A pod machine has one job: you walk past, drop in a pod and walk away with a hot cup. Anyone who has worked a kitchen shift knows the value of that. Keurig built its name on that one job, and then spread it across so many models that choosing one has become a job of its own. The names do not help much. A K-Compact, a K-Slim and a K-Mini Mate Plus are all small, and all small in different ways.
This guide is for readers who have already decided on a K-Cup machine and want to know which one. We sort Keurig’s home range by what actually changes between models: cup sizes, reservoir, control over strength and temperature, and how much counter it needs. If you are still deciding between pods and other systems, start with our best single serve coffee maker guide, which compares Keurig with Nespresso, Ninja and others.
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Quick verdict: which Keurig to buy
For most homes the best coffee machine Keurig makes is the K-Supreme Plus: a 78-ounce reservoir, five cup sizes, and strength and temperature settings with no app required. If you want the simplest machine possible, buy the K-Classic. For a narrow counter, choose the K-Slim.
How Keurig’s home range is organized
Keurig does not lay this out neatly, but its brewers fall into four rough groups.
- Classic tier. The K-Classic and K-Compact. Button controls, 6 to 10-ounce cups, removable tanks, and few extras.
- Small and slim tier. The K-Slim and K-Mini Mate Plus. Under 5 inches wide, with 8 to 12-ounce cups. The plain K-Mini is smaller still and has a one-cup tank, and it is covered in our main single-serve guide.
- K-Supreme tier. The K-Supreme, K-Supreme Plus, K-Supreme Gen 2 and K-Supreme SMART. MultiStream brewing, big tanks and, on most, strength and temperature control.
- Cafe tier. K-Cafe machines add a milk frother and short coffee shots. None was in stock new when we last checked, so none is reviewed here.
Every model on this page takes K-Cup pods, and pods from a great many coffee brands fit. That is the real appeal of the system, and it holds across the range, so you can move up or down the line without changing your coffee.
Five Keurig models side by side
Our five standout picks, one for each kind of Keurig buyer, with what the maker or listing states. All seven models are reviewed in full below.
| Keurig | Best for | Cup sizes | Reservoir | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Keurig K-Supreme PlusBest overall
|
Households with different tastes | 4 to 12 oz | 78 oz | View on Amazon |
Keurig K-ClassicSimplest choice
|
Plain, no-fuss brewing | 6, 8, 10 oz | 48 oz | View on Amazon |
Keurig K-SlimBest slim Keurig
|
Narrow counters | 8, 10, 12 oz | 46 oz | View on Amazon |
Keurig K-Mini Mate PlusBest small brewer
|
Small spaces, iced coffee | 8, 10, 12 oz | 50 oz | View on Amazon |
Keurig K-Supreme SMARTBest smart Keurig
|
App control and pod reading | 6, 8, 10, 12 oz | 66 oz | View on Amazon |
Our picks for the best coffee machine Keurig makes
The models below run from the fullest-featured brewer without an app to the simplest, then the two connected machines. We have listed one color of each.
1. Keurig K-Supreme Plus – Most Control Without an App
The K-Supreme Plus is the Keurig we would point most households to. It has the largest reservoir on this page at 78 ounces, which Keurig says is enough for up to nine cups, and five brew sizes from 4 to 12 ounces. That 4-ounce setting is useful if you like a small, stronger cup or plan to add milk.
Where it moves past the plain K-Supreme in our best single serve coffee maker guide is control. You choose from three strength settings and three temperature settings, you can brew hot over ice, and you can save preferences for up to three users. All of that happens on a digital display, with no phone or Wi-Fi involved.
The body has a stainless steel wrap, the drip tray lifts out for travel mugs up to 7 inches tall, and a maintenance alert reminds you to descale after every 250 brews. Keurig also says its MultiStream system extracts more flavor and aroma than its K-Classic.
