Compare drip coffee to Keurig coffee, Nespresso coffee, French Press coffee, and other methods of getting your caffeine fix at home.
There are three main things I’ve noticed people insist they can’t live without: their loved ones, their pets, and their coffee. It could be because we live such busy lives, and of course there’s a chance we’re all more than a little addicted, or perhaps it’s just the cultural norm to boast about our reliance on coffee.
No matter the reasons why, since it’s not going anywhere anytime soon, the only real debate left is how to prepare it. One common question: drip coffee vs Keurig coffee? How do you decide which is better for you?
There isn’t a wrong way to make coffee, at least between these two options. The end result is almost always a winner, and even if it’s not, you can modify it to make it work out for you — like thickening your coffee or making it less acidic, for example.
Coffee is even something you can even make at the last minute with only a microwave. It’s clear that if your end result is simply a hot cup of coffee, you’re going to come out on top.
However, most people like to be a little more prepared every morning, especially if they’re avid coffee drinkers.
Maybe you’re just starting out on your own coffee adventure and have some questions. Maybe you rarely or never drink coffee and want a machine in your home to suit a roommate or guest and you’re exploring your options. Maybe you’re bored with your current routine or curious about how to mix it up. Whatever the reason, we’ll help you compare drip coffee vs Keurig coffee — as well as some of the other best ways to make coffee — to find which approach is right for you!
Drip Coffee vs Keurig
In the coffee prep debate, the two most closely related subjects in my eyes are the drip pot coffee vs. the Keurig coffee maker.
This is because both machines provide a foolproof way to quickly and easily prepare coffee from home in a simplistic manner that just about anyone can do.
Both have their advantages and disadvantages, making this breakdown especially useful for sorting out what exactly you’re looking for based on your needs and priorities.
To keep this comparison simple and easy to review, we will break down the different categories you may be looking for in a coffee machine.
- Servings
When serving coffee to multiple people at once, such as during a party or a visit from friends or family, it can be easier to prepare one large pot of coffee in a drip coffee maker than to make several individual cups of coffee one at a time.
One large pot of coffee makes it possible to serve all guests a cup of coffee at the same time. It’s no fun to have friends over for coffee and have to wait for everyone to have their mug if you’re using a single-serve coffee machine.
- Convenience
Keurig coffee comes in small pods called K-cups. These little cups are pre-measured and don’t require much thought or preparation. You simply pop the cup into the machine and fill the Keurig with water — the rest is history. The machine offers a high level of consistency, as the only variables are the K-cup flavor and the amount of water you choose.
A standard drip coffee machine requires ground coffee that is measured and placed into a filter. If you purchase coffee beans that were not already ground, that’s another step you will have to add to your routine. Adding too much coffee will come out too strong, too little coffee will be weak, and it’s easy to forget exactly how much you put in for that perfect pot in the past, especially if you’re not making it daily.
When looking for immediate satisfaction, reach for your Keurig. You can fill your coffee cup in less than a minute, whereas your coffee pot may have a markedly slower brew time. That said, drip coffee offers greater ease of use when serving a group.
- Cost
Keurig coffee machines tend to be more expensive than coffee machines that serve the equivalent size. While they often run sales and have manufacturer coupons, the cost difference does not end there. K-cup pods can add up quickly, especially when you may be tempted to experiment with new, different flavors or varieties that are available at most local grocery stores.
Coffee makers are less expensive overall, both initially as a purchase and over time, since coffee purchased in bulk and stored properly can be cheaper and last a long time. You will also need to buy coffee filters.
- Quality
This one boils down to a matter of preference.
With multiple coffee suppliers adjusting their brands to suit multiple machines or purchases, most people find that they can have a familiar and delicious cup of coffee either way.
Some people prefer coffee that does not come in a K-cup, and even the basket cups where you can choose your own coffee type will still require you to play around some when it comes to finding the exact right grind, blend, and amount.
- Waste and Environmental Impact
While both machines will produce waste that has an impact on the environment, K-cups leave a much larger footprint on the planet.
Their size and construction mean it’s harder to compost the grounds, and it is believed that the plastic in K-cups can take up to 100 years to break down. This is no minor detail. Plus, K-cups are individually packaged, meaning there’s significantly more waste created with these single-use pods.
To reduce the environmental footprint of single-serve coffee pods, people who use a Keurig may want to consider buying a reusable K-cup that can be filled at home.
By the way, you can also buy pre-ground coffee for a French press.
French Press Coffee vs Keurig
Okay, so maybe you’ve decided drip coffee vs Keurig. But what about a French Press? Let’s compare this other method of making coffee at home, too!
- Servings
While Keurig coffee is single-serve only, French Press coffee makers can make anywhere from 1 to 3 cups of coffee. This makes a French Press a great solution for couples, besties, roommates, or people looking to consume more than one cup of coffee per prep.
- Convenience
French Press coffee requires more planning, effort, and precision than using a Keurig.
When preparing French Press coffee, the user will have to carefully measure and grind their coffee, boil water manually, bloom the coffee for a set amount of time, and press the coffee.
