Keurig made a name for itself as one of the first single-serving coffee makers for home use. Considering all of the ways you can brew coffee at home, from complex to simple, Keurig is our all-around favorite when it comes to ease and speed. The brand offers a wide range of coffee machines in various sizes and with all sorts of features. From compact miniature coffee makers to expansive machines that can whip up frothy lattes and more, there is a Keurig machine for every kind of coffee drinker. To help find the best Keurig coffee maker for your home or office, we’ve narrowed down the options for you. What We Don’t Love: Doesn’t froth all milks, no iced coffee This is our all-around favorite Keurig coffee maker because it is highly versatile and very reliable. From black coffee and hot chocolate to fluffy homemade cappuccinos and milky lattes, this machine can handle nearly any barista-style drink request. The machine can brew four different cup sizes, with customizable brew strength, and accommodates travel mugs up to 7 inches in height. It’s also compatible with Keurig’s reusable coffee filter if you’d rather use your own coffee grounds. A dishwasher-safe milk frother comes included, though it won’t froth all milk varieties, only cow milk, soy milk, and almond milk. And thanks to the Smart Start technology, the machine heats and starts up at the same time. So your emergency first cup of the day is ready in a flash. Price at time of publish: $190 Dimensions: 15.3 x 11.7 x 12.5 inches | Reservoir Capacity: 60 ounces | Cup Sizes: 4 sizes: 6, 8, 10 and 12 ounces What We Don’t Love: Smaller water reservoir, no specialty coffee drinks This is an amazing, affordable Keurig machine for home use. It reliably and quietly brews coffee in under 60 seconds in four different cup sizes and can brew into a 7.2-inch travel mug. Of course, you can change brew strength and have it dispense hot water when it’s time for tea. A removable drip tray makes cleaning easy, though. Despite its lower price tag, this machine is as well-built and long-lasting as the more feature-rich options. It also comes in six vibrant color options. Price at time of publish: $140 Dimensions: 11.6 x 9.2 x 12.5 inches | Reservoir Capacity: 52 ounces | Cup Sizes: 4 sizes: 6, 8, 10 and 12 ounces What We Don’t Love: Reservoir empties quickly The K-Duo Coffee Maker stands apart from other Keurig models because it offers a choice. To satisfy the caffeine needs of a busy office, you can brew a full pot with your favorite ground beans, and it stays fresh for hours. Just like with regular coffee makers, the 1,470-watt machine will pause mid-brew so you can fill your cup. It comes with a basket filter, and you can easily see how much water is left in the clear reservoir. Or when someone needs a quick pick-me-up or has a craving for a hot drink other than coffee, pop a regular K-Cup into the single-serving side of the machine and enjoy your drink in minutes. Unlike the carafe side, you can choose brew strength for the single-serve. The auto brew setting allows you to program brewing a full carafe before you get to the office. Price at time of publish: $110 Dimensions: 12.8 x 11 x 12.9 inches | Reservoir Capacity: 60 ounces | Cup Sizes: 4 sizes: 6, 8, 10 and 12 ounces; 6 to 12-cup carafe What We Don’t Love: No specialty coffee drinks, longer heating time The K-Elite Coffee Maker from Keurig offers a spacious 75-ounce reservoir and a stronger brew setting for iced coffee lovers. It has a compact footprint, so it won’t take up much countertop space. Unlike some other Keurigs, this model offers a small 4-ounce cup size for when you need an afternoon espresso. It will also dispense just hot water for tea or a cup of noodles. Keurig’s Quiet-Brew technology means that this powerful machine is also one of the quietest, though it does have a slightly longer start-up time to heat. Price at time of publish: $190 Dimensions: 12.7 x 9.9 x 13.1 inches | Reservoir Capacity: 75 ounces | Cup Sizes: 5 sizes: 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 ounces What We Don’t Love: 1-cup reservoir For small households or crowded counters, this 5-inch-wide pod brewer is the best option. It quickly and efficiently brews full-bodied coffee in minutes and is easy to store and clean thanks to a removable reservoir and drip tray, plus hidden cord storage on the back. Offered in a range of attractive colors for any kitchen design scheme, the machine has a 1-cup reservoir and can brew in travel mugs up to 7 inches tall. The pod storage container does hold up to 9 K-Cups, so you don’t need to fumble around for one first thing in the morning. And for safety and energy savings, the auto-off feature will shut the machine down after 90 seconds of inactivity. Price at time of publish: $110 Dimensions: 11.3 x 4.5 x 12.1 inches | Reservoir Capacity: 12 ounces | Cup Sizes: 6 to 12 ounces What We Don’t Love: No ice coffee setting The K-Duo Plus offers the best of both worlds: the signature Keurig single-serving pod option for individual mugs in four different sizes, as well as a 12-cup carafe to brew a pot of ground coffee for a crowd. Unlike the K-Duo, you can only brew one option at a time. This is an ideal option for a household with different brew preferences that also likes to entertain with a traditional pot of freshly brewed coffee. When brewing a full pot, the stainless steel carafe is well insulated and will keep coffee hot for up to two hours. It is programmable so you can wake up to fresh coffee. This model does allow you to customize the brew strength for both the carafe and single-serve options. If you’re a little tight on space, the water reservoir can be attached on either side or at the back of the machine. Price at time of publish: $230 Dimensions: 14.19 x 8.2 x 11.7 inches | Reservoir Capacity: 60 ounces | Cup Sizes: 4 sizes: 6, 8, 10 and 12 ounces; 6 to 12-cup carafe
What to Look for When Buying a Keurig
Size
Versatility
All of the Keurig coffee makers can brew multiple sizes of hot coffee and handle brewing straight into your travel mug. Many will also dispense hot water on demand for non-coffee drinkers or a quick cup of noodles. However, if you prefer specialty drinks like a latte or cappuccino, there’s a limited number of models that come with a milk frother to add light-as-air foam to your brew.
Features
Some Keurig pod brewers go above and beyond the simple insert pod and brew functionality. Many of the newer machines offer an option for a bolder cup of joe. Another advanced feature to look for includes an iced coffee setting. If you love to have your coffee ready when you wake up, a few of the models are programmable for just that.
How do you clean a Keurig?
Keurig machines have a few parts that need to be cleaned regularly. The water reservoir will need to be descaled every three to six months, depending on how much use it gets. Most models have a descaling indicator that will let you know when there is build-up in the reservoir.
Should you use filtered water?
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This article was written by Lizzy Briskin, a chef, freelance food writer, and recipe developer who loves putting popular kitchen gear to the test, especially when the experiments end with something tasty (preferably ice cream). Read Next: The Best Milk Frothers