Best Medium Roast K Cups (Top 12 Picks)

Searching for the best medium roast K Cups? Dive into our guide and discover the top picks and how to decide which one is the best for you.

Short on time? Our top choice is the Lifeboost Medium Roast Coffee Pods!

There are hundreds of brands that make medium roast K-Cups.

That makes choosing the best medium roast K-Cups incredibly difficult.

Lucky for you, I’ve spent nearly five years in and around the coffee industry. So I’ve picked up a thing or two about choosing good coffees.

In this article, I’ll walk you through some of my all-time favorite medium roast K-Cups.

Let’s get to it!

12 Best Medium Roast K Cups

• Lifeboost Medium Roast Coffee Pods (Best Overall)
• Lion Original Roast Single-Serve Coffee Pods (Oldest Roaster)
• Lifeboost Medium Roast Decaf Coffee Pods (Best Decaf K-Cups)
• Black Ink Maineiac Blend Coffee Pods (Best Value)
• Royal Kona Mountain Roast 10% Kona Blend Single Serve Coffee Pods (Best Kona Coffee)
• Lifeboost Half Caff Coffee Pods Death Wish Medium Roast Death Cups (Best Half Caff Option)
• Death Wish Medium Roast Death Cups (Strongest Coffee)
• Lifeboost Hazelnut Coffee Pods (Best Flavored K-Cups)
• Roy’s Pacific Roast 10% Kona Blend Single Serve Coffee Pods (Best Medium/Dark Roast)
• Green Mountain Coffee Roasters Nantucket Blend (Designed for Keurig)
• Starbucks K-Cup Pike Place Roast (Most Classic Blend)
• Cafe Bustelo Colombian Medium Roast K-Cups (Quirkiest Brand)

Lifeboost Medium Roast Coffee Pods 

Lifeboost is a great roaster with a huge lineup of quality coffees.

But Lifeboost has a bright spot with these medium roast coffee pods.

Inside, you’ll find the same Lifeboost single-origin Nicaraguan coffee that you might know from buying bags. 

You’re getting the same specific flavor profile.

The pods are compatible with Keurig and Keurig 2 machines. That means that no matter your brewer, these pods will still make tasty coffee.

Lifeboost still gets the pods certified Fair Trade and USDA Organic. That means you can be sure the production standards are pretty high.

Finally, these are still 100% Arabica beans. Arabica beans are tastier and of higher quality than any Arabica/Robusta blend.

The only downside is that it’s still technically a blend of Nicaraguan coffees. That means that you’re not quite getting the micro-lot flavor profile.

Pros

• It’s a single-origin Nicaraguan coffee, which means you get a specific and focused flavor profile in each pod
• These pods are compatible with Keurig and Keurig 2 machines, which means they will definitely work with your Keurig
• Lifeboost makes sure to get USDA Organic, and Fair Trade certified, which means the coffee was held to high production standards
• This coffee is 100% Arabica beans, which are tastier and of higher quality than any Arabica/Robusta blend

Cons

• While it is single-origin, it’s still a blend of different farms, which means you don’t get the most specific flavors possible

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Lion Original Roast Single-Serve Coffee Pods 

Lion is one of the oldest roasters in North America.

It’s been around for well over one hundred years.

And this blend is one of the classics.

It’s a blend designed to have a subtle sweetness and a smooth finish. That means it’s a balanced and super drinkable coffee. Not too bitter and not too acidic.

And with the age of Lion as a roaster, you can be sure to trust the quality and consistency from batch to batch.

Plus, the smooth blend means the coffee tastes great no matter which settings you prefer to use on your Keurig.

The classic taste of this blend goes as well with cream and sugar as it does with black.

The only thing to note is that these pods don’t work with the Keurig Vue coffee maker.

