I'm a Keurig girlie, through and through.
And while I've tested many pod makers that I like for various reasons, the Keurig K-Cafe Smart Brewer is the one I reach for every morning. It beckons from the moment I pop open my eyes. It's not quite as convenient as an energy drink or coffee concentrate, but it comes darn close. It takes out all the guesswork and required brain cells and gets me going no matter how sleepy or grumpy I may be.
The simple appearance of the K-Cafe is elevated compared to other Kuerigs I've tested. It has a large water reservoir and that signature user-friendly interface that makes pod coffee makers so effortless. It has BrewID, which means it'll intelligently recognize whatever K-Cup you're using, and suggest settings. You can also use the app to concoct different recipes based on the K-Cup you're brewing. (I am not a fan of this app, which seems to be a fancy way of encouraging you to buy more K-Cups and is riddled with push notifications that serve no purpose other than to irritate me. But you don't need to install the app to use the machine.)
With six brew sizes, five strength settings, and six temperatures to choose from, it's easy to dial in my perfect cup of coffee. Whether I need a little espresso-like shot for the afternoon or a giant iced tumbler of caffeine for a long morning drive, this machine has me covered. The resulting brews are as strong as you'd like, and with the myriad of flavor options available in K-Cup format, I can make a little cup of tea just as easily as I can make a caramel macchiato.
It also has a built-in milk frother that can steam and whip your chosen creamer, which makes specialty beverages like lattes or cappuccinos feel more attainable to people who are not aspiring baristas, or even particularly happy to be awake at all. No, it won't be the same quality as an espresso machine would create, but you also only need to press a few buttons to come relatively close to the real deal. The frother can't run simultaneously with the brewer, but it froths milk quickly, and I like that it's stored right on the gadget.
I understand the penchant for an analog, tender, special coffee routine. I really do. But some of us simply don't have the time or the patience or the brain capacity first thing in the morning. And if you're one of those people, this Keurig is the best pod coffee maker I've tested.
