The best Keurig coffee offers what even the best coffee maker can’t—absolute coffee-making convenience. At the touch of a button, you can have a hot cup of coffee in 60 seconds. And some Keurig coffee makers can schedule your coffee, so it’ll be hot and ready the moment you wake up!

In addition to convenience, Keurig coffee offers incredible variety to consumers, both in terms of flavor and roast. There are over 200 flavors of Keurig coffee available from a wide variety of coffee brands. For those who prefer dark roasts, those available to use with a Keurig offer low acidity and deep flavors, while the light roast coffees are crisp and bright. Of course, coffee connoisseurs may find that the overall flavor won’t be as good as coffee made using a traditional coffee maker or other brewing process.

If you’re curious about Keurig coffee and whether it’s right for you, keep reading to learn what Keurig coffee is and why it’s so popular.

Top Keurig Coffee

 #1  Starbucks Medium Pike Place Roast 32-Count K-Cup Coffee

Award: TOP PICK

WHY WE LIKE IT: This pack features subtle tastes of rich South American coffee with subtle notes of chocolate and toasted nuts. The capsules are compatible with Keurig coffee machines, offering hassle-free brewing.

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  • Subtle taste appeals to most people
  • 32-count supply
  • Works with Keurig machines

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  • This pack size may not be adequate for entertaining

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This Starbucks Medium Pike Place Roast 32-count K-Cup coffee features K-Cup pods precisely designed for compatibility with Keurig brewers, including newer 2.0 machines. Made from medium roast beans, this coffee features a distinctive taste with a pleasant brown color and smooth texture. It’s made from 100% Latin American Arabica beans, delivering great aromas. The pack includes 32 K-Cups, so users can keep kitchen supply cabinets stocked. However, this pack size may not be adequate for entertaining.

These K-Cup pods are recyclable, underlining the manufacturer’s environmentally sustainable processes, and the coffee is ethically sourced from the coffee belt countries. This coffee boasts smooth, carefully balanced rich notes of chocolate and toasted nuts. With a subtle flavor, these K-Cups will appeal to a wide variety of people, making them a good choice for everyday use and special occasions. They offer a good supply of caffeine to help users start the day on a strong note.

 #2  Victor Allen’s Coffee Variety Pack 96-Count K-Cup Coffee

Award: HONORABLE MENTION

WHY WE LIKE IT: This pack includes plastic capsules with four different coffee flavors. It includes light, medium, and dark roasted coffee, so it will appeal to a wide variety of people.

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  • Outstanding Arabica coffee
  • Includes four different flavors
  • 96-count pack provides an ample supply

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  • The pods may be prone to damage

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Featuring four different coffee flavors, the Victor Allen’s Coffee Variety Pack 96-count K-Cup coffee is the perfect beverage for breakfast, work, and entertaining. This particular pack includes 96 K-Cup pods, providing an adequate supply for families and entertaining at small gatherings. These K-Cups are designed for Keurig machines and they work seamlessly with various brewers, including the modern 2.0 coffee makers. The coffee is responsibly sourced from Arabica coffee growers. However, some of the pods are easily damaged by coffee machines.

This pack includes 24 pods each of Donut Shop, Morning Blend, 100% Colombian, and French Roast coffee. While the Morning Blend flavor is made from light-roast beans, the French Roast variety is a dark-roast that will appeal to caffeine-conscious individuals. The pack also includes medium-roast 100% Colombian and Donut Shop Blend with subtle flavors. The K-cup format will appeal to users seeking a single-serve option that brews fast without the need for the kind of extensive filtering processes associated with ground coffee.

 #3  Keurig Coffee Lovers’ Collection Variety Pack 60-Count K-Cup Coffee

Award: BEST ASSORTMENT

WHY WE LIKE IT: This assortment includes plastic capsules from 20 different popular coffee varieties, enabling coffee lovers to sample and explore. This pack is collected from various brands by Keurig.

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  • Impressive selection of flavors
  • Recyclable K-Cup pods
  • Includes coffee from various top brands

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  • Some flavors may be unpleasant to some people

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Coffee enthusiasts who want to sample various flavors will be pleased with this Keurig Coffee Lovers’ Collection Variety Pack 60-count K-Cup coffee. It includes an astounding 20 different varieties, delivering everything from subtle pleasant tastes to distinctive aromatic flavors. It’s ideal for people who want to explore new flavors and new coffee brands. However, owing to the sheer number of brands and variation in flavors, this coffee pack will not appeal to people with distinctive coffee preferences.

