Best Keurig Coffee Machine Alternatives

A great cup of coffee is always a serious business for the caffeine lover. Stewed and stale coffee brews are a definite no-no, while instant coffee mixes are definitely a sacrilege.

From the stove-top percolators to the electric coffee drip machines, brewing a pot of your favorite caffeine fix has evolved into the now famous Keurig coffee machines.

best keurig coffee machine alternatives

But wht if you don’t want one? Well, you should worry not as we’ve got you covered, sharing in today’s article the best Keurig Coffee Maker alternatives. You’ll be surprised how good they are!

The need for a freshly brewed cup of coffee was the root of the creation of Keurig coffee machines, that’s a fact.

They were specially designed for office use, where employees would want brewed coffee at different times or using different blends and we already shared a list of the best Keurig Coffee machines.

But sometimes you might just want something different, for whatever reasons – maybe you want to spend less, maybe you want a different design… in the end, it doesn’t even matter! We have listed the best alternatives for you.

And while we’ll go in depth with our reviews, if you just want to quickly go through our top picks, here is the list of the best Keurig alternatives for your daily coffee:

(Have in mind that we get commissions for purchases made through links in this article at no extra costs for you)

ModelDetailsStore link
CHULUX Single Serve
Best Budget
Pros
: Compact, Easy to Use, Cheap
Cons: Slow, small tank
Cuisinart SS-10P1 Premium
Editor’s Choice
Pros
: Large capacity, multiple cups sizes, great brand
Cons: Bulky
Mixpresso
Pros: Fast, multiple cup sized
Cons: Bulky, tall
FlexBrew Coffee Maker
Pros: Programmable, 2 ways to brew
Cons: Slow, pricey
Sboly Coffee Maker
Pros: Auto cleaning, compact and lightweight
Cons: Slower brewing times

The 5 Best Keurig Coffee Machine Alternatives

Now that we saw them above, let’s go a bit more in depth with each of these products and see why they’re on our list (and why you’ll love them!)

The Budget Brewer: CHULUX Single Serve Coffee Maker

Keurig alternative 1

A considerably lesser-priced but well-reviewed alternative to the Keurig, CHULUX offers a home machine with almost the same features as the original PLUS compatibility with different brands of coffee pods as well as reusable coffee pods.

It boasts of an easy-to-use system which is as simple as insert, lock, and close dubbed as their One Button Operation.

Because it is compact and lightweight, this unit is a space saver as well as a travel essential.

Depending on your daily coffee requirements, you might find the 12-ounce built-in water tank to be sufficient. Households with more coffee drinkers may require a unit with more tank capacity.

The CHULUX Single Serve Coffee Maker for Single Cup Capsule is made of sturdy BPA-free plastic and is safe for dishwasher use. All-in-all a great pick for the price.

PROS

  • Energy Saving: Power-off after brewing
  • Budget-friendly – A lesser priced alternative
  • Compact and space-saving, travel-friendly size
  • Simple operation
  • Compatible with reusable K-cups and majority of K-pods

CONS

  • The strainer in water inlet is too fine, causes overflow

*popular solution- remove water strainer and make sure you only fill the machine with clean water)

  • Slower brewing time
  • Water tank maximum capacity – only 12 ounces

Editor’s Choice: Cuisinart SS-10P1 Premium

Keurig alternative 2

Coming from a reliable maker of high-quality appliances, Cuisinart, this coffee maker is one of the more popular Keurig alternatives. Often fondly called “the Keurig in disguise”, this has been a consistently well-reviewed choice by buyers.

The primary concern addressed – yes, this model is compatible with nearly all brands of coffee pods including K-cup pods, although a bit bulky.

The 72-ounce water tank capacity makes up for it. The automatic shut-off feature is also another perk, saving on energy by turning off after 30 minutes of coffee making inactivity.

It comes with adjustable cup sizes and adjustable temperature as well as the option to brew other beverages like tea or cocoa or simply to heat hot water.

A user-friendly LCD screen houses the menu of a host of functions that this model can do from programming time, temperature and cup size, among others.

This unit has an easy-cleaning rinse function that showcases a charcoal water filter. You can pre-program rinses to clean the brewing chamber when not in use, resulting in bolder and better-tasting brews. Best of all, it comes with a limited 3-year warranty.

PROS

  • Energy-Saving – Auto shutoff after 30 minutes of inactivity
  • Auto-rinse feature, easy-clean
  • Compatible with all brands of single coffee cup pods, including K-Cup pods
  • 72-ounce capacity
  • Programmable cup sizes
  • 3-year warranty

CONS

  • Bulky size
  • Occasionally reported to splash/vibrate when brewing
  • More expensive and yet is made of only BPA plastic

The Quickest Cuppa: Mixpresso

Keurig alternative 3

This 30-second brewing wonder is perfect for the single-serve coffee lover who is always on the go.

Among the Keurig alternatives, this is model produces the fastest brew, with your coffee coming out piping hot and perfectly scrumptious in less than a minute. It has variable cup sizes, allowing for mugs and tall coffee cups.

Mixpresso considers their machine a “smart” coffee maker. Not only is it compatible with the popular and easy-to-find K-Cups, but it’s also simple to use and energy-efficient.

It has the well-loved automatic shut-off feature that helps save on electricity after 15 minutes of non-use.

The huge 45-ounce water tank makes for about 6 cups of brew before it needs refilling. Because of this, it is bulkier and occupies more counter space.

That said, it is made of durable BPA-free and FDA approved plastic and comes with a 1-year warranty. It is a pretty simple and straightforward K-cup alternative.

