Keurig K-Compact Review (Slimmest Removable Reservoir Single-Serve)

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The popularity of single-serve coffee makers continues to grow heading into 2020 and it doesn’t look like that’s about to change any time soon. With the Keurig K-Compact, you’re able to brew single-serve coffee at the lowest price on Amazon with a coffee maker that won’t take up a lot of room on your counter.

This machine is one of Keurig’s entry-level products, but it still makes a great cup of coffee with the option of 3 different sizes. It’s also equipped with a detachable water tank, which many of its competitors are lacking.

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We’ve reviewed all of the features of the Keurig K-Compact and we’ll go through each of them in detail below.

Rating the Performance of the Keurig K-Compact

Comparing the K-Compact to Other Single Serve Coffee Makers

The Keurig K-Compact doesn’t have the range of features of other single-serve coffee makers we’ve reviewed at CoffeeVerdict, but that is by design. Keurig developed this coffee maker so that consumers would have an affordable and easy to use option in the single-serve coffee maker market.

The K-Compact is Simple to Use

When it comes to brewing a cup of coffee, it doesn’t get much simpler than making a cup with the Keurig K-Compact. When you first power up the machine it takes about 4 minutes for the water to heat up to the right temperature, but after that, it only takes about a minute to make a single-serve cup –depending on the cup size you choose, brew time may vary slightly. 

Once the machine is up to temperature, you can brew as many as 3 to 5 cups in a row as long you still have enough water in the coffee maker – this is what Keurig refers to as their Smart Start technology. It’s perfect for families with different coffee preferences so that there isn’t a lot of waiting around – the next person simply lifts the handle on the k-cup holder, removes the used cup, inserts a new one and a minute later they’re enjoying a hot cup of coffee.

Design and Quality of the Keurig Compact

The Keurig Compact is designed for simplicity. It’s not packed full of features and there aren’t any touch screens to figure out – just a couple of buttons to choose from. The body of the machine is plastic, but like all Keurig machines, it’s well constructed and built to last.

The water tank is placed neatly in the back of the machine, out of the way. Removing the tank to refill it is easy – it just slides up and once it’s refilled you simply slide it back into place. At just a little over 14 inches wide and 14 inches deep, it will fit nicely into any free spot on your countertop.

The K-Compact Makes a Great Cup of Coffee

If you’re already a Keurig convert then you’ll like the coffee you brew with the K-Compact. It will make the same great hot cup of coffee you’d expect from the leading manufacturer of single-serve coffee makers. Like other Keurig K-Cup compatible machines, this coffee maker can brew a range of different coffee flavors and every cup is brewed at the same temperature for consistent flavor. It may seem a little noisier than some other models, but it’s not overly noticeable.

Main Features of the Keurig K-Compact

In reviewing the Keurig K-Compact it was easy to see why this machine is one of the manufacturers most affordable – it doesn’t have many bells and whistles.  All of the buttons to control this model are on the top left of the machine – there are three buttons for selecting the size of your cup and a power button. There are no other programmable features, but the coffee maker does have an auto-off function, if you haven’t used it in a while it will power down.

Once you’ve placed a K-Cup in the machine and filled the 36-ounce water reservoir at the back you can begin brewing coffee – you simply press the power button and then select your cup size. You can choose between 6 ounces, 8 ounces or 10 ounces. Both the water reservoir and drip tray are removable.

This machine is also compatible with My K-Cup Universal Reusable coffee filters. This allows you to use any packaged ground coffee you like if you prefer not to use K-Cups. It’s a great option if you like the idea of a single-serve coffee maker, but have one coffee blend you prefer.

Keurig K-Compact Coffee Maker Specs

Cleaning and Maintaining Your K-Compact

Cleaning and maintaining the K-Compact isn’t a difficult process as long as you do it on a regular schedule. The outside of the machine can be cleaned with a damp cloth after every use or at least 2 or 3 times per week.

You will have to descale this coffee maker every couple of months (times may vary depending on the mineral content in your water). The water reservoir tank is compatible with Keurig filters if your water isn’t already filtered, but it’s not included with the machine. Even if you are using filtered water the machine still has to be descaled as some minerals will build up over time.

The drip tray, water reservoir tank, and pod holder are removable for cleaning. It’s best to use a mild detergent and warm cloth. After cleaning with a cloth and reattaching all of the parts, it’s a good idea to fill the tank and run water through the system as well.

❤️ What We Like Best About the K-Compact:

• Ease of use – When we reviewed this product one of the things we liked best about it was how easy it was to use. With just 4 buttons to figure out, a removable water tank, removable drip tray, and a K-Cup pod holder there isn’t a lot to complicate things. It’s not surprising it has the lowest price on Amazon for a Keurig coffee maker.

• Compatibility with My K-Cup Universal Reusable coffee filters – Being able to use regular packaged coffee is a nice option. It can help you save money while still getting the great taste of a single-serve coffee without waste.

• Affordability – The Keurig K-Compact is a machine that most will find affordable and that hasn’t always been the case with single-serve coffee makers. They are traditionally more expensive, but this machine is similar in price to most mid-priced standard coffee makers.

The Pros & Cons

🏁 Our Review Verdict

In our review of the Keurig K-Compact, we were pleased to discover that it worked with all standard K-cups and that it was capable of making the same great cup of coffee that all Keurig’s make. This is a great product at an affordable price that won’t take up too much room on your countertop. If you’re not worried about extra features this is a good choice for the home.

❔ Frequently Asked Questions