This is, of course, a much more detailed routine than simply popping in a K-cup. And while many people will attest to enjoying French Press coffee more than other preparations, some argue that the extra work isn’t worth it.
- Cost
The French Press is a one-time purchase with minimal maintenance and related costs. Coffee grounds are generally more affordable than pre-packaged pods, making them more cost-effective over time.
- Quality
The rich, full-bodied flavor of French Press coffee is often regarded as superior to many other kinds of coffee, making this quality comparison a clear winner in favor of French Press coffee. Few people think Keurig is the best coffee maker — any coffee snob will tell you they’d rather use their own beans and prefer a French Press — but Keurig fans are more focused on ease. It’s all about personal preference, how much time you want to spend, what you have available, and your coffee habits.
- Waste and Environmental Impact The French Press is very environmentally friendly. The only waste during production of coffee is the grounds, and these can be composted.
Nespresso vs Keurig
Let’s compare these two as well, using the same metrics!
- Servings
Keurig machines and Nespresso machines are equivalent when it comes to serving sizes.
- Convenience
Keurig machines and Nespresso machines are both equally convenient when used in a traditional method for a singular cup of coffee.
- Cost
Keurig machines are less expensive than Nespresso machines, and the pods tend to be less expensive as well.
The pods are not interchangeable between each machine, so you won’t be able to save money by using up your leftover pods if you’re transitioning from one to another.
- Quality
Nespresso capsules tend to brew a stronger-tasting cup of coffee than Keurig. Nespresso pods also work with the machine to help it determine how much water to use, depending on the brew. This eliminates user error in brewing the perfect cup of coffee, making it simpler to enjoy exactly what you’re looking for.
Although the Nespresso produces a perfectly balanced cup every time, users will find that a Keurig offers many more flavor options.
Overall, the quality of this instance will depend on what kind of coffee you like. Nespresso will be roughly equivalent to other superautomatic espresso machines, whereas Keurig will lean more toward a possibly weaker cup of your favorite coffee.
- Waste and Environmental Impact
Nespresso pods have a lower environmental impact because the containers are recyclable.
Assuming the user takes advantage of Nespresso’s recycling program, which includes 122,287 collection points worldwide and a mail-based program, the company offers a strong advantage on this front.
For information about how and where to recycle your Nespresso pods, visit their website.
Espresso Machine vs Keurig
Want to know how these two choices stack up?
- Servings
The serving size for an espresso machine is typically one, but some machines have two spouts. Two spouts allows you to brew two shots simultaneously, which gives you more flexibility.
Keurig serves one at a time. Overall, the two are largely equivalent, as not all espresso machines have two spouts.
- Convenience
Espressos are more of a hobbyist way of drinking coffee. This is because it takes a large amount of prep and planning, as well as experimentation. Quality espresso shots take time to develop and perfect, meaning that they are not for novice coffee drinkers looking for a quick brewing process and easy way to consume a solid dose of caffeine.
While no true espresso lover will call the machines convenient — apart from not having to wait in a line at a coffee shop — there is a great deal of customization and perfecting the craft that makes it easier than trying and possibly tossing something new elsewhere.
- Cost
Espresso machines are an investment.
There are espresso machines that are in the $100-$200 range, but many cost several hundred dollars, and the cost quickly goes up from there into the thousands.
For a coffee lover looking to save money by not purchasing expensive espressos every day from a barista, this may be an economical purchase. For the average coffee drinker looking to enjoy a cup on their way out the door, Keurig may be the way to go.
- Quality
Espresso can be notoriously difficult to perfect. With this in mind, it is typically ranked by the harmonious balance between acidity, sweetness, and bitterness. Once these elements have been masterfully achieved, espresso is considered a superior coffee to Keurig brews.
That being said, no single thing is right for everyone. Espresso is a much stronger coffee and some people find it too extreme for their tastebuds.
- Waste and Environmental Impact
Espresso machines last for several years when properly cared for, and do not have large amounts of waste that contribute to a poor environmental impact. For this reason, espresso machines come out on top compared to Keurig.
Learn More About Your Cup of Joe
Tips for the best coffee, whether you’re debating drip coffee vs Keurig coffee or something else entirely:
- Clean your machine! We have super-simple, detailed guides for cleaning your coffee maker and cleaning your Keurig. Dirty coffee makers or machines are not going to yield a high-quality brew no matter what else you do right!
- Use the machine or equipment as directed. This means asking yourself questions before you act, like whether or not you can put milk in the coffee maker or if you can make tea in a coffee maker.
- Use only fresh ingredients, including add-ins. Check to make sure your coffee creamer is fresh.
- Try different coffee types or methods! We’ve answered all your questions about Cuban coffee, White Coffee, Blonde Espressos, Bulletproof Coffee, and even which coffees are the best for making cold brew. We also looked into the question of whether or not Chemex makes better coffee, and made a useful walkthrough for trying to make your own.
Don’t miss our guide to everything you need to know about great coffee!
