Keurig K50 Review: Is the Keurig K-Classic Worth It?

I’ve tried my fair share of Keurig machines over the years, and the K50 — also called the K-Classic — admittedly isn’t my favorite. My mother-in-law has the Keurig K50 model, so I often use it when I’m visiting to avoid packing up my whole coffee setup. But, as I’ll explain in this Keurig K50 review, I wouldn’t buy one for my own home.

I’ll explain what I like and don’t like about this single-serve coffee maker to help you decide if it’s the one for you. And it might be! Just because I’m not a huge fan doesn’t mean you won’t be. In fact, I think this is probably the best Keurig machine that’s a 1.0, so if you want to be able to use any K-cups, including unlicensed ones, this machine is probably perfect for you. Let’s dive in.

Quick Keurig K50 Overview

The Keurig K50 is a single-serve pod brewer that uses K-Cups to make coffee, tea, and other hot beverages. It has a 48 oz removable water reservoir, a simple on/off button interface, and can brew cups in under a minute. The K50 can make 6, 8, and 10 oz cup sizes and accommodates travel mugs up to 7 inches tall (with the drip tray removed).

It has auto-off after 2 hours of inactivity to save energy. The housing is made of plastic with a black and silver color scheme, and it feels a little on the cheap side.

I like the speed and simplicity of the K50 along with the fact that it works with any non-Keurig branded K-Cups. That’s a huge plus for some people. As I mentioned already, I think this is the best Keurig 1.0 machine.

However, I find the machine itself rather clunky and unappealing aesthetically. It also doesn’t get hot enough for ideal coffee extraction. But if you’re looking for a basic, affordable Keurig, the K50 is a reasonable option.

Keurig K50 Pros & Cons

Keurig K50 Review

Now let’s dive into the specifics on the Keurig K50’s design, performance, features, and more.

Appearance

In terms of looks, the Keurig K50 is not my favorite. It has a bulky, rounded shape with a plastic housing that comes in black, “patriot blue,” or “rhubarb,” the last of which I personally don’t like. The 48 oz water reservoir sits on the left side and is always exposed instead of being tucked away. The interface is simple with just an on/off button and brew button. There’s nothing sleek or modern about the design and it takes up a decent amount of counter space with its bulk.

Compared to more premium Keurig models like the K-Elite or K-Cafe which have metal finishes and sleek lines, the all-plastic K50 looks clunky and outdated to me. If your kitchen has a very modern aesthetic, this is not the brewer for you. That said, if you just want something affordable that works, the K50 gets the job done. And maybe you aren’t as critical about the design as I am!

Ease of Use

When it comes to actually using the Keurig K50, it couldn’t get much easier. Just fill the reservoir with water, pop in your preferred K-Cup, press the power button, and press brew. The simplicity is ideal for someone who just wants their morning coffee as quickly as possible with minimal effort. Great for those early risers who can’t turn their brains on without caffeine. I get it.

The reservoir is easy to remove and fill, though it can be a little finicky to line it up properly and snap it back into place when putting it back on the brewer. The interface only has three buttons—power, brew, and descale—so there’s nothing complicated to figure out. The auto-off feature kicks in after 2 hours of inactivity to prevent wasted energy.

Some higher-end Keurig models have a few more bells and whistles, like temperature control, a strong brew setting, or a touch screen interface. But the K50 keeps it simple with just the core functions, making it ideal for those who want fuss-free coffee brewing. The only potential downside is the lack of programmability, so you can’t schedule it to auto-brew at a certain time like some other models.

Coffee Quality

As someone who prefers manual pour over and French press, I’ll admit I’m inherently biased against pod coffee. However, compared strictly to other single-serve pod brewers, the Keurig K50 makes a decent cup of joe. It lacks some of the more advanced brewing technology of pricier Keurig models, which does negatively affect taste.

One missing feature is Keurig’s MultiStream technology, which uses multiple outlets in the K-Cup pod holder to saturate the grounds more evenly for balanced flavor extraction. The K50 relies on a single piercing needle for simplicity.