This pack is compiled by Keurig, so the K-cup pods are compatible with Keurig’s coffee makers. It includes such iconic varieties like The Original Donut Shop Regular, Newman’s Own Organic Special Blend, and Tully’s Coffee Italian Roast. All pods in this assortment are gluten-free and don’t contain genetically modified ingredients. The K-Cup format is a good single-serve option, which will please users who seek to brew fast without leaving hard-to-clean messes.

 #4  Green Mountain Coffee Roasters Half-Caff Medium Roast 96-Count K-Cup Coffee

Award: BEST WITH LOW CAFFEINE LEVELS

WHY WE LIKE IT: This coffee has low amounts of caffeine and it will appeal to people who want a great taste without taking in too much caffeine. It has a mellow flavor with notes of chocolate and raisin.

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  • Outstanding low-caffeine formula
  • Subtle flavor with notes of chocolate and raisin
  • Includes 96 K-Cup pods

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  • Defective pods in some packs

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The Green Mountain Coffee Roasters Half-Caff Medium Roast 96-count K-Cup coffee is the variety of choice for enthusiasts who want to enjoy the ultimate coffee flavor while watching their caffeine intake. This coffee is a medium roast type with an exquisite coffee-brown color and pleasant texture. Made from 100% Arabica beans, this coffee offers a nuanced taste and it is Orthodox Union Kosher certified. However, some packs contain defective cups.

This coffee is responsibly sourced from locations including Sumatra, Colombia, Costa Rica, and Kenya Highlands. It comes in recyclable K-cup pods to support a sustainable lifestyle. With notes of chocolate and raisin, this coffee has a smooth, mellow flavor. These K-Cup pods are compatible with most Keurig coffee makers, including Keurig 2.0 models, and they simplify making single-serve coffee portions. This pack contains 96 pods, providing an adequate amount to stock kitchen supply cabinets.

 #5  Crazy Cups Variety Pack 40-Count K-Cup Coffee

Award: BEST FOR SAMPLING

WHY WE LIKE IT: This assortment includes an astounding selection of coffee flavors that will take enthusiasts for a memorable sampling journey. It includes pods from popular brands, which are compatible with 2.0 machines.

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  • Excellent coffee brands
  • 40 unique flavors
  • Compatible with Keurig 2.0 coffee machines

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  • Not ideal for people who individuals with very specific preferences
  • Small 40-count pack

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An assortment of wildly differing brands, the Crazy Cups Variety Pack 40-count K-Cup coffee is ideal for people who want to experiment with new flavors. This assortment includes 40 different pods each with its own unique flavor. With styles ranging from light to medium, and dark roast, this variety pack will cater to a wide variety of preferences. However, this coffee pack may not be ideal for people seeking distinct flavors or specific brands.

Shipped in the K-Cup pod format, this coffee is compatible with most all Keurig machines, including Keurig 2.0 models. It includes flavors suitable for all sorts of activities, including breakfast, work, entertaining, and special occasions. The pack boasts coffee from such popular brands as The Pioneer Woman, Wolfgang Puck, Cold Stone, and many more. This coffee pack provides an ideal way to sample various varieties before committing to buying an entire pack.

 #6  Peet’s Coffee Major Dickason’s Blend 75-Count K-Cup Coffee

Award: BEST FULL-BODIED

WHY WE LIKE IT: A fully-bodied heavily roasted beverage will appeal to people who want complex flavors. This coffee is made from Arabica beans and has low caffeine levels.

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  • Incredible full-bodied flavors
  • Compatible with all Keurig K-cup machines
  • 75-count pack is good for families

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  • Some defective pods

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A paragon of rich, complex flavors, the Peet’s Coffee Major Dickason’s Blend 75-count K-Cup coffee is ideal for coffee enthusiasts. This blend is a full-bodied variety made from 100% Arabica coffee with a mellow taste. It comes in K-Cup pods that are compatible with all Keurig K-Cup style coffee machines. This coffee contains 75 pods, providing an ample supply for families and small gatherings. However, some of the pods are defective in some packs.

The pods in this pack are recyclable, complying with environmentally responsible practices. This coffee has a low-caffeine content, so it’s suitable for people who are watching their intake. The beans go through a comprehensive roasting process that produces coffee with rich colors and a complex taste. This blend, which was originally an idea of retired army sergeant Key Dickason in 1969, has been refined over the years. It showcases distinctive characteristics from various regions while offering a well-rounded balanced flavor.

Beginners Guides to Keurig Coffee

What is Keurig Coffee?

The term “Keurig coffee” is something of a misnomer. In general, Keurig coffee is a generic name for any brewed coffee produced using a Keurig coffee maker. The coffee itself comes in tiny airtight plastic pods known as K-Cups.

