Keurig K-Duo vs K-Duo Plus [Guide and Comparison]

A few years ago, Keurig Introduced Keurig 2.0 as a way to brew a single cup of coffee as well as a carafe. Keurig 2.0 used multiple sizes of K-Cup pods (K-Cup, K-Mug and K-Carafe), you could not use ground coffee unless you’re using a refillable filter, which doesn’t always lead to the best results.

Now, Keurig is introducing a much better option for anyone looking for a single cup and full carafe coffee maker. K-Duo and K-Duo Plus are Keurig’s only coffee makers (as of the time of writing this) that can use both K-Cup pods and ground coffee (in an actual paper or permanent filter).

In this post, you’ll read about the features of each of these models and how they compare to each other.

Comparisons

Keurig K-Duo Coffee Maker, Single Serve and 12-Cup Carafe Drip Coffee Brewer, Compatible with K-Cup Pods and Ground Coffee, Black
Keurig K-Duo Plus Coffee Maker, Single Serve and 12-Cup Carafe Drip Coffee Brewer, Compatible with K-Cup Pods and Ground Coffee, Black
Keurig K-Duo Essentials K-Cup Pod Black
Keurig K-Elite Coffee Maker, Single Serve K-Cup Pod Coffee Brewer, With Iced Coffee Capability, Brushed Slate (Renewed), 12oz Steel Brew Size, Programmable,
Keurig K-Duo Coffee Maker, Single Serve and 12-Cup Carafe Drip Coffee Brewer, Compatible with K-Cup Pods and Ground Coffee, Black
Keurig K-Duo Plus Coffee Maker, Single Serve and 12-Cup Carafe Drip Coffee Brewer, Compatible with K-Cup Pods and Ground Coffee, Black
Keurig K-Duo Essentials K-Cup Pod Black
Keurig K-Elite Coffee Maker, Single Serve K-Cup Pod Coffee Brewer, With Iced Coffee Capability, Brushed Slate (Renewed), 12oz Steel Brew Size, Programmable,
Design
Two seperate Spouts
One brewing spout
Two Seperate Spouts
Single-Serve only - no carafe brewing
Carafe
Glass
Thermal
Glass
NONE
Controls
Digital Screen
Digital Screen
No Screen - buttons only
Digital
Sizes for Single Serve Brewing
6, 8, 10 and 12 oz
6, 8, 10 and 12 oz
8, 10 and 12 oz
4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 oz
Carafe Brew Sizes
6, 8, 10 or 12 cups
6, 8, 10 or 12 cups
8, 10 or 12 cups
NONE
Strong Brew Option (single-serve only)
Water Reservoir Capacity
60 oz
60 oz
60 oz
75 oz
Keurig K-Duo Coffee Maker, Single Serve and 12-Cup Carafe Drip Coffee Brewer, Compatible with K-Cup Pods and Ground Coffee, Black
Keurig K-Duo Coffee Maker, Single Serve and 12-Cup Carafe Drip Coffee Brewer, Compatible with K-Cup Pods and Ground Coffee, Black
Design
Two seperate Spouts
Carafe
Glass
Controls
Digital Screen
Sizes for Single Serve Brewing
6, 8, 10 and 12 oz
Carafe Brew Sizes
6, 8, 10 or 12 cups
Strong Brew Option (single-serve only)
Water Reservoir Capacity
60 oz
Keurig K-Duo Plus Coffee Maker, Single Serve and 12-Cup Carafe Drip Coffee Brewer, Compatible with K-Cup Pods and Ground Coffee, Black
Keurig K-Duo Plus Coffee Maker, Single Serve and 12-Cup Carafe Drip Coffee Brewer, Compatible with K-Cup Pods and Ground Coffee, Black
Design
One brewing spout
Carafe
Thermal
Controls
Digital Screen
Sizes for Single Serve Brewing
6, 8, 10 and 12 oz
Carafe Brew Sizes
6, 8, 10 or 12 cups
Strong Brew Option (single-serve only)
Water Reservoir Capacity
60 oz
Keurig K-Duo Essentials K-Cup Pod Black
Keurig K-Duo Essentials K-Cup Pod Black
Design
Two Seperate Spouts
Carafe
Glass
Controls
No Screen - buttons only
Sizes for Single Serve Brewing
8, 10 and 12 oz
Carafe Brew Sizes
8, 10 or 12 cups
Strong Brew Option (single-serve only)
Water Reservoir Capacity
60 oz
Keurig K-Elite Coffee Maker, Single Serve K-Cup Pod Coffee Brewer, With Iced Coffee Capability, Brushed Slate (Renewed), 12oz Steel Brew Size, Programmable,
Keurig K-Elite Coffee Maker, Single Serve K-Cup Pod Coffee Brewer, With Iced Coffee Capability, Brushed Slate (Renewed), 12oz Steel Brew Size, Programmable,
Design
Single-Serve only - no carafe brewing
Carafe
NONE
Controls
Digital
Sizes for Single Serve Brewing
4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 oz
Carafe Brew Sizes
NONE
Strong Brew Option (single-serve only)
Water Reservoir Capacity
75 oz

