The Keurig K-Select is one of the best Keurigs, budget-friendly coffee maker with few bells and whistles. It brews coffee in less than a minute, has a strong brew option, a removable drip tray, and a large water reservoir. Basically, it’s got everything most regular coffee drinkers need without going overboard on features, which keeps the price very affordable. I love a Keurig coffee brewer for the convenience of just getting my single cup of coffee in the morning. In this review, we’re comparing this model to other Keurig’s and general coffee makers. The goal of this Keurig K-Select review is to help you decide whether it’s the right Keurig for you.
Things to Know About the Keurig K Select
What’s in the Box
- A Keurig single-serve coffee maker
- 1 water filter handle
- 1 filter
Specs
- 52oz removable water reservoir
- 7.38 pounds
- Six colors: Matte Black, Matte Navy, Matte White, Oasis, Sandstone, and Vintage Red
- 11.6 x 9.2 x 12.5 inches
Features of the Keurig K-Select Coffee Maker
Keurig K-Cups
Keurig K-Cups pods are miniature encapsulations of the whole coffee brewing experience. Most of us are familiar with coffee pods at this point, but do you know what’s inside them? Lined with filter paper and filled to the brim with coffee grounds, Keurig has K-cup pods featuring over 75 of the world’s leading coffee brands available. By putting pressure on the pod in the coffee maker, a Keurig can brew the coffee much more quickly than a conventional brewer.
While I love a good conventional coffee maker, K-cups just allow you to brew single-serve coffees so much faster and easier than with the traditional method. Yes, there are some quick methods like simply pouring boiling water over a filter, but I’ve found those methods to be unreliable and produce weak coffee.
I also like that each pod remains sealed, so if there’s a brand or two that I don’t use all the time, it’s fine to let them sit in the cupboard for a while. I can be terrible at leaving a whole bag of coffee grinds in the back of the pantry for a month before using it up, which leaves them stale. So it’s nice not to have to think about that as much when using a coffee pod.
Finally, it’s just more straightforward than having to measure out the proper amount of water and coffee grounds since that’s all done for you. You can just fill the water reservoir to the top and let it make a whole bunch of single cups in a row without having to refill it.
Learn How to use a Keurig here.
Controls and Cup-sizes
The K-select has four buttons right on the machine for the four different size options available: 4, 6, 8, and 10 oz. These are conveniently labeled with the type of cup or mug they will fill right on the button. I tend to like going for a larger size with my cup of coffee, but if you want a more potent brew, you can go for a smaller size. You can also use the strong brew option right on the controls.
There are tons of popular brands of K-cup pods, including Starbucks, Folgers, Maxwell House, and McCafe. K-cups can also come in different varieties, such as bold and decaf. You can also go for a flavored coffee right in the brew pod, as some brands carry vanilla and caramel.
Now, unfortunately, there aren’t any specialty coffee options available with the Keurig K-select. There also aren’t any temperature control options. For those options, you’ll have to purchase one of the higher price tag Keurigs.
Other Features
The K-Select also features a removable water reservoir and drip tray. The water tank holds up to 52 oz. of water, and the drip tray comes apart for easy cleaning.
The Keurig pod holster is located at the top of the brewer and can be opened and closed with an easy-to-use pull-out handle.
The K-Select can also simply pour hot water into a cup. All you have to do is select the size cup of hot water you want and let it run without inserting a coffee pod at the top.
You can also brew your own coffee grounds with the My-K-Cup Universal Reusable Coffee Filter accessory, which you can buy separately. This will allow you to brew local or gifted coffee grounds without the hassle of purchasing and finding room for a while separate machine.
Related: How to Use a Reusable K Cup: Step by Step Instructions with Images
Benefits of the Keurig K-Select
The main benefits of the Keurig K-Select include being one of the most budget-friendly options on the Keurig line, having easy size options, and a large water reservoir.
The Keurig K-Select’s number one feature above a more budget option is the strong brew feature, which allows you to brew the K-cup pod more slowly, increasing the overall boldness of flavor. You can also select a smaller cup size to simulate the same effect, but the strong brew feature focuses on the slow pour to make sure you get the maximum amount of flavor from one pod. I highly recommend trying it.
As with all Keurigs, you also get the whole K-cup system, which allows you to brew single-serve coffee more quickly and easily than with a traditional coffee brewer. I’ve found brewing a single cup using a traditional carafe brewer very frustrating to get the measurements just right, as often those carafes don’t expect you to use that little water, and the piping in the machine can leave some water in it.
