Last Updated on March 16, 2024 by brewthatcoffee
Chances are you’ve had a cup of coffee from a K-cup within the last week. Whether at the office or at home, coffee lovers are enjoying the convenience of K-cup brewers. While not as budget-friendly as instant coffee, K-cups are a far more delicious and equally convenient route to your caffeine hit.
We’ve tasted lakes of coffee to come up with the best K-cup coffee pods for you:
- Best Light Roast K-Cup Coffees
- Best Medium Roast K-Cup Coffees
- Best Dark Roast K-Cup Coffees
- Best Flavored K-Cup Coffees
- Best Decaf K-cup Coffees
- Best Non-Coffee K-cups
- Best K-Cups That Aren’t Made by Keurig
Best Light Roast K-Cup Coffees, Ranked
Lovers of light roast coffees enjoy the bold, fruity flavors and natural sweetness without the bitterness of darker roasts. Here are our five top light roast K-cups.
Cameron’s Coffee Hawaiian Blend
Nutrition: 0 calories, 95mg caffeine, 0g sugar
Cameron’s 10% Hawaiian blend is ideal for milder coffee fans. With a mixture of 100% Arabica beans from Hawaii and Central and Southern America, this light roast has bright tropical flavors and a gorgeous undertone of chocolate and nuts.
Cameron’s is one of the most eco-friendly coffee brands available, as the cups are plastic-free and compost friendly. However, this means you must store the K-cups in an airtight container.
Pros
- Compostable cups
- Easy morning drink
Cons
- Smaller range of flavors
- Needs airtight storage
Green Mountain Coffee Roasters Breakfast Blend
Nutrition: 2 calories, 95mg caffeine, 0g sugar
From the originators of k-cups, Keurig, Green Mountain’s Breakfast blend is a smooth, clean start to the day. With a sweet, nutty flavor, the Breakfast blend is silky and balanced. The coffee is 100% Arabica.
Pros
- Recyclable
- Kosher-certified
Cons
- Cups split easily
- Weaker coffee
Cambio Roasters Light Roast Hazelnut
Nutrition: 2.4 calories, 95mg caffeine, 0g sugar
Lovers of flavored coffee will relish the sweet nuttiness of Cambio’s flavored light roast. The coffee is smooth, creamy, and rich, as befits 100% Arabica beans. This deep flavor is a reminder that light coffee is more acidic and higher in caffeine than darker roasts.
Pros
- Recyclable
- Compostable
Cons
- Pods split easily
- Slightly bitter
Lifeboost Organic Low-Acid Coffee
Nutrition: 0 calories, 89mg caffeine, 0g sugar
Whatever the roast, coffee is naturally acidic. Lifeboost has the answer, producing low-acidity coffee that won’t bother your stomach. The organic beans are single-origin, sun-dried, and washed in spring water, making them pure, gentle, and natural.
Pros
- Organic
- Low acid
- Compostable
Cons
- Pricey
- Weaker coffee
Starbucks Blonde Roast Veranda Blend
Nutrition: 2 calories, 120mg caffeine, 0g sugar
Veranda Blend is Starbucks’ flagship light roast, now available in K-cups. It’s far mellower than their usual dark roasts but still brighter and more acidic than most light roasts. Fans enjoy its chocolatey notes.
Pros
- Suitable for latte and mocha
- Pleasant fragrance
Cons
- One-dimensional flavor
- Pricier than other Starbucks
Best Medium Roast K-Cup Coffees, Ranked
Medium-roast coffees have the most balanced flavor, according to fans. They’re also exceptionally flavorful and fragrant, with a pleasing complexity. Medium roast is a fan favorite, so we’ve curated the five most flavorsome k-cup coffees.
The Original Donut Shop Regular Medium Roast
Nutrition: 1 calorie, 104mg caffeine, 0g sugar
One of Keurig’s flagship coffees, this massively popular blend is bold, potent, and delightfully smokey. The sweet, nutty flavor is refreshing and ideal for those who need caffeine to get them going in the morning. This brew tastes more like something you’d buy in a coffee shop than brew at home and can comfortably become your daily go-to.
