Getting a good start to the day can be quite a feat—especially without a quality cup of our favorite caffeinated beverage.
This is why automatic coffee machines have become our best friends, considering how little time we seem to have. But not all coffee makers are created equal.
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Today we’re going to focus on two contenders from the biggest household name in the automatic coffee machine race: the Keurig K475 and the Keurig K575. But before we put these two in competition, we’ll take a look at the history behind these coffee brewing machines.
Brand and Product Overview
Keurig has been a major player in the coffee industry for decades. In the early ’90s, Keurig developed a way to create a cup of joe using a pod. And though this is a hotly debated topic as coffee snobs may turn up their noses at such a method, this coffee pod system has been pretty revolutionary and integral to many coffee drinkers.
Just make sure the water reservoir is full, stick a pod in the machine, press a button or two, and voila. You have your delicious coffee.
Perhaps it isn’t the purest method of getting our caffeine fix, but it is undoubtedly one of the most convenient. You can find Keurig machines in offices, hospitals, schools, homes; you name it. The machines and pods have changed slightly over the years, but their presence is greater than ever.
Today, we will focus on two of their top machines: the Keurig K475 and the Keurig K575. Let’s take a look at each of these excellent coffee makers individually.
Keurig K475
The Keurig K475 coffee maker has all of the conveniences and key features of your average automatic coffee maker. It weighs in at around 12 pounds, so it’s not very heavy.
Of course, this affordable coffee maker will brew coffee from K-cup pods, but it can also utilize K-mug and K-carafe pods, which will yield larger (and more) servings of our wake-up beverage.
The K475 comes with a water filter and a 70-ounce water reservoir, enough for eight or more cups of coffee. There are several brew sizes available, the specifics of which we’ll discuss later.
There are even strength and temperature control settings that allow you to customize how hard and how hot each brew will hit you. Of course, a built-in display screen allows you to control everything with the touch of a finger.
The machine can also be programmed to turn on or off at set times, adding another level of convenience and allowing for energy conservation. Overall, the K475 is a complete package and won’t disappoint.
Keurig K575
The Keurig K575 coffee maker is a younger sibling to the K475. Like its predecessor, the K575 brews coffee from K-cup pods and K-carafe pods. It has some extra features and options for brew size compared to the K475, which we’ll touch on later.
This machine is also relatively lightweight. The K575 does not include a water filter but is compatible with one and has an 80-ounce reservoir, which will yield ten or more cups of coffee.
The strength and temperature controls are still intact, but the K575 does add a hot water dispenser as an added convenience. The color touch screen display is also available but larger than its older counterpart.
In addition, the Keurig K575 has a nightlight feature with multiple color options. But if energy consumption is a concern, the auto-off feature remains constant. Like the K475, the K575 is a solid brewing machine.
But how do they stack up?
Product Comparison
The Keurig K475 model and its successor, the Keurig K575, are, by all accounts, very similar drip coffee makers. They both possess a minimalistic modern design with understated, attractive colors.
Either machine is compatible with a water filter, and that’s good news because, despite the divide between coffee enthusiasts, we can all agree that clean water makes for better coffee.
The two offer touchscreen functionality and have options that allow you to customize your beverage. But there are some key differences.
While the K475 has a 70-ounce reservoir, the K575 boasts an 80-ounce reservoir. The K475 offers brew sizes up to 16 ounces, but its successor ups the ante with brew sizes up to 18 ounces. Both offer touchscreen functionality, but while the K475 has a 2.4-inch color touch display, the K575 screen is a nicely upgraded 2.8″.
The K575 also offers a hot water on-demand feature, allowing you to dispense hot water with the touch of a button. This is a new function sadly missing from the former K475 machine.
And last but not least, the K575 features a night light that allows you to illuminate a dark room, which is also missing from the K475. Here’s a chart outlining some of the advanced features of both machines:
| K475 | K575 |
| 70-ounce reservoir | 80-ounce reservoir |
| 4-16 oz K-cup pod brew sizes, 22, 26, and 30 oz K-mug/K-carafe brew sizes | 4-18 oz K-cup pod brew sizes, 22, 26, and 30 oz K-mug/K-carafe brew sizes |
| 2.4″ color touchscreen display | 2.8″ color touchscreen display |
| Temperature control | Temperature control |
| Strength control | Strength control |
| Removable drip tray | Removable drip tray |
| High altitude setting | High altitude setting |
| Automatic on/off setting | Automatic on/off setting |
| Hot water mode | |
| Night light |
As you can see from the chart above, the differences are not numerous. Both machines contain various functions that allow for maximum convenience and versatility.
From the various pods that you can utilize to the control settings and altitude settings, the K475 and K575 coffee makers are a busy coffee lover’s best friend. The K575 does, of course, contain some additional features missing from earlier models.
Its bigger reservoir certainly adds to the convenience factor. The additional 18-ounce brew size option is also not to be overlooked, especially for those of us who are particular about caffeine dosage.
The K575’s hot water mode is also very nice to have, as hot water functions as more than just a catalyst for good coffee. A bigger touchscreen allows for easier viewing and the night light is a great addition for the same reason.
While the K575 seems to carry the competition somewhat here, it’s helpful to look at the real-life value of both machines.
The K475 and K575 in Daily Living
Value
The cost to performance ratio of Keurig machines is really second to none. And this applies to both the K475 and K575 models.
