Which Is Better? Keurig or French Press Coffee

Coffee is a common medium in everyone’s lives, these days. Because of that, we all want to be drinking the best tasting coffee we can. With that in mind, is French press coffee similar to Keurig coffee, at all? I want to point out that Keurig coffee is an automatic process whereas French press coffee requires a bit of manual labor.

It is important to know the differences between types of coffee, so that we, as a consumer, can choose the best method to suit our tastes. We here at Gamble Bay Coffee are dedicated to supplying you with all the knowledge you need to make that choice.

If we want to know which of these methods would be better, we first need to take a look at how they are different.

How Are French Press and Keurig Coffee Different?

There are a few key differences to note before we take a look at each method, individually.

Keurig coffee is an automatic method of brewing coffee, whereas French presses are hands-on. This offers the ability to vary your coffee in a French press, but requires more effort.
Keurig coffee makers use a thing called a k-cup, rather than the course-ground coffee French presses use. Although there are many different types of k-cups, they lack the choice in bean that French press coffee allows.
Keurig coffee is produced by a single company, as such, there are less options for Keurig coffee machines than there are for French presses.
Keurig coffee machines are automatic and only produce a single cup of coffee; therefore, they are much faster and more convenient to use than a French press.

These are the main differences between the Keurig and French press methods. Keurig coffee machines are also generally going to be more expensive than the relatively inexpensive French presses you can find.

Is Keurig Coffee Better Than French Press Coffee?

I have to answer this with a strong yes. Although the French press is a manual method that allows for more control, Keurigs allow you to change quite a few things with them as well. With k-cups, getting delicious coffee is rather easy and quick. You just pop in the cup and go.

Keurig coffee is great for someone who lives on their own. It doesn’t taste nearly as bad as instant coffee, yet is ready just as fast. Most people think they have to make the trade off in taste to get quick coffee.

Many people believe that Keurig coffee is actually just fancy instant coffee. This is entirely untrue. Instant coffee is made from pre-brewed coffee. It melts into the coffee and has a bit of a sour taste because it is essentially dried-out, brewed coffee.

Keurig coffee, on the other hand, is actual coffee grinds, rather than pre-brewed flakes. Keurig machines force hot water through the k-cup, which contain the optimal amount of coffee grinds for a single cup of coffee, at a pre-determined pressure and temperature to provide an instant cup of hot coffee.

The k-cups have a special filter in them that prevents any sort of grind from getting through, so you don’t have to worry about any chunks or grit left over in the coffee.

Keurig coffee doesn’t taste bland at all. The k-cups make it so that its flavor and sugar are determined by the k-cup you use. Unlike other methods, in this case French press coffee, you don’t really need to add anything after you make the coffee. Keurig coffee comes out tasting just how you like it.

Keurig coffee is one of the most unique brewing methods I’ve ever seen, and a Keurig coffee maker is a great office break room coffee maker.

If you are considering a Keurig coffee maker, take a look at this one. It’s the Keurig K55, one of their most popular models and these machines have many applications besides just coffee. There are Keurig machines designed for making tea, hot chocolate, and more. The Keurig machines are one of Keurig’s biggest staples on the market.

While the Keurig coffee makers are typically much more expensive than French presses, they are still relatively inexpensive and are well worth the investment. Whether it’s for a business or for home use, you can’t really go wrong with a Keurig coffee maker.

Is French Press Coffee Better Than Keurig Coffee?

Overall, I would have to say no. I think it is far superior, personally, for many reasons, but this comparison isn’t meant to be biased.

French press coffee is some of the best tasting coffee you can make. Depending on how you prefer your coffee, this can require a good bit of patience to really brew it to perfection. The downside to this is that you can’t get the pre-brewed sweetness that k-cups typically have. Everything has to be done after the coffee is done.

The reason the process requires so much patience is that most grocery stores don’t sell the right kind of coffee grinds to make it. French press requires the beans to be ground to a specific coarseness, so that the coffee is still clean enough to drink, while sill allowing the water to get the most out of the beans.

