All of the Keurigs we tested couldn't make coffee at high temperatures. The hottest cup of coffee we measured at the K Cafe was just 176 degrees Fahrenheit. Those who prefer hot coffee may be disappointed by the lower temperatures.

The K-Cafe uses around 160kWh of energy, the highest we've ever measured for a Keurig machine, but that's to be expected from a machine that can brew and froth. We also measured 75 decibels of noise from the K-Café brew cycle, the second highest of any Keurig, but its heating process was a much quieter 65 decibels, on average.

Although this premium Keurig is quite pricey, it's a superhero for those mornings when you want a barista experience with limited time. If you're looking for a Keurig that can emulate the café feel at home, or just want a stronger K-Cup flavor in the morning, the K-Cafe is your machine of choice. Its incredibly user-friendly functionality makes it even better.

Read our fullKeurig K Cafe review.

If you're looking for an entry-level Keurig machine that doesn't take up counter space, the K-Slim is a solid, quiet entry-level machine measuring just 4.7 inches wide. Its sleek build is the complete opposite of the typical chunky Keurig design, and maintenance is a breeze thanks to the dishwasher-safe water reservoir and drip tray. Additionally, the multi-stream technology ensures a richer cup of coffee by fully saturating your K-Cups, a flavor that we found during testing resembled the bold feature of other Keurig machines.

Every coffee we've brewed with the K-Slim produced a flavorful cup that adds depth and flavor. The necessary warm temperature is missingimproveCoffee taste like all Keurigs though. The hottest mug ever was 181 degrees Fahrenheit, while the lowest was 168 degrees.

However, we also calculate the machine's average brewing time to be 1 minute and 25 seconds, unlike our main competitors K-Cafe and K-Elite, K-Slim combines the heating and brewing cycles, resulting in a longer wait time. . Still, like all Keurigs, the K-Slim can brew a cup in under two minutes.

At its highest level, K-Slim makes around 74 decibels of noise towards the end of its fermentation cycle. It also consumes slightly more than the K-Elite at around 139 kWh.

However, its disadvantages can stem from its simple design. The K-Slim can only brew three serving sizes: 8, 10, and 12 ounces, and the location of the water tank at the back of the machine can be a little tricky to fill, as you have to flip the machine over to reach it. If you're looking for a basic machine, the K-Slim makes the best-tasting K-cup coffee at the lowest price and comes in a variety of colors including red, mint, gray, and white. That's why it's on the list as one of the best Keurig coffee makers.

Read our fullNeat K-Slim im Test.

The key to a fuller, tastier K-Cup is slower fermentation, and the K-Elite's "hard" button function helps achieve just that and more. This Keurig beast might not have a milk frother, but it makes up for it with tons of features: temperature control, a programmable timer for programming a hot function, a hot water dispenser, the ability to brew iced coffee, and a whopping 75 ounces of water. Tank. The K-Elite also has the largest portion size range, being able to brew 4-, 6-, 8-, 10-, and 12-ounce cups. It even comes with a Keurig-branded water filter to further clean the tank.

We found the machine to be incredibly versatile with its variety of coffee options, and in testing it brewed K-Cups faster than any other Keurig home model, with an average brew time of 34 seconds per serving. It uses about 115 kWh, which is a little more power than we recorded with Keurig's smallest offering, the K-Mini. With a convenient slide-on coffee pod latch and a noise level of 67dB, this machine is easy to use and quiet in operation.

The K-Elite also produced the best-tasting coffee in the test. We found the depth, flavor and texture comparable to a cup made from a typical coffeecoffee machine. Like all Keurigs on this list, however, the K-Elite can't produce coffee at the temperatures needed to deliver the absoluteimproveI like. The hottest cup of coffee we measured on the K-Elite was 182 degrees Fahrenheit, while the hottest was 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

This is one of the best Keurig coffee makers you can buy, although the lack of a spout and high price tag might put some off trying its magic.

Read our fullKeurig K-Elite im Test.

The K-Select looks like a smarter update of the K-Classic, with a slightly smaller, if somewhat bulky, build. It features the coveted "strong" button found on some Keurigs that enhances the flavor of K-cups, and it didn't disappoint. While the K-Select is priced the same as the K-Classic, it offers more boldness and, as tests have shown, a quieter heating and brewing cycle. A 52-ounce water reservoir gives it a 4-ounce advantage over its predecessor, plus it can brew a 12-ounce serving, the largest size for Keurigs on the market today.

Most Keurigs separate each heating and brewing cycle, both of which can produce a variety of noises. The K-Select was the quietest machine we recorded warming up, at 63 decibels and around 67 decibels. This makes the K-Select the quietest Keurig we've tested. It consumes around 125 kWh, i.e. less than we measured with the K-Classic with 130 kWh. It is also very easy to use and clean with its simple button layout and detachable water tank. However, keep in mind that its power can make the kitchen messier as there may be a lot of splashes during the preparation.

The K-Select takes an average of 54 seconds to brew a cup of coffee, including the typical longer "strong" brew, and around 40 seconds to heat up, which is about as fast as you'd expect from a Keurig.

The K-Select surpasses its other Keurig brethren in its ability to brew delicious coffee in near-silent fashion. What she lacks, however, is her substantial stature and flashy fermentation cycle, complicating the easy purification process she seems to offer. However, it is still one of the best Keurig coffee makers due to its quiet operation and delicious results.

Read our fullKeurig K-Select im Test.

