Coffee Gear

Keurig K-Elite Coffee Maker Review

I don’t know about you, but I need caffeine to wake up. I’ve worked from home for many years. I used to make a lovely pot first thing and have a few cups throughout the morning. The problem? After sitting on the burner, that second and third cup loses its allure. If I wanted a cup in the afternoon, I would commit the worst sin: microwaving cold coffee! Then I discovered the world of single-serve coffee makers. Machines like the Keurig K Elite single serve k cup pod coffee maker allow you to have a perfectly brewed cup of coffee at any time of day.

Do I Need a Single Serve Coffee Maker?

Whether you drink one cup a day or ten, a single-serve coffee maker may be the perfect option for you.

These single serve coffee maker machines are super convenient. Just pop in a K-cup pod and start it up. You’ll find these pods from top brands like Starbucks, Coffee People, and Dunkin’ Donuts. You can also get variety packs to try different flavors and varietals.

For those who drink a single cup or two at home, a Keurig K Elite single serve k cup pod coffee maker means no wasted coffee. Even smaller drip machines do best when making at least four cups. If you drink one cup and dump the rest, that’s a lot of money down the drain. If you’re tempted to make a full pot and reheat it throughout the day, please don’t! When you reheat coffee in the microwave, it makes it virtually undrinkable.

If you have several people drinking coffee at the same time, does a Keurig K Elite single serve k cup pod coffee maker still make sense?

Maybe. A machine that can make a full carafe might be a good choice.

But what if people like different coffee?

Some folks love flavored coffee, others favor a strong Sumatran, and still others prefer a light roast. Single-serve coffee machines allow for variety.

With a Keurig K Elite single serve k cup pod coffee maker, you can also select how long it will keep the water hot. That way, you can make up to 12 different types of coffee in about 12 minutes. You can also find K-cups for tea and hot chocolate.

If you’ve decided you want a single-serve machine, you might be surprised at the range of models and features available. Here are some things to think about before buying one:

  • Reservoir: Some, like the Keurig K Elite single serve k cup pod coffee maker, come with a 75-ounce reservoir. Other, more compact, models may only give one or two cups per full reservoir.
  • Programable: Some machines you can set the night before and wake up to the smell of freshly brewed coffee. Others have little more than an on/off button.
  • Versatility: Some machines allow variable cup sizes from as few as four ounces to 12 ounces or more. Also, some machines have settings for brew strength and temperature or can give hot water on demand.

The Keurig K-Elite at a Glance

This machine is a single-serve coffee maker that delivers a fresh-brewed cup of coffee in about a minute. It replaces the K-475 model. This upgraded version uses buttons instead of a touchscreen, which makes it easier to use. It also has a larger reservoir. Additional features included the Iced setting and a setting for high altitude. This coffee maker also allows you to select cup size and brew strength and is fully programable.

Pros:

  • 75-ounce water reservoir
  • Hot water option for making tea, hot chocolate, instant noodles, and more
  • Cup size ranges from 4 ounces to 12 ounces
  • Iced coffee option
  • Compatible with the My K-Cup Universal Reusable Coffee Filter

Cons:

  • No carafe brewing option
  • More expensive than other models
  • Does not include the My K-Cup Universal Reusable Coffee Filter
  • Can’t steam milk or make café-style drinks
Check at Amazon

Features of the Keurig K Elite Coffee Maker

This Keurig K Elite single serve k cup pod coffee maker model comes with lots of high-end functions. You can tailor your coffee exactly the way you want it. And it’s fast. It can brew a cup of coffee in less than a minute! With a sleek design, the Keurig K Elite comes in brushed silver, gold, and slate. Here’s a run-down of some of its stand-out features.

Programable and Customizable

The Keurig K Elite single serve k cup pod coffee maker is fully programable. You can set everything up the night before and wake up to hot, fresh coffee. It features an auto-off switch to save electricity. This also means that you can choose how long you want it to keep the water hot before turning it off. Carafe style coffee makers keep the coffee hot, which degrades the taste and aroma. By keeping the water hot, you can get several fresh-brewed cups throughout the morning in about 60 seconds each.

The Keurig K Elite single serve k cup pod coffee maker has many options to let you brew your coffee exactly the way you like it. If you like stronger, bolder flavor, just press the Strong button. You also have a wide range of size options, from 4 ounces all the way up to 12 ounces. Finally, you can customize the temperature of your coffee from 187 to 192 degrees. This may be especially helpful if you’re brewing to go.

