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Keurig K10 vs K15 – Difference and Review

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The K10 and the K15 are some of Keurig’s cheaper coffee makers and in this article, we’re going to be comparing them. There are a lot of similarities between the two, seeing as they’re both part of the Mini Series.

For instance, they have the same physical dimensions and even weigh the same. Plus they both offer the same three K-cups sizes. That’s why it’s so hard to choose between these two coffee makers.

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However, despite these similarities, there are a few notable differences as well. In this article, we will explore what these are. That way you’ll have an easier time figuring out whether Keurig K10 or K15 is better for you.

Please note: the Keurig K10 Mini is currently a discontinued model.

Keurig K10 vs K15 - Difference and Review

The Pros and Cons

Keurig K10 Review

The Keurig K10 is pretty simple to use, it doesn’t make a mess and the coffee it brews is simply delicious. In addition, it’s compact and relatively light. So it isn’t a hassle to travel with it or make it fit inside a cluttered kitchen.

The K10 brews in 3 sizes (6, 8, 10 oz.) and it’s only got 10-ounce water reservoir. So it’s more suited for smaller households.

Being an older model, it does suffer a few performance issues. First of all, it does not brew coffee within 2 minutes as Keurig promises. In fact, sometimes it can take up to five minutes! So if you’re a busy person, then this isn’t the coffee maker for you.

Furthermore, there are reports of K10 units having problems dispensing water.

The Pros

  • It won’t occupy a lot of space in the kitchen
  • Simple operation
  • Compatible with almost any K-cup, including re-fillable ones
  • Removable drip tray
  • Built-in cord storage
  • Noise output isn’t bad at all

The Cons

  • Sometimes takes too long to brew coffee
  • Only brews in 3 sizes (6, 8, 10 oz.)
  • Performance issues
  • Only has a 10-ounce water reservoir
  • Sometimes overheats water
  • Known to malfunction after several months of use

Keurig K15 Review

The Keurig K15 is the newer model and features many improvements over its predecessor, the K10. First of all, brewing time is actually less than 2 minutes, which is great if you’re constantly busy.

The K15 is also more energy efficient thanks to the Auto Off feature. Plus it comes in multiple colour options, unlike the K10.

However, just like the K15, it doesn’t come with a proper-sized water reservoir either. 10 ounces is only enough for a little more than a single cup of coffee.

The Pros

  • Just as compact as the K10
  • Compatible with pretty much any K-cup
  • Simple operation
  • Comes with a removable drip tray
  • Built-in cord storage
  • Auto Off feature
  • Comes with a reusable filter out of the box
  • Comes in multiple colour options

The Cons

  • Only has a 10-ounce water reservoir

Keurig K10 Vs K15: A More Detailed Comparison

In this section, we’re going to take a deeper look into the similarities and differences between the Keurig K10 and K15.

Features

Both espresso machines are part of Keurig’s Mini Classic series so there are a lot of similarities in terms of features. Here are the three most noteworthy of these:

  • They’re both compatible with the same brew sizes, which are 6, 8, and 10 oz. If you like your coffee strong, then the 6 oz is the size to go with.
  • The drip tray of each model can be removed so you might actually be able to accommodate larger cups as well.
  • They’re both compatible with all sorts of K-cups. This means you’ll also be able to brew tea and hot chocolate as well.
  • They both have only a 10-ounce water reservoir. This means that you have to keep filling in water every time you want to brew a cup of coffee.

Now the major differences in features between the two models:

  • The K15 has an Auto Off feature. This automatically switches off the coffee maker after 90 seconds of inactivity. It’s a great energy saving feature which is unfortunately absent on the K10.
  • The K15 comes with a reusable filter right out of the box. As for the K10, you’ll have to buy one separately.

Performance

The K10 was notorious for its performance issues. That’s probably why it was discontinued by Keurig. One of the biggest complaints about the K10 was that some defective units would spray out hot water and burn the users.

