When it comes to picking out a percolator that’s right for you, there are a lot of quality choices. You need to know what kind of coffee you like, how many cups you drink in a day, and of course, how much space you have for a machine.
Keurig is a company known for manufacturing convenient, easy-to-use coffee makers that meet every coffee drinker’s needs. But if you still can’t decide, let us introduce you to the Keurig K-Duo and K-Duo Plus, two dual brew coffee machines that cover all the bases.
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What is a Dual Coffee Maker?
When a traditional drip coffee maker includes the option to brew a full carafe or a single cup, they’re called dual brew coffee makers. The Keurig K-Duo line features the ability to brew, with K-cup pods and ground coffee, either a full coffee pot or a single cup. You get the choice!
Unlike the Keurig 2.0, the Duo line lets you brew ground coffee for a full carafe instead of a K-cup pod. That means you don’t have to buy special pods for your carafe coffee maker. Instead, you can use any coffee beans you like!
Keurig K-Duo 12-cup Coffee Maker
This programmable drip coffee maker looks and feels like a conventional coffee maker. Until, of course, you pop in a coffee pod to make your favorite hot chocolate or k-cup coffee. The k-cup coffee brewer sits side by side with the carafe and hot plate, making it convenient for brewing your favorite coffee.
On the regular drip coffee side, you use paper coffee filters and any variety of coffee grounds. It comes standard with a glass carafe and includes a hot plate. The hot plate keeps the coffee hot for up to two hours after brewing. You can brew any size carafe in this way.
Some coffee drinkers have noted that the glass carafe can be messy when pouring delicious coffee.
You can also brew four sizes of cups, ranging from 6 to 12 ounces of coffee. Because of the side-by-side design, the K-cup reservoir is easy to access.
The K-Duo includes a digital clock display on top, with easy-to-use buttons for programming, brewing, and strong brew settings.
Things We Like
- Glass carafe with a hot plate to keep coffee warm
- Side-by-side design is more accessible for brewing
Things We Don’t Like
- No reusable mesh filter
- The carafe is a bit messy when pouring
- Bit bulky and large
Keurig K-Duo Plus Coffee Maker
This modern-looking sleek coffee maker does the same things as the K-Duo, but it looks remarkably different. This machine features the k-cup pods and ground coffee in the same housing, making the design incredibly streamlined.
The Keurig K-Duo plus comes standard with a reusable mesh filter and an insulated stainless steel carafe. Because the thermal carafe keeps coffee hot all day, there is no heat plate on this model.
Like the K-Duo, the K-Duo Plus allows four cup sizes with the K-cup pods, but it can be a bit difficult to reach the K-cup reservoir because of the design.
However, the water tank is multi-positional, allowing the user to decide how it best fits the inches of space it takes up.
This machine has a digital clock for programmability with the same auto-off feature as the K-Duo.
Things We Like
- Reusable Gold-Tone mesh filter
- Space-saving design
- Movable water tank
Things We Don’t Like
- No warming plate
- K-cup reservoir is difficult to access
The Showdown – K-Duo versus Keurig K-Duo Plus
| Keurig K-Duo | Keurig K-Duo Plus | |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 12.92" H x 10.94" W x 12.76" D | 14.19" H x 7.68" W x 15.88" D |
| Brew Size | 6, 8, 10, 12 oz and full carafe | 6, 8, 10, 12 oz and full carafe |
| Carafe Type | 12-cup glass carafe | 12-cup thermal carafe |
| Water Reservoir | 60 oz removable reservoir | 60 oz multiposition removable reservoir |
| Filter | No filter included | Gold-Tone mesh filter included |
Similarities
If you’re familiar with the Keurig line of 12-cup carafe drip coffee brewers, then you’ve probably heard about all of the convenient features they include.
Brew Sizes
Both dual brew coffee makers include the option for single-serve brews in four sizes: 6-, 8-, 10-, or 12-ounce cups. This means you can enjoy a single cup of coffee in various sizes using a K-Cup pod.
However, you can also choose the carafe brewing option and serve up a whole pot of coffee to enjoy. The K-Duo features a glass carafe and heating plate, while the Keurig K-Duo Plus features a steel thermal carafe.