Pros

• This blend is designed to have a subtle sweetness and smooth finish, which means it’s a balanced and drinkable coffee
• Lion has been around for a very long time, so you can trust the quality and consistency of the roaster from batch to batch
• The smooth blend means that this coffee tastes great no matter which settings you like to brew with
• The balance of this coffee means it works with or without cream and sugar

Cons

• These pods aren’t compatible with Keurig Vue machines

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Lifeboost Medium Roast Decaf Coffee Pods 

Lifeboost actually has more than one coffee pod. It has a whole lineup of coffee pods.

Another winner is the medium roast decaf coffee pods.

These are made with Swiss water-decaffeinated beans. The Swiss Water process is great because it doesn’t use any chemicals in the decaffeination process. That allows for the taste of the beans to shine even without caffeine.

Lifeboost still gets its decaf coffees certified by Fair Trade and USDA Organic. You don’t have to worry about the production standards dropping just because you’re buying decaf pods.

Like the fully-caffeinated pods, these pods are compatible with all Keurig and Keurig 2 machines. They’ll certainly work on yours, so no worries there.

And it’s still the same single-origin Nicaraguan coffee you know from buying bags of Lifeboost’s beans.

The only downside is that because of the decaffeination process, these pods are on the expensive side.

Pros

• With the Swiss Water Process, this coffee still tastes like coffee and not chemicals
• Lifeboost gets its coffees USDA Organic, and Fair Trade certified, which means you can trust the quality of the production process
• These pods are compatible with all Keurig and Keurig 2 machines, so they will certainly work with yours
• It’s still a single-origin Nicaraguan coffee, which means you’ll get a nice and rounded flavor profile

Cons

• Because of the decaffeination process, these pods are on the expensive side

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Black Ink Maineiac Blend Coffee Pods 

Black Ink Coffee is a relatively new coffee roaster with some phenomenal coffees.

One of the standouts is the Maineiac Blend Coffee Pods.

A big selling point? These pods are super cheap. But still taste incredible. They’re so cheap that it’s actually cheaper than buying bags of beans and brewing yourself. It’s not every day I get to say that.

These pods also work with any Keurig machine. You don’t have to worry about compatibility.

Black Ink also uses more coffee in each pod than is the industry standard. That means you get a rich and bold cup of coffee from each pod. It results in a much stronger cup.

On top of all that, the pods are completely recyclable. That helps lower the environmental impact of using single-serve coffee pods.

The only downside is that this is a blend of different coffees. You don’t get as specific a flavor profile as you would with single-origin coffee.

Pros

• These pods are cheap without sacrificing quality, so they’re much more economical than going to a shop
• These pods work with any Keurig brewing machine, so you don’t have to worry about compatibility
• Black Ink uses more coffee in each pod to produce a stronger and richer cup of coffee with each brew
• The pods are recyclable, which lessens the impact of using single-serve pods

Cons

• The Maineiac is a blend of coffees, so you don’t get a specific flavor profile as you would with a single-origin coffee

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Royal Kona Mountain Roast 10% Kona Blend Single Serve Coffee Pods

Royal Kona is a roaster that is synonymous with quality Hawaiian coffee.

And if you aren’t aware, Kona coffee is some of the most sought-after coffee in the world. It consistently ranks as some of the highest-quality coffee every year.

In short, it’s a special coffee.

So while it might seem like only a little bit, 10% of this coffee comes from the Kona region of Hawaii.

It’s a blend designed for balance and smoothness. That means it tastes great no matter your preferred brewing settings. Use the strong button or brew in any size, and this coffee will still taste amazing.

The blend also goes well with or without cream and sugar. That means it pleases just about everyone’s palate.

The smaller percentage of Kona coffee helps keep the price of the pods down, but you still get some incredible Hawaiian flavors.

The only downside is that you don’t get the full Kona coffee experience.