Why we like it
- 78 oz reservoir, up to nine cups per Keurig
- Five sizes from 4 to 12 oz
- Three strength and three temperature settings
- Saves settings for up to three users
Key specifications
| Model | 5000350800 |
|---|---|
| Cup sizes | 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 oz |
| Reservoir | 78 oz, removable |
| Strength and temperature | 3 strengths, 3 temperatures |
| Brew over ice | Yes |
| Wi-Fi and app | None listed |
| Size | Not stated |
| Warranty | Not stated on the listing |
Why we recommend it
A household of two or more with different tastes. One person can have a strong 12-ounce mug and another a milder, cooler 8-ounce cup, with no reservoir refill in between.
Skip it if counter space is tight. This is a large brewer with a large tank, and the smaller models further down will suit a small kitchen far better.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Biggest tank here
- Real control over strength and heat
- Stainless wrap
- Descale reminder
Cons
- Size not stated on the listing, so measure carefully
- No app or scheduling
- K-Cup pods as standard
2. Keurig K-Supreme Gen 2 – The Newest K-Supreme
The K-Supreme Gen 2 is the update to the line, on sale since this past summer. It keeps what makes a K-Supreme worth having, MultiStream brewing and sizes of 6, 8, 10 and 12 ounces, and lets you choose from three strength and three temperature settings. It can also brew hot over ice.
The reservoir is 72 ounces, more than the 66 ounces of the K-Supreme it follows, and it has a handle for carrying to the sink. The listing also names the My K-Cup, Keurig’s reusable filter, as an option, so you are not locked into pods if you buy one separately.
The caution is simply that it is new. We found no independent review of this model yet, so we are relying on Keurig’s own description. If you want a machine with a longer public record, the K-Supreme Plus above is the safer buy.
Why we like it
- 72 oz removable reservoir with a handle
- Three strength and three temperature settings
- Brews hot over ice
- Listing names K-Cup pods or My K-Cup
Key specifications
| Model | K94 |
|---|---|
| Cup sizes | 6, 8, 10, 12 oz |
| Reservoir | 72 oz, removable, with handle |
| Strength and temperature | 3 strengths, 3 temperatures |
| Brew over ice | Yes |
| Wi-Fi and app | None listed |
| Size | Not stated |
| Warranty | Not stated on the listing |
Why we recommend it
Buyers who want a current K-Supreme with temperature control and a big tank, and who are comfortable being early with a new model.
Skip it if you want proven long-term reports before you buy. A brewer released this recently has not had time to build them.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Large tank with a carry handle
- Strength and temperature control
- Works with a reusable filter, per the listing
Cons
- No independent reviews found yet
- Four sizes, not five
- Dimensions not stated on the listing
3. Keurig K-Classic – Simple Buttons, Plenty of Water
The K-Classic is the plain Keurig most people picture: three buttons for 6, 8 or 10 ounces, a pod, a handle, and very little else. There is no screen or menu, which makes it the easiest of these machines to hand to a guest. Keurig says to use the 6-ounce size when you want the strongest brew.
Its 48-ounce removable reservoir is a good size for the counter space it takes, enough for six or more cups before a refill by Keurig’s count. Open and close the handle with no pod in place and it dispenses hot water, which is handy for tea or instant oatmeal. It shuts off after two hours idle if you set it to.
What it gives up is the newer brew system: Keurig measures its MultiStream models against this one, so the K-Classic does not have it. There is also no 12-ounce setting and no iced option. The box includes four K-Cup pods, a water filter handle and two water filters.
Why we like it
- Three plain buttons
- 48 oz removable reservoir
- Hot water with no pod
- Water filter handle and two filters included
Key specifications
| Model | K-50 |
|---|---|
| Cup sizes | 6, 8, 10 oz |
| Reservoir | 48 oz, removable |
| Strength and temperature | None; use 6 oz for strongest brew |
| Brew over ice | Not listed |
| Wi-Fi and app | None listed |
| Size | About 13.3 H x 10.1 W x 13.2 D in (retailer listing) |
| Warranty | Not stated on the listing |
Why we recommend it
Anyone who wants a pod machine that never needs explaining, such as a guest room, a small office or a less tech-minded relative.
