10 Best K-cup Coffee in 2024

This is our review of the best K-cup coffees in 2024. 

As a long-time coffee lover, I brew various coffee beverages weekly. And often use my Keurig when short on time. As such, I’ve tried dozens of brands and different roasts. 

My top choice for K-cup coffee is the Kirkland Signature Organic Breakfast Blend Light-Roast Coffee because of its consistent flavor, great strength, and amazing quality. 

Kirkland Signature Organic breakfast Blend light Roast Coffee: Best Overall

• Roast: Light 
• Flavor profile: Toasted bread
• Available In: 1 pack of 120 K-cups
• Price: $
• Best for: Beginners
• Best for coffee type:
  • French press, filter coffee, moka pot, cold brew, drip coffee, pour over
• Warranty: 18 months 

Check Current Price

However, you might have a preference for a different type of coffee. That’s OK. We all have different tastes. 

To cover everyone’s preferences, I made this list of the top 10 K-cup coffees to help you find the best one for you. 

So let’s get started. 

Top 10 K-cup Coffees

1. Kirkland Signature Blend Light-Roast – Best Overall
2. Illy Coffee Classico Medium Roast Pods – Runner-Up
3. The Original Donut Shop Keurig K-Cup Pods – Best Medium Roast
4. Maxwell House House Medium Roast K-Cup – Best Supermarket K-Cups
5. Death Wish Coffee Single Serve Pods – Most Caffeine
6. Dunkin’ Original Blend Medium Roast Coffee – Best Dunkin’ K-Cup
7. Starbucks K-Cup Pike Place Roast– Best Starbucks
8. McCafé Premium Roast K-Cup Pods – Best Budget
9. Starbucks K-Cup Coffee Pods – Best Dark Roast
10.  Greater Goods Compostable – Best for the Environment

10 Best K-cup Coffees in 2024

1. Kirkland Signature Organic Breakfast Blend Light-Roast Coffee – Best Overall

Roast	Light
Flavor profile	Toasted bread
Available In	1 pack of 120 K-cups
Price	$
Origin	Multiple origins
Organic	USDA Organic

The Kirkland Signature Organic Breakfast Blend Light-Roast Coffee is our top K-Cup choice because of its great taste, low price, and smooth texture. 

It is best for people who want a consistent morning coffee that isn’t too strong but still packs enough of a punch to wake them up. 

It is a light roast with tasting notes of toasted bread that pairs well with milk and creamer but is fine black too. 

Compared to K-cups from other leading brands, this Kirkland K-Cup is extremely affordable– about 2/3rds the cost per K-cup as most brands. 

That said, if you want to buy it in person, you have to have a Costco membership since it is only sold there. 

However, you can buy it online from several retailers, including Amazon. 

This coffee is USDA organic and Fair-Trade certified, which means it is free of pesticides and other harmful agents, along with using fair and ethical farming practices. 

As with most Costco (Kirkland brand) products, this comes in a large box of 120 K-cups, making it a good option for large families, offices, and cafeterias. 

Looking for a medium roast instead? The illy Coffee, Smooth and Balanced, Classico Medium Roast Coffee Pods are our next choice. 

2. Illy Coffee, Smooth and Balanced, Classico Medium Roast Coffee Pods – Runner Up

Roast	Medium
Flavor profile	Caramel, orange blossom, and jasmine
Available In	Pack of 32 K-cups
Price	$$$
Origin	Multiple origins
Organic	N/A

The Illy Coffee, Smooth and Balanced, Classico Medium Roast Coffee Pods are our runner-up due to their exotic tasting notes, use of high-quality beans, and ethical sourcing practices. 

These K-cups use medium roast coffee, which is perfect for coffee drinkers who want a bit of boldness and more strength than a light roast. 

It has a well-balanced flavor with unique tasting notes of caramel, orange blossom, and jasmine. 

These flavors make it go well with most creamers, but is also good enough to enjoy on its own. 

