Thursday, March 28, 2024

Keurig B60 Special Edition

Keurig B60 Special Edition Review

Coffee Makers

Product Grade
Report Card Grade
0 Reviews
Best Feature:
Fast and easy to use with 200+ K-Cups flavor choices
Worst Feature:
K-Cups are more expensive than using regular coffee grounds
Best Uses:
Excellent single serve brewer for busy households
Pricing:
$149.99 (1-year limited warranty)
Manufacturer:

Where to Buy

Store Name
Price
$149.99
$149.99

Overview

Keurig has been the unrivaled "King" of the single-serve brewing industry since introducing its patented K-Cup portion packs to the market in 1998. The revolutionary K-Cup brewing systems were practically an overnight success because, before Keurig, no coffee maker existed that could make a quality, single cup of coffee in less than one minute. Each disposable K-Cup pod has a built-in filter and contains a single portion of coffee grounds, tealeaves, hot chocolate mix or even ingredients for an iced beverage like lemonade. The innovative design allows you to quickly and easily brew multiple kinds of drinks without creating any waste or mess to clean up.

The Special Edition B60 brewer is one of Keurig's popular mid-tier models for home use. It can make beverages in three different sizes (~ 6, 8 or 10 ounces), and it can accommodate a travel mug by removing the drip tray. On the blue backlit LCD control panel, you can make adjustments to the brewing temperature, and you can also program a digital clock to automatically turn the brewer on or off at certain times. After it is turned on, the Special Edition B60 is ready to brew in just four minutes and can then make individual drinks within 15 seconds of each other. Keurig customers are spoiled for choice when it comes to K-Cup variety. There are currently over 250 different flavor K-Cups including ones from parent company Green Mountain Coffee, as well as from other brands like Dunkin Donuts, Maxwell House, Tully's, and Diedrich.


The Keurig Special Edition B60 can be purchased online for about $149.99.

Product Report Card Grade

We give Keurig’s Special Edition B60 an A- because it is an awesome single serve coffee maker that is fast and easy to use and to clean. We also love that there are so many different K-cup flavors to choose from and that it can be programmed to turn on/off at certain times. It doesn’t get much more convenient than the Keurig, but we had to deduct just a few points because of its high price tag and its relatively higher operating costs (pricey K-Cups).


 
This Product
Overall Winner
Overall Score
94%
93%
Our Awards
Date Reviewed
October 2014
July 2016
July 2016
Pros
extremely fast brew time; easy set up and clean up; adjustable temperature for hot and cold drinks; K-Cups come in over 250 different varieties of coffee, tea, cocoa or iced beverages; only brew what you need, so you don't end up wasting coffee, tea, etc.; can brew directly into travel mugs; can be programmed to turn on automatically and preheat water; socially responsible company that is a subsidiary of Vermont's Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, a company known for their gourmet, organic and fair trade coffee.
Coffee brewed at optimal time/temperature; SCAA certified; excellent warranty; brew-through lid and internal mixing tube
Coffee brewed at optimal time/temperature; SCAA certified; programmable; includes pre-infusion step; brew-through lid has internal mixing tube
Cons
relatively expensive when you consider the overall cost per cup with K-Cups; K-Cups aren't recyclable (but you can get reusable filters); brew temperature for coffee is lower than optimal; limited choices in terms of cup size and can only brew up to 10 ounces at one time; some reviewers felt the coffee was a bit weak; takes slightly longer to preheat water than similar machines; short warranty
Very expensive; not programmable; no auto-off
Expensive
Brewing Quality (30%)
Taste Test Results (35%)
Construction and Design Quality (20%)
Ease of Setup/Cleanup (15%)
Bonus Points - Extra Features (+10)
Type
Single Serve
Automatic Drip
Drip and Pour Over Technology
Brewing Capacity
6, 8 or 10 oz
40 oz
45 oz
Price (MSRP)
$340
$199.99
Warranty
1-year limited warranty
5-year Limited
2-year Limited
Product Width
9.8"
12.8"
14.2"
Product Depth
13.3"
6.8"
6.7"
Product Height
13"
15.3"
15.2"
SCAA Certified
Yes
Yes
Tested Brew Temperature
198°F
198°F
Tested Brew Time Until Empty Water Tank
5 minutes 30 seconds
7 minutes and 45 seconds
Carafe Temperature After Brewing
177°F
177°F
Carafe Temperature After 1 Hour
163°F
167°F
Filter Design
Recommends using a #4 disposable, cone-shaped filter
Recommends using a #4 disposable, cone-shaped filter
Carafe Style
Thermal
Thermal
Programmable
Yes, it has a blue backlit LCD display panel where you can adjust the brewing temperature (hot or cold depending on the drink) and where you can also set the digital clock to automatically turn the machine on or off at certain times. The machine won't begin brewing when it is programmed to turn on, but it will preheat the water, so it is ready to brew when you are. In terms of the automatic off feature, the machine may be programmed to turn off at a specific time or after a set period of inactivity.
No
Yes
Automatic Brew Strength Settings
No
No
No
Automatic Off
Yes (programmable)
No
Yes
Brew Stop
No, but a brew stop is largely unnecessary given the short brew cycle.
Yes
Yes
Built-In Water Filter
No
No
Dishwasher Safe
N/A
No
No

