Hello and welcome to my post about the best coffee brewers that you can buy that aren’t made by Keurig.

And, I didn’t want to just review some non Keurig coffee machines- which is what many other reviewers seem to be doing.

Instead my post compares four different non Keurig brewers with their most similar Keurig machine.

I just thought that this makes more sense for you, the reader because it gives you a much better understanding.

After all, it is pointless buying a Keurig alternative if after a quick comparison you realise that the Keurig is a better brewer after all.

Below I go into detail about what each brewer has to offer and how they compare.

Hopefully, this will help make your shopping decision a little bit easier.

Alternatively, feel free to use our navigation bar to jump right on down to the sections you care about most.

K575 vs Hamilton Beach 49980A (Similarities)

Brew Amounts

Both of these machines brew single cups and carafes of coffee but the manner in which they do it is slightly different.

K575

The Keurig machine brews an impressive 10 different sizes of cup, mug or carafe of coffee.

The sizes (in ounces) are;

• 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 22 | 26 | 30

As long as you have enough water in the reservoir, you select the specific size that you want to brew via the menu.

I describe in more detail about how the Keurig uses pods in a later section.

49980A

The Hamilton Beach machine can also brew a single cup of coffee or a pot of coffee.

However, the exact size of the cup or pot that you want is dictated only by how much water you place in the water reservoir for the single serve part or for the carafe part of the machine.

Energy Saver

Both the K575 and the 49980A have an energy saver function.

For the K575, this option can be selected from the menu and by enabling it the brewer will turn off when not in use.

The Hamilton Beach device will automatically shut off 2 hours after not being active.

Brew Strength

This is the ability at the press of a button to brew a stronger cup of coffee.

And both of these models have this function.

Hot Water

People who own coffee makers, don’t just drink coffee.

A hot water only function heats up a specific amount of hot water that can be used for a cup of tea or a bowl of porridge.

It is easier to do this with the K575 because you just press a button and select the amount of hot water you want.

It is slightly more difficult with the 49980A.

Fill either the single serve reservoir or the reservoir for the pot with the amount of hot water that you want.

Remove the filter. And then press the “start” button.

Programmable

A coffee maker that is programmable can be set to turn on or off at any point within the next 24 hours and it can then start to brew a cup or a pot of coffee.

Both the K575 and the Hamilton Beach 49980A machines have this function.

To many people, this is a marvellous feature to help make our morning routines easier.

But to me, I use it to make the end of a day easier.

And I really appreciate a coffee when I come home after a difficult day at work.

Travel Mug & Removable Drip Trays

Part of modern life is that we demand coffee not just when we are at home or at work but also when we are on the move.

And this mobile and go getting culture has led to a new type of cup, the travel mug.

Both of these models recognise the importance of catering to the needs of these over sized cups and so they come with a removable drip tray.

Now it is time to stop looking at the ways in which these two machines are similar and look at the ways in which they are different.

The chart below displays the biggest differences between the K575 and the Hamilton Beach 49980A.

K575 vs Hamilton Beach 49980A (Differences)

Dimensions

In terms of dimensions, the Hamilton Beach model is slightly larger than the Keurig machine.

The 49980A is a fraction of an inch taller and a couple of inches wider than the K575- although it isn’t as deep as the K575.

Pods

At the start of this article I mentioned that these two coffee makers were similar because they brew single cups of coffee and pots of coffee but that they were different in how they did it.

K575

The K575 uses K Cups and K Carafes which are plastic capsules that contain ground coffee.

If you want a cup of coffee you can use a K Cup pod for any size of serving up to 12 oz.

If you fancy brewing 22, 26 or 30 ounces of coffee then you should be using a K Carafe pod.

K Cups and K Carafes are incredibly convenient because of how easy they are to use.

Any they come in an impressive range of choices.

Their main disadvantage is that they are very expensive.

Hamilton Beach 49980A

This coffee maker is slightly more flexible because you can make a single cup or pot of coffee using your own choice of coffee grounds as well as using “soft” coffee pods, such as Melitta Pods.

Water Reservoir

The K575 has an 80 oz. water reservoir which can be removed to make filling it easier.

The 49980A has two reservoirs, neither of which are removable.

The reservoir serving the single serve brewer has a capacity of 14 oz and the reservoir for the carafe is 60 oz.

Night Light

The K575 has a night light which illuminates the water reservoir- perfect for those early morning starts or late night endings when you don’t want to disturb the family…

Unfortunately, the 49980A doesn’t have a night light.

Controls

The K575 is controlled via a 2.8″ color touch screen, whereas the Hamilton Beach coffee maker has buttons to control it.

Temperature Control

The Keurig 575 has 5 different brewing temperatures to choose from, ranging from 182 °F and 197 °F.

The 49980A only has one brewing temperature, which cannot be adjusted.

Indicators

The K575 has warning lights that indicate when the water level in the reservoir is too low and when it is time to descale your machine.

Unfortunately, the Hamilton Beach machine doesn’t have any warning lights to remind you about the level of water or whether it is time to descale your coffee maker.

Brew Times

The K575 can brew a mug of coffee in less than a minute.

When it comes to brewing a carafe, I could not find any estimate on the amount of time that would take.

The Hamilton Beach brewer takes longer to brew a single cup at around 3 minutes and it takes about 7 minutes to brew a full pot of coffee.

Keurig K55 vs Mixpresso Single Serve K Cup (Similarities)

Brew Size

Both the Keurig and the Mixpresso have three set brew sizes;

• 6 oz.
• 8 oz.
• 10 oz.

Water Reservoir

The K55 and the Mixpresso have almost identical water reservoirs.

The K55 is 48 oz. and the Mixpresso is 45 oz.

Both reservoirs are removable, which makes filling them much easier.

Controls

Both of these coffee makers are controlled by a series of buttons.

Low Water Indicator

The K55 has a low water indicator- it is a light that appears on the control panel.

The Mixpresso also has a low water indicator which is a light that glows within the water reservoir.

Drip Tray

Finally in the similarities section, both of these coffee machines have drip trays which can be removed to accommodate larger sized travel mugs.

Now let’s take a look at the differences between the Keurig K55 and the Mixpresso.

Keurig K55 vs Mixpresso Single Serve K Cup (Differences)

Dimensions

The Keurig Classic is a bigger machine.

Although the Mixpresso is fractionally taller than the K55 (13.5″ vs. 13.3″) , the Keurig is over 4 inches wider (10.1″ vs 6.5″) and a couple of inches deeper (13.2″ vs 11″.)

Brew Time

The K55 brags that a single cup will be ready in less than 1 minute, whereas the Mixpresso is confident that you can drink your coffee within 30 seconds.

Pod Compatibility

Both of these coffee makers are compatible with K Cups and My K Cups, the Mixpresso is also compatible with Mixpresso’s own capsules.

Descale Indicator

The K55 has a light which glows when it is time to descale the machine whereas the Mixpresso doesn’t have this feature.

Next I want to take a look at two machines that will appeal to any latte fans out there.

