Getting a reusable K-Cup can save you from the expensive habit of buying disposable pods. Not only does this reduce the carbon footprint and help the environment, but you get the choice of brewing your coffee.
After our research, the best reusable K-Cups consist of parts like BPA-free plastic, a stainless steel mesh filter, and no paper filter needed. They are designed to be single-serve, should be easy to use, and capable of making a strong brew with different types of ground coffee.
- Best Compatibility for Keurig Keurig Universal My K-Cup |
- 4-Pack: Maxware (Purple, 4) |
- Coffee and Tea Infusing: iPartsPlusMore (6 Pack) |
Keurig brewers (1.0 and 2.0) use disposable plastic pods. Think of the waste that adds over time, along with the not-even-great tasting cup of coffee. The solution? A filter basket that can be re-used!
>> Read more about How to Use a Coffee Maker
Options For Stronger Coffee
Finding a single-serve option for people that like a stronger brew can be difficult when it comes to refillable K-Cups because of the difference with coffee grounds.
If the ground coffee is too coarse, the brew will be watery; but if it’s too fine, the finer particles may seep through the stainless steel filter.
Best Reusable K-Cups for Stronger Coffee
What’s great about reusing pods is that you can use them in Keurig coffee makers with your favorite coffee grounds and adjust the amount as needed for your taste.
This product list is brief but will give you the major differences between the majority of these coffee filters on the market. All of the options are BPA free and work with Keurig 1.0 models (and the majority of 2.0 models).
Maxware 2 Reusable Refillable Filters
Use your coffee brewed the way you want it with the Maxware reusable and refillable K-cups for Keurig single-serve brewing machines. This reusable K-cup filter is designed to replace a disposable pod for most Keurig models. Simply fill the pod with fresh grounds, insert it into your brewer, and brew like a standard disposable pod.
Things we like (pros)
- can be used for coffee or tea
- colorful
- comes with a quantity of 4 to use for home, work, or somewhere else
- BPA-free
What Could Be Better (cons)
- not compatible with Keurig Cuisinart version K155, K250 (After 2016)
- doesn’t work for Keurig Mini
iPartsPlusMore
iPartsPlusmore reusable K-Cup filters have been around since 2014. These Keurig K-cups are made from high-quality materials, they are 100% BPA free with a food-grade stainless steel mesh. Their filter is 100% dishwasher safe. Although they aren’t compatible with all Keurig models, the pod can be returned if it doesn’t work.
Pros
- dishwasher safe
- make your tea or coffee blend
- stainless steel filter
- BPA-free
Cons
- not compatible with older Keurig 2.0 models
Keurig My K-Cup – Universal & Reusable (Official)
The compatibility can be hard to come by with other reusable pods sold on Amazon. That being said, the official reusable K-Cup from Keurig claims to fit all models of Keurig coffee makers.
Another product feature of the Keurig My K-Cup that sets this apart from the others is that it has two fill-lines allowing you to add more or less coffee for two brew sizes for those of you with travel mugs.
Things we like (pros)
- official reusable pod for Keurig brand
- fully compatible with all Keurig 1.0 and 2.0 models
- top-rack dishwasher safe
- two fill lines for different brew sizes – regular or travel mug
- BPA-free
What Could Be Better (cons)
- Four pieces to hassle with
Things to Consider Before Purchasing
The way Keurig coffee makers work is easy – it heats the water, then a K-Cup filled with coffee pumps it before trickling it through the downspout into the cup. The steps are easy – fill the water reservoir, turn on the machine, put the K-cup, and then push the button or buttons you need for the brew.
A reusable K-cup is an excellent option if you want to save on costs and if your favorite blend does not have a pre-filled K-cup. Moreover, it will keep you from having a lot of plastic to throw away.
Keep that in mind, you can see that Keurig machines and reusable K-cups have a lot of functionality to offer. On that note, here are some buying considerations you might want to keep in mind.
Keurig Model Compatibility Chart
| Product | Keurig 1.0 | Keurig 2.0 |
|---|---|---|
| Maxware (Purple, 4) on Amazon | ✅ | some |
| Keurig Universal My K-Cup on Amazon | ✅ | ✅ |
| iPartsPlusMore (6 Pack) on Amazon | ✅ | some |
Water Capacity
The size is an important matter when choosing K-cups. Some machines can’t hold enough water to make a huge cup of coffee. In that case, they might have a large water reservoir. When choosing the cup to buy, consider if the size is enough for your coffee maker’s water reservoir.