Skip it if you fill a large mug, since 10 ounces is the top size, or if you want iced coffee.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Very easy to use
- Decent reservoir size
- Dispenses plain hot water
Cons
- No 12 oz size
- No MultiStream
- Wider than the slim models
4. Keurig K-Slim – Under 5 Inches, Still Has a Tank
The K-Slim solves the common kitchen problem of a narrow gap on the counter. It is 4.76 inches wide, yet it still carries a 46-ounce removable reservoir that Keurig says is good for up to four cups. It gets there by being deep rather than wide.
That depth is the thing to measure. Keurig gives the brewer as 12.14 inches high, 4.76 wide and 15.2 deep, and 17.28 inches tall with the handle open, so check the height under your cabinets. It brews 8, 10 or 12 ounces with MultiStream, and the drip tray lifts out for travel mugs up to 7 inches tall.
It weighs 6.22 pounds and shuts itself off five minutes after the last brew. It also accepts the My K-Cup universal filter, sold separately, for your own ground coffee. There is no 6-ounce size, so it is not the machine for very small, strong cups. It appears in black in our best value single-serve coffee maker guide; we list it again here in white because no Keurig chooser is complete without it.
Why we like it
- 4.76 inches wide
- 46 oz removable reservoir
- MultiStream brewing
- Works with the My K-Cup filter, sold separately
Key specifications
| Model | K900 |
|---|---|
| Cup sizes | 8, 10, 12 oz |
| Reservoir | 46 oz, removable |
| Strength and temperature | Not listed |
| Brew over ice | Not listed |
| Wi-Fi and app | None listed |
| Size | 12.14 H x 4.76 W x 15.2 D in; 6.22 lb |
| Warranty | Not stated on the listing |
Why we recommend it
Apartments, offices and narrow counters where a wide brewer will not fit but you still do not want to fill the tank for every cup.
Skip it if your counter is shallow, since it runs 15.2 inches deep, or if you want a strength setting.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Fits a narrow gap
- Full specifications published
- Takes a travel mug
Cons
- Deep for its width
- No 6 oz size
- Needs 17.28 inches of height with the handle open
5. Keurig K-Compact – Three Sizes, 36-Ounce Tank
The K-Compact sits between the K-Classic and the K-Mini line. It has the same three sizes as the Classic, 6, 8 and 10 ounces, with a smaller 36-ounce removable reservoir, which still means several cups before a trip to the sink.
Keurig’s Smart Start means you do not wait for it to heat before choosing a size: it heats and then brews in one go. The removable drip tray takes travel mugs up to 7 inches tall and holds a full accidental brew, and it can also dispense plain hot water if you open and close the handle with no pod in.
This is a basic machine, with no strength or iced settings listed, and it turns itself off two hours after the last brew. Retail listings disagree on its exact dimensions, so we leave those as not stated and suggest measuring against the store’s figures before you order.
Why we like it
- 36 oz removable reservoir
- Smart Start heats and brews in one step
- Takes travel mugs up to 7 inches
- Dispenses hot water
Key specifications
| Model | 5000376527 |
|---|---|
| Cup sizes | 6, 8, 10 oz |
| Reservoir | 36 oz, removable |
| Strength and temperature | None; use 6 oz for strongest brew |
| Brew over ice | Not listed |
| Wi-Fi and app | None listed |
| Size | Not stated; retail figures conflict |
| Warranty | Not stated on the listing |
Why we recommend it
One person, or a couple who each drink one cup, who want a tank but do not need a large one. It is a sensible first Keurig.
