Keurig K-Elite vs. K-Supreme: Which Should You Buy?

The Short Answer

Buy the K-Elite if you want controls you set once and forget. It has a temperature setting (187°-192°), a hot water button, a clock with Auto On, and an Auto Off you can stretch to 2 hours or switch off. Buy the K-Supreme if you'd rather have several entrance needles in the lid and a reservoir you can move to the left or back. Then decide on the version: the plain K-Supreme has no temperature control, while the K-Supreme Plus and SMART do.

Both brew K-Cup pods from 4-12 oz (the plain K-Supreme does 6-12 oz). Both have STRONG and an iced mode, and both carry Keurig's limited one-year warranty. The differences that matter day to day are the controls, the maintenance and the reusable filter.

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How We Picked These

This comparison uses only Keurig's own Use & Care Guides for the K-Elite, K-Supreme, K-Supreme Plus and K-Supreme SMART. We compare what the guides say each machine does, and what each one asks of you when something goes wrong. Prices and reservoir capacities aren't in the guides, so they're not here.

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Side by Side

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K-Elite: Best for Set-and-Forget Control

The K-Elite's strength is its settings menu. Press the settings button and use the arrows to set the clock, Auto On (a sun icon shows when it's armed), Auto Off in 15-minute steps up to 2 hours or always on, the temperature (187°-192°), and High Altitude. It's the only Keurig guide we've read that publishes a temperature in degrees. The hot water button dispenses water for soups or oatmeal without a pod.

The trade-off is descaling. The K-Elite has no Descale Mode combination. You run descaler through the hot water button at the largest size, let it stand for 30 minutes with the brewer on, then do at least 12 rinse brews. Allow about 45 minutes.

Know this before you buy: in High Altitude mode the temperature can't be adjusted. The mountain icon flashes if you try.

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K-Supreme: Best for MultiStream and Placement

The K-Supreme family has several entrance needles in the lid, which the SMART guide calls MultiStream Technology ("saturates the coffee grounds more evenly"). The plain K-Supreme's water reservoir can sit on the left or the back of the brewer to fit your counter. It uses Smart Start: lift the handle, add a pod, choose a size and press brew. The brewer heats, then brews.

Descaling is quicker: with the brewer powered off, hold 8oz + 12oz for 3 seconds, then brew the solution through and rinse until the DESCALE notification turns off.

The trade-off is reusable filters. The K-Supreme guides say the brewer works only with the newly designed My K-Cup Universal Reusable Coffee Filter. Older reusable filters "may cause damage to brewer". The compatible one has five holes in its lid.

Pick the version carefully. The plain K-Supreme has no temperature control (more in the K-Supreme not heating guide). If you like your coffee hotter, choose the Plus (TEMP button and 3 profiles) or the SMART (six temperatures, BrewID, app scheduling).

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Reliability: What Each One Asks of You

Neither guide gives failure rates, so we compare the maintenance each one asks for.

• Both: clean the exit needle with a straightened paper clip; descale about every 3 months (the K-Elite guide says every 3-6); after two descales with partial cups still coming, call Customer Service.
• K-Elite only: if all the size lights blink at once, the guide says to contact Customer Service. If they're all lit steady, remove the pod, close the handle and press power once.
• K-Supreme only: clean all the entrance needle holes, then run two cleansing brews, especially after tea or cocoa pods.
• Neither is user serviceable beyond cleaning and descaling. Both carry the limited one-year warranty, with service through 1-866-901-BREW (2739).

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Can You Go Wrong Either Way?

Not really. Your habits decide it.

• You want it on and hot when you wake up: K-Elite (Auto On, longer Auto Off).
• You want hotter coffee on a K-Supreme: skip the base model. Get the Plus or SMART.
• You use an older My K-Cup filter: the K-Elite, since the K-Supreme needs the new Universal filter.
• Your counter is tight at the side: the K-Supreme's movable reservoir.
• You hate long maintenance: the K-Supreme's descale is shorter.

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FAQ

Is the K-Supreme better than the K-Elite?

It depends on the version and what you value. The K-Supreme adds MultiStream entrance needles and a movable reservoir. The K-Elite adds a temperature setting, a hot water button and Auto On. The plain K-Supreme has no temperature control at all.

Which Keurig makes hotter coffee, the K-Elite or K-Supreme?

The K-Elite lets you set 187°-192°. The plain K-Supreme has no temperature setting. The K-Supreme Plus (TEMP button) and SMART (up to "max hot") do, but their guides give no degrees.

Can I use my old My K-Cup filter in a K-Supreme?

No. Its guides say it's only compatible with the newly designed My K-Cup Universal Reusable Coffee Filter, with five holes in the lid, and that older filters may damage the brewer.

Which one is easier to descale?

The K-Supreme. It has a Descale Mode (8oz + 12oz for 3 seconds, powered off) and takes about 20 minutes. The K-Elite has no Descale Mode: its procedure includes a 30-minute stand and at least 12 rinses, about 45 minutes.

Do either of them have Wi-Fi?

Only the K-Supreme SMART. It connects to the Keurig app for BrewID, remote brew, scheduling and Favorites. The K-Elite and the standard K-Supreme models don't.

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Related Keurig Guides

• Keurig K-Elite Not Working?
• Keurig K-Supreme Not Heating?
• Keurig Not Hot Enough?: every model's temperature options
• Keurig Descale Light Won't Turn Off?

Sources: Keurig Use & Care Guides for the K-Elite, K-Supreme, K-Supreme Plus and K-Supreme SMART.