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For many people, the joy of the Keurig single-cup coffee system is overshadowed by the single-use plastic K-cups.
The Keurig is a great appliance and it provides a huge amount of convenience when it comes to versatility, brewing styles, and coffee flavors. But, the plastic cup that goes into the trash at the end of the brew cycle can really be a bummer.
A great alternative to the single-use plastic option is a reusable K Cup. These handy tools allow you to fill your Keurig with your favorite type of coffee, enjoy a single cup of coffee, and brew to the perfect strength, without the single-use plastic.
As these have become more popular, more and more reusable K Cups are popping up on the market. In this article, we’ve compiled our favorite reusable K Cups and a helpful buying guide to help you select the best reusable K Cup for your kitchen.
at a glance: Best Reusable K Cup
How to Choose the Best Reusable K Cup
The reusable K Cup hit the market as a response to the overwhelming outcry about the single-use plastic pods hitting the landfill.
The reusable K Cup gives you some added versatility for your Keurig or other single-serve coffee makers. However, there are quite a few reusable K Cups to choose from, and it can be a chore to make a good selection.
To help you pick the right reusable K Cup for your kitchen, we’ve come up with this handy buying guide to help you weigh the differences between reusable K Cup options.
Price
We’ll start with price as our first consideration when selecting a reusable K Cup. It’s probably not the most important of the buying factors, but it is the most visible of the features.
Most reusable K Cups are fairly affordable. And when one considers the ongoing cost of buying single-use K Cups, in just a short period of time you’ve actually paid for your reusable K Cup by not buying the boxes of single-use versions.
Depending on the style of coffee pod your machine uses, and the material of the reusable coffee pod, there is a moderate alteration of price. In general, however, reusable K Cups will range from under $10 to around $20.
When you consider that one package of single-use coffee pods will set you back around $12 and a decent bag of coffee is about $15, you’re saving money after just one bag of coffee.
While price alone is an important consideration, you also need to consider price versus how often you’re using your single-serve coffee maker. If you only use it occasionally, it may not make a huge difference in price to just buy a box of coffee pods now and then.
You’ll need to consider how important price is to you, when making the choice between different reusable K Cups and whether a reusable K Cup is a good investment for your needs.
Size
You’ll notice that reusable K Cups come in a pretty standard range of sizes. Most hold between 2 teaspoons and 2 tablespoons of coffee grounds. Some K Cups have the ability to be filled for multiple cups of coffee, which is nice for some larger machines or machines that make a wider range of coffee styles.
If you buy a larger reusable K Cup that allows you to add more grounds than you need for a single cup of coffee, don’t get conned into thinking that more grounds equals a stronger cup of coffee.
Overfilling your reusable K Cup is more likely to result in a weak cup of coffee. If you only make one cup of coffee at a time with your coffee maker, stick to a reusable K Cup that suits your single-brew lifestyle.
Material
Most reusable K Cups are made from two materials; plastic and stainless steel. You’ll find that the ones with plastic use plastic for the frame of the cup and stainless steel for the screens.
One thing to make sure you look for when you are considering the material of your reusable K Cup is that the plastic is BPA-free. You’ll want to ensure that you aren’t putting bad things in your body, just for the sake of a good cup of coffee.
When thinking about the material, you will also want to consider the type of machine that you are using. Some single-serve coffee machines don’t accommodate stainless steel K Cups, while others do really well with this option.
Stainless steel generally lasts longer than plastic versions. However, you can increase the life of a plastic reusable K Cup by washing it by hand after each use.
The higher heat, particularly in the drying cycle of your dishwasher can break down plastic parts over time. If you want to save a bit of money on a reusable K Cup, this is a great way to make a lower-cost plastic option last a bit longer.
Compatibility
It makes no difference how affordable the option is, or the number of stars other users have given a particular reusable K Cup if it doesn’t fit in your coffee machine. Compatibility is probably the most important product factor that you need to consider when you are shopping for a reusable K Cup.
When you’re shopping for a reusable K Cup you’ll notice that there are a number of different sizes, shapes, and configurations out there.
You’ll need to select the one that fits in the receiver of your particular coffee maker. To do this, you’ll need to know the brand and model number of your coffee maker. This is the best way to match the K Cup with your coffee maker.