Skip it if you need a 12-ounce mug. Ten ounces is its largest size.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Simple controls
- No waiting to select a size
- Catches a full accidental brew
Cons
- No 12 oz size
- Smaller tank than the K-Classic
- Basic features
6. Keurig K-Mini Mate Plus – Narrow Body, 50-Ounce Tank
The K-Mini Mate Plus is a newer small brewer, listed on Amazon since early this year. It is under 5 inches wide, yet it carries a 50-ounce removable reservoir, slightly more than the K-Classic’s, so one or two people can brew for days between refills.
It has a Strong button for a more intense hot cup and a Brew Over Ice setting that Keurig says adjusts brew temperature for full flavor with less ice melt. On a hot Houston afternoon, that is often the setting that gets used. It brews 8, 10 or 12 ounces.
This is not the plain K-Mini Mate that appears in our best small space coffee maker guide; it is a separate model on its own listing. The link goes to the Wild Orchid color, the one in steady stock when we checked. The listing is short, so we cannot tell you its depth, its weight or its warranty, and you should check those before ordering.
Why we like it
- Under 5 inches wide, per Keurig
- 50 oz removable reservoir
- Strong button
- Brew Over Ice setting
Key specifications
| Model | Not stated; listing no. 611247408568 |
|---|---|
| Cup sizes | 8, 10, 12 oz |
| Reservoir | 50 oz, removable |
| Strength and temperature | Strong button |
| Brew over ice | Yes |
| Wi-Fi and app | None listed |
| Size | Under 5 in wide; other sizes not stated |
| Warranty | Not stated on the listing |
Why we recommend it
Small kitchens, dorm rooms and offices where you want the width of a mini brewer without giving up iced coffee or a decent tank.
Skip it if you want a 6-ounce cup or want full dimensions in hand before buying. The listing does not give them.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Narrow but holds 50 oz
- Iced and strong options
- 12 oz top size
Cons
- No 6 oz size
- Thin listing details
- Depth not stated
7. Keurig K-Supreme SMART – Reads the Pod, Brews by App
The K-Supreme SMART is the K-Supreme for people who enjoy adjusting things. Keurig’s BrewID recognizes the specific K-Cup pod you put in and recommends brew settings for it. You can then adjust further, with five strengths from Balanced to Intense and six temperatures from Warm to Max Hot.
Connected to Wi-Fi through the Keurig app, it can brew from anywhere, run on a schedule and work with Alexa or Google Home. Up to 10 custom settings can be saved, which is the most generous of any model here.
The hardware beneath is the familiar one: 6, 8, 10 and 12 ounces, MultiStream, a brew-over-ice option, a 66-ounce dual-position reservoir good for up to nine cups by Keurig’s count, and back-to-back brewing with no wait. Its smart features need the app and a network, so if you will never connect it, the K-Supreme Plus gives you most of the benefit.
Why we like it
- Five strengths and six temperatures
- BrewID recognizes the pod
- Schedule from the Keurig app
- Back-to-back brewing
Key specifications
| Model | 5000367509 |
|---|---|
| Cup sizes | 6, 8, 10, 12 oz |
| Reservoir | 66 oz, dual-position |
| Strength and temperature | 5 strengths, 6 temperatures |
| Brew over ice | Yes |
| Wi-Fi and app | Yes; app and voice assist |
| Size | Not stated |
| Warranty | Not stated on the listing |
Why we recommend it
Households that already run the morning from a phone, or that have several coffee drinkers with strong opinions. Ten saved settings is a lot of room.
Skip it if you dislike apps and accounts. Much of what you pay extra for sits behind the connection.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Most adjustable brew here
- Scheduling from the app
- No wait between cups
Cons
- Needs Wi-Fi to do its best
- Smaller tank than the Plus
- More complex than most people need
How to choose a Keurig for your kitchen
Your usual cup
Check the top and bottom sizes first. The K-Classic and K-Compact stop at 10 ounces, which will not fill a big mug. The K-Slim and K-Mini Mate Plus start at 8 ounces, so they have no small, strong cup. Only the K-Supreme line covers a wider range.