The amount of coffee made available in the short time it takes for these machines to brew your beverage is really a feat. And the cost to purchase one of these machines is not extravagant. Keurig’s price range is less than many of the leading automatic coffee makers out there.
So while the K475 and K575 are not espresso machines, they can provide our favorite caffeinated beverage with the greatest convenience without breaking the bank, a serious consideration for many of us who would rather not spend an arm and a leg on their coffee maker.
Taste
Just because the method is convenient does not mean the coffee produced from a Keurig machine is less than adequate. Many swear by Keurig machines, not just for the convenience but also for the variety and depth of flavors offered.
There are so many flavors of K-cup pods that it’s easy to lose count. And instead of having to store bags of coffee flavors and roasts, one can simply fill a small drawer with dozens of K-cup coffee pods containing a variety of tastes.
In addition, thanks to the water temperature and coffee strength control of the K475 and K575 mentioned above, anyone can brew their coffee their way. Wherever they’re placed, these machines can cater to many different preferences. The K475 and K575 models have proven invaluable in a variety of settings.
Functionality
The K475 and K575 machines offer a level of functionality difficult to find elsewhere. Let’s start with design.
Both machines are smaller and weigh very little. As a result, they are easy to transport and use anywhere.
Because the design is simple, they also fit very well with many types of room decor, which is important since these machines are found almost everywhere. There aren’t a plethora of color options available, but you can be sure the devices won’t take away from the aesthetic of any space.
The utilization of K-cup pods also makes Keurig machines versatile. It’s much easier to move and use a small machine making coffee from small pods than to drag around a traditional automatic coffee maker and bags of coffee beans or grounds.
The process of making coffee with the K475 or K575 machines is also much easier and quicker than it is with other coffee brewers, which is perfect for office settings or those constantly on the go.
The added functions of temperature, strength, and altitude control make for a machine that can handle most anyone’s caffeine needs.
Speed
The short time it takes for the K475 and K575 machines to brew a cup of coffee has been discussed, but it’s worth mentioning again.
These coffee makers can make a cup of coffee in less than a minute. And there’s no need to grind beans or scoop your favorite coffee grounds out of a bag. You just place a pod into the machine and adjust the settings according to your preference.
While making coffee can be a spiritual experience, it’s difficult or impossible for many people to truly make their own coffee day in and day out. So the speed at which the K475 and K575 can brew coffee is indispensable for those constantly on the move, which most of us nowadays.
But now, we need to see which of these two machines is superior. The Keurig K475 or the K575; which one comes out on top?
The Keurig K475 VS. K575 Showdown
The K475 and the K575 machines are great machines. But which brewer is greater? We will break this competition down into four different categories: features, function, design, and price. So, without further ado, let’s get into the showdown!
Features
The younger K575 model wins this category by a tiny margin. While the chart above shows that the two models share many cool features, the K575 beats the K475 in some common features.
The K575 contains a larger removable reservoir, requiring fewer refills. It also accommodates an extra brew size, which is very handy. The touchscreen display on the K575 is also a few inches larger than the K475. In addition, the K575 has a hot water dispenser and night light, both of which are missing from the K475.
So while it is a close matchup, the K575 takes the features category.
Function
In the function category, the K575 wins once more. Both machines share many of the same functions and essentially do the same thing.
However, the K575 wins this one with the hot water dispenser, bigger 2.8-inch color touch display, and night light. Even though these functions are not necessarily integral to coffee preparation, they are nice to have.
So by an even smaller margin, the K575 takes the function category, as well.
Design
The K475 seems to close the gap with its younger sibling in the design category. Both models have the same overall attractive design.
But the K475 offers more color options. While the K475 is available in silver, black, or red, the K575 only offers a platinum color. This may not be a dealbreaker for some, but color may be the deciding factor for which model you choose to go with, depending on your kitchen or office decor.
However, one important thing to note is that the K575 touchscreen display has a customization option that allows you to change the background and color. This may be more important to some than the machine’s color.
With these factors in mind, the design category ends in a tie.
Price
In our final category, the K475 finally takes the victory without dispute. Both the K475 and K575 are relatively cost-efficient, both at the time of purchase and throughout the life of the machines.
However, You can purchase the K475 at a lower cost than its successor. Since both machines are reliable, long-term maintenance costs are relatively low for either model.
So while the difference in cost is not significant, the K475 wins in the price category.
Results
Since the K575 has two wins and a tie versus the K475’s single win and a tie, the victor of this showdown is the K575. However, this victory is not by a large margin, and both models remain indispensable additions to many homes and workplaces.
The Bottom Line
While this showdown went to the Keurig K575, it’s important to note that not everyone prioritizes the same things when it comes to coffee makers.
If cost is not a factor, the K575 is objectively the better machine. With a larger water reservoir and touchscreen display, the K575 is easier to use. The hot water dispenser and energy-saving night light feature aren’t vital to coffee quality, but they are nice additions.
On the other hand, if cost IS a factor, the K475 may be a better fit for you with its lower purchase cost. In addition, the multiple color options may be an important consideration.
Overall, it’s easy to see why so many use Keurig machines. Whether your needs better align with the Keurig K475 or the K575, you can rest assured that you are getting the best bang for your buck.
Happy Caffeinating!
