Instead of comparing two individual Keurig coffee makers we’re going to be looking at two of their product lines in this article. As we compare Keurig 1.0 vs 2.0, we have to remember that both these lines are influential in their own right.
Keurig 1.0 is the original line that started this era of single-serve coffee makers. And 2.0 pushed it further with more features and an exploration of possibilities.
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The 2.0 line of Keurig brewing systems are improvements over their 1.0 predecessors. They feature great additions such as temperature and strength controls, Hot Water on Demand and Auto On/Off options. Most even sport a bigger water reservoir than the 1.0 models.
The Keurig 1.0 models are nevertheless great coffee brewers as well and can still satisfy the average coffee drinker. In fact, there are a couple of things the older models can do which their successors can’t.
That’s exactly why we’re comparing the two product lines- so that you can determine whether you’d be happier with a Keurig 1.0 or a 2.0 model.
Keurig 2.0 vs 1.0: A Detailed Comparison
In the section, we’re going to summarize the key differences and similarities between the product lines:
The Design
The differences between the two product lines are quite apparent just by looking at them. The 1.0 Keurigs definitely feature a more classic look. This is especially true of those without touchscreens. On the other hand, the 2.0 ones sport a more modern aesthetic.
The Pods
Pod Sizes
Both product lines use K cup pods in order to brew coffee, hot cocoa or other beverages. However, their sizes differ. The Keurig 1.0 models use smaller-sized pods than the 2.0. This essentially means that you cannot use the Keurig 2.0’s pods with the 1.0 models. So if you’re looking to upgrade from a 1.0 to 2.0 and you have a lot of unused pods lying around, those will pretty much be useless to you afterwards.
On the other hand, the newer K cup pods used by the 2.0 models are also compatible with 1.0 Keurigs.
Generally, Keurig 2.0 offer greater variety in terms of brew size. While most 1.0 models only offer three brew sizes, some 2.0 brewers are compatible with ten or eleven! For larger households, the 30-ounce brew size can be quite convenient.
K-Carafe
With the 2.0 line, Keurig introduced the K-carafe brew size, which basically allows you to make a larger quantity of coffee at once. Carafe pods support up to 30 ounces, which is four cups worth of coffee! So if you’ve got a large family, the 2.0 is better suited for you.
Using Non-Keurig Pods
One feature that made people fall in love with Keurig 1.0 was its compatibility with pods made from other brands. This was a great option to have since Keurig pods are generally a bit pricier than others in the market.
Unfortunately, the 2.0 coffee brewers only work with Keurig’s pods. This is because of the radio frequency identification (or RFID) technology that exists in these machines. This allows the coffee maker to identify whether the pod inserted is by Keurig or not.
How does it work? Basically, there’s a special scanner in the coffee maker which reads the barcode present on each Keurig pod. If the barcode is compatible, it will go ahead and start the brewing process.
You do have a few third-party options available to you if you’re using a 2.0 Keurig. This includes the pods from Shop Blends, Starbucks and Dunkin’ Donuts. Make sure you look for the words ‘2.0 compatible’ before you buy.
Using re-fillable pods
Another feature that customers loved about Keurig 1.0 was the ability to use refillable pods. Not only did this save money but it was also good for the environment.
Earlier, the 2.0 Keurigs weren’t compatible with refillable pods. But then Keurig went ahead and introduced the My K-cup reusable filter and pod, which were designed to work with the 2.0 line.
The Water Reservoirs
The biggest water reservoir you’d find in a Keurig 1.0 is a 48-ounce one which is fine for a small family. This gets you around 6 cups of coffee per refill.
But that capacity isn’t enough if you have a big household or typically have friends and family over. You’re going to need either a 70 or 80-ounce water reservoir that a lot of the Keurig 2.0 coffee makers come fitted with. With a 90-ounce water reservoir, you should get a dozen or more cups per refill.
Both 1.0 and 2.0 models come with removable water reservoirs.
The Controls Options
Buttons and Touchscreens
Most Keurig 1.0 models have a very basic interface featuring just a couple of buttons. Often it’s just three types:
- One to power up the machine
- One to start the brewing process
- One each for the different brewing sizes.
This keeps the operation rather simple and streamlined.
A few 1.0 coffee makers do come with touchscreens but they’re all black and white. On the other hand, you can find large coloured LCD touchscreens with most 2.0 models, making navigation a bit easier. Plus the touchscreens display prompts to help guide you through the brewing process.