So, let’s take a look at the Keurig K Cafe and the Nespresso Inissia, which are two of the most popular cappuccino and latte coffee makers.

And I think that because these two machines have more differences than similarities, we should start there.

K Cafe vs Nespresso Inissia (Differences)

Dimensions

These two machines are completely different sizes.

Although they are almost the same height (12.5″ vs 12.6″) the K Cafe is much wider (15.6″ vs 4.6″) and it is deeper by a couple of inches (11.7″ vs 9.1″.)

Although those measurements don’t include the frother for the Inissia, the size difference is considerable.

Brew Size

There is a big difference between the size of the brewed coffee from these two machines.

The K Cafe offers four brew sizes, each of which is much bigger than any offered by the Nespresso machine.

The K Cafe will produce a coffee that is 6, 8, 10 or 12 oz.

Strictly speaking, these coffee are either Americanos or Long Blacks.

On the other hand, the Inissia with the much smaller portions makes espressos and Lungos and to help with this, it uses a pump…

Pump

The K Cafe just heats the water before it makes a latte or cappuccino. It doesn’t create an espresso by forcing the water through the coffee grounds.

Many aficionados would say that because of this it doesn’t make a real espresso.

However, the Inissia does make a true espresso because it uses a pump to create 19 bars of pressure which help to force the water through the coffee grounds.

Brew Time

Because of the technology described above, it will not be a surprise to find out that that the Inissia makes an espresso faster than the K Cafe can make a coffee.

The Inissia takes about 30 seconds whereas the K Cafe takes just less than a minute.

Pods

These coffee makers are compatible with two completely different types of pod coffee.

The K Cafe is compatible with K Cup, Keurig’s own line of coffee capsules, with over 400 varieties from a staggering 60 brands.

The Inissia is only compatible with the Nespresso range of capsules of which there are sixteen varieties.

Water Reservoirs

The K Cafe’s water reservoir is 60 oz, which is more than double the size of the Inissia’s, which is only 24 oz.

However, both reservoirs are removable and the include a handle to carry them with.

The K Cafe’s reservoir is positioned on the left hand side of the machine, whereas the Inissia’s is positioned at the back of the machine, which makes it harder to remove and replace.

Brew Strength

The K Cafe has a “shot” button which you can press to get a concentrated or extra strong dose of coffee.

Unfortunately, the Nespresso machine does not have a button that can be pressed that will alter the brew strength of the coffee.

Descale

The last major difference between these coffee makers is that the K Cafe has a light that will illuminate to remind you when it is time to descale your machine.

However, the Inissia doesn’t have this function

K Cafe vs Nespresso Inissia (Similarities)

The Keurig and the Breville coffee makers do have a few similarities in that they have some of the same features.

But don’t hold your breath. Even though the features are similar, the way in which they operate are completely different!

Frother

Is this a similarity or a difference?

The K Cafe has a frother which is built in whereas the Inissia uses a separate frother, called an Aeroccino.

The Aeroccino is mains operated which means that you will need to position it and the Inissia in a location that has two electrical sockets.

Whereas, the K Cafe only needs one.

Energy Saver

Well, the K Cafe has a programmable auto off or energy saving function that can be adjusted over 2 hours.

The Inissia has a set energy saver that turns off after 9 minutes of the machine being inactive.

Drip Tray

Although both of these coffee makers have drip trays, they work slightly differently in order to accommodate larger cups such as travel cups.

The K Cafe’s drip tray is removable if need be whereas the Inissia has a drip tray that folds up to get it out of the way.

K Mini Plus vs Hamilton Beach One Scoop (Differences)

Dimensions

Looking at all the dimensions (height, width and depth) it is quite surprising to know that the K Mini Plus is the bigger machine because it is taller than the One Scoop (12.1″ vs 8.67″) and it is also deeper (11.3″ vs 8.35″.)

However, the real selling point of the mini Keurig is width and boy oh boy, is it thin.

A wafer thin 4.5″ to be exact. In contrast the Hamilton Beach model is over two inches wider, at 6.7″.

Pod Compatibility

The Keurig model, wait for it, is only compatible with K Cups and My K Cups.

K Cups are the pre filled coffee capsules that come in over 400 varieties and My K Cup is a reusable ground coffee filter that you can fill with your own choice of ground coffee.

The One Scoop just uses loose ground coffee. The coffee maker comes with two different size baskets.

The smaller basket is suitable for an 8 oz. cup of coffee whereas the larger basket should be used for a 14 oz. mug of coffee.

Water Reservoir

The Mini Plus has a 12 oz. water reservoir that can be removed to make filling it up as easy as possible.

The Hamilton Beach model has a 14 oz. reservoir which is not removable.

Coffee Storage

Keurig’s machine has space to store up to 9 K Cup pods in a storage container that fits in the brewer.

The One Scoop has no space within it to store loose coffee grounds.

Cord Storage

The electrical cord on the Mini Plus can be stored within the brewer itself for those times that you have less space or you are on the move.

The Hamilton Beach brewer lacks any kind of cord storage.

K Mini Plus vs Hamilton Beach One Scoop (Similarities)

Brew Sizes

You might be a bit confused that I have put this feature in the “similarities” section when their brew sizes are different.

The K Mini can brew any size coffee from 6 to 12 oz. but the One Scoop can brew any size from 8 to 14 oz.

And so, even though their capacities are slightly different, both of these coffee makers are similiar because they heat up and use whatever water is in the water reservoir.

Brew Strength

Both of these coffee brewers allow you to brew a bolder (Hamilton Beach) or stronger (Keurig) cup of coffee.

Controls

Both of these coffee makers have buttons for controls- there are no touch screens on show here!

And there are only a couple of buttons on each machine.

Travel Mug Friendly

Both of these coffee brewers can accommodate travel mugs.

The Keurig Mini Plus achieves this by having a removable drip tray whereas the Single Scoop brewer accommodates travel mugs without needing to remove the drip tray.

Are you falling out of love with your French press?

Is it a while since you have drunk a really smooth and mellow cup of coffee?

Although the filters in French presses have come a long way since the early days when cheesecloth was used, many single filters still don’t trap all the grounds.

Perhaps you should ditch your French press and try another brewing method?

Or perhaps you should stick with what you know and buy a French press with a double filter?

One of the nicest parts about making coffee with a French press is the fact that it gives you so much control of the brewing coffee.

You get to decide the size of grounds to use, the temperature of the water to use and how long you will wait for the coffee to brew.

It is a method for a real connoisseur with an eye for detail.

And it is a real shame, when such a sensory process is ruined by rogue coffee grounds.

Which is precisely why some french press manufacturers created a product with an extra filter (or two or three!)

So what are the most important features to look out for in your french press with a double filter?

Features

[1] Dual Filter

To state the obvious, one of the most important features that your next French press must have, is a dual filter- or at least more than one filter.

You are sick and tired of tasting grounds in your coffee or you don’t want to drink the coffee sludge at the bottom of your cup.

Make sure that the French presses that you are looking at have multi filters.

