If you like your coffee strong, then say hello to the Keurig K-Select coffee maker

When it comes to kitchen appliances, especially coffee makers, the key is to find something that's simple yet effective. In my eyes, a good coffee maker needs to be easy to use. Quick and effortless takes the cake — and yes, you really don’t need one with a fancy espresso maker, milk frother, iced coffee feature, etc. if your goal is to have a simple cup of coffee in the morning (or any time of the day, really). 

So, I tend to go for a single-serve coffee maker, as these require the press of just one button usually, and your coffee is ready for you to enjoy within a minute. Talk about convenience. So, when I started testing the Keurig K-Select Coffee Maker it was pretty much music to my ears (or whatever the equivalent is for my taste buds) as it's pretty simple to use, with four cup size options and a button that you can press for extra strong coffee. Because Mondays mornings exist.

I’ve tried a few Keurig coffee makers in the past, and I have nothing but praise for every machine I've reviewed from this brand. And surprise, surprise, the Keurig K-Select Coffee Maker is no different. It might be the most basic one I’ve tried thus far, but it's perhaps a new favorite because of that. Oh, on top of being simple to use, it'll also look lovely on your countertop as it comes in six colorways. It retails at $149.99, and it has a nice big water tank (unlike other smaller Keurig machines that you need to refill after each cup) to save you time and effort.

Here's what else I loved about it (and why you need to invest).

TLDR: What I thought of the Keurig K-Select Coffee Maker

Although the Keurig K-Select Coffee Maker is a basic model, it can brew a hot cup of coffee in less than a minute. It’s not too complex in terms of its design as there’s no LCD screen. Instead, there are buttons for the cup sizes and brew strength. It’s a bit louder than the Keurig K-Duo that I also tested, but nothing that’ll wake up everyone in your apartment or house.

As I've already mentioned, it has a rather sizeable water tank which means you don't have to refill it often (winning!) and its strong coffee button is a true game-changer. I love how it looks on my countertop and that even though it's quite basic, it still comes in a range of colors.

 Testing the Keurig K-Select Coffee Maker

Reviewed by

Reviewed by

Casey Clark

Casey lives in New York City and she tested this pod coffee maker in her two-bedroom apartment. She lives with her sister and countertop space is quite limited. She tested this machine for a couple of weeks, using it every day to get her daily helping of caffeine. She was allowed to keep the machine for ongoing use and for potential story updates in the future.  

The techy stuff

• Type: Single serve 
• Water tank capacity: 52 oz.
• Dimensions: 12.5” x 9.2” x 11.6”
• Weight: 7.4 lb.
• Setting: Button for brew strength, brew size, and auto-off
• Color(s): Matte black, vintage red, oasis, sandstone, matte navy, matte white
• Brews: 6, 8, 10, 12-oz. cups
• Heating time: Three minutes 
• Pressure: Strong
• Water filter: Yes
• Warming plate: No
• Programmable: Yes
• Cord length: 26” inches 
• Warranty: 1 year
• Price: $149.99

Unboxing the Keurig K-Select Coffee Maker

As with other Keurig machines we’ve tried, the first step is to unbox and assemble. This machine came with a lot of cardboard and plastic/styrofoam wraps on each of the parts (not very eco-friendly), but I digress. Once everything was unwrapped, it was time to get to work. 

I started by setting up the water filter. By this point, it’s like clockwork to set up the filter since I’m so used to it. I got my cup, submerged the pod for five minutes, and then put it in the tube and placed it in the reservoir. 

After that, I filled the water in the reservoir up to the maximum fill line to ensure I had enough to go through for the initial cleansing brew and beyond. It involved plugging in the device, pushing down the needle as if I were using a single-use pod, and then clicking the small cup (6 oz.) size. It took about three minutes for the water to heat up as advertised and then it was ready to go. 

Once the cleansing brew was finished, it was time to brew my first cup. 

 Using the Keurig K-Select Coffee Maker

The first cup I made was a standard cup of coffee. Unlike other machines, this one is more basic with four buttons indicating the different sizes and strengths. The buttons don’t have anything written on them, except symbols displaying the size. You’ll want to refer to the manual for guidance on the ounces to make sure you’re brewing the correct amount. 

I put in my single-use coffee pod and clicked the small mug (8 oz.) button.  Since I just did the cleansing brew, the water was already hot so my first cup brewed in seconds and was finished in less than a minute. 

I decided to go for a normal brew this time around and it was delicious and exactly how I like my coffee — rich and nutty. 

By this point, the light came on that my reservoir was already in need of more water. I was a bit surprised since I only brewed two cups at this point, but it only took 30 seconds to refill it. 

For my next cup, I decided to utilize the "strong" button for a stronger brew. Now, this was extremely dark — almost too much for my liking, but if you want strong coffee, then this is for you. 

Key features of the Keurig K-Select Coffee Maker

Smart Start
Most Keurig machines have a Smart Start feature in which you turn on the brewer, place a mug on the removable drip tray, insert a K-Cup pod, lower the handle, and select the brew size. Once this is done, it’ll automatically brew when it’s ready so you’re not waiting for the water to heat. 

Auto-Off
This feature is already set up once it’s plugged in and shuts off the machine two hours after the last brew. If you don’t want this setting on, you can disable it by turning the brewer off while it’s plugged in and pressing down on the strong and large mug buttons for three seconds. The blue light will go off indicating that it’s no longer on. To put it back on, simply repeat those steps again. 

Strong Brew
A stronger brew is achieved with a smaller water-to-coffee ratio. On the Keurig K-Select, there’s a "strong" button that can be pressed to enhance the strength and intensity. 

How to clean and maintain the Keurig K-Select Coffee Maker

After consistent use, it’ll come time to wash your Keurig machine. The brand suggests powering down the machine and unplugging it before cleaning it. The water reservoir and lid can be placed in a dishwasher or hand washed. If you choose the latter, make sure to thoroughly rinse out the soap so you’re not left with any remnants. Make sure not to use a cloth to dry the inside as lint may linger and affect the quality of the machine.  

How does the Keurig K-Select Coffee Maker rate online?  

The Keurig K-Select Coffee Maker was initially sold through Keurig and has a rating of 4.1 out of five stars with reviewers saying it's “great value” and a “good daily brewer.” A few four-star ratings and lower expressed their disappointment with the lack of light in the reservoir and that it's a bit “cheap looking” with the plastic. 

What’s it like in comparison to other Keurig machines? 

In comparison to the K-Supreme Single Serve Coffee maker, both offer 6, 8, 10, and 12-ounce cups of coffee and don’t have the ability to make espressos or lattes. The Keurig K-Select Coffee Maker doesn’t have an iced setting unlike the K-Supreme, however, this one has strength control whereas the other doesn’t. 

For a more thorough list, Keurig has a comparison chart where you can compare models based on price, functionality, and other details. 

Is the Keurig K-Select Coffee Maker right for you? 

I think the Keurig K-Select Coffee Maker is a suitable option for the people who want a cup of coffee without any fancy machinery. The Keurig in itself is a more savvy coffee maker, however, this version is on the more basic side. It’s similar in size to the brand's other models and is small enough to fit on tiny counter spaces and tucked away into a corner when not in use. If you’re looking for a machine that brews a wider range of sizes or has a carafe for a more old-fashioned brew, then you’ll want to look into other models, like the Keurig K-Duo Single Serve & Carafe. This coffee machine is currently on sale for $139.99 on the brand’s website. However, you can find the same version on Amazon for $109.99 — you’re better off purchasing it there if you want to save 30 bucks.