Amount to brew: With a few exceptions, most Keurig coffee makers are single-serve coffee makers that brew individual cups of varying sizes. Depending on the model you buy, the smallest serving is 4 ounces. Most start at 6 ounces for a single cup size, though, with options for larger cups of 8, 10, or 12 ounces. Some models offer water reservoirs that hold 46 to 72 ounces of liquid, so you don’t have to refill after each cup.
Brewing settings: In many Keurig machines, the default brewing setting is the only available setting. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, according to Charlie Shaw, chief scientist at Atomo Coffee in Seattle. “Some machines that don’t let you control the temperature and brewing time make great coffee,” he says. “Some of the best drip machines don’t let you control either.”
However, many Keurig models have options for making a stronger brew, iced coffee, or a smaller amount of concentrated coffee similar to espresso. You can also find machines that give you control over the temperature of the coffee.
If your particular machine doesn’t offer the ability to adjust the strength of your coffee, there’s a trick that some users have figured out to get a stronger cup—simply brew one of the smallest cups your machine has. (You can run multiple brewing cycles to fill a larger cup.) With less water in the pod, your coffee will be stronger and richer.
Coffee Compatibility: Some Keurig models include a carafe for brewing established coffee. With these models, you can utilize any ground coffee you like. Single-serve coffee makers are confined to pods, but you do have some flexibility. For example, most “third-party pods” (those not manufactured by Keurig) are universally compatible with Keurig coffee makers. When you’re at the grocery store, just check the package for a label with the Keurig logo.
Keurig also offers universal reusable coffee filter that’s compatible with any Keurig coffee maker. “Keurig owners can utilize freshly ground coffee in reusable pods to provide a better flavor profile in their coffee,” suggests Aaron Contreras, director of coffee at Volcanica Coffee. This allows you to utilize your favorite grounds, and it’s also a more environmentally genial alternative to single-use pods, which aren’t biodegradable.
Price: One of the appealing features of buying a Keurig is the low cost of entry. Budget-friendly models can cost a little less than $90, although more upscale models can cost more than $200. However, you can often get a significant discount when Keurig has a sale or find lower prices at retail partners like Amazon, Target, Walmart, or Kohl’s.
In addition to the upfront cost, keep in mind that you’ll need to constantly refill your K-Cup pods. While it’s not always as convenient as using disposable pods, you may want to save money by investing in reusable pods that you can fill with your own coffee grounds.
Returns Policy and Warranty: Keurig offers a confined one-year warranty on all of its coffee machines, covering issues that arise from general utilize. Depending on the issue, Keurig will replace individual parts or the entire machine, both at no charge. However, the company reserves the right to send you a refurbished machine. In either case, it will issue a recent confined one-year warranty on the replaced machine. This warranty policy is fairly consistent with the policies offered by other single-serve coffee machine brands we reviewed.
If you buy directly from Keurig, the product is covered by a 30-day money-back guarantee. This means that if you are not satisfied, you can return it within 30 days of purchase (at your own expense). If you buy from another retailer, you must follow that specific store’s return policy.