Pros
- Affordable
- Certified Kosher
- Available in several roasts and flavors in boxes from 12 to 100
Cons
- Stronger than most medium roasts
- Odd aroma
Laughing Man Dukale’s Blend
Nutrition: 2.4 calories, 95mg caffeine, 0g sugar
Laughing Man coffee is a personal favorite, and this gorgeous blend of African Arabica is delightfully fruity. Its sweet, slightly nutty aroma is appealing, and the flavor is pleasantly bold for a medium roast. It’s also ethically sourced coffee, focusing on the farmers – Dukale is an Ethiopian grower. Dukale’s blend is an easy-drinking coffee if you enjoy having more than one cup at a sitting.
Pros
- Certified Kosher
- Fair Trade
Cons
- Pricey
- Earthy flavor
Peet’s Coffee Big Bang Medium Roast
Nutrition: 2.4 calories, 120mg caffeine, 0g sugar
This gorgeous, bold coffee is smooth and flavorsome, as befits the coffee brand that started the craft coffee movement. This blend is based on Ethiopian Arabica beans and has a characteristically fruity, fresh aroma. Even lovers of dark roasts enjoy the full-bodied smoothness of this coffee.
Pros
- Appealing aroma
- Most popular Peet’s flavor
Cons
- Pricey
- Strong for a medium roast
Starbucks Pike Place
Nutrition: 2.4 calories, 120mg caffeine, 0g sugar
Starbucks has four medium roasts available as K-cups, but this nutty, chocolatey blend is the most popular. It’s rich and balanced but has the woody spice of a darker roast.
Pros
- Recyclable
- Vegan
Cons
- On the dark end of medium roast
- Bitter taste
Barissimo Colombian Medium Roast
Nutrition: 2.4 calories, 95mg caffeine, 0g sugar
If you enjoy a balanced cup of coffee with an acidic edge, this well-priced Aldi option is ideal. The brand is sustainably and ethically produced, so you feel good as you brew your morning beverage.
Pros
- Fair Trade
- Affordable
Cons
- Bitter aftertaste
- Earthy flavor
Best Dark Roast K-Cup Coffees, Ranked
Although dark roast coffees are the least acidic, they have the boldest, toastiest flavor. These blends are ideal for milky coffees like lattes or cappuccinos. If you’ve gone over to the dark (roast) side, read on.
Death Wish Coffee Dark Roast
Nutrition: 2.4 calories, 200mg caffeine, 0g sugar
The dramatic name of this coffee says it all: with more than twice the usual caffeine in each cup, you are taking your life into your own hands. That said, there’s not a hint of bitterness in the rich, strong Robusta brew. Enjoy it black to wake the dead, or add cream for silky smoothness.
Pros
- Organic
- Fair Trade
Cons
- Pricey
- Only two roasts are available
Café Bustelo Espresso Style Dark Roast
Nutrition: 2.4 calories, 120mg caffeine, 0g sugar
With an intense aroma, Café Bustelo’s dark roast flavor resembles a Cuban espresso. The taste is rich, with a powerful cocoa undertone, and will satisfy anyone craving a no-frills black coffee. Cafe Bustelo is the closest you’ll get to an espresso in a Keurig brewer.
Pros
- Perfect dark roast
- Perfect for latte
- Value for money
Cons
- Cups split easily
- Sour, roasted flavor
Newman’s Own Organics French Roast
Nutrition: 2.37 calories, 100mg caffeine, 0g sugar
With a delightfully full flavor, this dark roast is balanced without any bitterness. Made only from organic coffee beans, Newman’s coffee is delicious, good for the planet, and has a charity-orientated mission. It ticks all the boxes.
