Keurig K-Elite Single Serve coffee maker: Full Review

The Keurig K-Elite Single Serve Coffee Maker is one of Keurig's premium coffee makers that combines versatile technology, impressive performance, and modern design into a single unit. This model sits towards the higher end of Keurig's extensive product line and is aimed at specialty coffee drinkers who want variety and customization for their morning cup of joe.

With the K-Elite, Keurig has focused on giving users more options and control over their brew. The coffee maker is compatible with hundreds of different K-Cup pods, allows you to customize the brew size and strength, and has a strong focus on convenience with features like a large removable water reservoir that holds up to 75oz. It also has a hot water on demand function for making other hot beverages.

Overall, the Keurig K-Elite offers a combination of versatility, performance, and simple operation that makes it one of Keurig's most capable single serve coffee makers. This review will dive into the pros and cons of the features, design, and real-world performance of the K-Elite model.

Design

The Keurig K-Elite coffee maker has a sleek and modern design that looks great in any kitchen. It measures 10.43 x 13.63 x 13.45 inches, making it a bit larger than some single serve coffee makers. However, the size allows it to hold a 75oz water reservoir so you don't have to refill it as often.

The K-Elite weighs just under 10 pounds, making it relatively lightweight and easy to move around your countertop as needed.

This model comes in a variety of colors including brushed slate, brushed gold, brushed silver, and the popular black stainless steel color. The colors allow you to choose the one that best matches your kitchen decor.

The K-Elite has an interactive color touchscreen display that allows you to customize settings and select your brew. The display adds a high-tech element to the overall aesthetic.

Overall, the Keurig K-Elite has a contemporary design with some nice color options that will look great in most modern kitchens. The size is bigger than a standard single cup brewer but necessary to hold the large water reservoir capacity.

Another excellent option is the OXO 11180100, which is known for its user-friendly design and versatile brewing options. This sleek appliance focuses on delivering a consistently perfect cup of coffee. Its compact footprint makes it ideal for smaller kitchens while still featuring a large water reservoir. The OXO 11180100 also includes an intuitive interface, allowing users to tailor their brew strength and size effortlessly. Thus, it presents a perfect blend of functionality and modern aesthetics.

Features

The Keurig K-Elite coffee maker comes loaded with features to customize your perfect cup of coffee.

Brewer settings - The K-Elite allows you to fully control the brewing process. Choose from strong, medium, or mild strength, and select your desired brew temperature between 187-192°F. The hot water button lets you dispense hot water on demand for tea, instant soups, and more.

Strength control - No matter which K-cup pod you choose, you can make it stronger or milder. The strength setting allows you to enhance the boldness or tone down the intensity.

Temperature control - Not all coffees are best served at the same temperature. The K-Elite has precise temperature control from 187-192°F so you can get maximum flavor from light, medium or dark roasts.

Brew sizes - The K-Elite can brew anywhere from a 4 ounce cup all the way up to a 12 ounce travel mug. You have options for 6, 8, 10 ounce sizes as well. No matter what size you want, the K-Elite delivers.

Ease of Use

The Keurig K-Elite coffee maker aims to make the coffee experience as simple as possible for any user. The control panel is straightforward, with buttons for cup size, strength, and hot water on demand. There are also programmable settings to customize the functions and auto-off timer.

The 60oz removable water reservoir is easy to fill, handle, and clean. The water tank has a handle for portability and the lid flips open and closed with one hand. Fill lines are printed on the inside of the reservoir to measure the exact amount of water needed.

Loading coffee pods is effortless with the K-Elite. The pod holder smoothly slides out, you simply drop in a k-cup pod, and slide it back. The extra large pod holder accommodates travel mugs up to 7.2" tall. An iced coffee setting allows you to brew pods over ice. Overall, the Keurig K-Elite makes brewing freshly pod-based coffee fuss-free.

If you're looking for another great option, consider the Cuisinart DGB-2. This versatile coffee maker features a burr grinder that ensures your coffee is freshly ground just before brewing, locking in maximum flavor and aroma. With adjustable grind settings, you can tailor your coffee to your preferred strength and taste. Its compact design fits perfectly in small kitchen spaces while still offering a rich coffee experience, making it a great companion to the K-Elite.

Performance

The Keurig K-Elite performs very well when it comes to brewing coffee. The brew quality is excellent, producing smooth, flavorful coffee without any bitterness. The Keurig brewing technology ensures even saturation and full flavor extraction from the coffee grounds.

The K-Elite brews fast, with brew speeds around 1 minute for a full 8 oz cup. The internal heater means there is no waiting for the machine to heat up before brewing. Just pop in a pod and press brew for a quick cup.