Of course, this doesn’t mean that the coffee itself comes from Keurig. All manner of brands make K-cups for use in a Keurig machine. Whether you prefer something as familiar as Dunkin’ Donuts and Starbucks or something more specialized like Caribou Coffee and Pete’s Coffee, you’re likely to find it in K-cup form. Regardless of the brand, the pods have to be compatible with the Keurig machine for it to work.

Keurig Coffee vs Other Coffee Makers

All coffee makers utilize different coffee brewing methods, like steeping, dripping, and pressure. To prepare Keurig coffee, a Keurig machine uses the pressure method. The machine prioritizes ease of use over flavor and craft, so all you have to do is pop in a K-Cup Pod, press a button, and you’ll have your Keurig coffee pouring out in under a minute as long as there’s water in the internal reservoir.

When it comes to taste, the popular consensus is that Keurig coffee makers compromise on taste. Still, these appliances remain popular because of their convenience and the speed at which they prepare coffee despite the fact that other coffee makers, like drip coffee makers or French press machines, produce better-tasting coffee.

But these other methods also mean that you’ll have to put far more work into making that cup of brew. Not to mention, it takes more skill to prepare coffee in something like a French press than it does in a Keurig machine. There are such variables to be aware of, such as using coffee with the correct grind size, which can throw off the end result.

When it comes to cost, Keurig machines are more expensive than most other coffee machines, but it’s perfect if your priority is convenience. If you’re a coffee aficionado who enjoys spending time on getting their coffee right, though, then you’ll want to look at other coffee makers.

How Keurig Coffee Works

A Keurig machine uses a process that’s different from a drip coffee machine or the best latte machine. The Keurig machine is designed to produce coffee in under a minute, and all models have a standard brewing system that works the same way. The water is held in a permanent reservoir with a heating element that heats it to approximately 192 degrees.

The K-Cup pod is loaded into a separate compartment. Once you start the brewing process, a needle punctures it at the top and starts pushing hot water in. Simultaneously, another needle pierces the bottom and lets the brewed coffee flow out. This process extracts coffee a lot faster than drip brewing.

Why should you buy Keurig Coffee?

Keurig coffee is all about convenience. If you need your cup of coffee quickly without too much work on your end, this is the perfect coffee maker for you. Keep in mind, while Keurig coffee might be a good deal for the average consumer, you might not enjoy the Keurig coffee experience if you’re a coffee connoisseur.

Is Keurig Coffee Worth It?

  • You Want Your Coffee Instant and Convenient: Do you want to wake up, drowsily walk to the kitchen, and have a cup of coffee ready in under a minute? If that sounds like you, a Keurig machine will be perfect.
  • No Mess, More Time: You won’t need a coffee grinder, measuring spoons, or a carafe. This means less mess for you to clean up. If you’re particular about where you invest your time, the best rated Keurig machines will ensure you don’t spend more than a minute on preparing your coffee.
  • Many Varieties and Popular Flavors to Choose From: Keurig coffee pods are available from a vast number of popular and specialty brands, and you can also make tea and hot chocolate.

Why Keurig Coffee May Not Be for You

  • You Don’t Have the Budget: Keurig coffee makers, especially the advanced models, are heavy on the pocket. The K-Cup coffee pods are expensive too, and you’ll get much less coffee for your money compared to a bag of ground coffee that costs around the same.
  • You Want an Environment-Friendly Option: The Keurig K-Cup pods are single-serve. In 2014, about 9.8 billion non-recyclable and non-biodegradable K-Cups were sold. While newer Keurig K-Cup pods are now recyclable as of 2020, not everyone will be doing that and many will still end up in landfills.
  • You’re a Coffee Connoisseur: With Keurig coffee pod manufacturing, the focus is on quantity over quality. That’s why K-Cup pods are filled with low-grade coffee grounds. If your priority is high-quality coffee with rich flavor, you’ll want to skip these and check out the best Keurig alternative on the market.

How Long Will Keurig Coffee Last?

According to an article in The Washington Post, the packaging on the Keurig coffee pod ensures the coffee product maintains its quality over a whopping 24-month period. These pods are nitrogen-flushed for freshness and then packaged and sealed with an aluminum lid to keep moisture, oxygen, and light from entering.

Although Keurig’s coffee pods boast a long shelf-life, they are still perishable products and will eventually decrease in flavor and quality. To be on the safe side, make sure to use even the best Keurig coffee pods within 8-12 months, and store your K-Cups in a cool, dry place away from sun exposure.

How to Choose the Best Keurig Coffee

Keen on trying some Keurig coffee? You’ll need to consider some key factors before deciding which Keurig to buy.