It also doesn’t get hot enough in my opinion. The water only reaches a maximum of 188 degrees (F), based on my testing, with an average temp during brewing of 185 degrees (F). Ideal brewing temperature for coffee is 195°F to 205°F for optimal extraction.

The brew time is very fast at under a minute. While that’s convenient, the best flavor typically comes from a 4- to 6-minute brew time that thoroughly extracts compounds from the coffee grounds.

With all of that being said, the K50 produces coffee that tastes on par with other pod brewers in the same price range. It’s not as complex or flavorful as what you’d get from pricier models like the K-Cafe that offer finer temperature control and updated brewing tech. But for the price, it makes a decent cup of coffee or tea in no time at all.

If premium taste is your priority, I’d recommend spending a little more for a machine with better brewing capabilities. In fact, I’d even recommend going for a Nespresso machine over a Keurig machine. However, if you like the convenience of K-Cups and aren’t picky about nuanced flavor, the K50 will suit you just fine!

Related Article: Difference Between Keurig and Nespresso: Which Is Right for You?

Counter Space and Footprint

With dimensions of 9.8” wide, 13.3” deep, and 13” tall, the Keurig K50 has a somewhat compact profile but does still take up a decent chunk of counter space. The rounded design with the water reservoir off to the side gives it a bulky overall shape.

In comparison to other popular single-serve brewers, the K50 is quite similar in size to the Nespresso Vertuo Next but slightly larger than the skinny Nespresso Inissia. It’s smaller than many other full-featured Keurig models like the K-Elite and K-Cafe. Check out my Keurig K-Elite review and my Keurig K-Cafe review for more information on those larger, higher-end machines.

So while not tiny by any means, the K50 is reasonably compact. If you have limited space or don’t want your brewer hogging up your whole countertop, the K50 strikes a nice balance of having a moderate footprint while still offering core features.

Brewing Options

The Keurig K50 uses K-Cup pods to brew 6, 8, and 10 oz servings. It does not work with K-Carafe pods, and brew size is not adjustable beyond those three pre-set options.

It can accommodate mugs and travel cups up to 7 inches tall if you remove the drip tray, which allows you to brew directly into your own vessel instead of needing a Keurig-branded mug.

In comparison, more advanced Keurig brewers like the K-Supreme offer larger brew sizes, temperature control, brew strength control, and other customizations that the simple K50 lacks. So your options are far more limited, but that also contributes to the ease of use since you don’t have to program anything.

One advantage of the K50 is that it works with any non-Keurig branded K-Cups, so you aren’t limited to just Licensed Keurig pods. Some newer Keurig models use technology to lock out unlicensed cups, but not the K50.

K-Cup Compatibility

As mentioned above, an advantage of the K50 model is that it works with any standard K-Cups. It does not have the Keurig 2.0 technology that locks out unlicensed cups without a special code imprinted on the lid. This gives you greater flexibility and variety in the pods you can use.

The Keurig K50 is compatible with K-Cups from most brands, including the following:

• Green Mountain / Keurig
• Starbucks
• Peet’s
• Dunkin’ Donuts
• Caribou Coffee
• Newman’s Own
• Eight O’Clock
• Folgers
• Private label store brands like Kroger, etc.

You also have the option of using reusable K-Cups that you can fill with your own coffee grounds. This allows you to use your preferred beans and roast while still having the single-serve convenience of a pod brewer. I strongly recommend this, as you’ll see a drastic improvement in coffee flavor if you grind fresh just before you brew.

The main caveat is that the K50 does not work with K-Carafe pods, K-Mug pods, or any pod larger than a standard K-Cup. It’s designed solely for single serve cups. But within that category, you have lots of delicious options to enjoy.

Price

One of the main reasons the Keurig K50 remains so popular is its price. It retails for around $150, but I’ve seen it as low as $100 recently. I recommend checking Amazon for the most recent price and potential deals.

Considering everything the K50 offers, its sub-$150 price tag is very reasonable in my opinion. While it’s still an investment, you get a great bang for your buck. And when it goes on sale under $100, it becomes a total bargain.

