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With such a huge range, it can be tough to tell one Keurig from another. This is especially tough when you realize that some Keurigs have actually replaced others, which have been discontinued.
This is exactly the case with the Keurig K45 vs K55. The keurig k55 has superseded the keurig k45, and as the K45 has been phased out, and eventually discontinued, the K55 has become the obvious choice.
Differences between the Keurig K45 and K55
| Model | K45 | K55 |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 12.2 x 14.2 x 14.9 in | 12.2 x 14.2 x 14.9 in |
| Type of Compatible Pods | K-Cup (licensed and unlicensed), reusable K-Cup | K-Cup (licensed and unlicensed), reusable K-Cup |
| Accessories Included | Water Filter | None |
| Per Brew | 6, 8, 10 oz | 6, 8, 10 oz |
| Water Held | 48 oz reservoir | 48 oz reservoir |
| Water Filter Included | ||
| Automatic turn off | ||
| Controls | Simple button controls and light indicators to show when water levels are low. | The same settings as the K45. |
| Price | Mid-Range Check Price | Mid-Range Check Price |
As one of these products is effectively just a newer version than the other, very few changes have been made, and even less of these are clearly visible.
It may well be the case that Keurig are actively including the internal aspects of their machines to improve quality and reliability, but this is not something they publicize.
In general it is better to buy newer models if you can as the likelihood is that they have been tweaked, and are still supported by the company, but in terms of exactly how, it can be hard to know.
The differences which are visible and obvious are the accessories, and this is the only area in which the two differ.
The older K45 includes a filter kit. The K55 does not. This isn’t a huge problem and the kit can be purchased and installed separately with great ease.
To look at these models, you would not be able to see any difference. Dimensions, size and weight are all the same.
The Keurig K55 has held the coveted ‘top selling coffee machine’ title on Amazon on more than one occasion.
This is an area of the Keurig range which is very popular, with plenty of features and enough capacity for most of us; it is available at a decent price that isn’t intimidating even for the ‘casual’ coffee drinkers who don’t want to spend a huge amount on the latest, all-singing, all-dancing coffee machine.
The K55 is one of the ‘1.0 elite’ range of Keurig coffee machines. This is an earlier generation of designs, but this product is still in circulation unlike the comparison mode, the K45.
Being from the 1.0 generation also means the added benefit of being able to use K-Cup pods that are not officially endorsed, giving more choice and cheaper options.
This is something that models from 2.0 onwards do not offer, as Keurig have made their products only work with the pods they manufacture.
All in all, the K55 is a mid-range coffee machine. It is right in the middle of the price range, amount of features and capacity offered in the range.
It is in the middle ground between the individual, single-cup machines with no water reservoir and the top of the line machines which can control everything from strength to custom control panels.
Keurig K55 Reviews
We’re big fans of this model. It is just about the right size to go in a lot of family homes and has enough features to make multiple sizes of coffee.
If you want extras such as strength control or bigger sizes such as Carafes (these require K-Carafe pods), you may need a different series of Keurig such as the K575 model.
For those of us who want the choice of whether or not to use Keurig pods or “off-brand” pods, there aren’t a lot of choices left that will allow you to do so.
The Keurig K55 is still available, but being from the 1.0 series it lets you use pods not made by Keurig and many of the reusable cups on the market.
If you want a coffee machine to impress your friends, this may not be the one for you. Some of the other Keurig products have features like touchscreen displays and even customizable wallpapers!
This isn’t always necessary and if you are satisfied with a simple, easy-to-use button interface then the K55 will suit you down to the ground. Another Keurig comparison you might be interested in is the k55 vs k250. You can click here for more details.
PROS
- Simple to use interface.
- Compatible with pods not licensed by Keurig to give you more choice.
- Decent sized water reservoir.
- Quiet brew technology.
CONS
- Does not come with water filter.
- No strength control for choosing your brew preference.
There is a reason this is such a high selling model, it falls perfectly in a lot of consumers budgets and has enough features to keep us happy, and our lives full of coffee.
The only real criticism is that it doesn’t come with the water filter, but this can be remedied as compatible filters are affordable and available from the manufacturer.
Keurig K45 Reviews and Differences
As the two products are identical, there is no point going back through all of the features. The only difference is the water filter being included with the K45.
While this is a nice touch, it can be tough to get your hands on this model as it has been discontinued, taking the choice largely out of your hands.
Other than this, there are no real disadvantages to the K45. For instance, if you already have this model, there is no real point in upgrading to the K55.
Conclusion
The choice here has probably been made for you. The K55 is the model you are likely end up with purely because it is available and has taken the place of the K45.
You are unlikely to be disappointed with a versatile and unpretentious coffee maker which has pretty basic but reliable features.
Plus with compatibility with unbranded pods, the options are much more than many newer models or the 2.0 series.