Compared to other K-cups, it is much more expensive– it costs about 20-30% more than average. 

However, Illy uses high-quality coffee beans it sources from various regions around the world. 

This blend, known as the “One Blend,” is made with the best 1% of Arabica beans. 

But like all Illy coffee, it is ethically sourced. The Illy company has been honored with the esteemed “World’s Most Ethical Coffee” award from the Ethisphere seven years in a row. 

Plus, its K-cup pods are mostly recyclable, too– just peel the foil, empty it, and recycle the container. 

Looking for another medium roast that isn’t as expensive? You can’t go wrong with The Original Donut Shop Keurig Single-Serve K-Cup Pods up next. 

3. The Original Donut Shop Keurig Single-Serve K-Cup Pods – Best Medium Roast

Roast	Medium
Flavor profile	Full body, bold
Available In	1 box of 72 K-cups
Price	$
Origin	Multiple origins
Organic	N/A

The Original Donut Shop Keurig Single-Serve K-Cup Pods are the best medium roast K-cups because of their fair price, great quality, and good taste that pair well with donuts. 

As a medium roast, these K-cups offer a well-balanced strength with a full body and smooth texture. 

They are perfect for coffee drinkers who want a great-tasting medium roast to pair with donuts and other sweet foods. 

For more flavor, you can add milk, creamer, or a sweetener, but I think it tastes best black. 

The Original Donut Shop K-Cups are less expensive than average but not the cheapest on the market. 

Similar to most other K-Cups these days, these are recyclable (just remove the foil cover and coffee grounds). 

Some customers stated that they found this coffee too mild. But I don’t agree. I think it is the perfect strength for a medium-roast coffee. 

If the Orginal Donut Shop K-Cups don’t sound like your cup of tea, perhaps the Maxwell House House Blend Medium Roast K-Cup Coffee Pods do. 

4. Maxwell House House Blend Medium Roast K-Cup Coffee Pods – Best Supermarket K-Cups

Roast	Medium
Flavor profile	Smooth and bold
Available In	1 box of 84 K-cups
Price	$
Origin	Multiple origins
Organic	N/A

The Maxwell House House Blend Medium Roast K-Cup Coffee Pods are the best supermarket K-cups because of their availability in most grocery stores, their consistent flavors, and their low price. 

These K-cups are a medium roast with a great balance of strength and flavor. It is a great choice for your everyday morning cup of coffee to get you going. 

They are one of the most inexpensive K-cups on the market, making it a good choice for frugal shoppers. 

But don’t let their low price fool you– this coffee has the same consistent quality with a great balance of strength and flavor as all Maxwell House coffee. 

And as the company’s tagline goes, you’ll find this coffee “good ‘til the last drop.”

And best of all, you can find these K-cups virtually anywhere that sells coffee– grocery stores, gas stations, supermarkets, online, you name it. 

That said, some drinkers find the flavor and aroma too mild. However, those drinkers may be too used to flavored coffees as I find it plenty flavorful. 

Looking for a larger jolt of caffeine from a K-cup? The Death Wish Coffee Single Serve Pods up next have the highest caffeine content. 

5. Death Wish Coffee Single Serve Pods – Most Caffeine

Roast	Dark
Flavor profile	Chocolate and cherry
Available In	1 box of 50 K-cups
Price	$$$
Origin	Multiple origins
Organic	USDA Organic

The Death Wish Coffee K-cups have the most caffeine out of any K-cups on the market, along with fantastic tasting notes of chocolate and cherry and USDA Organic certifications. 

It has around 1.5-2X the caffeine content of an average medium or dark roast K-cup, which is about 728 mg of caffeine. So, it is best for people who need the extra energy. 

To achieve this higher caffeine content, Death Wish uses a proprietary blend of Arabica and Robusta coffee beans in a special roasting process. 

As a dark roast, it is a bit bolder and more intense than a medium roast. However, Death Wish still maintains and smooth texture with this coffee, making it easy to drink. 

