This is our comparison of the Keurig K-Supreme vs K-Supreme Plus coffee makers.
The Keurig K-Supreme and K-Supreme Plus are two of Keurig’s more premium single-serve brewers. But what, other than name, is the difference between these two machines?
We know good coffee when we see it. And when we drink it. At The Coffee Arsenal, we are committed to bringing you the most comprehensive coffee guides on the internet, through a meticulous research process that leaves no stone unturned.
After our research, we’ve found that the K-Supreme Plus is better than the K-Supreme because of its features and improved design.
Keep reading to find out why the K-Supreme Plus is the best option.
Overview: Keurig K-Supreme vs K-Supreme Plus
After reviewing both products, we have decided that the Keurig K-Supreme Plus is the superior machine.
Why?
The larger water reservoir, in combination with the extra size and strength option, and temperature controls helps round out a more premium feeling brewer in almost every way. The K-Supreme Plus just felt more hands-on.
However, if you don’t care about the additional coffee controls, the K-Supreme brews excellent coffee and is a little easier on the wallet.
Here’s an introductory video of the Keurig K-Supreme.
Here’s an introductory video of the Keurig K-Supreme Plus.
Comparison Table
Specifications | Keurig K-Supreme | Keurig K-Supreme Plus |
---|---|---|
Brew Sizes | 6oz, 8oz, 10oz, 12oz | 4oz, 6oz, 8oz, 10oz, 12oz |
Water Tank Capacity | 66oz | 78oz |
Dual-Position Reservoir | ✔️ | ❌ |
Charcoal Filter Compatibility | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Product Dimensions | 12.2” (17” when open) H x 7.9” W x 12” / 15.1” D | 12.2” (16.9” when open) H x 8.3” W x 13.3” D |
Weight | 8.1lbs | 8.3lbs |
Colors | Black, Gray, White | Stainless Steel |
Strength Control | 1 setting | 3 settings |
Temperature Control | 1 setting | 3 settings |
Programmable Favorites | ❌ | ✔️ |
Over Ice Mode | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Maintenance Alert | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Auto-Off | ✔️ | ✔️ |
High Altitude Settings | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Digital Display Screen | ❌ | ✔️ |
Hot Water On Demand | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Quick Brew | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Reviewing the Keurig K-Supreme Plus vs K-Supreme
In this section, we’ll go into the nitty-gritty regarding the Keurig K-Supreme vs the K-Supreme Plus to help you decide which one is a better fit for you.
Brew Sizes
The Keurig K-Supreme brews single cups of coffee in 6, 8, 10, and 12-ounce sizes. The K-Supreme can brew back-to-back cups of coffee, immediately, without the need to wait for reheating.
In addition, the machine can accommodate travel mugs up to seven inches tall by removing the drip tray.
The Keurig K-Supreme Plus is similar but adds a 4-ounce brew size option. It, like the K-Supreme, can brew back-to-back cups of coffee without waiting for reheating, and can also accommodate travel mugs up to seven inches tall.
Winner: Keurig K-Supreme Plus
Water Tank
The Keurig K-Supreme comes equipped with a 66-ounce dual-position reservoir. This means that the water reservoir can be placed both on the side of the machine and on the back.
The 66-ounce reservoir is large, capable of brewing eight cups of coffee without refill (at the 8-ounce brew size).
The Keurig K-Supreme Plus comes with a massive 78-ounce single-position water reservoir. This allows you to brew nine cups of coffee without refilling (at the 8-ounce size).
Unlike the K-Supreme, the reservoir on the K-Supreme Plus can not be placed in multiple positions. This could be an issue in smaller, less adaptable kitchens. However, the extra 12 ounces is super convenient, and gives the K-Supreme Plus the win here.
Both water reservoirs are compatible with charcoal filters, which is great if you want to brew coffee with even cleaner water.
