Keurig MultiStream Review: Does It Really Make Better Coffee?

Keurig itself was a major innovation in the world of coffee convenience. The machines don’t make the best coffee, but I can’t argue that they’re easy and fast to use. The company has come out with a few other innovations since its flagship model, but one of the most popular and discussed is the Keurig MultiStream technology. It’s now featured in a few Keurig machines, and…I have to give it to Keurig: it actually DOES make a difference in terms of how your coffee tastes.

In this Keurig MultiStream review, I’ll explain what this tech is, how it works, and why I think it’s worth paying a little more for in your Keurig machine.

What Is Keurig MultiStream Technology?

The first Keurig machine came out in 1998 exclusively for offices, and then Keurig machines made for homes were released in 2004. The single-serve coffee machine certainly wasn’t invented by Keurig, but it was largely popularized by the coffee giant. It wasn’t until 12 years later that Keurig first introduced MultiStream technology in 2016 with the K575 model. It has since expanded the feature to other brewer models in the years since.

MultiStream technology utilizes five tiny needles to pierce the K-cup and deliver water, rather than the single large needle used in Keurig models that aren’t equipped with the tech. The five thin streams of water are able to saturate the coffee grounds a little more evently in the K-cup, leading to more balanced extraction.

How Does MultiStream Technology Work?

To understand how MultiStream technology works, you really need to know how a typical Keurig machine functions. Standard Keurig machines work by moving hot water up to a single needle that pierces the foil on the top of a K-cup. The water drips down onto the coffee grounds enclosed in the K-cup, and then drips out the bottom of the cup, which is pierced by another single needle.

MultiStream technology is exactly what it sounds like: it produces multiple streams of water (five, to be exact) that enter the K-cup and saturate the grounds inside. The five separate needles allow for five thin streams of water to hit the coffee grounds from different angles. This provides more coverage and saturation as opposed to a single stream hitting the grounds in one concentrated area.

Benefits of MultiStream Technology

So, MultiStream technology changes how your single-serve coffee is brewed, but what are the benefits? And is it worth paying more for a machine that features it? Let’s first take a look at the pros of MultiStream technology, and then we can assess together whether or not it’s a worthwhile feature.

Improved flavor extraction. Distributing the hot water evenly over the grounds in the K-cup leads to a more balanced extraction, which means you get fewer overly sour and bitter compounds in your cup.
More balance in your cup. With balanced extraction happening throughout the grounds bed, you’ll get a more even flavor from your Keurig machine which isn’t overpowered by one specific flavor.
More consistent coffee. Since there’s less variation possible in how the grounds get wet, your coffee will be a bit more consistent compared to with a single needle and the possibility of the grounds bed not being level in the K-cup.
More brewing customization. MultiStream technology gives the brewer itself a bit more opportunity to customize the brewing parameters. Some machines with this tech also have customization options for your cup.

Downsides of MultiStream Technology

Of course, no coffee technology is without its drawbacks. There are just two to consider: cost and increased maintenance requirements.

Increased cost. Keurig machines with MultiStream technology tend to cost a little more, usually on the order of $20 to $50. However, the cost isn’t all due to MultiStream technology, so some of that added cost goes to other features.
More maintenance. If you’ve had a Keurig machine in the past, then you probably know how annoying it is when the brewing needle gets clogged with grounds or scale build-up. It’s a pain to poke the debris out with a needle or paperclip, so imagine how annoying it is to clean out five of them. Just expect a touch more maintenance in the long run.

MultiStream Technology vs. Standard Keurig Machines

There are three primary differences between standard Keurig machines and those with MultiStream technology: how the coffee tastes, the cost, and the brewing speed.

Extraction and Coffee Flavor

The single stream in standard machines can lead to overextraction directly under where the stream hits, as that concentrated flow of water pulls more flavor compounds out of the grounds in that pocket. Overextraction yields bitter and acidic flavors in your coffee because the concentration of hot water speeds up the extraction of a myriad of compounds, including phenylindanes, hydroxycinnamic acids, and trigonelline, namely from the cell walls of the coffee bean that break down with extended exposure to high heat. These compounds lead to a more bitter, acidic taste.

The grounds on the outer edges of the K-cup in a standard Keurig machine receive less water flow from a single stream. This can lead to underextraction in these areas, meaning some sweet, nuanced flavor compounds aren’t properly extracted, like sucrose and certain amino acids. Instead of a delicious cup of coffee, you get a sour flavor, largely from chlorogenic acids that aren’t exposed enough to hot water to break down into other more pleasant compounds.

With MultiStream, the grounds are hit with water from multiple angles, allowing for water to reach all areas of the K-cup more evenly. This provides more balanced extraction across the grounds in the pod and prevents over and underextraction from occurring in concentrated areas.

