Coming from a Keurig 2.0 machine, I was attracted by the smaller footprint, better looks (I admit it) and the ability to control temperature and strength simply. TL;DR, when I'm using disposable pods, it's a real step up. Coffee comes out piping hot (even at the lowest temperature setting) and the strength settings let me get a good 12 oz cup from a single pod. The machine runs super quiet (much less piping/rumbling noise than my 2.0), and the lid mechanism seems very solidly machined and smooth in its action (again, better than my 2.0). I thought I'd miss this not having a timer to turn it on and have the water pre-heated in the morning, but this machines heats up super-fast (it automatically turns on when you open the lid) and I get to a finished cup of coffee in about the same time as my pre-heated 2.0 machine; and way faster than if I had forgotten to pre-heat the 2.0). Most importantly, the coffee really does taste great; I think the multistream technology really makes a difference -- that could be a placebo effect, but it makes sense that it would work and to me it definitely seems to taste fuller and richer-- and maybe that's all that counts! Although some have reported dissatisfaction, for me the temperature and strength settings all work well and also make a real difference. I use the weakest strength for 8 oz, and then step it up one notch for each of 10 oz and 12 oz. I find the lowest temperature hotter than the standard on my 2.0, but the middle temperature notch really makes it hot. Not sure how much more the last notch achieves -- but suffice it to say, this machine produces the hottest single cup of coffee I've ever managed from any Keurig. One odd flaw is that the cup holder is pretty low and there is a definite tendency to splatter, hitting both the column of the machine and anything nearby (e.g., our refrigerator). This effect is worse when using the reusable cup (the coffee comes out in a stream that wobbles more) than a disposable pod. Also, if you have any overflow mishaps at all, there is an interior chamber to which you have no access but for sticking in your fingers with a sponge or paper towel to clean. Kind of crazy. But, in all, if you're a disposable k-cup user, I can very highly recommend this machine in this mode. But...if you want to use your own coffee grounds, the story changes. First, Keurig has designed a multi-stream reusable cup, but failed to provide clear instructions. I see user error all over the internet. For the multi-stream, you do NOT use the red plugs (although the instructions seem to say that you do). Throw them away unless you want to use the cup in the older, single punch hole machines. Second, you have to remove the bump out piece from the cup (again designed for backwards compatibility with 2.0 machines), but it has a sticker keeping it on that has the type of glue that requires rubbing alcohol and elbow strength to remove. C'mon Keurig, you can do better. Plus, some folks appear not to realize that you also need to remove the holder, with the puncture pin at the bottom, that resides in the machine for use solely with disposable cups. It comes out easily enough, but it's just another step (and potentially important piece that you can lose). In my book, bad design not to make a re-usable cup that will work with this piece still in place. But all of these are just minor annoyances. Let's dig deeper. The design of the cup is an internal, grey mesh basket that, in turn, fits inside a large brown holder, to which you need to align and then attach a solid, 5-hole grey top. I don't agree with folks that this is all too complicated (even before my coffee), but my real problem is if you use it without a paper filter it will give you a fair amount of coffee oil in your java and grounds at the bottom of your cup. Ugh! (some folks don't mind -- and even prefer that result, and will scold you for not agreeing with them -- but I'm definitely not in that camp.) So, use a paper filter you say. But wait. What's that? Keurig says their reusable cup is not designed to be used with paper filters (I found that answer in one of the numerous Q&As posted). And, guess what? My trial and error has confirmed that they're basically right. Unbelievable. You can kind of jerry-rig it, and the best solution I have found is to use THIN and SMALL paper filters intended for the old single-cup reusables, inside of the grey mesh basket. They don't come all the way up, so some coffee grounds brew without the paper filter effect, but it's minimal. Plus, for the same reason, you're left dumping out the filter and still cleaning the mesh basket. And the brown holder. But, all in all, the yield is the same good taste and no-to-minimal oils. Although the splatter effect is slightly increased. But, between the small size of the mesh basket to begin with, further limited by the paper filter, you're in trouble if you like very strong coffee and/or large cups. You're not going to be able to pack in enough grounds. And, speaking of the small size of the grey mesh basket, it's diameter is also much smaller than the reusable pods for 2.0 machines. Accordingly, I can no longer use my 2 tablespoon scoop that I used with my 2.0 re-usable pods. The coffee inevitably spills all around the basket. Instead, I end up using a smaller scoop, several times. Add this attribute to the minor annoyance list. This is really only a 3 star machine in this mode (or, more accurately, the machine remains 5 stars, but the Keurig reusable cup is 1 star), I've contemplated reverting to my 2.0 machine -- but I've found myself using disposable pods more -- which is probably Keurig's intent. To save others the trouble, I've tried many different filtering variations. I've tried the paper filter OUTSIDE of the grey basket, but inside of the brown holder -- the K-cup reusable pod overflows and splatters all around. I've tried the K-cup reusable pod WITHOUT the grey basket, but with a paper filter. Same problem. I've tried carafe sized paper filters -- no better. Keurig is right -- they've really designed this pod NOT to be used with paper filters. Given these problems, and given that the multistream technology has been on the market for a while now with no one making better re-usable cups (patent issues?), I'm not sure I would purchase again given that I like primarily to use my own grounds. On the other hand, it makes a great tasting, hot, cup of coffee (and looks good), so I can't say I'm too upset with keeping it. I'm still holding out hope that someone comes up with a better re-usable cup design soon (google my-cap dot com for an alternative, but, for reasons I've explained on my review there, it still has a way to go as a solution). Good luck to all!
