10 Keurig Alternatives: That Are Better Than Keurigs

crazy by Editorial Staff | Updated on April 1st, 2023

Don’t worry if you’re looking for a single-serve pod coffee maker but can’t find any good Keurig models that suit your needs.


Many manufacturers now sell this machine type, and many even comply with K-Cups.

KEURIG

Our buyer’s guide in this article provides you with the information you need to choose the best Keurig option, and our top picks ensure you get a best-in-class product.

EDITOR’S CHOICE2ND PICK3RD PICK
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Nespresso vertuoCuisinart SS-10P1Breville-nespresso essenza mini
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Capacity40 Fluid Ounces72 Fluid Ounces20 Fluid Ounces
Coffee Maker TypeEspresso MachineDrip Coffee MachineEspresso Machine
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Why not buy a Keurig?

Some people swear by their Keurig coffee machines. One of those people is my sister. We also have a bit of a thing for the brand and how it pioneered coffee-making at home and in the workplace.

On the contrary, here are a few reasons why you do not want to buy a Keurig:

Cleaning

Aside from wasting money on single-serve coffee, anyone with a Keurig knows how difficult it is to clean.

Yes, it is sold as a press-and-go unit, but the truth is that coffee grounds and oils accumulate over time.

Because some components, such as the hoses and inner tank, cannot be removed, you’ll have to flush white vinegar through your machine for a day to keep your coffee tasting fresh.

It is not a long-term investment

To be honest, we admit that it is difficult to find products that promise a lifetime of service these days, as several companies have done business out of the new features and latest product upgrades.

Consumers have reported a significant decrease in quality performance over the last few years of its use. But, unfortunately, that’s years and coffee cups you’ll never get back.

Price

Depending on the type of k-cups you use, you might be looking at a 50 percent price increase. For example, regular ground coffee costs about $0.20 – $0.30 for a cup, while branded k-cups can cost up to $0.40 – $0.60.

Isn’t that crazy?

If you’re looking for something less expensive, Amazon has some cheap non-branded k-cups for about $0.35 – $0.40 per pod.

10 Best Keurig alternatives

Extending your search beyond the initial Keurig brand gives you more choices and a greater chance of finding exactly what you’re searching for. We have you covered for a perfect espresso or a super-cheap cup of coffee. Take a look at these Keurig alternatives.

1. Nespresso vertuo – Top Pick!

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The position of Nespresso’s latest VertuoLine at the top of this list seems well deserved. Although Nespresso has long been renowned in Europe for producing high-quality coffee, North Americans have been disappointed with the lack of plain coffee. Enter the Vertuo, a sleek and elegant machine that can do both and also does them well.

The Vertuo, designed in partnership with Breville, preheats in under 30 seconds and comes in five cup sizes, including a 14-ounce big coffee. It incorporates Nespresso’s cutting-edge Centrifusion technology and spins the coffee pod at about 7,000 rpm while blending the ground coffee and water for optimal extraction. The outcome of making coffee or espresso is a rich-tasting brew with thick crema.

This Keurig substitute also has a sophisticated extraction feature that reads a barcode on the capsule to determine which brewing configurations to use for the best taste.

Pros

  • Stunning design
  • Extremely versatile
  • A thick frothy espresso-style drink

Cons

  • fewer flavor options
  • Coffee may not be hot enough

2. Cuisinart SS-10P1– Easy to use

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Cuisinart is unfamiliar with the pod-based coffee brewing market, but its long history of small appliances shines through. The completely programmable SS-10 has several simple features accessible via a backlit LCD.

This coffee brewer can be paired with any delicious K-Cup flavors or the featured HomeBarista filter cup to use your choice of ground beans. This coffee maker provides a lot of brewing flexibility when combined with a hot water choice for tea, cocoa, or soup. There are five cup sizes and two temperature settings for brewing beverages.

The removable water tank is 72 ounces in size, and a charcoal water filter ensures clean water for your brew. In addition, an integrated rinse feature wipes and cleans the interior of the brew chamber automatically. There is also a programmable auto-on feature for those who want to have their coffee ready and an auto-off function after 30 minutes.

Pros

  • The 72-ounce water tank necessitates fewer refills.
  • 5 single-serve cup sizes range from 4 to 12 ounces.
  • Three-year warranty

Cons

  • Made from plastic
  • It costs more than other Keurig alternatives.
  • It occupies a lot of counter space.

3. Breville-nespresso essenza mini – Best suited for espresso

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Regarding capsule-based coffee machines, the undisputed champion is Switzerland’s Nespresso, renowned for producing truly high-quality coffee while still being convenient.

