Keurig K50 vs K55 – What’s the Difference?

If you are a coffee lover who loves making their own brew in the morning at home, then you most probably have either owned a Keurig model or at least heard of the company.

They are known to make some of the best coffee makers in the world. That includes their K50 model which many people love for its quality and usability. The next generation on from that is the K55, which was meant to build on its success.

So, how do they compare? That’s what we’re going to find out here!

If you’ve had your eye on the K45 model, you are in luck as we have that covered too. For a comparison between the popular K55 and the K45, be sure to stop by our Keurig k45 vs k55 review.

Overview

The Keurig K-Classic (K55) is the fairly newer coffee maker of the two models. The production on both models continued for a while but it seems as though now the K50 is being phased out.

If you are looking for a simple coffee maker that brews a simple cup of coffee then these two are very good options to look at. The K50 is still widely available which begs the question, which one should you get?

There are both very similar but a key difference is the descaling feature on the K55, which makes it very simple to maintain. It also has a few other advantages too so let’s find out what they are.

Differences

Similarities

The two models share various similarities despite looking somehow identical.

• 3 different brew sizes that are 6, 8, or 10 oz.
• Come equipped with a 48-ounce water reservoir fitted at the back of the machine
• Lack modern LCD screens and instead use traditional buttons for easy operation of the machines
• An auto-off feature for turning off the machine after staying inactive for a given period. This makes the two models more energy efficient
• Travel mug friendly, able to accommodate 8″ travel cups. Perfect when planning to carry coffee for a camping trip or a long ride
• Come with a removable drip plate that makes it easier for cleaning

Feature Comparison

The two models are both very similar but have subtle differences. Here we check out their key features.

Keurig K-Classic (K50)

Speed – It’s able to make your daily cup of coffee in just over a minute making it perfect for busy coffee lovers who love a fast cup.

Strong brew option – If you love your coffee a little bit bolder then this is the perfect model for you. When this feature is activated, the pods are saturated with water longer producing a much more concentrated drink.

Cup sizes – The model offers 3 brew choices that are a 6, 8, or 10-ounce cup option. This allows you to pick the amount of coffee you would like to drink at a particular time.

Water filter – It comes equipped with a mesh filter to remove impurities that would otherwise interfere with the quality of your drink.

Removable drip plate – This makes it easy for cleaning when the coffee accidentally spills. It also makes it easier to fill a traveling mug by removing the drip plate.

Water reservoir – The model comes equipped with a 48-ounce water reservoir fitted at the back of the coffee maker. The removable feature makes it easy to refill.

Energy efficiency – The machine automatically turns itself off after 30 minutes of idleness. This helps avoid high electrical bills.

Keurig K-Classic (K55)

Cup sizes – As with the K50, it offers 3 brew choices of 6, 8, or 10-ounce cups. This allows you plenty of variety, depending on your needs.

Removable drip plate – A drip plate minimizes the cleaning needed and makes it easier to fill a traveling.

Water filter – The model is compatible with the new charcoal filter. This filter is considered better than the traditional mesh filter because it gets rid of impurities better ensuring your drink is perfect.

Speed – It’s able to make your daily cup of coffee in just under a minute making it faster than the previous model. This simple upgrade makes it more appealing than the Keurig K-Classic (K50).

Descaling feature – The model comes with a descaling to help remove any carbon deposits that might have built up in the system over time. This ensures you get a flawless cup of coffee every time and don’t need to worry about constant descaling.

Energy efficiency – The machine automatically turns itself off after 2 hours of idleness after the last cup. This helps save on electrical bills making it cost-effective too.

Ease of Use

In terms of their usability, these two models are extremely similar. You’ll be able to get that perfect cup of coffee every time. The removable drip tray makes cleaning very easy and you won’t need to spend hours mastering the instructions on either model.

Keurig K-Classic (K50)

Simple buttons – The control buttons located at the top of the coffee maker and are well marked to make it clear what their function is. The LED lighting is also very useful.

Removable reservoir – This allows the tank to be easily refilled when empty. It also eases the cleaning of the tank after long-term use. It is however important to note that the tank position is not adjustable like in other Keurig models.

Keurig K-Classic (K55)

Removable reservoir – As with the K55, this makes refilling very easy so you can continuously get great coffee. It also doesn’t have an adjustable tank position which may be frustrating for some people when compared to other Keurig models.

Simple buttons – These two models are more or less identical in terms of their button placement and controls. If you’re looking to upgrade from the K50 to the K55, then there’ll be no learning involved. Both models are extremely easy to use, even for a coffee novice.

Maintenance alerts – The machine has sensors that sense water levels in the reservoir. It then alerts you when the tank needs refilling. It is also set to alert you to descale your coffee maker.

Descaling feature – With the K50, you’ll need to keep an eye on mineral deposits which may block them up over time. With the K55, you’re not going to have this issue.

Brew Quality

Both machines are used to make a simple coffee without any complications. Neither of the two allows you to make espressos or cappuccino but they produce high-quality coffee. You’ll have no complaints about the brewing quality here.

Despite the short brewing time, the two can produce a cup with the perfect flavor and aroma combination. The K50 also has a strong brew option that allows you to produce a much bolder and rich cup if your caffeine demands are higher.

Cleaning & Maintenance

Their exterior is made of smooth plastic that is easy to clean off any dirt. The removable water tank is also very convenient as it allows you to be able to remove the reservoir for cleaning. Both models also offer a removable drip plate.

This is especially helpful when it comes to cleaning accidental spills as you can just remove the drip plate and clean it over the sink. The K55 offers a descaling feature that helps remove accumulated mineral deposits in the system.

This is simply done by running the coffee maker a few times without inserting the pod. By descaling frequently you are ensured a flawless cup every time, and also a long-lasting coffee maker.

Overall Value

All these stats mean nothing unless the coffee maker’s price goes hand in hand with its performance. In general, both machines offer good value for the money. They are simple to use and maintain, and won’t ever let you down.

They offer different brewing preferences which is a plus considering the fact that you sometimes just want a smaller cup of coffee. Their removable water tanks are a very good feature as it removes the struggle of taking the whole machine to refill the tank.

They are also made of durable material and with the descaling feature it means that they can be used for a much longer period while still working at their optimum level. All in all, both are excellent value with the K55 having a slightly higher price tag.

Final Thoughts

There is no doubt that the K55 is an upgrade on its predecessor with the automatic descaling and charcoal filter being the biggest reasons to get the updated model. That being said, I do wish that the K55 had a strong brew option, which the K50 does have.

The truth is that you can’t go wrong here. Both models are exceptionally good quality and make excellent coffee. If you have the budget for it, then it’s probably best to go for the K55 but if not, the K50 will do just fine.

FEATURED PRODUCTS