Pros
- Recyclable
- 100% of profits to charity
- Certified Kosher
Cons
- Very strong
- Pricey
San Francisco Bay French Roast
Nutrition: 2.4 calories, 90mg caffeine, 0g sugar
This lush French Roast is made from Central and South American Arabica coffee beans and has a delightfully smokey finish. It’s ideal for espresso lovers and doesn’t taste watered down if you add a dash of cream.
Try their aromatic French Vanilla flavor when you want an alternative. The brand is very environmentally conscious, with the cups made of plant-based material. They are compostable but a little more fragile than regular cups.
Pros
- Compostable
- BPI-certified
Cons
- Cups split easily
- Only one box size is available
- Needs airtight storage
Green Mountain Dark Magic
Nutrition: 1 calorie, 120mg caffeine, 0g sugar
Of all Green Mountain’s dark roasts, Dark Magic is by far the best. It’s sweet, chocolatey, and smokey, with a slightly bitter undertone for balance. It’s less potent than other dark roasts if it’s flavor you’re after rather than punch.
Pros
- Affordable
Cons
- 100% plastic cups
- Inconsistent flavor
Best Flavored K-Cup Coffees, Ranked
While coffee snobs smirk into their gourmet cups, the rest of us grin happily as we sip our vanilla lattes and peppermint cold brew. Flavored coffees are fun and delicious and ring the changes if you drink as much coffee as I do. Here are my top five flavored k-cup coffees.
Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Flavored Coffee
Nutrition: 4 calories, 100mg caffeine, 0g sugar
Pumpkin Spice is the ultimate coffee flavor, waited for longingly every year. Now you can enjoy the typical fall flavors of cinnamon and nutmeg at home, and it’s a game changer. The Pumpkin Spice flavor isn’t as strong as the coffee shop variety, admittedly, but it’s a rich, hearty beverage that lifts your spirits with every sip.
Pros
- Delicious as a latte
- Appealing light roast
Cons
- Not as flavorsome as the original Pumpkin Spice Latte
- Not strong enough
The Original Donut Shop Vanilla Latte
Nutrition: 100 calories, 33.58mg caffeine, 11g sugar
Fans of super-sweet, froth-forward confections will love this k-cup. Tasting more like a hot milkshake than coffee, the Donut Shop Vanilla Latte is delicious for the casual coffee lover – you aren’t actually convinced you’re drinking a cup of joe.
Pros
- Addictive flavor
- No sweetener or creamer needed
Cons
- High calorie count
- Not strong enough
Folgers Hazlenut Cream
Nutrition: 2.4 calories, 95mg caffeine, 11g sugar
Folgers Hazelnut Cream flavored coffee is pleasantly robust and decadent, despite having a medium roast as a base. The hazelnut flavor bursts out in the aroma and then in your mouth, but you still know you’re having coffee. The creamy, buttery, nutty taste is gorgeous and makes for a smooth, lush beverage. It’s ideal to start the day with a twist.
Pros
- Recyclable
- Certified Kosher
Cons
- Cups split easily
- Not strong enough
Dunkin’ Caramel Me Crazy Coffee Pods
Nutrition: 2.4 calories, 120mg caffeine, 0g sugar
Decadently flavored with caramel, these k-cups live up to their crazy name. They’re intensely sweet, with hints of brown sugar and butterscotch. It’s still recognizably coffee, though, with no chemical aftertaste. And it’s equally fabulous hot or cold.
Pros
- Affordable
- Recyclable
- Certified Kosher
Cons
- Dark roast may surprise flavor lovers
- Needs creamer
Crazy Cups Frosted Oatmeal Cookie
Nutrition: 0 calories, 110mg caffeine, 0g sugar
Choosing a favorite Crazy Cups flavor is a real challenge, as their variety packs are a coffee lover’s treasure chest. With unique flavors like Caramel Truffle Sundae and Bananas Foster Flambé, Crazy Cups are an utter delight for the new coffee drinker to find a favorite.
