Our Verdict
The Keurig K55 is a fantastic coffee maker for those looking for a no-frills machine that just works. Its compact form factor, large water reservoir, and filter compatibility make it a great choice for beginner brewers.
This model is already discontinued, see the K-Classic instead.
Keurig has emerged over the last decade as one of the top coffee maker brands in the industry, with millions swearing by its combination of quality and convenience. But is the Keurig K55 really that good?
At the Coffee Arsenal, we believe that coffee is less a beverage and more a way of life.
After drinking countless cups of coffee from countless different machines, we know what makes a good cup, and are dedicated to providing you with comprehensive guides to popular coffee makers so that every cup you drink is a good one.
Our Keurig K55 review will help you understand what the Keurig K55 is, what sets it apart from other coffee makers, and whether it’s the right machine for you.
Overview: Keurig K55 Review
This is a long Keurig K55 coffee maker review; as such, we have written a quick overview with all of the K55’s basic information before getting into the details.
It comes with a large removable 48oz water reservoir, 3 brew sizes to choose from, 6oz, 8oz, and 10oz, and several indicator lights that make this machine very easy to use.
A word of warning here: this specific model has been discontinued by the manufacturer, for a more updated model with the same features, check the K-Classic instead.
In short words, this is an extremely simple coffee maker with all the features you need to brew a cup of coffee in no time.
Here you have an introductory video of this machine:
Specifications
| Specifications | Keurig K55 |
|---|---|
| Brew Sizes | 6oz, 8oz, 10oz |
| Water Tank Capacity | 48oz |
| Removable Water Reservoir | ✔️ |
| Charcoal Filter Compatibility | ✔️ |
| Product Dimensions | 13.3” (17.6” when open) H x 10.1” W x 13.2” D |
| Weight | 10.6lbs |
| Travel Mug Friendly | ✔️ |
| Colors | Black |
| Strength Controls | ❌ |
| Descale Light | ✔️ |
| Add Water Light | ✔️ |
| Heating Light | ✔️ |
| Auto Off Light | ✔️ |
| Auto Off | ✔️ |
| High Altitude Brewing | ✔️ |
| Hot Water On Demand | ✔️ |
Key Features: Keurig K55 Coffee Maker Review
In testing this machine for our Keurig K55 review, there are a few standout features we noticed.
Brewing
This is a Keurig K55 coffee maker review; as such, we should talk about the coffee. The K55 was built for simplicity, and it shows in the brewing experience.
After the machine is heated up, brewing an 8oz cup of coffee takes around a minute, and it takes around 3 to 4 minutes to heat up.
So the total time to brew an 8oz cup of coffee would be around 4 to 5 minutes, and once the machine has been heated up, the following cups will take just 1 minute to brew.
The K55 allows you to choose from three different brew sizes: 6oz, 8oz, or 10oz. This is helpful because it accommodates different cup sizes, including travel mugs.
The K55 doesn’t have any advanced brewing features. If you’re looking for a machine that allows for any sort of customization over things like water temperature, speed, or even the freshness of the coffee grounds. (The K-Elite is a good alternative)
Further, the K55 only brews classic coffee; you won’t be getting any espressos or fancy milk drinks like cappuccinos or lattes from this one.
Now, on to the most important part – the taste. The Keurig K55 brews a pretty good cup of coffee, and comes out consistently every time. The clarity is surprisingly good, with nice flavor and smoothness.
The coffee is not the strongest, and can not be customized to fit your preferences.
Overall, although lacking in customization and further features, the Keurig K55 combines fast brewing and superb convenience with good quality coffee to make for a simplistic brewing experience.
Ease of Use
The K cup system further enhances the ease of use, removing the hassle of sourcing coffee beans, grinding them, and measuring the right ratios.
Use can be summed up in three steps:
- Press the button to turn the machine on and wait for it to heat up
- Insert a K Kup into the K55’s pod slot and press the button for your desired brew size
- Remove the K Kup and enjoy!