[2] Materials

Filters

The best filters in french presses use a certain grade of stainless steel that is designed to be used with food or drink. 304 grade or 18/10 grade stainless steel is made to stay rust free forever.

After that, your only decision is whether to buy a glass French press or an insulated French press.

BPA Free Plastic

Just make sure that any plastic part of your press is BPA free.

BPA is a toxic chemical compound which was used widely in the plastic industry from the 1960s.

Unfortunately, it was found to be potentially very harmful to humans because it can interfere with our hormones and bans were introduced in the early 2000s and most manufacturers now don’t use it.

But to be safe, just double check.

Borosilicate Glass

Finally in this section on materials, if you do opt for a glass French press, make sure that it is made from borosilicate glass.

This is a special type of glass which has boron oxide added to it to make it much more resistant to heat than standard glass.

Borosilicate glass is built to withstand boiling or near boiling water whilst ordinary glass isn’t.

[3] Size

How much coffee do you like to drink or how many people do you regularly make coffee for?

Most of the French Presses in my comparison make 8 cups or have a 34 oz.capacity which is the perfect for a multi cup coffee addict or someone who makes a pot of coffee for a group of colleagues.

[4] Use & Handling

It is easy to become a little obsessive when we are looking for things to buy.

We start out with a list of key qualities that product X must have and then we find a product that we like and all of a sudden we are going off on a tangent and looking at products that don’t quite meet our needs.

Stay focused during your research.

If you are a bit clumsy and you have a tendency to knock your French press then you might want to stay away from a glass one.

Or if you like to make a pot that you will drink over a few hours, then narrow your search down and only look at French presses that are insulated.

[5] Lifetime Warranty

Any item that you will use regularly needs a very good warranty, preferably for life.

After all the time and money that you have spent on your new French press, it will be a shame to waste it if for some reason your French press breaks through no fault of your own.

And now, let’s take a look at my favorite french presses, all of which have at least two filters.

Cafe Du Chateau 34 oz French Press

Features

When it comes to getting that perfectly smooth cup of coffee, you are going to want a French Press maker which delivers a filter system beyond your wildest dreams, which is exactly what this little beauty has to offer you.

The 4 level filtration system works to deliver you the purest brew imaginable, with absolutely no grounds left, ruling out any sorry sludge, and delivering a cup of coffee you can be proud of.

As well as delivering a great cup of Joe it is also very easy to clean, easy to use and easy to understand why so many people love it.

If there was one downside, it would be the few complaints at the handle being of poor design, with some finding it to break after just a couple of weeks.

It is not the cheapest on the market, so these breakages can be very frustrating, but with that said, it is arguably the best tasting coffee out there.

Want to know more? Buy on Amazon

Ritual French Coffee Press, Bamboo Wood, Borosilicate Glass

Another French Coffee Press with a great filtration system is the Ritual French Coffee Press.

It might not be of the same 4 level filtration system as the previous make but it does have a dual layer precision filter which delivers a smooth and delicious cup of coffee for you to enjoy, with little to no grounds left behind.

While the previously mentioned French Press does seem to have some design and durability issues, that is definitely not the case with what we have for you here.

Not only does the Ritual French Coffee Press have a top notch design, it is also up there with the best in terms of durability.

However, there are the occasional complaints of broken handles, and warped lids, which are easily fixed anyway, since this does come with a lifetime guarantee, not that you are ever likely to need it.

When it comes to the taste and smoothness of the coffee itself, this doesn’t quite seem to suit everyone’s taste buds, with a few people annoyed with the amount of grounds which it seems to leave behind, making for a bitty cuppa.

However, there are plenty of others who have insisted that this is not actually a problem if you are using it right.

At about half the price of the usually French Coffee Press machines out there, this is definitely going to be money well spent.

Want to know more? Buy on Amazon

Sterling Pro French Press

Features

Now we have something which really does seem quite special.

When it comes to the future of the French Press coffee maker, this has really revolutionised the way things are done, by introducing the first ever French Press to offer a unique two screen system.

With the first screen making sure to brush the wall as tight and as even as possible, the second screen takes over to assure that it does not let even the tiniest of coffee grounds get through.

As if that was not impressive enough, you can even use this for a number of other functions, allowing you to not only have a delicious cup of coffee, but also getting to decide between tea, hot chocolate, frothy milk, cashew milk, almond milk, cold brew, lemonade, herbal drinks, fruit infusions, and plant tinctures, all thanks to the ability to keep all of the aromas and flavours inside.

There is no denying that this is quite possibly the best at what it does.

If there were to be any negatives, it would probably be that it could be a little bit bigger, while the price is a little on the high side, although it is worth every cent.

Want to know more? Buy on Amazon

BASA French Press Coffee Maker, (34oz)

Features

Another French Press which boasts a four level filter system, is the BASA French Press Coffee Maker, which is up there with the others of its kind in terms of quality.

A lot of people have suggested that too many coffee grounds get through for their liking but, taking that into consideration, it still does manage to deliver a great cup of coffee. It is simple to use, even for a newbie with no experience of the French Press, and is also very easy to clean.

While there have been some complaints that this machine is not durable enough and is prone to break fairly easily, it seems that this is a tiny complaint among a small group of people. However, if you handle this correctly and use it as you are supposed to, then you will not find any issue with it at all.

With that said, it is not exactly on the cheap side of French Press coffee makers and you can easily get something cheaper but then you might have to sacrifice the quality for the price.

Want to know more? Buy on Amazon

Tartek French Press (34 oz.)

As with everything, there are some good things and some bad things to be aware of with the Tartek French Press Coffee Maker.

The end product is a beautiful tasting cup of Joe, thanks to the double fine mesh filters, which give it the ability to keep back almost all of the coffee grounds which go in, while still managing to let through those essential oils to deliver that beautiful taste.

As well as that, you can also mix things up by going for some cold drinks, instead of hot, with a wide range of different beverages to choose from.

The downsides to this French Press? Well it looks like the design is not exactly the best on the market, with the occasional complaint that it is too heavy and could improve with toning down some of the design features to make it lighter.

However, while it is on the upper end of the price scale, when it comes to the taste of the coffee, it is definitely worth the money, just be aware that it is prone to breaking under heavy handling.

Want to know more? Buy on Amazon

Travel press coffee mugs are great.

They combine the portability and convenience of travel mugs with the perfectly extracted, great tasting coffee a French press provides.

No longer do you have to sacrifice quality for convenience.

But, before you go out and buy just any old French press-style travel mug, consider these important features.

Size

A seemingly obvious feature, it’s important not to overlook this, when buying a travel press coffee mug.

Remember, that when brewing your coffee in the same container in which you are travelling with, you have to factor in your coffee grounds.

Coffee grounds take up space in addition to your water and brew pressing device.

The proper coffee ground to water ratio for French presses is approximately 2 tablespoons (0.5oz) per 6 oz. of water.

If you want to store and drink 12-oz of coffee for example, maybe go for a 14 – 16-oz mug.

Press Type & Filter

Also known as a plunger, there are many different types of presses with many different filters as well.

Most use a stainless-steel or micron meshed filter to make sure no coffee grounds get into the body of your coffee.

