If you want a cup of coffee for your morning commute but don’t want to brew a whole pot, then the Keurig K-Elite might be just what you need. You can customize your serving size and even the strength of your coffee so that you get precisely what you need with no wasted beverage.
Because Keurig has hundreds of flavors of K-Cup pods to choose from, you can have just what you want every morning without waiting in long lines at the coffee shop. Your start of the day java is ready in less than a minute in whatever flavor you want.
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Keurig K-Elite Coffee Maker
The newest Keurig single-serve coffee maker, the Keurig K-Elite brewer blends a premium finish and programmable features to deliver both modern design and the ultimate in beverage customization.
Things to Consider Before Buying a Keurig K-Elite
The Keurig K-Elite is a single-serve coffee maker designed to work with K-Cup pods with variable serving sizes. However, before rushing out and getting yours, there are a few things to consider to make sure that this is the single-serving machine you need.
First, think about what type of coffee you prefer. Most single-serve coffee makers can only brew one type of coffee. So if you are into K-Cups, find a coffee maker that can accommodate those. If you want freshly ground coffee, check to see if the machine you have in mind can do that.
If you wish espressos or frothy drinks, bear in mind that not all single-serve devices can provide that. Is there an option to make iced drinks, tea, or hot chocolate? Do you want there to be?
A second consideration is how much coffee your household drinks. If it’s just you and you only have a cup in the morning and a second one in the evening, then a single-serve coffee machine would work well.
However, if your household drinks multiple cups throughout the day, then the water reservoir may not be enough to brew all those cups of java. A coffee maker that can be connected to your water line or that brews carafes might be better options.
Serving size is the final consideration. If you have a ten-ounce travel cup that you use for work, then a coffee machine that only makes 6-ounce servings isn’t sufficient for your needs. If you’re unsure of the options available, take a look at our list of the ten best Keurig coffee makers to compare.
Keurig K-Elite Product Overview
The K-Elite from Keurig is the upgraded version of the now-discontinued K-475. It is the most customizable single-serve coffee maker on the market today. Not only is it on/off programmable, but you can also adjust the water temperature, the strength of the brew, and accommodate various serving sizes.
It has a sleek modern look and comes in brushed slate, silver, or gold. It doesn’t take up too much space on your counter with 13.1 x 9.9 x 12.7-inch dimensions. Nor is it heavy since it weighs just eight pounds. The K-Elite comes with a 6-count K-cup pod variety pack, a water filter handle, plus a water filter.
The upgrade from the K-475 means you lose out on carafe brewing. However, the touchscreen to button upgrade is a definite plus, as is the brew over ice option. The water reservoir on the K-Elite is slightly larger than its predecessor, and the high altitude option is a unique feature that sets this single-serve coffee maker apart. You can read more about the K-475 in our article about the ten best Keurig coffee makers.
Things We Like
- Large 75-ounce water reserve
- Iced coffee option
- A hot water option for cocoa, tea, and oatmeal
- Button technology rather than a touchscreen
- Customizable serving sizes
Room for Improvement
- Universal My K-Cup Reusable Coffee Filter not included
- Frequent descaling required
- No carafe brewing option
- Pricey
Keurig K-Elite Features and Benefits
The Keurig K-Elite comes with quite a few options not available on run-of-the-mill single-serving coffee makers. Let’s take a look at some of these features below so that you can decide if the K-Elite meets your coffee drinking needs.
Extremely Customizable
The Keurig K-Elite allows you to adjust the water temperature with a brew temperature control. You can choose a temperature between 187 and 192 degrees Fahrenheit, depending on how hot you like your morning cup of joe.
The Keurig’s Strong Brew button will increase the strength of your coffee, for just a bit of an extra kick. The Iced option lets you brew a cup of hot coffee and enjoy it cold without the watered-down taste some iced coffees have.
It also has elevation settings for those that live higher up. You’ll get a perfect cup of coffee even at altitudes above 5,000 feet.
The K-Elite is compatible with K-Cup pods, giving you hundreds of flavor options. With the addition of the Universal My K-Cup Reusable Coffee Filter, you can brew your specialty ground coffee. You can also use this single-serve coffee maker to make tea, hot cocoa, and iced beverages.
The customizability allows you to have your perfect cup of coffee without the hassle of a coffee shop. Plus, if you are in the mood for iced coffee, tea, or hot cocoa, they’re no further than a press of a button. The convenience of this machine can’t be beaten.
Accommodating Cup-Size Options
This Keurig model can accommodate five different cup sizes. You can select four, six, eight, ten, or twelve-ounce serving sizes. So whether you need just a quick pick-me-up or a larger cup of caffeine, the Keurig K-Elite has got your back.
The removable drip tray allows for travel mugs up to 7.2 inches tall. The handy drip tray will hold a full brew if you forget to put your cup underneath the drop spout, which can happen if you’re a bit tired before your first cup of coffee.
Buttons To Make Your Life Easier
The Keurig K-Elite is programmable. It has both auto-on and auto-off settings. That means that there’s no need to rush around in the morning. Set it up with your cup the night before and grab that freshly brewed coffee on the go. The auto-off option saves energy, shutting down after two hours of inactivity.
