In my opinion, the Keurig coffee machine might be the single most important development in the coffee industry in recent history.
Controversial, right? Not to me.
Yes, there has been the popularization of cappuccino, the invention of the nitro coffee making machine, and espresso machines, but I believe the Keurig trumps them all.
Keurigs are versatile because they can make a myriad of different flavors and they are convenient, with all coffee pods coming pre-portioned for a single cup.
But there are some downsides as well.
In this article, I will discuss the pros and cons of Keurig coffee machines and whether or not you should buy one.
By Andrew – Keurig owner and Jozo Salmanić – Croatian barista with 15 years of experience.
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This page may contain affiliate links – we may earn a small commission when you make a purchase through these links. This is at no extra cost to you.
The Pros
Number One: From Cupboard to Delicious Coffee in Seconds
With our lives constantly on the go, this is my personal favorite pro.
I often don’t have time to wait for an entire pot of coffee to brew as I need to be at work or appointments.
It takes less than a minute to brew a single cup of hot delicious coffee.
By the way, have you had a look at our resources and deals page yet?
Number Two: The Flavor Options are Endless
There are 200 different flavors of Keurig brand coffee pods.
This does not include the coffee pods that other companies make.
There are several hundred companies that make such pods and each company makes several flavors each.
You do the math.
I don’t think you will ever run out of flavors to try!
Number Three: The Value
Each pod costs less than actually going to your local Starbucks.
In fact, a single pod of Starbucks brand coffee costs sixty-six cents compared to a single cup of Starbucks brand dark roast at your local Starbucks, which costs $2.75.
You can actually drink Starbucks right at home for a lot cheaper!
Number Four: Freshness
This is it.
It’s morning.
You’ve waited all night just to enjoy your favorite activity of the day – coffee drinking.
After all, us coffee aficionados don’t drink coffee to wake up.
We wake up to drink coffee!
You reach into the cupboard and grab the container with your favorite kind of coffee – light roast (the best kind, but that is my personal opinion).
You open it and…Oh no!
Your coffee is stale again.
Have you ever been in that situation?
Keurig coffee pods make being in that situation a thing of the past.
The pods are always sealed and thus, always stay fresh, much unlike opening a big container of coffee and exposing it to air every single day.
Number Five: Pre-measured Coffee
Have you ever made an entire pot of coffee and dumped out almost all of it?
I know I have.
Keurig takes care of this problem with their pre-measured coffee pods each containing a single serving of coffee.
The Cons
Number One: Expensive Compared to at-home Drip Coffee
While Keurig is less expensive than going to the coffee shop, it is more expensive than making coffee from a drip coffee maker at home.
In fact, even the inventor of K-cups doesn’t use a Keurig, saying they cost too much.
One particular analysis cited by money.com, which includes the inventor’s opinion, states that when comparing Caribou K-cups to ground coffee, the cost per cup is 66 cents and 28 cents respectively.
If you make three cups a day for a year, it costs $723 for K-cups, whereas drip coffee would cost $307.
That’s a big difference!
Also, Keurigs only make single servings so if you have people at your house and you serve coffee from a Keurig, the cost can really add up!
What’s more is that the Keurig coffee machine itself is pretty expensive compared at regular at-home drip coffee makers.
Number Two: Cappuccinos and Lattes are Lower Quality
If you love cappuccinos and lattes then this downside of Keurigs will play a large part in your decision of whether you should buy one.
I personally love cappuccinos and lattes but still use a Keurig, so it is all up to your personal preferences.
These kinds of drinks from a Keurig don’t have the same frothy and rich flavor compared to when they are made by an espresso machine or by a barista.
For me, however, the speed and convenience of using a Keurig outweighs the slightly lower quality when it comes to cappuccinos and lattes.
Number Three: Not Good for the Environment
Originally when they became popular, K-cups were not recyclable.
However, since 2020, you can now recycle them.
While recycling K-cups is better than having them end up in a landfill, because they are made of plastic, they are still not great for the environment.
Recycling plastic costs more than recycling other materials and just because we put them in the recycling bin does not mean they will be recycled.
In fact, NPR and PBS conducted an investigation on this and found that less than 10 percent of plastic put in recycling bins in the U.S. has actually been recycled.
Number Four: Lack of Features
If you want more features on your Keurig, you will have to opt for the newer, more expensive models.
For example, lower-end Keurig coffee machines do not have heat strength and brew strength as options to enjoy and they have smaller water containers.
In addition, only the new, higher end models have the setting options to make iced coffee.
