Best Keurig alternatives 2024: Jump Menu
1. The list in brief ↴
2. Best overall: Philips 3200
3. Best pod free: Cuisinart Grind & Brew
4. Best Nespresso: Nespresso Vertuo
5. Best drip: OXO 8 Cup
6. Best portable: AeroPress
7. Most versatile: Ninja DualBrew
8. How we test
9. Meet the team
10. FAQs
Keurig coffee makers are iconic. There's no denying that they're useful for quick, simple cups of coffee. However, the average K-Cup contains seven to eight grams of coffee, which means that you're only enjoying half the amount of flavor (and caffeine) that a specialty brew has to offer.
With that in mind, our experts have been testing the best single-serve coffee makers and, whilst Keurig offers a competitive price, there are some more premium machines that deliver better flavors and will last twice as long as even the best-selling Keurigs.
We've spent the last year testing the best Keurig alternatives, ranking them based on capacity, convenience, and appearance, as well as the all-important price. These machines are slick, quick, and easy to use, offering all the benefits of Keurigs without the drawbacks.
The quick list
These are the best Keurig alternatives at a glance. Scroll down for more specifics.
Best overall
1. Philips 3200 Series
Best overall
This automatic espresso machine is a grinder, a brewer, and a frother, all in one. It's like having a live-in barista and you won't have to queue up for coffee either.
Read more below
Best pod free
2. Cuisinart Grind and Brew
The best pod-free
The Cuisinart is one of my favorite single-serve coffee makers on the market. It grinds fresh into Keurig-style pods, delivering specialty coffee on a Keurig time-frame.
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Best Nespresso
3. Nespresso Vertuo Next
Best NespressoThe Nespresso Vertuo Next makes fuss-free coffee. It's quick to heat and easy to use, with one little button doing all the hard work.
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Best drip
4. OXO 8 Cup
Best dripDrip coffee takes five minutes rather than one, but it's worth the wait. This is a whole new world of flavors.
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Best portable
5. AeroPress
Best portableThe famous AeroPress can make everything from espresso-style coffee to Americanos in next to no time. It's cheaper than a Keurig and tastes better too.
Read more below
Most versatile
6. Ninja DualBrew Pro
Most versatileThis has a slot for your favorite Keurig pods, but it can also use fresh coffee, tea leaves, syrups, and other single-serve pods to make your morning drink.
Read more below
The best Keurig alternatives, in depth
You can trust Homes & Gardens. Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing the latest products, helping you choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
Best Keurig alternative overall
1. Philips 3200 Series Fully Automatic Espresso Machine
Best Keurig alternative overall
Specifications
Coffee type: Espresso, Coffee, Hot Water, Cappuccino, Latte and Americano
Dimensions: 9.6"W x 17"D x 14.6"H
Accessories: Coffee oil remover tablets
Dishwasher-safe: Drip tray and LatteGo
Reasons to buy
+ Brews 5 different beverages with the touch of a button Milk frother makes fool-proof lattes and cappuccinos Multiple settings to adjust cup sizes, temperature, strength Fits neatly under cabinets Easy to clean
Reasons to avoid
- Complicated set-up Smaller portion sizes than accustomed too Noisy
Whatever kind of coffee you're craving, you can make it in the Philips 3200. This coffee maker incorporates a brand-new built-in milk system, known as LatteGo, which uses cyclonic frothing technology to produce thick layers of foam. It's fully compatible with dairy milks or your favorite plant-based alternatives.
This coffee maker contains durable ceramic grinders that can be adjusted in 12 steps to create anything from fine powder to coarse shavings. You can set and save your favorite strengths and quantities of coffee for a quick and easy brew in the morning. You'll save time cleaning, too, since the milk system, the drip tray, and the coffee ground container are all dishwasher-safe.
If you want to batch-brew, this is not the machine for you. The Philips 3200 is most suitable for single servings. There's an option to make two cups at a time, but they'll brew consecutively, rather than simultaneously.
But it's easy to use, simple to store, and makes café-quality coffee at the touch of a button. That's why the Philips 3200 is our best coffee maker of the year.
You can find more detail in our Philips 3200 Series Fully Automatic Espresso Machine review.