ProductReportCard Editors' In-Depth Review


Pros And Cons

Pros

  • Extremely fast brew time
  • Easy set up and clean up
  • Adjustable temperature for hot and cold drinks
  • K-Cups come in over 250 different varieties of coffee, tea, cocoa or iced beverages
  • Only brew what you need, so you don't end up wasting coffee, tea, etc.
  • Can brew directly into travel mugs
  • Can be programmed to turn on automatically and preheat water
  • Socially responsible company that is a subsidiary of Vermont's Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, a company known for their gourmet, organic and fair trade coffee.

Cons

  • Relatively expensive when you consider the overall cost per cup with K-Cups
  • K-Cups aren't recyclable (but you can get reusable filters)
  • Brew temperature for coffee is lower than optimal
  • Limited choices in terms of cup size and can only brew up to 10 ounces at one time
  • Some reviewers felt the coffee was a bit weak
  • Takes slightly longer to preheat water than similar machines
  • 1-year warranty is perceived to be rather thin and there were concerns about the brewer's durability

Key Features

Type of Coffee Maker
The Special Edition B60 is classified as a single-cup brewer. It utilizes patented, pre-packaged, individual K-Cups and a drip brewing method.
Capacity
Since it is a single-cup brewer, you have the option of making three different amounts of coffee: a small (5.25 ounces), medium (7.25 ounces) or large (9.25 ounces). Keurig customer service clarified that their website lists the cup sizes as 6, 8 and 10 ounces because they are accounting for 0.75 ounces of cream. The Keurig website also claims that the B60's water reservoir itself holds 60 ounces, but, in actuality, it only holds 48 ounces. The newer model, the B68, holds 60 ounces.
Product Size
The Special Edition B60 measures 13" x 9.8" x 13.3" (H x W x D). It weighs 12 pounds when empty.
Brew Time
It can brew one cup in less than one minute and is ready to brew another cup after 15 seconds.
Programmable
Yes, the Keurig B60 Special Edition has a blue backlit LCD display panel where you can adjust the brewing temperature (hot or cold depending on the drink) and where you can also set the digital clock to automatically turn the machine on or off. While the B60 won't start to brew the coffee, it will turn the machine on, so you don't to wait four minutes for the water to preheat. In terms of the automatic off feature, the machine may be programmed to turn off at a specific time or after a set period of inactivity
Brew Strength Settings
The machine itself can't control the brew strength, but you can purchase regular or extra bold K-Cups to suit your tastes. You can also enhance the intensity of the flavor by brewing a smaller cup size for a stronger cup of coffee.
Brewing Technology
As described above, the patented K-Cup is the essence of Keurig's single-serve brewing technology. Once the K-Cup has been inserted into the brewer and the lid has been closed, the machine simultaneously punctures the top and bottom of the K-Cup and forces the selected amount of water through the K-Cup contents and into your mug. Lower brewing temperatures can be selected, but, for hot beverages, the water temperature will be between 187°F and 192°F.
Mug or Carafe
The Special Edition B60 is compatible with a regular coffee cup or a travel mug. Coffee may be brewed directly into a travel mug by simply removing the drip tray.
Brew Basket
Not applicable for a single-cup brewer since it uses the K-Cups.
Brew Stop
The Special Edition B60 doesn't have a brew stop, but it is largely unnecessary given the extremely short brew time.
Filter
Each K-Cup encapsulates its own built-in filter along with the chosen brewing material. For those who desire to fill their own K-Cup, the Keurig MY K-Cup Reusable K-Cup Filter Assembly is available for use with the Special Edition B60 Brewer.
Water Reservoir
A 48-ounce clear plastic water tank is conveniently located on the left side of the machine and can be easily removed for refilling.
On/Off Switch
The Special Edition B60 has a manual on/off switch or power button, and, as mentioned, it can also be programmed to turn on/off automatically.
Product Design
The stylish modern design features a blue backlit LCD display with chrome and black accents.
Warranty
The Keurig B60 Special Edition Brewer has a 1-year limited warranty for normal home use from the date of purchase. Keurig also offers a 30-day money back guarantee if you aren't satisfied with the brewer.

