There’s no better way to start the day than with coffee. I usually don’t want anything fancy except a classic hot cup of coffee with some creamer. I’ve been searching for a coffee machine that’s easy to use, looks modern, and makes delicious coffee.
A few weeks ago, I got my hands on the Keurig K-Elite Single Serve Coffee Maker, and I wanted to put it to the test to see if it could be the best Keurig coffee maker for you. The Keurig K-Elite Single Serve Coffee Maker brews hot and iced coffee with the click of a button. Without giving too much away, this coffee machine has a large reservoir and options available for up to five different-sized cups depending on your daily caffeine needs. You’ll find the Keurig K-Elite Single Serve Coffee Maker on sale on the brand’s website for $101.99 and on Amazon for $119.00 — it’s on sale from its standard price of $189.99, with nearly 4.7 stars on Amazon and over 45,000 five-star ratings, so that speaks volumes.
Keep reading to see our full review of the Keurig K-Elite Single Serve Coffee Maker, as it may just be one of the best pod coffee makers out there. From ease of use to overall taste, we’ve analyzed each feature to determine whether or not it’s worth the price and the hype.
Casey Clark is a freelance writer from NYC who covers shopping, food, and lifestyle content. She has bylines in The Wall Street Journal, Huff Post, INSIDER, TIME, and more. She’s tested many products, from coffee machines to mattresses, and loves giving readers the inside scoop on what’s worth the purchase.
I drink coffee nearly every day and prefer it bittersweet and more earthy. I tested the Keurig K-Elite Single Serve Coffee Maker for two weeks and can keep it for ongoing use for all my morning beverage needs.
Keurig K-Elite: Key Specs
| Row 0 - Cell 0 | Row 0 - Cell 1 |
| Type | Pod |
| Type of coffee needed | K-Cups |
| Settings | Hot water, strong, iced, up and down arrows for time, different cup sizes, and auto-on, temperature adjustment, and digital clock display |
| Heating time | 3 minutes |
| Dimensions (in): | H13 x W9.9 x D12.7 inches |
Keurig K-Elite: Price & availability
The Keurig K-Elite Single Serve Coffee Maker is only available in the States. It costs $101.99 on the brand’s website or $119.00 on Amazon.
Score: 5 out of 5
Keurig K-Elite: Setup
Similar to the other coffee machines I’ve tried before, this one is very lightweight and modern. It’s more on the basic side but a tad more elevated than my K-Select. In terms of size, it’s pretty much the same size as all the other best Keurig coffee makers and was able to comfortably fit on the kitchen counter in my apartment.
Each part of the Keurig K-Elite Single Serve Coffee Maker was individually packed—the water filter and the machine itself came with a water reservoir and drip tray. To set up the machine, I removed the packing tape and put the parts in the designated areas indicated in the instructional booklet.
Before I started using the machine, I set the digital clock by clicking the “settings” icon and using the two up and down arrows. Then, I made sure the coffee temperature was to my liking. It ranges from 187 to 192 degrees Fahrenheit, but I kept mine at 187 since I know that’s what I prefer.
Then, I did a cleansing brew, which involved running hot water through the filter as if you were making a cup of coffee to make sure it was clean prior to use. I filled up the 75-oz reservoir, stopped at the MAX fill line, waited for the water to heat up, and then selected the 8-ounce button as instructed in the directions. The “cleansing brew” was a seamless process lasting about three minutes.
I wasn’t a fan of the different cup sizes icons instead of the labeled buttons. I often referred to the manual instead of simply reading the buttons. That said, I did like how they lit up so you knew which one was selected. The same light feature happens for the hot water, iced coffee, and strong buttons so you know what you’ve selected.
Keurig K-Elite: Design
The Keurig K-Elite Single Serve Coffee Maker features a 75-ounce reservoir, a drip tray, and a water filter. Its contemporary design makes it suitable for any modern kitchen while remaining functional and not taking up a lot of space. The buttons are pretty big to see from far away despite not being labeled, but they illuminate when selected, making it easy to use. It’s available in three colors, so there are numerous options, depending on your preference.
Score: 4.5 out of 5
Keurig K-Elite: Performance
Like other Keurig machines I’ve used in the past, I’ve found the Keurig K-Elite Single Serve Coffee Maker to be one of the easiest.
I started the testing process by brewing a single cup of coffee. I re-filled up the reservoir, put it in the pod, selected 6 ounces, and let it work its magic. I followed the same process with different pods over the week for 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 ounces too. It was a pretty seamless experience. My only note is that it did drip a bit when it was done. Luckily, the drip tray was there to catch it, but expect a few spare drips to come out afterward.
I also brewed a cup using the ‘strong’ button and the ‘iced coffee’ button to try out all the settings. The strong wasn’t as strong as I would have liked, but it was stronger than when the button wasn’t selected.
Over the two weeks, I also followed the instructions for high altitude. This involved pressing down the pod in the dispenser before brewing. I don’t know if I’d call it a setting per se, but it's another option to ensure you can get the best brew. There’s also an Auto-Off button, which I like because sometimes, when I’m in a rush, I’ll forget to unplug it and then worry that it’ll remain on for the rest of the day.
My favorite part about this coffee machine was not just the coffee but also the reservoir. It was the biggest reservoir I’ve used to date, and I didn’t have to refill it constantly. I got 3 to 4 days' worth of coffee before refilling it.
That said, the machine didn’t make any squeaking noise when heating up. It’s perfect if you have a sleeping household and don’t want to wake them up with high-pitched tones early in the morning. In terms of cleaning, it was pretty easy to clean. I put the reservoir in the dishwasher and did a hot water brew to clean out the inside of the pod and filter holder. You’ll want to do this after the machine has cooled down, so don’t hurt yourself.
Let’s discuss the most important part of any coffee machine - how the coffee tastes.
I like my coffee bittersweet and earthy. This machine could brew me a satisfactory cup that was not too bitter or acidic. If you like a stronger cup, I suggest selecting the ‘strong’ button before brewing.
Score: 4.5 out of 5
How does the Keurig K-Elite compare?
The Keurig K-Elite Single-Serve Coffee Maker makes a high-quality, tasty cup of coffee in less than five minutes. That said, the K-Select is similar but available at an approximate $30 cheaper price point: $69.99 on Keurig.com.
If you’re looking for a slightly more elevated version, you’ll want to check out the Keurig K-Supreme Smart Coffee Maker, which has five strengths and different temperature options.
Should you buy the Keurig K-Elite?
| Attribute | Notes | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Price & availability | It’s a great value considering the options you’re given. In terms of availability, it’s only available on Amazon and the brand’s website. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, however, if you’re looking for other retailers like Bed Bath & Beyond or Target, you might not be able to find it. | ★★★★½ |
| Design | I gave this coffee machine a 4.5 / 5 rating because it has nearly everything necessary. It’s small enough for kitchen spaces either large or small and boasts a chic modern design that justifies the price point. Keep in mind there is no size indications on the cups aside from the images. | ★★★★★ |
| Performance | From a quick heating time to making bold, earthy coffee, this machine does it all. Although it may leave a drop or two behind, that easily falls into the drop tray for a mess-free experience. | ★★★★½ |
Buy it if...
Don't buy it if...
How I tested the Keurig K-Elite
- Used the machine to make a cup of coffee (or two) every day for two weeks
- Brewed cups with both the pods
- Followed the instruction manual carefully for set up and assembly
I reviewed the Keurig K-Elite Single Serve Coffee Maker at my apartment in Florida. I also had other people (friends and family) taste the coffee to see what they thought about it, especially now that there was a specific button.
Read more about how we test.
- First reviewed: December 2023