The Essenza Mini espresso machine, a partnership with industry giant Breville, is their most portable offering, but it still has several valuable features. For example, used coffee pods are quickly ejected into an internal container, and the 20-ounce water tank is easily replaceable. Furthermore, the controls on this unit are simple and easy to use, allowing you to make a single or double espresso at the press of a button.

With a 19-bar pump, you get authentic espresso with a thick crema, not just strong coffee.

This espresso machine is highly efficient. It heats up in 25 seconds, and you’ll be sipping your first espresso in less than 2 minutes. After 3 minutes, it flips to an eco-friendly low-energy mode, and after 9 minutes, it shuts down.

Every Nespresso machine comes with a starter pack of 14 complimentary capsules in various roasts and aromas. In addition, this unit can be paired with a discount on Nespresso’s Aeroccino frother for milky beverages.

Pros

  • Consistent espresso
  • Lightweight and compact
  • Simple to use
  • Energy-saving
  • Affordable

Cons

  • Used capsules are stored in a little container.
  • Complex tastes are lacking in espresso.

4. Sboly single-serve – Most compact

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The low-cost Sboly appeals to us because of its simple nature, small footprint, and long-lasting plastic and stainless-steel construction. It is, however, no slouch when it comes to coffee making. As a result, this is an excellent option for an office desk, small apartment, or college dorm space.

This single-cup coffee maker works for all K-Cup brands. If you choose to use ground coffee, it also includes a reusable pod. You can brew the K-Cup in three cup sizes, 6, 8, or 10 ounces, with the push of a button, and the bigger reusable filter enables you to brew 12 and 14-ounce options.

It only takes three minutes to heat and brew coffee and immediately shuts off after brewing. In addition, the one-touch automatic cleaning feature makes maintenance a breeze, and the K-Cup apparatus is easy to remove for cleaning.

This coffee maker has a single-serve 14-ounce water tank that can heat up quickly but must be refilled between each coffee. This could be frustrating for a bigger family of coffee drinkers.

Pros

  • Lightweight and long-lasting
  • It can be used for K-Cups or ground coffee.
  • Auto-cleaning
  • Reasonably priced

Cons

  • Long brewing time
  • A small pool of water

5. Breville-nespresso creatista–The most versatile 

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This coffee maker is stunning, with what Nespresso calls “premium design,” and you’ll want to proudly display it on your kitchen counter.

Under its stylish facade, the Creatista produces delicious beverages, combining Nespresso’s espresso experience with Breville’s steam wand microfoam technology to deliver the finest cappuccinos and lattes that a pod-based system can produce. A 19-bar pump ensures enough pressure for a delicious espresso, and the thermojet heating system implies you’ll be able to brew in 10 seconds.

You can make any drink to your precise specifications thanks to user-adjustable settings. All is controlled by an easy-to-use LCD that guides you through drink configuration and maintenance procedures. For example, cleaning is fully automated using a one-touch process, and the milk frother is sterilized automatically with hot steam after every use.

The Creatista is pricey, but it is well-made and will save you money on a separate frother.

Pros

  • Robust and consistent espresso drinks
  • Automatic milk frother
  • Intuitive design
  • Color monitor with high resolution

Cons

  • Expensive
  • It only works with Nespresso capsules.
  • a lengthy setup

6. Hamilton beach 49979 flex brew – The best buy

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Hamilton Beach has a long history in the kitchen appliance industry and is well-known for its ability to create reliable, high-quality, affordable products. Flexbrew is a good option if you don’t like numerous bells and buzzers and don’t want to pay for them.

If you choose to use ground beans, the Hamilton Beach is compliant with all K-Cups and includes a small filter basket. With the K-Cup, you can brew up to 10 ounces and roughly up to 14 ounces with ground beans, and an 8-inch tall travel mug is also allowed.

Brewing is as easy as lowering the lid and pushing a button; the whole process takes just 3 minutes. You can also choose between standard and bold brew power, which is useful when using the pitifully weak K-Cups. After brewing, it immediately turns off.

The cup rest serves as storage for either K-Cup housing the new filter basket, and an easy-view water window allows you to check the volume of water in the reservoir from the front of the machine.

Pros

  • Simple cleaning avoids blockage.
  • The view window shows how much water is in the reservoir.
  • Inexpensive

Cons

  • Loud

7. Chulux coffee maker – Best budget

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Our favorite low-cost option is the Chulux single-cup coffee maker, which is ideal for use at home, in an RV, at the workplace, or in a dorm room. This small brewer is made of BPA-free plastic and comes in various fun colors for any decor. Even at such a low price, it has essential features.

