Thanks to easy-to-use machines and a massive selection of beverage pods, Keurig has become a household name on the single-cup coffee market. Due to Keurig’s extensive product lineup, it’s essential to compare the different coffee makers available, which is why we’ve put together this comparison of Keurig coffee maker models K50 and K200.
Both are high-performing single-cup machines that can brew coffee in less than a minute. However, there are some real differences to consider if you’re in the market for a new Keurig machine.
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Keurig Overview
Keurig changed the coffee industry in 1998 with the introduction of K-cup pods and coffee brewers. The brand quickly established itself as a significant player on the market and is now the eighth largest food and beverage company in the U.S.
If you’re a fan of the single-cup brewing method, you’re not alone. Forty percent of U.S. households now own one. These machines give you access to a large selection of hot drinks, including organic coffee, flavored coffee, hot chocolate, cider, tea, and more.
Benefits and Possible Downsides of Keurig Machines
The main reason coffee drinkers buy a single-cup coffee machine is often convenience. If you don’t have a lot of time in the morning, brewing a cup of coffee in a few seconds can be a game-changer. Keurig owners often mention the excellent taste of the beverages available.
The pods protect the flavor of coffee using a foil seal, which preserves the grounds’ freshness. Clean-up is also more manageable compared to a traditional coffee maker. All you have to do is open the machine and throw the pod away. Lastly, Keurig machines are easy to use. You can brew a cup of morning coffee in 20 to 60 seconds by simply pressing a button.
The main downside of this brand is the plastic waste from the pods. However, the company is making changes in that area. The current goal is to recycle 100% of packaging by 2025 and to achieve a 30% recycling rate among consumers who use K-cup products. There are also alternatives to K-cup pods, like the My K-Cup reusable filter used to brew your favorite ground coffee.
Overall, Keurig machines are an excellent option for coffee lovers with a busy lifestyle or those who want access to a wide selection of beverages. These machines aren’t ideal for those who often brew a large pot of coffee for family or guests.
Keurig K50 Vs. K200
The K50 and K200 are two noteworthy entries into the Keurig product line. Let’s take a closer look at the features that make these machines stand out.
What Does the K50 Do Better?
The Keurig K50 is an affordable option that belongs to the Classic series. We think it’s an ideal device if you’re shopping for your first single-cup brewing machine since it’s effortless to use.
The great thing about the K50 is that it lets you choose between three cup sizes. You can brew a six, eight, or ten-ounce cup. You’ll find three regular buttons on top of the machine to select the size you want. There is a 48-ounce water reservoir you can fill up to brew several cups.
The K50 features a drip tray that you can remove to fit a tall mug or travel cup for brewing a 10-ounce cup. We’re also big fans of the programmable auto turnoff feature to shut the K50 off after a period of non-use. It might seem like a small detail, but it’s a feature that will reduce how much power your coffee machine uses.
The LED indicators are another key feature you won’t find on every Keurig machine. The K50 has a few indicator lights that tell you when the device is heating or when the energy-saving auto-off feature is on. If you try brewing a cup of coffee without having enough water in the water tank, an ‘add water’ light will come on. You will also find a descale indicator light. This light will alert you when something obstructs the usual flow of water.
Ideally, you should descale your Keurig machine once every three to six months, depending on how much you use the device. Having a descale indicator is a plus since you’ll know exactly when to use a descaling solution and should be able to extend the lifespan of your Keurig machine.
The K50 weighs around seven pounds, and the dimensions are approximately 10x13x13 inches.
What Makes the K200 Stand Out?
The Keurig K200 or K2.0 is an older single-serve coffee maker. Keurig has stopped making this model, but you can still find some resellers with the machine in stock. You can also find used or refurbished versions of the K200.
Keurig introduced the 2.0 generation in 2015 with some innovative features, including support for branded and licensed K-cups. In other words, the Keurig K200 can only brew pods with the Keurig logo on the box. Many brands make pods compatible with Keurig machines without having an official partnership with Keurig. These pods, which usually cost less, won’t work with the K200.
The Keurig K200 features five different brewing sizes. You can brew for several popular cup sizes, four, six, eight, or ten-ounce cups of coffee, or use the Keurig coffee carafe to brew up to 32-ounce of coffee. The machine uses a 40-ounce reservoir, so you can brew several cups of coffee without refilling.
