Today more and more households are investing in coffee machines and Keurig are among the most popular. Keurig was the original single-serve coffee maker and has made a name for itself for quick, convenient, simple-to-use machines. However, there are now a stack of other options available, so it can be hard to know what machine to go for. We cover the pros and cons of Keurig coffee makers and give you some options if you decide to opt for a Keurig alternative.
Pros of Keurig coffee makers
Cons of Keurig Coffee Makers
Reasons to consider a Keurig Alternative
When it comes to deciding on what coffee maker to buy we think there would be 2 main reasons to consider a Keurig alternative:
We will cover the top 3 Keurig alternatives for each of these reasons.
Taste
Aeropress
The Aeropress is the brainchild of the Harvard inventor Alan Adler and has rapidly grown in popularity to the point that it even now has an annual global championship dedicated to it. The Aeropress is especially loved for its versatility, portability, and durability. This is a common coffee brewer with hipsters, hikers, and hitchhikers. Part of the genius of the Aeropress is the sheer range of different ways it can be used. It can produce anything from an espresso-like shot to which you add milk, to smooth black coffee that fits somewhere between filter coffee and pour over. Because it uses a paper filter (usually), this means it tends to have a smooth and light consistency with little coffee oils or particles.
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Kalita Wave Pour Over Coffee Maker
This elegant looking dripper is the result of the market demand for a pour over coffee maker that is both designed for optimal extraction yet beginner friendly. We have used one of these for years now and have really enjoyed it. This is unquestionably the coffee maker of choice for the initial explorer into the world of pour over. It brews coffee in a way that is similar to a drip coffee machine and so produces a very smooth cup of coffee. However, as a pour over coffee maker it does require a hands on approach rather than simply pushing the button on your Keurig. While it unquestionably makes better tasting coffee you will have to work for it. This is a good option for those who love good coffee and are willing to learn and experiment.
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Bodum Chambord French Press
The Bodum Chambord is the iconic French Press and is likely what first comes to mind when this brewing method comes up in conversation. And there is a lot to love about it; it is made of heat resistant borosilicate glass, comes in a wide range of sizes, is aesthetically pleasing, has a stainless steel mesh, and best of all is amazingly affordable. We own and use a Chambord and have been really happy with it. It is reliable, deals well with regular use, and can make a really enjoyable coffee. The downside of course is that being made of glass it is breakable and requires more care than some other presses on this list. Overall though a great option for anyone looking for a simple and affordable French Press that is still high quality.
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Cost
Nespresso Vertuo
Nespresso machines would be one of our top alternatives for Keurig coffee makers. Like Keurig they have also become a household name in the single serve world. They are known to make good quality machines that are simple to use and are generally thought to produce better tasting coffee than Keurig. The Nespresso Vertuo is one of their latest models and is able to produce 5 different sizes of drinks ranging from 1.35 oz to 14 oz (Espresso, Double Espresso, Fran Lungo, Coffee and Alto). Their drinks can also be poured over ice for those hot summer months. There are a range of 16 different types of coffees and 10 types of Espresso with varying intensities. There is also the option of buying a bundle which includes an Aeroccino and sample coffee for those who love milk based drinks.
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Hamilton Beach Scoop
When it comes to price you cannot look past the Hamilton Beach single serve coffee maker. This is a basic machine that has all the necessary features. It does not use k-cups or pods, rather it comes with a single serve scoop filter that you fill with your choice of ground coffee. While this may not be as convenient as K-cups it certainly works out to be cheaper per cup of coffee brewed and also means you reduce the amount of waste produced. The machine has 2 cup sizes; an 8-ounce or 14-ounce travel mug option. It also has a bold brew option for those who like a strong coffee.
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Cuisinart DCC-3000
The Cuisinart is a great option for the ‘coffee sipper’ who loves to have a cup in hand all day. This machine brews up to 12 cups of coffee at a time. The coffee is then kept in a reservoir in the machine from where it can be easily dispensed with the push of a button. The machine comes with both a reusable mesh filter and paper filters which you fill with ground coffee. You then simply push the brew button and the machine has a showerhead feature to disperse water over the coffee. When dispensing brewed coffee the machine features a coffee gauge so you can see how much you have left. It is also programmable, so you can set the machine to brew that fresh pot of coffee ready for you when you wake up.
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What To Consider When Looking For A Keurig Alternative
When it comes to buying a Keurig alternative there are seemingly endless options. Before deciding what to go for you should consider the following things so you find the best coffee maker for you.
Price
How much are you wanting to invest in a coffee maker? If you are a coffee snob you will no doubt be willing to put in a lot more money than the occasional coffee drinker.
Size
How much bench space do you have in your kitchen? Are you wanting a small coffee maker tucked away on the kitchen counter or do you have room for a larger machine? You will find Keurig Coffee Makers tend to be bulky machines, so any alternative will likely be more compact.
Single or Multi Serve
How many people are going to be using the machine, and how much coffee do you drink a day? If this machine is going to be catering to a family or office you might want to opt for a multi-serve machine that can brew a whole pot of coffee, or if it is just you you may only need a single-serve.
Electric vs Manual
Manual coffee makers tend to be more durable as they have less parts that can break down. They are also more portable so are better for travel. Whereas electric machines tend to be more convenient to use.
Ground coffee or Capsules?
Machines like Keurig or Nespresso use pre-packed coffee in K-cups or capsules. There are generally a large variety of flavors available and they are very convenient and easy to use. However they do have a large environmental impact and they end up costing a lot more per cup of coffee brewed compared to machines that use ground coffee.
The Verdict- The Best Keurig Alternative?
Well we hope this article has been helpful in highlighting some decent Keurig alternatives. Our favorite option is the Aeropress, which is superior in both taste and price. If you have read through and decided you would like a Keurig after all check out our review of the best Keurig machines here.
Happy Brewing!
