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Keurig is one of the most popular producers of pod-based coffee machines for home use on the market today, and their K Cups have become the industry standard in terms of pre-packaged coffee pods.
While other companies like Nespresso have cornered the market on espresso-based pods, Keurig is the clear leader for coffee pods and machines in terms of both market share and popularity.
While all Keurig machines are compatible with K Cups, different machines are capable of producing different pour levels.
In this article, we will take a look at all of the Keurig cup sizes when it comes to coffee pours today, and break down which models are capable of which pour levels to help simplify the Keurig comparison process.
What are the Different Keurig Cup Sizes
Keurig coffee machines offer a variety of cup sizes to cater to different preferences. The most common Keurig cup sizes include:
- 4 & 6 oz: Ideal for espresso enthusiasts and those who prefer a strong, concentrated coffee. Some Keurig models, like the K575, offer a wide range of pour sizes, from 4 to 30 ounces.
- 8 oz: A popular choice for many as it extracts all the flavors from coffee pods without dilution. Suitable for smaller coffee cups but doesn’t leave room for cream.
- 10 oz: Strikes a balance between the concentrated eight-ounce pour and the larger 12-ounce option. Perfect for those who use 12-ounce cups and want to add cream or sugar.
- 12 oz: A widely preferred size, filling standard coffee cups to the top. Produces a milder, less concentrated coffee, suitable for those who enjoy sipping larger cups.
- 22, 26, and 30 oz: Recent Keurig models can brew larger quantities using reusable pods or carafes. Great for those who miss traditional drip-style coffee makers.
A Breakdown of The Various K-Cup Sizes
4 and 5 Ounce
While Keurig machines are primarily used to make coffee, there are also espresso options available for those who prefer a stronger and more concentrated beverage. Four-ounce Keurig pours are ideal for K Cup espresso, though it is not available with all Keurig models.
These smaller pour-size options are ideal for espresso enthusiasts, as well as those who generally prefer a very strong cup of coffee. Four and six-ounce Keurig pours result in strong and concentrated cups of coffee that can not be achieved with longer pours.
The Keurig K575 is one of the most versatile machines the company has ever made in terms of pour size, and it is capable of making everything from 4 to 30-ounce pours. There are eight different pour sizes to choose from, making it a great option for large households with many coffee drinkers.
The Keurig K Elite is another popular coffee machine that is capable of both four and six-ounce pours. Many people consider the K Elite to be one of the best values of any Keurig model, as it is capable of making the five most popular size options for the relatively low price of under $190.
8 Ounce
The eight-ounce pour is one of the three most common pour sizes on Keurig machines, and it is generally the smallest available option on Keurig machines featuring three buttons. Many people find this size to be best for them due to the fact that it allows for all the flavor to be extracted from coffee pods without becoming diluted or “watered down.”
This is also a great pour-size option for those who do not usually drink large portions of coffee, and generally find themselves drinking from a short coffee mug rather than a large tumbler or coffee thermos. Eight ounces is also a very common size for smaller paper coffee cups, but it should be noted that this pour-and-cup combination does not leave room for cream.
Nearly every model of Keurig coffee machine for sale today is capable of making the standard eight-ounce pour, and it is one of the best settings to use with the standard K Cup. This is also a suitable size for making iced coffee drinks, as taller pours can lead to extra dilution after some ice cubes melt.
10 Ounce
Many people find the 10-ounce Keurig cup size to strike the perfect balance between the more concentrated eight-ounce pour and the larger 12-ounce option. It is generally the “middle” option on most models, including both three-button and five-button varieties.
This is also a great pour size for people who use 12-ounce coffee cups and insulated tumblers, as it leaves ample room for cream and sugar while fitting in the cup. Some coffee enthusiasts also find the eight-ounce pour to be too strong, especially with bolder roast options.
A 10-ounce pour is also a good option for people who want to control their caffeine intake and those who want to savor a premium blend without having to prepare a full pot. Additionally, the 10-ounce pour is often used for specialty drinks like lattes and cappuccinos, which require a smaller serving size to balance out the amount of milk used.
12 Ounce
The 12-ounce coffee cup is one of the most popular sizes available for purchase today, and it is also the amount of liquid that fits into a “tall” sized cup at the popular coffee chain Starbucks. 12-ounce pours are perfect options for people who do not mix their coffee with cream or sugar, as they neatly fill standard coffee cups all the way to the top.
Using the 12-ounce Keurig pour setting is also a great way to ensure that all of the flavors are extracted from each coffee pod. It produces a style of coffee that is a bit milder and less concentrated, making it a great option for those who like to sip large cups of coffee throughout the morning.