Keurig Coffee Key Factors

1. How Much Caffeine?

K-Cup pods contain between 75 to 150mg of caffeine per 8 oz cup, but this amount depends on other factors too, like roasting strength. Typically, dark roast coffee contains less caffeine, while light roast coffee has more. Even decaffeinated coffee contains some caffeine, so decaf K-Cups will have between 2 to 4mg of caffeine per 8 oz cup. Check the product information to confirm the amount of caffeine a K-Cup has.

2. What’s Your Coffee Intake?

If you drink coffee once every a few days, then a small K-Cup pack (10 units) may be sufficient. But if you drink more than a cup a day, it’ll make more sense to buy a pack with 40 or 60 Keurig K-Cup pods. Note that all Keurig cup sizes are the same.

Since you can use K-Cup pods for nearly 24 months from their manufacturing date, it’ll be cost-effective to purchase the bulk packs. You’ll even find 100 pod K-Cup packs, which is useful if you have plenty of coffee drinkers at home.

3. What Flavors Do You Like?

Keurig coffee drinkers are spoiled for choice because there’s a wide variety to choose from — there are over 200 K-Cup flavors. These K-Cups vary in boldness, aroma, and packaging too. For example, the Green Mountain Breakfast Blend is a popular light roast K-Cup pod with a slightly nutty flavor. It’s smooth, lacks bitterness, and is made with 100% high-quality Arabica coffee beans.

If you want something more interesting, you’ll want to check out the Cinnabon Classic Cinnamon Roll K-Cup Coffee. Infused with brown sugar and cinnamon, this kosher blend K-Cup tastes like a classic cinnamon roll. It might take some experimenting to find your favorite flavor of coffee, and K-Cup variety packs will help with that.

4. Is It Reusable?

All K-Cup coffee pods are designed for single use. But if you want a reusable K-Cup, check out the Keurig My K-Cup Universal Reusable Filter. This is the only Keurig-designed reusable coffee filter, and it’s compatible with all Keurig coffee machines.

5. Does It Contain Gluten or Other Allergens?

All K-Cup pods are gluten and gluten byproduct-free, except Timothy’s Lemon Blueberry K-Cup pod, which has traces of malted oats. Flavored coffee beverages by Green Mountain Coffee, Timothy’s Coffee, and Gloria Jean’s are free of all nut allergens. Green Mountain Coffee Roasters are known to perform clean-downs between flavors during the production to ensure there’s no possibility of nut proteins entering the products.

K-Cup pods are also eggs and dairy free, but there are some hot chocolate K-Cup pods that contain milk, tree nuts, or soy. Some of the flavored beverages may contain cloves, nutmeg, sulfites, cinnamon, propylene glycol, and caramel color. You could check the list of ingredients on the packaging for information or contact the individual manufacturers to verify the nutritional information of a K-Cup.

6. What’s Your Budget?

The cost of convenience is quite high. K-Cups are generally 2-9 times more expensive than ground coffee. In fact, even if you look within the same brand, you’ll often find that K-Cups cost around 4 times more than the ground coffee version. In fact, the low-quality coffee used in K-Cup coffee Pods works out to about $40 per pound. If this cost seems too high, you can still buy the Keurig universal reusable filter and use your own ground coffee.

Best Keurig Coffee FAQs

What is the top rated K-Cup?

The Green Mountain Coffee Breakfast Blend is a top rated K-Cup, and so are the Dunkin’ Donuts Original Blend and Peet’s Coffee K-Cup coffee pods. You’ll want to try different K-Cups to find one that suits you.

Can I use K-Cups twice?

The Keurig K-Cup coffee pods are designed for single use only, but since the end of 2020, all the K-Cups produced are recyclable, so ensure to recycle yours. If you’re looking for a reusable K-Cup, you’ll want to pick up the Keurig My K-Cup Universal Reusable Filter. This is the only Keurig-designed reusable coffee filter and it’s compatible with all Keurig home coffee makers.

Is K-Cup coffee better than drip?

That depends on what you’re grading them on. For convenience, K-Cup coffee is the winner. For taste and low-cost, drip coffee comes out on top.

Should you leave water in your Keurig?

It’s okay to leave water in your Keurig water tank for 2 to 3 days but not longer than that. Ideally, you shouldn’t leave water in the Keurig water tank for too long because bacterial growth may occur. You’ll want to clean the water tank at least once a week with mild detergent and water. To make clean-up easier, choose a Keurig machine with a removable water reservoir.

Can Keurig be left on all the time?

It’s best not to leave a Keurig coffee pod machine on all the time because it consumes energy and increases wear and tear on the machine. To make your Keurig last longer, ensure you turn off the coffee maker after each use. If the Auto-Off feature is on, the device will turn off automatically.

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