My top choice, though, is Frosted Oatmeal Cookie. I love the cinnamon aroma, the buttery undertone, and the vanilla notes – my senses are utterly confused about whether I’m eating dessert or having a wake-up coffee.
Pros
- Dairy and sugar-free
- Certified Kosher
- Recyclable
- Variety packs ideal for gifts and samples
Cons
- Not all pods are Keurig-compatible
- Coffee too strong
- Pricey
Best Decaf K-Cup Coffees, Ranked
Decaf is a divisive issue in the world of coffee: Is it sustainable? Does it taste washed out? Can you get rid of all the caffeine? Is it actually coffee at all? If these questions pass you by as you enjoy sipping coffee in the knowledge you’re not going to be kept up by a caffeine buzz, read on for the best five decaf k-cup coffees.
Community Café Special Decaf
Nutrition: 0 calories, 2mg caffeine, 0g sugar
You’d be forgiven for assuming that this medium/dark roast coffee is pulsating with caffeine. Surely, with this bold heartiness, there must be caffeine? You can enjoy this rich, chocolatey brew without concern.
Pros
- Affordable
- Available in decaf and regular
Cons
- Only one flavor is available
- Cups split easily
Newman’s Own Organics Special Decaf Coffee
Nutrition: 2.4 calories, 2mg caffeine, 0g sugar
Apart from their excellent ethical roots, these k-cups produce a bold, bright cup of coffee without the tell-tale decaf aftertaste. The coffee is decaffeinated via the Swiss Water Process, which helps to preserve the flavor. The medium roast brew is full-bodied, punchy, and easy to drink.
Pros
- Recyclable
- 100% of profits to charity
- Certified Kosher
- Swiss Water Process
Cons
- Bitter
- Pricey
Maud’s Dark Roast Tall, Dark, And Handsome Decaf
Nutrition: 0 calories, 2mg caffeine, 0g sugar
Maud’s regular Dark Roast offers a whacking 200mg of caffeine per cup. However, if you enjoy Maud’s for its superbly tall, dark, and handsome flavor rather than the buzz, the decaf version doesn’t disappoint. It’s as striking and bold as the original version, as the Swiss Water Process leaves just coffee flavor and no residual chemicals.
Pros
- 100% recyclable
- Swiss Water Process
Cons
- Not always Keurig-compatible
- Cups split easily
- Pricey
Crazy Cups Decaf
Nutrition: 0 calories, 2mg caffeine, 0g sugar
Regular decaf drinkers can feel a little rejected, faced with the shortage of coffee flavors. However, Crazy Cups have remedied that situation with over a dozen decaf flavored coffees, like the gorgeous Death by Chocolate. To ensure you still get your coffee flavor hit, each cup contains 30% more coffee. And these taste just as amazing iced or steaming.
Pros
- 12+ flavors
- Strong brew
- Zero calories
Cons
- Some unconvincing flavors
Lifeboost Medium Roast Decaf
Nutrition: 0 calories, 2mg caffeine, 0g sugar
Choosing between your digestive health and drinking your beloved java is no longer an issue. Lifeboost produces low-acid, organic, GMO-free decaf coffee gentle enough for the weakest, bloating-prone stomach. There’s no cutting back on flavor, either: you’ll still be enjoying 100% Arabic beans, but they’ll have been processed with the gentle Swiss Water Method.
Pros
- Organic
- Single origin
- GMO-free
- Chemical and heavy metal-free
- Fair Trade
Cons
- Pricey
Best Non-Coffee K-Cups, Ranked
You may wonder why you should invest in a Keurig machine if you’re not a coffee lover. Well, let the caffeine freaks in the family stand aside: there are many other tasty beverages – and meals – you can produce instead. The instant soup option didn’t overwhelm anyone, but there are plenty of non-coffee k-cups to try.
