I pulled more than a few all-nighters in school fueled by Keurig coffee. The small single-serve blue unit surrounded by mugs and loose k-cups sat on my desk, always available, easy to fill and maintain. It did the trick. I passed.
My Keurig was the epitome of my diet, similar to Top Ramen: just add water. Also like Top Ramen, the poster-child for pre-packaged noodles, Keurig is synonymous with single-serve coffee brewers. But there are alternatives to Keurig coffee makers and Keurig-like machines that offer the same features with a similar price tag, if not less.
People have been sniffing around for the best Keurig alternatives for a minute now. If you’ve been looking for a way out of your Keurig and need a change in your morning routine, stay tuned for the 10 Best Keurig Alternatives.
The Best Keurig Alternative
Cuisinart SS-10P1 Premium Single-Serve Coffeemaker
The popular Keurig alternative Cuisinart SS-20P1 Premium Single-Serve Coffeemaker takes our best choice as an alternative to Keurig coffee makers. The BPA-free plastic, silver and black coffee maker not only looks great in any kitchen but expedites making coffee and cleaning it up. The Cuisinart SS-10P1 features a removable drip tray and a thorough rinse cycle for a quick clean up between every cup.
A 72oz water reservoir is enough for the whole family in the mornings, and with five different settings ranging from 4oz to 12oz, each family member gets what they want. Use the LCD control panel to control the auto on/off and the brew temperature and size. It comes with a reusable HomeBarista filter cup for your favorite coffee and fits regular K-cups, so you don’t need to toss your K-cups when replacing your coffee machine.
For a retro-looking machine with modern tech, the Breville-Nespresso Vertuo Coffee and Espresso Machine. It reminds one of an old milkshake machine you’d see in Grease. But, instead of dessert, it’s breakfast. The machine has five different brewing sizes, from espresso or double-shot to a tall cup of joe. Each Nespresso capsule has a barcode around the capsule’s rim, and the machine reads the barcode for parameters on temperature, brew size, pressure. All you need to do is push go. The patented centrifugal extraction process used in the Vertuo creates the perfect crema for a quick pick-me-up espresso. With only a 15-20 second pre-heating, you’ll be back to work in no time. As your sipping your morning brew, the Vertuo will automatically discard the k-cup alternative capsule into the waste storage. It’ll fit up to 13 larger recyclable capsules. Smaller households will love the Hamilton Beach Scoop Single-Serve Coffeemaker. It’s compact, easy to use, and users can choose their own coffee beans. Pick your favorite, or try something new! The reusable 2-in-1 scoop filter makes it quick and easy to get started on your morning medicine. The Scoop Coffee Maker comes with two filter scoops labeled with measurement lines. The maximum brew size is 14oz, and the machine fits travel coffee mugs up to 8-inches in height. The L-shaped platform raises when brewing 8oz into a cute mug to avoid splashing on the counter. Two settings, bold and regular, will control the strength of your coffee, depending on how you like it. The automatic shutoff will kick in after a short two and a half minute brew time. A medium grind coffee is recommended, and avoid overfilling the scoop unless you’re looking for a messy cleanup. The Black and Decker Single-Serve Coffeemaker is ideal for on-the-go lifestyles. The quick one-stop-shop for your morning commute coffee. With the included 16oz travel coffee mug, you’re all set for work! It’s not exactly versatile, but it serves its desired purpose well as a cheap Keurig alternative. Use your favorite coffee and brew 16oz of heaven directly into the travel mug. The heated water is precisely the right temperature for a flavorful brew. Automatic shutoff and the easy-to-clean reusable mesh filter will have you out of the door in record time. Studio dwellers, workaholics, students, listen up. The Mixpresso Single Cup Coffee Maker is efficient while living solo in smaller places. Use compatible K-cups and reusable mesh k-cups with your own coffee in the Mixpresso. Easy cleanup consists of rinsing the reusable cup or tossing the used capsule and refilling the water tank for next time. This coffee maker has a programmable brew size ranging from 4oz to 10oz, a less than one minute brew time, and an automatic shutoff function. A reusable water filter sits above the coffee basket in the brew chamber for great tasting coffee. Another practical option for compact spaces is the Mueller Ultimate Single-Serve Coffee Maker, although the 4-inch mug clearance won’t do for travel mugs. The Mueller option is those who live alone and work from home. Use in a bigger household would work, but with the waste from k-cups, investing in a batch brew machine is something to consider. The maximum brew size is 10oz and will take about 3 minutes. While you wait is a perfect time for a morning stretch or quick clean up around the kitchen. A simple process of choosing any flavor, literally as the Mueller Ultimate Single-Serve Coffee Maker is compatible with any 1.0 and 2.0 capsules. Then pushing go and waiting, the cleanup should be simple as well. Pop-out the used capsule, discard and wipe the removable drip tray to finish. Our guide to the best coffee percolators offers more top-quality products for coffee lovers. Check them out. Give your kitchen a pop of color with the CHULUX Single Serve Coffee Maker. Available in five bright colors, this small coffee maker packs a serious punch. This single-serve coffee maker brews coffee from all 1.0 and 2.0 capsules in five to twelve ounces, depending on how much water users put into the brewer. The