So what did we think after our review of the Keurig K-Elite? The K Elite will probably work well for you if you like to have quite a bit of control over your coffee. It offers a lot of customization, including auto-on and auto-off features, plus high altitude, strong, and over ice brew programs. You can also make use of the hot water dispenser for tea or hot chocolate. As with all Keurig models (and other coffee machines, for that matter), the K Elite requires regular maintenance, including cleaning and descaling. Unfortunately, there isn’t a dedicated cleaning button or program — to descale this model, you pour in descaling solution and water and use the hot water button.
Other features include programmable Auto On and Auto Off and the high altitude setting to brew coffee at altitudes greater than 5,000 feet. This Keurig coffee maker is also very quick and can brew coffee in less than a minute. The control panel is intuitive and consists of 12 buttons, two lights (to indicate when more water is needed and when it’s time to descale), and a small monochrome screen.
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. The K-Elite comes with a 6-count K-cup pod variety pack, a water filter handle, plus a water filter. 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. This is the serving size that K-cups are designed to brew, based on the quantity of ground coffee that they hold.
The removable drip tray holds up to 8 ounces of liquid and can be easily removed from the front. Yes, the Keurig K-Elite doesn’t come with the hated DRM (digital rights management) tag that scans for keurig classic Keurig approved pods like the Keurig 2.0 machines did. This means you can safely enjoy any K-cup pod brand you prefer. If a reusable k-cup won’t fit your K-elite, make sure the bottom is removed.
All in all, if you’re looking for a straightforward and easy-to-use coffee machine, it’s hard to go wrong with Keurig. The K-Elite will set you back $170, and comes in Brushed Silver or Brushed Slate. The biggest design flaw with the K-Elite is its drip tray, which is flimsy and too easily removed. It quickly glides from its placement because it’s not secured in any way, and it’s nearly impossible to move the machine without it falling out. The K-Elite is about the size of the K-Classic, sharing a build similar to Gru from Despicable Me — curved at the top, slight taper at the waist. It’s 13-inches tall, 10-inches wide, and just under 13-inches deep.