Pros

• 10% of this coffee comes from the Kona region, which is famous for the quality of its coffee
• It’s a blend designed for balance and smoothness, which means it tastes great no matter the settings you like to use
• The blend also goes well with or without cream and sugar, which means it appeals to a broad palate
• The lower blend of Kona coffees helps keep the price down, but you still get the amazing taste of Hawaiian coffee

Cons

• You don’t get the full and specific flavor profile of a micro-lot Kona coffee

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Lifeboost Half Caff Coffee Pods 

Sometimes you don’t want all that caffeine.

Sometimes it’s nice to drink coffee without worrying about the jitters.

That’s why these Lifeboost half-caff pods are incredible.

It’s the same single-origin Nicaraguan coffee you’re already used to. It just has half the caffeine as the full-strength beans. And you’re still getting the great flavor.

This blend is made with half Swiss water-processed decaffeinated beans. It’s a perfect option for those afternoons when you want a little less caffeine.

And Lifeboost still makes sure to get USDA Organic and Fair Trade certified. So these pods are still held to high production standards.

To top it all off, these are compatible with all Keurig and Keurig 2 machines. I can confidently say these pods will work with your machine.

But because of the blend of decaf and regular coffee beans, the flavors might sometimes be slightly muddled and less rounded than you’re used to.

Pros

• The single-origin Nicaraguan coffee means you get a specific and focused flavor profile
• This blend is half decaffeinated coffee beans, so it’s a good option for someone looking for less caffeine but with better taste than just decaf
• Lifeboost is USDA Organic, and Fair Trade certified, so you can definitely trust the standards of production
• These pods are compatible with all Keurig and Keurig 2 machines, so these pods will work with your machine

Cons

• Because of the blend of decaf and regular coffee beans, the flavor is slightly muddled and less rounded than simply regular beans

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Death Wish Medium Roast Death Cups

There are times when you’re looking for a little extra kick in your morning coffee, right?

Well, in those cases, your best option is Death Wish Medium Roast Death Cups.

These Death Wish coffee pods have a lot of caffeine. It’s just the right amount for someone looking for that jolt of energy.

The flavors of roasted peanuts, dark chocolate, and caramel are spot on and come through strong in each cup.

But while there is a ton of caffeine, the coffee itself is still balanced. That makes it a great choice for any settings you like to brew with on your machine.

Plus, Death Wish is certified by USDA Organic and Fair Trade. That means the production standards were pretty high.

Just note that the caffeine comes from a blend of Arabica and Robusta beans. That means the flavors will be a little more bitter than an all-Arabica coffee.

Pros

• These pods have a ton of caffeine, which is great for someone looking for an extra jolt in the mornings
• The coffee is balanced, which makes it good for brewing no matter what settings you like to use on your machine
• Death Wish is Fair Trade and USDA Organic certified, which means the coffee was held to high production standards
• Flavors of caramel, roaster peanuts, and dark chocolate are spot on and delicious in each pod

Cons

• It’s a blend of Arabica and Robusta beans, which means the flavors will be a little more bitter than an all-Arabica coffee

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Lifeboost Hazelnut Coffee Pods 

One of Lifeboost’s best coffees is actually a flavored coffee.

The hazelnut coffee pods are truly amazing.

If you’re a fan of hazelnut coffee, then you really need to try these coffee pods.

The hazelnut extract gives the coffee a delicious and nutty profile without overpowering the taste of the coffee itself.

It’s a great option for a coffee drinker looking for a softly flavored cup of joe. It pairs especially well with cream and sugar.

Plus, these pods are still compatible with all Keurig and Keurig 2 machines. No worries about compatibility if you have a regular Keurig coffee maker.

And Lifeboost still takes the time to get these pods certified by Fair Trade and USDA Organic. So you can be sure the production standards were pretty high.

The only downside is that you lose some of the specific flavor profile to the hazelnut extract. The coffee flavor will be a little muted.

