Bruvi Coffee Maker Review: Is the BV-01 Worth It?
Welcome to my Bruvi BV-01 review, Sam here. The Bruvi BV-01 is a single-serve pod coffee maker that brews coffee, espresso and cold brew from proprietary B-Pods. A touchscreen and phone app run the settings, and the brewer sells for $348 to $398.
Each time my shop buys new coffee gear, Bruvi starts a debate. Tests agree on the cup. The coffee is hotter and more flavorful than most pod machines, and the espresso carries a layer of crema. Pods cost $0.80 to $2 each, and only B-Pods fit.
Whether you care more about coffee quality or pod cost, I cover both, with no sponsor. Large mugs do not fit, the pod range is small and the price is high. Below are the taste, pods, downsides, rivals, cost and a clear verdict.
What Is the Bruvi BV-01?
The Bruvi BV-01 is a single-serve pod brewer with a touchscreen that makes seven drink types, including coffee, espresso, cold brew and matcha. The machine runs only on the brand's own B-Pods. A Wi-Fi app adds remote brewing and scheduling.
The Bruvi app is listed on the App Store. The app handles remote brewing, brew personalization, B-Pod shopping and auto-delivery setup.
The brewer measures 10.2 inches wide, 12.6 inches deep and 11.5 inches tall (26 x 32 x 29 cm). The machine weighs 13.2 pounds (6 kg) and draws 1550 watts. A 70 ounce (2.1 L) reservoir holds the water.
Key Specs:
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Width x depth x height | 10.2 x 12.6 x 11.5 in (26 x 32 x 29 cm) |
| Weight | 13.2 lb (6 kg) |
| Power | 1550 W |
| Water reservoir | 70 oz (2.1 L) |
The design leans toward kitchen decor. The Cream and Sugar finish is matte off-white with bamboo accents, and a black version also exists. The power cord is woven blue fabric.
The Bruvi Bundle packs the brewer, a 20 pod variety pack, a charcoal water filter and a reusable Japanese knot bag. The brewer ships in mostly plastic-free packaging.
How Does the Bruvi Brew a Cup?
The Bruvi brews a cup by scanning the pod and setting seven brew parameters first. Those settings include water temperature, water bypass and brew time. The machine aims to match what the roaster intended for that coffee.
Once the settings are set, the water reaches the grounds through the top of the pod. Twenty streams of water pass through it. This spread soaks the grounds evenly. Brewing stays inside the pod, so coffee never touches the machine's internal parts.
The pod loads sideways, and the lid needs firm pressure to pierce it. The user then picks a size and presses start. Some pods need a nudge to sit right.
The Wi-Fi app starts or schedules a brew from anywhere in the house. The app also reorders pods, tracks brew history and sends maintenance reminders.
What Drinks Can the Bruvi Make?
The Bruvi makes seven drink types: coffee, espresso, Americano, cold brew, iced coffee, infused coffee and tea. Matcha lattes are the only tea pod so far. The Americano can be served hot or iced.
Drink Types:
- Coffee
- Espresso
- Americano, hot or iced
- Cold brew
- Iced coffee
- Infused coffee
- Tea, including matcha lattes
Most coffee pods show buttons for hotter, stronger, low acid, iced and cold brew. The presets limit which settings apply to each pod. The low acid option lowers both acidity and caffeine.
Cold brew and iced coffee brew hot at a lower temperature. Bon Appétit says cold brew uses cold water and takes longer. PureWow says the result is a hot base.
Tom's Guide lists coffee in 6, 8, 10 and 12 ounce (180, 240, 300 and 360 ml) sizes. Bon Appétit counts eight sizes. Espresso comes in 1, 2 and 3 ounce (30, 60 and 90 ml) shots.
How Good Is the Bruvi BV-01 Coffee?
The Bruvi BV-01 coffee is good, stronger and more flavorful than coffee from other pod machines. Testers say the cup tastes close to drip coffee. The brew finishes in a fraction of the time.
Speed is easy to measure. An 8 ounce (240 ml) cup starts flowing after 15 seconds. The full brew takes about 85 seconds. Good Housekeeping testers also preferred the flavor to a Keurig.
Against Nespresso, the Bruvi cup is lighter bodied and cleaner tasting. Nespresso makes a fuller cup with crema. The choice depends on the taste a drinker wants.
Taste matters little if the machine fails, so durability counts too. Good Housekeeping kept the machine in its lab for over a year. The unit held up well under regular staff use. PureWow gave the Bruvi 92 out of 100, with taste at 19 out of 20.