You’ll find novel functions on this machine such as the Iced button. Do you love iced coffee but hate the watered-down taste? The iced coffee option brews at a lower temperature than your standard brew to reduce ice melt. It also limits the amount of water used. These two functions combine to give you a full-flavored iced coffee drink to power through your day.

Another unique feature is the altitude setting. Water boils at a lower temperature at higher elevations. When you activate the altitude setting, you’ll get excellent results even above 5,000 feet elevation.

Large Water Reservoir

This model holds a whopping 75 ounces of water. It’s one of the largest among models designed for home use. If you only drink one cup of coffee a day, then you can go almost two weeks without having to refill. Of course, the reservoir is removable, making refilling easy.

Another benefit of the Keurig K Elite single serve K Cup pod coffee maker is that it is compatible with Keurig’s charcoal water filter. Clean, fresh water helps ensure the best tasting cup of Joe. This coffee maker usually comes with a filter, and replacements are easy to get.

Quiet Brew

I don’t know how many times strange sounds coming from the kitchen have interrupted my work. Many drip coffee makers can be quite noisy. You’ll hear bangs and gurgles and hisses. With the Keurig K Elite single serve K Cup pod coffee maker, once the water is hot, you can make a noiseless cup after cup.

On-Demand Hot Water

Prefer a cup of tea? Want a hot bowl of instant oatmeal? Or maybe you’re craving a cup of hot chocolate. While you can find K-cup pods for tea, I personally prefer tea bags steeped in hot water. This Keurig model can dispense high temp water at the touch of a button. This also works well for things like instant soup or noodles. You won’t need a microwave or kettle on the stove to enjoy these delights within minutes.

Use Your Own Grounds

Do you think freshly ground coffee is the only way to go? With the optional Universal My K-Cup Reusable Coffee Filter, you can do that. Put any grounds you want in this reusable filter and use that instead of the K-cups. This gives you the full benefit of on-demand coffee without limiting you to pre-packaged coffee grinds. It also means that you’re not throwing away all those empty plastic cups.

Removable Drip Tray

The drip tray can keep messes to a minimum. However, the removable drip tray allows you to place larger, taller cups under the dispenser. It’s perfect for filling your insulated to-go cup before heading out the door. This is also great for making iced coffee. You place the glass filled with ice under the spout, press the Iced button, and enjoy.

Descaling Reminder

When minerals build up in your machine, it can affect how it works. That’s why it’s important to regularly descale your Keurig. But if you’re like me, you can never remember when it’s due. That’s why this coffee maker features an alert for when it’s time to descale. With regular maintenance, you’ll be enjoying fresh, on-demand coffee for years to come.

Keurig K Elite Reviews

Users across the web are giving the Keurig Elite coffee maker rave reviews. The quality of the brew seems to be a top-selling point for this model. Many also commented on the quality of construction compared to earlier models. Keurig K Elite reviews also showed high marks for the Iced setting for making iced coffee. The consensus seems to be that this model embodies quality, value, and ease of use.

JeffandLaura
on Bestbuy.com in 2019

Excellent machine and awesome deal from Best Buy!

“Love it! This Keurig machine is the best one yet.
The water storage reservoir is the largest one I’ve seen and it has a water filter in there too.
We got the stainless steel one to match all our other appliances. Beautiful.
The ‘instant high temp water’ feature is great for oatmeal, cup-a-soup, tea, etc … no more boiling water in a pot on the stove!
Best Buy did us a solid with their PRICE MATCH and we got over 80.00 off!”

ANZicCO
on Amazon.com in July 2018

The new ELITE brewer is a great leap forward by taking steps to get back to basics: Making great coffee!

“This is the best Keurig brewer made so far. I am coming from all the super deluxe features and touchscreen of the K575 and I don’t miss any of them! The flavor of the coffee brewed by this new Elite model rivals any coffee shop! A taste comparison of the same coffee from the 575 vs. Elite proves the Elite steps ahead!
The design is more streamlined. There is NO MORE: Touchscreen, larger pod capability, carafe, Multi-color water tank, or 2.0 Keurig lockout for non-Keurig branded pods, or long, noisy wait times for heating.
There IS the capability for multiple brew sizes, a brew over ice feature, Hot water at the press of a button WITHOUT having to lift the lid, A digital clock with Auto-On feature, Auto-Off after various time intervals, a much better pod system mechanism, and a very quick and much less noisy heating system between brews! You can also adjust the water temperature, there is a setting for those in high elevations, and a much improved drip tray that is much more scratch resistant. You can also remove the drip tray and there is a platform for travel mugs.
The system performs much better overall and the coffee taste output is the best yet even without choosing the STRONG BREW setting which is also featured! The only two things I would change is to have the water tank cover hinged (you have to remove the entire top on this one although I like the rectangular design of the Elite better than the weird shape of the K575 one) and it would be more convenient if the clock were in a lower area, as it is hard to see when the Elite is rolled back under the cabinets
Retails for 169.99 but shop around and you can find some better discounts and promotions. This is currently, in my opinion, the Keurig to buy above all others!”

