Keurig K-Elite Review: This Is Our Product Testing Team’s Favorite Keurig Coffee Maker
Updated: Jul. 09, 2024
You don't have to forgo the convenience of a K-Cup brewer when you're hosting parties, thanks to the quick and sizable Keurig K-Elite.
Our editors and experts handpick every product we feature. We may earn a commission from your purchases.Learn more.
From pour-overs to coffee concentrates, nothing gives a boost like the bitter hit of caffeine that comes with a morning brew. No matter what kind of coffee maker you use, a comforting hot mug on a cold day or a refreshing iced coffee when the weather turns warmer is such a treat. But if you’re the only coffee drinker in the house (or you just get tired of grinding your own beans), a drip machine may not be the best choice.
When it comes to convenience, single-serve machines like Keurig and Nespresso reign supreme. It’s so easy to pop in a pod, fill the tank and push a button—a process that only takes a few minutes at maximum. But they’re often not the ideal option for those seeking a coffee maker that brews lots of cups quickly for parties and get-togethers. At least, that’s what we thought until we tried the Keurig K-Elite, which offers the best of both worlds.
The Keurig K-Elite couples a behemoth brew tank with fast, quiet operation, making it an excellent option for those who enjoy hosting. Here’s why our Product Testing Team prefers this sizable yet simple single-serve coffee maker over many of the others we tried.
What is the Keurig K-Elite?
The Keurig K-Elite was introduced to Keurig’s extensive lineup of machines back in March of 2018. As one of the best Keurig coffee makers, the K-Elite is capable of hot coffee and, like the Mr. Coffee 4-in-1, iced coffee. It also dispenses hot water for ramen or bagged tea, making it incredibly convenient at home, in a dorm room or at the office.
A large and removable 72-ounce water tank dispenses up to seven medium cups before requiring a refill. While it only uses K-Cups rather than being compatible with grounds, most of the best coffee brands come in cups and grounds. That means there’s no need to go without your favorite flavored coffee brands.
It looks handsome on a counter with its sleek, matte design that comes in three shades: gold, silver and slate. The top control panel offers a power button, settings button, up and down buttons for the menu, a “strong” button, a hot water button, four different brew sizes and an “iced” button.
Overall, the machine’s settings are easy to navigate and provide various custom options, including temperature selections. There’s even a digital clock display!
VIA MERCHANT
We Tried It
Keurig K-Elite
How We Tested the Keurig K-Elite
In our quest to find the best single-serve coffee maker, our Product Testing Team tried 14 machines in their Testing Lab. They performed roughly 10 tests on each brewer and brewed over 50 coffee drinks, collecting more than 450 data points for this analysis. Machines ranged from the feature-rich Bruvi brewer to the splurge-worthy Nespresso Vertuo Plus. During our tests, we considered:
- Setup and Assembly: Testers read the user manual, noting its clarity and helpfulness. They then set up and filled coffee makers and noted the ease of the process.
- Specs, Construction and Appearance: For this category, we examine each appliance’s construction and overall look, measure the length of the cord and determine the height of the cup compartment. Additionally, testers note whether the machine brews pods or grounds, the size of the water tank, the buttons, toggles, screens and specialty capabilities.
- Performance: Testers brew at least three beverages in each single-cup coffee maker. They utilize as many settings as possible to get a feel for the breadth of the machine’s functionality. When available, they make a cappuccino, cold brew and regular cups of coffee in various sizes and with both grounds and pods. Testers make a strong and regular cup of coffee in various sizes for lower-level machines.
- Special Capabilities: For those machines that offer an iced coffee setting, we measure the temperature of the iced coffee directly after output. Testers try each beverage and gauge its quality/strength and the success of its execution if it’s a specialty drink. Testers then evaluate any accessories, such as a milk frother, on-unit storage or a water cycle.
- Cleaning: Testers clean each one-cup coffee maker. We rinse the water tank, clean out the grounds if applicable and wipe down any splash marks. Then, we assess the ease of the process, any required solutions and dishwasher compatibility.
- Value: Testers evaluate each single-serve coffee maker’s score and then look at the cost. We note whether or not each is worth the price, which indicates its value. Any warranty information also falls into this category. Lastly, we noted who each pick is best for (e.g., home baristas, morning rushers, those who enjoy variety, etc.).
To ensure the most apples-to-apples comparisons possible, all of these coffee drinks were made with Eight O’Clock Coffee medium roast grounds, medium roast K-Cups and medium roast whole bean coffee. All tea was made with Twinings of London English breakfast tea K-Cups.