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Best pod free Keurig alternative
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2. Cuisinart Grind and Brew
Delicious, fresh, waste-free coffee
Specifications
Coffee type: Single-serve
Dimensions: 11 x 7.3 x 12.7"
Brew sizes: 4oz, 8oz, 10oz, 12oz
Warranty: 3 years
Reasons to buy
+ Integrated grinder
Compact design
+Makes delicious coffee
+Easy to clean
Reasons to avoid
- No warming plate Only makes single servings No milk frothing functions
The Cuisinart Grind and Brew makes by far the best single-serve coffee we've ever tested and it's easy to tell why. Rather than use coffee that's been holed up in pods for months, if not years, the Cuisinart has a conical burr grinder integrated. You place a Keurig-style reusable pod inside and you get freshly ground coffee milled straight into it. The resulting flavors are bold and strong. It's seriously impressive.
The reusable pods are great for a number of reasons. The first is that you get to enjoy fresh coffee in a single-serve format. However, they also suit eco-conscious coffee drinkers, because you never have to dispose of more than coffee grounds. You'll also be able to slot your favorite Keurig pods in place of the Cuisinart, so if you're craving one of their holiday flavors, you don't need to miss out.
The only thing we missed from our favorite Keurigs was some sort of steam wand or milk-frothing capacity. This only makes espressos and Americanos, which is fine if you only drink a latte on occasion, but might be a problem if you crave your morning cappuccinos.
You can find more detail in our Cuisinart Grind and Brew review.
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Best Nespresso alternative
Best single-serve coffee maker
Specifications
Coffee type: Americano, espresso, latte
Dimensions: 16.97 x 5.5 x 12.52 in
Accessories: None
Dishwasher-safe: No
Reasons to buy
+ Sleek & stylish design Easy to use Smartphone connectivity Brews a wide range of coffee types
Reasons to avoid
- Only compatible with Nespresso Vertuo pods No temperature control on milk frother
The Nespresso Vertuo Next is the best single-serve coffee maker on the market. This machine takes just 40 seconds to heat up and can brew anything from a single espresso shot to an 18-oz. carafe.
One button does all the work on this highly versatile machine. All you need to do is pick your pod and press go. The Nespresso Vertuo Next incorporates automatic blend recognition technology, which identifies the best brew size, pressure, and temperature for each capsule. This is hands-off coffee making.
With its matte black finish and rose gold detailing, this coffee maker should complement any kitchen color palette. It's small and slim, so it shouldn't take up much space on your counters or inside your cabinets.
All that's missing is a milk frother, so you'll have to buy one separately or go without.
You can find more detail in our Nespresso Vertuo Next Coffee Maker review.
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Best drip Keurig alternative
4. OXO 8 Cup Coffee Maker
Best drip coffee maker
Specifications
Coffee types: Xxx Xxx Xxx
Dimensions: 13.5 x 10.5 x 7 in
Accessories: 2 coffee baskets and 10 paper filters
Dishwasher-safe: Xxx Xxx Xxx
Reasons to buy
+ Includes small and large filter Sleek design Rainmaker showerhead Podless to reduce waste
Reasons to avoid
- Doesn’t keep coffee warm for long periods of time Doesn’t include a coffee grinder Water tank is not removable
The OXO Brew 8-Cup Coffee Maker is one of only a handful of home machines that meets the Specialty Coffee Association's Golden Cup Standard. That means it uses a top-of-the-range water filtration system and precise temperature controls to brew a quality cup, every time.
This machine is designed to be used with a larger brew basket, though it also comes with smaller filters and a single-serve brew basket. On test, this machine could brew as many as eight cups at a time, each as rich and flavorful as the last.
The trouble starts when it comes to cleaning. There's a button on the machine that blinks when you need to descale your coffee maker. It's easy to remove and rinse the carafe, and the brew baskets are dishwasher-safe. It's much harder to clean the water tank, which is awkwardly attached to the back of the machine and cannot be removed.
The OXO Brew 8-Cup Coffee Maker is best suited to large households of coffee lovers who won't miss the bells and whistles of modern machines.
You can read more in our OXO Brew 8-Cup Coffee Maker review.