Additionally, these Death Wish K-cups carry USDA Organic and Fairtrade certifications. 

This means it is free of artificial ingredients and pesticides, and the company treats the farms and local communities ethically and fairly.

If Death Wish sounds like it has too much caffeine for you, perhaps sticking with a staple brand, like the Dunkin’ Original Blend Medium Roast K-cups, would suit you better. 

6. Dunkin’ Original Blend Medium Roast Coffee – Best Dunkin’ K-Cup

Roast	Medium
Flavor profile	Rich and smooth
Available In	1 pack of 10 or 1 pack of 60 K-cups
Price	$
Origin	Multiple origins
Organic	N/A

The Dunkin’ Original Blend Medium Roast Coffee is the best Dunkin’ brand coffee because it tastes identical to what you would order from your local Dunkin’ and is extremely affordable. 

This coffee is best for people who love Dunkin’s coffee and want to experience it with the convenience of a K-cup. 

It is a medium roast with a rich and smooth flavor that goes perfectly with a donut or really any breakfast food. 

That said, some customers report that it doesn’t taste the same as the coffee from their local Dunkin’. 

However, this is subjective. I can’t tell the difference. Perhaps those reviewers used expired coffee or haven’t cleaned their Keurig in a while. 

These Dunkin’ K-cups cost less than average but aren’t the cheapest you can find. 

You can buy them in most grocery stores, online, and at your local Dunkin’. 

Do you prefer Starbucks coffee over Dunkin’? In that case, the Starbucks K-Cup Coffee Pods, Medium Roast, Pike Place should be right up your alley. 

7. Starbucks K-Cup Coffee Pods, Medium Roast, Pike Place Roast for Keurig – Best Starbucks

Roast	Medium
Flavor profile	Cocoa and rich praline
Available In	1 box with 40 K-cups
Price	$$
Origin	Multiple origins
Organic	N/A

The Starbucks K-Cup Coffee Pods, Medium Roast, Pike Place Roast are the best Starbucks K-cups because they taste just like the real deal from your local Starbucks. 

This coffee is a medium roast that features tasting notes of cacao and praline. It has the signature taste that we all know and love from Starbucks’ Pike Place blend. 

It is best for people who enjoy ordering coffee from Starbucks in person and also want it available for brewing at home. 

Compared to K-cups from other brands, these Pike Place K-cups are more expensive. However, Starbucks coffee is always priced at a premium. 

That said, you know you’re getting consistent quality and flavors that you’re familiar with. 

Like all Starbucks coffee, the Arabica beans these K-cups use are ethically sourced from multiple regions in the Coffee Belt. 

And, like most other options in this roundup, these Starbucks K-cups are available for purchase pretty much everywhere– grocery stores, supermarkets, online, your local Starbucks, etc. 

Is Starbucks not your favorite coffee? Perhaps the McCafé Premium Roast, Keurig Single Serve K-Cups up next are?

8. McCafé Premium Roast, Keurig Single Serve K-Cup Pods – Best Budget

Roast	Medium
Flavor profile	Rich and clean
Available In	1 box of 96 K-cups
Price	$
Origin	Multiple origins
Organic	N/A

The McCafé Premium Roast, Keurig Single Serve K-Cup Pods are the best budget K-cups because of their affordable price and identical taste to the coffee you get in person at McDonalds. 

These K-cups are a medium roast that uses the same beans as the Premium roast at your local McDonald’s (i.e., their “regular” coffee). 

It is best for people who prefer mild flavors and the familiar tastes of McCafe’s coffee in with their Keurigs. 

These McCafe K-cups are one of the most affordable options on the market, as is all coffee that McDonald’s produces. 

One potential disadvantage is that some customers received damaged K-cups. 

However, this is likely due to damage in handling and shipping as opposed to any quality issues. 

Looking for a dark roast K-cup instead? In that case, the Starbucks K-Cup Coffee Pods, Dark Roast, Caffè Verona might be a good choice for you. 

