Bruvi BV-01 Coffee Brewer review: this single-serve is a Keurig-killer
Bruvi BV-01 Brewer review: Specs
Model: BV-01
Dimensions: 10.2”W x 12.6”D x 11.5”H
Weight: 13.2 pounds
Wattage: 1550 watts
Water Reservoir: 70 ounces
Drink Sizes: 6, 8, 10, or 12 ounces
Like many people, I love the convenience of a pod-based coffee maker—it’s arguably the quickest and easiest way to make a single cup of hot coffee when you’re in a rush. However, the trade-off is that these single-serve machines typically don’t make a great cup of joe. The flavors are often weak and flat, and the temperature may not be as hot as it should be.
The Bruvi Brewer claims to change all that. Not only is this pod coffee maker quite stylish, the brand also claims its special pod design will make a much better cup of coffee that’s stronger and more flavorful. We wanted to see if this newcomer to the scene could compete with popular brands like Keurig and Nespresso, so we put it to the test for several weeks. Overall, we were impressed with its performance and the quality of coffee, but there are a few big caveats you’ll want to keep in mind before you purchase this machine.
Bruvi BV-01 Brewer: Price and availability
The Bruvi isn’t as widely available as other single-serve coffee makers, and it’s only sold at a few retailers. Your best option is likely to buy it directly from the brand’s website, where it has an MSRP of $373 but is often marked down for less or available in bundles with a variety of pods. The only other retailer that sells the unit is Amazon, where it’s listed for $348.
It’s worth noting that the Bruvi’s price point of $350+ is substantially higher than most other pod-based coffee machines out there today. Even the most expensive Keurig models typically cost less than $200, so the Bruvi is undeniably a splurge.
Bruvi BV-01 Brewer: Design
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As soon as I began unboxing the Bruvi Brewer, it was clear that a lot of thought and consideration went into designing every aspect of the machine. The brewer comes carefully wrapped in a reusable cloth bag, and the majority of its packaging is plastic-free. As someone who unboxes dozens of products each year, it’s always great to see a brand that prioritizes sustainability in its packaging! I love being able to recycle packing materials instead of putting them in the trash.
I was equally impressed with the brewer itself, which is sleek and eye-catching, especially compared to the often utilitarian design of Keurigs. I tested the brand’s “Cream & Sugar” colorway, which has a matte off-white finish with bamboo accents, but it’s also available in a more modern black option. The machine has a similar setup to a Keurig, with the brewing area on one side and the water reservoir on the other, but its overall appearance is much more design-forward. The Bruvi has a large touchscreen control panel that gives it a high-tech appearance, and even the power cord is a blue woven material for an added pop of color. It’s the type of machine that will add to your kitchen’s décor, and it earned compliments from nearly everyone who walked into my kitchen.
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In terms of operation, the Bruvi is easy to use. The 70-ounce reservoir has a recessed handle that makes it easy to lift and fill with water, and it slots back into place easily. When you want to make a drink, you simply place one of the brand’s “B-Pods” into the machine, then close the lid. The Bruvi automatically scans the pod and adjusts its brew parameters based on that specific beverage, and then all you have to do is select your desired cup size—the four options range from 6 to 12 ounces—and press start.
Depending on what type of drink you’re making, there may be a few other settings to choose from — for instance, you’ll see optional buttons for hotter, stronger, low acid, iced and even cold brew when you insert most coffee pods.
Bruvi BV-01 Brewer: Pods
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The Bruvi Brewer is only compatible with the brand’s exclusive “B-Pods,” which are sold from the brand’s website or through a few larger retailers like Amazon and Walmart. The pods are hermetically sealed to keep coffee as fresh as possible, and there are two filters inside to prevent grounds from ending up in your drink (a problem I’ve run into frequently with Keurig pods). The brand also claims that its B-Pods can be tossed directly in the trash and the material will break down rapidly in the landfill, leaving no microplastics behind.
However, B-Pod options are very limited, and there’s nowhere near the same amount of variety that you’ll get from Keurig K-cups. Right now, there are only 24 B-Pod options—most of them are coffee or espresso, and there’s also one matcha tea. The B-Pods are also quite pricey, costing between $16 and $40 for a pack of 20 pods. (This translates to between $0.80 and $2 per pod.) You can save 20% on each box if you sign up for auto-delivery, which is a good option if you find one variety that you really like, but it still usually shakes out to more than $20 per box. Additionally, during testing, I received an email that said the brand plans to increase B-Pod prices around 5% in 2025.
To help temper the cost of using this machine, the brand does offer a reusable pod (sold separately) that you can fill up with your preferred coffee grounds. Just keep in mind that it can’t be used to make espresso or tea.