If you want a quick bowl of instant oatmeal or a cup of noodles, the Hot Water button means no more nuking for you! Use this option for hot chocolate and tea as well. Hot water on demand certainly makes life easier!
Your coffee maker should be cleaned regularly. Descaling removes calcium deposits left from the mineral content of your water. The Maintenance Reminder lets you know when it’s time for descaling so your coffee will taste its best cup after cup. Descaling takes about 70 minutes and should be done every few months.
The Keurig K-Elite has buttons that are more straightforward to use than the models that have touchscreens, in our opinion. Easier is a much better option when you’re rushing around trying to get ready for work, wouldn’t you say?
Water Reservoir
The Keurig K-Elite has a water reservoir that holds 75 ounces of water. That means you can serve yourself a 6-ounce cup of coffee every day for 12 days before refilling or nine days if you like an 8-ounce serving. The water tank is detachable, making it easy to fill and clean.
The K-Elite water tank is also compatible with the charcoal water filter manufactured by Keurig One water filter is included in the package when you purchase a new K-Elite. Filtering the water, you use for coffee makes for the best tasting coffee possible. The filter should be changed approximately every two months, so your coffee quality stays consistently delicious.
If you’re like us, you certainly don’t want to spend a lot of time preparing your coffee every day. The large water reserve means that you’ll need only to top it up once a week or so, depending on your coffee consumption. The convenience of a home-brew compared to waiting in line at the coffee shop makes the K-Elite priceless.
Modern Design
While it’s not the smallest single-serve coffee maker on the market, it will fit under most cabinets that measure less than 17 inches from the countertop, even when it is opened. The closed K-Elite measures 13.1 inches. When you open the top to insert the K-Cup pod, it is 16.5 inches. The base dimensions are 9.9 x 12.7 inches.
It’s heavy enough to stay in place at eight pounds but light enough to be moved if necessary. This model is available in an attractive brushed slate, gold, or silver color, sure to match the appliances in your kitchen.
It has a modern look and is easy to wipe clean. The eleven button control panel is simple to use and has a blue backlight to help you locate the right one on those late evenings or early mornings.
Immediate Access
With the Smart Start feature, you no longer have to wait for the machine to warm up before brewing. Now you can insert the K-Cup as soon as you turn it on and activate the brewing process.
Once the device is fully warmed up to the ideal temperature, your coffee is brewed automatically, no need to wait around. Each cup is ready in less than a minute. Just make sure to leave a container beneath it to avoid a mess!
This Smart Start Feature means that custom brewing for guests can be done in minutes. There’s no need to make pots of coffee or wait around until it fills before serving. The K-Elite also uses Quiet Brew Technology, which keeps the noise to a minimum.
You can enjoy a relaxing evening at home with friends, or a solitary evening with a good book accompanied by your favorite coffee drink with the Keurig K-Elite.
Alternatives to the Keurig K-Elite
The Keurig K-Elite is a single serving coffee maker designed to be used with K-Cup pods. It has a variety of serving sizes ranging from four to twelve ounces and can accommodate cups up to 7.2 inches tall.
The hot water and iced coffee options add versatility to what might be an otherwise standard coffee maker. The sizable 75-ounce water reserve means you won’t be adding water every day, streamlining your morning routine.
The K-Elite’s customizability can’t be beaten. You can choose your preferred water temperature and coffee strength. With the addition of the Universal My K-Cup Reusable Coffee Filter, you can brew your own freshly ground beans.
The Keurig K-Elite is the best of the best, but it comes with a hefty price tag. If you are looking for a coffee maker more economical and you don’t need all these extras, you might like the Keurig K575, or another model featured on our list of the ten best Keurig coffee makers.
If you want to enjoy a carafe of drip coffee, then the K-Elite isn’t for you. The Hamilton Beach 49980a might be a better option since it allows you to brew a single-serving or an entire carafe.
Some people aren’t big fans of the plastic taste K-Cups give their coffee. As we mentioned earlier, you can convert the K-Elite from pod to bean source with the Universal My K-Cup Reusable Coffee Filter, that you must buy separately. Using beans instead of disposable coffee pods cuts down the environmental impact those little containers cause.
However, if you prefer freshly ground beans over coffee pods every time, you might wish to purchase another model. Take a look at our list of the best single-serve drip coffee makers for more affordable options.
Conclusion
Keurig K-Elite Coffee Maker
The newest Keurig single-serve coffee maker, the Keurig K-Elite brewer blends a premium finish and programmable features to deliver both modern design and the ultimate in beverage customization.
If what you are looking for in a single-serve coffee maker is a quick and simple cup of coffee, tea, or espresso using K-Cups, then the Keurig K-Elite is the perfect device. The versatility in serving sizes, brew strength, and temperature put this little coffee maker ahead of the rest.
All the bells and whistles on this single-serve coffee maker make it a bit more expensive than other models, though, so hold onto your hats when you see the price. Otherwise, we think the Keurig K-Elite is a great morning coffee machine.
Keurig K-Elite Review: Make the Perfect Serving Size and Iced Coffee
While many single-serving coffee makers exist, not many also have the function to create iced coffee. Check out our full review of the Keurig K Elite.
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