Number Five: Durability
You just bought a Keurig. While expensive you think it is the right choice.
You bring it home, take it out of the box, and put the new, shiny device on the counter thinking that it will last a long time.
Soon thereafter, it stops working.
This occurrence is not all that uncommon.
While there are alternatives available, Keurig does offer a one-year warranty, many Keurig users report that they often don’t last that long.
Should You Buy a Keurig?
Should you buy a Keurig?
This is not an easy question to answer. It all depends on your personal preferences and how you want your coffee.
I personally think it is a Godsend.
It can make a variety of delicious, hot, flavored coffee in seconds, which for me, is a game changer.
If that is not important to you and you are more concerned about cost, perhaps a traditional drip coffee maker is better for you.
Whatever coffee maker you choose, be sure to do your research and choose one that is best for your life.
Further Reading – 7 Keurig Alternatives to Consider – By A Keurig User And A Barista
Keurig is the most popular single-serve coffee maker on the market in the United States, with over eighty different models.
27 percent of coffee drinkers use Keurig.
But just because it is very popular does not necessarily make it the best option for you.
There are several alternatives to the best-selling Keurig.
Keurig vs. Nespresso
Keurig owned 61 percent of the single-serve coffee market in the U.S., whereas Nespresso only owned 4 percent, as of 2015 (this is the most recent year that I could find this statistic).
However, Nespresso has a greater prevalence in Europe.
Advantages of Nespresso
Better Tasting Coffee
Let’s first start with the advantages of the European style Nespresso coffee maker.
The most obvious advantage of Nespresso coffee makers is the undisputed fact that they make better tasting coffee.
There are two types of Nespresso coffee makers: OriginalLine (which brews only espresso) and VertuoLine (which brews coffee and espresso).
Built-in Frothing Mechanisms
Some of these machines have a built-in frothing mechanism.
This allows you to make cappuccinos, lattes, and other specialty coffee drinks.
For those machines that don’t, you can use a hand-pump frother, which is included with most Nespresso coffee makers.
Brewing Method
The brew method of Nespresso coffee makers is also superior to Keurigs.
Specific to the VertuoLine, it uses a centrifugal approach where there is increased interaction between hot water and coffee.
This allows for a distinctive, thin layer of foam in your coffee, which makes the taste and aroma much better than coffee from a Keurig.
4 Coffee Gear & Coffee Recommendations
- Breville Barista Pro – An excellent manual espresso machine for home use
- Philips 3200 Series Espresso Machine – Easy-to-use fully automatic coffee machine for small office or home use
- Rancilio Egro ONE Touch – High capacity fully automatic commercial coffee machine for professional use
- Koa Coffee – Premium hand-picked Hawaiian coffee. Have you tried American coffee yet?
Durability of the Machine
Swiss-made Nespresso coffee machines are a lot sturdier, more durable, and sleeker compared to Keurig coffee makers.
They are made from heavy plastic and metal, whereas Keurigs are made solely of lighter plastic and are larger, so take up more counterspace.
This may change over time, but for now Nespresso comes with a two-year warranty, whereas Keurig only comes with a one-year warranty.
In addition, Nespresso lovers enthusiastically comment on how long-lasting their machines are.
I have read online that Keurig users complain about the machine’s short lifespan, accounting for many issues that interfere with their coffee brewing.
According to Consumer Reports, Keurigs have a “middling good” rating, whereas Nespresso has an “excellent” rating for reliability.
Advantages of Keurig
Price to Buy
The actual Keurig machine is less expensive than Nespresso.
The price depends on the model.
Keurig models cost anywhere from 75 dollars to 250 dollars.
Nespresso models cost around 150 to 300 dollars.
Price per Pod
I am an addict.
I don’t think I will ever stop drinking coffee.
I drink at least three cups of coffee a day, which can become quite the expense.
Is there a way to cut down on the cost of coffee?
Yes, there is.
The answer is Keurig.
One Keurig brand coffee pod costs anywhere from 35 to 65 cents.
OriginalLine Nespresso coffee capsules cost between 75 and 85 cents and VertuoLine capsules can cost up to $1.40 per capsule.
Depending on the type of pod you use, you could be saving hundreds of dollars a year by choosing Keurig over Nespresso.
Keurig pods also have more favor variety than Nespresso capsules.
These two facts alone are why I chose to buy, and continue to use, a Keurig.
Features
Nespresso machines do not have the fancy and handy features that Keurigs have.