Winner: Keurig K-Supreme Plus
Brew Strength
The Keurig K-Supreme brews coffee in two different strengths, regular and bold. The bold setting brews stronger coffee by percolating the water through the grounds at a slower pace.
This allows for more flavorful coffee because the water has more contact time with the grounds.
The Keurig K-Supreme Plus offers three different brew strengths, which further adds to the user experience by allowing you to personalize the coffee to your tastes.
With both machines, there is a noticeable difference in coffee strength, flavor, and boldness between the different strength options. The Keurig K-Supreme Plus just takes it a step further.
Winner: Keurig K-Supreme Plus
Brewing Time
For each machine, brewing time varies based on the brew size and strength controls.
For both machines, the heat-up time is negligible, with coffee beginning to come out in around twelve seconds.
On the K-Supreme, at the standard 8-ounce brew size, both the regular and bold options are done brewing in under 1.5 minutes. The bold setting takes a little while longer than regular brewing.
On the K-Supreme Plus, at the standard 8-ounce brew size, the regular and second strength options are both done in under 1.5 minutes. At full strength and temperature, brewing takes around one minute and fifty-five seconds.
This extra time allows for better extraction through further contact time and results in a better cup of coffee.
Winner: Tie
Coffee Flavor
The Keurig K-Supreme and Supreme Plus are both some of Keurig’s more premium machines. As such, the flavor you get from the coffee is bound to be good.
The K-Supreme uses five needles instead of one to inject water into the pod for extraction. This results in more flavorful coffee, as the water is flowing evenly through the whole pod, taking advantage of all coffee and surface area.
Brewing with the bold option helps bring out more subtleties and nuanced flavor in the coffee. Overall, the coffee was really good.
The K-Supreme Plus also uses five needles for extraction and brews excellent coffee. With three strength and temperature controls, there’s bound to be something that fits your tastes.
Both machines are calibrated excellently, and flavor profile integrity is preserved. Overall, the coffee on both these machines tastes excellent.
Because of the extra strength option, the K-Supreme Plus comes out on top, however slightly.
Winner: Keurig K-Supreme Plus
Temperature Control
There are a few different reasons why temperature control is important on a machine, the first being preference. A person could prefer hotter or cooler coffee. In addition, different water temperatures are optimal for brewing coffee at different altitudes.
The Keurig K-Supreme offers very limited temperature control features. While you cannot adjust the temperature based solely on preference, the machine does have a high altitude setting.
This lowers the water temperature to prevent damage to the internal components of the machine, as the water boils at a lower temperature at higher altitudes.
The Keurig K-Supreme Plus offers 3 temperature settings to choose from in addition to an altitude setting, better catering to people who like their coffee hotter.
Winner: Keurig K-Supreme Plus
Dimensions, Design, and Weight
The Keurig K-Supreme and K-Supreme Plus are very similar in size and weight.
These are the dimensions of the K-Supreme:
- Height: 12.2” (17” when open)
- Width: 7.9”
- Depth with water reservoir on side: 12”
- Depth with water reservoir in rear: 15.1”
- Weight: 8.1lbs
These are the dimensions of the K-Supreme Plus:
- Height: 12.2” (16.9” when open)
- Width: 8.3”
- Depth: 13.3”
- Weight: 8.3lbs
Some have noted that the handle of the K-Supreme Plus feels a bit softer and sturdier.
Also, the K-Supreme Plus has more metal parts, while the K-Supreme is mostly plastic.
Although they are very similar in design, we find the K-Supreme Plus to be more robust, making it the clear winner.
However, the K-Supreme might be better for some people since it can be more compact when the water reservoir is located at the rear.
Winner: Tie
Additional Features
There are a few additional feature differences when looking at the Keurig K-Supreme vs K-Supreme Plus.
Programmable Favorites
The K-Supreme Plus allows users to program three different brew combinations. This can be used to accommodate three different people with different tastes or even just one person who likes their coffee differently at different times.