If budget is your primary concern, the K50 hits a nice sweet spot of having useful features and longevity without the premium price. However, I do think it’s worth spending a little more on something like the K-Elite if you want nicer design and better brewing technology. Overall though, great value for a Keurig.

Quality

The Keurig K50 is made entirely of plastic, which keeps costs down but also results in a somewhat chintzy build quality. The plastics feel decently sturdy, though parts like the water reservoir lid and drip tray can break with rough handling. Like most entry-level Keurigs, it’s not a tank but not overly fragile either.

While not a workhorse by any means, the K50 should hold up fine with normal use as long as you aren’t overly rough on it. My mother-in-law has had her machine for over 2 years now without issue. But the primarily plastic design means it likely won’t last as long as higher end models with metal components.

Water Reservoir

The Keurig K50 has a 48 oz removable water reservoir. This holds enough to brew about 4 to 6 cups before needing a refill. The capacity is nice for making coffee for a few people, but larger families may find themselves topping it off frequently, which can get annoying.

I’d say the 48 oz tank is a good size if you mainly brew just for yourself or one other person, although a Keurig K-Mini might be better if you’re a one-cup-per-day coffee drinker. If you have more than one or two people drinking coffee, though, you’ll probably want something bigger than the K50. The reservoir itself is easy to remove and fill, though somewhat bulky on the brewer. Plus, it can be a little finicky when putting it back on.

Related Article: Keurig K-Mini Review: Pros, Cons & Do I Recommend It in 2024

Wrapping Up: Do I Recommend the Keurig K50?

So, is the Keurig K50 worth buying? In my opinion, it depends on your priorities and needs.

If you want a basic, affordable single-serve brewer with minimal fuss, the K50 is a great option. It’s simple to use, compact enough, and makes coffee fast. I think it’s the best Keurig 1.0 machine, and the ability to use any K-Cup is a major perk for some people.

However, coffee snobs and those who want a sleek statement piece should spend a little more for something like the K-Cafe or K-Elite. While pricier, they do offer nicer design, better brew customization, and improved brewing technology for flavor.

At the end of the day, the K50 sacrifices some things in the name of affordability and simplicity. If you can live without bells and whistles and just want decent coffee fast, it’s a solid machine for the price. But spend more if premium features matter to you. Convenience vs. quality is the tradeoff. That should be Keurig’s slogan…

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of maintenance does the Keurig K50 require?

The K50 is designed to be low-maintenance, but you should descale your Keurig machine it every 3 to 6 months to remove mineral buildup using Keurig descaling solution. Rinse the water reservoir monthly to avoid mold growth. Occasionally clean the K-Cup holder entrance where the pod punctures using a paperclip to prevent clogs. Wipe down the exterior as needed with a damp cloth and dry completely. Follow the descaling procedure in the owner’s manual. Overall though, it’s simpler than maintaining a traditional drip coffee maker.

Can you use your own ground coffee in the Keurig K50?

Yes, you can buy reusable K-Cups that you fill with your preferred freshly ground beans, which I highly recommend doing. You’ll get far better flavor in your cup if you grind your beans fresh right before brewing. The My K-Cup reusable pod allows you to use your own coffee while maintaining the pod brewing system. Just take care not to overfill them.

How do you descale a Keurig K50?

Descaling every 3 to 6 months helps remove mineral deposits that can affect taste and performance. Use Keurig descaling solution, fill the water reservoir, and run a cleansing brew without a pod. Rinse thoroughly. Repeat the rinsing process several times. Always descale according to the directions in your owner’s manual for your specific model. Try to avoid vinegar or harsh chemicals that could damage parts and leave odd flavors behind. Vinegar can work well in a pinch, though, but make sure to rinse thoroughly.

What is the difference between a Keurig K50 and K55 model?

The K55 is an updated version of the K50. Differences include a stronger brew for bolder coffee, touch screen buttons rather than manual, “auto on” mode that heats water instantly when brew desired, and slightly different exterior styling with black accents. Performance and features are otherwise essentially the same between the two.