These features include: temperature control, brew strength control, color touch LED display, clock that is programmable and auto-on, a bigger water tank that holds over 80 fluid ounces of water, and a water filter.
For some people (including me), these features are very important as you can customize your coffee the way you want.
Other Alternatives to Keurig
Bunn Single Cup Home Brewer
The Bunn Single Cup Home Brewer is a versatile machine and a good alternative to Keurig.
It can be used with K-cups, ground coffee and even makes tea.
One great feature that this machine has is Pulse Brew, where it brews for a longer amount of time, making your coffee stronger and this setting extracts more flavor from the coffee as well.
Cuisinart SS-10P1
The Cuisinart SS-10P1 comes with some important features and could be a good choice if you are looking for a Keurig alternative.
Brewing coffee and cleaning the machine is easy – at the touch of a button.
Also, this machine has an LCD display, which lets you navigate through the different features with ease.
There is a clock, serving settings, and temperature settings. It can use K-cups and even allows you to make hot cocoa and tea with the hot water feature.
While shopping and doing your research on coffee makers, be sure to look this one up.
More Keurig Substitutes & Alternatives
By Jozo – Croatian barista with 15 years of experience.
These are from a bigger list of compact coffee makers.
Lavazza BLUE Compact 910 – Italian Classic
Lavazza is one of the leaders in the coffee equipment market, and its capsule machines are top-class.
Lavazza BLUE Compact 910 is an espresso capsule machine for all espresso lovers who want their shot made quickly and without fuss.
You don’t have to buy big or expensive machines anymore.
This model has that sleek Italian design all coffee aficionados adore. It also has a practical compartment for used capsules.
The machine should work only with Lavazza BLUE capsules. However, many other capsule makers are compatible with this model, and you won’t have issues with that.
Lavazza beans remain one of my favorite choices for a classical Italian espresso, and this machine will get you almost the same feeling, for a much lower price and less hassle.
Compact Espresso Machines Instead of Keurig?
Why not.
Breville Barista Express – Best Compact Espresso Maker For Specialty Coffee
Have you always wanted one home coffee device for all your caffeine needs?
Breville Barista Express goes from fresh bean to hot espresso in less than 60 seconds.
The built-in conical grinder grinds directly into the basket, and you can finely tune the grind with 16 levels.
Every little detail of this flawless machine screams “specialty coffee,” and you will have difficulty finding a better compact espresso maker for your home, especially at this price.
This little fellow has everything, a manual steam wand, a hot water pipe, and a built-in tamper. No wonder it’s one of the most popular home-line espresso makers out there.
In this package, you get all the gizmo you need for everyday coffee brewing, from a milk jug to a scoop, even a tiny hex wrench for maintenance.
Calphalon Compact – Designed For Every Kitchen
When an espresso maker this slim has a cup-warming surface, you know every detail is covered.
Calphalon Compact Espresso Machine is sleek, space-saving, and very affordable.
If you drink just one coffee per day, your investment in this beautifully designed small espresso maker will start paying off after a month.
Not to mention you will drink better espresso than in most places.
No control panels or retro gauges here. Just buttons for a single or double espresso, and a surprisingly effective steam wand, considering the size of the machine.
The stainless steel body ensures the machine is here to stay, and the cup-warming surface is a nice touch.
Overall, an extremely well-built espresso machine that won’t break your budget.
Rancilio Silvia PID – Best Small Espresso Machine For Home
I have a thing for modern espresso machines that look retro, and Rancilio Silvia PID is the perfect example.
The old switch controls for on/off, brewing, and hot water got me down memory lane, as well as the steam wand gauge. However, built-in PID, fast heating, and overall sturdiness ensure you bought a modern machine in a classical Italian body.
Rancilio Silvia PID is meant for brewing old-fashion espresso.
It even comes with a 9-gr basket for a single espresso, which is old-school measurements.
If you want a durable and elegant machine for your everyday espresso (or cappuccino), this one will give you everything you wanted and more.
Conclusion By Andrew
Choosing the right single-serve coffee maker can be a daunting task.
You want to choose one that will last a long time and comes with an array of accessibility features.
Both Keurig and Nespresso have their advantages and disadvantages.
If you want better quality and better tasting coffee, perhaps Nespresso is the best choice.
If price and features are more important to you, then maybe buy a Keurig.
It is all up to your personal preferences.
There are alternatives to Keurig and Nespresso that could catch your eye as well.
I encourage you to do your research to find the one that is right for you.
Photos by poedynchuk and Craig Adderley