Maud’s Dark Hot Chocolate Loco Hot Cocoa
Nutrition: 60 calories, 20mg caffeine, 9g sugar
Even the most rabid coffee fans will be happy to pop one of these cups into their Keurig. This hot chocolate is intensely dark, with the slightly bitter flavor of natural cocoa. You’re not drinking cotton-candy sweet chocolate here: Maud’s Dark Hot Chocolate is all-natural, so you can enjoy it even if you prefer a healthy lifestyle. It’s liquid comfort.
Pros
- Gluten-free
- Dairy-free
- Sustainably produced
Cons
- Not very sweet
WellOff Slumber Me Elixir
Nutrition: 0 calories, 0mg caffeine, 0g sugar
A joy of the k-cup is the wide variety of teas and herbal infusions. This delicate and delicious chamomile and lavender tisane is ideal for sipping before bed: it contains bis-glycinate magnesium, known to aid relaxation. It’s also caffeine-free and has no other nasties to prevent you from sleeping deeply. Make this tea hot or over ice when you’re feeling sick.
Pros
- Organic
- Unsweetened
- Free of artificial colorants and flavorings
- Recyclable
Cons
- Pricey
- Can be too weak
Lipton Iced Tea Unsweetened
Nutrition: 0 calories, 2mg caffeine, 0g sugar
Lipton is one of those beloved brands that many of us grew up enjoying. They’re famous for their iced tea, which you can make at the press of a button with a k-cup instead of waiting for a batch to brew. You’ll find that this is their same signature tea, with a hint of lemon, unsweetened, and ideal for popping in the fridge to sip throughout the day. Add honey if you’re used to sweet iced tea.
Pros
- Unsweetened
- Lemon flavor
Cons
- Not sweet at all
- Bitter
HEB Brew Over Ice, Strawberry Lemonade
Nutrition: 80 calories, 2mg caffeine, 17g sugar
The tart freshness of lemonade is a defining summer flavor, and this delicious strawberry lemonade k-cup is a game-changer. With no artificial additives, this iced brew is healthier than store-bought lemonade, and you can sweeten it to your specific tastes (it’s pretty tart). Use the six or eight-ounce option on your Keurig machine for intense lemon flavor, or add plenty of ice for a mellower drink.
Pros
- All natural ingredients
- Refreshing flavor
Cons
- Sour aftertaste
- Very strong
Mott’s Hot Apple Cider
Nutrition: 90 calories, 2mg caffeine, 17g sugar
Chilly weather doesn’t only mean coffee or hot chocolate. Warm, spicy apple cider will infuse your whole body with cozy well-being. Mott’s version is gloriously appley and works well if you pop in a couple of cinnamon sticks. You can also enjoy this cold.
Pros
- No artificial colorants, flavors, or sweeteners
- Strong apple flavor
Cons
- Pricey
- Lacks spicy flavor
Best K-Cups That Aren’t Made by Keurig
While Keurig was the k-cup pioneer, almost every brand remotely associated with coffee now produces k-cups. You can enjoy your favorite Starbucks or Dunkin’ coffee at home or in the office, so long as you have a coffee machine.
The downside to choosing k-cups not made by Keurig is that they’re not all compatible with the original coffee maker, so that you can end up with split cups and coffee grounds everywhere. If you want to stray outside the Keurig brand, choose a partner brand or try one of these for the best flavor and brewing success.
Dunkin’ Original Blend Medium Roast
Nutrition: 2.4 calories, 75mg caffeine, 0g sugar
Dunkin’s k-cups are excellent quality, producing coffee that tastes exactly like you’d buy in the donut shop. The cups contain the same 100% Arabica used in-store, and the medium roast is a pleasingly balanced coffee with a rich, smooth flavor that you can enjoy every day. Partnering with Keurig to produce the k-cups means you get Dunkin’ coffee from your Keurig brewer without splitting, clogging, or messing.