The flexibility of brew options makes both of these machines an ideal addition to your kitchen. Also, because both models allow for carafes of coffee and cups of coffee, you can use your favorite ground coffee or a k-cup pod to brew.
Programmable Auto-off and Auto-Brew Features
The Keurig K-Duo Line features all the bells and whistles for auto-brew options. You can program your pot of coffee to brew up to 24 hours in advance. With simple button controls, it’s easy to do.
The energy-saving auto-off feature will automatically turn off the machine after brewing a single cup of coffee using a coffee pod. And after two hours, the hot plate that keeps coffee warm will turn off on the standard K-Duo model.
Pause & Pour Feature
When you’re in a hurry in the morning, you can’t always wait for the pot to finish brewing. With the pause and pour feature, you can remove the carafe at any time, and the brewing process will pause. As long as you return the carafe in twenty seconds, brewing continues as usual.
Strong Brew Option
The Keurig K-Duo line offers brew-strength control, letting you choose a stronger coffee with a single button. You can choose to brew a stronger single cup of coffee, or you can adjust the strength control for the entire carafe. The result is a more intense, bolder coffee flavor.
Differences
There are a few key differences between these two models that you should consider before purchasing.
Size & Style
These dual brew coffee makers look entirely different, despite all their similarities.
The K-Duo looks like a traditional drip coffee maker with single-cup brewing. However, because of the glass carafe and heating plate, this dual brew coffee maker takes up a lot of counter space.
This machine is twelve inches deep and almost eleven inches wide, so you may want to check your counter space configuration to ensure it will fit.
However, the Keurig K-Duo Plus has modern, sleek design features, from the stainless steel carafe of coffee to the multiposition removable reservoir. And best of all, at only eight inches wide, it fits perfectly in limited spaces.
Best of all, the repositionable reservoir allows greater flexibility for space.
Carafe Option
Coffee drinkers all have their preferences in carafe material. As long as they hold coffee, we love any carafe option. The K-Duo features a 12-cup glass carafe and plate for warming. If you’re a fan of glass carafes, you’ll love this feature that keeps coffee warm until you’re ready for it.
The Keurig K-Duo Plus features a stainless steel carafe. This thermal carafe is insulated and will keep coffee warm all day long.
When it comes to single-cup brewing, both coffee makers are the same.
Water Reservoir
Both coffee brewers include a removable water reservoir. The reservoirs hold up to sixty ounces of water or about twelve cups of coffee. It’s convenient to remove the 60-ounce capacity water reservoir and take it to the water filter to fill.
However, the Keurig K-Duo Plus includes a multiposition 60-ounce water reservoir. You can place the mobile water reservoir on either side or the back of the coffee machine. This flexible water reservoir placement makes this brewer ideal for limited countertop space.
We think the K-Duo Plus’ water reservoir is a bonus.
Filter Type
If you’re a fan of paper coffee filters, the K-Duo is ideal because it does not come with a reusable filter. However, it is compatible with the Keurig Gold-Tone coffee filter accessory. This reusable filter is also compatible with the K-Duo Essential. But it must be purchased separately.
The Keurig K-Duo Plus comes standard with a reusable mesh filter. This reusable mesh filter holds up to 15 tablespoons of coffee grounds, includes a handle for easy cleaning, and is eco-friendly.
The Verdict
Keurig is a company known to manufacture reliable and excellent coffee brewers, and the K-Duo and K-Duo Plus are no exception. So, no matter which you decide to purchase, we think you’re going to love it.
But if we had to pick, we’d choose the K-Duo Plus. Because both machines function basically the same, we like the Gold-Tone mesh filter and the spill-proof thermal carafe. Plus, the size and flexibility of the K-Duo Plus are bonuses.
If you want more out of your coffee machine than the K-Duo or K-Duo Plus provides, consider taking a look at the Ninja Coffee Bar instead. You’ll get the same great flexibility with even more options. We suggest the Hamilton Beach 2 Way brewer if you want something more affordable.
You can never go wrong with a Keurig, and both machines will be a delightful addition to your morning coffee routine.
Happy Caffeinating!