Konalta Sanders
on Keurig.com in October 2020

So Many Features!

“I have had this Keurig K-Cup Elite for over a year and we love it. I drink a lot of ice coffee, and my husband likes the travel mug size for his morning coffee. I like the selection of different size coffee ounces, the hot water feature, strong feature, and customizing everything. This Keurig turns on in the morning before I wake up and is waiting for me to get my first cup of coffee. It shuts off automatically which is very nice. No waste of energy. I like the bigger reservoir for water too. It has the My-K Cup for using my favorite coffee brand but I have not used it because there are so many varieties of K-cups on the market.This machine has run flawlessly the entire time we have had it. My last Keurig was over 5 yrs old and we donated it to someone else when we got this one. So I am very pleased with how long these machines last. Don’t hesitate to get this. We love it!”

Other Options

As great as the K-Elite is, it is not for everyone. Here are some options for people with different needs.

1 Keurig K-Duo 12-Cup Coffee Maker and Single-Serve K-Cup Brewer

Sometimes you need a big pot of coffee. The K-Duo allows you to either brew a single cup or a full pot. This option is the primary difference between the K-Duo and the K-Elite.

The single-serve side has a removable drip tray to accommodate travel mugs. It is also compatible with the reusable filter, so you can use whatever ground coffee you want. Both the carafe brewer and the pod brewer use the same reservoir. The carafe brewer has a pause function so you can pour a cup midway through the brewing cycle. If you want a classic-style drip coffee maker that uses a basket filter in addition to the K-cup single-serve maker, then check out the K-Duo.

Features:

  • Fits 8-inch travel mug
  • 60-ounce water reservoir
  • Brews 6-, 8-, 10-, or 12-ounce cup and 6-, 8-, 10-, or 12-cup carafe
  • Compatible with My K-Cup Universal Reusable Coffee Filter
  • No milk frother
Check at Amazon

2 Keurig K-Mini Coffee Maker

The K-Elite price tag may be out of reach for some. If you’ve got a tight space or a tight budget, take a look at the K-Mini coffee maker. This coffee maker is only 5 inches wide! It will brew any size coffee between 6 and 12 ounces. The coffee maker simply uses all the water you put in the reservoir. You determine the size of your coffee based on how full you fill it. You can remove the drip tray to fit a travel mug. This little coffee maker features cord storage to keep things tidy and make transportation easy.

Features:

  • Fits 7-inch travel mug
  • 12-ounce water reservoir
  • Brews anywhere from 6 to 12 ounces
  • Compatible with My K-Cup Universal Reusable Coffee Filter
  • No milk frother
Check at Amazon

3 Keurig K-Cafe Coffee Maker, Single Serve K-Cup Pod Coffee, Latte and Cappuccino Maker

Want to make coffee at home but crave the café-style espresso drinks? If so, you might want to invest in the K-Café Coffee Maker. It lets you do it all! For lattes, mochas, or cappuccinos, this machine includes a built-in milk frother. This frothing ability is what separates this machine from almost all other single-serve makers. The frothing cup is dishwasher safe for easy clean-up.

Features:

  • Fits 7.2-inch travel mug
  • 60-ounce water reservoir
  • Brews 2-ounce shot or 6-, 8-, 10-, or 12-ounce coffee
  • Compatible with My K-Cup Universal Reusable Coffee Filter
  • Milk frother
Check at Amazon

Your Coffee, Your Way

Say good-bye to burned and reheated coffee and hello to fresh-brewed coffee on demand. The K-Elite lets you adjust the size, strength, and temperature of each cup of coffee. With the ability to keep the water hot, you can get cup after cup of hot, fresh java instantly. And with the optional reusable filter, you don’t have to feel guilty about tossing those plastic pods. Click here to check out the Keurig K-Elite coffee maker.

Sasha Pavlovich

Hi, I'm Sasha Pavlovich and welcome to my blog about coffee! As an experienced barista, I have a deep passion for coffee. I love to share my knowledge and enthusiasm with everyone, and I never get tired of talking about it. Whether you're a novice or a connoisseur, I'm sure you'll find something on my site that will make you appreciate the wonderful world of coffee even more.

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