Earlier when the Keurig coffee makers were invented in 1998 there was only one cup size available and that was a standard 8 oz serving size.
As time evolves, coffee drinkers’ preferences have changed as well. Some prefer to have big 10 or 12-ounce mugs of coffee, while others enjoy strong and dense 4 or 6 ounce shots of coffee.
Fortunately, Keurig has always strived to meet all expectations of coffee lovers beyond providing convenience.
Almost all Keurig models now have at least three cup sizes, and some advanced models offer five cup sizes, as well as strength control settings so that you can adjust the strength of the coffee according to your taste.
What are the 5 Keurig Cup sizes
Keurig uses ounces as a unit of measurement to classify the size of the cup.
Keurig offers these 5-cup sizes
- 4 oz (120 mL)
- 6 oz (180 mL)
- 8 oz (240 mL)
- 10 oz (300 mL)
- 12 oz (360 mL)
In general, The larger the cup size, the fuller the cup and the weaker the taste; the smaller the cup, the denser the shot and stronger the taste.
The following table compares different Keurig models based on their available cup sizes, water reservoir capacity, and the presence of a strong button feature.
| Model Name | 4 oz | 6 oz | 8 oz | 10 oz | 12 oz | Water tank Capacity | Strong Button |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| K Elite | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | 75 oz | ✔ |
| K Supreme | ✖ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | 66 oz | ✔ |
| K Supreme Plus | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | 78 oz | ✔ |
| K Supreme Plus Smart | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | 78 oz | ✔ |
| K Duo Essentials *Carafe option | ✖ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | 60 oz | ✔ |
| K Duo Plus als *Carafe option | ✖ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | 60 oz | ✔ |
| K Classic | ✖ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✖ | 48 oz | ✖ |
| K Cafe (Latte Maker) *2 oz shot option | ✖ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | 60 oz | ✔ |
| K Select | ✖ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | 52 oz | ✔ |
| K Mini | ✖ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | Single Serve | ✖ |
| K Mini Plus | ✖ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | Single Serve | ✔ |
| K Express | ✖ | ✖ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | 42 oz | ✔ |
| K Slim | ✖ | ✖ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | 46 oz | ✖ |
Keurig machines typically offer users the ability to select their desired brew size with the push of a button. Some models feature buttons labeled with numerical values, such as 6 oz, 8 oz, etc., while others have icons depicting coffee mugs of varying sizes.
The Keurig Mini and Mini Plus feature small single-serve water reservoirs that must be filled manually before each brew. This allows users to customize their brew size by pouring any amount of water between 6 ounces and 12 ounces.
Does Cup Size Affect the Strength of Coffee
Yes, cup size definitely affects the strength and intensity of the coffee. The amount of coffee in a k cup coffee pod remains the same whether you choose a large or small brew size. Therefore, the larger brew size will be weak and watery, while the smaller brew size will be strong and intense.
Need More Strength? Hit the strong Button
Keurig now offers a strong button on its advanced models, allowing users to brew a stronger cup of coffee.
As we all know, the longer the extraction time, the stronger the cup of coffee (up to a point, though! Over-extraction can also make your coffee bitter).
Pressing the strong button increases the brewing time by 30-40 seconds. This additional time allows the water to extract more flavor from the coffee grounds in the K-Cup, resulting in a more flavorful cup of coffee.
Pod-based machines like Keurig are often accused of making watery or tasteless coffee (I Agree!), but new Keurig Supreme models feature multi-stream technology and a strong button that allows them to brew stronger coffee at least better than other single-serve pod machines.
What is the best Coffee size for Keurig?
You might be confused by the different brew sizes available on Keurig coffee makers and wondering what will produce the best-tasting coffee.
Let me explain with the help of simple maths.
K cup coffee pod contains around 9-12 grams of coffee (0.3-0.4 ounces)
According to the Specialty Coffee Association, the perfect coffee-to-water ratio is 55 g/L ± 10.
That makes around 1 gram of coffee grounds for every 17-20 grams of water (1:17-19).
So according to those calculations, 9-12 grams of coffee in a K cup pod is only enough for 5 to 7 oz coffee.
That means 6 oz is the best Coffee size for Keurig Hands Down!
Anything above that; 8 oz, 10 oz, or 12 will be weak and watery. The 8 oz brew size is somewhat acceptable, however, the 10 oz and 12 oz cup sizes are completely useless and tasteless. I’m not sure why Keurig has added these sizes to their models (maybe some boring coffee lovers use that).
Nevertheless, you have your Keurig and K cup pods you can test every brew size and select what suits you the best however according to my experience and the calculations 6 oz is the sweet spot.
How many cups can Keurig brew at a time?
Keurig is a single-serve coffee maker and is only suitable for brewing 1-3 cups of coffee at a time. Most Keurigs can brew 5 to 8 cups of coffee before needing to be refilled.
But brewing more than 3 cups in a Keurig takes much time, so the convenience and quickness which are the unique selling points of Keurig go away!
Keurig is probably not the best choice for you if you have a large household and you frequently have guests over. In that case, you should look into a drip coffee maker that can brew pots of coffee.
Yeah! Keurig can brew multiple cups at a time occasionally but the point I am making here is it will not be convenient.
Also Read: Keurig vs Drip coffee maker
What’s the tallest mug fits under the Keurig Spout
Well, it depends on what model of Keurig you have, but generally, a standard-sized 5-inch mug can easily fit under every Keurig machine.
Additionally, most Keurig models come with a removable drip tray that gives you an extra two inches so you can easily fit a travel mug up to 7 inches tall.
Which Keurig Model can brew both single-serve cups and coffee pots
Keurig is renowned for its single-serve coffee makers, but the K Duo series offers the versatility of both single-serve and carafe brewing.
The Keurig Duo Plus is a streamlined pod coffee maker that can brew both single-serve K-Cups and up to 12 cups of coffee in a carafe. It also features a convenient multi-position water reservoir for added flexibility.
Read a detailed review of Keurig Duo Plus
Which Keurig Model can make Cappuccino and Latte
Keurig K café is the only Keurig model that comes with a built-in milk frother and has the ability to brew concentrated, espresso-like shots used in lattes and cappuccinos.
The Keurig K-Café features dedicated “Latte” and “Capp” buttons that can prepare both coffee and frothed milk for lattes and cappuccinos with the touch of a single button.
Read a detailed review of Keurig K cafe
Final Thoughts
The reason Keurig has ruled over the coffee industry for a decade is that it understands the needs of its customers.
From single-serve coffee makers to carafe machines such as Duo as well as Latte machines such as K Cafe, to offering different cup sizes, adjustable strength settings, and over-iced options, Keurig has never disappointed its customers.
Most Keurig models offer 3-cup sizes and some advanced models do offer 5-cup sizes. It is important to note that the flavors of coffee do get affected depending on what coffee size you select, so try them all to find the one that suits your taste.
As described in this article, a 5-7 oz cup size from Keurig can make a perfect coffee, so if you’re looking for a new one, make sure it has a 6 oz brew size (And a Strong Button Too!).