This is extremely important, considering you will be drinking straight from the mug.

Any travel press coffee mug that boasts a double-filtered system, locking mechanism or separate compartment for brewing is great and sure prioritize a fine filtration process.

Over extraction is something controllable by a good filter as well.

A lot of higher end travel press coffee mugs will have a system or special filter to stop the extraction process of your coffee once brewed.

**Pro tip: Any filter that is made for “coffee or loose-tea” will provide better filtration as loose-tea is odd in shape and requires fine filtration.

1. Insulation:

Being ‘double walled’ or ‘vacuum sealed’ are great features to have in your travel press coffee mug to maintain your coffees temperature.

Whether it be hot or cold, you want your coffee at the correct temperature to maintain its great taste and consistency. Double walled refers to the construction of the mugs outer body or walls. The thickness of the container’s walls, determine how much heat can enter or exit through them. If something is described as ‘double walled stainless-steel’, it means it has two layers of stainless-steel. Double-walled insulates better than single-walled, but not as great of an insulator as triple-walled. Vacuum sealed, means it reduces heat transfer through the air inside the mug or containers walls. If a travel press coffee mug is vacuum sealed it means it will maintain the liquids temperature well. The most common terms you will hear when describing a travel mugs insulation is ‘double-walled’ or ‘vacuum sealed’. The combination of the two, ‘double wall vacuum sealed’ is best.

1. Material:

For travel, you don’t want anything breakable or made with harmful chemicals that you could possibly ingest. Glass is breakable and plastic is often made with harmful chemicals that can leach into liquids (especially when heated). Stainless-steel has proven to be the best material for travel mugs. It is both durable and can be made without the use of chemicals such as BPA’s; which are often found in plastics. Parts of your travel press coffee mug are ok to be made from plastic, but ideally you don’t want any plastic coming into contact with anything you will ingest. This means water, loose tea or coffee grounds. If possible, it is always best to go with anything that states ‘BPA FREE’. Silicon is a great alternative to plastic and can be used in a variety of different ways.

**BPA stands for bisphenol A. It is an industrial chemical, used since the 1960’s and has been proven to be harmful to humans when ingested.

1. Cleanability:

One reason why you may have chosen to research buying a travel press coffee mug is for convenience. Being able to brew, store and drink all from the same container is very handy and requires less cleanup than its alternatives. To make things even easier, try to find a travel press coffee mug that is dishwasher safe and with an easy to rinse filter.

1. Spill / Leak Proof:

There’s nothing worse than leakage or spillage… especially when it comes to coffee. An extremely important aspect of any mug designed for travel is that it is both leak and spill proof. Ideally, you want something you can store in your bag, lay on its side and move around a lot without having to worry about it leaking or spilling. Some mugs, will have a locking mechanism for travel, others a sealant ring around the lid. If a manufacturer has put extra effort into making their product ‘Leak-Free’ or ‘Spill-Proof’ they will often advertise it. Most travel press coffee mugs do prioritize this, but it never hurts to take a look at the consumer reports or reviews to see if anyone has had issues with a leaky or spill prone travel container.

1. Lid Type:

The lid type is actually quite important and does not only effect how you drink your coffee. It’s the one piece of a travel press coffee mug that ties everything together. Insulation, drinkability, press type and spillage are all effected, controlled and can benefit from a good lid. If you want a travel mug that can be stored in a pack or bag, you probably don’t want a plunger handle sticking out of the top of it. If great coffee kept hot is what you’re after, maybe a dual-system or insulated lid will be handy. Some have locks to prevent spillage and others, handy carrying loops. Whatever your specific needs require, make sure you’re thinking about the lid type.

1. Grip:

Generally, this aspect of a conventional travel mug is an afterthought. When it comes to travel press coffee mugs this is actually very important. A travel press (for travel) can entail brewing sometimes in peculiar or less than steady circumstances. Even if your travel press coffee mug is merely for your morning commute, it’s always nice to have a good handle on things. Silicon is a popular (and frankly the best), option for outer hand grips. It’s a great insulator, heat protectant and is soft to the touch… plus silicone is 100% BPA free! It ticks all the boxes and is a great addition to any travel mug, especially when used in place of plastic.

Ideal Buyer for Travel Press Coffee Mugs

If you are interested in, or have decided to make the switch to a travel press coffee mug, you are most likely someone that is busy or takes coffee on-the-go. But that doesn’t mean you still don’t appreciate the taste and consistency of great coffee. Travel presses (especially French press style) coffee mugs are a convenient way to enjoy coffee, brewed the way it should be. This is by hand and with the close attention of an experienced, smart coffee connoisseur. Or in less pretentious terms, someone that loves properly brewed coffee!

Whether you’re a student, working professional, busy stay-at-home parent, commuter or travelling nomad, a travel press coffee mug is the perfect choice for you!

Bodum Travel French Press

Features

In terms of price, the Bodum Travel Press is pretty average. But, in terms of convenience, it is much more than that.

Consumers love this all in one; brewing, drinking and heat-maintaining, mug, as it has become very popular… and for good reason too!

Its sleek design with metal accents and color options, give it a very modern and hip look.

In fact, it looks just like a stylish travel mug. So much so, that the fact that you can actually brew coffee on-the-go with it as well as transport it, is almost unnoticeable.

Double vacuum sealed walls, keep the heat and freshness of your coffee preserved for hours.

This particular travel press from Bodum can hold up to 15-oz of coffee at a time, comes with a spill resistant lid, built-in French press style plunger and silicon hand grips.

It is dishwasher safe and customers love it for its convenience as well as sleek design.

It can brew, transport, and keep your coffee hot for hours. The all-in-one, Bodum Travel Press, is perfect for anyone who appreciates style along with portable and great tasting coffee.

Like what you see? Buy on Amazon

Espro Travel Coffee Press

Features

This is a higher-end, travel coffee press made by Espro.

Being that it is a higher-end device, you would naturally expect it to have some number of heightened features, improved design or capabilities…. and it does.

You will not be disappointed when using this travel press for coffee or tea. With an intelligent, basket shaped, two-filter system, you’ll be assured to never experience any grit or residual coffee grounds when drinking your coffee.

This sleek and simple looking travel press has color options and looks just like your standard travel mug.

This is in part because it can also be used as just a standard travel mug. As well as being able to brew up to 10-oz of coffee directly in it, you can also use it as a travel mug, holding up to 15-oz of already brewed coffee.

It is made with a double wall vacuum sealed stainless-steel body.

The two-filter (or microfilter) system allows for French press brewing as well as the ability to brew pour-over coffee.

It is compatible with paper filters if you prefer less oily coffee with zero chance of grittiness. Its filtration system also stops coffee extraction automatically once the press plunger is pushed down.

If you are primarily a tea drinker, and love loose-leaf tea, you can opt for the ‘Tea Filter’, in which coffee extraction can be stopped with the touch of a button. With this option the tea is also filtered twice.

All of this, with the added ability to keep your coffee or tea hot for 4-6 hours is why customers absolutely love this two-filter, travel French press and pour over travel mug.