Reputation

The Keurig Special Edition B60 Brewer has received good feedback from customers online including a 3.8/5 on Amazon.com (1538 reviews), a 3.7/5 on Keurig.com (1648 reviews) and a 4.2/5 on GreenMountainCoffee.com (348 reviews). Overall, customers appear to be delighted with the brewer and rave about the benefits of the single serve concept and the no muss, no fuss aspects of the machine. They love the flexibility of being able to brew single cups of quality coffee, tea or hot chocolate without dealing with the hassle of cleaning a brew basket or changing a filter. Reviewers also appreciated the compact, modern appearance of the brewer with its blue backlit LCD display.

While most users were happy with the taste of the coffee, some customers (myself included) expressed disappointment. Given that the K-Cups are pre-packaged with an abundance of high quality coffee and tea, it is clearly not the product that falls short. The brew time and temperature are the likely contributors to the less than ideal flavor of coffee made with single serve technology. But if the K-Cups efficiency and effortless brewing hold sway, single serve converts won't mind the slightly less robust flavor.

The primary complaint customers have with the Special Edition B60 Brewer has to do with the cost of the disposable K-Cups. While reusable K-Cups are available, the hassle of refilling the pods pretty much defeats the purpose of this convenience-driven brewer. In February 2012, a New York Times article estimated that a pound of K-Cup coffee costs consumers around $50, which is more than double what a pound of high-end, gourmet coffee would cost. How much the convenience of a K-Cup is worth is strictly a personal decision. How much an individual saves by brewing one cup of coffee at a time versus a full pot that may not be entirely consumed is also strictly personal. With the Green Mountain K-Cup patent expiring at the end of 2012, we can hope that the increased competition in the space will drive down the price of K-Cup coffee to make it more affordable. In the meantime, keep in mind that a cup of K-Cup coffee still costs significantly less than your Starbucks and could be a great investment for busy people trying to save some money by making their coffee at home.