Pros

• These pods are flavored with hazelnut extract, which gives the coffee a delicious and nutty profile
• It’s a great option for someone looking for a softly flavored coffee that pairs well with cream and sugar
• The pods are compatible with Keurig and Keurig 2 machines, which means no matter your machine, these pods will brew just fine
• Lifeboost is certified with USDA Organic and Fair Trade, so you can be sure the production standards are good

Cons

• With flavored beans, you lose some of the country-specific flavor profile

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Roy’s Pacific Roast 10% Kona Blend Single Serve Coffee Pods 

Royal Kona worked with a group of Hawaiian chefs to create this specific blend of Hawaiian coffees.

What does that mean, exactly? It means that this is the same coffee a number of top Hawaiian restaurants serve as their post-meal coffee.

And you get it in a K-Cup.

It’s a slightly darker medium roast that gives the coffee a rich and bold flavor no matter the settings you use on your machine.

And it still has 10% Kona beans. Kona beans are among the top beans in the world. You don’t need to worry about consistency or quality.

With each pod, you’ll get incredible Hawaiian flavors. It’s a mellow and smooth coffee that pairs well with cream and sugar and still tastes great on its own.

Just note that these pods are not compatible with Keurig Vue machines.

Pros

• The slightly darker roast gives this coffee a rich and bold flavor profile no matter the settings you like to use on your Keurig
• This blend was created by Hawaiian chefs, which means the coffee is what nice Hawaiian restaurants serve
• The Kona beans are some of the best in the world, and the blend brings out some of those high-quality flavors
• Hawaiian coffee is considered some of the best in the world, so you’re getting amazing flavors in each pod

Cons

• These pods are not compatible with Keurig Vue machines

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Green Mountain Coffee Roasters Nantucket Blend

First things first, Green Mountain is actually a brand owned by Keurig.

I think it’s important for you all to know that.

Why? In the interest of disclosure. But also to mention that Green Mountain’s Nantucket blend K-Cups are specifically designed for Keurig machines.

That means that each pod will be tasty and consistent.

Plus, the blend has notes of caramel, chocolate, and dried fruit. The flavors are spot on and round in each cup that you brew.

It’s a blend of African and Indonesian coffee beans. That makes it especially balanced and smooth. It’s a great coffee for drinking black or for adding cream and sugar.

And it’s 100% Arabica coffee beans. Arabica beans are tastier and simply better than Robusta beans or any Arabica/Robusta blend.

The only downside is that Green Mountain is a big-batch roaster. That means that you might not get the freshest possible roast with each box.

Pros

• Green Mountain is Keurig’s in-house brand, which means the pods are specifically designed for Keurig machines
• This coffee has notes of caramel, chocolate, and dried fruit that are rich and rounded in the cup
• It’s 100% Arabica beans, which are tastier and of higher quality than any Arabica/Robusta blend
• It’s a blend of African and Indonesian beans, which makes it especially balanced and smooth, perfect for drinking black or adding cream and sugar

Cons

• Because of the blend and big-batch roasting, the flavor profile is pretty standard and uninspiring

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Starbucks K-Cup Pike Place Roast

Starbucks started making K-Cups almost as soon as Keurig came out.

I even remember using Pike Place K-Cups while in high school every morning.

Pike Place is one of Starbucks’ oldest house blends, so you know that it’s a classic already. There’s no question that it’s delicious.

It’s made with 100% Arabica beans, which are quite simply tastier than any Arabica/Robusta coffee blend.

Pike Place Starbucks coffee is a blend of Latin American coffees. The flavor profile is nutty, chocolatey, and balanced between smooth and acidic. In short, it appeals to just about everyone. No flavor or characteristic dominates the blend.

And these pods are compatible with all Keurig brewers. No matter your machine, these pods will still brew.

The only downside is that Starbucks is a big-batch roaster. That means you might not get the freshest roast each time you buy a box.