Testing Team Evaluation
The Product Testing Team put the Keurig K-Elite to work, brewing up hot coffee, iced coffee and a K-Cup of tea. The machine offers custom strength, size and temperature settings. We elected to brew each at the standard strength and temperature in a medium mug.
After checking with a thermometer, we recorded the default temperature for each brew. In the settings, you can adjust the temperature to between 187 and 192°F; however, we were sadly never able to produce coffee at these temperatures.
Hot Coffee
For this test, we chose a medium roast K-Cup. There are no fluid ounce listings alongside the buttons, but we found that the “medium” button produces 10 fluid ounces of coffee. The team recorded the temperature at 168°F. The cup was strong, smooth and not watery at all.
It also takes just seconds to brew the coffee since the machine heats up the moment you plug it in. This is definitely a go-to if you have multiple guests over or need an ultra-quick caffeine fix before heading out for work.
Iced Coffee
There’s just one automated size option for iced coffee. The water temperature when it first came out (without ice in the glass) was 166°F, a negligible difference from the regular hot brew setting. We brewed this without the ice first, then added the ice to the glass to cool the coffee down. This is in opposition to the directions, but we wanted to get a temperature reading.
The iced coffee comes out rather concentrated and strong, and it mellows out a bit as the ice in the glass melts. Overall, this was one of the better-tasting iced coffees we tried of all the machines.
Tea
We used the medium cup setting while brewing the tea. Unlike the other machines we tried, the resulting tea thankfully has no coffee aftertaste, which we liked. However, it does seem a little watered-down. If this was made from a steeped tea bag, tester Annamarie says she would’ve wanted to keep the tea bag in the water longer. With this machine, you may want to stick with the hot water function and use your favorite bags from a tea subscription rather than K-Cups.
Overall, the Testing Team is impressed with the performance of the Keurig K-Elite. It produces an above-average cup of coffee that’s stronger and smoother than some of the other machines we tested. Snag this one if you have the counter space for it, especially if you consider yourself a hostess with the mostess. It’s worth investing in this one for the tank size and quiet operation alone.
Pros:
- Large water reservoir
- Option for hot or iced
- Strength control
- Fast brewing
- Quiet
Cons:
- Only uses K-Cups
- Rather bulky
Why You Should Trust Us
Our Product Testing and Shopping Teams have a combined decade of experience testing and evaluating products. As purveyors of everything from the best coffee subscriptions to the best coffee products, we are passionate about our morning brews.
We consulted Sydney Manning, a former barista and current Editorial Coordinator. We also spoke with culinary assistant Margaret Knoebel for additional insight on what makes a good single-serve coffee maker.
FAQs
How do you descale a Keurig K-Elite?
You’ll know it’s time to descale your Keurig K-Elite when the “descale” indicator lights up. To descale a Keurig K-Elite, first pick up a descaling solution, like the Keurig Descaling Solution. Then, remove any remaining K-Cup pods and water from the water reservoir.
Next, pour the scaling solution into the emptied water reservoir. If using Keurig’s branded descaling solution, use the entire bottle. Fill the empty bottle with plain water. Use this to fill up the tank the rest of the way and add the descaling pod. Turn the brewer back on. Place a large mug on the drip tray. Then, run a rinsing brew by selecting the hot water button and selecting the largest brew size.
Repeat the rinsing brew process until the “add water” light illuminates and wait 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, discard any leftover solution from the water reservoir and rinse thoroughly. Next, fill the tank with clean water and brew a large cup of hot water. Follow with additional rinsing brews using the largest brew size and fresh water. You may need to refill the water reservoir at least once during this process.
How do you set the clock on a Keurig K-Elite?
Press the settings button once to signal to the machine that you’re setting the clock. Then, use the up and down arrows to select the correct hour and minutes.
How do you clean a Keurig?
Cleaning a Keurig is simple. Pop open the K-cup holder, rinse it and wipe it down. The water reservoir and drip tray need to be removed and cleaned with soap and water. We recommend descaling the machine every few months to keep it in optimal condition.
How do you reset a Keurig?
To reset a Keurig, turn off and unplug the machine, then remove the water tank. Wait 10 minutes, then replace the tank and turn the machine back on.
Where to Buy the Keurig K-Elite
VIA MERCHANT
We Tried It
Keurig K-Elite
The Keurig K-Elite is available at many online retailers, including the Keurig website, Amazon, Walmart and Wayfair. Whether you’re serving at a social gathering or brewing up a cup for yourself, the Keurig K-Elite offers nearly everything a casual coffee fan could want.
Originally Published: July 09, 2024
