I love coffee so much, that I’ve lost count of the number of brewing gadgets cluttering my kitchen. Two that I’ve really put through the paces are the Keurig K-Elite and the Supreme Plus.
Now listen:
These aren’t just any brewers; they’re practically jewelry for your kitchen counter. But aesthetics aside, the real question is, which best fits your daily grind—pun intended?
Stay with me:
I’ll walk you through all the nitty-gritty details to help you make an informed choice. Ready? Let’s dive in.
Table of Contents
Clash of the Keurigs: Comparing the Supreme Plus and Elite Models
The K-Supreme Plus and the K-Elite differ slightly in price but greatly in design. I noticed that they have similar functions, offering multistream brewing technology, strength, and temperature controls for customizable brewing. The K-Supreme Plus, however, does not have energy saver features. This is enough for me to prefer the K-Elite.
Rating Summary
Rank order
Coffee Maker Name
Overall Rating
Functionality
Maintenance
Usability
Brewing Capacity
Value for Money
Special Features
1
86.6 %
9/10
9/10
9/10
8/10
9/10
8/10
2
83.3 %
8/10
9/10
8/10
9/10
8/10
8/10
Specifications Table
| Keurig K-Supreme Plus | Keurig K-Elite | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 86.6 % | 83.3 % |
| Current Price | $199.99 | $189.99 |
| Brand | Keurig | Keurig |
| Weight | 7.5 lbs | 8 lbs |
| Material | Stainless Steel Wrap | Plastic (Brushed-metal finish) |
| Capacity | 4,6,8,10,12 Oz | 4,6,8,10,12 Oz |
| Coffee Maker Type | Single serve | Single serve |
| Special Functions | Multistream tech, variable brew strength, brew over ice. | Quiet brew technology, a large reservoir, hot water on demand. |
| Product Dimensions | 12.2” H × 8.3” W × 13.3” D | 13.1” H × 9.9” W ×12.7” D (16.5” H with bale open) |
| Warranty | 1 Year | 1 Year |
Quick Overview
The K-Elite and K-Supreme look different, but operate similarly. Their prices are also within $10 of each other. This made my decision much harder.
Thankfully:
I noticed some differences between the brewers after closer examination, beginning with the K-Elite.
Keurig K-Elite (Rating: 83.3 %)
Shockingly:
The Keurig K-Elite offers a lot of the same features the K-Supreme Plus does, for a few dollars ($10) less.
It boasts an impressive brew time of 1 minute per cup, not accounting for the time it takes for the Keurig to preheat.
The K-Elite also has a brew-over-ice setting which came in handy when making an iced latte.
Impressive, right?
It is also compatible with the reusable K-cup pod, allowing me to grind and brew fresh coffee.
And with the strength and temperature controls, I created a controlled brewing environment. It helped me get the best out of each brew.
One feature on the Elite that surpasses the K-Supreme is the quiet brew technology. My kitchen was noticeably quieter while using this brewer.
Sadly:
The K-Elite falls prey to the same issues as other Keurig models with digital displays. It is also quite heavy at a jaw-dropping 8 lbs.
Similarly, the K-Elite isn’t the most compact model and will easily draw attention whenever anyone walks into your kitchen.
Fortunately:
I fixed these disadvantages by finding a safe corner on my counter to stow the K-Elite.
Pros
- Cup customizability
- Brew strength options
- Added brewing size variability
Cons
- Fixed reservoir placement
Keurig K-Supreme Plus (Rating: 86.6 %)
Impressively:
The K-Supreme Plus is a marvel of modern brewing technology. It is an improved version of the first Keurig brewer to offer multistream technology.
This technology allows multiple channels of water to evenly saturate coffee grounds within the K-pods. Thus, leading to a better tasting and richer brew.
This gives the K-Supreme plus an edge over the K-Elite, in my books.
Now:
The K-Supreme Plus has strength control, a feature I appreciate.
Why?
Because I like my coffee a little stronger in the morning.
Additionally:
The K-Supreme Plus has a clear digital display that let me track the brewing process. It also notified me when it was time to clean the brewer.
It packs a massive 78 oz water reservoir that accommodates 4 to 9 cups before needing a refill.
Also:
It has useful cup-size options, anything from a small shot to a full cup.
But where does this model fall short?
While the K-Supreme Plus is a newer model, it isn’t flawless. Look no further than this comprehensive list of failings afflicting the K-Supreme Plus.
Sadly:
It is heavy, takes a lot of space and costs a little more than the K-Elite. The Keurig K-Supreme plus also doesn’t have energy-conscious modes that shut it down when not in use.
While many of these issues have their solutions, I hated inconveniencing myself after paying $10 extra for this model.
Pros
- Quiet brew technology
- Descale reminder
- Energy efficient Features
Cons
- Slightly smaller reservoir
Coffee Holli’s Verdict: Which Coffee Machine Is Perfect for the Job?
First:
I looked at the K-elite. This model has a long list of impressive features considering when it came out.
It has both strength and temperature controls that let you create the ideal conditions for effective brewing.
Convenient, yeah?
One feature that puts it ahead of the K-Supreme Plus is the quiet brew technology. I was able to work in the kitchen without being disturbed.
The one point of contention with this brewer is its lack of multistream technology which Keurig claims gets the most out of each brew.
Thankfully:
The Keurig K-Supreme Plus has this feature. It also has strength and temperature control, similar positives to the K-Elite.
Additionally:
Both the K-Supreme Plus and the K-Elite allow users to brew over ice, which is pertinent considering the popular penchant for iced coffee.
Sadly…
The Keurig K-Supreme Plus’ digital display doesn’t tell the time, and it lacks energy-conscious auto-shutdown functionality. I noticed the difference in my power bill.
The choice becomes clear when you place both brewers side by side.
I genuinely preferred the K-Elite. It is cheaper, has more features and only lacks in areas that can be accommodated for.
Interestingly:
The K-Elite was featured in a holiday bargain lineup published in USA Today. It mentions the 50% discount you getif you order the K-Elite as part of a kit; a great bargain!
Personally:
I can be pretty forgetful sometimes. The Keurig K-Elite’s auto-off feature helps put my mind at ease, knowing my brewer will shut down when I am not using it.
Conclusion
While both models have similar functions, their prices differ.
The $10 difference may not seem like a lot at first glance.
However:
It becomes shocking when you realize that the Keurig K-Supreme Plus lacks energy saver features and an auto-on function.
While this is enough to convince me that the K-Elite is the better purchase, that is just my opinion. Do you think the K-Supreme Plus is worth the extra $10?
Ultimately:
Which is the right choice for you? Do you want a faster, quieter brew, or would you appreciate a little extra reservoir space and multistream technology?
I look forward to hearing your thoughts and opinions.
Also:
Do you have any suggestions? Or do you think I might have missed something important? Feel free to let me know in the comments.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Keurig K-Elite is the right choice if you want a versatile coffee maker that offers a quiet brew. However, the K-Supreme is the right option if you want something more compact that offers the same brewing diversity.
No, it is not. You can find the brewer for $190 on the Keurig website. You can also find it discounted on Amazon.
It depends on what you require in a coffee maker. However, the Keurig K-Elite and the K-Supreme Plus are rated highly on different lists.