How Hot Does the Bruvi Brew?
The Bruvi brews hot, at about 165°F (74°C) straight from the spout. That reading comes from an 8 ounce (240 ml) cup. The hotter setting raises the cup to 175°F (79°C).
Consumer Reports lists an average coffee temperature of 185°F (85°C). That figure is higher than the Bruvi's reading, so the two numbers conflict. A cup measured at the spout cools fast, so the lower number is the safer one for planning.
The higher setting suits drinkers who add cold milk or cream. The coffee stays warm after the pour.
The machine brews at 55 to 60 decibels, which is fairly quiet.
Does the Bruvi Make Good Espresso?
Yes. The Bruvi makes good espresso for a pod machine, with a layer of crema on top. A 2 ounce (60 ml) shot takes about 45 seconds. The result is rich and flavorful.
The shot does not match a true espresso machine. The cup still beats the espresso from other pod brewers. Keurig shots are closer to strong coffee.
The brewer offers three shot sizes: 1, 2 and 3 ounces (30, 60 and 90 ml). The drip tray lifts to fit an espresso glass. A shot sometimes exits at an angle and runs down the side of the glass.
The Bruvi has no built-in milk frother. Anyone who wants lattes needs a separate frother.
What Are Bruvi B-Pods?
Bruvi B-Pods are proprietary capsules that look like Keurig K-Cups but hold 40 percent more coffee. Each pod is hermetically sealed to keep the grounds fresh. Two filters inside the pod keep grounds out of the cup.
The range has grown since launch. A 2023 test counted 16 pods. A later test counted 24, and Good Housekeeping counts over 25. Most are coffee or espresso, with one matcha, plus decaf and organic options.
Four roasters supply the pods: Wonderland Coffee, Mulholland Roasters, Lamill Coffee and Poppy Hill Coffee. The brand picks craft roasters with verified sustainable sourcing. All pods use 100 percent Arabica beans.
Buyers who want to use their own coffee have another choice. A reusable pod is sold separately. It holds medium-coarse grounds. It cannot make espresso or tea.
Can the Bruvi Use Keurig Pods?
No. The Bruvi cannot use Keurig pods, only authorized B-Pods and accessories. Forcing a K-Cup into the pod chamber could damage the brewer.
Damage is not the only risk. Bruvi's manual warns that unauthorized pods may also void the brewer warranty.
The restriction also runs the other way. B-Pods only fit the Bruvi brewer, so a buyer commits to one pod system.
The reusable pod is the only way around the limit. Owners can fill it with their own medium-coarse grounds.
Are Bruvi B-Pods Eco-Friendly?
Yes. Bruvi B-Pods are eco-friendly by the brand's own claim, thanks to a bio-enzyme that speeds breakdown in a landfill. The brand says the process leaves no microplastics.
That claim comes from the maker. Good Housekeeping also labels the pods sustainable only as the brand states. No independent lab result appears in the research, so the claim has not been checked by an outside party.
The packaging and the brewer add to the eco-friendly pitch. The brewer ships in a reusable cloth bag with mostly plastic-free packaging. A used pod drops into an internal bin after brewing. The bin holds up to six pods.
What Are the Downsides of the Bruvi BV-01?
The Bruvi BV-01 has four main downsides: price, a small pod range, tight mug clearance and a bulky body. Each one shows up in more than one test. None hurts the coffee quality.
- Price of $350 or more, far above most Keurig machines
- A limited B-Pod selection compared with K-Cups, with pods that are hard to insert
- A body bulkier than slimmer single-serve brewers
Some pods need repositioning before they brew. The power cord is thick and not pretty. Consumer Reports has too little survey data to rank the brand for reliability or owner satisfaction. Long-term reliability remains unproven.
Do Large Mugs Fit in the Bruvi?
No. Large mugs do not fit under the Bruvi dispenser. Consumer Reports lists a maximum mug height of 7.25 inches (18.4 cm). Wide mugs and most travel mugs are too big.
Tom's Guide found several mugs too wide for the dispenser, so height is not the only limit. Width blocks some cups even when they are short enough.
The drip tray adjusts in height. Removing the base also makes room for taller glasses.
The usual fix is brewing into a regular mug and pouring the coffee into the travel cup. That extra step slows a rushed morning.
Is the Bruvi Easy to Clean?
Yes. The Bruvi is fairly easy to clean because coffee never touches its internal parts. The brew runs inside the pod. Because the pod holds the coffee, cleanup centers on the removable pieces.
Those pieces are the drip tray, the pod waste bin, the water tank and the lids. None of them is listed as dishwasher safe, so each one needs hand washing.
