keurig alternative

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Single-serve machines are a staple in households across the world.

Whether it’s coffee, tea, hot cocoa, or something else; you can now enjoy your preferred drink from your favorite brand in a fraction of the time.

However, this convenience comes at a cost, which is why many people are looking for alternative brewers that are cheaper than Keurig and still produce results without sacrificing quality.

If you have a tight budget and cannot invest in a $300 Keurig brewing system, I get you.

This article will point you to 5 of the best Keurig alternative brewers that won’t put a dent in your wallet.

Without any further ado let’s get started.

Features to Look For When Looking for a Keurig Alternative

Before I share with you a few options if you can’t afford a Keurig coffee machine, let me quickly explain the reasons why some features are extremely crucial for getting the perfect cup of coffee.

1. Brew Quality

The first thing you want to get your hands on when buying a Keurig alternative is the machine’s brew quality.

You might think “But brewing is just brewing…what the hell does that even mean?”

And you’d be right if you just want to boil water and get it over with.

But for the people who really care about their coffee, who have a passion for finding out the right balance of different factors to get a perfect brew, this factor alone is so crucial.

Quality comes at many levels.

For example, the water’s hardness or its PH value are crucial for picking up the taste profile of your coffee.

And the temperature is very important as well.

Coffee tastes way better at around 200F/100C than at boiling temperature (212F/100C).

*Very Important Note: The brew quality also depends on the coffee maker’s filters.

Filters are crucial to get a great cup of coffee.

If you choose a bad filter, it may tarnish the taste of all efforts you’ll make with the equipment.

2. Auto-Off Features

We all know how annoying it is to get home from work and find out your coffee maker is still on and wasting a ton of energy while making a cold/overcooked brew that will definitely upset your stomach!

For that reason, all of the best kitchen appliances have auto-off features, and if they don’t have them, they’re probably getting old and should be upgraded soon.

3. Programmability And Flexibility

How many times have you thought about getting up earlier than usual just to get that perfect brew?

Think of an auto-brew machine that is fully programmable and can make it happen.

You can set it up at night for a quick brew in the morning, or use its timer feature to get your coffee ready when you get home from work.

Overall there are many features I want in a coffee maker, but the ones above are the more important ones I want to highlight.

A cheap coffee machine with great features/programmability will serve you better than an expensive one with bad programming options.

4. Size And Storage

Another very important thing that you need to consider is just how much of a coffee maker do you want?

You probably don’t want a machine that takes up too much of your counter space, especially if you’re just starting out with coffee.

And of course, it needs to have enough cup sizes so your family members can have a mug for themselves.

5. Material

Another important factor to consider is the material of your Keurig alternative.

Material is not just material but it also stands for durability, longevity, and stain resistance.

Based on my experience with coffee makers, I will confidently say that a great coffee brewer should be made with:

  • Stainless steel
  • High-quality plastic (for less important parts of the unit such as handles, lid cover, etc…)
  • Borosilicate glass (top quality for brewers with carafes)

Stainless steel is great because it doesn’t rust or stain easy, unlike other materials.

Also, a stainless steel or glass carafe is a must-have feature if you think about going all-glass.

The durability and overall look of the carafe will make a huge difference compared to ordinary plastic ones.

6. Cleaning And Maintenance

Finally, another big indicator as to whether or not I would recommend this product is how easily it can be cleaned.

As with everything else on the planet, you have to maintain your new coffee maker on a regular basis.

After brewing, unwanted particles or oils might leave a film on your brewer’s components.

A good cleaning routine will keep it looking great for years.

I have three quick tips for you when it comes to maintaining your coffee maker:

  • Use Filters That Are Easy To Clean: It’s very important to use filters that are easy to clean or even dishwasher-friendly so you’ll spend less time scrubbing the insides of your brewer while you’re cleaning it.
  • Regular Cleaning Is Important: Once a week, you should take your brewer to the sink and thoroughly clean it. Go through all the parts and replace them whenever they look tarnished or whatever signs of wear and tear they might have.
  • Weekly Rinse: This is not just something I do but cleaning experts suggest weekly rinses for removing elements left behind by hard water.

How many times have you seen the buildup of hard water scale on your coffee maker?

And how can you wash it off? Never!

You’ll have to run the machine through a full rinse cycle overnight, so it will be good as new in no time.

Now let’s get to this much-anticipated list of the cheaper Keurig alternative brewers.

5 Cheaper Keurig Alternative Brewers

1. Nespresso Vertuo Plus Espresso Machine (Best Keurig Alternative)

nespresso vertuo plus - keurig alternative
  • Capacity: 8 Fluid Ounces, 5 Fluid Ounces
  • Color: Gray
  • Coffee Maker Type: Espresso Machine
  • Dimensions: 5.59″D x 16.88″W x 12.79″H
  • Material: Plastic

As I mentioned before, Nespresso is a brand that really knows how to make great coffee machines.

