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Keurig K-Express Essentials vs Ninja Pods & Grounds Coffee Maker

Buy the Keurig K-Express Essentials if you want the simplest, most reliable pod brewer and only drink K-Cups. Buy the Ninja Pods & Grounds if you want one machine for pods and fresh grounds, plus a built-in frother for lattes and iced drinks. The Keurig is smaller, lighter and has far more owner feedback behind it, and its 4.4 rating from over 14,000 ratings reflects a long track record. The Ninja offers more brewing styles and a bigger tank, but it is bulkier, slower at about 5 minutes a brew, and its 4.1 rating rests on far fewer ratings.

  • Choose the Keurig K-Express Essentials if you drink K-Cup pods, want a slim 6.5-inch brewer that fits a tight counter, and value a proven, simple machine.
  • Choose the Ninja Pods & Grounds if you want to brew fresh grounds as well as pods, make iced coffee and frothy specialty drinks, and brew larger travel-mug sizes.

Prices

  • Keurig K-Express Essentials: $84.84 at Brands For Less USA (last seen Nov 8)
  • Ninja Pods & Grounds Coffee Maker: $88.96 at WoodArtSupply (last seen Nov 9)
  • Difference: the Keurig K-Express Essentials is $4.12 cheaper than the Ninja Pods & Grounds Coffee Maker at the latest prices (Nov 8 and Nov 9)
Keurig
Keurig K-Express Essentials Black Single-Serve K-Cup Pod Coffee Maker

Keurig K-Express Essentials

Keurig K-Express Essentials Black Single-Serve K-Cup Pod Coffee Maker

4.4(14,598 ratings)
$84.84at Brands For Less USAChecked Nov 8
See all prices and details
Visit Brands For Less USA
Pros
  • Very small footprint at 6.5 inches wide
  • Simple button controls with three cup sizes
  • Back-to-back brewing for a quick second cup
  • Large base of owner ratings
  • Removable drip tray fits 7-inch travel mugs
Cons
  • Pods only, no fresh grounds
  • No frother or iced-specific brew mode
  • Small 36 oz reservoir needs frequent refills
  • No strength or temperature settings
Ninja
Ninja Pods & Grounds Specialty coffee maker

Ninja Pods & Grounds Coffee Maker

Ninja Pods & Grounds Specialty coffee maker

4.1(92 ratings)
$88.96at WoodArtSupplyChecked 23 h ago
See all prices and details
Visit WoodArtSupply
Pros
  • Brews both pods and fresh grounds
  • Built-in frother for lattes and cappuccinos
  • Over Ice and Specialty brew styles
  • Larger 56 oz tank and up to 24 oz grounds brews
  • Fits travel mugs up to 8 inches
Cons
  • Longer brew time, about 5 minutes
  • Deeper body takes more counter depth
  • Fewer owner ratings to judge long-term reliability
  • More settings mean a steeper learning curve

What separates them

Keurig K-Express EssentialsNinja Pods & Grounds Coffee Maker
Pod vs groundsK-Cup pods onlyK-Cup pods and fresh ground coffee
Brew sizes6, 8 and 10 oz6 to 12 oz with pods; 6 to 24 oz with grounds
Water reservoir36 oz removable56 oz removable
Milk frotherNoneBuilt-in fold-away frother
Footprint and weight6.5 in wide, 4.5 lb5.51 in wide but 13.07 in deep, 6.26 lb
Brew stylesOne standard brewClassic, Rich, Over Ice and Specialty
Owner feedback4.4 from about 14,600 ratings4.1 from 92 ratings
SimplicityInsert pod, pick size, press buttonMore settings and a frother to manage

Price history

$109.99$49.47
Oct 30Nov 10
  • Keurig K-Express Essentials: lowest $49.47 on Nov 8 at Walmart.
  • Ninja Pods & Grounds Coffee Maker: lowest $88.96 on Nov 10 at WoodArtSupply.

Prices at every store

Keurig K-Express Essentials

  • Brands For Less USANew

    In stock

    $84.84Free shippingChecked Nov 8
    Visit Brands For Less USA

Also available at

  • eBayCheck price at eBay
  • WalmartCheck price at Walmart
  • WalmartCheck price at Walmart

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Prices and history →

Ninja Pods & Grounds Coffee Maker

  • WoodArtSupplyNew

    In stock

    $88.96Free shippingChecked 23 h ago
    Visit WoodArtSupply
  • WalmartNew

    In stockSold by SDG Distribution

    $116.99Free shippingChecked 23 h ago
    Visit Walmart
  • Home DepotNew

    In stock

    $129.95Free shippingChecked 23 h ago
    Visit Home Depot
  • AmazonNew

    Availability unknown

    As an Amazon Associate, Deal.ai earns from qualifying purchases.