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Best portable Keurig alternative
5. AeroPress
Petite and portable
Specifications
Dimensions: 1.87"D x 1.87"W x 4.63"H
Weight: 8.8 oz
Capacity: 10 oz
Materials: BPA-free Tritan
Reasons to buy
+ Portable Quick to brew Smooth filtration Can use fine grounds (for sweetness) Range of brewing options (espresso and cold brew) Durable build
Reasons to avoid
- Unscrewing needs some muscle Lots of parts
Even if you haven't used an AeroPress, you'll have heard of them. These compact coffee makers look like they've come straight out of a laboratory and they make, both scientifically and subjectively, some of the best coffee I've ever tasted.
The process is almost as simple as using a Keurig. You put your ground coffee in and then add some hot water. Wait a few minutes for your coffee to brew, screw the top on and push to extract your coffee through either a paper or metal filter. It's slightly more involved than a Keurig, but the coffee tastes better and you're liberated from any cords and plugs. Both of those are reasons why the AeroPress is a favorite amongst commuters, holiday goers, and campers.
You can choose from a range of AeroPresses, but most can serve one to two people, which is exactly the same as a Keurig. Even better, AeroPresses rarely retail for more than $50, so you'll be able to save money whilst making more delicious coffee. You don't need to compromise on anything.
You can read more in our full AeroPress review.
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Most versatile Keurig alternative
5. Ninja DualBrew Pro
The best multi-functional coffee maker
Specifications
Coffee type: Classic, Rich, Over Ice, Specialty
Dimensions: 9.13 x 11.39 x 15.54 in
Accessories: Milk frother, carafe, paper filters, Ninja Pod Adapter, and Ninja Smart Scoop.
Dishwasher-safe: Yes
Reasons to buy
+ Can brew coffee grounds or pods and boil water 4 brew styles Comes with a frothing tool Removable water reservoir
Reasons to avoid
- Takes up counter space
This machine is for the coffee lovers who don't discriminate. The Ninja DualBrew Pro can handle grounds and pods alike to produce Classic, Rich, Over Ice, and Specialty brews in every size from cup to carafe.
The Specialty brew tasted best on test. You can incorporate this super-rich coffee concentrate into lattes, macchiatos, cappuccinos, and even coffee-based co*cktails. While the Classic brew left a little to be desired, the flavor was rich, robust and didn't diminish over time.
This machine comes with a built-in, fold-away milk frother that works particularly well with oat milk. You can fit the water tank to the side or the rear of your coffee maker, as suits your space. Each of these parts is removable for quick and easy cleaning.
The Ninja DualBrew Pro is a versatile coffee maker with the capacity to serve a whole house of coffee lovers.
You can find more detail in our Ninja DualBrew Pro review.
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How we test coffee makers
If you're wondering how we test the best coffee makers, we have a range of different trials. Where possible, we use each machine to make an espresso, a cappuccino, and an Americano, for a sense of range on these three classic coffees. When a coffee maker claims to make lots of other brews, we'll test every single one, and also test them with milk alternatives for vegans and lactose-intolerant people.
Where applicable we always use the same brand of beans to best compare flavor and aroma extraction across coffee makers. When it comes to milk frothers, we test with dairy and non-dairy milks before we reach a verdict.
Our expert testers start assessing coffee makers from the moment they're delivered. That means we document how easy it is to unbox, set up, use, store, and clean a machine.
FAQs
Are Keurig coffee makers any good?
If you're looking for an inexpensive single-serve coffee maker Keurig makes some of the best options available. However, the plastic casing and cheaper build quality means that they tend not to last as long. Plus, the coffee pods don't taste quite as good as freshly ground coffee. That's why we've written this buying guide for the best Keurig alternatives, because you can still save money whilst making better coffee.
Is Nespresso better than Keurig?
Our experts have gone deep into the details of the Nespresso vs Keurig debate. If you want a summary, Nespresso's coffee makers are better quality with more authentic flavors. However, they're also more expensive and can be limited with their pod options. If you're buying a single-serve coffee maker, Nespresso makes some of the best, but if you want something cheap, Keurigs are a reasonable option.
Are single-serve coffee makers good?
If you want simple, speedy, automated coffee, you can't go wrong with a single-serve coffee maker. Whilst these can make reasonably good quality coffee, they'll rarely deliver on the same rich flavor profile as a drip coffee maker or an automatic espresso machine. So, if you need convenience, single-serve coffee makers are great. If you want quality, you're better off looking at other options.
Final thoughts
Once you've bought one of the best coffee makers, it's important to take good care of it. It's worth learning how to clean a coffee maker so that you can get the most out of your machine.