9. Starbucks K-Cup Coffee Pods, Dark Roast, Caffè Verona – Best Dark Roast

Roast	Dark
Flavor profile	Dark cocoa and caramelized sugar
Available In	1 box of 40 K-cups
Price	$$
Origin	Multiple origin
Organic	N/A

The Starbucks K-Cup Coffee Pods, Dark Roast, Caffè Verona are the best dark roast K-cups because of their perfect roast level and excellent caramelized sugar and cocoa tasting notes. 

It is a dark roast with sugar and cacao tasting notes with a bold and smooth texture, making it a great choice for those who prefer stronger flavors. 

However, these Starbucks dark roast K-cups are more expensive than average. So, they’re not the best choice for those on a budget. 

But, with Starbucks, you know what you are getting– high-quality and great-tasting coffee. 

As with all Starbucks coffee, these K-cups use ethically sourced coffee that comes from various regions worldwide. 

It uses a blend of various bean species that come from up to 30 countries in the “Coffee Belt” 

And while these K-cups are recyclable, perhaps you are looking for an even more environmentally friendly K-cup. In that case, you need to read about the Greater Goods Compostable Coffee Pods below. 

10. Greater Goods Compostable Coffee Pods – Best for the Environment

Roast	Light
Flavor profile	Bold and smooth
Available In	1 pack of 72 K-cups
Price	$
Origin	Multiple origins
Organic	N/A

The Greater Goods Compostable Coffee Pods are the most environmentally friendly K-cups because they are 100% compostable. 

Compared to other K-cups that use plastic and metal foil, these K-cups have much less of an environmental impact. Plus, it tastes great. 

As such, the Greater Goods K-cups are best for people who want to protect the Earth while still enjoying the convenience of a Keurig machine. 

With their compostable nature, you might expect these K-cups to cost more. However, they are one of the most inexpensive options around. 

But they are not as sturdy as normal K-cups. For example, I had one (out of 72) that was broken.

Still, that seems like a rare occurrence, given the high number of positive reviews. 

A larger problem is that some customers report that these K-cups don’t work with their newer Keurig machines. So, check the review if you’re not sure if it will work for you. 

I will note that they worked fine in my 2022 Keurig. 

K-cup Coffee Buying Guide

Here is what you should consider before you buy some K-cups. For more information about what you need to consider when buying coffee, see our complete coffee-buying guide.

Looking for a new Keurig? Check out our recommended Keurig machines. 

Roast

The roast level of K-cup coffee ranges from blonde, light, medium, to dark. You may also see “medium dark” and espresso roasts as well. 

Dark and espresso roasts are generally the darkest roasts you can get. They tend to be stronger, more intense, and sometimes more bitter and acidic than light roasts.

That said, the flavor, acid, strength, etc., depends on the bean species, growing regions, and other factors too. 

For K-cups, the most common roast levels are light and medium because this is what most people expect from a fast brew. However, you can find dark roasts as well. 

Still, light and medium roasts tend to pair better with this brewing method. The best K-cup coffee is really up to your personal preferences. 

For more information on roast levels, read our guide here. 

Certifications

While deciding what K-cup coffee to get, you should think about certifications such as USDA Organic and Fair Trade.

A USDA-certified organic certification means the K-cup does not contain artificial preservatives, flavors, colorings, or other additives.

And a Fair Trade certification means the coffee inside it was sustainably grown and sourced. This ensures fair compensation, support, and oversight for the farmers and communities involved.

A Rainforest Alliance certification guarantees the protection of surrounding rainforests in the growing regions.

When you buy K-cups, choose a brand that has the necessary certifications to ensure quality and ethical standards if this is important to you.

Please use our below table for quick information on each certification. For more in-depth information, read our coffee certifications guide.

Price/Budget

When selecting a new K-cup coffee, you should consider the price and quality.

Lower-quality coffee is generally priced at a lower cost, while higher-quality coffee is priced at a higher cost. Nevertheless, there are occasional chances to discover favorable prices.

