Latest news with #KatherinePeach
CNET
15-05-2025
- Business
- CNET
Bruvi Review: Keurig and Nespresso Can't Touch This Sleek Pod Coffee Maker
CNET's expert staff reviews and rates dozens of new products and services each month, building on more than a quarter century of expertise. 8.8 / 10 SCORE Bruvi Brewer $218 at Bruvi Pros Cleaning out pods isn't necessary B-Pods are designed to break down in the landfill Makes solid iced coffee Creates excellent crema in shots of espresso Cons We needed to use the strong setting to extract a darker roast for some of the pods The price is high compared with others tested Bruvi Brewer 8.8/10 CNET Score $218 at Bruvi I've finally found a standout single-serve coffee machine, after testing nearly a dozen, including multiple models from Keurig and Nespresso. Having used the Bruvi Brewer daily for more than four months, I'm confident in naming it the best push-button coffee maker to buy in 2025. The Bruvi consistently delivers high-quality coffee, whether you prefer it hot or iced. Its intuitive digital interface is simple to use, even during early mornings, and offers more than 20 touchscreen settings to customize brew size, strength and style. This flexibility makes the Bruvi ideal for households with diverse coffee preferences. The Bruvi BV-01 brewer is my top pick for single-serve coffee machines. Katherine Peach/CNET Combining convenience with sustainability, Bruvi offers a sleek, eco-friendly solution for people who prefer the ease of a single button over the complexity of manual brewing. Since entering the seemingly saturated market in 2018, Bruvi has distinguished itself as a rare alternative to traditional single-serve systems like K-Cup and Nespresso. What truly won me over were its innovative coffee capsules -- infused with a bio-enzyme designed to break down the capsule in just a few years without releasing microplastics. Branded as B-Pods, these capsules are not only biodegradable but also produced with ethical labor, transparent sourcing and planet-friendly packaging. With B-Pods, you can enjoy your coffee without the guilt or hassle of questionable recycling. Bruvi's largest hurdle toward brand recognition might be its $338 price. Even when the brewer is reduced to $218 bundled with at least three boxes of B-Pods (about $21 each on average), it's one of the more expensive single-serve capsule machines I've tested. The L'or Barista system increases to $219 with metallic accents, and the cold brew-only Cumulus Machine goes for $695. Bruvi manages to outperform both in terms of features and overall value. A coffee machine that delivers the simplicity of a touch-screen brewer paired with the versatility of seven beverage styles, the Bruvi stands out among the competition. Bruvi BV-01 Brewer performance Bruvi Bv 01 Katherine Peach/CNET Bruvi Bv-01, the brand's only available model, delivers features warranting its mid-tier price point. Just less than 6.5 pounds, the machine is rather light. I find at 10 inches across and 12.6 inches deep it does demand a decent span of counter space. The brewer makes seven styles of hot and cold coffee and teas, including a 15-bar high-pressure espresso, passable iced coffee and concentrated cold brew. Water takes only five seconds to heat, resulting in true on-demand beverages. The Bruvi makes far more than cups of hot drip coffee. Bruvi/Facebook Bruvi at a glance What it makes : Coffee, espresso, iced coffee, cold brew, tea, low-acid coffee : Coffee, espresso, iced coffee, cold brew, tea, low-acid coffee Pod type : Biodegradable B-Pods : Biodegradable B-Pods Dimensions : 12.6" D x 10.2" W x 11.5" H : 12.6" D x 10.2" W x 11.5" H Cost: $338 or $218 when you purchase a B-Pod bundle Settings including hotter temperature, low-acid extraction and, my favorite feature, a stronger extraction necessary for many of the roasts I tasted from the variety pack. Its removable water tank holds an impressive 70 ounces but I dislike that the tank has to stay about one-third full or the brewer beeps demanding more water. Used pods are dumped into an internal waste bin that holds up to six and a clever latch on the waste bin makes for easy disposal when the time comes. I find Bruvi's "hygienic extraction" notable for anyone who has attempted to make tea or get hot water from a standard single-serve system. You can heat up to 12 ounces for water without worrying about loose grounds at the bottom of your cup. As a heavy tea drinker, I was surprised to learn the machine fits even my extra tall mug. The three-level drip tray adjusts to fit an espresso cap or a 6.5-inch-tall cup. A 60-day "no questions asked" return policy might ease the hesitation to purchase a direct-to-consumer coffee machine. Customers will pay for return shipping costs, however. The brand's one-year warranty is standard for most machines, although underwhelming. Bruvi Brewer is a surprisingly pleasant user experience The Bruvi BV-01 is our pick for the best single-serve coffee maker of 2025. Katherine Peach/CNET Overall, I appreciate the obvious attention paid to the aesthetic and touch-screen capabilities for a more pleasant experience interacting with the brewer. Cheerful is the best way I can describe the