If you’re reading this comparison between the Keurig K50 and the Keurig K55, you’re most likely interested in a simple, one-touch coffee maker. Both the Keurig K50 and Keurig K55 are a part of Keurig’s K-Classic product line. While Keurig has multiple models, it doesn’t get much easier than the K-Classic Keurig. All you do is fill the water reservoir, add your K-cup, press a button and the Keurig makes you a perfectly brewed cup!.
Both the K50 and the K55 have been Keurig’s best sellers. So the question becomes how should you decide between the two? It can be challenging to find the individual differences between the K50 and K55. In fact, you might not see any differences between them before reading this guide! Cozy will walk you through the features of each model so you can determine which brewer is the best fit for you when considering the Keurig K50 versus K55.
Keurig K50 vs K55 At A Glance
| Model | Keurig K50 | Keurig K55 K-Classic |
| Dimensions | 13.0” H x 9.8” W x 13.3” D | 13.0″ H x 9.8″ W x 13.3″ D |
| Type of CompatiblePods | K-Cup (both KeurigOfficial and compatible pods) | K-Cup (both KeurigOfficial and compatible pods) |
| Colors | Limited Choices | Limited Choices |
| SIngle Cup Brew Sizes | 6, 8, 10 oz. | 6, 8, 10 oz. |
| Water Reservoir | 48 oz. removable reservoir | 48 oz. removable reservoir |
| Automatic Turn Off | Yes (Faster Shut Off) | Yes |
| Strong Brew | Yes | No |
| Price | Cost Effective | Mid-Range |
Keurig K50 vs K55
Differences & Similarities
The primary differences between the K55 and K50 are mostly functional, but they do have some minor aesthetic differences too. Read below to find out more about what each Keurig model has to offer.
Shape and Size
The K50 has the same overall measurements as the K55. However, the K50 has a slightly more angular design when compared to the K55. Many customers find the rounded look of the K55 more aesthetically appealing, but you may not even notice this unless you look at both units side-by-side. The K55 does have a slightly more modern look due to some small aesthetic changes made over the years. If you’re going for that new, expensive look, the K55 is the better choice.
Features
There are many features that both the K50 and the K55 possess. These include:
- A removable drip tray
- 3 cup size options (6, 8, and 10 oz)
- A 48-oz water reservoir
- Both available in red and black color options
However, the K50 and K55 do have some unique features between the two models:
Features that are exclusive to the K50 are:
- Strong brew option
- Faster auto-shutoff
Unique to the K55 are the following features:
- Descale maintenance light
- Extra filter
- Add water light
Price
The Keurig K50 was historically Keurig’s original main model brewer being sold alongside the newer K55 for a while. The K50 has since been discontinued by Keurig but is still readily available for sale through a wide variety of retail outlets. Although the newer K55 now has the main model distinction, this doesn’t mean you should discount the K50 entirely. After all, since the machines are nearly identical, the K50 can give you almost as much for your money as the K55.
If price is your primary deciding factor in determining which model you should purchase, then the K50 is the perfect choice for you as it will offer many of the same features as the K55. If you are looking for all of the modern bells and whistles, then the K55 which comes in at a higher price point will give you the most technically advanced machine. Either way, you won’t be disappointed!
The Keurig K50
Being the K50 is a slightly older model, it does lack a few features that the K55 offers. However, the K50 does have one significant advantage over the K55: the strong brew button. The strong brew option is a button on the K50 that, as the name suggests, brews a bolder cup of K-Cup coffee by steeping the coffee grounds longer in water resulting in a stronger cup. The K55, in comparison, can only brew coffee at one strength. Though the K55 does have the ability to make slightly stronger coffee if you select a smaller cup size, it doesn’t compare.
Additionally, the K50’s auto-shutoff feature kicks in after 30 minutes, whereas the K55’s auto-shutoff doesn’t activate for two hours. If you’re concerned about energy savings, this may make the K50 a better contender.