This coffee is also quite healthy compared to many other coffee brewing methods. For one, being that there is no real filter of any sort. The French press retains many of the minerals and oils throughout the brew. So you are gaining many of the things in the coffee that makes it so healthy, as well as giving it such a bold taste.

We know that spending a fortune on an automatic grinder and a fancy French press is not feasible for everyone, so a good manual grinder like this JavaPresse will work just fine for most people. However, if you can spare the cash for an automatic grinder, and you are looking for something different, we have a page on grinders.

The grinds help give a bold taste and texture to the coffee, while also giving it a natural “fresh coffee” fragrance that you just don’t get from regular brewing. The downside is that, for some people, this bold taste is a little too much.

Although it is somewhat time-consuming to brew it, the satisfaction you feel from having a properly brewed cup of hot French press coffee makes it so worth it.

So is Keurig better or French Press?

Overall, I have to say that, because of convenience, Keurig coffee is better than French press coffee. French press coffee does retain the oils from the coffee, but it fails to match the Keurig coffee maker in overall convenience and taste.

You can see which Keurig machines are best right here.

I would say that if you like your coffee more natural, the French press may be right for you, as well as the fact that they are much cheaper than a Keurig machine.

But if you really want some coffee that tastes great without the need to put in a lot of effort, Keurig Coffee is the way to go.

Related – Check out the following posts to see my favorite insulated French presses and the largest French presses I’ve experimented with.

What’s The Difference Between A Keurig And A French Press?

There are so many methods to make coffee out there, it can be hard to decide which to use!

Many of us are familiar with drip-style coffee, but not everyone is a big fan.

The good news is, you have other options!

Two of these options are the Keurig and the French press, which have two very different processes for making coffee.

One is geared more towards convenience and speed, while the other may take a little longer but is more simple and potentially a lot less costly!

For those who want to know if there is more out there than the Keurig, we’re going to compare both types of coffee brewing.

That way you’ll be able to decide which is best for you!

Read on and enjoy!

The Coffee Makers

Because these are two very different kinds of coffee makers, you’ll easily be able to tell them apart.

Keurigs are generally electric machines that you place a K-Cup inside and it will make coffee using that.

Meanwhile, a French press looks more like a simple container that is often made of glass but can sometimes be stainless steel.

They come in different sizes, and will have a plunger that is used to keep the grounds from making it into the resulting cup of coffee.

It’s important to look into the differences in the machines themselves, that way you’ll know what you can expect from either one.

These differences can include features like the cost, environmental impact and overall ease of use.

The Cost

One of the most notable differences you’ll see between a French press and Keurig is the price of the machine.

If you look carefully, some Keurig models can be found for as low as $60 but are more often in the $80 to $120 range.

Meanwhile, French press coffee makers can be found for as low as $15, and up to around $50 depending on the size and style you want.

Generally speaking, a French press is also going to be easier to take care of as it is a simpler device.

However, Keurigs are more complicated machines that may need to be repaired by a professional should something go wrong.

It’s important to keep these price differences in mind while you shop, as there is quite a gap between them!

If you already own a Keurig, then the low prices might entice you to try out a French press just to find out what it can do for you.

The Environmental Impact

Another aspect that is important to keep in mind is the environmental impact these coffee makers can have.

The most obvious difference is that the Keurig is going to use electricity, while the French press itself does not.

However, keep in mind that you will need to heat water before adding it into the French press if you want a hot cup. That process will require a stove and will use a little bit of energy.

If you are someone who unplugs their devices after each use, then the energy use may be somewhat equal between the two options, but if you leave the Keurig plugged in it will be likely to draw a little more energy than it takes to heat some water.

Another important aspect to keep in mind is the types of coffee these devices use.

As many people know, Keurigs use K-Cups. These are essentially a single serving of coffee encased in a plastic container with a filter.

For the most part, these capsules aren’t easily recyclable. There are some methods you can use to make them more sustainable but in most cases they end up in the trash.