Brewing Preferences
The 2.0 products offer more in terms of control options. For instance, all of them come with strength controls so that you can easily switch between drinking mild and strong coffee. The only way to do this with the older line is to use different sizes of K cup pods. For instance, if you wanted to brew a really strong coffee, then you’d have to use the smallest size, which is the 6 ounce one.
In addition to strength control, the more expensive 2.0 models come with temperature settings as well. This way you get to truly fine-tune your coffee’s flavour.
So with a Keurig 2.0 brewing can become a more thorough process.
Indicators
The Keurig 1.0 line of coffee makers features LED indicators. These let you know when you need to add water or when the brewing process has come to an end.
In the 2.0 brewers, things like this are indicated in the touch display.
Programmable Features
Both 1.0 and 2.0 Keurig coffee makers have programmable features. Depending on the model, you can program them to automatically turn themselves on and start brewing at a certain time. This is great if you like the idea of having coffee already brewed for you when you get out of bed.
The Keurig 2.0 line features additional programmability thanks to the RFID technology. When a 2.0 coffee maker reads the barcode present on a K-mug, K-carafe or K-cup pod, it automatically adjusts the settings to match the beverage inside the pod.
Advanced Settings
There are a few advanced options that only Keurig’s 2.0 line of coffee makers carry. These include:
- Hot Water on Demand – this setting directs the coffee maker to dispense hot water in the exact quantity you prefer. It’s fast at doing it too! Hence, it’s a great alternative to using an electric kettle.
- Auto-Off – this is a power-saving function. It causes the brewer to automatically switch off after 90 seconds of inactivity.
- Favourites – some models allow you to save and recall your favourite brewing settings. This way, you don’t have to keep dialing in your preferences each time.
Keurig Vs Keurig 2.0: The Pros And Cons
Here’s a brief summary of what each coffee maker offers and lacks
Keurig 1.0
The Pros
- Usually cheaper than the 2.0 models
- Compatible with third-party K-cup pods
- Compatible with 2.0 K-cup pod sizes as well
- Compatible with re-fillable pods
- Most models can brew coffee in under a minute
The Cons
- Contains smaller water reservoirs
- None of the models has coloured touchscreens
- Not compatible with K-carafe pods
- Does not have strength or temperature controls
- Lacks some programmable features
- Lacks the advanced features such as Auto Off that comes with most 2.0 models
Keurig 2.0
The Pros
- Comes with advanced features and more programmable settings
- All models come with strength controls. Some even have temperature control
- Compatible with K-carafe pods
- Most models are fitted with a larger water reservoir
- A lot of models come with coloured touchscreens
The Cons
- Models are usually more expensive
- Not compatible with the smaller k-cup pod size used by 1.0 Keurigs
- Not compatible with most third-party pods
Our Picks
Here are personal picks from each of the two product lines:
Our Favourite Keurig 1.0 Model: the K55
The K55 brewing system can brew coffee in under a minute! It’s fitted with the largest reservoir of the 1.0 line: 48 ounces. This means you’ll go through about 6 cups of coffee with each refill.
The Keurig K55 comes with the Auto Brew function which allows you to set a time for it to start brewing coffee automatically.
Maintenance is easy. The K55 has a descaling feature which takes care of those pesky mineral deposits. Plus the removable drip tray makes cleaning up spills a breeze.
Overall, the K55 represents the very best of the Keurig 1.0 line.
Our Favourite Keurig 2.0 Model: The K575
The K575 comes with all the features you would look for in a modern coffee maker. It’s fitted with an 80-ounce reservoir, meaning you’ll be able to make 10 or more cups of coffee before you have to refill.
It’s got a large coloured touch display which gives you prompts for easier navigation. Moreover, the K575 comes with bonus features such as ‘Hot Water on Demand’ and Auto-Off.
Similar to the K55, it’s also got a removable drip tray for easier cleaning.
Keurig 1.0 Vs 2.0: What Do We Recommend?
When deciding which product line you should buy from, it all comes down to personal preferences.
You Should Choose A Keurig 1.0 Coffee Maker If:
- All you want is a simple way to get a great cup of coffee
- You don’t particularly care about experimentation or advanced features
- You want something cheaper
- You like the idea of being able to use non-Keurig pods
You Should Get A Keurig 2.0 Coffee Maker If:
- You love taking control of the brewing process
- You love having advanced features like Hot Water on Demand
- You want a larger reservoir
- You can afford to keep using only Keurig pods
