What is Keurig 2.0? | Keurig 1.0 vs 2.0

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Keurig is one of my best coffee brands, its incredibly advanced technology makes the brewing process so smooth that I can’t resist becoming a die-hard of Keurig. Keurig has a long history of making coffee, from the first-ever classic Keurig to newer models with premium features for brewing delicious Joe.

The first version of Keurig models was Keurig 1.0, and Keurig 2.0 was a short-lived version of Keurig that resisted access to unlicensed k-cup pods.

Like many, I also find it difficult to understand, what is Keurig 2.0. How it is different from Keurig 1.0? Therefore, I have done proper research and written in detail about what is Keurig 2.0. The Comparison between Keurig 1.0 & Keurig 2.0, which one is best? So, if you have queries about what actually is Keurig 2.0? Then you have landed on the right destination!

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What is Keurig 2.0?

Keurig 2.0 is a brewing system that features K-cup pod scanning technology, that resists the usage of unlicensed Keurig pods, also has great built-in additional features that brew more cups at a time, and you have more control and functionality in hand.

You can adjust the coffee brewing temperature to get your optimal extraction and also you can change the strength at which it will brew.

Why Keurig introduced the 2.0 brewing system?

Keurig gains great popularity in terms of manufacturing great coffee machines, however, this growing popularity gives rise to many companies producing unlicensed K-Cup pods. However, licensing has not been a problem since the K Cup patent expired many years ago.

More companies are now selling 3rd party k-pods, which now become the standard of coffee pods- K-cup pods.

The patent of Keurig pods was ended in September 2012 and the rising market for non-Keurig-produced K Cup pods has raised concerns about Keurig’s future economic structure.

To maintain the monopoly over coffee pods used in Keurig, the company released its Keurig 2.0 brewing method in the fall of 2014.

Keurig 2.0 brewing systems only work with licensed K Cups being made by Keurig.

How does Keurig 2.0 work?

The working principle of Keurig 2.0 is quite different from other classic Keurig models, the machine has to do a lot of work, and it all starts by scanning the lid of k cup pods.

The Keurig 2.0 brewing system scans the lid of the pod and determines how much water is needed, as well as the optimal brewing temperature.

The 2.0 brewing systems work by identifying whether the K Cup was authorized by Keurig or not. This required using Digital Rights Management computer chips to read the infrared printing on the pod cover and then let the machine continue brewing.

Keurig 2.0 won’t work until it scans the authorization criteria on the pod label. In fact, devices with 2.0 technology cannot operate at all with K Cup pods that are not 2.0 compatible.

What is Keurig 1.0?

Keurig 1.0 are the original classic models of Keurig that works with any type of K-cup pod.

Many coffee lovers like Keurig 1.0 brewers because of their simplicity and ability to brew coffee with 3rd part K-cup pods.

These models are very simple to use. Just insert the pod into the machine and select the size of brew and your drink will be ready in 1-2 minutes.

As the Keurig 2.0 series is discontinued now, all the Keurig models available in the market now are part of the original Keurig 1.0 brewing system.

Keurig 1.0 vs Keurig 2.0

As discussed earlier with a simple explanation of where the Keurig 1.0 and Keurig 2.0 stories began.

Keurig 2.0 initially came with new scanning technology, that resisted brewing with unlicensed K-cups. These machines worked by scanning the lid of pods and rejecting pods that came from unlicensed third parties. However, Keurig 2.0 was discontinued in 2019 after the majority of customers’ backlash.

So, every new model of Keurig now shifted back to the original classic system that allows all types of pods to be used.

Difference between Keurig 1.0 and Keurig 2.0

Both are single-serve coffee maker that uses k-cup pods to brew coffee with the ease of touching one button.

  • Keurig 2.0 features advanced brewing technology that adjusts machine settings automatically (like water required, optimal brew temperature, and many more)
  • Both machines can brew different cup sizes. However, you have to select the size of brew in Keurig 1.0 manually while Keurig 2.0 models automatically adjust the size of brew according to K-cup being used.
  • Keurig 2.0 models have a larger water reservoir (60-70 ounces) than classic models (48-ounce). However, the water reservoirs in both these machines are removable.
  • Keurig 2.0 features hot water on demand while most of the Keurig 1.0 models lack this feature.
  • There are usually three or four preset brewing sizes available in classic Keurig 1.0 models: 6, 8, 10, and 12 ounces. While in Keurig 2.0 models you can program the brew size for any k-cup pod according to your taste.
  • Keurig 2.0 models have an advanced touchscreen display which gives a modern look. While most of the classic Keurig 1.0 models have a button display.

Benefits of Keurig 2.0 models over Keurig 1.0 models

Here are some advantages of Keurig 2.0 which make it superior to other classic Keurig models.

  1. Hot water on demand.
  2. Comes with advanced features and more programmable settings.
  3. Full brewing control and functionality.
  4. Larger water Reservoir.
  5. New ways of brewing, like K Mug servings and K Carafe functionality with unique carafe pods.
  6. Comes with a colored touchscreen.
  7. More user-friendly operation

Drawbacks of Keurig 2.0

  1. Not compatible with 3rd party coffee pods.
  2. Keurig 2.0 pods are not widely available.
  3. Quite Expensive.

Why are Keurig 2.0 models discontinued?

Keurig announced 2.0 models to fight against 3rd party k-cup pod companies and to expand its business. But unfortunately, soon after launching the Keurig 2.0 models, the company faces a serious backlash from customers and a strong decline in sales.

In particular, customers were annoyed that this new system does not support refillable coffee pods and their favorite third-party coffee pods.

Keurig’s CEO admits that launching the 2.0 brewing system was a serious mistake. He states:

“We were wrong. We underestimated, is the easiest way to say it. We underestimated the passion the consumer had for [My K-Cup].”

Yahoo Finance Columnist Rick Newman points out Keurig Green Mountain has been trying to cash in off of what is known as the “razor blade” or “walled garden” method.

“You get a one-time payment for selling the device and then you get the recurring revenue by selling the stuff you need to operate the device,” he explains. “Everybody would love to have that business model. Usually, it doesn’t work.”

The Keurig owners decided to expand their business but they failed at it miserably and now they are trying to overcome this mistake by giving free reusable coffee pods compatible with Keurig 2.0 models.

Should you buy a Keurig 2.0 in 2023

Keurig launched 2.0 models in the fall of 2014 that lasted for two to three years and now Keurig has completely discontinued the 2.0 series.

Still, you may find Keurig 2.0 models at local or online stores at a very good price but I highly recommend not wasting money on it. Because:

Keurig 2.0 models don’t work with normal k cups. As Keurig has discontinued the 2.0 series, they will also not manufacture pods for the 2.0 series. So you will have a very hard time finding K cups.

There are refillable pods available, but they don’t offer the convenience that k-cups do. And many of us buy single-serve coffee makers because of the convenience.

Also as Keurig has completely discontinued this series so you will not be able to receive any support from Keurig.

Read the reviews of the classic Keurig coffee maker series good alternatives for Keurig 20

Frequently asked questions.

What is the difference between 1.0 K-Cup and 2.0 K-Cup?

The major difference between the Keurig 1.0 and Keurig 2.0 is the use of DRM barcode technology. The Keurig 2.0 machine is only compatible with Keurig branded cups designed specifically for 2.0 machines.

Keurig guide