Easy Cleaning
Cleaning is a must with anything including your Keurig machine. The best reusable K-cups should be easy to clean. Fortunately, reusable cups are popular because you can clean and use them again.
Besides the cups, if you have not bought a Keurig yet, make sure to choose the machine with a removable water container. These are so much easier to clean than those that do not have.
Easy to Use
Keurig brewing systems are a great convenient solution by design. I do believe you can save money by making single-serve cups each day, without having to pour out a carafe.
If you haven’t used a Keurig before, here are the steps:
- load the pod
- Press the brew button
- wait for the coffee to be finished.
On the other hand, you can expect advanced models to use sophisticated technology and needs more input. Usually, it goes like this – selects the cup size, adjusts the water temperature, and brew strength.
Some machines have more features that make their use more complicated. The ease of use of your coffee maker is crucial when choosing K-cups because you want to select one that works well with your machine.
In that regard, make sure that you choose the cups that can go well with the operation of your Keurig machine.
Technology and Features
Keurig 2.0 brewers have different features and technologies than their 1.0 counterparts. This can make it more difficult to find a reusable filter compatible with Keurig.
The more advanced coffee machines often have more features such as timers, clocks, multiple settings such as language and altitude. You want to buy the pod that is usable on your coffee maker’s existing settings, features, and technology.
More Questions
Are you unsure whether buying a reusable pod is a great idea? If you are yet to be convinced based on the information above, here are some answers to the frequently asked questions regarding K-cups.
Read the following FAQs to learn more about how they can help you save money, and how you can make the most use out of them.
Are reusable K-cups recyclable?
All of these components could be easily recycled separately. However, you cannot reuse them as a whole. You will need to separate first and put them in the appropriate categories on waste recycling.
Most reusable filters are recyclable, but you have to separate the different components of the reusable coffee pods.
What kind of grind should I use?
The best cup of coffee from using your Keurig would be one where you use your coffee beans. In that regard, the best choice is somewhere in the middle of a fine grind and a coarse grind, which helps so you can avoid clogging the filter.
One thing to note is that with a finer ground, the extract will be faster than that of a coarse ground. As a result, you can have a stronger, more powerful, and flavorful cup.
What kind of coffee beans should be used?
If you want to get the most kick out of your coffee brewed from your reusable K-cup, people recommend going with a dark roast. The reason is that one of the usual complaints with K-cups is they might not be strong enough.
If you go with a light roast, the taste might be too light. Some morning coffee drinkers even complain that it might just well be water. In that case, it is best to go with a dark roast for an authentic taste.
How many ounces are ideal to brew?
It’s better not to make a cup that is more than 6 to 8 ounces. If you do, what happens is that you are using more water for the same amount of grounds, which will only result in a weaker taste.
While it gives you a larger cup, the bland taste does not do anything well. It is why a reusable K-cup is highly recommended as an eco-friendly option that lets you use your favorite coffee blend and have complete control over the brew’s results.
If you want to make sure that you have the best cup, make sure that you use only the freshest, highest quality beans.
How does a reusable K-cup work?
These pods work similarly to other full-size reusable coffee filters. First, you get your favorite grinds and fill them into the basket. Secure the lid then place the cups into your Keurig brewer.
Turn it on and push the appropriate buttons to brew your favorite delicious hot cup of coffee.
Is there a need for paper filters with reusable K-cups?
Paper filters do exist for Keurig brewers. Thanks to these filters, you can control the extraction and flavor. Make sure to check that the reusable coffee filter is compatible with Keurig.
Are reusable K-cups dishwasher-safe?
It depends on the brand that’s purchased. On that note, most of them are safe to put on the top rack in a dishwasher.
Usually, they are easy to clean in the sink with soap and water in the sink. They are not wasteful and doing this helps the environment. More importantly, these non-disposable K-Cups help you save money.
How many times can you use a reusable K-cup?
A K-Cup reusable filter can be used until the filter screen or plastic is damaged. As long as you can add ground coffee and it doesn’t fall out, use it again and again until it’s time for a new one.
Regular K-cups can only be used once, so you will have to throw them away afterward. Many coffee drinkers find it wasteful and expensive. Fortunately, you can choose instead to get one with a filter you can wash and use again.
Conclusion
It may seem like all pods are the same, but they aren’t. Based on the information provided in this article, you should know already that every coffee filter has its benefits and disadvantages.
It’s also best to keep in mind that if you choose to go with another model other than the ones listed here, your Keurig 1.0 brewer may not be compatible. The company tends to be picky with which after-market items are allowed to pass the error screen.