Maintenance Alert
Both machines will alert users to descale after 250 brew cycles. This helps minimize damage to the machine’s internal components from mineral buildup.
Digital Display
The Keurig K-Supreme has no digital display, while the K-Supreme Plus is equipped with a very basic one displaying temperature and strength levels. For a more featured display, check out the Keurig K-Supreme Plus SMART.
WI-FI Connection
Neither the Keurig K-Supreme nor K-Supreme Plus have WI-FI capabilities.
If you’re looking for WIFI connection, the K-Supreme Plus SMART offers many of the same features as the K-Supreme Plus, and allows users to manage the machine via WI-FI.
Over Ice Mode
Both coffee makers come with an Over Ice mode which is designed to brew at a lower temperature, optimized for brewing iced coffee.
Keep in mind that when this mode is enabled you will only be able to brew 6oz of coffee.
Hot Water On Demand
You can dispense hot water with both coffee makers for making hot beverages like tea or other things like oat meat.
To do this you just have to follow the normal brewing process but without adding a K-Cup capsule.
Winner: Keurig K-Supreme Plus
Compatible Coffee Capsules
Both the Keurig K-Supreme and K-Supreme Plus are compatible with any K-Cup pods in addition to any equivalent third-party pods.
Both of these machines also work with the My K-Cup Universal Reusable Coffee Filter.
Winner: Tie
Ease of Use
Keurig has made a name for themselves by creating coffee makers that are paramount in their convenience. The K-Supreme and K-Supreme Plus are no exception.
Setup on both of these machines is quick and easy. Just plug the machine in, fill up the tank, run a brewing cycle, and you’re good to go!
In terms of brewing, both machines heat and brew at the same time, and brewing begins in around 12 seconds. Button layouts are easy to use and intuitive, and the interface is user-friendly.
It’s hard to say that there is any difference in usability on the Keurig K-Supreme Plus vs K-Supreme.
If you want to learn more about how to use these coffee makers properly, you can check their user manuals below.
Winner: Tie
Cleaning and Maintenance
Cleaning and maintenance on both of these machines is very similar.
Regularly wiping down the machine, and rinsing the water reservoir and drip tray can help keep the machine looking its best.
On both the Keurig K-Supreme and K-Supreme Plus, you’ll get an alert reminding you to descale after 250 brew cycles. This helps minimize mineral buildup and protects the internal components of the machine, making it last longer.
The descaling process is easy and follows Keurig’s standard descaling procedure.
Also, in the manual of these coffee makers, you will find a small table with a recommended maintenance schedule by Keurig.
Keep in mind that you cannot dry the inside of the water reservoir of these machines with a cloth.
Winner: Tie
Pros and Cons: Keurig K-Supreme Plus vs K-Supreme
Both of these machines are very convenient, and brew excellent coffee. However, there are some pros and cons of each that need to be mentioned when comparing the Keurig K-Supreme vs K-Supreme Plus.
Keurig K-Supreme
Here are some of the pros and cons of the Keurig K-Supreme.
Pros
- Dual-position water reservoir
- Simple, straightforward controls
- Fast and quiet brewing cycle
- Bold mode for extra strength and flavor extraction
- High altitude settings
Cons
- Temperature controls are limited
- No programmable features
- No display
Keurig K-Supreme Plus
Comparatively, here are the pros and cons of the Keurig Supreme Plus.
Pros
- Three temperature settings
- Additional strength settings
- Large 78-ounce water reservoir
- Programmable brewing profiles
- Digital display
- Brews in five different sizes
Cons
- Single position water reservoir
Alternatives
While these two machines are some of Keurig’s best, they’re certainly not for everyone. Here, we look at two alternatives, and who they might be better for.
K-Supreme Plus SMART
When comparing the Keurig K-Supreme Plus vs K-Supreme Plus SMART, there are a few main differences.
