How to Choose the Perfect Keurig Coffee Machine

So you’re looking for the perfect Keurig coffee machine for your kitchen counter? Do you love their pod range and want to have quick and delicious coffee in no time? Then let’s take a look at some of the different Keurig models to give you some ideas of what that perfect one might look like for you.

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6 Best Keurig Coffee Makers

One of the best ways to find the perfect Keurig coffee machine is to look at the different sizes and capacities of the models. Then compare the features to help you see what you need. Plus, you can see how much you need to spend to get what you want.

Here are six models from across the Keurig range to help you see what these coffee machines have in store.

Keurig K-Mini Plus

The Keurig K-Mini series is the baby range of the family. It is a single-serve coffee maker with a handy pod storage unit that can store up to 9 pods. The Plus model has a few more features than the basic Mini that make it worth considering.

The machine is less than 5 inches wide, so it doesn’t need a lot of bench space. It can make drinks between 6oz and 12 oz and has a chrome drip tray to catch those lingering coffee drops. There’s a strong brew button if you like your coffee powerful, and the process of brewing takes just a few minutes.

✅ Pros

Small size, only 5 inches wide
Uses the K-pods system
Varying cup sizes handled
Comes in different colours

❌ Cons

Only makes one cup at a time
Pod storage only holds 9 pods

Keurig K-Slim

The Keurig K-Slim model is another workbench space saver but has a larger capacity than the K-Mini Plus. At 5 inches wide, it doesn’t need much space but has the capacity to fill mugs up to 7 inches tall.

This model is impressive as it holds up to 46oz water so enough to make four cups before refilling. You can choose from eight, ten, or twelve-ounce cup sizes with a button selector, and it works with travel mugs, too. There’s a removable drip tray to save on mess and an auto-off feature if you forget to switch it off.

✅ Pros

Small size, only 5 inches wide
Holds enough water for 4 cups
Handles mugs up to 7 inches high
Auto-off energy-saving feature

❌ Cons

No strength control option
Only three cup sizes
No pod storage under the machine

Keurig K-Classic Coffee Maker

If you picture a Keurig coffee maker, the Keurig K-Classic is probably the one that comes to mind. With its stocky looks and touch-button operation, it is a mainstay of the range with a great selection of features. The machine is just over 13 inches high and 10 inches wide, so it needs a little more bench room without being dominating.

The K-Classic can serve three different cup sizes and has a 48-ounce water reservoir. Brewing time is less than a minute, and there’s an auto shut-off feature to save energy. It has a removable drip tray and with this out, it can handle a travel mug of 7 inches in height. There’s even a descale feature to handle those tricky hard water areas.

✅ Pros

48oz water capacity
Three different cup sizes
Large but not too large

❌ Cons

No pod storage built-in
Only cups up to 7 inches high

Keurig K250 Coffee Maker

The Keurig K250 model offers a good balance of the features of the Classic but is a little slimmer and smaller on the counter. It has a strength control feature that lets you make coffee strong if you want it, and it also can brew four different pod sizes from 4 to 10 ounces. You can also use the Carafe pods, which are 22, 26, or 30 ounces in size.

With a simple black and white touch screen to operate the machine, it is easier to work than the press button styles. You also have more control as you can dispense hot water only by opening or closing the brewer handle. So if you just want to add more hot water to a drink without a pod, you can do that.

✅ Pros

Easy to operate touch screen
40-ounce water reservoir
Multiple cup sizes brewed
Strength control

❌ Cons

Larger than some models
No built-in pod storage
Not everyone loves touch screens

Keurig K475 Coffee Maker

The Keurig K475 is one of the bigger home coffee makers in the Keurig range that has a 70-ounce water reservoir and can handle up to five different cup sizes. You can use K-pods from 4-12 ounces and mug pod sizes from 12-16oz. It can also handle Carafe brew sizes from 22-30oz.

The machine is still only 13.2 inches high and can handle mugs up to 7.2 inches high once you take out the removable drip tray. There’s a strong brew option and the machine runs from a simple touch screen to program the settings.

✅ Pros

Five different cup sizes
Handles mugs and carafe pods
Strong brew option
70-ounce reservoir

❌ Cons

Larger machine
No built-in storage for pods
Travel mugs need drip tray removing

Keurig C K-Elite Maker

For serious coffee fans, the Keurig C K-Elite Maker is a serious Keurig coffee maker that even has iced coffee capability. It has a large 75-ounce water reservoir and hot water on-demand options, and the reservoir can be easily refilled.

You can make five different cup sizes and also make iced coffee, brewing it perfectly and then adding ice to cool it. There’s a strong brew button and also a shut-off to save power. You have temperature control and even a high altitude setting with the touch of a button.

✅ Pros

Five different cup sizes
75-ounce reservoir
Iced coffee setting
Temperature control

❌ Cons

Button operated
Travel mugs need drip tray removing
No built-in pod storage

Who is Keurig?

If you are new to the world of coffee makers, Keurig is a name you will quickly run into. They are one of the big companies that produce coffee machines for home use and also has an extensive range of commercial coffee machines that you sometimes see in cafes but more commonly in offices.

The company started in the 1990s with office coffee machines and then branched into the domestic market. Now, it offers a wide range of models and extras like carafes, filters, and its famous K-pods.

What makes their coffee maker so popular?

One of the big draws to Keurig coffee makers versus other brands is that they make coffee quickly – usually, the machines brew in less than one minute. They are low maintenance and reliable with few regular issues, and many have programmable features.

While there’s not the control of a drip machine or a French press, there are hundreds of flavors to choose from in their K-pods. This also means you get consistent results with your coffee – no concerns about over-grinding the beans or choosing a poor-quality roast.

The machines come in various sizes and configurations, but all the domestic ones are ideal for the kitchen counter and don’t take up a lot of space.

You might also like How to Make Keurig Hot Chocolate Taste Better by The Coffee Chef

Best features of a Keurig

When you are looking at any model Keurig for your home, there are a few key features to consider.

Almost all of the machines will:

Give you coffee in a minute or less
Have a removable drip tray for ease of cleaning
Have a removable reservoir to make refilling easy

Then there are some of the other features you might want to look for:

Cup size

Some models will only handle one or two cup sizes, while others can handle up to five cups, mugs, and also carafe-style jugs. This means you have the full range of pods to choose from and plenty of coffee-size options. Plus, almost all will handle travel mugs with the removal of the drip tray.

Strong brew option

Many of the models have a strong brew option which allows you to upgrade your coffee and make it stronger. This is ideal if you like your coffee on the stronger side than the pods normally make it. Usually, it is just a button to press or a setting to select.

Other drink options

Some of the larger models also have options for things like iced coffee as well as dispensing just hot water with no pods involved. If you don’t need these features, then the smaller, less expensive models are perfect. But if you do, then look for these.

The best Keurig coffee maker

There’s no right or wrong answer to the question of what the perfect Keurig coffee machine for your home is. But there are some models shown here that give you good points to consider.

From slim and simple with the K-Mini Plus to the K-Classic with its chunky looks and cup size range and finishing with the K-Elite and its iced coffee option, the machines span all budgets and needs.

How to Choose the Perfect Keurig Coffee Machine