If you’re new to Keurigs, you might be wondering: What’s the difference between K-Classic and K-Select? Both models are fairly basic and from its name alone, it may seem like the K-Classic would be a solid introduction to the Keurig.
Well, the K-Select solves many of the problems seen with the K-Classic, namely height. While the K-Classic is a gigantic size, the K-Select is a slightly smaller model equipped with a larger 52-ounce water reservoir (instead of 48 ounces) and a “strong” feature that brews a cup of more robust water. coffee. It sells for $140, $10 less than the K-Classic, but offers a slightly improved brewing experience, which is why it’s one of the best Keurig coffee makers. And like all Keurigs, this machine can brew a single serving of coffee in about a minute.
Is the K-Select a better machine than its predecessor? Read on to find out in our Keurig K-Select review.
Keurig K-Select Review: Price and Availability
The K-Select is currently priced at $105 (previously $149) on Amazon, a bit less than what the standard K-Classic typically sells for, although the latter can usually be found for $99 in sales. The K-Select is also usually on sale for less: You can sometimes find it for $129 or less at retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, and Keurig.
Like all Keurigs, the K-Select is limited to K-Cup pods for brewing coffee, tea, and hot chocolate, which can cost between $7 and $14 per 12-pack, depending on the brand. This equates to approximately 60 cents to $1.15 per capsule. The K-Select, however, is compatible with reusable K-Cups, saving you some money if you have pre-ground coffee at home.
Keurig K-Select Review: Features
The K-Select is a slightly improved version of the K-Classic in terms of features. You can make 6, 8, 10 and 12 ounce cups. It also has a “strong” button, which creates a bolder K-Cup coffee flavor through a longer brewing process. It comes with a removable 52-ounce water reservoir and an auto-shutoff feature that automatically turns off the K-Select after two hours of inactivity.
The K-Select also comes packaged with a Keurig water filter handle and a filter that sits in the reservoir to purify the water. The only other Keurig model that comes with a filter is the expensive K-Elite. Water filter cartridge replacements typically cost $10.
Keurig K-Select Review: Design
The K-Select is a lighter version of the K-Classic. It measures 12 inches tall (almost 17 inches with the latch open), 9 inches wide, and less than 12 inches deep. It’s a big deal, but if you replace a traditional coffee maker with a Keurig, it will probably fit your space perfectly. It has a basic black plastic frame (but you can also buy one in teal, white, and red) and a plastic drip tray, both of which are prone to stains.
The machine has six buttons to press (four for serving size, one for power, and one for the “strong” brew setting) and three lights to indicate when the water level is low, when the K-Select should descaling and whether the automatic shut-off function is active. The water tank with lid has a small notch on the inside to indicate the maximum fill line and a window to see where the water is on the outside.
Keurig K-Select Review: Performance
Admittedly, I’m not a big fan of K-Cups, but if there’s one thing I’ve learned from testing Keurig machines, it’s that the addition of the brand’s “strong” brew feature makes pod coffee taste much better. . Regular Keurig brewing just doesn’t cut it for me, and the K-Select is no exception. But its strong characteristic makes a big difference when it comes to the flavor and depth of capsule coffee.
The K-Select can brew 6, 8, 10, and 12-ounce cups in under a minute, just after its initial warm-up time of about a minute. During testing, I found that I could brew a cup of coffee in just 30 seconds, with the longest brew time being one minute and five seconds, regardless of serving size. The K-Select starts heating as soon as it is turned on and takes approximately 45 seconds between each sequential cup to brew again.
The strong function adds another minute to the brewing process, which is a slower process in favor of a more saturated and carefully poured K-Cup serving. The longest I waited for a strong cup of coffee was one minute and 45 seconds. Even if I brew a single cup of coffee, that time is still impressive, especially considering that all it takes to brew is insert a K-Cup into the pod compartment, close it, and press a few buttons.
But while Keurig machines can brew quickly, it’s also why these machines sometimes struggle to deliver a tasty cup of coffee. Keurigs cannot produce crema, which is a layer of caramel-colored foam that is the result of the heat and pressure that builds up during the brewing process. Coffee lovers believe that crema gives espresso and coffee a more complex flavor, which is why Nespresso machines have won over so many people. However, the K-Select can brew a bolder, more flavorful cup, with full flavor thanks to the machine’s strong setting.
According to him National Coffee Association, the optimal cup of coffee is brewed between 195 and 205 degrees Fahrenheit. The K-Select, like many Keurigs, cannot heat water to that level. The hottest cup I recorded after brewing was 182 degrees Fahrenheit, and while that temperature is certainly warm, it’s just not the piping hot cup I prefer in the morning.
The only real complaint I have with the K-Select brewing process is that it splatters. While dispensing water through the K-Cup, the K-Select will splash water and coffee onto itself and the counter. I had to clean my workspace several times while brewing coffee, but this is the most I’ve experienced with any Keurig machine.
Fortunately, the K-Select doesn’t require much power to operate. During 20 minutes of use, the machine only consumed 125 KWH. It’s also fairly quiet during brewing, with the highest decibel reading being 67 dB, despite the unflattering sizzling sound during the end of the brew cycle. The K-Select has the quietest heating cycle of any Keurig machine we’ve tested and a similar brew cycle to the K-Elite, one of our favorite Keurigs. It is the quietest, overall, of all the machines we have tested.
Keurig K-Select Review: Ease of Use
The K-Select is pretty basic and incredibly easy to operate. To use it, simply turn it on and while waiting for the machine to warm up, insert a K-Cup into the pod compartment. Then, select the size of coffee you want and wait for the brew to be marketed. If the water tank is low, a light will come on telling you to add more. If your machine needs descaling, a light will also illuminate for this.
Its removable drip tray and water tank are top-rack dishwasher safe, making cleaning the K-Select simple. This is a fairly low-maintenance appliance, and the only real maintenance is refilling its water tank, although it is a simple task.
Keurig K-Select Review: Verdict
The K-Select is a decent machine that is a true entry-level Keurig for those who want an introduction to the brand. It has an updated build compared to the K-Classic, and its powerful brewing function makes sometimes stale K-Cup coffee taste much bolder thanks to a slower brewing process. While it may lack the amenities of a more luxurious Keurig model, like the K-Elite or K-Cafe, the K-Select still brews coffee at the breakneck pace that made the company such a big business in the first place. .
This machine is worth purchasing over its predecessor, and if you have the counter space to spare, it will do a decent job. If you’re looking for a bold single serve of coffee, the K-Select is a solid gateway to the Keurig world, although it costs $20 more than our best value pick, the K-Slim, and doesn’t offer the bells and whistles. and whistles from our favorite, the K-Cafe.