PROS

  • Energy Saving: Automatic shut-off
  • Easy to use
  • Fast brewing time – 30-second quick brew
  • Allows for varied coffee cup sizes

CONS

  • Bulky design – occupies more vertical space
  • Heavy at 7 pounds
  • Warranty: only 1 year

Flexible Brewing: FlexBrew Coffee Maker

Keurig alternative 4

Even though our primary concern is having a single-serve brewer, not everyone in a household can appreciate a K-cup.

The Hamilton Beach Flexbrew is the solution for you if at times you would like a traditional pot of coffee. This unit has a dual function – a single-serve section compatible with K-cups and a carafe side which allows you to brew a potful of café.

Hamilton included a brew basket in this model which can be used as a reusable single-serve filter. It has the permanent gold-tone filter for grounds, making single-cup coffee-grounds brewing pretty convenient.

The water heats only once you are ready to start brewing. It takes approximately 3 minutes to get the water sufficiently heated which makes it a point of contention for some. Many would view it as a smart energy-saving option but those who are used to the Keurig might get impatient.

Now let’s take a look at the carafe function!

This model has a huge 12-cup brewing capacity. This is also equipped with the gold-tone permanent filter that keeps staining down and removes the need to use disposables.

With the available programming options, you can adjust your brewing strength, set the brew time in advance and program the pot to keep warm. However, just take notice that the manufacturer discourages the use of creamers in the reservoir!

All-in-all, this unit is definitely bigger-sized than most Keurig alternatives but saves more space than two kitchen appliances on your countertop. It also has the automatic shut-off feature most coffee machines have, turning off after 2 hours of inactivity.

There are 2 reservoirs which are easy to refill with transparent water windows. A good pick for families with multiple tastes in coffee brewing.

PROS

  • Two ways to brew
  • Brew Basket available which serves as a reusable pod
  • Energy Saving: Auto shut-off feature
  • Programmable
  • Adaptable to varied coffee cup size

CONS

  • Bulkier than other Keurig alternatives
  • Heavier than other alternatives at 13 pounds
  • More expensive than other alternatives
  • Warranty: Only 1 year

Best of Both Worlds: Sboly Coffee Maker

Keurig alternative 5

Another popular alternative is this model from Sboly. This compact brewing machine allows you to brew a K-cup or make a brew in the traditional way, but only in single-cup servings.

This is an ideal option for a person whose preferences might change from time to time. However, with the 3-minute wait, it can be a pain for bigger households with multiple coffee drinkers.

That said, this unit makes for hot and piping coffee with a water adjustment option so you can control the amount of coffee you want. The pod brewer accommodates K-cups and freshly ground coffee.

It is very compact and lightweight. Aside from the auto-shutoff feature after each brew, this machine also comes with an auto-cleaning button.

The two drawbacks of the unit would be its smaller water reservoir at only 12 ounces and the 3-minute brewing time.

PROS

  • Allows brewing of K-Cup or coffee grounds
  • Equipped with Automatic shut-off
  • Easy Auto-cleaning button
  • Compact and lightweight

CONS

  • Relatively longer brewing time
  • Small 12-ounce water reservoir
  • Warranty is area dependent

Why get a Keurig Alternative?

Keurig designed a machine that brewed cups individually. They kept the operation of the machine simple – just pop the K-pod of your liking and hit the “brew” button and voila! You have the coffee of your choice.

Later on, Keurig multi-partnered with many well-known coffee brands which resulted in an extensive array of coffee blends for their machines. As the demand grew, it eventually progressed to the development of a home coffee machine version.

Since Keurig is not an exceedingly pricey brand, why would one want to even consider buying anything else?

Many people do cite the difference in price, no matter how small, as an important consideration in buying their single-cup coffee maker.

Many are still not ready to make the big Keurig leap and splurge on the machine. After all, we only buy the machine once. After that, it all comes down to the pod.

What many consider the main reason for choosing an alternative brand is flexibility. To break it down, the more recent 2.0 series of Keurig have included a DRM device that prevents the use of pseudo-K-cups.

Any unofficial coffee pod is rejected by these newer Keurig models. So many pods will go down a disappointment as a brewing cycle “fails to launch” on your Keurig.

So, for those who want even more freedom when it comes to picking their morning perk-up beverage, a Keurig alternative is a better idea.

You can enjoy a wider range of available coffee in various pods – whether official Keurig ones, K-cup accredited pods or simply the K-cup compatible ones.

Weighing What’s Important for You

Choosing a coffee machine, let alone an alternative that will closely match the capabilities of a Keurig might be a daunting task. Don’t be overwhelmed but certainly, do the research – like reading this article.

It is important to consider your personal needs and preferences and not be swayed over by the hype. Here are several important aspects you need to consider when choosing one of our recommended alternatives:

  1. Compatibility – make sure your alternative is compatible with a majority of single-serve pods in the market. In case you’re a newbie in the single-cup fandom, some popular brands, like Nespresso aren’t that flexible.
  2. Brew Time – be certain that you won’t get too impatient waiting for your cup to brew. In homes with more than one coffee drinker, this might be a deal-breaker when choosing a unit.
  3. Versatility and Cup Sizes – if your machine will be used by multiple coffee drinkers, it helps to have machines that can accommodate varied cup sizes plus brew both K-cups and coffee grounds.
  4. Reusable Pod Option – a machine with this feature certainly gets a vote for being eco- and budget-friendly – we save on cups and can use coffee grounds.
  5. Durability – always check that your option is BPA Free, sturdy and backed with a warranty applicable in your purchase area.

A home coffee maker is akin to having a personal barista. The importance of choosing the perfect one is key to enjoying the perfect caffeine fix on demand.

Our top picks have been very well received by coffee users across the board, proving that there are great options for brewing your perfect K-cup!

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