tones emitted by the machine, including a series of chimes to indicate the machine has turned on and when your drink is complete. The entire machine is curved lines and smooth surfaces, a bit reminiscent of a robot from a Disney movie. I even prefer its matte finish for a more tactile grip when refilling the tank or adjusting the drip tray. Blinking lights are common with single-serve coffee brewers but I often couldn't remember if blinking meant 'wait' or 'ready to brew' because it changes depending on the machine. Bruvi's almost comically large "stop" and "start" button is a circle that flashes (the words are separated by an elegant teardrop at its center) avoiding any confusion on how to proceed. Bruvi fills in minimalist flashing LED bars around the button in what is an obvious count up to my finished brew. If you purchase a B-Pod bundle, the machine cost drops to $218. Bruvi/CNET All of the testers expressed how much they enjoyed the touch-screen interface that pairs simple icons with labels. Lift the large bar to drop in a pod and the screen flashes all of its symbols like its waking up from a nap. Automatic sensors recognize whether a B-Pod is espresso, coffee or tea, lighting only the digital icons that apply to the specific pod after insertion: A coffee pod illuminates a thermometer with 'hotter' to increase the temperature, for example. Select the outline of person with a heart emoji for a 'low acid' pour. Four size icons start with a mug with the number six then adapt into a travel cup encasing the number 12 for a foolproof understanding of ounces per pour. Design choices include a large handle to drop the coffee pod sideways into the machine head and the hole matches the exact form of the capsule. The bulky cord doesn't retract, which would be a nice touch if the cord wasn't so girthy. A smart app also allows for remote brewing and scheduling in advance but those features seem like overkill when the process to brew is so simple. Bruvi Brewer vs. Nespresso Vertuo Long-term, you'll save a lot of money on coffee-shop lattes and espressos. Nespresso Nespresso Vertuo Plus often reaches the top of the list for single-serve coffee machines as the brand's main brewer in its line of combination coffee and espresso makers. Bruvi bridges the divide between the versatility of a K-Cup and the elevated aesthetic of a Nespresso brewer. Nespresso's Vertuo brewers also retail for $199 for its chrome model meaning there is an $18 gap when the Bruvi is bundled for first-time buyers. Nespresso Vertuo Plus also scans its capsules to brew according to its specific needs. Beyond which coffee or espresso capsules you purchase, Nespresso doesn't enable any modifications with its one-button brewer. Bruvi in many ways is the antithesis of a Nespresso Vertuo because its major appeal seems to be personalization. I still find it foolproof when bleary-eyed first thing in the morning compared to the one-touch competitor. The long-term maintenance of a Bruvi BV-01 is more cost effective with B-Pods costing on average $1.05 per capsule compared to Nespresso's $1.34 per capsule. B-Pods Coffee Testing Bruvi's B-Pods are biodegradable, giving it a green edge over other pod coffee systems. Bruvi I won't pretend coffee pods can rival fresh ground coffee but people devoted to the one-button Nespresso Vertuo know that's not the point. The brand's proprietary B-Pods deliver a consistency that I've yet to find with a multitude of even the best K-Cups roasts. I've also come to appreciate the ability to drop in a pod of Equator Blend coffee, one of our picks for the top coffee subscriptions, without grinding, measuring or cleaning out a grounds basket after hitting snooze enough times to be running late for the train. On that note, I recommend skipping the De La Casa blend. Bruvi B-Pods are available in about two dozen coffee and espresso roasts, at the time of testing. I needed to use the stronger setting for the more affordable Wonderland brews to reach a robust flavor that isn't too weak and forgettable. The machine also delivers seven styles of coffee, including infusions and matcha, although I can't speak to the taste of B-Pod coffee alternatives. Most Keurig K-Cups are not biodegradable as of this writing. Katherine Peach/CNET Bruvi cold brew is slow extracted in phases. I selected the 6-ounce recommended setting, which took more than six minutes to brew. It's not the almost instantaneous cold brew of The Cumulus but it's a much faster option than the overnight brewing option. The result is a concentrated and lukewarm extraction meant to pair with ice. It tastes comparative to the Keurig K-Brew + Chill, one of the few single-serve brewers with passable cold coffee. Bruvi pods on the assembly line. Bruvi/Facebook My go-to coffee order when at a café is an espresso or drip coffee. The reality is the quality of straight espresso is often beholden to the skill of the person at the machine. Bruvi B-Pods manages to take away the guesswork by delivering a balanced shot straight from a coffee pod. Nespresso has dominated the international market with its crema-heavy espresso, so I find it refreshing to enjoy a standard crema you might find from a commercial machine.
