Keurig K50 Vs K55

The Showdown: Keurig K50 Vs K55

The appeal of a decent single-serve coffee maker is purely for its convenience and efficiency.

If speed and convenience are your main priorities, then single-serve brewing is the way to go for you. They’re perfect for an early-morning caffeine fix as you’re running out the door.

Keurig uses a pod-based design for its machines. This offers you an even quicker brewing time than other single-serve designs. Although it’s not a high-quality brew, the taste is good enough for an average cup of coffee. With a wide range of K-Cups supplied by Keurig to choose from, so you’re bound to find something that appeals to you.

When it comes to machine performance and coffee taste, there’s almost no difference between the K50 and the K55. Both machines produce pretty much the same coffee brew. The real difference between these machines is maintenance and appearance.

Both the K50 and K55 are quick and simple to use. When it comes to control panels, the K55 and K50 are also identical in this category. They each feature only a power button, three buttons for size options, and an auto-off button. This simple design is perfect for both after a super easy-to-use design.

The two machines brew your coffee at a temperature of roughly 195°F.

Your entire coffee brewing process will be pretty much the same for these two models.

Both offer a convenient auto-shutoff feature, so you don’t have to remember to turn it off on time if you’re in a rush. This is another favorite feature of ours, which makes the machine so reliable for every-day use.

Another shared downside is that these machines don’t allow for any customization. The brew strength, temperature, or pressure of the brewing process are set. This results in weak brews, but these machines will still get the job done in covering your basic caffeine needs.

When it comes to capacity, these two come in a solid tie. They both have water tanks with capacities of 48 oz. and offer the same cup size in coffee brew serving.

We know that cleaning is any caffeine lover’s nightmare, but Keurig machines are pretty easy in this department. The cleaning and maintenance requirements of these machines are pretty much identical. The only difference is that the K55 offers useful reminders and a descaling feature.

While neither the K50 nor the K55 is able to produce a latte or cappuccino, they are both capable of making tea, hot water, and iced coffee.

As you can see, these Keurig machines are extremely similar.

If you’re still unsure of which one to go for, then keep reading on. Next, we’ll break down the most important differences between these models to make your choice easier.

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Keurig K50 Vs K55: Stand Out Features

Brewing Speed

Both the K50 and the K55 have an impressively fast brew time. Keurig’s marketing promise is that both models take under a minute to brew. But while the K55 can actually brew a cup in under a minute, the same can’t be said for the K50.

We found that the K50 actually took around a minute and a half for it to brew coffee. While this is still quick, it’s not a good look when a brand doesn’t live up to its marketing promises.

The K55 is definitely a winner here. Unlike its predecessor, it actually lives up to its promises.

Auto-Off Feature

Both models have auto shut-off features, but they have different shut-off times. The K50 will shut off after thirty minutes of inactivity, while the K55 shuts off after two hours.

The K55’s longer auto shut-off time is less energy efficient. This is something to consider when buying.

So, the Keurig K50 comes out on top here. It’ll save you a little energy and will be more environmentally-friendly in the long run.

Reliability

Both Keurig models aren’t the best quality machines on the market by a long shot, but the K55 takes the lead here.

Although both models are made out of plastic parts, the K55 tends to outlast the K50 by far. The K50 is more prone to performance issues, breaking down, and bad customer reviews in general.

Descale Feature

Another excellent upgrade of the K55 machine is its auto-descaling feature, which is lacking in the K50 model.

Descaling is a very effective cleaning process for your machine. Using the descale feature, you are able to run a descaling solution and water through your machine. This makes a huge difference in the machine’s maintenance and also contributes to its reliability.

Reminders

The K55 features a useful maintenance reminder -so you won’t forget to clean it!

The light goes on to let you know when it’s time to descale your coffee machine. This reminder goes a long way in preserving both your machine and the taste of your coffee brews. 

The K50 lacks this handy maintenance feature, giving the K55 another huge advantage.

Water Filter

The right water quality is an essential part of a decent cup of coffee. Here, the K55 is also a winner.

Featuring two water filters, the K55 brews a cleaner and smoother coffee taste. While the K50 relies only on a mesh filter, the newer K55 model is also compatible with Keurig’s amazing activated charcoal filters.

An activated charcoal filter a great addition that prolongs and enhances the quality of your brew. You also won’t need to replace it as often as the K50’s filter.

The water quality used by the K55 is better, which generally means your coffee will come out tasting better.

Compact Build

The slight difference in size and weight gives the K50 an advantage when it comes to compatibility.

This comes in handy if you’re stretched for space in your kitchen or office space. Plus, this makes the K50 a bit easier to transport.

Appearances

The K50 and K55 models look almost identical. We think the K55 has a more elegant design, with smoother corners that give it a more compact look.

The K55 is also available in a range of colors including white and rhubarb, compared to just the classic black.

Availability

Keurig began phasing out the K50 model. This means that it’s becoming more and more difficult to find both online and in-store. Yet another reason to go for the K55 model!