Noise level is reasonable for a single serve brewer. There is some noise when pumping water and during the brewing process, but it's not overly loud or disruptive. The noise level is comparable to other popular single serve coffee makers. Some users may find the noisiness worth it for the great brew quality and speed the K-Elite provides.

Overall, the performance of the K-Elite lives up to its premium branding. It brews an excellent cup of coffee fast, while keeping noise to an acceptable level. Performance across brew quality, speed, and noise make this a standout single serve coffee maker.

Pod Compatibility

The K-Elite works with any K-Cup pod, including Keurig's own K-Cup pods, as well as pods from third party brands. This gives you a wide selection of coffee, tea, and other beverage options to choose from.

One of the handy features of the K-Elite is that it comes with a K-Cup Universal Reusable Coffee Filter that you can fill with your own ground coffee. This allows you to brew a fresh pot of your favorite coffee beans while saving money on pods. The reusable filter is easy to use - simply fill it with ground coffee, place it in the brewer, and brew as you normally would.

The machine is versatile when it comes to pod compatibility. Whether you prefer the convenience of K-Cups or want to brew with your own freshly ground beans, the K-Elite has you covered.

Pros

The Keurig K-Elite has several excellent features that make it stand out:

• Precise Temperature and Brew Control - The K-Elite allows you to customize the exact temperature and strength of your brew. There are settings for brewing a 4, 6, 8, 10, or 12 oz cup and for controlling the temperature between 187-192°F. This level of customization ensures you can dial in the perfect cup of coffee to suit your taste.

• Large 75oz Water Reservoir - The extra-large water tank means you can brew up to 8 cups before needing to refill, saving you time and hassle. The water tank is easy to access and fill.

• Quiet Brewing - Keurig designed the K-Elite with Quiet Brew Technology that minimizes noise during the brewing process. The brewer runs at less than 45db, allowing you to brew fresh coffee without disturbing others.

Cons

The Keurig K-Elite has a few drawbacks to consider:

• Price - This single cup coffee maker has a high upfront cost compared to traditional drip coffee makers or French presses. The machine alone costs over $150, and Keurig coffee pods can cost over $1 per cup depending on the brand. This recurring cost of pods adds up over time.

• Pod DRM restrictions - Keurig pods contain a DRM code that prevents third party and reusable pods from being used in Keurig brewers. This means you are restricted to buying more expensive Keurig-branded pods. You cannot use less expensive reusable pods or generic pods from other brands unless you find a way to bypass the DRM.

• Waste from pods - The single use plastic or metal pods generate a lot of waste compared to using ground coffee. You'll need to dispose of hundreds of pods per year, which isn't great for the environment.

• Limited customization - With pods, you are limited to the brew sizes and flavors that Keurig offers. You cannot adjust or customize the grind size, water temperature, brew strength etc. like you can with a traditional drip machine or French press.

Price

The Keurig K-Elite coffee maker retails for $189.99 on Amazon and other major retailers like Target and Walmart. This positions it as a mid-range single serve coffee maker, above basic models but below the most premium options.

The K-Elite frequently goes on sale for $100-150, making it a great option if you can catch one of these discounts. Keurig's official website also runs periodic promotions that bundle the machine with free coffee pods.

Third party retailers like Bed Bath & Beyond and Kohl's also carry the K-Elite and offer additional savings opportunities with coupons or loyalty program perks. Overall, while not the cheapest single serve coffee maker around, the K-Elite offers solid value given its features and performance, especially if purchased at a discounted price point.

Conclusion

The Keurig K-Elite coffee maker offers premium features and excellent performance for making single-serve coffee, espresso, cocoa and more. With a strong brew setting that delivers bolder coffee, iced setting for full-flavored iced beverages, and temperature control to ensure your preferred drinking temperature, the K-Elite allows you to customize your beverages. The large color touchscreen and water reservoir make the coffee maker easy and convenient to use.

The K-Elite is compatible with hundreds of K-Cup pods including from notable brands like Green Mountain, Peet's and Starbucks. With some trial and error, you can find your favorite pods for the perfect customized drinks. The hot water on demand feature also allows you to make soups, oatmeal and more.

Overall, the Keurig K-Elite is a versatile single-serve coffee maker that delivers customizable beverages with premium features. If you are looking for an efficient, high-quality coffee maker with plenty of options to personalize your drinks, the K-Elite is an excellent choice. It makes brewing single cups of coffee easy and enjoyable. The luxury additions like iced coffee and hot water on demand provide even more value. For those seeking a deluxe single-serve coffee experience, the Keurig K-Elite is highly recommended.