You can get a cup of coffee in less than a minute, but brewing a carafe can take up to two minutes and a half. You can control the machine with a two-inch touch display. You can choose your size of brew, select the ‘strong’ option, or use the dedicated hot cocoa mode.
The Keurig ‘strong’ option is an exciting strength control addition to the K200. If you select it, the machine will take more time to brew your regular coffee to make it taste stronger. It’s a great addition if you like bold coffee or enjoy flavored coffee pods. The hot cocoa mode will improve the taste of the pods that use powder instead of coffee grounds.
A Keurig machine brews coffee by pouring a stream of hot water through a pod. Water seeps through the grounds, and the filter element at the bottom of the pod retains the coffee grounds.
If you use a pod for hot cocoa, ice tea, or another beverage, you’ll find a flavored powder inside of the pod. The hot cocoa mode increases the speed and pressure of the hot water jet so that it can mix with the powder more efficiently. The result is a cup of hot cocoa that tastes better compared to a machine without this feature.
The Keurig K200 also weighs around seven pounds. However, it’s slightly larger, with dimensions of around 15x9x14 inches.
Keurig K50 Vs. K200: Why Pick One over the Other?
There is a strong case for picking the Keurig K50 over the K200 because this machine is a lot easier to find. The light indicators and simple controls are ideal for new Keurig owners. Besides, the descale indicator is a feature that could extend the lifespan of your Keurig machine.
The slightly smaller dimensions of the K50 are another advantage, especially for those with small kitchens. Above all, the K50 is a much more versatile machine since it can brew with any third-party pod options that use the K-cup format, regardless of brand or licensing status.
The K200 does a few things better. For starters, there are more cup sizes to choose from, including a carafe size. One of the main drawbacks of single-serve coffee machines is that you can’t brew coffee for more than one person. With the carafe feature, the K200 addresses this potential issue.
Another thing we like about the K200 is the “strong” mode. While it’s possible to find plenty of K-cup pods with intense flavors, this feature is excellent for adding a kick to your morning coffee. The hot cocoa mode is also great for those who enjoy the cocoa, ice tea, or cider pods since this feature enhances the flavor.
While the controls of the two machines are different, we think they’re a matter of personal preferences. The K50 has simple controls with three buttons for the different cup sizes, but the K200 features a sleek sort of design without any buttons, thanks to the touchscreen.
Keurig K50 Vs K200 Showdown
Let’s take a final look at the pros and cons of each machine.
Keurig K50
The Keurig K50 is a budget-friendly entry into the Classic product line. We like the simple controls and the descale indicator.
Things we like:
- It’s the most versatile machine by far. It’s compatible with any pod, whether under an official Keurig license or not.
- No-frills machine with simple controls. Select your cup size, push the brew button, and get a cup of coffee in less than one minute.
- Smaller footprint compared to the K200. This machine will take up less valuable space on your already cluttered kitchen countertop.
- LED indicators. Keep an eye on the machine’s status and use the descaling solution when needed to extend the machine’s lifespan.
- Auto shut off feature. Program this feature to use less power.
Things we don’t like:
- It’s a no-frills machine that lacks advanced features. You won’t find a “strong” button or a hot cocoa mode.
- There are fewer cup sizes compared to the K200. It’s a single-serve-only machine without a carafe brewing option.
Keurig K200
The Keurig K200 is a discontinued model. This 2.0 machine was an attempt to launch a coffee maker that would only work with branded and licensed pods. While it’s more challenging to find and less versatile, it can be a good fit for those who want more advanced features.
Things we like:
- It’s more versatile than other single-serve coffee machines since you can brew an entire carafe.
- The “strong” and “hot” cocoa modes are two features that enhance the flavor of some beverages.
Things we don’t like:
- This Keurig 2.0 machine will not work with all pods. You can only use pods with the Keurig logo on the box.
- It’s discontinued and difficult to find.
- It’s slightly larger than the K50.
Wrap Up
We highly recommend the Keurig K50 because it’s the most accessible machine, given that Keurig stopped making the K200. Besides, the K50 is ideal for beginners with its simple controls and LED indicators. We think the descaling indicator adds value since it helps you maintain the machine.
If you can find a K200 machine, it could be a good buy if you’re after a device that can brew a small carafe of coffee or think you will regularly use the “strong” and “hot” cocoa options.
Happy Caffeinating!