Also, there are a few reports of the water pump not dispensing enough water. Furthermore, some customers have stated that their K10s brew ‘plastic tasting’ coffee. 

In addition to the performance issues, the K10 is slow to brew coffee as well. The process can sometimes take up to five minutes.

Fortunately, you won’t find these performance issues in the K15. Even though customers do sometimes receive ‘lemons’, it’s not a widespread issue, as was the case with the K10. Plus, it brews coffee in under two minutes.

The Taste of the Coffee

Typically, both the K10 and K15 produce delicious cups of coffee like any Keurig machine. As mentioned above, there have been reports of ‘plastic-tasting’ coffee with the K10 but those are rare occurrences.

If you like strong coffee, then the 6 oz. K cup size is perfect for you. The other two sizes are better suited for milder brews.

Ease of Use

Like all Keurig coffee makers, both the K10 and K15 won’t give you any major hassle during setup or use.

Installation

Being part of the same series, the initial setup procedure is identical for both espresso machines:

  • Connect the brewer to a compatible power outlet
  • Turn on the power and wait until the ‘Add Water’ indicator lights up in blue
  • Lift up the water tank’s lid and fill in 8 ounces of water. Close the lid
  • Position your cup on the drip tray
  • Wait for the handle indicator to flash blue, then lift it up. This will allow the water to flow into the brewer
  • Lower the handle only after all the water has passed through
  • Press the ‘Brew’ button. It will flash red to let you know that the water is being heated
  • After 2 minutes (more for the K10) the brewer will dispense hot water into the cup. Discard the water into the sink.

You’ll notice that there isn’t any assembly required.

Brewing

Brewing is a breeze thanks to the simple control buttons. Simply follow the above instructions but make sure to place K-cup pod into the pod holder after you drain all the water. Also, make sure to select your desired brew size.

Each brewing size will give your coffee a different strength. The 6-ounce K-cup size will produce the strongest brew while the other two sizes will give you milder-tasting coffees.

Cleaning

Both the Keurig K10 and K15 will need regularly descaling in order to get rid of the calcium deposits that build up inside. Otherwise, water won’t flow properly through the coffee maker.

Design

The Keurig K10 and K15 look pretty much the same. They have the same sleek, modern design and the same physical dimensions (10.7 x 6.9 x 10.8 inches). They even have the same weight, which is 8.85 pounds.

You’ll find the following components on each coffee brewing system:

  • An exterior handle
  • Housing for a single K-cup
  • K-cup pod holder
  • Water tank with a movable lid
  • Removable drip tray
  • ‘Brew’ button
  • LED light indicator
  • Power button
  • Power chord with built-in storage for it
  • Drip tray base

Support

Both models come with a one-year warranty which isn’t ideal in our opinion, especially with the K10. However, Keurig does have excellent customer service.

You can always reach them on the phone or via email and receive prompt answers to your questions. They’ll be more than happy to guide you through any troubleshooting.

How Much Do They Cost?

You can currently get a Keurig K15 for $88, which we think is an absolute steal. On the other hand, the Keurig K10 costs about $130, even though it’s the older model.

Are There Any Good Alternatives?

For the same price range, we recommend you look into the K45 and K55 models, also by Keurig. Check out Keurig K45 vs K55 to see which one is more suited for you. 

They feature larger water reservoirs and are more suited for an office or larger household.

Our Verdict: Which Is The Better Brewer?

Our personal pick will always be the Keurig K15. The additional features aside, the K15 has none of the performance issues that were common with the K10. Plus it brews coffee faster and it’s cheaper as well. All of these pros make it the better overall coffee brewing system by a long shot.

Keurig K15 coffee maker

Which One Should You Get?

If you’re still undecided, then let us make it easier for you: get the Keurig K15. Unless you manage to find a K10 for extremely cheap, there’s really no reason to choose it over the K15.

Its notorious performance issues make us reluctant to really recommend it to anyone, especially over the K15.

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