Keurig Coffee Maker vs Mr Coffee: My Remarkable Daily Test

Choosing between a Keurig coffee maker vs Mr. Coffee often comes down to speed versus simplicity. Both brew a good cup, but Keurig leans on convenience with single-serve pods, while Mr. Coffee sticks to classic drip brewing. I’ve owned and tested both, and what surprised me is how much your routine shapes which one feels “better.” With my background in product testing and years of writing about home appliances, I can help you figure out which machine fits your lifestyle. Stick with me, and by the end, you’ll know which one deserves a spot on your kitchen counter.

Is the Keurig Coffee Maker Good?

Yes, the Keurig coffee maker is good if you want quick, single-serve coffee without hassle. I’ve used it at home and in the office. It has always been reliable for me. What I love most is the speed. A hot cup is ready in under two minutes. On busy mornings, that feels like a lifesaver.

The Keurig K-Elite is my favorite. It has a strong brew setting and even makes iced coffee. When I needed something small, the Keurig K-Mini fit my counter without taking space. For weekends with family, the Keurig K-Duo worked best. It brews pods or a full carafe of drip coffee.

Most models also have an auto-off feature. That gave me peace of mind when I left the house in a rush. Cleaning is simple with the descaling solution. I also liked the reusable K-Cup filter, since I could brew my own ground coffee.

What I Like

• Fast brew time: I could make a cup in less than two minutes. Perfect for mornings when I rushed to work.
• Variety of models: From the slim K-Mini to the versatile K-Supreme, there’s a Keurig for every need. The K-Duo let me switch between single cups and a full pot.
• Easy to use: Even family members who dislike gadgets found it simple. The buttons are clear. The strong brew setting on the K-Elite gave a richer taste.
• Travel mug friendly: Many models, like the K-Express, fit tall mugs. I used this daily for coffee-to-go.
• Low maintenance: The Keurig water filter and descaling solution made cleaning easy. It felt less of a chore than other coffee machines I’ve owned.
  

What Could Be Better

• Cost of pods: Buying K-Cup pods often can get expensive. A reusable filter helps but adds one more step.
• Temperature control: Some models don’t let you set the brew temperature. A little more control could improve the taste.
• Environmental impact: Pods create more waste than drip coffee. The reusable K-Cup is better, but it still uses plastic parts.
  

Recommendation

I recommend a Keurig coffee maker if you:

• Want a single-serve coffee maker that’s quick and simple.
• Need a compact coffee maker for an apartment, dorm, or office.
• Enjoy variety—you can brew coffee, tea, cocoa, or iced drinks with the right pods.
  

If you drink many cups a day or love espresso, you may want to compare Nespresso vs Keurig or look at drip coffee vs Keurig.

For U.S. buyers, I noticed Keurig machines are easy to find in Target, Walmart, and Costco. Replacement parts and pods are also widely available.

For me, the Keurig has been the best daily coffee brewing system when I need speed and ease. It won’t replace a full espresso machine alternative, but it delivers consistent coffee with very little effort.

Is the Mr. Coffee Maker Good?

The Mr. Coffee maker is known as a budget-friendly drip coffee maker. I tested the Mr. Coffee 12-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker, and it had a mix of strong features and some drawbacks. On the positive side, it’s easy to set up, has a delay brew timer, and includes an auto-pause feature so you can pour a cup before the pot finishes brewing. The design is compact and fits well on a kitchen counter, which is helpful for small U.S. kitchens or offices.

However, when it came to taste, I noticed the coffee was weaker than expected—even on the strong brew setting. I tried brewing smaller batches, adjusted the coffee-to-water ratio, and used both paper and permanent filters, but the results were still on the mild side. For me, this was a letdown since even a budget coffee maker should deliver a satisfying cup.