You really can’t underestimate how much of a convenience the single-serve pod system is, even if it is more expensive per cup of coffee. Which, to be fair, is something you should keep in mind when selecting between a traditional coffee machine and a Keurig.
Cleaning & Maintaining the K-Select
Washing the K-Select
It’s a good idea to clean the removable parts of your K-Select every week.
- First, unplug the machine. Then, disassemble the water reservoir, lid, drip tray, and K-cup holder to prepare them to be washed.
- Clean the drip tray and K-cup holder with soap and water.
- Wipe down the water reservoir and lip with a soapy cloth, then rinse it and let it dry.
- Replace all parts of the machine before plugging it back in.
Also, see our post on How to Clean a Keurig Needle for more information on how to clean the needle in your Keurig machine.
How to Descale a Keurig K-Select
You should descale your Keurig K-Select every three to six months to get rid of any hard water mineral build-up. If you have hard water you may want to do it more frequently. Luckily Keurig makes this very easy.
- First, fill the water reservoir with a 50/50 mix of white vinegar and water. Or you can use Keurig’s Descaling Solution (but make sure to follow their steps as it is slightly different than these ones).
- Next, start a brew cycle without a coffee pod in the machine, which will activate just the hot water. Use a cup to collect the liquid.
- Repeat until the whole reservoir is drained into cups.
- Then, let the coffee machine rest for 30 minutes before emptying and rinsing the reservoir thoroughly to remove any leftover vinegar or descaling solution.
- Let it dry, then refill the water tank and use as normal.
See our post on How to Descale a Keurig for more information and how to reset a descale Keurig warning if the light is not turning off.
Pros and Cons of Keurig K-Select
Pros
- Fast and convenient coffee brewing
- K-cup pod system means long-lasting coffee grinds
- Strong brew feature
- Budget-friendly
- 4 cup sizes
Cons
- K-cups can be environmentally unfriendly
- Some brands are not available as K-cups
- No temperature control
- No specialty beverages
Why choose Keurig K-Select over other coffee machines?
The K-Select is a less expensive option than most Keurigs and should be purchased by those looking for a bare-bones Keurig without anything too fancy. However, it still has many of the best features a Keurig offers, such as the strong brew button, a removable reservoir, and of course, the single-serve coffee pod system.
It can be tricky when it comes to the Keurig Minis, Elite, and Supreme, as each has its own plusses and minuses while remaining close in price. It really comes down to the differences in brew size available, how you like the design of each model and the general contents of each box.
Who is Keurig K-Select made for?
The Keurig K-Select is an excellent and affordable coffee machine. It’s best for single people, new couples, and roommate situations. Its best feature is being able to brew single-serve coffee cups for a solid price without too many fancy features.
Since it can’t brew large amounts of coffee, it is not made for a large family or business setting where you expect many people to drink for the same large pot.
Who should not buy the Keurig K-Select?
The larger brew options such as the K-Mug and K-Carafe pods are not available with the Keurig K-Select. It’s also missing temperature control and specialty coffee options. You’ll have to select a different Keurig if you want more specialized options like these.
You should also check if your favorite brand of coffee has K-cups available before investing in a Keurig K-Select. Using the My-K-Cup Universal Reusable Coffee Filter to brew any kind of coffee is possible, but this is more a last resort as the K-select is meant to brew K-cups first and foremost.
Other Keurig Options
Keurig K-Supreme Coffee Maker
The Keurig K-Supreme is similar to the Keurig K-select but with some fancier options added, such as the ability to make iced coffee and the choice of which side to install the removable reservoir. It’s also a bit sleeker and smaller overall. It is a bit more expensive than the K-Select.
To learn more, see our Keurig K-Supreme review.
Keurig K-Elite Coffee Maker
The Keurig K-Elite can brew iced coffee and has a larger water reservoir than the Keurig K-Select. There are also some temperature control options and one size smaller available to pour. It is, therefore, a bit more expensive than the K-Select.
To learn more, see our Keurig K-Elite review.
Keurig K-Mini Coffee Maker
The Keurig K-Mini has a smaller footprint than the Keurig K-Select and a single-cup water reservoir. As a result, it is more budget-friendly but lacks a strong brew option and has fewer cup sizes.
To learn more, see our Keurig K-Mini review.
Keurig K-Mini Plus Coffee Maker
The Keurig K-Mini Plus differs from the K-mini because it has a strong brew option, a removable water reservoir, and a couple of other minor features. Its main difference from the Keurig K-Select is being smaller and having only a single-cup reservoir.
To learn more, see our Keurig K-Mini Plus Coffee Maker review.
