Verismo Vs. Keurig: Which Instant Coffee Maker Is Better?

Matthew Mountain
by Matthew Mountain

It’s a great time to be a coffee fanatic, as now there are instant coffee makers that can brew delicious coffee in under two minutes. Keurig puts out a range of coffee makers whereas Starbucks only has different versions of its signature Verismo coffee maker. Below, we’re going to compare two popular Keurig coffee makers—the K-Elite and K-Mini Plus—to the Starbucks Verismo V in order to see which brand makes a better coffeemaker.

While the Verismo V is certainly an efficient coffee maker, it is inferior in some ways when measured up to two of Keurig’s most popular systems, the K-Elite and K-Mini Plus. The Keurig systems are easier to operate and maintain, and they can brew over 200 kinds of pods whereas the Verismo V can only brew 16.

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Verismo vs. Keurig

The Starbucks Verismo V is quite similar to its two Keurig competitors, but there are several key differences that may sway you to choose one brand over the other. This chart shows a condensed version of the systems’ similarities and differences.

System

Verismo V

K-Elite

K-Mini Plus

Additional Brewing Options

Black/Expresso

Strong Brew

Strong Brew

Removable Reservoir

Yes

Yes

Yes

Cup Sizes

6-10oz

4-12oz

6-12oz

Pod Storage

No

Yes

Yes

Dimensions

12.9″ L x 8.0″ W x 11.0″ H

12.7” L x 9.9” W x 13.1” H

11.3” L x 4.5” W x 12.1” H

Warranty

1 Year

1 Year

1 Year

Price

$60-$100 (Manufacturing officially discontinued)

$149.99

$99.99

Brew Quality

Just because these machines make coffee in under two minutes doesn’t mean quality is compromised as a result. In fact, some even say that instant coffee tastes better than store- or restaurant-bought coffee, as the former can be consumed seconds after the brewer has released its last drops; there’s no time for the coffee to lose its deliciousness!

Verismo V

The Verismo’s brew quality is excellent, allowing one to bring the signature smell and taste of Starbucks coffee into their home. Also, the “Black” and “Expresso” brew options on the system ensure variety, and it’s been said that the Verismo V is the only instant coffee maker on the market today that can make first-rate expresso.

Starbucks is known for being premium-level coffee. Therefore, when one brews Starbucks coffee in a Starbucks coffee maker, they’re sure to enjoy all the premium goodness that’s synonymous with the Starbucks brand.

K-Elite

While the Keurig K-Elite can’t brew expresso, it does match the Verismo V in regular coffee brewing quality. It features a “Strong Brew” option, which is pretty much the “Black” option on the Verismo by a different name. It can also brew a range of K-Cups and pods, whereas the Verismo V is limited to just brewing Starbucks coffee.

K-Mini Plus

The Keurig K-Mini and K-Elite deliver similar brewing performance, and they use the same additional brewing functions as well. The K-Mini Plus does, however, brew quicker (not by much) than the other systems, and it does so without compromising quality.

Performance & Efficiency

An instant coffee maker’s ability to deliver high-quality coffee fast is what makes it so appealing. Therefore, performance is a top priority to consider when selecting an instant coffee maker. These three systems all perform well, but the differences in performance make each system ideal for a certain kind of coffee lover.

Verismo V

The Verismo V is an easy-to-use coffee maker, and one can find a complete operator’s guide here. While the Verismo V generally takes less than two minutes to brew, it will take a few minutes longer to get up and running if it hasn’t been used in awhile.

Here are some other things you can expect a Verismo V to deliver:

  • Consistent brewing speed
  • Consistent temperature
  • Consistent size

K-Elite

The K-Elite is also a straightforward coffee maker. This machine, however, does not take more time to turn on after an extended period of inactivity.

But unlike the Verismo V, which is a comparatively quieter machine, the K-Elite has a tendency to be noisy—no matter what brewing option is selected. For this reason, the K-Elite may not be an ideal coffee maker if you intend to use it at the office.

Where the K-Elite outperforms the Verismo V is in the versatility category, as a K-Elite can brew more than 200 kinds of K-Cups, including the 16 that the Verismo V is limited to brewing. Moreover, one can switch pods without ever worrying about mixing blends.

K-Mini Plus

The K-Mini Plus and K-Elite deliver similar performance, but the K-Mini Plus is noticeably quieter than the K-Elite. It consistently brews coffee at 175 °F, and much like the Verismo V its brew speed and pour speed don’t fluctuate.

Maintenance & Cleaning

Even the most efficient systems need to be maintained properly and cleaned regularly. Therefore, a regular coffee drinker should have a system that’s easy to maintain and clean, that way it lasts for a long time.

Verismo V

The Verismo V delivers great coffee in a flash, but maintaining it and cleaning are both challenging. It needs to be cleaned at least once a month—more often if you drink multiple cups every day.

Additionally, the system should be descaled every three months. Descaling can be a hassle, even when everything is done correctly. Clearing limescale buildup is important, however, as limescale can inhibit the heating element from working properly.