What I Like

• Affordable price: I picked up the machine for under $40. For a programmable coffee maker with a 12-cup capacity, that’s a solid deal compared to other brands.
• Family-size capacity: The glass carafe coffee maker brews up to 12 cups, which was convenient when friends visited. For single mornings, I switched to brewing 4–6 cups without issue.
• Convenient features: The delay brew timer let me set coffee the night before. The auto-off feature (shuts down after 2 hours) gave me peace of mind when I forgot to switch it off.
• Easy cleaning: The filter basket and carafe are dishwasher safe. This made cleanup simple, especially after brewing multiple pots in one day.
  

What Could Be Better

• Weak brew strength: Even with the brew strength selector set to strong, the coffee tasted mild. It lacked the richness I get from other drip coffee makers.
• Thermal carafe limitation: If you buy a thermal carafe separately, you can only brew 8 cups instead of 12. That felt limiting for larger households.
• Water filtration system: The included filter claims to remove chlorine, but since many people in the U.S. already use filtered water, it felt unnecessary. I found better results skipping it.
  

Recommendation

I’d recommend the Mr. Coffee maker if you’re looking for:

• A budget-friendly coffee maker for light daily use.
• A family-size drip coffee maker with simple, practical features.
• A programmable coffee maker where you can set a brew ahead of time.
  

However, if you prefer bold or café-style coffee, you may want to look at alternatives. A Keurig coffee maker offers stronger single-serve options with K-Cup pods, while brands like Hamilton Beach or Black+Decker have models that brew hotter and richer coffee at a similar price point.

For U.S. buyers, one advantage is that Mr. Coffee machines and replacement parts (like carafes and filters) are easy to find in local stores such as Walmart or Target.

From my own use, I’d say the Mr. Coffee 12-Cup Coffee Maker works best if you value price, capacity, and convenience over bold flavor. It’s reliable, easy to clean, and gets the job done—but if strong coffee is a must, it may leave you wanting more.

Details Comparison: keurig coffee maker vs mr coffee

I’ve used both the Keurig coffee maker and the Mr. Coffee machine. They serve the same purpose but in very different ways. Here’s my honest take on how they compare across the most important features.

Brewing Speed: keurig coffee maker vs mr coffee

Keurig is fast. You pop in a pod, press start, and in under 2 minutes you have a hot cup. Mr. Coffee takes longer since it’s a drip system. Brewing a full pot of 12 cups can take around 10 minutes.

From my experience, mornings when I was rushing, Keurig was a lifesaver. But when I wanted a big pot for family brunch, Mr. Coffee made more sense.

• Keurig rating: 9/10
• Mr. Coffee rating: 7/10

Coffee Temperature: keurig coffee maker vs mr coffee

Keurig brews hot, but sometimes the coffee feels slightly cooler than I prefer, especially if I add cream right away. Mr. Coffee, on the other hand, keeps the pot warm on its hot plate, so the first cup may not be scorching, but it stays hot longer.

Personally, I like my first cup extra hot, so Keurig won here. But when I wanted my coffee to last while working from home, Mr. Coffee kept it steady.

• Keurig rating: 8/10
• Mr. Coffee rating: 8/10
  

Water Tank Capacity: keurig coffee maker vs mr coffee

Keurig models vary, but most hold about 40–75 oz depending on the machine. That’s good for 4–6 cups before refilling. Mr. Coffee has a larger capacity since it can brew up to 12 cups in one go with its water reservoir.

For me, Keurig felt like a “one or two cup at a time” setup. Mr. Coffee worked better when more people needed coffee at once.

• Keurig rating: 7/10
• Mr. Coffee rating: 9/10
  

Filter Quality: keurig coffee maker vs mr coffee

Keurig uses coffee pods, which means built-in filters in each pod. Easy, but you’re locked into pod use unless you buy a reusable filter. Mr. Coffee comes with a removable basket filter, and you can use paper filters or a permanent one. It also has an optional water filter disc.

I liked the simplicity of pods in Keurig, but I didn’t like the waste or cost. With Mr. Coffee, I had more control with grounds and filters.

