Keurig launched its first single-cup coffee maker for consumers in 2004. The original AeroPress was released a year later in 2005.
Keurig may be more well known. But AeroPress offers several benefits over the competition, such as the many AeroPress accessories available.
It’s also less expensive and likely to last longer. Before buying a single-cup brewing system, you should compare options.
In this article, I’ll compare the AeroPress and Keurig coffee makers. I’ll compare differences such as:
- Size & Portability
- Efficiency
- Versatility
- Ease of Use
- Maintenance & Durability
- Price & Value, and of course
- Taste
By the end, you should be able to decide which is right for you.
But before the AeroPress Vs Keurig thing, I’ll do a quick overview of both coffee makers. Let’s get on with it!
Disclosure: Some of these links are affiliate links, and at no additional cost, I earn a commission if you buy which helps to maintain this website.
What Is a Keurig?
A “Keurig” is an automatic coffee maker. It was invented in the 1990s by a Massachusetts entrepreneur.
Keurig sold its coffee makers to offices before releasing products for household use.
A Keurig uses small coffee pods called K-Cups that you insert into the machine. Each pod produces one cup of coffee.
It’s for this reason that they’re know as “single serve” coffee machines.
After inserting the K-Cup and starting the machine, it punctures the pod with a needle. Then it heats some water and pumps it through the pod to brew the coffee.
These machines became popular because they are easy to use. It’s a one-touch system.
You insert the K-Cup into the machine and press a button. Your coffee is ready within about 45 to 90 seconds.
One of the most popular models for home use is the Keurig K-Mini.
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If you haven’t seen how a Keurig works, what rock have you been hiding under?! Watch this quick promo video from the people themselves:
Bear in mind, this is just one of many different models available. But I’m sure you get the idea now.
Now on to the AeroPress!
What Is an AeroPress?
An AeroPress is a simple device used to make great-tasting coffee. It’s comparable to a French press but easier to use.
The AeroPress is a manual press that includes a cylinder-shaped chamber and a plunger.
You place coffee grounds in the bottom of the cylinder on top of a paper filter. Then you pour hot water over the coffee grounds and mixed for several seconds.
The plunger is then inserted into the top of the cylinder. As you plunge, the device presses the hot coffee through the paper filter and into your cup.
As with the Keurig, you use the AeroPress to brew a single cup of coffee.
The standard AeroPress can hold 10 ounces of liquid. It has a slightly larger capacity compared to the Keurig.
The AeroPress can brew a cup of coffee in about 30 seconds, which is quicker compared to the Keurig.
It’s quicker, but you still need to heat the water before preparing your coffee.
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The water needs to reach a temperature of 175 to 185 degrees Fahrenheit. Heating the water adds a few minutes to the brewing process.
Watch this 20 second video for a quick tutorial. And there’s nothing wrong with your speakers, there’s no sound on this one.
Great! We’ve got the overviews out of the way.
Now, here’s a closer look at AeroPress vs Keurig to help you find the right coffee maker. Let’s get to it!
AeroPress vs Keurig – The Comparison
The AeroPress and Keurig devices brew single cups of coffee. But they’re vastly different products.
Here’s a comparison of how the main features stack up.
Size and Portability
Keurig coffee makers are not portable or designed for travel. The company released the Keurig K-Mini Coffee Maker, which is the smallest Keurig yet.
It measures five inches wide and weighs less than six pounds.
Yet, it still requires AC power. You need to plug it into an electrical outlet to brew a cup of coffee.
The original AeroPress has a diameter of 4.22 inches and measures 5.26 inches tall. It is a compact device that you can pack up and take with you.
If you’re looking for a travel coffee maker, check out the AeroPress Go. It has a diameter of 3.6 inches and measures just 4.6 inches tall.
It’s small enough to fit in a standard cup holder, but only holds 8 ounces instead of 10 ounces.
Efficiency
The Keurig is designed to use K-Cup pods. Each pod contains a single serving of coffee.
You can find tricks and hacks for reusing K-Cup pods. Unfortunately, most people toss the pods after each use.
K-cups are made with plastic, paper, and organic materials. They’re recyclable, but you need to take the pods apart before throwing them into the recycling bin.
There’s some change in more recent years though, with Keurig releasing their own reusable k-cup. This is a good start to dealing with the waste issue!
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Make sure you check before you purchase any Keurig reusable coffee filters that they’re compatible with your Keurig Coffee Maker.
To see how to use the My K-Cup Universal Reusable Ground Coffee Filter, watch this short video.
The AeroPress produces less waste. It works with disposable coffee filters designed specifically for the device.
The filters are more environmentally friendly compared to the K-Cup pods. This is because they contain only paper and no throw-away plastic.
AeroPress paper filters are also reusable and biodegradable.
The Keurig is also less energy efficient due to its need for electricity.
The AeroPress is a manual device. You don’t need to plug it in and it won’t increase your electricity bill.
Versatility
The AeroPress stands out as the more versatile option. It’s a manual press, which gives you more control over the brewing process.