The Chulux embraces any K-Cup brand and includes a reusable pod for ground beans. Since there are no programmable features, using it is as easy as adding water and tapping the brew button.

The metal drip tray is easily removable for cleaning and accommodating big mugs. In addition, the cool-touch exterior prevents scalding even when the water is thoroughly heated, which is an excellent feature if you have children.

The 12-ounce single-serve reservoir is a drawback. You must calculate the water ahead of time because the machine will continue to brew until it runs out. This is a minor quibble, though, given that it costs less than a quarter of the price of most coffee makers.

Pros

  • Cost-effective
  • Easy to use
  • A concept that saves space

Cons

  • Just a one-year warranty
  • Brewing coffee takes about 3-5 minutes.
  • The water tank has a size of just 12 ounces.

8. Mueller ultima k-cup coffee maker

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This model is also cost-effective, thanks to its low price and an excellent two-year warranty. While it can be challenging to clean, we chose it as our top choice because of its ease of use, reliability, and compatibility with Keurig K-Cups.

The Mueller Ultima Coffee Maker is easy to use because it has simple features. Four cup size options are 6oz, 8oz, 10oz, or 12oz. The 6oz, 8oz, and 12oz options are already pre-programmed into the front-facing buttons. The 10-ounce cup of coffee must be programmed in manually.

The coffee maker has Rapid Brew technology, so making a fresh, hot cup of coffee doesn’t take long. The 48oz removable water reservoir can be used to fill it up or clean it.

One of the best features of this brewer is its versatility in the kind of pods it can take. It is designed to take 1.0 and 2.0 pods, and those pods do not need to be Mueller branded, meaning as long as the pod fits into the machine, the Ultimata can brew coffee from it!

Overall, we believe this is the best Keurig replacement.

Pros

  • Reasonably priced
  • K-Cup 1.0 and 2.0 compatible
  • Easy to use
  • Two-year limited warranty

Cons

  • Difficult to clean.

9. Single-serve mixpresso

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The dimensions of this coffee maker are 11×13.5×6 inches. At 7.5 inches wide, the flexible drip tray can accommodate flasks and tumblers. It is compatible with 1.0 and 2.0 K-cup copies, allowing you to continue enjoying your favorite Keurig flavors. The coffee maker’s removable water tank is located at the back. It is produced with BPA-free plastic and has a wide brim for fast, no-spill refilling.

The Mixpresso automatically turns off after hours of idling to save energy and keep your utility bills in check. In addition, you can program it to switch off (or on) at a predetermined time.

Pros

  • It is available in various trendy color combinations that look amazing on your countertop.
  • Mixpresso has Fast Brew and auto shut-off features.
  • The preheat time for this 1200W coffee maker is just 30 seconds.

Cons

  • It does not brew hot coffee (the maximum temperature is about 125F).

10. Hamilton beach scoop single-serve

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If you want to go green and replace your Keurig, this is the perfect Keurig option. Since it only employs coffee grounds, there are no foil covers, filter paper, disposable cups, or waste. Instead, grind your preferred coffee beans and place them in the permanent filter basket.

This mesh cup works similarly to a K-cup and provides a certain level of convenience. It takes one and a half minutes to brew the smallest cup size (8 ounces). It takes two and a half minutes for the largest (14 ounces). It is also robust, hardy, and low-maintenance due to its stainless-steel housing. However, its functions are straightforward – the button toggles between decaf and regular coffee.

Pros

  • It has a filter that also functions as a coffee scoop.
  • The stainless steel housing is less challenging to clean.
  • It does not brew when empty, preventing electrical flare-ups.

Cons

  • You may not consider this a con when looking for a Keurig alternative, but if you’re used to using K-cups, this Hamilton can only do coffee grounds can frustrate you.

How to choose the best Keurig alternative

Single-serve pod-based coffee makers are extremely popular. They are fast, simple, lightweight, and practical if you only make one cup of coffee at a time.

The National Coffee Association USA (NCA) reported in 2017 that just under 30 percent of adult past-day coffee drinkers use a single-serve brewer.

Our buyer’s guide will take you through their key features to select the best one for your needs.

What kind of drink do you prefer?

Single-cup machines generally specialize in drip-style espresso or coffee, and your preference for one of these drinks will help you decide which coffee maker is best for you. However, a select few machines shine at both drinks and are ideal if you enjoy them equally.

If you like cappuccinos and lattes, look for a coffee machine with a built-in steam wand or anyone that can be coupled to a frother.

If you frequently drink tea or hot chocolate, look for one that includes a hot water option. These are especially useful in offices or dorm rooms without a kitchen since they can make soup.

