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 “pictures,” which might be bolstered by utilizing 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 laborious to pour. It might be inconceivable 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 stage, however my testing didn’t yield an excellent center floor between barely and overly frothed. For cafe-style drinks, I might suggest one in every of our favourite milk frothers to make use of on the aspect reasonably than a built-in one.

The Value of Okay-Cups Can Add Up

Shopping for espresso in pod kind might be extra expensive 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). After all, the precise prices in your scenario would fluctuate relying on what sort of espresso you favor and the way a lot you drink, however on this occasion, one cup a day would add as much as about $61 extra per yr utilizing Okay-Cups. Though not a deal-breaking distinction for a lot of, it’s one side to contemplate when selecting your go-to brewing methodology.

Espresso Pods Aren’t Very Recyclable

It’s additionally essential to contemplate the environmental impression 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 the USA falls shockingly quick of what shoppers are led to imagine. Additionally, acceptance at a facility doesn’t imply they are going to 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 Trade Fee in September 2024 for making deceptive statements in regards to the recyclability of Okay-Cup pods, a problem that Keurig resolved by including an advisory to shoppers to examine immediately with their native recycling amenities to see if their used pods might be accepted (or recycled). For many who need the benefit of a Keurig with out the waste, take into account a reusable filter. They are often stuffed 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” isn’t 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 just about no cleanup, wasted dregs, or effort past selecting the pod and brew measurement. Whereas alternate options like single-serve espresso makers or reusable filters might 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 power. 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 take into account extra options to fit your preferences. Search for fashions with Robust and Over Ice brewing if you happen to like additional daring or iced espresso. Take into account 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 favored: 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 favored 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 might be positioned on the left or at the back of 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 through the course of my testing. In case you are on a finances, it might 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
• Wire 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 Robust brew modes
• Different options: Twin place water reservoir that may be positioned on the aspect or at the back of 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 wash exterior, drip tray, and water reservoir. The drip tray and water reservoir may 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 forestall taste switch between drinks. Substitute the water filter each two months, and descale with Keurig descaling resolution each three to 6 months. 

What we favored: This streamlined mannequin coated the fundamentals with none additional frills. It had a single-brew water reservoir on high that was designed to be stuffed 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 selection for small kitchens, dorm rooms, and individuals who don’t drink espresso often and wish to retailer the machine between makes use of. The Okay-Mini was tremendous inexpensive, too; it was nicely underneath $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 few minute longer than different fashions. It additionally didn’t have choices for Robust 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
• Wire size: 27 inches
• Water tank capability: 12 ounces (to be stuffed 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: Wire storage at the back of 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 may 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 forestall 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 costlier than the successful Okay-Supreme (although the 2 appear to fluctuate in worth). The buttons have been obscure since they confirmed nonspecific cup icons reasonably than the brew volumes. It additionally took up extra space 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 number of additional options that originally appeared interesting, like adjustable temperatures and auto-on scheduling. But it surely 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 reasonably 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 big 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 costly fashions within the lineup. Nonetheless, I may see this being an excellent 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 robust 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 laborious 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 may be 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 provided probably the most customization of the lineup, it was additionally the priciest. This mannequin should still be an excellent possibility for households with totally different sorts of espresso drinkers or those that prefer to dial in on their excellent cup.

FAQs

Are Okay-Cups recyclable?

Whereas Okay-Cups, that are constituted of quantity 5 polypropylene plastic, are technically accepted at many recycling amenities if they’re peeled and emptied, most of them are not processed for post-consumer use. Even when a facility accepts quantity 5 plastics on the whole, it might be unable to course of Okay-Cups due to their measurement. Test along with your native recycling middle 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 just 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 can 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 adjustments. Many Keurig machines, like our successful Okay-Supreme mannequin, provide a definite Over Ice brew mode that lowers the warmth partway via brewing to reduce the quantity of ice that melts, maintaining your espresso colder and extra strong.

Does a Keurig make espresso?

No. Keurig machines use some strain to push water via 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 “pictures” of extra-strength espresso. If you would like a machine that mechanically brews espressos reasonably than espresso, take into account a Nespresso machine as an alternative.

Why We’re the Specialists

• Ashlee Redger is a contract meals author who’s been reviewing tools for Critical Eats since 2022. She has interned at America’s Check Kitchen, created shopper merchandise and restaurant menus for nationwide manufacturers, and developed tons of of recipes for house cooks.
• She has written many evaluations for Critical Eats, together with Nespresso machines. 
• For this assessment, 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.