If you’re someone that hates grit and loves intelligently designed and versatile coffee brewing on-the-go, then you’ll love this travel coffee press from Espro.

Like what you see? Buy on Amazon

Stanley Classic Vacuum Travel Press

Features

A mid-ranged classic travel press mug for the average coffee drinker.

‘Classic’ is the best way to describe the Stanley Classic Vacuum Travel Press Mug because of its design and physical appearance.

Resembling a retro travel thermos, this 160z teal colored press mug looks as if it belongs in a black and white movie, or best enjoyed in the back of an air-stream trailer.

It’s made from stainless-steel, is vacuum sealed and BPA-free.

Being able keep coffee (or general liquids) hot for 4-hours, cold for 5-hours, and frozen for 20-hours, makes it great for long hiking trips or adventures.

To help facilitate these activities, it also has a foldable carrying loop, making it easy to secure or clip onto backpacks.

Its plunger device for brewing is unique, unattached to the lid and completely removeable (unlike many travel press coffee mugs).

This is a retro mug. Think hipster. Customers absolutely adore this travel press mug, but mainly for their emotional attachment to it.

For how cool it looks and how different it is than other mugs on the market. In terms of functionality, there are definitely other travel press coffee mugs on the market that can deliver better heat maintenance with more intuitive designs.

But for how unique it is, the cool look and overall feel it gives off, the Stanley Classic Vacuum Travel Press Mug is definitely a one-of-a-kind travel press coffee mug, for certain one-of-a-kind individuals.

Interested? Buy on Amazon

Zyliss E990001U Travel French Press

Features

As far as French press travel mugs go, this is about as economical as it gets.

The single-serve, Zyliss Travel French Press is a great and very budget-friendly option.

Judging by its appearance, you would never guess that this coffee mug has the ability to brew coffee as well.

It merely looks like a well-insulated, home-style, black coffee mug.

And although it is well insulated (being double walled to keep heat in), it is far from a standard home-style mug.

To use, merely add your coffee grinds as you would any other French press travel mug, and then your water.

Instead of a plunger style press, this particular mug uses a handheld, mesh filter that clips onto the side of the mug once pressed down all the way.

Once this is done, you can snap on the travel mug styled lid and voila!… you have a single serving of French press brewed coffee in a home-style, insulated mug.

Zyliss is known for their craftsmanship and using high-quality materials. This particular mug is made without the use of harmful chemicals such as BPA’s.

Feedback on this mug is overwhelmingly positive for its convenience and innovative design.

One drawback is sometimes gritty coffee. This is as a result of the small brewing capacity.

Although very convenient, there is no ability to stop the brewing process. If left for long periods of time, over extraction can occur and can cause gritty or thick coffee.

This is not uncommon among a lot travel press mugs, but more noticeable in a small container.

The solution to this is simple… drink your coffee faster!

For those who work in an office, at home or like to enjoy coffee conveniently in a home-style mug with little cleanup, the Zyliss Travel French Press Mug is a great option!

Like what you see? Buy on Amazon

Kohipress

Features

This is an amazingly priced, portable and all-around great, mid-ranged French press coffee brewer and travel mug.

Its smart, innovative and simple design has made it a staple for travellers, outdoor enthusiasts and anyone wanting to brew and enjoy perfect coffee on-the-go.

The Kohipress is all black, double-wall insulated and vacuum sealed and resembles an aero-press.

Its long, slender design makes it easy to pack away in your bag and allows you to brew 12-oz of perfect coffee wherever you are.

Using a full immersion steep, the Kohipress takes the word ‘plunger’ to a whole new level.

Its giant, pressurized plunger press has a patented self-locking system that separates used coffee grounds from your coffee once brewed to avoid over extraction.

A fine micron stainless-steel mesh keeps all grounds out of your coffee, and the entire device is very easy to clean.

The plunger is made from plastic, so if you are averse to plastic or possible BPA’s, another stainless-steel option might be a better choice for you.

Thinking of every aspect of portable coffee brewing / drinking, the Kohipress is leak-proof.

This is just one of the reasons why consumers love it. It’s truly one-of-a-kind and great for travel.

Like any one-of-a-kind product, there will always be imitators. But, for the reasonable price of the Kohipress, I would recommend going for the real thing as opposed to trying to save the marginal amount you would, by buying a knock-off for cheaper.

For a traveller or anyone wanting a great, portable, French press coffee brewer travel mug with no chance of grit or over extraction, the Kohipress is an obvious choice!

Interested? Buy on Amazon

If your career is moving at warp speed towards becoming a senior manager or executive then you don’t need to waste your time on looking for the best small Keurig for a desk.

You might want instead to plump straight for this. 

But for the rest of us, who will be shackled to our desks in a cramped office, finding the right Keurig coffee machine to power us through the day is a must.

Why is drinking coffee at work important?

I think that it is well known that coffee is one of the most popular workplace drinks but fewer people are aware of the many benefits that drinking coffee can have.

And so, let’s quickly go through them!

[1] OK. A well known fact. Coffee is a stimulant that can help to keep you alert.

[2] Studies have shown that coffee breaks themselves can increase productivity.

[3] Did you know that coffee drinkers tend to be happier in their work?

[4] Coffee can reduce sleep deprived stress and

[5] that is helps to keep you trim by increasing your metabolic rate.

Features of a perfect small Keurig for your desk

In this review, I compare 5 of the smallest Keurig coffee makers.

If all of the desks in all of the offices in all of the world were the same size, then there would be no need for a comparison and everyone should buy Keurig’s smallest model.

But, different desks in different offices are different sizes and so are the coffee makers in my comparison.

And although they are all on the smaller side, their dimensions do vary quite a bit.

I believe that there are at least 7 features that all small Keurig coffee maker needs to have in order to be used on a desk.

[1] Dimensions

Width and depth are the most important.

Why is this so important?

So that it takes up as little space as possible because their desk has lots of other items to fit on it.

[2] Light weight

Many of you will buy your own coffee maker for your desk and that means that you will be carrying in from the car.

Also, over time you might move from one part of the office to another and so you won’t want to be lugging a heavy item across the office.

[3] Adjustable Brew Size

Why is this so important? So that they can have different size of coffees at different times in the day

[3] Range of Color Choices

Why is this so important? So that it fits in with design of the office and the decor of their desk

[4] Removable Drip Tray

Why is this so important?

[a] So that it can be easily cleaned and

[b] It can fit a travel mug in it for their lunch break or for their journey home.

[5] Energy Saver

Why is this so important?

Because sometimes life becomes busy and stressful whilst you are at work and you cannot always remember to switch a machine off.

[6] Power cable

[a] Storage- Ideally, the power cable needs to be able to be stored neatly for those days or weeks when you won’t be using the coffee machine at all.

[b] Size- It needs to be a reasonable size so that it can reach an electrical socket.

[7] Quiet

Why is this so important?

This is fairly obvious. Most people who work at a desk are situated in large open plan offices which are filled with people working at desks.

