A review of the very customizable Keurig K-Select
It looks like you’ve laid your eyes on this interesting Keurig model, with a sleek design that blends modern and retro elements. In this Keurig K-Select review, we’ll show you all its features, plus pros and cons to help you make your final decision.
Is the this the best Keurig? Well, read on and find out. Let’s get started!
SUMMARY: The Keurig K-Select
- Very customizable (includes elevation settings too)
- Handy features that simplify the cleaning process
- Fingerprint resistant material
The Keurig K-Select Review
Keurig K-Select Review
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Custom Brewing Features
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‘Make Your Life Easier’ Features
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Water Reservoir
Custom Brewing Features – 4/5
While it lacks a couple of features compared to a few other Keurig models such as the K-Elite (for example, the Iced button and the Temperature Control), the K-Select offers quite a few interesting options when it comes to customizing your brews.
First of all, you have 4 different cup sizes to choose from (6, 8, 10 or 12 oz) and—it almost goes without saying—hundreds of compatible K-Cups. However, we strongly recommend that you purchase a My K-Cup universal reusable coffee filter instead: not only you’ll get a much better tasting coffee by using your own fresh grounds, but you also won’t have to rely on K-cups only, which are bad for the environment and quite expensive in the long run.
If you enjoy an extra caffeine kick, you’ll certainly appreciate the Strong Brew feature of this coffee maker.
What surprised us the most was the High Altitude setting, very rare in one-cup coffee makers: not only it will help you enjoy a better-tasting cup if you find yourself at a higher altitude, but it will also ensure that your coffee maker lasts longer. (1)
‘Make Your Life Easier’ Features – 4/5
The K-Select is very practical and easy to use: you just need to insert the K-Cup, choose a size and you’ll get your cup of joe in less than one minute. After that? You can program it to switch off automatically thanks to the Auto Off feature which will save you a lot of energy and money.
Plus, this coffee maker uses Quiet Brew Technology, making it much quieter than other Keurig models and many single-serve coffee makers
The only reason why we didn’t give it 5 stars: it lacks some of the features that a few other Keurig models include, such as the handy Hot Water button and the Auto On mode.
However, the K-Select has very handy features when it comes to the much-dreaded cleaning process. First of all, it’s made of fingerprint-resistant materials, meaning that you won’t have to wipe it all the time to get rid of those annoying smudges. It also has a removable drip tray and K-Cup holder. As for the descaling process, which should be carried out every 3 to 6 months depending on the type of water you use (2), you’ll get a handy reminder through a flashing light.
Water Reservoir – 4/5
The water reservoir of the Keurig K-Select is pretty large: with its 1.5 litres of water, you’ll be able to enjoy a cup of coffee a day for a week before having to fill it up again. When you do, it will be really easy since it’s detachable. It’s also compatible with Keurig’s water filters (one is usually included when you purchase it), which we recommend using as it can really improve the final flavour of the coffee. (3)
No matter what quality you think your tap water is, at the very least you are going to want to run it through a charcoal filter before brewing coffee.
Do NOT buy if
You want a more budget-friendly option – The K-Select is an excellent Keurig model and very good value for money given its extra features and customizable options. However, it’s only really worth it if you think you’re going to use them. If you don’t mind sacrificing a few features in order to go for a more budget-friendly model, then we recommend the Keurig K-15; here’s what you need to know.
The K-Classic is another choice – really two, as the K55 and the K50 “non-identical twins” have a lot of similarities.
You want to enjoy frothy drinks too – The Keurig K-Select is highly customizable, but, if when you think of versatility you’re thinking of frothy drinks, then this coffee maker is not for you. If that’s the case, we think you’d enjoy the K-Café more: you’d still get 4 different cup sizes, the Strong Brew option, and a large reservoir, but this item also comes with a handy steamer, perfect for lattes and cappuccinos.
The Verdict
Priced mid-range in the current Keurig selection, the K-Select is very good value for money when it comes to single-serve coffee makers: it offers interesting customizable settings, handy cleaning features and an intuitive user-friendly interface. It also comes in different colours, meaning that it will look great in any kitchen (do bear in mind that it’s pretty tall, so make sure it can fit on your countertop before buying it).
FAQs
No, you can’t use other pods in Keurig. Only their K-Cup capsules and their reusable filters are compatible with Keurig models.
To descale a Keurig coffee maker, you can use Keurig’s descaling solution or pure white vinegar. You must switch it off and ensure that there is no K-Cup in the holder. Remove the water reservoir, pour the entire bottle of solution, refill the empty bottle with water and pour that in the reservoir too (if you’re using vinegar, fill up the whole tank without diluting it with water).
Turn your Keurig on, place a mug onto the drip tray, choose the biggest cup size and let the water run through multiple times until the ‘add water’ light comes on. Then, let it stand for 30 minutes with the power on, clean and refill the water reservoir, and run a few cleansing cycles.
Yes, the Keurig K-Select comes with a one-year warranty.
References
- Molina, A. (2018, October 11). How Does Elevation Affect Your Ideal Coffee Brew Temperature? Retrieved from https://perfectdailygrind.com/2018/10/how-does-elevation-affect-your-ideal-coffee-brew-temperature/
- (n.d.). (2017, June 28). How often do I need to descale my system? Retrieved from https://support.keurig.com/article?id=kA036000000CJgi
- Robertson, J. (2017, June 21). How the water you brew with will make or break your coffee. Retrieved from https://www.extractedmagazine.com/water-coffee-brewing/