one-button operation and absence of clean up offer quick solutions for mid-day drowsiness without skipping a beat. In three minutes, hot coffee awaits along with afternoon WFH meetings and assignments. And the auto-shutoff means you can work while you wait. If you need a machine with a high clearance or narrower base, take a look at the THLAND Single-Serve K Cup Coffee Maker. It uses most coffee capsules and reusable k-cup capsules if you’d like to reduce waste. Users can also use the included reusable mesh filter for loose ground from their favorite local coffee roasters. Two buttons on the side, k-cup or ground coffee, determine how the brew proceeds. The THLAND brews servings from 6oz to 14oz determined by the amount of water dispensed into the water tank that sits behind the brew basket. If you push the two brew buttons simultaneously, it starts a self-cleaning process for hassle-free upkeep. Take a look at these excellent cold brew coffee makers from our list, as well, and pick the one for your home. With a 7.6-inch clearance, the Chefman Instabrew Single-Serve Coffee Maker is perfect if you’re consistently on the go. Brewing into travel mugs and your favorite ceramic mug, whether it’s Sunday morning or Monday morning, the Chefman fits the needs of a simple lifestyle. It fits into any modern kitchen with a slim black and stainless steel design. This cheap Keurig alternative screams for a place in a couple’s household where two 14oz (max) cups of coffee are enough and easy cleanup is necessary. The brewer instantly reboils. Just replace the k-cup or coffee capsule, and it is ready to go round two right after brewing your wife’s cup, so you’re not playing catch-up while the kids come down for breakfast. The Casara Single Serve Coffee Maker is a top Keurig alternative, especially if you’re not into the plastic coffee capsules needed to brew with them. A reusable mesh filter with 8oz, 10oz, and 14oz measurements for the amount of coffee keeps your brews consistent and precise. A quick rinse in the sink and the filter is ready for the next cup. The coffee basket measurements match the options for the water tank and brew sizes. Use the programmable 24-hr timer on the LCD to wake up to coffee wafting through your nose and automatic shutoff. Roll out of bed to hot coffee. The included 14oz double-walled stainless steel travel mug will keep it hot until you’re down for breakfast. You may also be interested in these top coffee grinders from our list. Don’t miss them. In coffee makers similar to a Keurig, you’ll find similar features. It makes you wonder why there are so many variations of the Keurig-like machines. Read the following features to look for in Keurig alternatives. It’ll get the ball rolling on what you need in your household or office. Aspects you didn’t think of or angles not yet explored. Size – When considering your single-serve Keurig alternative, think about size, not only as of the brew size but also counter space and the mugs or travel mugs you’d like to brew into directly. Suppose you live in a smaller apartment or studio or are looking for a Keurig alternative for office space. In that case, the dimensions and size should reflect what counter space is available or if you’re planning on putting it in a cupboard, ensuring it is not too tall. Alternatives with bigger water reservoirs will take up more room, but most of our choices had an average of 12oz reservoir. And if you consistently brew coffee on your way out the door, the alternative should fit travel mugs under the brew head. Strength – Strength is an interesting word in the realm of coffee. Strength can refer to the flavor of coffee or caffeine content, usually concerning the amount of water and coffee grounds used. Unless you’re using a Keurig alternative with a reusable filter, the coffee capsules are pre-filled with a standard amount of coffee. Still, some Keurig alternatives have various brew time settings and flavor settings, usually ‘bold’ or ‘regular’ that controls how much and the rate of water goes through grounds, determining the strength of the coffee. Quality, Maintenance, and Ease of Use – Most Keurig alternatives will be plastic or stainless steel. Generally speaking, the cleanup and maintenance of Keurig alternatives are next to nothing. Reusable coffee capsules create the most cleanup but usually just a rinse. Some units will have automatic cleanup and rinse cycles for the interior. Those units actually have loose grounds instead of only taking the coffee cups, making maintenance more extensive but never outrageous. With regular cleaning, both plastic and stainless steel machines will last. Brew Time – Pay attention to your morning routines before committing to a coffee machine. Do you literally stop in the kitchen only to grab your coffee, or do you spend time with the kids during breakfast? Brew time on Keurig alternatives ranges from 20 seconds to three minutes, depending on the pre-heating process and brew size. Programs – Man of habit or moody coffee drinker? A programmable single-serve machine allows you to change the brew size, brew temp, and coffee strength. There are also one-button brewers for a stop and go cup of joe. Practicality and consistency show with the one-stop brewers, but programmable single-serve brewers are great for households with multiple people enjoying different types of coffee.
Breville-Nespresso Vertuo Coffee and Espresso Machine
Hamilton Beach Scoop Single Serve Coffee Maker
BLACK+DECKER Single-Serve Coffeemaker
Mixpresso Single Cup Coffee Maker
Mueller Ultimate Single Serve Coffee Maker
CHULUX Single Serve Coffee Maker
THLAND Single Serve K Cup Coffee Maker
Chefman Instabrew Single Serve Coffee Maker
Casara Single Serve Coffee Maker
Features to Look for in Keurig Alternatives
