If you’re a coffee lover, you know that starting your day with a great cup of coffee can make all the difference. But with so many machines out there, how do you choose the right one—especially if you’re shopping on a budget? Today, we’re reviewing three popular and affordable coffee makers available on Amazon that deliver big on taste, convenience, and value.
Let’s dive into our hands-on reviews of the Keurig K-Express, Keurig K-Slim with MultiStream Technology, and the BLACK+DECKER 12-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker.
Keurig K-Express Single Serve Coffee Maker
Quick Specs:
- Brews 8, 10, or 12 oz. cups
- Strong brew option
- 42 oz. removable water reservoir
- Compact and modern design
Our Review:
The Keurig K-Express is a compact powerhouse for anyone who wants a quick, flavorful cup without any fuss. It’s ideal for single households, dorm rooms, or small offices. One of the standout features is the “Strong Brew” setting, which lets you boost the intensity of your coffee—perfect for mornings when you need a serious wake-up call.
Its slim design doesn’t take up much space, and the 42 oz. water tank means fewer refills. In our testing, it brewed consistently great coffee in under 2 minutes. It also works with any K-Cup pod, so there’s no shortage of flavor options.
Pros:
- Fast brewing time
- Compact, space-saving design
- Option for stronger coffee
Cons:
- No iced coffee setting
- Not ideal for brewing multiple cups in quick succession
Perfect For: Solo drinkers, minimalists, and anyone tight on counter space.
- BREW BY THE CUP OR CARAFE: Brews both K-Cup pods and coffee grounds.
- MULTISTREAM TECHNOLOGY: Saturates the grounds evenly to extract full flavor and aroma in every cup, hot or cold.
- BREW OVER ICE: Adjusts temperature for maximum flavor and less ice melt for single-cup iced coffees and teas.
- STRONG BREW & EXTRA HOT FUNCTIONALITY: Brews a stronger, more intense-flavored cup and the extra hot feature brews a hot…
Keurig K-Slim Single Serve Coffee Maker with MultiStream Technology
Quick Specs:
- MultiStream Technology for better flavor extraction
- 3 cup sizes (8, 10, 12 oz.)
- 46 oz. water reservoir
- Under 5” wide
Our Review:
The Keurig K-Slim takes everything we love about the K-Express and improves on it with MultiStream Technology, which evenly saturates the coffee grounds for richer flavor. This results in a noticeably smoother and more aromatic brew compared to older Keurig models.
While it shares the same sleek and narrow profile as the K-Express, the K-Slim feels more premium overall. The increased water tank capacity is a small but welcome upgrade. It’s still incredibly simple to use and maintain, with minimal cleanup required.
Pros:
- Improved flavor and aroma with MultiStream Tech
- Great for small kitchens
- Fast, no-hassle brewing
Cons:
- Slightly pricier than the K-Express
- No temperature control features
Perfect For: Coffee drinkers who want quality without the complexity of a full espresso machine.
- STRONG BREW: Increases the strength and bold taste of your coffee’s flavor.
- 3 CUP SIZES: Brew an 8, 10, or 12 oz. cup at the push of a button.
- MULTIPLE CUP WATER RESERVOIR: 42oz. removable reservoir lets you brew up to 4 cups before refilling. 8 oz. cup size
- FAST & FRESH BREWED: Delicious coffee made in minutes.
BLACK+DECKER 12-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker (CM1160B)
Quick Specs:
- 12-cup glass carafe
- Programmable brewing
- Sneak-a-cup feature
- Easy-view water window
Our Review:
If you prefer classic drip coffee and regularly brew for multiple people, the BLACK+DECKER CM1160B is a no-brainer. It’s the only machine in our list designed for full pot brewing—and it does it well. This model features a 24-hour programmable timer, so your coffee can be ready when you wake up.
One highlight is the Sneak-A-Cup feature, which allows you to pour a cup mid-brew without spills. While it’s not as sleek as the Keurigs, it makes up for it in capacity and reliability. We found the coffee to be hot, smooth, and consistently well-brewed.
Pros:
- Great for families or heavy coffee drinkers
- Programmable timer = hot coffee ready when you wake
- Affordable and reliable
Cons:
- Bulkier footprint
- Not suited for single-cup convenience
Perfect For: Families, households with multiple coffee drinkers, or fans of traditional drip coffee.
- 12-CUP DURALIFE GLASS CARAFE: The sturdy 12-cup* carafe has measurement markings for accurate filling and an easy-grip h…
- SNEAK-A-CUP FEATURE TO PREVENT DRIPS: This feature temporarily stops the flow of coffee so you can pour your first cup b…
- EASY-VIEW WATER WINDOW: The front-facing window shows you the exact amount of water that will turn into coffee.
- DIGITAL CONTROLS WITH RUBBERIZED FEEL: Large, rubberized buttons give you full control of the coffeemaker, and the easy-…
Final Thoughts: Which One Should You Buy?
- Go with the Keurig K-Express if you want a quick, convenient, and space-saving single-serve option with a strong brew feature.
- Choose the Keurig K-Slim for enhanced flavor and quality thanks to MultiStream Technology—perfect for those who want the best of Keurig in a sleek package.
- Pick the BLACK+DECKER CM1160B if you prefer drip coffee and need to brew large quantities for a family or office.
No matter your coffee style or budget, one of these machines will serve you well. Just click the promo banner under your favorite machine to check the latest deals on Amazon!