The Vertuo Plus is pretty much the same as the entry-level Nespresso machine, but this one comes with all kinds of bells and whistles such as an integrated milk frother.

You can get a latte, a cappuccino, and a flat white here.

If you’re looking for a machine that will replace your kitchen appliance while also giving you hot beverages, this is your best bet.

Also, just like the other Nespresso models, this one has an auto-off feature and a very easy-to-use interface.

You can go with the Vertuo Plus if you want access to the different types of coffee, but I would recommend choosing one based on your brewing needs.

As a matter of fact, the Nespresso Vertuo line comes with various models that will give you the ultimate espresso experience.

For people who would like to have a slightly smaller machine or units without a carafe for making espressos lattes, cappuccinos, and flat whites, I recommend the Nespresso Vertuo Plus model.

The Nespresso Vertuo Plus – Top Features

1. Water Reservoir Capacity

The Nespresso Vertuo Plus comes with an extra large water tank of 60oz.

For me, this is a pretty high capacity you can find in a coffee machine.

If you have friends or family over, you can easily brew 7-8 cups of java in one go. How can you beat that?

2. Fast Heating System

Are you in a hurry and want your coffee ready in under 1 minute?

Well, the Nespresso Vertuo Plus comes with a super-fast heating capacity of 15 seconds.

I think this qualifies as one of the fastest machines out there after its big sister, the Nespresso BNE800BSS Creatista Plus, which heats up your water in just 3 seconds.

3. Aeroccino Milk Frother

The Nespresso Vertuo Plus comes with an automatic milk frother that allows you to make hot or cold drinks like a latte, cappuccino, and flat white.

Basically, it will mix milk and steam it for you for a silky and creamy drink.

If your tastebud is demanding something fancier than an espresso, you can easily prep up a cafe latte or even an iced coffee, in just a few easy steps.

4. Double Espresso Shot

The Nespresso Vertuo Plus is able to produce both single and double espresso shots.

If you’re looking for a machine that can do both, you’re in luck.

5. Modern Design

The Nespresso Vertuo Plus is really stunning with its stainless steel body, an integrated milk frother, and a touchscreen display.

You’ll feel like you’re looking at some kind of hi-tech appliance!

I especially like the modern design of this unit because it’s more compact compared to some other coffee makers out there and looks good on any type of kitchen countertop.

2. Hamilton Beach 49979 FlexBrew Single-Serve Coffee Maker

keurig alternative - hamilton beach flexbrew
  • Capacity: 0.41 Liters
  • Color: Black and Chrome
  • Dimensions: 9.92″D x 13.07″W x 6″H
  • Material: Plastic

The second Keurig alternative is the Hamilton Beach 49979 Flexbrew.

This is one of the oldest and cheapest single-cup brewers on this list.

It’s definitely not the best machine out there, but it does come with its perks.

The Flexbrew comes with a water reservoir of 40oz, which is huge if you think about the fact that most other machines have reservoirs of just 10-15oz.

The main advantage of this large reservoir is that it allows you to brew up to four cups at once. How cool is that?

Regardless of whether you’re making single-serve coffee or brews for a few friends, this will take you much less time compared to other similar products.

Another good thing about this machine is its capacity to make strong coffee.

It has actually 2 brew strengths you can choose from, regular or bold.

Hamilton Beach 49979 Flexbrew – Top Features

1. K-Cup Compatibility

Whether you want to use your own coffee grounds or use K-Cups, this will work perfectly.

You’re not restricted to using only one type of coffee here.

In addition to that, you can also use regular ground coffee as well as tea bags.

2. Travel Mug Option

This device allows you to tuck in an 8″ tall travel mug that is not included in the package.

If you have one, you can simply insert it into the machine and brew it directly into your travel mug.

3. Easy to Use

Using this unit is really easy because it has a very simple interface with just one brew button.

All you have to do is fill the reservoir, insert your K-cups, ground coffee or tea bags and press the button.

The rest will be taken care of by this little worker.

4. Two Brew Strengths To Choose From

One of its main features that I’ve already talked about is its two brew strengths for regular or bold coffee.

This will allow you to choose the strength of your coffee and also give you the option to experiment with other variants.

3. Gevi Espresso Machine

Gevi Keurig Alternative
  • Capacity: 1.2 Liters
  • Color: White
  • Coffee Maker Type: Espresso Machine
  • Dimensions: 14.4″D x 13.85″W x 8.89″H
  • Material: Plastic

At the forefront of digital innovation, Gevi is well-known for designing some of the most popular machines for producing specialty coffee.

You can get a quick cup of espresso or use it for making lattes, cappuccinos, and more.

This Gevi Espresso Machine is one of the best machines on the market because they come with many excellent features such as:

  • Automated grinding
  • Water filtration that utilizes nanotechnology
  • Automatic milk frother that steams your milk just before you pour it into your cup.

The Gevi Espresso Machine – Top Features

1. 20-Bar Pump Pressure

This is one of the few units with a pump pressure of 20 bars.