User-friendliness

You’re most likely thinking of buying a Keurig alternative because of its convenience, but think about what other features it offers to make your life easier. For example, some machines are programmable, while others only have a brew button. In addition to features such as timed turn-on, programmable machines give you more control over your beverage by allowing you to adjust temperatures, drink sizes, and brewing strengths. Nonetheless, they can be more difficult to understand and use.

Don’t forget that cleaning is a must for any coffee machine user. Many machines make the process easier by using automated cleaning cycles and alerting you when it’s time to clean.

How much space do you have?

Single-serve pod brewers are typically small and designed for the galley kitchen or the office desk, but this is not always the case. To choose the correct size, consider where your coffee machine will sit or whether you need to move it frequently. A portable coffee maker should be compact but durable enough to withstand transport.

Its water tank essentially determines the size of a coffee machine. So if you have plenty of room and don’t plan on moving your coffee maker, purchasing a larger one with a larger reservoir would eliminate the need to refill continually.

What about the environment?

Like all single-use products, pod-based coffee machines have been convicted of being detrimental to the environment. However, the news isn’t all bad. For example, many machines have low-energy modes and automatic shut-offs, which are helpful for safety.

Nespresso’s aluminum pods are fully recyclable, and the company aims to make recycling as straightforward as possible for consumers, among other notable sustainable practices. Unfortunately, K-Cups do not seem fully recyclable, but they expect to be by the end of the year.

BPA-free

Many single-serve coffee makers, such as the Keurig, are plastic. Many of our current favorites, like the Mixpresso, are designed with BPA-free, high-quality plastic.

As many conscientious consumers know, BPA is a chemical that saps into food and beverages. It has been linked to many health issues. As a result, consumers are often urged to purchase BPA-free products when they are affordable. Aicok, Homia, and other BPA-free options are also on our list.

Price-to-quality ratio

K-cup coffee makers are typically inexpensive, with some being exceptionally so; however, it is more necessary to consider value for money and equate price with quality and durability. Therefore, any Keurig alternatives mentioned below, produced with materials such as stainless steel or high-grade polymers, may be worth paying a little more.

A super-automatic espresso maker could be a better option if you have a huge budget. These units can produce a much higher quality espresso or coffee with the comfort of a single-serve pod system and with no environmental consequences but at a significantly higher cost.

Compatible pods

Find out what kind of pods the brewer accepts. Choose one compatible with 1.0 or 2.0 K-Cups for maximum convenience. If you purchase a brewer that requires unique pods, like the Nespresso, be prepared to search for the pods or order them online.

Compatible with reusable filters

Coffee pods that can be reused are typically shaped like K-Cups. As a result, most Keurig alternatives would be able to use them. They’re also eco-friendly, easy to use, and a less expensive alternative to K-Cups.

You can use reusable coffee pods in the same way as you would disposable coffee filters. Simply fill the reusable pod with coffee grounds and place it in the coffee machine. You can either buy coffee grounds or grind your own.

High-quality construction

Some Keurig users complain that the system wears out quickly. However, our suggestions are long-lasting and durable enough to last you many years. Furthermore, a good warranty can put your mind at ease about the product’s quality. The Cuisinart, for example, comes with a 3-year warranty.

Third-party tested

Products that have been independently reviewed provide reassurance. In addition, it is a method for companies to obtain impartial and third-party safety and quality results.

Obtaining UL and ETL certification is one way to obtain a third-party stamp of approval. CHULUX and Mueller Ultima are two products on our list that have been independently reviewed for safety and quality.

Quick brew time

A regular coffee maker can take up to ten minutes to brew. So, a fast brew time can be a must-have feature if you have a hectic morning schedule.

Since the machine must first heat the water, some of the brands on this Keurig alternatives list may take up to 5 minutes. Few options, however, are much quicker. For example, a Keurig alternative usually takes about 3 minutes to brew. Some picks, such as the Mueller Ultima, take one minute.

Automatic shut off

We like seeing energy efficiency in any automated machine. Since coffee makers are appliances that most people often use, having an automatic shut-off feature is preferable. It’s also a brilliant safety feature.

My verdict

There is a Keurig option to suit your needs, whether you want a cheap cup of coffee at your office or a luxury latte to start your day.

The latest Nespresso Vertuo, which creates a surprisingly high-quality beverage at the press of a button, is our favorite. The Vertuo will make a rich coffee or a crema-topped espresso in less than two minutes.

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Editorial Staff

The editorial staff at Crazy Coffee Crave is a team of coffee enthusiasts & Baristas who enjoy the one thing we all think about as soon as we get up in the morning. Trusted by thousands of readers worldwide.