• Keurig rating: 7/10
• Mr. Coffee rating: 8/10
  

Brew Quality: keurig coffee maker vs mr coffee

This is where things split. Keurig makes consistent coffee, but flavor depends on the pod brand. Some taste strong, others weak. Mr. Coffee brews ground coffee, so the taste depends on beans and ratio. In my test, the Mr. Coffee 12-cup model brewed coffee that often tasted weak, even on “strong brew.”

For flavor, Keurig gave me more predictable results. Mr. Coffee was hit or miss unless I experimented.

• Keurig rating: 8/10
• Mr. Coffee rating: 6/10
  

Performance: keurig coffee maker vs mr coffee

Keurig shines with speed and convenience. Mr. Coffee shines with volume and affordability. For solo drinkers, Keurig is practical. For families, Mr. Coffee works better.

In my daily life, Keurig handled weekdays, while Mr. Coffee worked better on weekends.

• Keurig rating: 8/10
• Mr. Coffee rating: 7/10
  

Ease of Use: keurig coffee maker vs mr coffee

Keurig is very easy. Insert pod, press a button, done. Mr. Coffee requires measuring grounds, water, and cleaning more parts.

On mornings when I was half asleep, Keurig felt effortless. Mr. Coffee demanded more effort but not by much once I got used to it.

• Keurig rating: 9/10
• Mr. Coffee rating: 7/10
  

Value for Money: keurig coffee maker vs mr coffee

Keurig machines cost more upfront, and pods are pricey in the long run. Mr. Coffee machines are affordable, often under $40, and ground coffee is cheaper than pods.

For my budget, Keurig felt expensive over time, while Mr. Coffee was clearly the budget-friendly option.

• Keurig rating: 6/10
• Mr. Coffee rating: 9/10
  

Overall: keurig coffee maker vs mr coffee

Keurig is built for speed, convenience, and single-serve coffee drinkers. Mr. Coffee is built for bigger households and people who don’t mind slower brewing.

In my home, I found myself using Keurig more often because of the quick setup. But when friends came over, Mr. Coffee was the one that kept up.

• Keurig rating: 8/10
• Mr. Coffee rating: 7/10
  

👉 Takeaway: If you want fast, no-fuss coffee and don’t mind the pod cost, Keurig is worth it. If you want to save money and brew for several people at once, Mr. Coffee makes more sense.

FAQs

Q1. What is the main difference between a Keurig coffee maker and Mr. Coffee?
A Keurig uses single-serve pods for fast brewing, while Mr. Coffee uses drip brewing with ground coffee for larger servings.

Q2. Is Keurig better than Mr. Coffee for daily use?
Keurig is great if you want quick, single cups. Mr. Coffee works better if you brew for family or prefer traditional drip coffee.

Q3. Does Mr. Coffee taste better than Keurig?
Mr. Coffee often makes stronger, richer coffee with grounds, while Keurig is more about speed and convenience.

Q4. Which is cheaper, Keurig or Mr. Coffee?
Mr. Coffee is cheaper upfront and uses regular coffee grounds. Keurig costs more over time due to pods.

Q5. Can you use ground coffee in a Keurig?
Yes, with a reusable filter, you can use ground coffee in most Keurig machines instead of pods.

Q6. Which lasts longer, a Keurig or Mr. Coffee maker?
With care, both can last years, but Mr. Coffee’s simple design often makes it more durable over time.

Q7. Is Keurig or Mr. Coffee easier to clean?
Mr. Coffee is easier to clean with simple parts. Keurig needs regular descaling and pod area cleaning.

Q8. Who should buy a Keurig instead of Mr. Coffee?
Keurig is best for busy people who want quick, single cups with little effort.

Q9. Who should buy Mr. Coffee instead of Keurig?
Mr. Coffee suits families, budget buyers, and anyone who enjoys brewing larger pots at once.

Q10. Which is more eco-friendly, Keurig or Mr. Coffee?
Mr. Coffee is more eco-friendly since it uses grounds and less plastic, while Keurig pods create more waste.