Here’s a quick video showing the process of how to use this machine:
There is also an auto-off feature where the machine will automatically turn off two hours after the last brew. This can be turned on by pressing the auto-off button.
You can tell the feature is on when the green light is illuminated. This feature helps minimize energy usage, and makes the machine more efficient.
In total, this machine comes with 5 indicator lights:
- Add water
- Descale
- Heating
- Auto Off
- Power
These indicator lights tell you useful information that makes the use of this machine even more practical.
If you want to know more about how to use this coffee maker, check its official user manual below:
Water Reservoir
The Keurig K55 comes equipped with a large removable 48oz water reservoir capable of brewing up to 6 cups of coffee (If using the 8oz brew size option).
This is extremely convenient, as it limits the need to constantly refill the reservoir, and provides you with the ability to brew multiple cups of coffee quickly, making it perfect for guests and big families.
This unit is also compatible with Keurig’s charcoal filters, which you can use to improve the water quality.
Cleaning and Maintenance
Cleaning and maintaining the Keurig K55, like everything else about the machine, is simple and straightforward.
Cleaning both the water reservoir and drip tray is easy, as they’re both removable.
Wiping down the outside of the machine with a cloth helps keep the K55 looking its best.
As we said before, there is an indicator light that alerts you that the K55 needs descaling.
Descaling regularly is critical to maintaining the machine, as mineral deposits that build upon the internal components can hinder the K55’s lifetime.
Check the video below to learn how to descale your Keurig K55:
Pod Variety
Because the Keurig K55 was built before Keurig implemented their pod scan technology, the K55 is compatible with any K-Cup compatible coffee pod.
This means that, in addition to Keurig’s selection of K-Cups, you can use any off-brand ones as well. This is great because off-brand pods are usually cheaper.
While writing our Keurig K55 review, we were thrilled at the ability to try different brands of pods.
It’s no secret that disposable K-Cups are horrible for the environment; this is one of the biggest downfalls of the K55. K-Cups also use pre-ground coffee, and prevent you from the customization you get when choosing your beans.
For these reasons, we would recommend investing in a reusable K-Cup.
Pros and Cons
No Keurig K55 review would be complete without providing a good understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of the machine.
Pros
- Extremely simple and convenient to use
- Small form factor
- Makes quality coffee consistently
- Large water reservoir
Cons
- No advanced features
- No ability to customize the brew
- Uses pods, which are expensive and environmentally inefficient unless you use a reusable pod
Is The Keurig K55 for You?
The Keurig K55 is a good machine. However, it’s not for everyone. Below, we detail who we think would get the most out of this machine.
The Keurig K55 Is for You If…
You value simplicity above all else in a coffee maker. The K55 is for you if you’re someone who enjoys a cup of coffee, but isn’t an enthusiast, and wants just a basic machine.
The Keurig K55 Is Not for You If…
You want a more advanced coffee maker that allows you to fine-tune your brew, or brew more specialty drinks. The K55 does not allow you to change water temperature, pressure, or other brew settings.
The Keurig K55 is also not for you if you don’t like the pod system or are worried about the continued cost, both financially and to the environment.
The K55 also brews coffee which is generally on the weaker side. If you are any kind of coffee connoisseur, or like a stronger brew, we urge you to consider one of the alternatives below.
Alternatives
While writing this Keurig K55 review, we noticed some similarities between it and some other machines. If you’re looking for something a little different, check out our recommendations below.
1. Keurig K-Cafe
- Key Feature: Integrated milk frother
- Brew Sizes: 6oz, 8oz, 10oz, and 12oz
- Water Reservoir: 60oz
- Material: Plastic
- Brand: Keurig
The Keurig K-Cafe represents a step up from the bare-bones K55, and offers a number of more premium features to achieve a more well rounded brewing experience.