Keurig K-Duo Coffee Maker
The Keurig K-Duo lets you brew regular ground coffee into a carafe alongside the single-serve K-cup option for a 2-in-1 machine. Unfortunately, it is quite a bit more expensive than the Keurig K-select. However, the dual brew feature, as well as a few other options, give it quite a few features the K-Select lacks.
To learn more, see our Keurig K-Duo review.
Keurig K155 Office Pro Commercial Coffee Maker
The Keurig K155 Office Pro has a powerful touchscreen and a lot more features than the Keurig K-Select, such as a larger water tank and the ability to drain it easily for transport. It is quite a bit more expensive than the K-Select.
To learn more, see our Keurig K155 Office Pro Commercial Coffee Maker review.
Keurig K-Cafe Special Edition
The Keurig K-Cafe Special Edition can make specialty drinks alongside regular drip coffee and includes a milk frother for this purpose. It can make cappuccinos, lattes, and other specialty drinks using K-Cups. It is also quite a bit more expensive than the K-Select.
To learn more, see our Keurig K-Cafe Special Edition review.
Keurig K-Select FAQ
Which is better Keurig Classic or Select?
The Keurig K-Select has an additional size (12 oz. travel mug size), a strong brew option, and a slightly larger reservoir than the Classic. Also, the overall design is slightly different between the two models. The Select wins out over the Classic in terms of these features but does cost slightly more.
What is the difference between Keurig select and elite?
The K-Elite has one smaller cup option available (the 4 oz.), temperature controls (from 187-192 degrees Fahrenheit), an iced coffee setting, and a much larger water reservoir. Compared with the Select, this puts them in a similar range, but with the Elite costing quite a bit more.
However, the K-Elite also has a sleeker and larger design as well, taking up more counter space. It’ll depend on the variety of these factors whether the K-Elite or the Keurig K-Select is the better option for you.
How does the Keurig K-select work?
It is a straightforward coffee machine. Simply fill the water reservoir and place your preferred K-cup into the slot provided at the top of the device. You’ll find it but pulling up on the handle until the top opens up and the K-cup slot can be found. Once you’ve put in your water and K-cup, turn on the machine, select your preferred cup size, and your cup of coffee will be ready in less than one minute.
Does Keurig K-select use regular K cups?
Yes, it does. However, it does not use K-mugs or K-carafes. You’ll have to purchase a different Keurig brewer to use those features. There are also Keurig 2.0s which require the use of scannable Keurig-brand K-cups. The K-Select does not require you to use these K-Cups as it does not use the scanner the 2.0s use.
Keurig K-Select review: Who is it for?
The K-select is for single-person households, couples, or households of roommates. It is best for its single-cup pods, which make enough coffee for one person.
What type of pods you can use with the Keurig K-Select?
The K-select works with all kinds of coffee pods – both branded and unbranded. This is a classic model, not a 2.0, and therefore doesn’t have the scanner that only allows for the branded K-cups. With the Keurig 2.0 models, you can only use the branded Keurig K-cups.
Should I buy a Keurig K-Select coffee maker?
Absolutely. But it depends a bit on what you need and what you are going to use it for. Buy it if you are looking for a Keurig with a few bells and whistles that can quickly make single-serving coffees for you in the morning. It’s a great budget option with all the important standard features like strong brew and various cup sizes.
The only problems arise if you are looking for temperature control, water filtration, or for the machine to mix specialty drinks. For those features, you’ll have to look elsewhere.
Still searching? Check out our best Keurig coffee makers review.
Overall Review of the Keurig K-Select Coffee Maker
The Keurig K-Select is a great little coffee brewer. It does everything you want for great value. The main features it has compared to other Keurigs are 4 cup sizes, the strong brew feature, and a large removable reservoir. If that’s all you need, the K-select is the perfect choice for you.
What it doesn’t have is a water filter, touch screen, the ability to make K-mugs and K-carafes, the ability to make specialty drinks, and temperature control. Most people, I think, don’t need these options, but it’s good to know what your options are.
It’s also important to know where you stand with coffee pods in general. First, they might be environmentally unfriendly compared with the traditional filter and grounds method. Second, they can be more expensive per cup than a regular cup of coffee.
However, that being said, they are excellent for making a single serving cup of coffee lightning-fast, without having to measure out the ingredients. The K-Select is one of the best affordable options Keurig has to offer, so if that’s what you’re interested in, go for it. It’s a great coffee machine.
Want the Best Keurig Coffee Maker?
We’ve reviewed all of the current Keurig coffee makers, so we know a thing or two about Keurig. Here are all the different models reviewed for your reading pleasure plus the best Keurig coffee maker.