Mesh Size
There is variability in the mesh size on reusable K Cups. This variability will have an impact on the flavor of your coffee and the performance of your coffee maker. Some coffee makers may also require a specific mesh size to work properly with the machine.
If you use a finer ground coffee, look for a fine mesh reusable K Cup. The finer mesh does two things; first, it allows you to brew a more robust flavored coffee from the finer grounds, and second, it keeps grounds out of your coffee.
For coarse grinds, look for larger mesh reusable K Cups. Larger mesh sizes work best with machines that brew your coffee slower or have a long extraction time. If you use a fine mesh or fine ground coffee with these slower extraction machines, you’ll find that your coffee ends up being more bitter than robust.
For the best coffee experience, make sure that you select a reusable K Cup with the proper mesh size for your machine.
Durability
You shouldn’t buy a reusable K Cup if it can’t stand up to the normal wear and tear of use. This means that it should be able to handle the occasional beating. For many of us, it’s an effort to get the coffee going first thing in the morning before we’ve had coffee.
If you’re one of these people, you’ll want a K Cup that can handle being dropped or otherwise mishandled. Your reusable K Cup should also handle high heat without the risk of damage.
Accessories
There are a number of accessory options that reusable K Cups tend to come with. Most frequently you’ll get a coffee scoop, to help you fill your coffee pod.
The option you choose may also come with paper filters. This is a great accessory because it makes it much easier to empty the reusable coffee pod when you’re done brewing.
Quick Overview: Our Top Picks for Reusable K Cup
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | DETAILS | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Keurig My K-Cup Universal Reusable Filter |
| CHECK CURRENT PRICESee Customer Reviews |
 | Perfect Pod Reusable K Cup Pod Coffee Filters |
| CHECK CURRENT PRICESee Customer Reviews |
 | 7 Reusable K Cups for 1.0 and 2.0 Keurig Coffee Makers |
| CHECK CURRENT PRICESee Customer Reviews |
 | Reusable Cups Compatible with K Cups Keurig |
| CHECK CURRENT PRICESee Customer Reviews |
 | Reusable K Cups for Keurig 2.0 & 1.0 |
| CHECK CURRENT PRICESee Customer Reviews |
Our Top 5 Five Best Reusable K Cups
1. Keurig My K-Cup Universal Reusable Filter
If you own a Keurig coffee maker, and you’re looking for a reusable coffee pod, the best option for your machine is the My K-Cup universal reusable filter. This reusable K Cup is designed specifically for use in Keurig machines by Keurig.
This particular reusable coffee pod features two different fill lines that allow you to brew both a normal size cup of coffee or a larger travel mug. The finer mesh of this reusable K Cup also allows you to brew using finer grinds for a more robust coffee flavor.
The Keurig My K-Cup is made of BPA-free plastic and a fine stainless steel mesh. The whole assembly is dishwasher safe. However many users note that it is easy to hand wash and rinse this K Cup, so you don’t need to wash it in the dishwasher as frequently as you might with other options. This adds to the longevity of this reusable K Cup.
The My K-Cup costs less than $20 which is about the price of a single box of pre-filled K-cups. This low price makes the Keurig My K-Cup a great investment and will save you plenty of money throughout the life of the pod.
Pros
- Made by Keurig for Keurig machines
- Pod adaptor fits a range of Keurig machines
- Top-rack dishwasher safe
- Two fill capacities for travel mugs and regular coffee mugs
Cons
- Doesn’t fit other machine brands
- Multiple parts mean more work to clean
- If not installed correctly the mesh tears easily
- Slightly more expensive than other options.
2. Perfect Pod Cafe Save Reusable K Cup Pod
For less than $10 the Perfect Pod Cafe Save gives you four reusable coffee pods. This is an amazing value, especially considering that these reusable K Cups are compatible with more than just Keurig machines.
The Perfect Pod reusable K Cup is made of BPA-free plastic and a fine stainless steel mesh, making them durable and dishwasher safe.
The mesh is just fine enough for you to use a range of grind sizes. This gives you the opportunity to enjoy light to robust coffee styles. If you are looking for a reusable K Cup that allows you to make espresso-strength coffee, this is not the option for you.
Most users were impressed with the durability of these K Cups and they liked that the mesh didn’t allow grounds to pass through to your cup, even with fine ground coffees.