Overall, the Verismo V is a durable coffee maker that can perform well over a long period of time if it’s taken care of. It has an intuitive design and it employs reliable technology, so it’s definitely built to last. One can also consult this post to know how to properly take care of a system’s heating element.

K-Elite

Compared to the Verismo V, cleaning the K-Elite is a walk in the park. Wiping down the exterior takes only a few seconds, and washing the water reservoir is a piece of cake since it’s removable. The time and effort required to clean a K-Elite make this system very attractive, especially to those who just want good coffee fast and with no strings attached.

Maintaining the K-Elite, however, is not so easy, as again there’s the need for regular rescaling. Clearing limescale buildup is important, in large part because failure to do so can affect coffee in the following ways:

  • If the water can’t reach the right brewing temperature, extracting the full flavor from your coffee beans will be impossible.
  • Mineral scale buildup can clog water flow, and if it isn’t removed your machine could stop working.
  • Your coffee won’t be hot enough to enjoy.

K-Mini Plus

A K-Mini Plus is even easier to clean than the K-Elite, mainly because it’s smaller and it doesn’t have as many removable components. One can clean their system after each use, as the cleaning process takes mere seconds.

But even this comparatively smaller system will need descaling eventually. No matter what coffee maker you get, you cannot avoid the descaling process, but at least the K-Mini Plus requires descaling much less frequently.

Features & Add-Ons

While a basic coffee maker serves its inherent purpose well, special features and add-ons are what distinguish the high-quality machines from the basic ones. As Keurig manufactures over 130 products, it’s safe to say Keurig wins in the available add-ons department.

The Verismo V can, however, be paired with a Verismo Milk Frother to make unique drinks, enabling the user to become a barista at home. There is also a Verismo add-on that enhances the machine’s expresso-making capability.

Cost

Keurig

The cost of the Keurig should include not only the individual cost of the machine but also the cost for the coffee pods, called K-Cups. The average cost for a pack of 72 K-Cups is between $30 and $50, much more affordable than the Starbucks comparable. The cost of a new Keurig K-Elite Keurig machine, including a box of 72 coffee pods, will be $219.99, which is far more affordable than the Starbucks counterpart.

Starbucks Verismo

Considering the overall cost of the Starbucks Verismo coffee maker as well as the individual pods, users will find the Verismo is more pricey. For the Starbucks Verismo, the pods will cost between $60 and $70 for a box of 72 pods. The cost of the machine, complete with a set of 72 coffee pods, is $263.98, making it much more expensive than the Keurig alternative.


Related Questions

How much does an owner of either system pay for K-Cups?

For a 72-count box of Verismo Pods, which is the standard size, one can expect to pay between $60 and $70. For either of the Keurig systems, the cost of an equal amount of cups is $30-$50.


Is a Verismo V a visually appealing coffee maker?

The Verismo V is a sleek, compact coffee maker that only comes in one color: black. Its color allows it to go well with any decor. The K-Elite, on the other hand, comes in Brushed Steel, Slate, or Gold, while the K-Mini Plus comes in Teal and Cardinal Red. The color of a coffee maker is often the last quality that prompts a buyer to purchase one.


Is a Verismo programmable?

One of the most popular features of the Keurig coffee maker is the ability to create a brewing program that delivers fresh, hot coffee at your preferred time every day. This feature helps to speed up the coffee-making process and allows you to have a cup of Joe ready first thing in the morning.Unfortunately, the Starbucks Verismo just doesn’t have this type of capability. The Verismo does not allow you to set a time to turn it on and start making your coffee automatically. While this is a non-issue for some consumers, it can be a deal-breaker for others who rely on their efficient morning routine.If you purchase the Verismo, be sure to adjust your morning routine effectively to accommodate the lack of available programming.


Which is better for a kitchen: a Verismo V or a K-Elite?

Either system works well in a kitchen, though the K-Elite takes up more counter space. The K-Elite’s noisiness does, however, get drowned out by louder appliances. Consult this post to see if your system’s noise problem is fixable.

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Final Note

In the end, the Verismo delivers a more refined coffee brewing experience than both Keurig models, but at the expense of the system being a lot tougher to take care of. Starbucks has also officially ceased production of the Verismo V, so getting a brand-new one is a lot harder these days.

Further comparing the Verismo to the Keurig, users will find both coffee makers have a large water reservoir that can be handy when making several cups of coffee in the morning. Both coffee makers are also very easy to maintain and require very little ongoing maintenance to keep the coffee machine in good working order.

However, the Verismo brews coffee much more quickly and gives the user options beyond simple drip coffee. Unfortunately, the Verismo cannot be programmed and lacks some of the efficiency that the Keurig boasts.

If you enjoy good coffee and you’re fine with spending less than two minutes waiting for it, you can’t go wrong with either Keurig model. Both systems perform well, offer a range of functions and features, and are built to last. Moreover, both are sold online and at select retailers.

Matthew Mountain
Matthew Mountain

Matt loves everything DIY. He has been learning and practicing different trades since he was a kid, and he's often the first one called when a friend or family member needs a helping hand at home. Matt loves to work with wood and stone, and landscaping is by far his most favorite pastime.

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