Coffee is the lifeblood of millions, if not billions, of people globally. That’s why the coffee industry, as a whole, is valued at over $120 billion worldwide. However, most of us who are contributing to those profits are not benefiting from them. So, we need to know the best ways to save money on our coffee habits.
So, today, we’re asking the question: “Does Keurig coffee pods cost make owing a Keurig worth it?” — because you might wonder if having a Keurig coffee maker or a standard drip coffee maker is more affordable. The answer to that question is not a simple “yes” or “no” answer. There are dozens of different factors to consider regarding the overall cost of your daily cup of coffee. Let’s dive into the nitty-gritty of the Keurig vs. coffee maker to see which is the more economical option.
How much coffee do you drink?
First and foremost, the coffee you drink daily will be critical in determining the best and more affordable way to make your coffee at home. Obviously, the more coffee you drink, the more you’re going to spend annually to feed your caffeine habit.
For the sake of this post, let’s say you’re a heavy coffee drinker, meaning you drink three or more cups of coffee a day. The next question you must ask yourself is, are you trying to mess around with coffee beans to produce coffee grounds? Or do you want to go the easy route?
Do you prefer convenience or price?
Ultimately, the most significant benefit of owning a Keurig is the convenience of brewing a hot cup of coffee from a pre-measured pod in seconds. Suppose this is an essential feature for you. In that case, this is the most costly part of owning a Keurig coffee machine or even a K-Cup-compatible machine. You can generally find a budget Keurig coffee machine deal for a great price.
Keurig: When it comes to K-Cup prices, based on Amazon prices, K-Cups can range from 40 cents per pod for budget coffee to $1.25 and higher per pod for fancy stuff. On average, most cups fall in the 60-cent-per-pod range. If you’re a heavy coffee drinker and drink 3-4 cups of coffee a day, that’s $657 to $876 on K-Cups per year.
Coffee maker: If we look at ground coffee, a 12-ounce bag of coffee based on 3-4 cups a day should last around 10-14 days. That means 24 bags of coffee a year. The prices of a 12-ounce bag can vary widely depending on the blend and origin. Using an average price of $12 per bag, that’s around $288 annually for coffee. Compared to the cost of K-Cups, that’s a pretty hefty savings.
What are your preferred brewing methods?
So maybe K-Cups may be off the table for you at those prices. That still doesn’t mean that a Keurig isn’t the right machine for you. There are a number of reusable inserts designed to work in the Keurig. You fill them with your favorite coffee and go. These are available on Amazon from about $1.50 per insert and up.
Using these inserts means dumping and scooping grounds a bit more, but it will save you a lot of money in the long run. Keurig also makes great carafe-style coffee makers. Whether you prefer single-cup or carafe brewers, or a combination of both will determine your coffee maker options.
Are you a coffee snob?
Now that we’ve determined that buying and grinding your own coffee is the affordable route, you have to ask yourself one last question. Do you consider yourself a coffee snob? If you do, you’re probably willing to drop more money on coffee and a highly rated combination coffee maker with many fancy features. If this applies to you, whether you buy a Keurig or a regular coffee maker, you’re looking at spending $100 to $200 regardless of brand.
On the other hand, if “coffee is coffee” to you, some primary yet highly rated coffee makers are out there for under $30.
Keurig vs. coffee maker: The bottom line
After asking all the right questions, we’ve determined that when it comes to the machine itself, owning a regular coffee machine isn’t more affordable or expensive than a Keurig. The true cost lies in the K-Cups and will translate into more money regardless of how much coffee you drink. When you buy pods, you’re paying extra for convenience. If that’s important to you, there’s nothing wrong with spending the extra money.
However, if that’s your chosen route, we don’t recommend saving a few extra bucks up front on a knock-off coffee maker that’s K-Cup compatible. In the end, the money saved isn’t worth the unreliability.
Treat yourself: Exceptional K-Cup coffee pods
Now that we’ve let you know the basic cost of Keurig coffee makers vs. standard coffee machines, let’s have a little fun. Say you’ve gone the Keurig route, but you’ve got someone you really want to impress, and those “donut shop breakfast blend” pods aren’t going to do it. What are some of the more high-end, ultra-quality (and high-priced) K-Cup pods available? Check these out.
Death Wish Coffee Valhalla Coffee Pods
Death Wish Coffee’s Valhalla Coffee Pods are a bit of a splurge at about $1.35 per cup. However, this USDA organic-certified coffee blend is made with fair trade Arabica and Robusta beans and has an ultra-dark, rich flavor. If you’re looking for K-Cups for guests or special occasions, these are worth the price. Each K-Cup is packed with coffee from the nutrient-rich volcanic earth of Indonesia and Central and South America.
Bulletproof Original Coffee Pods
Bulletproof’s K-Cup coffee pods are also on the higher end of the average cup for K-Cups, at about $1.30 per cup (average). However, these coffee cups undergo rigorous testing to ensure the utmost quality. Bulletproof is committed to sourcing sustainable green coffee beans and opting for additional testing for toxins. The quality of the coffee in each cup certainly comes through, delivering a slightly sweet and smooth cup perfect for enjoying at any time of the day.