How often you want to refill
Divide the reservoir by the cups you drink. At two 10-ounce mugs a morning, the 36-ounce K-Compact needs filling every other day or so, and the 78-ounce K-Supreme Plus lasts about four days. A huge tank does less for one light drinker, because that water sits for days.
Space on the counter
Measure three ways. Width is what the slim models save, but the K-Slim is 15.2 inches deep, and every top-loading Keurig needs extra height when the handle opens: 17.28 inches for the K-Slim. Keurig does not give dimensions on most of these listings, so check its site or the box before you commit to a tight spot.
Whether you want the app
Wi-Fi only makes sense if you will use it. Scheduling is the feature with the clearest value, since a brew can be set up from the app. If you are not sure, buy the K-Supreme Plus. It has manual control, and nothing to set up or keep updated.
Pods, your own coffee and iced drinks
If you would like to use bagged coffee sometimes, Keurig’s My K-Cup reusable filter is sold separately, and the K-Slim and K-Supreme Gen 2 listings name it. Check your own model’s manual, since Keurig’s guides differ on which version fits. If you want machines built around ground coffee, see our guide to the best single-serve coffee makers without pods. Iced coffee drinkers should also read our best iced and hot coffee maker guide, which covers Keurig’s K-Iced, K-Brew+Chill and other iced machines.
Care and warranty
Keurig’s K90 quick-start guide, the one Keurig brewer manual we could read, says to descale every three to six months, and more often with hard water. It also gives a limited one-year warranty on home brewers. None of the Amazon listings here state a warranty, so confirm the terms for your model.
How we picked these seven models
We started with what a busy kitchen asks of a pod machine: fast, predictable, easy to refill and easy to keep clean. We then chose models from each step of Keurig’s home range except the K-Cafe tier, leaving out machines already covered in our other coffee guides, such as the K-Mini, K-Express, K-Duo and K-Elite. All seven were in stock on Amazon when we checked. Specifications come from the Amazon listings, Keurig’s K-Supreme page and its K90 guide. Keurig’s other product pages would not open for us, so those listings are our main source. We did not run our own trial of these machines, and nothing here says Julia’s uses them.
Keurig questions, answered
Which Keurig is the best for home use?
For most homes, the K-Supreme Plus, for its large tank, five sizes and manual strength and temperature settings. If you want something simpler, buy the K-Classic.
Which Keurig makes the hottest coffee?
Choose a model with temperature control. The K-Supreme SMART lists six settings up to Max Hot, and the K-Supreme Plus and Gen 2 list three. Keurig does not publish the actual temperatures on these listings.
What is the difference between the K-Supreme and the K-Supreme Plus?
The Plus has a larger 78-ounce tank against 66 ounces, a fifth cup size of 4 ounces, three strength and temperature settings, saved preferences and a stainless wrap. Keurig’s page lists back-to-back brewing for the K-Supreme but not for the Plus.
Which Keurig is best for a small kitchen?
The K-Slim if you need a real tank and full specifications, and the K-Mini Mate Plus if you also want iced coffee. Both are under 5 inches wide. The K-Mini is smaller but has to be filled for each cup.
Can a Keurig make a latte or espresso?
Keurig’s K-Cafe models make latte and cappuccino-style drinks with a frother and coffee shots, but none was in stock new when we last checked, so none is on this list. A separate frother from our best milk frother guide works alongside any brewer here. No Keurig makes true espresso, which needs a proper espresso machine.
Can you use your own coffee in a Keurig?
Yes, with a My K-Cup reusable filter, sold separately. The K-Slim and K-Supreme Gen 2 listings say so directly; for other models, check the manual first.
Our last word on choosing a Keurig
Buy the K-Supreme Plus if you want a big, adjustable machine, the K-Classic if you want three buttons and no thinking, and the K-Slim if counter width decides everything. If a pod machine starts to feel limiting, our main best single serve coffee maker guide covers what else is out there, and our best espresso machine guide is the next step up. And when you would rather someone else made breakfast, see the menu or call to order.