Keurig offers a wide range of models, some that are very similar. The razor-thin differences often end up confusing customers. Two such examples are the key members of the Keurig 2.0 line, the K200 and K250.
I’ll untangle the mystery of the Keurig K200 vs K250 saga. The reveal will surprise you! Drumroll. Okay, maybe tone down things a bit. The mystery isn’t riveting.
Getting To Know Keurig K200 And K250
Want the answer now? What lies ahead is a detailed account of the two coffee makers. But if you’d rather not wait, here’s the (anticlimactic) answer. For all practical purposes, these are the same coffee maker. The difference lies in the packaging and included items that come with the machine.
Get the Keurig K200 on Amazon
See pricing, discounts, and options for the Keurig 250
A Comparison Of The Aesthetics, Looks, And Design
If you put both these coffee makers side-by-side, you’d have a tough time telling the difference between Keurig K200 and K250. Forget the tough time, there’s no way to tell the difference. Both machines look exactly the same. They have the dimensions of 9 x 5 x 13.7 inches and are fairly compact as far as counter space goes.
It’s not just the dimensions. Every curve, angle, button, and other features on these machines are the same. K200 and K250 are identical twins.
The upper part of the machine(s) shows the prominent and well-placed touchscreen. It’s great at its primary purpose, which is to handle the controls. But it remains equally functional as a watch and has a good visibility. The big “brew” button is placed right below the screen.
The Water Reservoir And How It Makes The Coffee Better
Keurig K200 and K250’s water reservoir adds to its aesthetic, while being an obvious part of the necessity. Peeking behind, and showing the sides of the machine, the reservoir adds to the overall looks.
As a functional necessity, the reservoir can handle the requirements and necessities of the brewer. This is a 40 oz reservoir with room to place water filters. Cleaning impurities like dissolved gases from the water can help ensure that the coffee tastes right.
Another advantage, though a minor one, is that the filter can reduce the frequency of the cleaning cycle. Note that this is dependent on several factors, including the water quality in your home. A filter like this might not necessarily help reduce cleaning requirements for your machine.
It’s a chore, but don’t skimp out. Cleaning your coffee machine is important for the taste of your coffee, and very likely, your health as well.
Brew Quality, Sizes, And Related Options
You can read a detailed review of the Keurig K200 here.
As with most other things on this list, the Keurig K200 and K250 fall into the same category where brew quality and brew sizes are concerned. Both machines can brew coffee from K Cup, K Mug, and K Carafe. The maximum volume brewed is 30 oz from the K Carafe option.
The available brew sizes are 4, 6, 8, and 10 oz for K cups. K carafe and mug options get 22, 26, and 30 oz.
There is little point thinking of the carafe and mug brewing options. They’ve gone poof from the market since Keurig has discontinued their production. So, if you’re interested in large brew sizes and must buy the K200 or K250, get a K-Carafe reusable pod.
There isn’t anything to complain about the brew quality. It’s good, whether you choose to brew a cup or a carafe.
Controls are easy and intuitive on the touch screen display. Convenient options are available to select the size of the brew and if you’d prefer it regular or strong. Should you decide to forego coffee and brew a nice hot chocolate K cup, simply tap the option and the machine will prepare itself with relevant changes. The option specifically mentions hot chocolate, though other similar beverages can be whipped up using these machines.
On Keurig’s Ill-Advised DRM Attempts On K200 And K250
With the launch of Keurig 2.0, the company made a weird and ill-advised attempt at DRM-like strategy. The machines would work only with Keurig or Keurig-approved pods. To no one’s surprise (except perhaps Keurig’s) there was a consumer backlash. Turns out, people like to have their own preference of coffee over company-approved (or owned) brands.
As consumer reports go, the current machines being sold don’t have the DRM-enforcing mechanism. They accept all compatible K-cups.
I’d still be wary of a coffee maker that wants to dictate what coffee I can drink.
Of course, several hacks and easy workarounds are available if you need them. However, the biggest draw of a Keurig is convenience. If a coffee maker has to be coaxed into brewing coffee, it’s simply not worth it.
So Where Do We Stand On Keurig K200 VS K250
As we see with the comparison above, there is no functional difference between Keurig K200 and K250. The difference is in the packaging and included accessories. Keurig K200 comes with a charcoal filter and a water filter handle.
Keurig K250 is slightly more expensive but includes two charcoal filters, four sample K-cup pods, and a bottle of descaling solution. All of these are things you might have to buy anyway.
With that in mind, the Keurig K250 offers a better value.
While there is no real functional difference, K250 stands atop the Keurig K200 vs K250 comparison. This is simply because the included accessories present greater value.
Should I Buy The Keurig K200 Or K250?
As we just saw, the Keurig K250 has an overall better value. However, where the buying choice is concerned, I’d say neither. The product is pretty much at the end of its lifecycle. K carafe and K mug pods have gone kaput. And these coffee makers will be off the shelves sooner, rather than later.
It’s better to shop around for a newer model that fits your budget and requirements. It makes more sense and will save you some extra effort down the years.
Wrapping Up — The Coffee Maker Comparison
The Keurig K200 vs K250 comparison is largely superficial. They’re both the same machine with the same features. The only thing that sets the two apart are the included accessories. Part of the Keurig 2.0 line, the machines have been extremely popular. They’ve also managed to generate a furious controversy by Keurig’s use of DRM to allow only specific K cups.
Get the Keurig K200 on Amazon
See pricing, discounts, and options for the Keurig 250