Keurig has added new members to its family of single-serve brewers. The new brewers, named K-Select and K-Elite, offer you the same delicious coffee and same convenience that Keurig has always brought to our homes, but it also offers a lot of improvement features and design wise.
In this post, I’ll talk in details about each machine in the new line and how it compares to either new or older Keurig brewers.
Let’s start with the main subject of this post, the comparison between K-Select and K-Elite:
Keurig K-Elite vs. K-Select, What’s Different Between Them?
Cup Sizes:
- K-Elite has 5 size options: 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 oz.
- K-Select has 4 size options: 6, 8, 10 and 12 oz.
Temperature Settings:
- K-Elite allows you to adjust the temperature of your beverage between 187 and 192 degrees.
- K-Select does not have temperature control.
Iced Drinks Setting:
- K-Elite has iced setting for making iced coffee or tea. This setting brews your K-Cup pod in a way that allows it to retain full flavor even as the ice starts melting in your cup.
- K-Select does not have Iced setting.
Hot Water on Demand:
- K-Elite has water on demand, which provides you with hot water instantly, perfect for making instant meals or soup.
- K-Select does not have hot water on demand.
Water Reservoir Capacity:
- K-Elite has a 75 oz water reservoir.
- K-Select has a 52 oz water reservoir.
Auto-On/Auto-Off:
- K-Elite has auto on, where you can select a time for your machine to switch on. You can also program the period of time your machine shuts off automatically after your last brew.
- K-Select has auto-off option only.
Features of Keurig K-Select Coffee Maker
The K-Select coffee maker will mostly remind you of its preceder the K55 model (now known as the K-Classic coffee maker). But they’re not the same (more on this later)… here are features of the Keurig K-Select:
- Single-serve coffee maker compatible with all K-Cup pods, including My K-Cup reusable filter.
- Brew cup sizes: 6oz, 8oz, 10oz and 12oz.
- Brews a full cup in under a minute.
- Water reservoir capacity: 52 oz
- Strong Brew button to steeping coffee longer and making a stronger cup of coffee.
- Quiet Brew technology makes the machine less noisy when brewing.
- Accommodates different cup sizes including travel mugs up to 7.4” tall.
- New sleek design made with finger-print resistant material.
- Package includes 6-count K-Cup® Pod variety pack, one water filter handle, and one filter cartridge.
- Backlit button controls.
- Auto shut-off.
- Descale maintenance reminder.
- Available in three colors: black, white and red.
Keurig K-Select vs. K-Select B, What’s The Difference?
K-Select B is a bundle that packs more accessories includes: 24 K-Cup pods, 1 water filter handle and 2 water filter cartridges.
What’s The Difference Between Keurig K-Select vs. K55 (K-Classic)?
Like I mentioned in the beginning of this post, the Keurig K-Select is a lot similar to the older version called K55 and now has been renamed to K-Classic. So, what’s the difference between them?
Cup Sizes:
- K-Select: 6oz, 8oz, 10oz, 12oz.
- K55: 6oz, 8oz and 10oz.
Water Reservoir Capacity:
- K-Select: 52 oz
- K55: 48 oz
Pod Compatibility:
- Both models are compatible with all K-Cup pods including refillable filters.
Controls:
- Both models use button controls.
Strength Control:
- K-Select has Strong Brew option to make a stronger brew.
- K-55 does not have strength control.
High Altitude Setting:
- K-Select: Has this feature.
- K55: Does not have this feature
Which Is Best? K-Select or K55 (K-Classic)?
- One of the biggest features of the K-Select is that it can finally brew 12 oz, which is perfect for a travel mug. This is something users have always wanted from Keurig brewers, and has been available in more expensive models only.
- K-Select also has a larger water reservoir, Strong Brew option and High Altitude setting.
- Overall, K-Select has a sleeker design and a nicer finish than the K55.
I do prefer the K-Select over the K55 for these features. You can read more about Keurig K55 here.
Frequently Asked Questions about K-Select
Is K-Select a Keurig 2.0 Coffee Maker?
No, it’s not part of Keurig’s discontinued 2.0 series. It’s part of Keurig’s ongoing line of machines and it’s still supported by them (as of 2022)
What Reusable Filter Can I Use for the K-Select?
Any refillable K-Cup pod should be compatible with the K-Select. I would recommend you go for Keurig’s My K-Cup pod which is a guarantee fit.
Does K-Select Include a Water Filter?
Yes, your purchase should include one water filter cartridge to get you started.
Features of Keurig K-Elite Coffee Maker
The Keurig K-Elite brings even more features and style to your coffee brewing experience:
- Choose from 5 cup sizes: 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 oz.
- 75 water reservoir capacity.
- Increase the strength of your drink using Strong Brew option.
- Adjustable temperature control, brew between 187° and 192°.
- Iced setting brews hot over ice without losing strength of flavor.