If you want a coffee maker for your desk, you do  not want a machine that is going to make a lot of noise and disturb your co workers who are working around you.

Special Features

And having looked at a wide selection of small coffee makers that are suitable for a desk, I think that there are five more features that only the very best Keurigs have.

[8] Touch Screen

Who wants to press a button, when you can just touch a screen? We love them on our phones and tablets and so why not on our coffee machines? Touch screens give a coffee maker a nice modern “edge” to them.

[9] Hot Water on Demand

Are you a coffee junkie who every now and then likes a change?

The odd cup of tea perhaps or the occasional “packet” soup?

If so, you will really appreciate a hot water on demand function, for those times when you just need our Keurig to provide a cup of hot water.

[10] Not Just Cups

As I mentioned earlier, offices are social places and although you are looking for a Keurig to meet your own needs, every so often you might want to spread the love.

Some of the coffee makers in my comparison can brew not just cups of coffee but carafes as well.  

[11] Removable Reservoirs

Is it easier to take a water reservoir to the faucet or to take the water to the coffee machine.

Many people like a reservoir that can be removed and taken to the sink to be filled instead of having to fill a jug and then carefully pour the contents into a water reservoir.

[12] Strength Control

If at times you fancy a cup of kick with a bit more of a “kick” then look out for a coffee maker that allows you to brew a stronger cup of coffee at the touch of a button.

K Mini Plus

Features

With a width of fewer than 5 inches, the Keurig K Mini Plus is a small, yet stylish coffee maker that will fit in even the smallest spaces.

It is 12.1” High (16.8″ with the handle open) x 4.5” Wide x 11.3” Deep.

The coffee maker is not too costly but some people may find it a little overpriced compared to its feature set.

Judging by the reviews, the product is not bad but not a great one either. It is made of plastic. So, the build quality is nothing out of the ordinary. When viewed from the front, it looks very slim compared to other coffee makers in this price range.

The product is available in two color options – black and cardinal red.

The K Mini Plus is very simple to use as all you need to make a nice cup of coffee is to push the big silver color button on the top. There is no digital display.

Some of its features include –

Strong brew – If you like to have a more intense cup of coffee, you can press the button labeled strong beside the power button to brew a stronger cup.

Removable one cup reservoir – You have to add water each time you want to make coffee. There is no auto-clean function but the removable one cup reservoir makes it pretty easy to clean.

Pod storage – If you like portable coffee makers, this is a good choice. It can hold 9 K-Cup pods.

Adjustable brew size – You can brew any cup between 6-12oz. All you have to do is adjust the amount of water you pour into the reservoir.

It also has a handy 90 seconds auto-off feature.

Many people like it because of its sleek and compact design which looks quite attractive.  

Ideal brewer

If the most important thing about your new coffee maker is that it must be the smallest one available, buy the K Mini Plus.

Keurig K15

Features

The Keurig K15 is a compact coffee maker that is great for small spaces.

It is 10.8” High x 6.9” Wide x 10.7” Deep.

The price of this model varies greatly across the several color options available, which seems a bit strange.

There are 6 color options available – Black, Chili Red, Greenery, Jade, Platinum, and True Blue.

Judging by the reviews, it is a poor product and not reliable at all.

The build quality is average as it is made of plastic and there seems to be several design flaws.

Some of its features include –

Brew size – You can brew any cup size between 6-10 oz. For a bolder brew, you have to use the 6 oz. cup.

Water Reservoir – It has a one cup water reservoir for portability.

Drip tray – You can remove the drip tray to fit travel mugs of up to 5.2” tall.

Automatic Shut Off It also has an automatic turn-off feature that lets you save energy and offers easy cleaning as it holds a full accidental brew.

A common complaint most people have about this product is its durability. The product starts to malfunction even after a few uses.

Also, it also has a very short power cable.

The only redeeming aspect of this model is that it makes a hot cup of coffee in less than 2 minutes when it works.

Ideal Buyer

Mmm…I am not sure that there is one.

The K15 is not a great coffee maker and so unless you have you heart set on buying the K15 and not anything else, choose something different.

K250

Features

In terms of width, the K250 comes in at an impressive third place.

At only 9″ wide it is certainly impressive- although it is 15″ deep and so that is something to bear in mind.

But this coffee maker is packed full of features.

The price of this model is a little high when compared to other models but reasonable because of its features.

Judging by the reviews, it is a good product.

People like it because of its touchscreen display and its ability to brew multiple K-Cup pods, K-Mug pods, and K-Carafe pods.

A frequent complaint people have about this model is the lack of an auto-off feature.

The build quality of the product is nothing special as it is made of plastic.

However, it is a little different in design when compared to other coffee makers with similar feature set and price.

The water reservoir on this model is on the back instead of being on the side. This lends it a cool look.

You can choose from the following color options – Black, Imperial Red, Oasis, Peacock Blue, Plum Grey, Sandy Pearl, and Turquoise.

Some of its features include –

Multiple Brew Size – It can brew 4, 6, 8, 10 oz. K-Cup pods, 12-16 oz. K-Mug pods and 22-30 oz. K-Carafe pods.

Touchscreen Display – It has a 2-inch black and white touchscreen display for easy option selection.

Strength Control – You can control the strength of your brew to have a bolder cup.

Removable Water Reservoir – It has a 40 oz. removable water reservoir that lets you brew 4+ cup of coffee before having to refill it.

Hot Water Dispenser – You can dispense hot water even without a pod. All you have to do is open and close the brewer handle.

Ideal Buyer

The Keurig K250 is a perfect buy for a coffee drinker who has a little more space on their desk and wants a coffee maker with more features!

K Select

Features

Coming in at a fraction of an inch (9.2″) wider than the K250, the K Select is however not as deep as the K250 (11.6″ vs 15″.)

When compared to other Keurig coffee makers with a similar feature set, this model is priced almost the same.

Judging by the reviews, this is a good product with a few drawbacks. People like it because despite being a mid-range k-cup machine, it can brew multiple k-cup sizes. It can also accommodate travel mugs up to 7.4 inches tall.

Some people claim that it has a design flaw because this model keeps failing after 3-6 months even after replacement.

This model is made of plastic and has no design edge over similar models. It is available in the following color options – Matte Black, Matte Navy, Matte White, and Vintage Red.

Some of its features include –

Multiple Brew Size – It supports popular brew sizes such as 6, 8, 10, 12 oz.

Strong Brew – This feature lets you brew a stronger cup of coffee.

Large Removable Water Reservoir – It has a large 52 oz. removable water reservoir.

Brewer Maintenance Reminder – It has a descaling reminder so that you know when it’s time to remove built-up calcium deposits.

Simple Button Controls – It has no digital display but has simple button controls so that you have no problem selecting your desired brew size.

Programmable Auto-Off – It also has a 2-hour programmable auto-off feature.

Ideal Buyer

If you like a simple coffee maker that has a large water reservoir (52 oz.) and a strong brew option, think about buying the K Select.

K55 (Classic)

Features

The K55 is the “classic” coffee maker from Keurig.