Bruvi BV-01 Brewer: Performance
To see if the Bruvi’s performance is as impressive as its design, I tested it in my kitchen for around three weeks. My partner and I used it as our primary coffee maker during this time, brewing at least two cups every day (but usually more).
Hot coffee
While the Bruvi has settings for iced coffee, cold brew, and even tea, we almost always use it to make hot coffee. We tried out a variety pack of B-Pods, and some of our favorite options include “Tenango” and “Dancing Spoon”. We tend to prefer medium roasts, but the brand also has everything from light roasts to extra dark roasts, with options in between.
When you’re brewing with this coffee maker, the pod gets inserted sideways, which takes a while to get used to, and you do have to put some effort into closing the machine’s lid, as it requires quite a bit of pressure to pierce the B-Pod. However, I do love that the machine automatically adjusts the brew parameters based on the pod, saving you from having to select settings each time.
When brewing an 8-ounce cup of coffee, it takes the Bruvi 15 seconds to heat up and start dispensing liquid, and the total brew time is around 85 seconds. I measured the drink temperature right out of the machine, and it’s generally around 165 degrees Fahrenheit. However, if you turn on the “hotter” brew setting, the drink comes out at 175 degrees, which is great if you like to put milk or cream in your coffee, as it doesn’t get cooled down too much. The machine is also fairly quiet, measuring at between 55 to 60 decibels while brewing.
After making dozens of drinks with the Bruvi Brewer, both my partner and I agree that the coffee is much stronger and more flavorful than other pod-based coffee makers. It tastes very similar to the coffee from our drip coffee machine—but brews in a fraction of the time. Plus, after each brew, the B-Pod drops down into a catch bin inside the machine, saving you from having to throw away used pods after every brew.
Our only complaint about the Bruvi is that larger mugs don’t fit into the machine’s brewing area. Although you can remove the base to accommodate longer classes, we have several mugs that are too wide to fit under the dispenser, and most of our travel mugs are too tall to brew into. When we make coffee to-go, we end up brewing it into a regular mug, then transferring it over to the to-go cup, which isn’t the most convenient when you’re in a rush.
Espresso
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I’ll admit that I didn’t have particularly high hopes for the Bruvi’s espresso-making abilities, so I was pleasantly surprised that the machine pulls a good shot! When you insert one of the espresso B-Pods, the brewer automatically adjusts the settings, and you can choose from a 1-, 2-, or 3-ounce shot. The drip tray can even be raised to just the right height for an espresso glass.
Brewing a 2-ounce shot of espresso takes around 45 seconds, and it comes out with a nice layer of crema on top. The shots are rich and flavorful, and they make delicious lattes if you have a milk frother handy. I wouldn’t say the espresso is quite on par with a true espresso machine, but it’s far better than what you’d get from other pod-based coffee machines.
My only complaint is that I did experience more spillage while brewing shots of espresso. The beverage occasionally comes out of the brewer at an unexpected angle, which results in some espresso dripping down the side of the glass. I’d recommend paying attention when you start the brewing cycle to ensure the espresso ends up in your cup—not all over the counter.
How does the Bruvi BV-01 Brewer compare?
There are several other pod-based coffee makers you may want to consider, including options from both Keurig and Nespresso. One of the best Keurig models we’ve tested is the Keurig K-Cafe—despite being a more high-end model from the brand with milk frothing abilities, it’s still more affordable than the Bruvi, with a price point of around $200. We love that this machine is easy to use and has a built-in milk frother to make lattes and cappuccinos. It can brew regular cups of coffee as well as “shots” of espresso, but its shots aren’t as flavorful as the Bruvi—they’re essentially just very concentrated coffee.
For espresso lovers, you might be better off with a Nespresso machine—our top pick is the Nespresso Vertuo Lattissima, which retails for around $290. Nespresso offers designated pods for espresso, and this machine is able to automatically brew a wide range of espresso drinks thanks to its built-in frother. It can churn out lattes and cappuccinos all on its own, and it can also brew regular coffee, with six drink sizes to choose from. It’s also worth noting that both Keurig and Nespresso have a wider range of pod options than the Bruvi’s current selection.
Should you buy the Bruvi BV-01 Brewer?
If you like the convenience of a pod-based coffee machine but still want a quality cup of coffee, the Bruvi Brewer is worth the investment. It’s more expensive than many of its competitors—both for the machines and its coffee pods—but it brews much hotter and more flavorful drinks, including rich shots of espresso. It’s also a stylish and well-designed appliance that’s easy to use and will look great on your counter.
There are a few downsides to this machine, though. For one, the brand has a very limited selection of B-Pods to choose from, especially when compared to the number of K-cups that are out there today. Additionally, larger cups and travel mugs don’t fit into the machine’s brewing area, which is inconvenient when you want a bigger cup of coffee.
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