    $99.00Free shippingChecked 48 min ago
    Visit Amazon
All 20 stores and price history →

Specs compared

SpecKeurig K-Express EssentialsNinja Pods & Grounds Coffee Maker
colorBlackBlack
actual_colorBlack—
size1—
Capacity—Single Cup
Carafe Capacity—12 cups
Water Tank Size—56-oz.
Depth—13.07 in
Height—13.31 in
Width—5.51 in
Milk System—Built-in frother, Built-in, fold-away frother
Grind System—Grounds
Brew Time—5 min
Show all 40 specsShow fewer specs
SpecKeurig K-Express EssentialsNinja Pods & Grounds Coffee Maker
Commercial Use—No
Use—Home
Typical Users—Guests who enjoy different brewing methods
Brew Style—Specialty, Classic, Over Ice, Rich
Brewing System—Pod Compatible, Single Cup
Brew Strength—Rich
Pod Style—K-Cup
Brew Settings—Precise temperature control
Pod Type—Single-serve
Filter Type

What reviewers say

Keurig K-Express Essentials

  • 4.4 / 514,598 ratings

Owners rate it highly as a simple, compact pod brewer that is easy to set up and quick to brew. Complaints center on the plastic feel, the small reservoir and the lack of strength or temperature adjustments.

What people mention
  • FootprintPraisedOwners say it fits where full-size brewers cannot, which is the main reason they bought it.
  • Brew speedPraisedReviewers describe quick heat-up and back-to-back cups with little waiting.
  • ReservoirMixedThe removable 36 oz tank is convenient, but heavy drinkers refill it daily.
  • BuildCriticisedSome owners find the all-plastic body light and less sturdy than pricier Keurig models.

Ninja Pods & Grounds Coffee Maker

  • 4.1 / 592 ratings

Ratings average 4.1 out of 5 across 92 reviews, a solid but not glowing score. Owners like the flexibility of pods plus grounds and the frother; complaints tend to center on plastic build and brew speed.

What people mention
  • VersatilityPraisedOwners value brewing K-Cup pods and loose grounds from the same machine.
  • FrotherPraisedThe fold-away frother is called out for easy lattes and cold foam.
  • BuildCriticisedReviewers say the plastic body feels less sturdy than the price suggests.
  • Brew speedMixed
Reviews
  • The 4 Best Single-Serve Coffee Makers Out of 12 We Tested - CNET

Questions and answers

Which is better for someone who only drinks plain black coffee from pods?
The Keurig. It is simpler, smaller and has a much larger record of owner ratings. The Ninja adds grounds brewing and a frother you would not use.
Can the Ninja really brew fresh ground coffee?
Yes. It brews grounds in sizes from 6 to 24 oz with Classic, Rich, Over Ice and Specialty styles, which the Keurig cannot do at all.
Which one makes iced coffee or lattes better?
The Ninja. It has a dedicated Over Ice style and a built-in frother for milk. The Keurig brews hot coffee only.
Which is easier to fit on a small counter?
The Keurig is 6.5 inches wide and 4.5 lb, so it tucks into tight spots. The Ninja is narrow but 13 inches deep, so check your counter depth.
Is the Ninja worth stepping up to over the Keurig?
If you want grounds, iced drinks, froth or brews larger than 10 oz, yes. If you just want fast pod coffee with fewer things to clean, the Keurig is the better fit.
Which lasts longer?
Both are plastic machines with manufacturer warranties. The Keurig has a far larger pool of long-term owner feedback, while the Ninja's smaller rating base makes long-term reliability harder to judge.

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Buying guides that pick them

  • Best single serve coffee makers
—
Permanent
Material—Plastic
Removable Water Tank—Yes
Brew sizes—6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 18, or 24-oz. grounds brew
Pod brew sizes—6, 8, 10, or 12-oz. pod brew
Brew styles—Classic, Rich, Over Ice, or Specialty
Travel mug clearance—up to an 8" travel mug
Weight—6.26 lbs
Voltage—120 volts
Wattage—1,550 watts
Amperage—12.5 amps
Warranty—1
Frother—Built-in, fold-away frother
Type—Espresso machine
Subtype—Automatic
Manufacturer Color—Black
Power (W)—1500
App Control—No
Functions—Automatic Cleaning, Programmable, Timer
Some owners find the roughly 5-minute brew slower than a basic drip maker.