Keurig Coffee maker substitutes for a quick and convenient brewed cup of Joe
I think many of us can agree that we feel better after a nice cup of coffee. You may not always have time to make a full pot, and Keurig has solved this dilemma with the single cup alternative.
Although having fancy coffee equipment is nice, there are valid reasons for looking at an alternatives to a Keurig.
Some people are really against the Keurig brand. Although I personally don’t have anything against it, I understand that a Keurig may not fit the needs of everyone.
Whatever your reason for seeking an alternative to a Keurig, we wanted to show you the best budget-friendly Keurig alternatives that we could find.
**Note: We will be referring to K-Cups as coffee pods in this article as K-Cup is trademarked by Keurig.
Please note that this article contains affiliate links. You can read my full disclosure at the bottom of the page.
Best Alternatives to a Keurig
When looking at Keurig alternatives, I took into consideration the price point, maintenance requirements, the ease of use, and how satisfied people seemed to be with the product.
Hamilton Beach 49981A
If you are looking for a budget single-serve coffee maker that doesn’t use coffee pods, this Hamilton Beach coffee maker is the right fit for you.
There were other single-serve coffee makers around the same price point, but those other models use coffee pods, which does not save you money in the long run.
This coffee maker uses a stainless steel piece that serves as a scoop, doser, and filter basket (no need for paper filters).
It’s easy to use, as you just scoop up your coffee and slide it into the machine.
According to the manufacturer, you can expect an 8 oz cup of coffee in less than ninety seconds.
This machine is great for those who may forget to turn off their coffee machine, as it automatically shuts off after brewing.
You also have settings for regular or bold coffee, depending on how strong you like it. It also has a built-in adjustable stand so you are not limited to a certain cup size.
This is an incredibly popular coffee machine with pretty good reviews overall.
This alternative to a Keurig is very easy to clean. If you have ever owned a Keurig, (or any other coffee machine that takes pods) you know how hard it is to clean it.
Not only is this coffee machine easy to clean, but it’s also extremely compact, quiet, and easy to use.
There are some that complain that they were unable to yield anything but weak coffee. Although it’s inconvenient, there does seem to be a way around this.
It’s difficult to figure out how much coffee and water you will need to make the perfect cup, but most of the positive reviews say once you do, this machine makes a perfect cup of coffee.
Another common theme in the reviews for this product is the poor filter design.
This machine doesn’t seem to be able to filter out finely ground coffee very well, and if you aren’t careful you can end up drinking a cup of sludge.
Some reviewers DIY’ed their own paper filters which seemed to help.
Overall, we think this alternative to a Keurig is a fantastic option for a number of reasons. If you prefer using coffee grounds over pods, this machine is probably the most economical quality product you will find.
Also, the majority of negatives about this machine have workarounds. Although it’s a little annoying to deal with quirks, they are fixable.
Pros:
- Budget-friendly
- Compact
- Automatic shutoff
- Flexible
- Durable
Cons:
- Poor filter design
- Coffee splashes
- Hard to figure out brew strength
AdirChef Grab N’ Go Coffee maker
This AdirChef coffee maker is a very popular option if you are wanting to spend a minimal amount on a single serve coffeemaker.
If you are looking for something eco-friendly (uses a permanent filter) and simple, this is a great solution for you.
One of my favorite features of this machine is that it includes everything you need. It comes with its very own travel size coffee mug, internal filter, and holding basket.
To brew your coffee, you slide in your coffee cup, add your grounds and water, and click the single button to instantly start brewing.
This machine will automatically shut off once it’s done brewing. It’s small and lightweight, so it’s great for travel or small spaces.
There were some reviewers that felt that this product was cheaply made–but most reviewers loved it. At the time of this writing, this product had over 2,000 reviews with an over 4-star average rating.
If you are looking for a coffee maker that is known for being travel-friendly and simple, this product is for you. If you want the fancy bells and whistles you can get with a Keurig, you should look elsewhere.
Pros:
Lightweight & simple- Includes travel mug
- Eco-friendly
- Convenient
- Inexpensive
Lightweight & simple
Cons:
- Only one brew strength
- No options
- Plastic
Bunn My Cafe MCU
The Bunn My Cafe MCU is perfect for the user that wants a lot of versatility in their brewing machine.
This coffee machine can brew with coffee pods, ground coffee, tea bags, and loose tea, which is one of the main appeals of this over Keurig.
The machine comes with four different drawers, which is how you switch out what type of coffee you’re making. Pull one out, slide the next in, and you are almost done.
You will have to add water every time you make a cup of coffee, and you cannot schedule it in advance. This makes it a bit more of a manual process.
There were some that complained that this Keurig alternative was noisy and poorly designed, but overall the reviews are positive.
There are only two buttons on this machine, so if you are looking for simplicity, this is it. That also means you don’t have all of the fancy advanced features of a Keurig, but those features aren’t necessary for a good cup of coffee.