The K-Mini is the easiest Keurig machine to buy. Its water reservoir is just right for the portion size you want, no matter how much water you add, no matter how much coffee you get. It can hold and prepare between 6 and 12 oz. It's equipped with hidden cord storage that makes it easy to move around, and its two buttons, one for power and one for ready, make operation a breeze. It's the smallest Keurig available at 4.5 inches wide and about 11 inches deep, slimmer than the K-Slim, and it comes in bold colors including green, pink, teal, gray, and red. .

However, like many barebones Keurigs that lack a "strong" setup or multi-stream technology, the K-Mini is unable to produce a deep flavor profile. The coffee produced by this machine is good, but it falls short of some of the top-rated models on our list. The K-Mini makes coffee that tastes burnt and flat, although we measured the coffee temperature at 189 degrees Fahrenheit, which is surprisingly the hottest mug we've recorded. In fact, no brewed coffee was below 180 degrees.

The K-Mini has the longest brew time of any Keurig on this list, averaging 2 minutes and 33 seconds for a total of five cups. It's also the loudest, as we measured 80 decibels during the fermentation cycle.

For what it's worth, it's still impressively easy to use due to the minimal button layout and small water tank, and at 110kWh it's also the lowest power guzzler. While it can be annoying to constantly have to refill the water tank, it also ensures that water doesn't build up in the machine's tank, which means less waste. It's worth checking out if space is at a premium and you just want the essentials of one of the best Keurig coffee makers.

Read our full review ofNeat K-Mini.

How we tested the best Keurig coffee makers

To find the best Keurig machines, we conduct a rigorous series of tests that combine objective data and specifications with subjective everyday use.

We calculated the time it takes each Keurig machine to heat up, brew the coffee, and froth the milk if necessary. We also measured the energy consumption of each device over approximately 30 minutes of use. We took into account the size, height and noise level of each home use machine and compared the measurements between each Keurig using a noise meter.

For the tasting, we brew at least three of the same K-Cup variety per machine with different brewing settings such as "strong" and "matte". we use onePublix roast decaffeinated coffeeThis allowed us to taste every cup without our tester staying up all night. (That's a lot of caffeine!) We also measured the temperature of every serving produced by each Keurig machine and recorded our ratings for the depth and flavor of each K-Cup brewed.

National Coffee Association(opens in new tab)Consider the ideal fermentation temperature to be between 195 and 205 degrees Fahrenheit. Every cup of coffee we've brewed with a Keurig has measured less, between 160 and 189 degrees Fahrenheit. Also, most Keurig machines have a preset temperature and lid.192 Grad(opens in new tab), which is less than the optimal NCA proposal.

We also rate each Keurig on ease of use and cleanability based on the number of features, buttons, and detachable accessories available for each machine. Devices with a minimum number of buttons performed better than devices with a large number of buttons, although it should be noted that all of the Keurigs on this list are fairly easy to use. Any machine with a water reservoir that looked flimsy or difficult to manipulate and fill was rated lower than those with finger or grip inserts. Since most Keurigs have dishwasher-safe parts, nearly all machines have performed well in terms of cleaning. Points were deducted based on the amount of spatter and condensation a Keurig produced during the brewing process.

Which Keurig coffee makers are not on the list?

We tried those tooK classicjust like himK-155 Office ProHowever, none of these machines performed well enough to make the list of the best Keurig coffee makers. We found the K-Classic brewed coffee to be quiet and quick, but its bulky design held it back. It also produced coffee that lacked depth and flavor. Meanwhile, the K-155, while having a more modern and advanced design, was also tasteless and consequently didn't offer great value for money.

Care and maintenance of a Keurig coffee maker

DiscoverHow to clean your Keurigto ensure fresh brews and a continuous process.

• If using a reusable coffee filter, be sure to use coarse ground coffee and fill the filter basket to the bottom of the brown area (2.5 tbsp).
• If you find grounds in your coffee, or if you drink a cup of coffee that is smaller than the size you selected, one of the needles may be clogged or need cleaning. Turn off the machine before cleaning the needles. To release the exit needle, you must remove and disassemble the capsule holder, then use a paper clip to remove any debris. Raise the head and use the paper clip to clean the inlet needle. We encourage you to consider this usefulVideo(opens in new tab)on the Keurig website before beginning the procedure.
• We recommend every three to six months or when you notice the preparation is slowerDescale your Keurig. Start by filling the container with 10 ounces of white vinegar (orKeurig descaling solution(opens in new tab)). Start the brewing process without the K-Cup installed and run the machine normally, making sure to use a cup to catch the liquid. Repeat this process a second time with vinegar, then a third time with 10 ounces of fresh water.

Keurig Brewers and the Environment

Until recently, K-Cups weren't recyclable and ended up in landfills. In 2019 and 2020, new recyclable polypropylene K-Cups were developed and launched in the United States. Keurig promised that all K-Cups will be recyclable by the end of 2020, but there hasn't been an update to that initiative since then. That means you might need to double-check if you're buying a recyclable K-Cup pod. To identify recyclable capsules, look for a symbol on the packaging if buying from a store, or on the Keurig.com listing if buying online.

Although the pods are recyclable, they are not compostable. And they're only recyclable if you take the time to remove the cap, discard or compost the coffee grounds inside, and then rinse the pods before throwing them in the trash. There's also concern that because K-Cups are so small, they could end up in recycling facilities and landfills.

You can buy what is called a reusable My K-Cup filter that can be used with your own ground coffee and then washed and reused. While it solves some of the problems associated with capsules, it reduces the convenience of brewing with a Keurig, especially when many people use the machine throughout the day.

What Kind of Coffee Maker Should You Buy?Check out our guide if you're not sure.