It is 13.3” High (17.6” when open) x 10.1” Wide x  13.2” Deep.

It is double the width of the K Mini, which is a lot more space taken up on your desk.

The price of the product is average – not too costly but not cheap either. It could have been priced more aggressively.

Judging by the reviews, it is a decent product and is very popular.

However, due to its build quality and design, it can be a hit or miss.

Many people claim that the K55 makes great coffee but it is unreliable as it doesn’t work fine consistently.

The product is available in two color options – Black and Rhubarb. It is made of plastic just like any other machine in this price range.

So there is really nothing special about it.

Some of its features include –

Brew size –  You can brew multiple K-Cup sizes – 6, 8 or 10 oz. In order to achieve the strongest brew, you have to use the 6 oz. brew size.

Large removable water reservoir – It has a large and easy to fill 48 oz. removable water reservoir that will let you brew 6+ cups of coffee before having to refill. Thus, it will save you some time.

Descaling Indicator– Every coffee maker should be descaled in order to remove any calcium deposits and keep it in good working order.

The Keurig K55 provides a “gentle” reminder.

Auto-off – This model has a 2-hour auto-off feature.

Ideal Buyer

What makes the K Classic so attractive is that compared to other coffee makers in my comparison it is priced very competitively and that it is one of Keurig’s most loved coffee makers.

Interested? Buy on Amazon

Are you a very organised person?

Do you always like to plan ahead so that you can avoid any mishaps and make the best use of your time?

And, do you struggle to function without coffee?

Listen up then, because this article contains a selection of coffee makers that are right up your street.

And the key feature that these machines have is that they are all programmable.

A coffee maker that you will fit into your organised lifestyle.

A device that you can program to turn on automatically in a few hours time or tomorrow morning.

Now before we take a look at these coffee machines, let’s find out more about programmable function.

A coffee maker that is programmable can turn on automatically at some point within the next 24 hours.

This feature is great for people who don’t want a coffee immediately but they know that they will want one in the morning or when they get home from work.

And let’s face it, there are few things more annoying than trying to get a cup of coffee just as you are rolling out of bed or arriving home from a hard day at work.

Other Top Features

Although the feature that is of most interest in my selection is a timer, there are a few other features which can be found in all of the coffee makers in my comparison.

Brew Strength

Brew Strength is the ability of a coffee maker to adjust the strength of coffee by altering the amount of water that it adds to the brew. 

Various Sizes

Fancy a whole pot of coffee? Or just one cup?

Brew Pause

Are you in a rush and cannot wait for the whole pot of coffee to fill? All the coffee makers in my comparison have brew pause. 

Keurig K575

Features

Coming from the coffee powerhouse that is Keurig, the K575 single serve coffee maker boasts an impressive collection of features.

Although these extra features do mean that this coffee maker is a bit on the pricey side, this is generally a well respected machine.

It could be argued that its timing feature is one of the most basic features of this machine.

Nevertheless, it will still start automatically at any point within the next 24 hours.

And looking at the comments, the program function is one of the most highly rated features of this model.

You will never buy a Keurig because of their good looks but it’s plastic design is easy to clean and inoffensive.

But what other features does it offer?

Pod Power– Do you find ground coffee too fiddly and messy? This machine uses a massive selection of pods.

Touch Screen– Forget buttons. This puppy is controlled via a 2.8” color touch screen.

80 oz Water Reservoir- Is filling the water reservoir a chore? With the K575, you won’t need to.

Flexible Sizes- The K575 will make you a 4 oz. cup or a 30 oz. carafe and most sizes in between.

Strength Control– Do you sometimes crave a coffee with more of a kick? Just brew a “bolder” cup.

Ideal Buyer

This is a must buy for all those Keurig fans out there who want a coffee machine with a 24 hour time. It is a great choice for K Cup and single serve users.

Like what you see? Buy on Amazon

Cuisinart DCC 3400

Features

The Cuisinart DCC 3400 has a 24 hour hour program function which enables it to be automatically started at any point within the next 24 hours.

And judging by the reviews, this is a much liked feature of this machine.

Like most coffee makers out there, the Cuisinart is a mixture of stainless steel and black plastic which means that it doesn’t really stand out design- wise.

But it has an attractive digital display which is surrounded by a collection of cool looking buttons.

Added to that it’s corners are curved lending the machine a softer look.

As well as it’s programming functions, this device comes with a range of power features that you will not find on coffee makers.

Adjustable Warming Plate– Set your warming plate to high, medium or low so that your coffee at the perfect temperature for you.

Brew Strength– At the press of a button, you can make a bolder and stronger coffee.

Flexible Volume- Although this machine can brew up to 12 cups of coffee, it is flexible enough to also brew 1- 4 cups.

Brew Pause- Can’t wait for a full pot of coffee? With brew pause you can enjoy a cup of coffee before the brewing cycle ends, without making a mess.

Self Cleaning-  This Cuisinart model will also clean itself. Now that it what you call handy.

Ideal Buyer

If you crave a coffee machine with a timer that brews pots of coffee with no nonsense, then you won’t go too far wrong with this.

Like what you see? Buy on Amazon

Cuisinart SS15

Features

The cuisinart SS15 is a totally different coffee animal from any other machines in my comparison.

But what of its program function?

Well, it can be programmed to turn on automatically within the next 24 hours and it can be programmed to turn off anytime up to 4 hours after this.

The design is nothing to write home about, with a run of the mill mix of stainless steel and black plastic. 

It does, at least, offer a few alternate color schemes- including copper and black stainless. 

Which will suit any kitchen or none at all!

The SS15 is a two way brewer, which means that it can brew a full pot of coffee or just a single cup of coffee and it has dedicated space for a thermal carafe or a travel mug.

What are its other star attractions?

Glass Carafe- With room for 12 cups of coffee, which is BPA free and it has a stainless steel handle.

Gold Plated– Bored of constantly ordering paper filters? A gold plated filter can last forever.

Temperature Control– Your coffee is guaranteed to be brewed at the optimal temperature.

Strength Control– Choose between regular and bold brew strengths.

Single Serve Sizes– 6, 8 or 10 oz

Flexible Pods– Accepts K Cups, Home Barista Pod and Cuisinart Coffee Bar pods

Ideal Buyer

This is a very attractive coffee machine for a person who regularly drinks coffee on the go and makes a full pot of coffee when they are not in quite such a rush!

Want to know more? Buy on Amazon

Black and Decker DLX1050B

Features

Let’s face it, the DLX1050B will not win any beauty contests but as one of the cheapest devices in my comparison, if you want a coffee maker with a timer and not much else and you are on a tight budget, then you might want to take a closer look at this model.

With only a few presses of a button on the front of this machine, you can plan to the nearest hour and minute that you want the DLX1050B to automatically turn on within 24 hours of the current time.

Some of the other key features on this Black and Decker coffee maker, include;

Brew Pause– if you cannot wait for the coffee pot to fill to the top, you can temporarily pause the brewing process to sneak a cup.