CNET
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CNET
Put a Better K-Cup in Your Keurig. I Tried More 40 Coffee Pods to Find the Best in 2025
What to skip: Revv No Surrender This coffee pod did little to rev my engines. Katherine Peach/CNET I found Revv No Surrender coffee disappointing for a few reasons:The blend reminded me of coffee from a pot that was left sitting on the burner for too long. The K-Cup tasted sour and astringent followed by a burnt and bitter finish. Second, No Surrender claims to be the jolt you need as an early grinder, but it's made with 100% arabica beans. Straight arabica means it's likely to possess a typical caffeine boost without the naturally higher caffeine content of the robusta bean. (None of the K-Cup boxes gave caffeine information.) Finally, No Surrender arrived unannounced in the Keurig Coffee Lovers' Collection variety pack. I bought a box of the brand to test because No Surrender wasn't listed as part of the collection on the Keurig website. Not a style that I needed excess of, unfortunately. What to try instead: Tactisquatch Tactisquatch by Black Rifle Coffee is smooth and toasty with a nice jolt of caffeine. Keurig If looking for a dark roast without much bitterness, I recommend trying Tactisquatch by Black Rifle Coffee Company at 68 cents per pod in the 22-count box on Keurig. The flavor is toasted and robust with a smooth finish. Tactisquatch also doesn't claim to be made with 100% arabica beans, so it likely includes the robusta bean for an extra dose of caffeine. It could be the jolt you're hoping for. What to skip: Starbucks Verona After tasting Starbucks' Verona blend, I'm starting to see why Romeo and Juliet ended up like it did. Kather Most people headed to Starbucks aren't going for its excellent drip coffee, but the Starbucks Verona K-Cup tastes like something has gone wrong in the roasting process. It is a hard pass for me because it smells burnt, tastes bitter and left an unpleasant tannic residue on the tip of my tongue. The brand markets Verona as a mid-dark on the label, but it tastes like an overcooked French roast. Are there better options out there, even by the same brand? Absolutely. What to try instead: Barista Premium Try Barista Premium instead of Starbucks Varona. Keurig The Barista Prima Coffeehouse Colombia is a single-origin alternative with deep toasted notes of walnut that doesn't overpower. I could see many people reaching for this first thing in the morning for an eye opener. I also find it a little acidic, but it's a solid option considering it's a medium roast than leans dark. The K-Cups are 62 cents per pod on Keurig and found online at retailers like Amazon. What to skip: Seattle's Best Breakfast Blend Seattle's Best was one of the worst. Katherine Peach Despite tasting this K-Cup several times, the Seattle's Best Breakfast Blend is a medium roast that delivers a combination of muddiness upfront and a sweet yet musty finish. (I did confirm the best buy date is fine for almost one more year. Of course, the "best buy" date on a coffee label isn't an indicator of freshness.) Overall, this blend lacks the brightness and citrus notes listed on the box. I found the earthiness overwhelming and would need plenty of milk and sugar to balance out the flavor. Plus, at 56 cents per pod on the Keurig site, this isn't even the cheapest K-Cup option available. What to try instead: Illy Classico Opt for Illy Classico over Green Mountain for a medium breakfast blend. Illy Illy Classico is another brand commonly found in the grocery store or on Keurig for $1.30 per pod. It's toasted and rounded in flavor for a medium roast without verging into overcooked. This isn't the most complex of blends, but it's likely to please anyone interested in a solid, international coffee. What to skip: Green Mountain Coffee Roasters Colombia Select Green Mountain's Columbia Select started smooth but finished surprisingly bitter and flat. Katherine Peach/CNET I selected the Green Mountain Single-Origin Colombia Select because it was the only option with a Fair Trade Certified label from my local grocery store. While I appreciate sustainable sourcing, I found this K-Cup to be inconsistent. Even when it started smooth, it finished surprisingly bitter and flat. The aroma is sweet but is missing the claims of cocoa and caramel tasting notes. The Colombia Select also arrived as part of the Keurig variety pack and the flavor still disappointed. Granted, it's not as muddy as some of the other Green Mountain blends, but the finish carried an essence of twig that just couldn't meet the label's aspirations. What to try instead: Philz Tesora I liked Philz Tesora with its smooth, toasted flavor and full-bodied texture. Philz For a medium roast with responsible sourcing, try Philz Coffee Tesora blend, at 78 cents per pod on Keurig. Tesora is a smooth, toasted flavor and full-bodied texture. This pod also claims notes of chocolate and caramel similar to the Colombia Select. The blend is bright overall to balance the nuttiness. Plus, Philz Coffee claims a range of partnerships for sustainability, fair labor conditions and social programs. What to skip: Gevalia Signature Blend Gevalia's signature blend was hardly offensive, but there are plenty of others I would choose over it. Katherine Peach/CNET Labeled as a mild blend, the Gevalia Signature Blend light roast is bright and a little sour. If you want a true light roast, though, then it's better to go with another blend because this one is quite toasted. This K-Cup is also more bitter than I anticipated, which does mellow as the coffee cools. The Signature Blend also finishes with wet earth notes that are more musty than herbaceous. This is hardly an offensive blend, but there are just better options out there. What to try instead: Coffee People Morning Blend Coffee People's Morning Blend is a delightful light roast for daily drinking. Coffee People Coffee People Morning Blend is a better light-roast alternative. The Morning Blend is one of the few light-roasted blends that is truly mild with low acidity. It's also nutty with a light body that allows for a satisfying viscosity at the start of the day. While Coffee People Morning Blend isn't my top choice for a light roast, I found the pods consistent and highly drinkable at 39 cents per pod in a 24-count on Keurig.
