Best K-Cup Coffee Pods in 2021

Best K-Cup Coffee Pods TechnoBuffalo 2021

• Best Overall: SF Bay Coffee Variety Pack (80 count)
• Best Flavor Pack: Starbucks Flavored Variety Pack (40 count)
• Best Medium Roast: Boyd's Hi-Rev (36 count)
• Best Decaf: Original Donut Shop Decaf (72 count)
• Best Dark Roast: Peet's French Roast (54 count)
• Best Light Roast: Caribou Coffee Daybreak (72 count)
• Best Cold Brew: JAVA House Authentic (12 count)

Best Overall: SF Bay Coffee Variety Pack (80 count)

Featuring French Roast, Breakfast Blend, Rainforest Blend, and Fog Chaser, it's always a good time throughout the day for a cup of SF Bay. Compatible with most Keurig K-Cup 1.0 and 2.0 brewers, these pods are commercially compostable unlike other pods on the market since they include a paper lidding, plant-based ring, and mesh coffee filter.

Each variety pack includes 80 pods, 20 of each flavor. You can also buy a 120-count pack. Regardless, if you're looking for a K-Cup variety pack that's economical and, yes, tastes great too, consider this one. It pairs nicely with our best milk frothers of the year.

If there's one negative, it's the lack of a decaf blend in the variety pack. Keep that in mind before making a purchase.

Best Flavor Pack: Starbucks Flavored Variety Pack (40 count)

Flavored coffee is a big deal in many circles, and this variety pack from Starbucks doesn't disappoint. The Starbucks K-Cup Flavor Pack includes Caramel, Vanilla, Cinnamon Dolce, Toffeenut, and Toasted Graham. The cups support the Keurig and Keurig 2.0 Single Cup Brewing Systems.

Starbucks explains each flavor this way: Caramel is smooth and buttery; Vanilla is light with a rich, creamy taste; Cinnamon Dolce is a Starbucks Blonde Roast with notes of warm cinnamon and brown sugar; Toffeenut is creamy, smooth, and well balanced; and Toasted Graham is warm and toasty. Add a milk frother for an even better taste, one cup at a time.

Each box includes eight pods of each flavor for a total of 40. Yes, the per-cup cost is higher than many on this list. We think it's worth it!

Best Medium Roast: Boyd's Hi-Rev (36 count)

Coffee wouldn't be coffee without caffeine for most drinkers. Boyd's Hi-Rev coffee includes an extra boost of caffeine to help you get through each day. The medium roast offers full body and flavor with each compostable pod.

Each package features three 12-count packs. Twelve and 72-count boxes are also available.

Best Decaf: Original Donut Shop Decaf (72 count)

The Original Donut Shop Decaf blend is medium roasted for a taste that's not too harsh or bitter. The ideally balanced brew features Arabia beans that are extra bold because it contains more coffee than regular K-Cup pods. Each case features six boxes of 12 pods each.

If you're a decaf drinker, you'll like this blend. Otherwise, select another one on this list.

Best Dark Roast: Peet's French Roast (54 count)

Featuring Arabica beans from Latin American growing regions, Peet's French Roast is packed with flavor that's bold and complex. The blend is not for the faint of heart; the signature taste is robust with smoky overtones and a pleasant bite.

Best Light Roast: Caribou Coffee Daybreak (72 count)

Offering a bright and tangy taste, Caribou Coffee's Daybreak morning blend is 100-percent Rainforest Alliance Certified and ships in frustration-free packaging. The 72-count arrives in six cartons of 12 K-Cups each. The combination features coffees from the Americas and East Africa.

If you need a light roast coffee, this is one to try. Still, you might want to grab some medium or dark roast too for your guests. Some reviewers suggest Caribou Coffee Daybreak offers a weak drinking experience.

Best Cold Brew: JAVA HOUSE Authentic (12 count)

Yes, you can purchase cold brew coffee for your Keurig machine! The Java House single-serve coffee pods are dual-use liquid pods, great for hot or iced coffee. The coffee offers a bold, Sumatran taste; look for hints of molasses, walnut, and cocoa in every cup.

The one drawback: This is an expensive brew compared to others on our list.

Bottom line

Finding a great K-Cup is almost entirely subjective, no? It's because of this we recommend the SF Bay Coffee Variety Pack, which features four different kinds of coffee, so you'll never get bored. Featuring French Roast, Breakfast Blend, Rainforest Blend, and Fog Chaser, this awesome pack was designed for anyone looking for a great cup of caffeinated coffee for less. Remember, it's our best K-cup coffee pods of the year.

Are you looking for another reason to make this choice? These pods are commercially compostable, so you're helping the environment with each purchase. Because of this, you don't necessarily have to buy one of the best reusable K-Cups.

Credits — The team that worked on this guide

Bryan M. Wolfe loves coffee products. When he's not getting a caffeine buzz, he enjoys being a dad who loves technology, especially anything new from Apple. Penn State (go Nittany Lions) graduate here, also a huge fan of the New England Patriots. Thanks for reading. @bryanmwolfe

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