The last few years have seen the remarkable rise in popularity of the Keurig coffee maker. What started as an idea for improving office coffee has grown so that now almost 41% of American households reputedly own a single serve coffee maker. The main thing these machines have going for them is the convenience they offer. But this convenience does come at a cost, namely to the environment with the waste they incur. Ergo the reusable K cup.
We are going to review the best reusable K cups available. Unfortunately here at The Coffee Folk we can’t try all of the coffee gear we review so for this article we have referred to the wisdom of the masses and chosen the best K cups based on popularity and reviews on Amazon.
Reasons To Consider Reusable K cups
There are several reasons you might consider switching to reusable K cups…
Reduce Waste
The first reason you may consider switching to reusable K cups is for the sake of the environment. K cups are currently very difficult to recycle and consequently the majority of them end up in landfills, where they take 150-500 years to break down. You may have heard the statistic bandied about that in 2013 alone Green Mountain produced 8.5 billion K cups, which is enough to circle the earth 10.5 times. This backlash against coffee pods has been brewing for a while, leading Keurig to announce that all of their K cups will be 100% recyclable by the end of 2020 so watch this space!
Save Money
The second reason to consider switching to reusable K cups is for the sake of your wallet. While Keurig machines are quite affordable, the K cups are a big expense especially if you are consuming multiple a day. K cups are about four times more expensive than the cost of ground coffee of the same brand. So if you are looking to save some moolah, consider switching to reusable K cups.
Better Tasting Coffee
The third and final reason you might consider switching to reusable K cups is that they produce better tasting coffee. K cups often contain coffee that has been ground months or even years before you use it and is stale long before it even makes it into your cup. If you are wanting the best tasting Keurig coffee you need to use freshly ground coffee and reusable K cups make this possible. Reusable K cups also give you the flexibility to choose what coffee beans you like so you can play around with different roast levels and origins to find which tastes best.
While reusable K cups are of great benefit they do take away the K cup convenience factor, as you have to grind and prepare the cups yourself and then clean up afterwards. If you are considering the switch to reusable K cups, we would highly recommend considering switching to an Aeropress instead. This brilliant coffee maker is very affordable, simple to use and can produce some delicious coffee. Check out our review here.
Things To Consider Before Buying A Reusable K Cup
Compatibility
Before deciding on what Reusable K cup to go for, it is important to note that they are not a one size fits all. While the popular options tend to be compatible with all models, some of the cheaper options are not. So it is always best to check your Keurig model and the compatibility before buying.
Durability
If you are investing money in a Reusable K cup consider how durable the cup is. They need to withstand the pressure of constant use and be able to take heat from the machine and cleaning. If you only use K cups once in a while this may not be such an important consideration.
Price
There are a whole range of reusable K cups at different price points. You may find the more budget friendly options are flimsy and less durable than the higher quality ones but these may be a good option if you don’t use it very often. Any Keurig reusable filter will pay itself off in the long run when you consider the money you will save not buying K cups.
The Best Reusable K Cups 2023
We have compiled a list of the four best reusable K cups to help you on your way to brewing better coffee.
Keurig My K-Cup Universal Reusable Coffee Filter
If you love the Keurig brand then you will love their My K-cup Universal Reusable Coffee Filter. This is the only Keurig-approved Reusable filter. Being designed by Keurig it has the benefit of being compatible with all Keurig Coffee makers including the Keurig 2.0, K-plus, and Mini series. The filter consists of 3 parts: a filter basket, lid, and filter holder. It is very easy to use, with 2 fill lines; optimized for cup and travel mug brew sizes. The filter itself is made from durable materials and is BPA-free.
Pros:
Cons:
Di Oro Maxbrew 24K Gold K Cup
The Di Oro Reusable K cup is a sweet looking K cup made with a 24K gold plated honeycomb patterned filter. Asides from looking good, the gold plated filter prevents the absorption of flavors. The K cup is made with durable materials and consists of the main filter and a removable hinged lid for fast filling and easy cleaning. It is made with durable materials and is 100% BPA, lead and DEHP free. To top it all off the Di Oro offers a lifetime warranty which is always reassuring. The Di Oro is also compatible with both Keurig 2.0 and 1.0 brewers. This reusable K cup is a very popular option with high reviews.
Pros:
Cons:
Yeosen Stainless Steel Reusable K Cup
The Yeosen Reusable K cup is a premium K cup made with Stainless Steel. The fine stainless steel mesh filters out grounds and produces a delicious cup of coffee by preserving the natural oils and flavors of the bean. The Yeosen is compatible with Keurig 2.0 and 1.0 brewers. The K Cup consists of a stainless steel filter cup with a lid attached by a hinge. The one piece design means it is easy to fill and clean after. To top it off Yeosen also offers a lifetime warranty and excellent customer service if you face any problems.
Pros:
Cons:
Maxware Reusable K Cup Filters
The Maxware Reusable coffee filters are great value coming in a pack of either 2, 4 or 6 filters. They consist of a plastic casing with a metallic mesh filter, that doesn’t absorb any oils. The multi-pack is handy if you have more than one person using the Keurig brewer at a time. Be aware that these K cup filters may not be compatible with as many Keurig brewers as the others on this list, so check your particular model before you buy. With the cheaper price these filters are also somewhat flimsy and can be prone to leak and let some grounds through during brewing. They are also not dishwasher safe.
Pros:
Cons:
The Best Reusable K Cup?
So as you can see there is an abundance of reusable K cups on the market. We have highlighted what we think are 4 of the Best Reusable K cups. What you opt for is up to you! If you are worried about compatibility then the my K-cup universal reusable coffee filter is a great option. On the other hand if you are wanting a high quality filter with a lifetime warranty the Di Oro or Yeosen would be your pick.
How To Use My K Cup
How To Make Stronger Coffee With Keurig My K-Cup?
With a universal my K-cup you can choose what coffee you use in your Keurig. With this flexibility you can opt for gourmet and specialty roasted coffee which has richer flavors. Particularly if you are using freshly roasted coffee you will find this goes a long way in improving the flavor of your coffee. If you are grinding your own beans you can alter the grind size to get the best flavor. My K-cups also are able to hold more coffee (up to 17 grams) than your regular K-cup which only has between 10-12 grams so you can add more coffee to make stronger coffee.
FAQs
Can You Make Espresso With A Keurig Machine?
No you cannot make espresso with a Keurig coffee maker. Espresso requires coffee to be brewed at both high temperatures and under high pressure for a very short time which a Keurig coffee maker cannot do. The best you can make with a Keurig is a strong coffee that may taste like espresso.
Can You Use Regular Coffee In A Keurig?
Yes! A reusable K Cup gives you the flexibility to be able to use the coffee of your choice when brewing with a Keurig. Generally it is recommended to use a finer ground coffee so you get more flavor out of your Keurig. However it also depends on the filter you are using. If the mesh filter allows grinds through to the cup you might want to opt for a coarser ground coffee or to use a paper filter with it as well to prevent grinds in your coffee.
How Many Times Can You Use A K Cup?
K Cups are designed for one use only and then to be thrown out. They contain the right amount of coffee to brew a single cup. A reusable K cup on the other hand can be used over and over again, you just refill it with your coffee of choice.
Do You Need Paper Filters For A Reusable K Cup?
Generally you should not need paper filters with your reusable K cup, however some Reusable K cups may require them. If your coffee is too fine you may find that some of it seeps through the mesh filter and into your cup. If this is the case you could use a paper filter to give a cleaner cup.