Pros:
- Very versatile
- Simple design
- Easy to use
- Different brew strengths
Cons:
- Expensive
- Noisy
Cuisinart SS-10
This Cuisinart coffee maker is pretty impressive, but it’s also one of the more expensive substitutes for a Keurig.
You will find that this coffee maker has a really large reservoir that only the more recent Keurig models can match.
The Cuisinart is fully programmable and comes with most of the same perks you will find with a Keurig. It fits every single size of k-pod, as well as a reusable filter so you can brew a cup of coffee with your favorite grounds.
One of our favorite features of this particular machine is the rinse option. Cleaning a coffee machine that takes pods is a hassle, and this rinse feature can help keep the inside of your brew chamber clean.
One of the biggest problems people have with the Keurig brand is the lack of durability. While I haven’t personally experienced this, it is one of the main reasons people start looking for an alternative to a Keurig. This Cuisinart alternative doesn’t seem to have durability issues.
Although the majority of people were happy with this product, there were some people who complained about the puncturing mechanism.
Overall this is a great alternative to a Keurig if you want something presumably more durable with a couple of extra perks.
Pros:
- Durable
- Programmable
- Huge holding capacity
- Versatile
Cons:
- Expensive
Ninja Coffee Bar
A Ninja Coffee Bar coffee maker is for the coffee lover who wants to be able to make their own latte from home.
The machine does offer an option to create a normal cup of coffee. However, if that’s all you are after, this machine is not for you.
The Ninja comes with a built-in frother and brewer, and you have six brew sizes to choose from. It does not take coffee-pods.
If you are a little overwhelmed at the thought of making your own mocha, don’t be. It’s super easy to get the hang of, and once you do you will never have to pay for a six dollar cup at Starbucks again.
Most people are thrilled with the alternative to a Keurig–in fact, plenty of reviewers bought it to replace a Keurig.
There were a couple of reviewers that stated this product was not very durable, or they had experienced technical issues.
Personally, I think there will occasionally be technical hiccups with any product that has advanced technologies. Keep in mind–these negative reviews are the exception, not the rule.
If you are looking for a product that can deliver a latte or mocha in addition to a normal cup of coffee, this machine would be a great fit for you.
Pros:
- Includes frother
- Brews quickly
- Versatile in every way
- Caraffe
- Warming plate included
- Great design
Cons:
- Small reservoir
- Expensive
Keurig K575
Overall, the Keurig K575 is an excellent coffeemaker.
The alternatives to a Keurig are not necessarily better machines, they are just different.
It’s important to know what exactly you need out of your coffee machine, and it’s possible that a Keurig is a right fit for you.
This particular model of Keurig holds up to eighty ounces of water (very comparable to the Cuisinart).
You have a choice between five brewing temperatures, as well as the choice to brew a stronger cup of coffee.
The touchscreen on this coffeemaker is quite large and impressive, and the programming on it is super easy.
This machine is stylish and has a lot of capabilities. If you are looking for all of the bells and whistles–this is it.
Keurig’s somewhat negative reputation is mostly tied to the quality of the machine. Many customers find that they have to replace the Keurig frequently because it just stops working.
Overall, the Keurig has fairly good ratings, but it certainly does not come without some problems.
What is the difference between a coffee pod and regular coffee grounds?
There are benefits and drawbacks to using a coffee pod over regular coffee grounds. Once you have a good understanding of what you want your coffee machine to do, you will have a good idea about which is a better fit.
A coffee pod coffee maker offers the following advantages:
- More efficient at making coffee
- Less messy
- Faster
- Consistent
A coffee ground coffeemaker offers the following advantages:
- A lot more flexibility in strength
- Less expensive
- More flavor options, since you can mix different kinds of coffee beans before grinding
As you can see, there are advantages and disadvantages to both. If you are still undecided, pick up one that does well with either so that you have options.
Why Should I Consider an Alternative to a Keurig?
Although I personally haven’t had issues with the brand, there are many that have. Complaints of lack of durability are easy to find, and it causes many to shift their loyalty to another brand.
The issues customers have with Keurig extend past the durability.
When Keurig released it’s 2015 coffeemaker, it included a scanner that read the foil lids of coffee capsules. If the K-Cup didn’t have Keurig’s special ink barcode, it wouldn’t brew.
Of course, this caused an uproar and Keurig decided to roll this change back. But doing things like that to your customers can land you a bad name.
Depending on what’s important to you, a perfect alternative to a Keurig is something much simpler (and more durable).
A regular coffee machine can last you a lifetime, but it won’t come with all of the perks you’ll find with a Keurig.
If you want all of the fancy options that a Keurig can offer, you will pay more for a higher-end model.
Keep in mind, there are other brands known for being more durable (such as the Cuisinart) that offer a very similar product at a competitive price.
Examining your needs can help you decide what the best alternative to a Keurig is for you. Have you tried any of these models before? What do you think of the Keurig brand?
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