The K-series has been one of the signature designs by Keurig. A glance at the K200 and the K250 will convince you at the same coffee maker. But this should not scare you because telling the difference between both models has been a challenge for very many people.
Both of them are best-sellers in their brand collection. They look identical in design, and their features also seem to be nearly similar. However, there are certainly subtle differences that separate them. Knowing these differences is vital in helping you decide which model to go for.
And that is the meat and potatoes of this review. We will look at both of them individually, then compare them side by side. Hopefully, we will manage to bring out the glaring differences that don’t seem apparent to many buyers.
Keurig K200 Review
The Keurig K200 is one of the most compact coffee brewers in the market today. Together with the K250, they have been for a very long time the best sellers of Keurig. It features a 40-ounce water reservoir, giving it the capacity to make enough coffee for up to six people. As such, it is a magnificent choice for smaller families looking for a versatile brewer for their family coffee needs.
With nine brewing sizes for users to choose from, it makes it a breeze to switch from making smaller batches to larger batches without any fuse at all. With the inclusion of the K-carafe pods, you can easily turn it into a four-cup coffee maker if you don’t see the need to utilize the entire reservoir for the brewing.
Another feature you will also love about the Keurig K200 is its strength control. It is a fact that people prefer their coffee at different strengths, and this is a feature that most will always look for when shopping for a coffee maker. With the strength control feature, switching between strong and mild brews has never been any easier.
Whether you forgot your preferred strength or you remembered it midway, you don’t have to worry about ending up with a brew strength you didn’t want. Changing the strength of the coffee is always a push of a button away.
The K200 not only boasts superior aesthetics, but it is also quite easy to use. The looks may be intimidating, but once you learn to work your way around the controls, you will be looking forward to your coffee making sessions.
Notable features about its ease of use include an indicator to let you know when tank maintenance or water refill is needed. This is not only a feature of convenience but also a vital one is preventing damages to the machine and ensuring its longevity.
Another feature that enhances its usability is the large touchscreen – the home of all controls. It is from the touchscreen where you will set your brewing preferences depending on the type of brew you want. It is also from the touchscreen where you will find a display of simple instructions that will go a long way in helping you craft the best brews at home.
The Auto-Off feature is also worth mentioning, especially for users who care about their energy consumption. The feature will automatically turn off the machine if it is left to idle for approximately 90 seconds. You will find this to be a handy feature for those days when you make your coffee in a hurry and you forget to switch off the machine.
Variant 200
KEURIG 200
With nine brewing sizes for users to choose from, it makes it a breeze to switch from making smaller batches to larger batches without any fuse at all.
CHECK LATEST PRICEPros
- Compact design
- Ability to customize drinks
- Easy to use, clean and maintain
- Can be used with coffee pods belonging to other brands
- Can accommodate both capsule and ground coffee
- It has an Auto-Off function
Cons
- Takes relatively long to brew a cup of coffee
- Doesn’t come with temperature controls
- Has no water filtration system
Keurig K250 Review
The Keurig K250 is nearly similar to the K200, though it features very slight improvements from the previous model. Their aesthetics and specs are nearly identical. One of the major differences between the two is the total time taken to brew coffee. With K250, you can have your coffee ready in less than a minute.
This is unlike the K200 which always requires more time since the coffee maker has to be preheated first before you can make the coffee. Also, K250 comes with two water filters – an accessory that is conspicuously missing from the K200. Otherwise, nearly every feature remains the same between the two.
Variant 250
KEURIG 250
The coffee maker has to be preheated first before you can make the coffee. Also, K250 comes with two water filters – an accessory that is conspicuously missing from the K200.
CHECK LATEST PRICEPros
- Same as K200, though it features a removable drip tray and additional accessories.
Cons
- Same as K200, and it is slightly more expensive than K200.
Keurig K200 vs K250: Side by side comparison
Now that you know some of the subtle differences between Keurig K200 and K250, let’s delve deeper on a side by side comparison so that we point out some differences that may not be apparent.
The Design
The design of both the K200 and K250 is the same. It is nearly impossible to tell them apart by just looking at them. They are compact, contemporary and sleek. They have the same physical dimensions and they also have similar weight. Additionally, they are available in similar color options. Therefore, if all you are interested in are the looks, you will be pleased to have any.
Features
In terms of features, both the K200 and K250 have nearly the same features. They both have a similar touch screen design, a removable drip tray, strength controls, and an auto-off feature. Their touchscreen is monochrome and both have display prompts to guide you in your brewing choices.
Performance
Perhaps the major difference between K200 and K250 lies in their performances. To begin with, K250 is relatively faster than K200. If you are the type of coffee enthusiast who will not want to wait for a minute for their coffee to be ready, then K250 will be the right choice for you.
With the K200, you will have to wait for more than one minute for your coffee to be ready. The difference is because, with K200, the maker has to heat up first before the brewing process can start. This is not the case with K250.
Another key difference in performance between the two is the noise generated during operations. According to reviews by many past buyers, K200 tends to generate a lot of noise. This is never the case for K250 which has been hailed for smooth and quiet operations.
It is also worth pointing out in this K250 vs K200 is that the former can work with K-cup pods from other brands while the latter is not compatible with K-cup pods from other brands. However, if you can manage to use Keurig pods all the time, then this is a small difference that should not worry you.
Extra accessories
While we compare Keurig K200 and K250, it is also a good idea to look at the extra accessories that one has, yet the other lacks. With K250, you will be getting extra accessories that you won’t find with the K200. This include-: a water filter handle, 4 simple k-cup pods, a descaling solution, and two water filters.
The water filters are charcoal activated. This makes them deliver superior results compared to the usual plastic mesh types. The charcoal activated water filters can still work with k200, only that you will have to buy it separately.
The descaling solution comes handy when you want to get rid of any mineral deposits that may be tempted to accumulate inside the coffee maker. Finally, with the 4 k-cup pods, you can start with the brewing process immediately after unboxing the machine.
Ease of use, cleaning, and maintenance
Both the K200 and K250 have a 40-reservoir. This is enough capacity to serve up to six cups of coffee before you think about refiling. Additionally, the 10-brew sizes give you the versatility to hold both small and large parties in your home. With the one-touch button and the touchscreen displays, using both machines will always be a breeze.
Cleaning both machines is also easy – if both expert and past buyer’s opinions are anything to go by. They have a removable drip tray that allows for a lot of convenience at cleaning time. The only problem is the drip tray in K250 will not get rid of all the extra liquids. As such, you will have to clean it more often compared to K200.
The cost
As far as the prices go, K250 is slightly expensive compared to K200. For current and exact prices, check out Amazon or the manufacturer’s website.
We will not make a factual error by purporting a clear winner in this tug of war between Keurig K250 vs K200. Both of them are fine coffee makers used by hundreds of thousands of users across the globe to make fine brews. They both have what it takes to satisfy the coffee urge for most average coffee users.
However, if we were to make a choice, then we would go for K250. We love the fact that you don’t have to pre-heat it. This means coffee in under a minute. And, we also love the set of accessories that it comes with right out of the box.