2 Hour Auto Shut Off

Water Level Indicator

Ideal Buyer

This is the machine for the buyer who is on a budget. Someone who is looking for a no frills programmable coffee maker that makes good coffee.

Ninja 12 Cup (CE201)

The Ninja CE201 is another in a long line of coffee makers with a drab design.

But, it has a 24 hour programming function and so that ticks one of your biggest boxes, right?

Although it is stainless steel (much like the Cuisinart DC3400) it also has lots of black plastic on view and black plastic can never be stylish.

In terms of price, in my comparison it is mid range.

Review- wise, this is a very highly thought of coffee maker.

And so, what else do you get for your money?

Strength Control– Choose between a standard or rich strength of coffee.

Big or Small– This 12 cup machine can also brew a smaller 4 cup batch.

Exquisite Brewing– Consistent temperature, blooming and saturation techniques all play a part in the brewing process.

60 oz. Water Filter– It can be removed to allow you to fill it with ease.

Brew Pause– Can’t wait? Just remove the carafe and pour yourself a cup.

Ideal Buyer

This coffee maker is ideal for a drip coffee fan who wants a programmable machine that makes a great cup of coffee.

Fancy this? Buy on Amazon

K-Select vs K250: Which Coffee Machine is Best?

When it comes to buying a new coffee making machine, you really do need to take a look around and make sure that you find the right coffee maker for your needs.

While some people need something small and compact, others don’t mind something a bit bigger. Some go for a strong flavour, while others aren’t too fussed about the taste.

Here, I am going to give you a comparison of two of the most popular coffee makers on the market, with the Keurig K-Select and the Keurig K250, giving you a better insight into what you can expect from each machine, making it easier for you to decide which out of the two would be best for you.

Now, with this comparison, I am going to break both coffee making machines into 2 categories; Differences and Similarities, and then give you a brief explanation of the features within. So, let’s not waste anymore time and dive into the comparison between the K-Select and the K250.

Differences

Dimensions

Size is always important when it comes to choosing the right coffee machine for you. Some people are very space aware and need something small and compact, while others have space to spare so do not mind the size. Here, the K-Select is slightly shorter but slightly wider than the K250, while the K250 is also slightly deeper and a bit heavier than the K-Select.

Colors/Design

When it comes to the colors available for these two machines, they both have a variety of different colors to choose from. The Keurig K-Select is available in Black, White, Navy or Red, while the K250 comes in Black, Red, Oasis, Sandy Pearl, Plum Grey, Peacock Blue, and Turquoise. Meanwhile, when it comes to the design the biggest difference you are going to notice between these two coffee machines is the fact that the K-250 comes with a touchscreen which gives you great control over your coffee.

Auto-Off

One of the most popular things about a coffee machine today is the fact that most come with an auto-off function. However, while the K-Select does come with a programmable auto-off feature, it seems that the K250 does not have any sort of energy saving feature at all.

Controls

Having control of how your coffee machine works is also something that has become very popular with coffee buffs recently. Now, while the K-Select does have the buttons to allow you to make certain decisions and adjustments, it is the touchscreen from the K250 which really stands it apart, giving you a much better feeling of control of your brew.

Pod Compatibility

Everybody likes a different type of coffee, so pod compatibility is definitely important when it comes to choosing a coffee maker. While the K-Select is only compatible with the K-Cup pods, the K250 takes things to the next level by also being compatible with the K-Carafe, for a bigger and better brew.

Brew Sizes

As for those brew sizes, since the K-Select is only compatible with the K-Cup pods, it means that you are only going to get 6oz., 8oz., 10oz., or 12oz., whereas with the K250 being compatible with the K-Carafe, as well as choosing from 4oz., 6oz., 8oz., and 10oz., you also get the option of 22oz., 26oz., and 30oz., making enough coffee for everyone.

Water Reservoir

The bigger the water reservoir, the more coffee you are going to get before you need to refill it, and this is one of the few areas that the K-Select outdoes the K250. While you are only getting a 40oz. water reservoir with the K250, you are getting a much larger 52oz. water reservoir with the K-Select.

Removable Reservoir

Back to form, when it comes to the water reservoir being removable, this is where the K250 takes back control once again, by allowing the user to remove the water reservoir in order to make refilling much easier, Unfortunately the K-Select does not come with such a feature, making the refilling just a little bit more awkward.

Added Extras

We all love some added extras when we buy something new and both of these come with some nice little bonuses. The K-Select comes with 6 K-Cup pods, 1 water filter handle, and 1 filter. Meanwhile the K250 comes with 4 K-Cup pods, 1 water filter handle, 2 filters, and a bottle of descaling solution, giving it the slight edge on the K-Select again.

Price

The all important category for anyone buying a coffee machine has to be the price and there is a slight difference between the two. As you would expect, due to the fact that the K-Select comes with quite a few less features than the K250, it is quite a little bit cheaper but it depends if you are willing to sacrifice those extra features to save a little bit of money.

Similarities

Brew Strength

Brew strength is one of the most important things for any coffee drinker, so having control of the strength of your brew is vital to any coffee making machine. Fortunately, both the K-Select and the K250 allow you to control the strength of your coffee.

Brew Time

When you are in a rush or you wake up late for work, you want to be able to get a quick cup of coffee and not have to wait around. Well, both of these coffee machines will have a fresh cup of Joe for you in under a minute.

Temperature Control

While there are some coffee machines out there today which give you temperature control, neither the K-Select or the K-250 offer this option, which does let them both down a little bit.

Removable Drip Tray

When you are using a coffee making machine, you are always going to have some slight dripping, which is where the drip tray comes in. Both of these have a removable drip tray, which not only makes it easier to clean but also gives a little extra room for those taller cups you might want to use.

Low Water Indicator

Nobody likes getting half way through a fresh cup of coffee being poured, only to discover that they need to refill the water. Luckily both the K250 and the K-Select have a Low Water Indicator, which lets you know to refill the water reservoir before making that next cup of coffee.

Pros and Cons

K250 Pros

Touchscreen Control – The touchscreen controls make this stand up against the best coffee machines out there.

Pod Sizes – The wide variety of pod sizes allow you to decide just how much or how little coffee you want or need.

Removable Reservoir – The fact that you can remove the reservoir makes it so much easier to refill.

K250 Cons

Small Reservoir – While the reservoir is removable, it is also small which means having to refill it more often.

No Auto-Off – The lack of an auto-off feature means that you really do need to make sure you turn it off every single time.

Durability – There have been many complaints about the durability of the K250, with some people having to send it back.

K-Select Pros

Large Reservoir – The large water reservoir means you can get much more coffee before having to refill.

Auto Feature – Having the programmable auto-off feature means you do not have to worry too much about turning it off.

Size – The size of the K-Select makes it perfect for any home kitchen or office break room.

Conclusion

When it comes down to it, while the K-Select does have a couple of features that the K250 is missing, and is also a little bit cheaper, it would still be worth your while paying the little bit extra to get the better features that the K250 offers. It really is one of the best coffee making machines for its price range and, while some might argue that it breaks a bit too easily, it still delivers a great tasting cup of Joe.