In general, you can find a package of K-cups for about $0.25 to $0.75 per individual K-cup.

Single-origin Vs. Multi-origin

When you buy K-cups, another thing you should consider is their origin. 

Single-origin beans are produced by using beans that come from just one country, region, or farm.

Single-origin coffees often have consistent flavors, distinct tasting notes, and textures because they are made from a specific variety of coffee beans and grown in a specific region.

They often have unique, consistent flavor profiles, which tends to result in a higher price compared to blends from various regions. Nevertheless, there are situations where they can be more cost-effective than blends.

On the other hand, multi-origin coffees, also known as blends, consist of beans that are obtained from various locations.

Their beans usually come from two or more countries or regions and occasionally from two or more species of beans.

The diverse origins and species of beans lead to a wide range of combinations, resulting in a greater amount of flavors.

In contrast, multi-origin blends may have inconsistent flavors and less preferable tastes. They are often a more affordable choice.

There is no definitive answer as to whether single or multiple-origin medium roast coffee is superior. It just depends on your individual taste preferences and the unique attributes of the coffee in question.

Single Origin Coffee Benefits

Here are the benefits of single-origin K-cup coffees.

• Consistent flavor profiles and texture
• More strength/boldness
• Robust tasting notes

Multi-origin Coffee Benefits

Here are the benefits of multi-origin/blended K-cups.

• Usually less expensive
• Different combinations can make unique flavors
• Blended tasting notes

To learn more, see our guide on single-origins and coffee blends.

Packaging Date/Roast Date

When you’re looking at K-cups to buy, you need to consider the packaging, roasting, and/or best-if-used-by date.

Certain K-cup brands provide a packaging date or a roast date on their packaging. Usually, the packaging date corresponds to or is one day after the roast date.

Other brands provide a best-if-used-by date or an expiration date. 

To achieve the best taste and quality, I recommend picking K-cups that have a recent roasting or packaging date.

But, if you can’t, just choose some that have an expiration date that is months away. 

Since each individual K-cup has an air-tight seal, they last much longer than whole-bean and ground coffee. 

To learn more, read our guide on packaging and roast dates. 

Best Brands

As you look for the best K-cups for you,  consider popular brands like Kirkland, Illy, Starbucks, Dunkin’, McCafe, and Maxwell House.

Each brand offers a range of K-cups with different roast levels, flavorings, and strengths to suit your personal taste preferences.

Furthermore, these brands can be purchased at various retail locations, including supermarkets, grocery stores, and online retailers like Amazon.

Recyclable and Biodegradable

Unlike whole bean and pre-ground coffee, K-cup produces much more waste. Each several creates plastic waste that is harmful to the environment. 

In fact, the Keurig creator, John Sylvan, often regrets inventing this coffee brewing method because of how much waste it creates. [2]

However, several brands have taken initiatives to make their K-cups more environmentally friendly.

Today, most brands have K-cups that are at least partially recyclable and some even fully biodegradable, such as the Greater Goods brand. 

Our Verdict

Here are our top three recommendations for K-cups. Each has great tasting notes, excellent quality, and fair pricing. 

• The Kirkland Signature Organic Breakfast Blend Light-Roast Coffee is our #1 choice because of its low price, great quality, and wonderful tasting notes. 
• Our runner-up, the illy Coffee, Smooth and Balanced, Classico Medium Roast Coffee Pods, also has great tasting notes and quality, and is ethically-sourced. 
• And our third recommendation, the The Original Donut Shop Keurig Single-Serve K-Cup Pods, is best for medium roast because of its perfect roast level and smooth texture.

Kirkland Signature Organic breakfast Blend light Roast Coffee: Best Overall

• Roast: Light 
• Flavor profile: Toasted bread
• Available In: 1 pack of 120 K-cups
• Price: $
• Best for: Beginners
• Best for coffee type:
  • French press, filter coffee, moka pot, cold brew, drip coffee, pour over
• Warranty: 18 months 

Check Current Price