Keurig K-Supreme Coffee Maker Review: Is It The Best Keurig?

Does the K-Supreme reign supreme among Keurigs?

The Keurig K-Supreme was launched in 2020 as the first Keurig model to showcase the brand’s new MultiStream technology. Keurig claims that it dramatically improves extraction, so of course, I was excited to give it a try. The convenience of a Keurig brewer coupled with better quality coffee was sure to be a hit!

I immediately picked up a K-Supreme and put it to the test. Read on for my honest thoughts. In short, it’s better but not perfect.

Things I liked:

MultiStream technology improves coffee quality
Can control brew strength
Easy to use and maintain
Dual-position water reservoir

Things I didn’t like:

Brew temperature is still too low
Extraction time is still too short
Price is fairly high

The Full Keurig K-Supreme Review

Keurig coffee machines are divisive in the coffee world, and I’ll admit to not being a huge fan (1). That said, you can mitigate many of their downsides by using a refillable filter rather than the disposable K-Cup pods. So with that in mind, I’m happy to review and rate the best Keurig coffee makers, including the popular K-Supreme.

How I Rated It

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

3.2

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What Is The Difference Between The K-Supreme and K-Supreme Plus?

There are four models in the K-Supreme line: the K-Supreme, K-Supreme Plus, K-Supreme Smart, and K-Supreme Plus Smart. My experience is with the basic K-Supreme, so that is what I am reviewing here. However, I’ll start with a quick look at the differences between them.

Compared to the K-Supreme, the K-Supreme Plus adds one extra drink size (4 oz), a slightly larger water tank (though it can’t be repositioned), more control over brew temperature and strength, and a set of programmable buttons so you can save individual brewing preferences. It also has a slightly more premium aesthetic, with a stainless steel metal wrap around the front. You pay about $50 extra for these upgrades.

The Smart models are essentially the same two coffee brewers but with Wifi connectivity – and again, a heftier price tag. This allows you to control your coffee maker using the Keurig App and adds Keurig’s patented BrewID technology, which recognizes your K-Cup pod and automatically selects the best brewing settings.

The Keurig K-Supreme In A Nutshell

The Keurig K-Supreme was designed to offer a unique balance between price and features to appeal to middle-of-the-road coffee lovers – those who don’t want a barebones machine but don’t want to pay a premium for all the bells and whistles either.

MultiStream Technology

The Keurig Supreme was the first Keurig model to feature MultiStream technology, now found in several of the brand’s machines.

Instead of punching one hole in the top of the K-Cup to inject hot water, it punches five holes. This better saturates the coffee grounds in the K-Cup pod to improve extraction, resulting in a coffee with more flavor and a richer aroma.

MultiStream technology is essentially the equivalent of the showerhead water dispensing systems seen in higher-end drip coffee machines, and it makes a big difference. It is such a simple and obvious upgrade, I’m surprised it took Keurig so long to get to it – especially given how often their brewers are criticized for under-extraction (2).

Brewing Options And Features

The Keurig K Supreme offers only a few settings to customize your coffee. You can choose between four brew sizes: 6, 8, 10, or 12 ounces. Just remember that when brewing with a K-Cup, you’re using the same amount of coffee grounds every time. So the larger sizes are more dilute.

There is a Strong coffee option, which brews more slowly, allowing for a fuller extraction and a bolder brew. Unless you like a really mild cup, I highly recommend the Strong setting.

The K-Supreme includes an Over Ice button, something I see more often in modern Keurig machines – a sure sign of the times (3).

“Millennials are more likely to drink cold and frozen coffee drinks than hot ones. They believe the coldness enhances the drinking experience and releases more nuanced flavors.”

The Over Ice mode adjusts the temperature profile of the brew cycle so it starts hot and ends cool, minimizing ice melt and dilution. It works impressively well. I clocked a noticeable difference compared to just brewing a standard 4-ounce serving onto ice.

K-Cups And Versatility

A lot of the versatility of Keurig machines comes from their compatibility with hundreds of different K-Cup pods. It’s easy to brew black coffee, flavored coffee, tea, chai lattes, hot cocoa, etc.

I have qualms about the environmental impact of K-Cups and the quality of their coffee, so I prefer to use a refillable K-Cup filter. In some ways, this expands your options because you can use any coffee beans and adjust the dose and grind size, giving you more control over coffee strength and extraction. On the other hand, reusable coffee filters are not as suitable for brewing drinks for non-coffee drinkers, nor are they as convenient.