If you’re a real coffee lover, you know that this is one of the best-selling points for any single-serve brewer.

It will give you a better flavor and is capable of producing a stronger brew with a rich fragrance and crema.

2. Brew Control

One of the features I love most about this device is the ability to manually control your cup of joe.

In fact, you have 3 options to choose from:

  • The manual control
  • The 1-shot brew (gets you 30ml of coffee)
  • The 2-shot brew (gets you 60ml of coffee)

This is a cool feature for coffee lovers who like to experiment with various flavors and roasts.

3. Swiveling Steam Wand

With a rotation angle of 360 degrees, the swiveling steam wand will allow you to easily froth your milk just before you pour it into your cup.

It’s a swivel head that gives you full control over the frothing process.

4. Cup Warmer

Did you know that a cold cup can influence (a little) the quality of your coffee?

This unit comes with a cup warmer to keep your cups at a warm temperature until serving time.

I guess this is an amazing option to avoid compromising your coffee.

5. Mueller Single Serve Pod

mueller - keurig alternative
  • Capacity: 3 Pounds
  • Color: White
  • Coffee Maker Type: Espresso Machine
  • Dimensions: 13.78″D x 7.48″W x 11.42″H
  • Material: Plastic

The Mueller Coffee Machine is an entry-level machine but with so many modern features, it definitely deserves to be on this list.

This unit is capable of making 4 different brew sizes, i.e, 6oz, 8oz, 10oz, and 12 oz cups.

I especially love the fact that you can use any ground-up coffee or K-Cups that you want.

Regardless of whether you’re using modern ground coffee or using your own favorite blend, this unit will work perfectly.

Mueller Single Serve Pod – Top Features

1. Large Water Tank

The Mueller Coffee Machine is equipped with a water tank of 48oz.

This means you can brew up to four cups in a single go which is definitely impressive.

No more making your guests wait for their favorite drink.

2. Multiple Brew Sizes

You have 4 different brew sizes to choose from when using this unit: 6oz, 8oz, 10oz and 12 oz cups.

This will allow you to try different variants and also control the strength of your coffee depending on your taste buds.

I like the fact that you can choose between these different sizes because it gives you more options to experiment with and find what suits you most.

3. Removable Water Reservoir

For an easy fill-up and clean-up, you can simply remove this water tank.

This is a rare feature that many of the single-serve brewers don’t have, so I’m glad to see it here as well.

4. Rapid Heating System

You don’t have to wake up early or wait for your coffee to be ready.

This unit is capable of dispensing hot coffee 4 times faster compared to most other machines of the same price tag.

So, this is another plus on this unit.

5. Cuisinart DCC-3000

Cuisinart Keurig Alternative
  • Capacity: 12 Cups
  • Color: Black
  • Coffee Maker Type: Espresso Machine
  • Dimensions: 14.25″D x 22.5″W x 17.25″H
  • Material: Stainless Steel, Plastic

The last and best Keurig alternative is the Cuisinart DCC-3000.

This is a user-friendly single-serve coffee maker that comes with excellent features even if you’re new to coffee brewing.

This is an impressive unit that you can’t go wrong with.

It produces great coffee and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to anyone looking for an alternative to Keurig.

Cuisinart DCC-3000 – Top Features

1. 24-hour Advance Brew Start Option

A feature that most coffee lovers will love is the 24-hour advance brew start option.

This allows you to program your coffee machines before going to bed and wake up with a fresh, new brew ready for you in the morning.

2. Self-Clean

If you’re someone who doesn’t like to do a lot of work, then you’ll appreciate the self-clean feature that this unit comes with.

This will take all the responsibility out of your hands and ease the cleaning process for you.

3. Coffee Gauge

The Cuisinart DCC-3000 offers an easy-to-read coffee gauge that will allow you to know when your pitcher needs to be refilled.

This is a cool feature that I really like because it helps you control the quality of your coffee no matter how many people are around.

4. Permanent Removable Filter

This unit comes with a permanent filter that will give you the freedom to choose your own blend. You’ll avoid having to purchase expensive Keurig filters that aren’t exactly cheap.

5. Charcoal Filter

This unit comes with a charcoal filter that’s an excellent way to neutralize and get rid of the impurities in your water.

Final Thoughts on The Best Keurig Alternative

At the end of the day, there are many Keurig alternative machines that you can pick from, but if I had to pick just one as my personal favorite…it would definitely be the Cuisinart DCC-3000.

I love this unit because of its great price, numerous features, and performance.

Aside from that, it has an affordable price tag as well as a lot of great reviews from other coffee drinkers.

That’s all I have to share with you guys today about the coffee machines that are an alternative to Keurig brewers.

Read this article a few times if you wish, make your research before making your purchasing decision.

Spending a few hundred on a Keurig alternative that won’t work for your needs is simply dreadful.

So, take your time to make a wise decision but know that I would never recommend some crappy stuff.

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