There are also some reusable filters you can use that will be able to save money and cut down on adding to the landfill.

On the other hand, a French press can use standard coffee grounds. You also won’t have to worry about purchasing paper filters unless you want an extra pure cup.

This is due to the built-in filter that the French press offers.

Then, once you are finished with the grounds you can easily add them to a compost pile.

Ease Of Use: Simple Machine vs. Ultimate Convenience

Another important aspect to keep in mind is the ease of use these devices offer.

Neither one is particularly difficult, but the French press is definitely a more simple device.

When it’s all set up, the Keurig can allow you to make a cup in just a couple of minutes, while the French press can take a little longer.

Making coffee with a French press is also a more hands-on experience, as you’ll need to know when to use the plunger, add water and so on.

You can even use a French press to make cold brew!

However, it’s important to consider what might happen if each device breaks.

In the worst case scenario for a French press, you may have to replace it. That can cost about $20-$30 depending on your model preference.

On the other hand, if a Keurig breaks then the problem can range from something you can fix for free to replacing a $100+ machine.

Because of that, it’s important to consider the kind of investment you’re willing to make should something happen to your default coffee maker.

On a side note, it can also be a great ideal to keep an inexpensive backup coffee maker just in case!

Next, we’ll take a look at what to expect from the resulting coffee from both of these coffee maker options.

The Coffee: That’s What Matters

The most important aspect for many coffee-drinkers is the taste of the resulting coffee.

Because of that, it’s important to test out both machines with regard to the taste.

After all, buying a coffee machine that makes coffee you aren’t a big fan of is a huge waste of money!

Many believe there are also some pretty big differences between French press and Keurig coffee.

The Flavor

According to some coffee connoisseurs, the flavor that is created when you use a Keurig is drinkable but far from the ideal.

Part of this can be due to the quicker brewing and lower brewing temperature, that result in a drink that just isn’t as strong.

This can also result in coffee that some consider to be watered-down.

That said, you can change a few things during the brewing to adjust the resulting flavor. These adjustments, however, will change the flavor to a lesser extent than other brewing options.

Furthermore, this thought process isn’t going to be shared by all coffee drinkers. Some may find that they love the coffee they get from a Keurig machine.

If that’s the case for you, then by all means keep enjoying it!

On the other hand, many people who try it out find that the coffee made with a French press can be more flavorful and enjoyable by comparison.

It’s also much easier to adjust the amount of grounds, water and even water temperature to make the perfect cup for your personal tastes.

The Cost: Beyond the Basics

On top of the initial cost of the machines themselves, you’ll need to consider the cost of the coffee that both devices use.

Generally speaking, you can use pretty standard grounds in a French press. These can sometimes be found for as low as $6-$8 if you don’t have a strong brand preference, or $10-$20 for about a pound for some of the fancier brands out there.

Considering that each cup is about 2 tablespoons of grounds, that’s going to mean that you can get upwards of 80 cups of coffee from a one-pound bag. That can vary, depending on how strong you want your drink and how large of a cup you drink.

On the other hand, K-Cup options can be $10 or more for a 12-pack.

Based on that, you can pay the same amount for 12 K-Cups that you might pay for around 80 cups of standard grounds.

That in itself is something to consider, and make sure you shop around to get a good idea of all the pricing options available.

So Which Is Better?

Ultimately, this decision is going to be up to you.

Whether you want the extreme convenience of a Keurig, or the rich, hearty flavor offered by a French press, there are plenty of options out there.

If you aren’t sure, you can always try out a small, inexpensive French press coffee maker. That way, you can give it a shot without having to worry about investing a lot into something you don’t know will work out for you.

On the other hand, if you have a friend or family member who uses a Keurig, you can try some of their coffee to discover how you feel about the flavor available.

A large part of the decision may be due to the differences in cost, as French press coffee machines tend to be much less expensive.

Hopefully, the information here will be able to help point you in the right direction.

Make sure to take a close look into the available options with regard to your unique situation, and enjoy your shopping!