One of the few complaints that some coffee lovers made about the Perfect Pod reusable K Cups is that they come in a neon purple color. They work great but some people just don’t love the loud color.
Pros
- One of the most durable options on the market
- Simple design is easy to use and easy to clean
- Compatible with a variety of coffee machine brands
- Made from BPA-free plastic and stainless steel mesh
Cons
- Only comes in bright purple
- Doesn’t fit machines that use the K-supreme pod
- To get the pods with a coffee scoop the price is almost double
- Only one fill capacity
3. GoodCups 7 Reusable K Cups for 1.0 and 2.0 Keurig Coffee Makers
If you’re looking for a bit of fun for your kitchen, the GoodCups reusable K Cups offer you seven cups in seven fun colors. This pack of reusable K Cups is designed specifically for Keurig 1.0 and 2.0 coffee makers.
This pack of seven K Cups is a great value at less than $12 for the set. The pods are made from BPA-free plastic and a fine stainless steel mesh. The lid is attached to the pod with a hinge, so you don’t have to worry about losing track of parts.
The GoodCups are top-rack dishwasher safe for easy cleaning. The fine mesh on these cups also allows you to enjoy light to robust coffee styles. The mesh allows water to easily flow through the grounds and into your cup.
Pros
- Seven fun colors
- Affordable price
- Fits many Keurig coffee makers without any additional parts
- Dishwasher safe
Cons
- These don’t come in a basic color option like black or gray
- Plastic parts tend to warp after multiple dishwasher cycles
- Should use a paper filter with fine-ground coffee to prevent grinds in your cup
4. iPartsPlusMore Reusable K Cups
IPartsPlusMore reusable K cups are a nice option if you like using gold-plated filters for a more neutral coffee flavor. These reusable K Cups come in pink and black, so you don’t have to settle for some crazy colored option.
We like the iPartsPlusMore option because they are a bit more robustly made than other reusable K Cup options. The hinged lid holds up well over multiple uses so you don’t have to worry about it popping off while filling. The 4-pack gives you plenty of extras just in case one does happen to break.
These coffee pods are generally compatible with Keurig 1.0 and 2.0 coffee makers, some Breville machines, and some Mr. Coffee machines. Before you buy, make sure that your machine is on the list of compatible products.
Pros
- High-quality construction and materials
- Easy to fill and clean
- Come in pink and black options
- 4-pack is a great value
Cons
- Not compatible with larger capacity coffee makers
- Only works with a few brands of coffee makers
- Hinged lid can get in the way when the pod is brand new
- Mesh does let some fine grinds through
5. Delibru Reusable K Cups for Keurig 2.0 & 1.0
DeliBru makes a reusable K Cup that is highly compatible with almost all standard-capacity Keurig coffee makers. These reusable K Cups feature stainless steel mesh and BPA-free plastic construction for durability and functionality.
One of the stand-out features of the DeliBru reusable K Cup is the recessed base of the pod. This allows the DeliBru to be used in a wider range of Keurig machines since it can fit in the pod receiver in any orientation. We also like the tight-fitting lid that snaps shut preventing spills and leaks.
For less than $10 you get a four-pack of pods which is a great value and gives you extras on hand in case one breaks or you want to make another cup without first cleaning out the pod.
Pros
- Fits almost all Keurig 1.0 and 2.0 machines
- Tight fitting lid doesn’t leak or spill
- Dishwasher safe
- Comes in purple or black
Cons
- DeliBru isn’t a well-known brand
- Pod won’t work with K-Mini or K-Mini Plus models
- Only compatible with Keurig machines
- Can only be purchased online
Best Reusable K Cups – Final Thoughts
If you love your Keurig or other single-cup coffee makers, but you don’t love the single-use plastic coffee pods, a reusable coffee pod is a great investment.
The Keurig My K-Cup is our favorite reusable coffee pod thanks to its solid construction and versatile design that works in most Keurig machines.
If you don’t own a Keurig, don’t worry there are options out there for you. A reusable K Cup is a great way to enjoy your favorite coffees without feeling guilty about your carbon footprint or how much plastic you’re sending to the landfill. They are also a great way to reduce your grocery costs and enjoy more coffee variety in your morning routine.