- Hot water on demand allows you to dispense hot water with a push of a button.
- Quiet Brew technology.
- Compatible with all K-Cup pods and My K-Cup refillable filter.
- Auto on and Auto off options.
- High Altitude setting. (learn about it here)
- Premium brushed finish with metal details.
- Removable tray allows you to accommodate travel mugs up to 7.2” tall.
Frequently Asked Questions about K-Elite
Does K-Elite Have Auto Brew Option?
No, it does not. It has an auto on option, which means you can set it up to start at a certain time, then it will heat up the water and keep it ready in its internal tank. (learn about the difference between auto on and auto brew here)
Does K-Elite Come with a Water Filter?
Yes, it includes one water filter cartridge with your purchase.
Does K-Elite Make Espresso?
No, it doesn’t Espresso. Instead, you can use ‘espresso style’ pods to make really strong coffee similar to an espresso.
Is K-Elite a Keurig 2.0 Brewer?
No, it is not.
Can K-Elite Use Refillable Pods?
Yes it is compatible with all refillable pods, including Keurig’s My K-Cup Pod.
Keurig K-Elite vs. Keurig 2.0 K575 , Which Of These Should You Buy?
Keurig 2.0 is another line by Keurig (it has been discontinued), and its biggest feature is that it can brew a full pot in addition to single-serve sizes. This is something that Keurig K-Elite or K-Select can’t offer.
There are several models in the Keurig 2.0 line, which you can read our full guide about here. But here are the main differences between Keurig 2.0 vs. K-Elite:
Cup Sizes:
- Keurig 2.0 can brew sizes from 6 oz to 12 oz for single serve, up to 16 oz for tall mug sizes or 22, 26 or 30 oz carafe sizes.
- Keurig K-Elite has single serve sizes only 6, 8, 10 and 12 oz.
Pod Compatibility:
- Keurig 2.0 only work with Keurig branded pods. Pods available for Keurig 2.0 are K-Cup, K-Mug and K-Carafe pods. There’s a My K-Cup refillable filter available for Keurig 2.0 too.
- K-Elite is compatible with any K-Cup pod available, does not have to be Keurig branded. It is also compatible with refillable K-Cup filters.
Controls:
- Keurig 2.0 has touch screen display for controls. It can be black/white or colored depending on the model. Size of the screen differs from one model to another, too.
- Keurig K-Elite has button controls
Strength/Temperature Control:
- Strength control is available on both K-Elite and Keurig 2.0 models.
- Temperature control is available on K-Elite, but is not available on all Keurig 2.0 models.
Which Do You Choose?
- I believe the first thing you should consider is the available cup sizes and whether you really need to brew up to 30 oz of coffee instead of single serve cups, since that’s the biggest difference between the two lines.
- Keep in mind that using Keurig 2.0 you have to buy Keurig branded pods. They’re available from a wide range of brands and in different type of beverages, but they’re not as widely available is the non-branded kind. You can still use refillable filters with both K-Elite and Keurig 2.0.
- Usability wise, K-Elite is a much simpler machine to use. There’s a dedicated button for each cup size, hot water and it has a digital clock. Keurig 2.0 isn’t exactly hard, but it takes more clicks to adjust and select your settings. It is not as straight forward as the K-Elite (or K-Select).
Should I Upgrade My Keurig Coffee Maker?
If you currently own a K-Classic (K55/K50) Keurig Brewer, you’ll get some benefits from upgrading to a K-Select brewer:
- Larger water reservoir (from 48 oz to 52oz), an additional cup size (12 oz) and a Strong brew button.
If those are things you feel like you’re missing on from your current brewer, then an upgrade would be a good idea for sure.
Going from a K-Classic to K-Elite would make much more sense and a difference in your experience, the K-Elite gives you:
- a much larger water reservoir (75 oz), two additional cup sizes (4oz and 12 oz in addition to the other serving sizes), strong brew, iced setting, hot water on demand, a digital clock for auto on/off, and adjustable temperature.
What Is Keurig’s High Altitude Setting?
I list ‘High Altitude Setting’ as a feature for both K-Select and K-Elite brewers. But what does this feature do exactly? And do you really need it?
Keurig coffee makers are designed to be used at areas elevated at 6,000 ft at most. If you live in an area higher than that, Keurig recommends two things:
- Pre-puncturing the pod before brewing. You can do that by placing the pod in the chamber and pressing down the pod so it is punctured by the needle. This is used to release pressure inside the pod and avoid exploding K-Cup pods.
- You are also recommended to lower the temperature of the brew.
The High Altitude setting on K-Select, K-Elite and some Keurig 2.0 machines automatically adjusts the parameters of the machine to avoid any problems that can come due to high altitude so you don’t have to keep adjusting temperature manually. If you live in a high altitude area, it’s highly recommended that you either buy a Keurig with High Altitude setting or a machine with adjustable temperature settings.