Does The K-Supreme Make Good Coffee?

Keurig coffee is famous for its convenience, not its great flavor and aroma. There’s no point in beating around the bush; this will not produce the best hot cup of coffee you’ve ever had.

That said, the MultiStream technology definitely results in a richer cup than Keurig brewers without.

Unfortunately, the K-Supreme is still plagued by the same two issues as every Keurig. First, the brew temperature is too low. I measured it around 180 F, which is well under the 195 and 205 F recommended by the Specialty Coffee Association. Second, the brew time is too short. Keurig loves to tote its 1-minute brew time as a selling point, but that low contact time between coffee grounds and water means leaving tons of flavor behind in the beans.

Both issues result in under-extraction, which is why Keurig coffee so often tastes bland or watery. Choosing a darker roast and selecting the Strong setting are your best routes to a more flavorful brew.

How To Use The Keurig K-Supreme

The K-Supreme might not make the best coffee you’ve ever had, but it certainly makes it easy. Turn it on and let it heat up for a minute or two. Then you need only open the lid, insert a K-Cup, close the lid, and choose your drink size to start the brew. Optionally, hit the button for a stronger brew or iced coffee.

Clean-up is equally easy. If you’re brewing using a K-Cup pod, you don’t need to deal with messy coffee grounds or dripping filters. After 250 brews, the K-Supreme will automatically alert you that it’s time to descale.

Despite promises from the brand, not all K-Cups are recyclable (4). And most of those that are require that you separate the lid, the plastic cup, and the used coffee grounds. While this makes clean-up a bit less straightforward, I encourage you to take the necessary steps to keep K-Cups out of landfills.

Notable Design Pros And Cons

The Keurig K-Supreme is a nice-looking and compact machine available in black, white, or gray. I have no complaints about its style, which is sleek and unassuming. Measuring 12.15” by 7.85” by 12.02”, it’s a good choice for small or medium kitchens.

Its height is low enough to fit comfortably under your upper cupboards but big enough to be travel mug-friendly.

One thing I particularly like about this model is that the 66-ounce water reservoir can be repositioned to the back or side. This makes it easy to customize the footprint to suit your kitchen.

The build quality is on par with all mid-range Keurig models, which is to say not amazing. It’s entirely plastic, and while it feels well-put-together, I still wouldn’t say it’s built to last. It comes with a 1-year warranty, and I expect maybe 3 to 5 years of reliable service if you’re diligent about cleaning – though, of course, there are exceptions.

Is The K-Supreme Worth It?

I have a hard time wrapping my head around the price of any Keurig machine, if I’m being honest. None of them are particularly well made, and none make particularly great coffee.

The K-Supreme is no exception. The base model comes in around $140, and it gets over $200 for the Keurig K-Supreme Plus Smart. That is quite pricey for a plastic coffee maker that delivers decent but not exceptional coffee. At that price point, you’re competing with machines with SCA certifications!

The K-Supreme is worth it if you want the convenience of a pod coffee maker and you feel a certain brand loyalty towards Keurig. Otherwise, I think you can find better value elsewhere.

Don’t Buy the Keurig K-Supreme Coffee Maker If…

You want something more affordable: Many brands now offer single-serve coffee makers without the Keurig markup. For example, check out the Cuisinart SS-10. For half the price, it has similar features, more stainless steel in the build, and a 3-year warranty.

You want to make better coffee: The best way to know you’re getting a top-notch coffee machine is to buy one certified by the SCA for its cup quality. The Bonavita 5-cup drip coffee maker carries that award and only costs about $10 more than the Keurig.

Still want the convenience of pod brewing? In my experience, the Nespresso VertuoLine machines extract better than Keurigs.
You enjoy milky cafe-style drinks: The Keurig K-Cafe includes a milk frother and brews a strong 2-ounce coffee similar to espresso, so you can make coffee shop drinks at home. Alternatively, upgrade to a super-automatic espresso machine like the Gaggia Brera, which offers the convenience of a pod machine but uses freshly ground coffee and prepares a true espresso.

The Verdict

The Keurig K-Supreme single serve coffee maker is a definite improvement over past generations of Keurig machines. I think it has a nice selection of features that will appeal to many coffee lovers, providing an ideal balance between options and price point. That said, it still feels overpriced relative to other brands, particularly given that the coffee quality remains below average.