What’s the difference between the Keurig Classic and Keurig Plus? Are all coffee pods interchangeable?
The main draw of a Keurig machine is that it makes a nearly perfect — or at least consistent — cup of coffee with the mere push of a button. Since all of Keurig’s current models are based on the same brewing system, and since they all use premeasured K-Cups, you’ll get a similar cup of joe with every model. But this doesn’t mean that all Keurig machines are created equal. Some can’t brew more than 10 ounces of coffee at a time, for example. Here’s how to choose one.
Keurig K15
The no-frills option
The K15 is the most basic model offered by Keurig. Like the other machines in the “Classic” lineup, the K15 is only compatible with single-serve K-Cup pods. While this is fine for making yourself a cup of coffee in the morning, the K15 is not ideal for households with multiple coffee drinkers. It also doesn’t have a water reservoir, though it does benefit from one-touch simplicity and compatibility with 6-, 8-, and 10-ounce pods. The machine’s focus on single servings might limit its capacity and capabilities, but you can upgrade to a more capable model for just a bit more money.
Keurig K55
The slightly more frills option
The K55 is faster and more versatile than the K15. While this Classic model is still limited to single-serve pods, it can brew a 6-, 8-, or 10-ounce cup of coffee in under a minute — which is twice as fast as the K15. It isn’t designed to serve multiple people in the morning, but it can certainly handle a caffeine rush every once in a while. The K55 also has a 48-ounce reservoir, which means that you won’t have to fiddle with the water level every morning. If you drink an 8-ounce cup of coffee in the morning before work, you’d only have to fill the reservoir once a week.
Keurig K155 Office Pro
The best business Keurig
The most business-friendly option for Keurigs, this powerful K155 model is designed with the office in mind. It sports an especially large 90-ounce reservoir to make sure the coffee maker doesn’t run out of water at the worst times (that’s enough for 18 cups), and has an option to quickly drain water if the coffee maker needs to be packed up and moved for catering or other events. The Keurig is also particularly easy to operate, with an LCD touchscreen that allows you to choose between 4, 6, 8 or 10-ounce settings, and adjust the strength of the coffee to your preference. Don’t bother with lesser Keurigs for offices or events: Choose a model that can keep up with the demand.
Keurig K475
The top-of-the-line option
The K475 offers some of the top features of any Keurig model while still keeping the price under control. With this 70-ounce reservoir model, you have as many choices as you can get with a Keurig. The color touchscreen is an especially high quality feature: You can use it to change between 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12-ounce powers, as well as switch to a larger carafe size for even larger pours if necessary. You can also pick between different coffee strengths and five different temperature settings, depending on what you prefer. Scheduling automatic power-ups is also possible, the next best option since a Keurig can’t exactly brew a cup of coffee on its own. There aren’t many models that can offer all this, especially when it comes to managing pods of multiple sizes.
Keurig Rivo
The cappuccino option
Keurig is known for simplifying the process of making coffee, sure, but the company also knows how to craft a nice espresso. The Rivo Cappuccino and Latte System is just as effortless as using Keurig’s coffee makers. You simply insert the pod, fill the reservoir, and hit the appropriate button. The Rivo even has an automatic frother with three settings (Cappuccino, Latte, or Cold Froth), meaning you can tailor your 1.4- or 2.8-ounce cup of espresso exactly to your liking. Fifteen bars of pressure mean you’ll be sipping your drink in under a minute.