The Keurig K50 also brews slightly slower than the K55. The difference is small enough that you aren’t likely to notice when you’re getting ready in the morning, but if you’re the type to stand next to your coffee maker and wait for your cup to brew, it could be more noticeable. The K50 coffee maker takes a little over a minute to brew a cup of coffee whereas the K55 brews a cup of coffee in under a minute.
Both the K50 and K55 are available in either black or red, however, it may be harder to find the K50 in red since it is no longer being manufactured.
Pros and Cons
While the K50 isn’t as new as the K55, it still has a fair amount of features worth considering, such as:
- Strong brew option for a bold cup of coffee
- Auto-shutoff happens in 30 minutes, saving energy
Unfortunately, since it’s older than the K55, it does have a relatively long list of cons. These include:
- Slightly outdated look
- No charcoal filter option
- No maintenance light
- Longer brewing time
- No add water light
- Can be hard to find, especially in specific colors
- No upgrades; replacements and parts may be hard to find
The Keurig K55 K-Classic
The Keurig K55 is Keurig’s shiny, new flagship model, complete with newer features and upgrades. It’s also much more widely available than the Keurig K50. Although the K55 is newer, it does not mean that it wins in all areas in comparison to the K50.
There are some features that Keurig, strangely, decided to omit from the K55 when creating it. This is most likely because both models were available simultaneously for a short while, and leaving one or two features off meant that both models would still be desirable to different customers. However, that sometimes leaves the K55 in an interesting position as the sole survivor between the two.
As far as the Keurig K50 vs K55, the K55 has more features. While they share many of these features (we listed those up above), the K55 comes out on top largely due to three features: the maintenance light, an extra built-in filter and an “add water” light.
The maintenance light on the K55 will tell you when the brewer requires descaling. Descaling is an important part of regularly maintaining your Keurig brewer, removing calcium deposits, or scale, that builds up inside the Keurig over time.With the K50, it’s your responsibility to remember to descale the Keurig in the recommended time frame of every three to six months, but the K55 is designed to sense this on its own and will notify you when your Keurig is due for a descaling. If you’re not the greatest at keeping up with maintenance, having a sensor to remind you can be a life-saver.
The extra filter isn’t necessarily a required upgrade for the machine, but for those who deal with hard water or off-tasting city water, it can make a big difference in how your cup of coffee tastes. While both the K50 and the K55 come with an integrated screen filter, the K55 can optionally house an activated charcoal filter that takes purification a step further.
The “add water” light for the K55, as the name suggests, comes on when the unit doesn’t have enough water to brew your next cup of coffee letting you know it is time to refill the water reservoir.
However, the K55 is conspicuously missing a strong brew option, unlike the K55. If you want a bolder brew, choosing a smaller cup size will make a slight difference, but the final result won’t compare to the K50’s strong brew option.
The K55 does brew a slightly faster coffee cup with the machine’s ability to finish making your cup of coffee in less than one minute. However, as mentioned earlier, the auto-shutoff feature does take a full two hours to kick in, meaning it uses more energy.
One unique feature about the K55 is that the buttons themselves depress easier than those on the K50. This is likely because the K55 is newer, and Keurig has had time to iron out the kinks with the machine. While this is an easy advantage to overlook, it may make more of a difference to older individuals or those with arthritis. The K-Select also has similar specifications when comparing to these models.
Pros and Cons
The K55 does have more pros than cons, and does have more feature options than the K50. This includes:
- Automatic maintenance light
- Extra charcoal filter option
- Add water light
- Easier to find, especially in different colors
- Still in active production
- Modern aesthetic
- Brews coffee faster
The K55’s list of cons include:
- No “strong brew” option
- Auto-shutoff takes longer, but can be programmed for less time
Cozy’s Recommendation
When it comes down to the Keurig K50 vs K55, the K55is the better, more technically advanced option for most consumers. However, this does not mean you should discount the K50 entirely; it does have several features that may put it above the K50, depending on your personal preference. Regardless of which model you choose, a warm delicious and easily made cup of coffee will be the end result! Happy Shopping!