Keurig K-Classic Review: Convenience Meets Simplicity (But What About Quality?)
Keurig and K-Cups turned home coffee brewing into “push-button” simplicity. But these machines and their pods often come under fire for how they affect the environment and coffee quality. As Keurig has trimmed its products in the past five years, we thought it’d be time to test out one of the company’s most popular single-serve machines—the Keurig K-Classic—and provide unfiltered criticism.
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At a Glance: Keurig K-Classic
The Keurig K-Classic is an inexpensive, basic single-serve coffee maker made for easy use. Though it brews coffee at the press of a button, the quality of what it churns out fell short of our expectations, especially relative to the competition, such as Nespresso. If there’s already a K-Cup you love and you want no-fuss convenience in a machine, the K-Classic might be better for you. Otherwise, look for alternatives.
Pros
- Brews in 3 sizes: 6oz, 8oz, and 10oz
- Compatible with unbranded pods
- Simple to clean and operate
- Fast brewing times
- Offers a hot water option
Cons
- Many K-Cups are non-recyclable
- Bulky design
- Prone to clogs
- Coffee quality lags behind Nespresso
Overall Rating:
- Coffee Quality: 7/10
- Ease of Use: 9/10
- Cleaning Ease: 8/10
- Overall: 7/10
Alternatives:
Key Features
Three Brew Sizes
Then K-Classic offers you the option to brew coffee in three different sizes, 6oz, 8oz, or 10oz. Our only complaint is to assume the 6oz size for a better taste, since the more it increases in size, the weaker the taste.
48oz Removable Water Tank
With a 48oz water tank, it is a convenient size to allow for multiple brews before needing to refill. It’s also easy to take out and clean.
Fits with Most K-Cups
This machine is compatible with all forms of K-Cups — branded and unbranded, even reusable pods. This choice allows you to explore a wide variety of coffee flavors and brands.
Automatic Off Feature
The K-Classic also automatically shuts itself off after being idle for some time to help you conserve energy and put your mind at ease.
Replaceable Water Filter
The included two water filters mean better-tasting coffee and a longer-lasting machine with the K-Classic. Each filter lasts roughly about 60 days or 120 refills.
Travel Mug Compatibility
Need coffee on the go? The K-Classic is able to fit travel mugs as tall as 7.1 inches by detaching its drip tray.
Quick Brewing
From power on to first sip, the K-Classic does it all with impressive speed, in under 5 minutes. Extra brews come back in less than 1 minute.
If you put on table a little more:
Ingredient Quality: Is It Worth It?
If you’re seeking café-quality coffee, the K-Classic may leave you wanting. Some coffee it produces is weak and flat, especially with larger brew sizes. We tested multiple pods, but none stood out.
The experience could be different for those committed to a favorite K-Cup flavor. And reusable pods such as the My K-Cup let you brew your own grounds, which can improve flavor and cut down on plastic waste. Now, making it feel right — getting the grind size and coffee-to-water ratio perfect — takes practice.
Ease of Use and Maintenance
The K-Classic excels in straightforwardness. Making coffee is as simple as inserting a pod, choosing a size and pushing a button. This doesn’t have a display, but there are LED indicators to guide you through things like filling up the water tank or descaling the machine.
Cleaning is straightforward. The removable drip tray and water tank rinse out fast, and the machine tells you when it needs descaling (every 3 to 6 months, depending on use). If you use reusable pods, you’ll still need to clean out coffee grounds, but they can be composted or repurposed.
Design and Build
The K-Classic isn’t a showstopper visually, but its black plastic facade is utilitarian and will look fine in most kitchens. It’s a bit bulky at 13.3 inches tall, but the size allows for a generous water tank and travel mug compatibility.
Durability was decent for a machine at this price point. While the warranty period does not seem to prevent some users from reporting issues, these appear to be isolated instances.
Nespresso Pixie vs. Keurig K-Classic
Nespresso beats K-Classic on coffee quality. K-Classic Pros: K-Classic offers more options: An unbranded and reusable pods give you even more flexibility and ensures your selection and budget Consider K-Classic instead if you’re the type of consumer who values convenience more than brand loyalty.
Final Verdict
The Keurig K-Classic is great for simplicity and convenience, but lacks in the coffee quality and environmental friendliness department. It’s perfect for K-Cup enthusiasts seeking easy brewing. For the rest of us, perhaps something else, such as Nespresso, is worth the price.