While the K55 only makes classic brewed coffee, the K-Cafe allows you to brew specialty drinks such as lattes, cappuccinos, and espressos, and comes with a built-in milk frother. Like the K55, it’s compatible with K-Cups and their reusable filters.
The K-Cafe has a larger water reservoir, at 60oz compared to the K55’s 48oz reservoir. You can also choose from four different brew sizes, including 6oz, 8oz, 10oz, and 12oz.
We’d recommend the K-Cafe to those looking for an entry level coffee machine that is capable of brewing more specialty drinks, or those looking for coffee stronger than that of the K55.
2. Hamilton Beach FlexBrew
- Key Feature: Connected with Amazon Dash Auto Replenishment
- Brew Sizes: 8oz, 10oz, and 14oz
- Water Reservoir: 40oz
- Material: Plastic
- Brand: Hamilton Beach
The Hamilton Beach FlexBrew is a single-serve coffee maker that operates much like the Keurig K55. It also uses a pod system in order to provide a similarly bare-bones brewing experience.
What makes the FlexBrew different, however, is its ability to accommodate ground coffee more naturally. The machine comes with both a pod holder and a basket to hold ground coffee included.
This is nice because you don’t have to use pods with the machine, which eliminates cost and environmental waste. It also gives you more customization over your bean quality, type, and freshness.
The Hamilton Beach FlewBrew allows you to brew coffee in 8oz, 10oz, and 14oz sizes. You can also choose between regular and bold brewing, something those looking for that extra caffeine boost are sure to appreciate.
3. Cuisinart SS-5 Single Serve Brewer
- Key Feature: Compact design
- Brew Sizes: 6oz, 8oz and 10oz
- Water Reservoir: 40oz
- Material: Plastic
- Brand: Cuisinart
The Cuisinart SS-5 Single Serve Brewer also offers a similar experience to the Keurig K55, and is another basic brewer for those looking for a no frills coffee experience.
The SS-5 comes with a smaller 40oz removable water reservoir, and makes 6oz, 8oz, and 10oz brews. The machine is compatible with K-Cups and other pods, and can accommodate a ground coffee filter. However, this filter is not included.
Similar to the K55, the SS-5 also allows you to add a charcoal water filter in order to enhance the quality of the water going into the brew.
However, in our testing, we noticed that the SS-5’s coffee was slightly weaker than that of the K55. This isn’t really noticeable if you’re just the average coffee drinker, and shouldn’t be a problem.
We would recommend the Cuisinart SS-5 Single Serve Brewer to the same people interested in the K55.
The Bottom Line: Keurig K55 Review
If you’re looking for a simple, pod-based coffee brewing experience, the Keurig K55 is a fantastic choice. It brews consistently good coffee in a variety of sizes and comes with a few thoughtful features to further enhance the experience.
However, if you want a stronger brew, more customization options, or a machine to brew specialty drinks, the K55 is not a good option for you. Check out the K-Elite Instead.
F.A.Q – Keurig K55
These are some answers to the most common questions about the Keurig K55.
Is the Keurig k55 Discontinued?
Yes, the Keurig K55 is discontinued, but only technically. The Keurig K-Classic is the same machine, with the same brewing quality and features, and can be purchased for about the same price on Amazon or directly on Keurig’s website.
When Did the Keurig k55 Come Out?
The Keurig K55 came out in 2015. While it may be a little dated, it remains a classic in the pod-driven coffee industry.
What Is the Difference Between the Keurig k50 and Keurig K55?
Contrary to popular belief, the Keurig K50 and K55 are actually the same machines! While you may hear reviewers talk about different features and compatibility, the reality is that they differ only in name and that the K55 has a water filter starter kit included.
You can also see the differences between the K40 and K50 coffee makers here: Keurig K40 vs K50.
Can I Use Any Pod in the Keurig K55?
As we talked about in our Keurig K55 classic review, the machine was built before Keurig implemented their pod scan technology, you can use any K-Kup compatible coffee pod that fits in the K55’s pod slot.