Pros
- Available in packs of 10, 22, 32, or 44
- Recyclable
- Compatible with Keurig
Cons
- Slightly bitter
Victor Allen’s Coffee Italian Roast
Nutrition: 0 calories, 90mg caffeine, 0g sugar
With the rich flavor of 100% Arabica beans, Victor Allen’s coffee is robust and bold. You can enjoy it in light, medium, dark, or flavored varieties, but their sweet, smokey Italian roast is a firm favorite. These k-cups are produced specifically for use in Keurig brewers.
Pros
- Gluten-free
- Non-GMO
- Compatible with Keurig
- Best value for money
- Available in bulk
Cons
- Inconsistent caffeine content
- The basic box contains 42 k-cups
Peet’s Coffee Major Dickason’s Blend
Nutrition: 2.4 calories, 133mg caffeine, 0g sugar
Another Keurig partner, Peet’s coffees are beloved by coffee fans worldwide. This intense, dark roast is one of their best-sellers in whole beans and k-cups, named after a customer who helped develop the blend. Try this blend even if you’re not usually a dark roast drinker: it has a delightfully sweet earthiness and toasted chocolate flavor, making it gentler than many bitter offerings.
Pros
- Compatible with Keurig
- Easy drinking dark roast
Cons
- Pricey
Real Good Coffee Organic Dark Roast
Nutrition: 2.4 calories, 95mg caffeine, 0g sugar
Based in Seattle, Washington, Real Good Coffee is a small business aiming to bring you the best coffee, carefully sourced and roasted. Their dark roast is rich and bold, with a fresh, bright flavor. It is good iced or hot, with or without creamer.
Pros
- Certified Kosher
- 100% recyclable
Cons
- Pricey
Java House Cold Brew Coffee Ethiopian Roast
Nutrition: 2.4 calories, 160mg caffeine, 0g sugar
Famous for their intensely delicious cold brew, Java House produces unique liquid k-cups you can open and pour directly over ice to drink cold or insert into your Keurig to brew hot. The Ethiopian roast is a light, bold brew with a crisp flavor and none of the bitterness that can mar a cold brew. This coffee is a little higher in caffeine than the usual, so it packs a hearty morning punch. Yes, it’s much pricier than the usual k-cups, but you are paying for superb quality and convenience.
Pros
- Convenient
- High in caffeine
Cons
- Pricey
- Slightly artificial taste
How To Choose The Best K-cup Coffee
While coffee flavor is an obvious criterion, we also had a couple of other considerations when choosing the best k-cup coffee available. Here are the criteria we followed.
- Roast: Light, medium, or dark are the main choices but taste carefully to determine whether the roast is successful. Some light roasts can taste weak, while dark roasts can get bitter.
- Flavor: Regular coffee has subtle undertones, sometimes of smoke, chocolate, or even spice. Or do you prefer highly flavored coffee that tastes like peppermint or bananas?
- Price: K-cups are not the cheapest way to drink coffee, but if you buy in bulk or choose more budget-friendly brands, you can still enjoy your daily coffee.
- Variety: Do you only want to drink coffee? Keurig brewers are versatile enough to produce iced tea, lemonade, matcha, and apple cider. And there’s also a long list of hot chocolate beverages to choose from.
K-Cup Coffee FAQs
Conclusion
Whether you’re new to the Keurig fad or a long-standing fan, it can be tricky to choose the best k-cups. There’s a massive variety available, including ones produced by Keurig (e.g., Green Mountain, Gloria Jean’s Coffees), in partnership with Keurig (e.g., Starbucks, Bigelow Tea Company), and by independents (e.g., Wandering Bear). Choose the roast that appeals to you at a price you’re willing to pay, and start enjoying home-brewed java.
Resources
https://www.latimes.com/food/dailydish/la-dd-keurig-campbells-soup-20150910-story.html
https://spoonuniversity.com/lifestyle/keurig-capabilities-besides-coffee
https://www.wellandgood.com/how-to-make-keurig-coffee-taste-better/