You can press the plunger for more than 30 seconds or add more coffee grounds to make the coffee a little stronger.
Using the AeroPress provides greater temperature control as well. You can heat water on the stovetop or in an electric kettle to the temperature that you prefer.
Only a select few Keurig devices include a temperature control option.
The AeroPress also provides more variety when shopping for coffee. You don’t need to buy K-Cups.
You can buy packages of pre-ground coffee or whole coffee beans. You can also likely continue using your favorite coffee brands.
Ease of Use
Ease of use is the one area where Keurig has the AeroPress beat.
You just need to ensure that the water reservoir has enough water, add the K-Cup, and press the start button. Within 90 seconds, you’ll have a fresh, hot cup of coffee.
The AeroPress involves a little more work.
You first need to heat the water. If you use a stovetop, heating water can take five to ten minutes.
After adding the coffee grounds and water to the AeroPress, you need to press for about 30 seconds.
Pressing a button involves less effort compared to heating water and using a plunger.
If you don’t want to deal with heating water in the morning, the Keurig is the simplest solution.
Maintenance and Durability
If you plan on using your new coffee maker daily, the AeroPress is likely to hold up longer. You don’t need to worry about electrical or mechanical parts failing.
It consists of a plunger and a chamber made from durable BPA-free plastic.
Cleaning the AeroPress is as simple as rinsing the plunger and chamber under the faucet.
You should also occasionally remove the rubber seal from the plunger and wash the parts with warm water and dish soap.
Taking care of a Keurig requires more work.
You need to clean the tray, water basin, lid, and K-Cup holder often.
You also need to dust the surface and soak the water reservoir with a solution of water and baking soda.
Keurig also recommends that you brew a solution of water and vinegar. Do this at least once every few months to cleanse the interior of the system.
While you can operate the Keurig with a single touch of a button, keeping it clean takes more time.
Watch this video for one example of cleaning that is required. Cleaning the needles.
While not difficult, it’s definitely an extra step.
Price and Value
Keurig coffee makers retail for about $80 to $250, as they also have commercial models. Here’s the Keurig K115 Office Pro:
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An AeroPress costs between $30 and $40.
Along with the price of the product, you should consider the cost of using it.
AeroPress works with almost any coffee grounds and requires some type of filter. You can use disposable paper or re-usable metal filters.
Keurig coffee makers need K-Cup pods. Each pod is a single serving. If you drink one cup per day, you need 30 pods to cover one month.
(But you could always do as suggested about and purchase a reusable coffee filter. I highly recommend doing it this way.)
Depending on the quality of coffee that you buy, AeroPress is likely to be the more affordable choice.
A 32-pack of K-Cup pods retails for between $15 and $20.
A decent 12-ounce bag of ground coffee costs a little under $15 and can make about 62 cups of coffee.
The paper filters for the AeroPress are also inexpensive and come in packs of 350. You may only need to buy filters once or twice per year.
Which One Tastes Better?
You can buy K-Cups filled with premium coffee or use high-end coffee with your AeroPress. You can also buy inexpensive coffee for either product.
If you use paper filters, I think the AeroPress produces better-tasting coffee. The paper filters help remove oils and sediment that add to the bitterness of the coffee.
You get a smoother cup of coffee.
AeroPress also has the advantage of letting you brew the coffee stronger or lighter.
The Keurig K-Cups are prefilled, keeping you from adjusting the strength of the coffee. Although, some more recent Keurig models apparently let you adjust the strength of your brew.
So which tastes better?
Personally, I prefer a brew with the AeroPress. You might prefer a brew with the Keurig. Neither is right nor wrong.
They each produce a different brew. Experiment until you find what it is that you prefer.
AeroPress vs Keurig – Which Is the Best Single-Serve Coffee Maker?
Keurig
Keurig coffee makers are reliable devices and easy to use, but they’re not for everyone.
Keurig machines don’t offer flexibility or portability. You put a K-Cup in the Keurig and let it handle the rest.
The K-Cups are also expensive, especially if you’re a heavy coffee drinker. Drinking two cups per day could cost you over $30 per month.
Using single-serving K-Cups produces more waste. While you can recycle the cups, you need to separate the pod components.
Unfortunately, most people are more likely to toss the cups in the trash. Please prove me wrong!
AeroPress
The AeroPress works best with disposable paper filters. The filters are typically biodegradable, which makes them a greener solution.
You can brew your coffee, yet you choose and use almost any coffee grounds.
As it’s a manual press, you can take your AeroPress anywhere. It’s the perfect size to take camping or on a business trip.
In fact, I’ve done this myself several times.
AeroPress Vs Keurig – Conclusion
In the end, the Keurig is easier to operate. Yet the AeroPress provides greater versatility and (in my opinion) a better cup of coffee.
Have you used both coffee makers and prefer one over the other?
Have you found a Keurig coffee maker that you think is better than your AeroPress?
Let me know in the comments below. Stay caffeinated!