Setup is also short. It takes about a minute. The owner rinses the tank and runs a cleansing cycle. Adding the water filter takes about five more minutes. After that, the app sends maintenance reminders.
How Does the Bruvi BV-01 Compare to Keurig and Nespresso?
The Bruvi BV-01 compares well with Keurig and Nespresso on flavor but loses on price and variety. Nespresso makes a fuller cup with crema. Both rivals sell a wider range of pods than Bruvi.
| Machine | Price | Frother | Cup style |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bruvi BV-01 | $348-$398 | No | Hot, clean, lighter body |
| Keurig K-Cafe | About $200 | Yes | Standard pod coffee |
| Nespresso Vertuo Lattissima | About $290 | Yes | Full body with crema |
Keurig Dr Pepper makes Keurig and Nestlé makes Nespresso. Bruvi states it has no tie to either company.
The Keurig K-Cafe makes espresso-style shots that are just concentrated coffee. The Nespresso Vertuo Lattissima brews lattes and cappuccinos by itself and offers six drink sizes.
Is the Bruvi Better Than a Keurig?
Yes. The Bruvi is better than a Keurig for flavor and heat, brewing hotter and more flavorful coffee. Good Housekeeping testers and a Tom's Guide reviewer both preferred the cup.
B-Pods carry two internal filters. Those filters stop grounds from reaching the cup, a problem the reviewer met often with Keurig pods.
The Keurig wins on cost. Machines usually cost under $200. K-Cups are cheaper, and the range is much larger. The K-Cafe model also adds a milk frother.
How Much Does the Bruvi BV-01 Cost?
The Bruvi BV-01 costs $348 to $398, depending on the seller and the bundle. The brand site lists a list price of $373 to $398. Amazon lists the brewer at $348.
The brewer sells mainly on the brand site and Amazon. A few larger retailers carry the pods. The launch bundle sold for $298 before the price rose, so early buyers paid less than buyers do now.
Even the lowest current price is high for this category. The price is far above most Keurig machines, which sit under $200. That gap makes the Bruvi a splurge in the pod category.
How Much Do Bruvi B-Pods Cost?
Bruvi B-Pods cost $16 to $40 per pack of 20, or $0.80 to $2 per pod. The price depends on the roaster and the coffee. Espresso and specialty pods sit at the top.
Auto delivery takes 20 percent off each box. That cut puts a box at $12.80 to $32. Most boxes still cost more than $20. The brand planned a 5 percent pod price rise for 2025.
The price per pod adds up over a year. One pod a day costs $292 to $730 at $0.80 to $2 per pod. Two pods a day doubles that range.
B-Pod Costs:
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Pack of 20 pods | $16-$40 |
| Single pod | $0.80-$2 |
| Pack with 20 percent auto-delivery cut | $12.80-$32 |
| One pod a day for a year | $292-$730 |
The reusable pod cuts these running costs. The owner buys medium-coarse ground coffee in bulk instead.
Is the Bruvi BV-01 Worth It?
Yes. The Bruvi BV-01 is worth it for a coffee drinker who values flavor, looks and espresso over price. The cost and the small pod range are the trade-off.
Tests agree on the strengths. The coffee is hot and flavorful, the settings adjust themselves, the espresso is good and the design is attractive. The pods are also more sustainable than most.
The weak points are equally steady. Large mugs do not fit, pods can be hard to insert and the selection is small. Good Housekeeping kept one in daily lab use for over a year.
Pros:
- Hot, flavorful coffee
- Automatic brew settings
- Good espresso for a pod machine
- Attractive design
- More sustainable pods than most
Cons:
- High machine and pod prices
- Large mugs do not fit
- Pods can be hard to insert
- Small pod selection
A budget buyer or a light coffee drinker should look at the Keurig K-Cafe, which costs about $200. A drinker who wants a fuller cup with crema should compare the Nespresso Vertuo Lattissima, which costs about $290.
Who Should Skip the Bruvi?
Light coffee drinkers should skip the Bruvi because the high price is hard to recover. A reviewer at PureWow reached the same conclusion for people who rarely drink coffee.
Drinkers who fill tall travel mugs should also pass. The brewing area is too short for most of them.
Latte drinkers should also pause. The Bruvi has no frother, so a separate frother is an extra purchase.
Cold brew fans should buy a dedicated cold brew maker such as the OXO Brew Compact Cold Brew Maker or a Toddy. The Bruvi makes a hot base for cold drinks, not slow steeped cold brew.
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