The Hidden Downsides To Keurigs

One of the most significant downsides of Keurigs is their impact on the environment and the amount of trash the K-Cups generate. Founder John Sylvan actually regrets inventing the coffee maker for this very reason. He tells CBC, "They're going to make those little plastic cups forever, because they can't think outside the box."

He goes on to say that Green Mountain's commitment to creating recyclable K-Cups is a false claim and that it needs to address the engineering process that leads to waste. With the number of Keurig users in the world, the amount of discarded K-Cups is astounding. In fact, there are enough discarded pods to circle the globe over 10 times (via Kill the K-Cup).

Sylvan's solution? He himself makes his coffee the old-school way with a timed maker and thermal carafe. There are also reusable K-Cups on the market to eliminate daily waste (via The Coffee Chronicler). However, these need to be cleaned and refilled after each use. This tedious process negates the convenience factor in opting for a Keurig in the first place, making them far from a perfect solution.

With K-Cups, you're not getting the freshest coffee possible. As JavaPresse Coffee Company points out, K-Cups are manufactured with sheer quantities in mind and quality as a lower priority. Using low-grade beans, the K-Cups are often stale by the time they hit store shelves. Wholesale manager Elisa Nuchi tells Insider that these pods can sit there for months or even years before you take them home. But with coffee beans, she points out, "Once you grind it, it starts deteriorating immediately." 

She also adds that the beans are exposed to oxygen after brewing. This exposure can destroy the coffee's taste and aroma. Instead, experts recommend freshly grinding your beans shortly before brewing. Instead of relying on stale K-Cup coffee, you can purchase a simple grinder with good features at a reasonable price (via Wired). Then, use a traditional coffee maker to brew a pot of the freshest coffee with the best flavor.

If you love hosting guests, a Keurig might not be the way to go. Sure, popping in a pod might be a great way to serve one guest a cup after dinner. But consider the amount of coffee you need to serve a whole crowd at breakfast or brunch. Plum Deluxe suggests making two cups of coffee per guest for a brunch event. If you have a large guest list, you'll be frantically refilling reusable pods or running through a ton of costly disposable ones.

You can make larger cups, up to 12 ounces, to serve larger portions. However, this can make the coffee watery and tasteless (via Cross Country Cafe). There are Keurig machines that can brew a whole pot. However, the coffee can come out weaker and less bold than typical coffee makers (via Mashup Mom). Plus, the machine is bulky and can be loud when brewing, the last thing you want during a party. Instead, opt for a coffee urn to provide piping hot coffee for your event (via Fluent In Coffee). These feature quality insulation and party-sized cup capacities. Plus, most designs feature an easy-to-use serving spout, perfect for guests to refill their cups independently.

When it comes to evaluating a product, some of the best feedback can come from other consumers. Expert product analysts can also help you determine everything from a product's performance to its projected reliability. The test engineers at Consumer Reports created a ranking of the best pod coffee makers. Because of the availability and popularity of K-Cups, many manufacturers have rolled out models that utilize them. When evaluated, the results show that Keurig doesn't typically make the top machines. In fact, only one of the manufacturer's models made the list. Two Cuisinart models get full marks for their temperature consistency, auto shutoff functions, and other special features. As for the Keurig that made the list, its drip function isn't top-notch. And as product engineer Ginny Liu points out, "Keurig models are a bit slower to brew the second cup of coffee compared to the top-rated pod coffee makers," which can be frustrating on busy mornings.

When it comes to the top coffee makers overall, there's a mix of drip and pod-utilizing models (via Consumer Reports). Drip brewers by brands like Cuisinart are praised for their brewing performance and owner satisfaction. For pod devotees, there are two Nespresso models on the list that receive exceptional ratings. Plus, the company recycles used pods for free. There is a Keurig-made model on the list that's praised for its consistency and features. However, it only received good marks for its heat-up time and below-average ratings for its reliability.

As Consumer Reports points out, Keurigs only receive middle-of-the-road marks for reliability, not as promising as many other brands tested. This means that an iron-clad warranty is super important. However, Keurig only provides a one-year limited warranty for their machines. Plus, not using K-Cup brand pods, like those reusable options made by other manufacturers, can void this warranty. Many retailers allow you to purchase extended warranty plans. Of course, these come with an additional upfront cost.

Keep in mind that the average lifespan of a coffee maker is about five years (via Tom's Guide). So, if you want long-term reliability and longer warranty terms, you'll have to look to other brands. Some brands like Cuisinart come with up to three years of protection. And the top-of-the-line Technivorm coffee maker is an investment but comes with an impressive five-year warranty. With any warranty, read the fine print to see what components are covered, what actions could void it, and how to register your machine.