Interestingly:
The older 1.0 model brewers that popularized Keurig’s brand and the newer 2.0 brewers share some common features.
I took a closer look and noticed both sub-types have their strengths, weaknesses, and uses.
So:
What style of brewer is the right fit for your needs?
Well:
I aim to answer that question and more! So, stick around.
Table of Contents
Keurig 2.0 VS Keurig 1.0: Which Is the Superior Choice?
Both sub-types have their strengths and weaknesses. I like how flexible with K-cup usage the older models are. I found the varied choice of K-cups super helpful. The newer models, on the other hand, have better brewing functions. As such, I prefer the Keurig 1.0 brewers.
Rating Summary
Rank order
Coffee Maker Name
Overall Rating
Functionality
Maintenance
Usability
Brewing Capacity
Value for Money
Special Features
1
83.3 %
8/10
9/10
7/10
10/10
7/10
9/10
2
85 %
9/10
9/10
9/10
8/10
8/10
8/10
Specifications Table
| Keurig K-575 (2.0) | Keurig K-Classic (1.0) | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 83.3 % | 85 % |
| Current Price | $399.99 | $149.99 |
| Brand | Keurig | Keurig |
| Weight | 5 lbs | 9 lbs |
| Material | Plastic | Plastic |
| Capacity | Up to 30oz | 6,8,10 Oz |
| Coffee Maker Type | Single serve | Single serve |
| Special Functions | Strength control, Special carafe K-pods, carafe | Brew variety, reusable filter compatibility |
| Product Dimensions | 13.2” H × 10.5” W × 13.3” D | 13.0” H × 9.8” W × 13.3” D |
| Warranty | 1 Year | 1 Year |
Quick Overview
The 1.0 and 2.0 brewers vary greatly in cost. I did some digging and noticed that the 2.0 brewers have been discontinued and are largely unavailable.
However:
What other differences can you use to tell the two brewer types apart? And how will this help you decide what to buy?
Well:
I intend to look closer at their strengths and weaknesses, starting with the Keurig K-575.
Keurig K-575 2.0 (Rating: 83.3 %)
Keep in mind:
Keurig planned on taking their 2.0 line of coffee makers in a new direction. As a result, the K-575 is designed to draw the most out of each coffee pod.
The K-575 achieves this using multistream technology and a strength setting. This combination gave me a lot of creative freedom while brewing. I didn’t have to settle for weak coffee.
But… the million dollar question is: how exactly does this combination work?
You see:
Keurig’s multistream technology leverages multiple streams of water to saturate each K-pod, thereby creating a richer brew of java.
Now, imagine combining this technology with a strength setting, which delivers a more concentrated cup of joe. What would the expected result be?
You guessed it!
It produced one of the richest and flavor-filled cups of coffee I’ve ever had.
Also:
The Keurig K575 is made to work well with a Carafe. Keurig’s Carafe fits snugly under the nozzle and can be the perfect vessel for making some iced coffee.
The special carafe pods allowed me to brew up to 30 ounces of coffee at a go. That’s enough fresh coffee for 4-5 people, perfect for a large home of coffee enjoyers. The impressive 80 oz water reservoir is also a great feature.
But is this worth the crazy price tag?
The K575 is currently unavailable in most online stores, but I found old Amazon listings for as high as $399!
Absurd, right?
The 2.0 brewers also missed the mark, thanks largely to the DRM-protected coffee pod issue. This limited my choice of coffee pods to Keurig-branded ones.
However:
In an event covered by the Guardian, Keurig attempted to rectify the DRM issues with their 2.0 line by bringing back refillable pods for the 2.0.
Sadly, the 2.0 line was discontinued anyway.
Pros
- Touch screen controls
- Exceptional brewing capacity
- Strength control
- Carafe storage
- Large reservoir
Cons
- Pricy
- Hard to find and unavailable
Keurig K-Classic 1.0 (Rating: 85 %)
The Keurig K-Classic, is the highest-rated 1.0 brewer on the market for a good reason. It has features ahead of its time, and the K-Classic is still a great option today compared to most Keurig 2.0 brewers.
Get this:
The Keurig K-Classic isn’t limited to just brewing coffee. It can also brew tea, hot chocolate, and other specialty drinks.
The K-classic is also compatible with reusable coffee pods, allowing me to collect, grind and brew my choice of coffee beans.
Also:
I enjoyed the convenience of the 48 oz water reservoir. I didn’t have to fill it as much between brews. It provides enough water for 2-3 brews.
Now, what are the downsides?
Well:
The Keurig K-Classic is a simple brewer. It doesn’t have a latte setting, a temperature control feature, or a strong brew setting. This leaves little room for brewing creativity.
We must also remember that it is an older model without the latest brewing technology. Sometimes, the coffee tastedweaker than coffee brewed with newer models.
However, I offset this weakness by using freshly ground coffee beans and preheating my K-Classic for as long as possible to get the best brewing results.
Pros
- Brew variety
- Reusable filter compatibility
- Medium reservoir
Cons
- No multistream technology
- No temp controls
- No strength control
Coffee Holli’s Verdict: Which Brewer Is a Better Fit for Your Counter?
Functionally, the Keurig K-Classic and the K-575 have their merits. The K575 comes outfitted with useful features that meet a long list of needs.
But, it is impossible to overlook the price difference.
You see:
Getting my hands on the K-Classic was easier, as all the Keurig 2.0 brewers were discontinued.
Scarcity has affected the prices, making the 2.0 brewers even harder to find.
Also:
Size and capacity are not a problem for either brewer, as they have big reservoirs and great brewing options. But are any of these factors enough to tip the scale either way?
Frankly:
I believe the K-Classic trumps the K-575.
The K-575 is simply too expensive despite its features, and the Keurig Classic still delivers quality coffee and brewing versatility at half the price.
Shocked?
I like that the K-Classic is a brewer the whole family can enjoy. It also lets me brew tea and hot cocoa with the reusable filter when I don’t want coffee.
Honestly:
It is far more affordable. The price was a huge factor for me, but it may not matter as much, depending on your budget.
Conclusion
This brewer clash has shown me a lot about the two major stages in Keurig’s brewer line development. The 1.0 and 2.0 brewers were designed using different approaches.
The bottom line…
I think the 2.0 brewers could provide a great experience, but they are nearly impossible to find at a reasonable price. However, this is just one person’s opinion.
What do you think?
Did the brewer breakdown help you reach a decision? I’m eager to hear your thoughts on the subject.
Which is the right choice for you? Are you willing to sacrifice more for the richer experience the 2.0 brewers offer? Or is the brewing variety of the 1.0 brewers enough?
Please:
Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
Frequently Asked Questions
The 2.0 line of brewers was discontinued because of the DRM (Digital Rights Management), a feature that stopped the brewers from working with third-party K-cup pods. The Keurig pods are a lot more expensive, and consumers didn’t like this.
The 2.0 brand refers to a collection of Keurig brewers outfitted with the DRM (Digital Rights Management) feature. These brewers only accept official Keurig pods, which are a lot more expensive.
No. You see, Keurig 2.0 brewers are designed to work with official Keurig-licensed K-pods. However, they are not compatible with non-Keurig branded pods or older, non-2.0 Keurig pods.
