KEURIG K-ELITE COFFEE MAKER REVIEW: NO LONGER THE BEST?

The K-Elite was the best Keurig coffee maker of the original line-up, but can it keep up with the newer models? Let’s find out!

Not too long ago, the Keurig K-Elite was the brand’s top model. But with recent updates to the product line, the K-Elite is starting to feel like more of a relic. Can it still compete? I decided to buy one and find out. 

I took my K-Elite on a lengthy test drive to find out if it’s worth its price or if one of the newer models might offer better value. In this review of the Keurig K-Elite, I’ll cover my experience in detail, from user friendliness to coffee quality, to help you decide if it’s the right Keurig coffee maker for you.

The Full Keurig K-Elite Review

The Keurig K-Elite single-serve coffee maker is one of the older Keurigs, and it sports a somewhat retro appearance. But don’t let that fool you; it remains one of the most feature-packed models. In this review, I’ll cover what it offers, how it compares to other top Keurig machines, and what that means for you.

How We Rated It

• Design And Build
• Features
• Ease Of Use
• Coffee Quality
• Value For Money

3.7

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Brewing And Customization Features

Once upon a time, the K-Elite was the Keurig machine with the most customizable features. While that is no longer the case, it still offers more user control than the average single-cup machine.

My favorite feature is the brew temperature control, which allows you to adjust the water temperature between 187 and 192 degrees Fahrenheit. Any coffee nerd knows that you can achieve the best extraction by tailoring your brew temperature to your coffee type and roast level. 

That said, I definitely wish it offered hotter water. The recommended ideal brew temperature for specialty coffee is 195 to 205°F, and the K-Elite doesn’t approach that (1). 

Underheated brew water is one of my major pet peeves about Keurig machines in general, and I will say that the K-Elite is better than average in this regard – especially once I cranked it up to the highest temperature setting. But I’d love to see them get in step with modern brewing guidelines.

Another rare feature on the K-Elite is a dedicated button for hot water. This is one of those features you don’t realize how much you’re going to love until you have it. I regularly used it for hot chocolate, tea, and even instant oatmeal. It’s also really handy for preheating mugs.

Among the more basic features, there are five brew sizes – 4, 6, 8 10, or 12 ounces – and the option for a Strong Brew. I highly recommend the Strong setting, especially if you’re brewing one of the larger sizes. It slows the extraction slightly to deliver a bolder-flavored cup.

The K-Elite has elevation settings should you need to brew coffee at a higher altitude (2). It’s currently the only Keurig machine with this option. It’s invaluable if you happen to live at (or travel to) altitude, but it’s a feature that largely goes unused by the majority of users. I suspect that’s why it hasn’t been included in any of the newer models.

Iced Coffee Setting

The Keurig K-Elite offers the option for iced coffee – and was one of the first Keurigs to do so. It brews a small, extra-strong serving of hot coffee over ice, which dilutes it slightly as it melts. It’s likely the quickest and easiest way to enjoy a refreshing cold coffee. I definitely recommend buying one of the designated iced coffee K-cups to get the most out of the iced coffee option.

Does the Keurig K-Elite have a timer?

Yes, the K-Elite is one of very few Keurig machines with a programmable Auto On feature. Personally, I find this a little weird. Most single-serve coffee makers aren’t programmable because it only takes about 3 minutes to turn on, heat up, and get a cup of coffee. It’s not like you’re waiting 10 or 12 minutes for a full carafe. So programmability isn’t much of a time saver, but it can shave two minutes out of your morning routine if you’re so inclined.

There is also a programmable automatic shut-off time, which I think is a much more useful option, especially for those of us who tend to be scatterbrained in the morning. Its default is to shut down two hours after brewing, but you can adjust that in 15-minute increments. With no hot plate keeping your coffee warm, I don’t see any reason to set it longer than 15 minutes. Indeed, most of the new models have a 9-minute shut-off.

Missing Modern Features

As I mentioned, some of the newer Keurigs are now more advanced than the K-Elite. The biggest missing feature is the brand’s new Multistream technology, which punches five holes in each K-Cup rather than just one. This results in a better saturation of the coffee grounds, a more even extraction, and a more flavorful cup.

Some of the newer machines include more precise brew strength control, with up to five coffee strength options. There are also now Smart Wifi-enabled Keurigs that let you create and save recipes, program settings, and automatically reorder more K cups using the associated Keurig app.

Keurig K-Elite vs K-Classic

These two older model Keurigs look similar, which leads to some confusion, but they are quite different. The K-Classic is the K-Elite stripped down to the basics. It only offers three cup sizes, has a much smaller water tank, and gives you no control over brew temperature or strength. The K-Select splits the difference between the two, adding brew strength control to the K-Classic.

Using The Keurig K-Elite

Making coffee with the K-Elite single serve coffee maker is as simple as you would hope from a machine whose primary selling point is convenience.

Turn it on and let it heat up for a few minutes. Open the lid, insert a coffee pod, and close the lid. Optionally, choose a Strong brew. Make sure your mug is below the spout and press the button corresponding to your desired cup size to brew the coffee.