Pros

• This coffee is made with 100% Arabica beans, which are always better than Robusta beans in both taste and quality
• Pike Place is one of Starbucks’ oldest roasts, so you know it’s a classic
• It’s a blend of Latin American coffees, so the flavor profile is nutty, chocolatey, and balanced between acidic and smooth
• These pods are compatible with all Keurig brewers, so no matter your machine, these pods will work

Cons

• Starbucks is a big-batch roaster, so you might not be getting the freshest possible roast with each box

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Cafe Bustelo Colombian Medium Roast K-Cups

Cafe Bustelo has a bit of a cult following in the coffee world.

And for a good reason. 

Cafe Bustelo is a little quirky but certainly worth your consideration.

This Colombian medium roast is excellent and should be near the top of your list if you’re looking for a single-origin coffee.

The single-origin means you get a specific and focused flavor profile.

It’s a coffee with a bright aroma and bold flavor. That makes it easy to brew with a Keurig, no matter the settings you prefer. Any size and any strength with taste good.

The roast Cafe Bustelo uses makes the coffee perfect for drinking black or for adding cream and sugar.

The pods themselves are completely recyclable. That helps lower the overall environmental impact of using single-serve coffee pods.

The only thing is that Cafe Bustelo roasts in bigger batches. That means you might not get the freshest roast possible in each box.

Pros

• This is a single-origin Colombian coffee, so you’re getting a specific and focused flavor profile with each pod
• This coffee has a bright aroma and bold flavor, which make it great no matter your preferred brewing settings
• The roast Cafe Bustelo uses makes the coffee taste great with or without cream and sugar
• The pods are recyclable, which lowers the impact of single-serve coffee pods

Cons

• Cafe Bustelo roasts in big batches, so you might not get the freshest roast with each box you buy

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How To Buy Medium Roast K-Cups

With so many medium roast K-Cups out there, how exactly should you make a decision?

In this section, let’s break down some steps you can take to help narrow down your choices.

Why Origin Country Matters

Origin countries for coffee make a pretty big difference.

The bottom line is that each country has a unique flavor profile. That profile changes based on soil conditions, climate, elevation, etc.

And that means that where coffee comes from will change the taste of the coffee in your cup.

As a general rule, coffees from Africa have brighter acidity, as you’d find in pink lemonade.

Coffees from Central or South America have more chocolatey and sweeter flavors with hints of citrus, like orange zest.

MY ADVICE
Try to find an origin that you really like and explore from there. Personally, I find that mellower origins from Central or South America work the best in Keurig machines.

Arabica vs Robusta: Which Is Better?

There are two main types of coffee beans: Arabica and Robusta.

Arabica beans are the industry standard because of their better and more nuanced flavors.

But Robusta beans haven’t gone away completely because they are more resistant to diseases that ravage coffee plants.

And Robusta beans have almost double the amount of caffeine.

MY ADVICE
If you’re looking for a coffee with an extra kick, find an Arabica/Robusta coffee bean blend. But if you care more about flavor than caffeine, look for an all-Arabica coffee instead.

How To Choose Production Standards

There are many certifications that roasters and farmers can get that tell you what kind of production standards were used.

The most common are Fair Trade and USDA Organic.

The truth is that Fair Trade and USDA Organic coffees are held to a pretty high standard of production.

But the flip side is that most coffee meets those standards whether or not the farmers or roasters go to the trouble of getting certified.

In all honesty, I don’t tend to buy coffee based on what certifications it has or doesn’t have.

But it’s still a helpful indicator.

MY ADVICE
Don’t necessarily go out of your way to find certified coffee. But certainly use certifications as a decision-maker if you narrow down your choices.

My Final Verdict

I’m still going to choose Lifeboost Medium Roast Pods as my overall pick.

It’s such a balanced and delicious coffee that it appeals to everyone.

It’s a single-origin Nicaraguan coffee, so it has a specific and focused flavor profile.

And it’s compatible with all Keurig brewers.

What’s not to like about it?

I recommend it to anyone looking for a classic and reliable cup of coffee out of their Keurig brewer.