The Keurig K-Supreme Plus SMART takes many of the great features you get with the Supreme Plus and adds more user presets, added strength and temperature options, an OLED display, and WIFI compatibility.
While the K-Supreme Plus has three temperature and strength options, the K-Supreme Plus SMART comes equipped with five strength settings, from balanced to intense, and six temperature options, from warm to maximum hot.
This gives users more customization over their coffee, and allows the machine to brew based on their specific tastes. Speaking of, the K-Supreme Plus SMART adds seven user-selected presets over the K-Supreme Plus.
The main feature of the K-Supreme Plus SMART, however, is the addition of WIFI compatibility and the large OLED screen.
With the machine connected to WIFI, you can use the Keurig app to control the machine, schedule brewing, customize brew settings, save presets, and schedule auto-delivery of your favorite pods.
The OLED screen displays useful information about the brew, such as temperature and strength setting, and helps streamline the user interface. This makes the machine super easy to use, and helps you take advantage of all of the features.
Another feature worth mentioning is Keurig’s Brew ID. When you insert a K-Cup pod into the machine, it will identify the coffee you’re using and change the brew settings to optimize extraction.
In all, the Keurig K-Supreme Plus SMART is a great option for people looking for a machine that has WIFI connectivity, or for people who want the ultimate amount of customization in a pod-based brewer.
Keurig K-Mini Plus
The Keurig K-Mini Plus is a very simple, straightforward brewer perfect for people who value simplicity, or are looking for a machine to fit in a small kitchen or office space.
The K-Mini Plus is small – at under five inches wide, it is bound to fit almost anywhere you’d want to put it.
The brewing process is simple and incredibly convenient. Just insert a pod, add between six and 12 ounces of fresh water (this will be the size of your cup of coffee) and hit the brew button.
The water reservoir on the K-Mini Plus is removable, which is great because it helps make cleaning easier and more convenient. This is a big difference between the K-Mini Plus and the K-Mini, whose water reservoir is fixed.
The Keurig K-Mini Plus is made using more environmentally conscious plastic, and has saved over a million pounds of virgin plastic since 2020.
The K-Mini Plus comes in seven different color options, which is great if you’re looking to add some character to a space.
There are a few other features worth mentioning regarding this machine. The K-Mini Plus has a bold brewing option, perfect for those who like stronger coffee.
The K-Mini Plus also has an auto-off feature, which helps conserve energy. Additionally, there is a pod storage box on the bottom of the machine, which helps make brewing even more convenient.
In all, this machine is perfect for people who are looking for a small, simple machine that brews good coffee.
Want to learn more about these coffee makers? Check this article: K-Mini vs K-Mini Plus.
Which One Should You Choose?
Now you know the differences when looking at the Keurig K-Supreme vs K-Supreme Plus. But which one is right for you?
You Should Choose the K-Supreme If…
You want excellent coffee and don’t need the additional customization or larger water reservoir you get with the K-Supreme Plus.
Keurig’s multi-stream technology ensures that the cup of coffee you get from this machine is a good one, and the machine is incredibly consistent.
If you’re just looking for plain good coffee, and are on a little more of a budget, this machine is for you.
You Should Choose the K-Supreme Plus If…
You value having options when it comes to your brew.
The additional strength setting, in addition to the three temperature options, make the K-Supreme Plus the better option for you if you are a more sophisticated coffee drinker, or you like different things at different times.
This machine is also right for you if you brew a lot of coffee. The user presets enhance convenience, and the larger water reservoir means you can brew more between refills.
The Bottom Line: Keurig K-Supreme vs K-Supreme Plus
Both of these machines are some of Keurig’s more premium brewers. As such, they both brew great coffee, are easy to use, and provide superb convenience.
However, we have decided that the K-Supreme Plus is the better machine. Its additional brewing size, strength control, and the addition of temperature controls make it a more user-friendly machine, in addition to brewing better coffee.
If you want a more affordable and simple coffee maker, the K-Supreme will do the job.