That’s all there is to it. It brews and turns off automatically. After it cools, I suggest removing and discarding the used coffee capsule. It’s best not to let it sit there overnight to keep the machine’s internals clean.

Is the Keurig K-Elite quiet?

I get this question a lot because the K-Elite purports to have “Quiet Brew Technology,” so I decided to pull out the decibelmeter to measure its volume. It ran right around 65 dB, which, to put it in context, is roughly the volume of a normal conversation. It’s quieter than a dishwasher or washing machine. I was impressed.

Does The K-Elite Make Good Coffee?

In my opinion, the Keurig K Elite makes slightly better coffee than the cheaper Keurig brewers with fewer controls. However, I would never recommend a Keurig machine to anyone whose top priority is coffee quality, and that holds true for this model. I found the coffee passable, but it’s the convenience that sells these coffee machines.

The main problem is the brew time. Keurig proudly announces that it can make a cup of coffee in less than a minute. This is good for efficiency but not for great coffee. There’s a reason it takes 4 minutes to make a pour over, and it’s not because your barista is slow. It’s because that’s the time it takes for hot water to extract just the right balance of flavor chemicals from ground coffee. 

The one-minute brew time guarantees weak or sour brews, and the low water temperature and the plastic K-Cups of stale pre-ground coffee don’t do it any favors. In my experience, the best way to mitigate these problems is to choose darker roasts, which extract faster, and to make liberal use of the Strong Brew button (3).

Can you use a reusable K-Cup with Keurig Elite?

Yes, the K-Elite is compatible with the refillable My K-Cup. Using freshly ground coffee definitely produces much more flavorful and delicious cups, and it’s considerably better for the environment. However, it eliminates a lot of the convenience of a pod coffee maker, so I see why it’s a hard sell.

Cleaning

This model has a handy Maintenance Reminder that lets you know when it’s time to descale. This is generally every 3 to 6 months, depending on the mineral content of your brewing water. The K-Elite is sold with a charcoal water filter, which I highly recommend installing. Not only will it minimize maintenance needs and extend the lifetime of your machine, but better-quality filtered water brews better-tasting coffee.

Design, Build Quality, And Capacity

The K-Elite is one of the older Keurig models and still sports the retro look of the original machines. You can decide whether you prefer its sleek curves to the more square edges of the latest models. 

I think it has a relatively elegant look, enhanced by the brushed metallic finishes – either brushed gold, brushed slate, or brushed silver. The controls on top are nicely laid out and easy to operate, with a simple digital clock display and a button for every option.

Don’t let appearances fool you though; this is still a mostly plastic machine with a few metal accents, just like every other Keurig. It is fairly large, measuring 9.9″ deep by 13.1″ wide by 12.7″ tall, but that can be at least partly attributed to its ample 75-ounce removable water reservoir, which is undeniably convenient. You can brew six or eight cups of coffee before needing to refill.

The drip tray is also removable, leaving space under the spout for a travel mug up to 7.2” tall.

Is The K-Elite Worth The Price?

At this point, I have a hard time defending the price of the K-Elite unless you can find it on sale. There are newer Keurig models with better features and a lower price tag. The hot water tap,  elegant brushed finish, and high-altitude settings make the K-Elite unique, so it’s up to you to weigh the importance of those features.

That said, sale pricing is increasingly common as new machines are released. As I write this, the Keurig K-Elite is currently 50% off for Prime Day, which represents excellent value. And that sort of deep discount is not unusual. Other times I’ve checked, specific colors have been as much as $40 cheaper. 

I appreciate the included water filter, which is a nice value-added touch. Every Keurig comes with a one-year warranty.

Don’t Buy The Keurig K-Elite If…

• You want a more affordable model: The K-Elite is one of the most expensive Keurig machines. If you can do without some of the fancier features, there are better bargains to be had. The Keurig K-Supreme would be my pick for the best value, or if you’re really on a tight budget, check out the barebones K-Express, which is about a third the cost of the K-Elite.
• You want something more compact: If space is at a premium in your home, office, or RV, Keurig offers several models designed with your needs in mind. Both the new and more advanced K-Slim and the older and more affordable Keurig K-Mini Plus measure less than 5 inches wide.
• You don’t want to use K-Cups: If you’re not a fan of weak K-Cup coffee or its negative environmental consequences, one option is to purchase a refillable My K-Cup filter (4). Alternatively, the Keurig K-Duo is a two-way brewer that gives you the option of brewing a full carafe of coffee using fresh grounds. Or you might consider a single-serve machine from another brand, such as the Ninja Hot and Cold Brewed System.

The Verdict

Overall, the K-Elite still warrants a place in the Keurig line-up thanks to a unique selection of brew options and an elegant design. However, I suspect it’s on its way out. The K-Supreme Plus offers similar advantages in a more affordable package and adds modern technology like Multistream brewing. I’d probably only recommend picking up the K-Elite if you can find it on sale, you love its more retro look, or you live at altitude.

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