K-Duo vs. K-Duo Plus, What’s The Difference?

For the most part, the K-Duo and K-Duo Plus perform the same tasks for brewing a single cup or a carafe using either K-Cup pods or ground coffee. But here’s a few things that set them apart:

Design:

  • K-Duo has two sides, on the right is single cup brewing and on the left is carafe brewing with the water reservoir positioned at the back of the machine where both sides share it.
  • K-Duo Plus is a slimmer machine with only one spout that can be used for single serve brewing or carafe brewing. The reservoir of the machine is repositionable, so you can swivel it to either side of the machine or keep it at the back.

Included Carafe:

  • K-Duo includes a 12-cup glass carafe. The machine does have a heating plate that runs for 2 hours before automatically shutting off.
  • K-Duo Plus has a 12-cup thermal carafe that keeps the coffee hot for up to 2 hours. The machine does not have a heating plate (as it’s not needed).

Which One Do You Buy? K-Duo or K-Duo Plus?

  • Picking between the K-Duo and K-Duo Plus would depend on, whether you want a thermal or glass carafe and if countertop space in a priority to you.
  • K-Duo Plus, being slimmer and with a repositionable reservoir, would be the best choice for someone with limited countertop space.
  • Other than dimension and carafe material, you are getting the exact same features from both models.

Keurig K-Duo vs. K-Duo Essentials

K-Duo Essentials is the basic version of the K-Duo line. It does everything a Keurig K-Duo does, but for a more affordable price, it lacks a few options:

  • It doesn’t have a digital clock/timer.
  • It does not have a strong brew option.
  • It has less serving sizes: 8, 10 and 12 cups for carafe, or 8, 10 and 12 oz for single serving size.

Keurig K-Duo vs. K-Elite – What’s The Difference?

Keurig K-Elite is a great product, but it’s not comparable to the K-Duo line as it only brews single-serve cups, so it’s not a dual coffee maker.

If you want a Keurig machine that does single-serve only, the K-Elite is something to consider:

  • It has 5 serving sizes: 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 oz.
  • Iced coffee setting which automatically adjusts the temperature and brew settings to brew a cup of coffee that won’t taste watered down when the iced melts.
  • Strong Brew option.
  • Hot water on demand.
  • Adjustable temperature.

Features of Keurig K-Duo Coffee Maker:

Keurig K-Duo
  • Easily and conveniently brew a single cup or a carafe, using either K-Cup pods or ground coffee.
  • Choose from multiple sizes for each brew type. Single cup: 6, 8, 10 and 12 oz. Carafe: 6, 8, 10 or 12 cups.
  • Strong brew option for single-serve brewing allows the K-Cup pod to steep a bit longer for a stronger taste.
  • Single cup side can accommodate travel mugs up to 8” tall.
  • Programmable settings for carafe brewing: setup your machine auto-brew for up to 24 hours in advance.
  • Pause & Pour: automatically pauses mid brew for 20 seconds allowing you to pour a cup before the full brew cycle is complete.
  • Large 60 oz water reservoir, shared between both single-serve and carafe brewing.
  • Includes: 12-cup glass carafe.
  • Compatible with all K-Cup pods including branded and non-branded pods from 3rd party brands. It is NOT compatible with K-Carafe, K-Mug, Vue or Rivo pods.
  • Dimensions: Height: 12.92” Width: 10.94” and Depth 12.76
Keurig Duo
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Features of Keurig K-Duo Plus