This is also the largest brew size option available on the majority of Keurig machines, with the K Carafe compatible options being the only exceptions. The 12-ounce option was available on some of the very first Keurig machines, and it is not likely to be changed any time soon.
The K Mini is a very popular Keurig model that has been embraced by people with smaller kitchens and tight living quarters. It is a great example of a popular Keurig machine that tops out at 12-ounce pours, as the 12-ounce option is the largest it can handle at once.
22, 26, and 30 Ounce Keurig Pours
In recent years, there have been updated Keurig models released that are capable of brewing much larger portions of coffee at once. These options feature a reusable mesh pod-style device that can be filled with just about any style of ground coffee.
There is also a separate Keurig carafe that is compatible with a handful of Keurig devices. This allows you to brew full 30-ounce pots of coffee, along with 26 and 22-ounce options to help accommodate different brew strength preferences.
The Keurig K-Duo Plus Coffee Maker is one of the best options for coffee lovers who have become accustomed to the convenience of Keurig machines but also miss the large quantities of coffee that can be made with a traditional drip-style coffee maker.
The K Duo has eight different brew settings to choose from, four options for carafe brewing and four options for single-serve brewing. 6, 8, 10, and 12-ounce options are available for single serve, and larger 6,8,10, and 12-cup selections are available for carafe use.
This machine also boasts a 60-ounce removable water reservoir that makes operation a breeze each morning. This makes it possible to pour yourself a cup of coffee each morning for about a week without refilling the water, depending on your selected brew size.
The Keurig K575 is another Keurig model that is capable of handling large pots of coffee at once. It is also one of the most high-end options in the Keurig lineup of machines and is capable of handling everything from short pours to full carafes of coffee.
This high-end device uses a clear and bright touch screen, which makes operation extremely simple. It can also adjust brew strength without changing the quantity of liquid by simply selecting the “strong” button before the brew cycle begins.
The brew temperature can also be adjusted, making it easy to dial in your favorite settings for your ideal cup of coffee each morning. At just under $700, this is one of the priciest models in the Keurig lineup, and it is also the most versatile and capable.
Keurig Pods and Flavors
There are many different flavors and styles of Keurig pods on the market today, and having many different options to choose from is the best way to appease the widest audience of coffee enthusiasts.
The Keurig company has partnered with some of the largest coffee brands in the United States to deliver classic and familiar flavors in a new convenient way. There are a number of different familiar options, including selections from Folgers, Starbucks, Dunkin, and more.
By using these strategic partnerships, Keurig has been able to provide nearly every major style of coffee using its devices, and they have also moved on to other beverages. There are also many tea and cocoa options, as well as pods that are designed to make iced beverages.
There is also an automatic subscription service offered by Keurig that many customers use to virtually never run out of coffee under normal circumstances. There are also “smart” Keurig machines that automatically reorder coffee when the stock of pods runs low.
History of the Keurig Coffee Machine
While it may seem like a fairly modern innovation, the Keurig company has been in business for nearly 30 years, since they were founded in 1992. The first Keurig machines were produced with the intention of office use at large businesses, and the first models hit the market in 1998.
One of the reasons that the original Keurig products were so well suited for office use was their use of single-serve coffee capsules that they named “pods.” These pods were great for individual workers and eliminated the need for the wasteful communal coffee pot.
After finding success in office uses, Keurig rolled out its first machines designed for at-home use in the year 2004. The product found immediate success, and today Keurig pods are sold next to traditional coffee beans at nearly every major grocery retailer in the country.
There are also many different models available on the market today when it comes to Keurig machines, and there are enough different options to suit nearly every coffee enthusiast. There are many different sizes of machines with different features, and there are also more affordable models with basic features.
FAQ
What are the most common Keurig Brewing Sizes?
The 6, 10, and 12-ounce brewing options are by far the most popular choices on Keurig coffee machines today. These were also the three original choices in early Keurig models.
Which Keurig Machines can brew full carafes at once?
The Keurig K575 and K Duo are both capable of brewing large quantities of coffee at once, making them much more versatile than other single-serve brewers.
Final Thoughts
While Keurig machines are some of the most straightforward and simple coffee machines on the market today, there can be some confusion when it comes to the cup sizes that each model offers. Some people prefer a shorter and more concentrated cup of coffee each morning, while others prefer a taller pour that is a bit milder and less acidic.
Regardless of which style of coffee you enjoy the most, there is a Keurig machine available to suit your needs. The three most popular cup sizes when it comes to Keurig machines are 8, 10, and 12 ounces. There are also specialty Keurig machines that are designed to make extra concentrated 4-ounce pours, which are great choices for those who tend to drink more espresso than coffee.
Finally, there are high-end Keurig machines that are capable of brewing full carafes of coffee at once, which are most suitable for large families and those who entertain with sizable gatherings fairly often.