Cost

Keurig machines with MultiStream technology cost a bit more, on average, although it’s hard to say with certainty how much adding just this technology costs. Most of the machines with this option also have other options for brewing, making better coffee, or customizing your cup, so you can’t really compare a machine with MultiStream technology to one without it without considering how the other differences factor in.

Just note that Keurig machines with this option usually cost a bit more, so it’s only best for coffee drinkers with some room in their budget.

Brewing Speed

Finally, Keurig machines with MultiStream technology brew a little bit faster than those without it. It’s possible that the multiple needles distribute hot water over the grounds more quickly than a single needle would, although it’s unclear exactly why MultiStream tech tends to lead to brewed coffee a bit faster. It’s not a huge difference anyway; you’re looking at around 10 seconds faster, based on my side-by-side comparison, and some of that might be due to the age of the brewers and the water pumps.

Is MultiStream Technology Good?

Multistream Technology DOES improve the flavor of Keurig coffee a bit. It doesn’t magically turn the Keurig into the be-all-end-all of coffee equipment, but it helps provide more balanced and enjoyable flavors in your cup.

I do have to say, though, that Keurig machines are meant for convenience, and they tend not to make the best coffee for a few reasons:

The brew temperature is often too low compared to the 195-205 degrees (F) that’s ideal.
Brew times are very fast, and while having coffee in under a minute is convenient, proper extraction takes 4 to 6 minutes.
Coffee loses freshness rapidly as soon as you grind it. And most K-cups sit for months before you buy them. Not good.
Uneven water dispersal from that single upper needle so often leads to poor extraction. The center gets over extracted, and the sides get under extracted.

MultiStream technology helps with the last issue of poor water dispersal, though flow is still not completely even. However, it does not address the other factors affecting brew quality. You can grind coffee for your Keurig fresh and use a reusable K-cup, but you’ll still have the other two issues.

With that said, I do think the MultiStream technology improves the coffee substantially compared to models without it. I tasted coffee from a single stream machine side-by-side with a MultiStream model, and the MultiStream coffee was noticeably better balanced and nuanced. Does it mean coffee aficionados around the world will be tossing their French presses and pour over cones? Most certainly not.

MultiStream technology makes Keurig coffee a little better, but it’s not a total industry-changer.

Is MultiStream Technology Worth It?

You can’t add MultiStream to an existing brewer; rather, some models include it while others don’t. Those with MultiStream do cost more than those without it, so you’ll have to consider if it’s worth it, and I think it is…but with one big caveat.

I think MultiStream Technology is worth paying a little more for if you’re a Keurig fan and know you want a Keurig machine. For those less tied to the brand and who just want to improve their morning coffee, I’d sooner recommend switching to Nespresso or, better yet, manual brew methods for better quality.

If you enjoy Keurig coffee but want to improve the experience, choosing a model with MultiStream will provide better extraction and flavor. If you’re just looking for better coffee, I’d recommend moving to manual brewing or investing in a Nespresso machine for better quality. Check out my Nespresso VertuoPlus review to see how a Nespresso machine might suit you better.

What Keurig Machines Have MultiStream Technology?

If MultiStream Technology is something you think is worthwhile after reading all of that, here is a list of Keurig models that utilize MultiStream technology. Keep in mind that some of these entries have multiple models and older version, so only SOME of the machines with these model names will have the upgraded tech.

Keurig K-Elite
Keurig K-Cafe
Keurig K-Duo
Keurig K-Duo Plus
Keurig K-Supreme
Keurig K-Supreme Plus
Keurig K-Supreme Plus C
Keurig K-Supreme SMART
Keurig K-Supreme SMART Plus
Keurig K-Select
Keurig K-Mini

Frequently Asked Questions

Does MultiStream technology require special pods to work?

No, Keurig’s MultiStream brewers do not require any special pods to utilize the MultiStream technology. The brewers are backward compatible with all existing K-Cup pods, including from third party brands. The MultiStream components are within the brewer itself, so it can optimize the flavor regardless of the pod used. Standard K-Cups will still brew an enhanced cup of coffee thanks to the improved saturation control.

How many streams of water does MultiStream use during brewing?

Keurig’s MultiStream technology utilizes five separate streams of water that flow in different directions and have individual flow rates. Each stream targets a specific area of the coffee grounds or pod to balance the flavor extraction and make sure the entire grounds bed gets wet. The five streams work simultaneously to saturate all sections of the grounds evenly and fully derive the subtle nuanced flavors during brewing before recombining in the cup.

Can you use both K-Cup pods and ground coffee with a MultiStream enabled Keurig brewer?

Yes, the Keurig MultiStream brewers are compatible with both K-Cup pods and ground coffee using reusable K-cups. The pod should fit perfectly into the MultiStream mechanism, provided it’s made to be used with a Keurig machine. This allows you to enjoy optimized extractions from fresh ground beans when you want full control over the flavor profile. Alternatively, the convenience of pods is still available. So MultiStream provides beverage customization for pods or fresh grounds.