Keurig K-Duo Plus
  • Brew a single-cup or a carafe.
  • Multi-serve sizes: 6, 8, 10 and 12 oz for single-serve cups and 6, 8, 10 and 12 cups for carafe brewing.
  • Strong Brew option for single-serve brewing.
  • 60 oz water reservoir that can be repositioned to left, right or back of the machine.
  • Programmable auto-brew allows you to setup auto brewing up to 24 hours in advance.
  • Pause & Pour: automatically pauses mid brew for 20 seconds allowing you to pour a cup before the full brew cycle is complete.
  • Includes a thermal 12-cup carafe that keeps your coffee hot for up to 2 hours.
  • Dimensions (with reservoir positioned at the back): Height: 14.19”, Width: 7.68” , Depth: 15.88”
  • Compatible with all K-Cup pods including branded and non-branded pods from 3rd party brands. It is NOT compatible with K-Carafe, K-Mug, Vue or Rivo pods.
Keurig K Duo Plus
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Common Questions:

What Kind of Filters Do Keurig Duo Machines Use?

Like any other coffee makers, you can use either a flat bottom paper filter or you can use a gold-tone reusable filter.

Does Keurig Duo machines have timers?

Yes, both K-Duo and Duo Plus have timers that can be programmed for auto brewing.

Does the Keurig Duo Need a Water Filter?

The machine will work whether you use a water filter or not. If you use tap water or distilled water, a water filter is highly recommended to keep your machine as clean and durable as possible. It also makes your coffee taste better. The Duo machines are compatible with Keurig’s water filter starter kit.

Other Dual Coffee Makers to Consider:

Cuisinart SS 15 12 Cup Coffee Maker and Single Serve Brewer

While the K-Duo and K-Duo Plus are great, they’re not the first to implement the idea of dual coffee makers that have both carafe and pod brewing. There are solid options to choose from, click here to see our recommendations.

Keurig K-Duo vs. Keurig 2.0, Which Is Best?

Keurig K550 2.0 Brewer

While Keurig 2.0 does brew single cup and carafe, it did so using pods only. You had no option of brewing a carafe of coffee in the traditional way, which many people still preferred. Using K-Duo, you have the choice of brewing a carafe using your favorite brand of ground coffee, no pods necessary. And for single cup brewing, you can use any type of K-Cup pod, either by Keurig or from other brands (as long as they are K-Cup Pods, and not Vue, Rivo or K-Carafe, K-Mug).

Keurig K-Duo vs. Hamilton Beach FlexBrew:

Hamilton Beach FlexBrew

Hamilton Beach Flexbrew is one of the earlier dual coffee makers that brew both full coffee pot as well as K-Cup pods. So it’s pretty much what the Keurig K-Duo does. But is there an actual difference between them? Which of them should you go for?

The Hamilton Beach FlexBrew (model 49976 to be exact) has a 12-cup pot side and a single serve side that can accommodate a cup or a travel mug. Much like the K-Duo, it is programmable, and it can brew 4, 6, 8, 10 or 12 cups of coffee. Here’s where they’re different…

  • The water reservoirs on the Hamilton Beach are separated for the single serve and full pot sides.
  • It includes a filter basket and adapter for the single serve brewing side that allows you to brew your coffee either using a K-Cup pod or ground coffee.
  • Using the Keurig K-Duo, if you choose to brew a single cup using ground coffee, you can do so using the Universal My K-Cup pod, which you’ll have to buy separately.

These two machines are pretty similar. However, it seems like – according to customer ratings – that the Hamilton Beach has some quality and longevity issues where the machine starts leaking few months in. So that’s one thing to keep in mind when making your choice.