I Ditched Every Espresso Machine I’ve Tested for This Keurig
It is very rare that you’d find me without a cup of coffee in the morning. Not only do I love its rich, bitter flavor, but the ritual of making coffee is also my favorite part of my morning routine. Given how much I love this little ritual, I have tried out my fair share of coffee makers — from good ol’ coffee pots to high-end espresso machines — to find the one that will bring me the most joy. And while I originally thought those high-end espresso machines would do that, I was surprised to find that actually they don’t. For me, they required too much time and effort to be enjoyable — especially between the hours of 7 and 8 a.m.
I tested two espresso machines back-to-back, and I found myself missing the ease of a Keurig. I had previously owned a smaller Keurig model in college and loved how straightforward it is to use and how quickly I could have my coffee in hand with next to no effort from me. So, as Christmas 2022 rolled around, I asked Santa (aka my sister-in-law) for a shiny, new Keurig. Santa pulled through, and after installing the Keurig K-Elite in my apartment, I haven’t looked back.
K-Elite Single Serve Coffee Maker
Amazon
$119 (was $189.99)
What Is the Keurig K-Elite?
The Keurig K-Elite is a pod coffee machine, which means it’s incredibly simple to use. All you have to do is pop in a K-Cup Pod of your choice (there are tons of options available!) and select how much you want to brew. There are five cup size options, starting at four ounces and going all the way up to 12 ounces. Then, the Keurig will get to work making your coffee. From the time I hit the 12-ounce button until the last drop dripped out of my Keurig filling the cup, it took just over a minute (yes, I actually timed it). So if you tend to be in a rush in the morning, this is your coffee machine.
Beyond the standard hot coffee brewing, the K-Elite also offers you the ability to brew up some iced coffee. All you do is press the “ICED” button instead of picking a cup size. This does mean that you don’t get to pick how much coffee you get (I tried brewing on the iced setting without ice and found it makes about 5 ounces or so). It also doesn’t come out of the machine cold, but you’re intended to have a full cup of ice to catch the coffee in. While the ice obviously does get a little melted in this process, it’s not a bad option if you need iced coffee in a pinch or won’t have time to stop by your favorite coffee shop while you’re out and about.
Why I Love the Keurig K-Elite
While I previously had the Keurig K-Compact back when I was in college, which was great for my dorm room, I have happily graduated to the K-Elite. It is a few inches wider and ever-so-slightly taller, but even in my cramped New York City apartment, it doesn’t feel like I’m sacrificing space the way it did with those nicer espresso machines (even if they did look really sleek on my counter). What I ultimately love about Keurig is that the machines allow for serious simplicity when it comes to actually making my coffee in the morning, given that all I have to do is put in a pod and press a couple of buttons. But the Keurig K-Elite is my particular favorite because of how many options it offers in terms of cup sizes and the ability to brew an iced coffee. Plus, I don’t have to constantly add more water to the machine, as it has a tank on the side that will hold up to 75 ounces of water.
Ultimately I’ve tested all sorts of coffee and espresso makers over the course of the last 10 years, and I can honestly say there is no other machine I’ve loved like the Keurig K-Elite. Those fancy espresso machines have their place, and I can totally understand their appeal. But for me, simple truly is best when it comes to my favorite morning ritual.
Buy: Keurig K-Elite, $119 (normally $189.99)