Reviews

Customer Responses, Reviews, or Complaints

Username:
chris.d.daniels
Location:
Mesa, AZ
Age:
60
Keurig Coffee Maker
Review submitted: 2015-02-16
The machine has worked very well. We prepare 4-6 cups a day, and haven't had any problems. The auto shut-off feature is nice,as is the cup size and water temp selections. I use the fill-able mesh cups, and my wife uses the pre-made K-cup style. The noise level seems a little high during both fill and brew cycles, but not disturbing. The reservoir is built in nicely and holds enough for a day or maybe two. It looks nice and is easy to clean,and the removable cup landing/spill catcher is handy.
Username:
navywifetill2002
Location:
Belton, MO
Age:
45
Coffee ready when you are
Review submitted: 2015-02-09
I love my Keurig! No need to wait for coffee to brew just pop in a K-cup and push the button and your cup of joe is ready to go. I love that I can choose a cup size and get the strength coffee that's best for me. It's also a no mess process, throw the K-cup away and you're done, nothing to wash up. There are plenty of flavor options available if you want coffee, tea, or cocoa there is something for everyone. We also use it to heat water quickly for instant oatmeal and grits in the morning. It makes it easy for the kids to get breakfast themselves.
Username:
Noahsmom
Location:
Avon Lake, OH
Age:
52
Keurig K-Cup Single Serve Brewing System
Review submitted: 2015-01-26
I absolutely love the convenience of my Keurig coffee maker. I find that I don't waste coffee and each cup tastes freshly brewed unlike my previous coffee pot that sat for at least an hour and tended to taste burnt with each additional cup I drank. I also like NOT having to clean a "pot"-- just the cup that I use. The variety of K Cups is fun--whether it is flavored coffees, teas, hot chocolate or hot ciders. The only thing that I don't like is the loud noise it makes while it is brewing. I love Keurig!
Username:
Brknwgs1
Location:
Elk Mound, WI
Age:
59
coffee maker
Review submitted: 2015-01-23
I have a Keurig and love it for mt household I dont waste anymore coffee! I can make one or several cups. I like each cup is individual flavor. The design and color are attractive. I like the easy side fill and the fact that is for more thn one cup at a time. Cost was a factor and reasonable for what features it has. Only thing I dont like is when I open to insert single cup of coffee pod depending on where under my cupboard its positioned there is not enough room. It could be the design of my cupboards.
Username:
tammiemammie
Location:
Owensboro, KY
Age:
50
Keurig Coffee Machine
Review submitted: 2015-01-19
I LOVE this coffee pot!! In this past, it was crucial waiting for a pot to brew. This machine takes 2 seconds to brew a cup. I bought the solofill filter so I could continue using the coffee I was used to. Another great thing is there is no wasted coffee! With a 12 cup coffee pot (6 regular coffee cups) it would take you all day to drink that amount, and if you could manage (a lot of people change their minds after their 3rd cup) to drink that many cups, your coffee had been brewed too long! Easy clean up too. What more could you ask for?
Username:
Mr_Tanori
Location:
Richmond Heights, OH
Age:
30
Keurig > Starbucks
Review submitted: 2013-12-18
I own the Keurig B60 and I absolutely love it. When you turn on the unit it takes about 5 minutes for the water to warm up which is a lot faster then boiling water on your own for a steaming cup of joe. I haven't had any issues with it thus far, have owned it for about 10 months now. I have had both coffee and hot cocoa. Anytime that I switch between beverage types I don't notice any change in flavor due to coffee or cocoa left behind from the last flavor. The temperature is always steaming hot, there is an option on the menu to lower or raise the temperature. Its a fantastic unit, I will never switch brands again!
Username:
annieandrews_12
Location:
Kissimmee, FL
Age:
33
My Coffee Maker Review
Review submitted: 2013-10-02
I love my Keurig Coffee Maker! its really simple and easy to use. I don't have to deal with the annoyance of those standard filters that you have with a regular coffee maker. I like that I can make a single cup of coffee in less than 2 minutes. I like that I can choose the amount of coffee you want in your cup as well. I like the variety of choices that you can have with the k-cups that they make, my favorite is the starbucks! And you don't have to worry about burning yourself cause there is no hot plate like a standard coffee maker I can enjoy a fresh cup of my favorite type of coffee in the comfort of my own home. I also have the choice of purchasing my own coffee and using the reusable k-cup that comes with the coffee maker. This product is by far my favorite and easy to use out of the many coffee makers I have had or used in the past. As of now I haven't found anything I like least about my coffee maker.
Username:
lworlton
Location:
Lone Tree, CO
Age:
36
Keurig - Best decision ever!
Review submitted: 2013-10-02
I own the Keurig B60 and I absolutely love it. When you turn on the unit it takes about 5 minutes for the water to warm up which is a lot faster then boiling water on your own for a steaming cup of joe. I haven't had any issues with it thus far, have owned it for about 10 months now. I have had both coffee and hot cocoa. Anytime that I switch between beverage types I don't notice any change in flavor due to coffee or cocoa left behind from the last flavor. The temperature is always steaming hot, there is an option on the menu to lower or raise the temperature. Its a fantastic unit, I will never switch brands again!
Username:
gprospere2008
Location:
Boston, MA
Age:
41
Keurig is Grrrreattttt!
Review submitted: 2013-07-26
I have owned a Keurig coffee maker for about 4 years now. It is an amazing product! It is easy to clean and I can get about 5-9 coffee refills before the water tank is empty. The coffee is clean, great tasting, and fresh. It's a new experience every time I make a cup of coffee!

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