As their names suggest, the BUNN Velocity Brew and BUNN Speed Brew can make a great-tasting cup of joe in a jiffy. Thing is, they’re so similar that they’re not easy to tell apart. However, there are a few differences here and there that can make an impact on your buying decision.
To keep things short, the Velocity Brew is slightly more affordable and faster, and it can deliver more or less the same results. Meanwhile, the Speed Brew is going to cost more, but it does justify its higher price point with its better performance. But needless to say, that doesn’t paint the entire picture.
BUNN Velocity vs Speed Brew Comparison Chart
| Top-Rated Models | BUNN Velocity Brew GRX-B | BUNN Speed Brew Platinum |
| Amazon product | Amazon product | |
| Price | Amazon product | Amazon product |
| Capacity | Up to 10 cups (20 to 50 oz.) | Up to 10 cups (20 to 50 oz.) |
| Carafe | Drip-free, glass carafe | Double wall, vacuum-sealed thermal carafe |
| Brewing Time | About 3 minutes for a full pot | About 4 minutes for a full pot |
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 14.8″ x 7.1″ x 13.8″ | 13.9″ x 8.3″ x 14.9″ |
| Weight | 8 lbs | 7.8 lbs |
| Warranty | 3 years | 3 years |
Design
The Velocity Brew’s age really shows compared to the Speed Brew.
The newer Speed Brew lineup practically mirrors the Velocity Brew. For one thing, they each have a variant that comes with a thermal carafe as standard, which are the Speed Brew Platinum and Velocity Brew BT.
However, the Speed Brew collection definitely looks more modern. In fact, it makes the Velocity Brew appear outdated. For starters, it has more stylish accents and a sleeker body, particularly at the top.
Speaking of, a lot of people usually ask about the difference between the BUNN Speed Brew Select vs Elite. The answer is, they’re pretty much identical, save for a few distinctions in aesthetics. Put simply, the Speed Brew Select is all black and all plastic, while the Speed Brew Elite has a matte black or gray finish paired with chrome accents and a stainless steel backsplash.
Flavor and Performance
The Velocity Brew is faster, but the Speed Brew has the upper hand in flavor.
Besides speed, the Velocity Brew is also known for flavor. Similarly, the Speed Brew is known for brewing coffee in a snap as well, but in terms of taste, it takes things up a notch. That’s because it increases the time water and coffee grounds stay in contact with each other, resulting in a fuller-tasting cup. Sure, it takes a small hit in speed, but brewing a full pot in four minutes as opposed to three minutes is just a one-minute difference, which is negligible unless you’re really pressed on time.
At any rate, they use BUNN’s iconic multi-stream spray heads. For the uninitiated, these spread water evenly over coffee grounds to extract as much flavor as possible for a fuller taste. As expected, the Speed Brew models also have a 10-cup capacity like the Velocity Brew, capable of brewing between 4 to 10 cups at a time. They also have tanks that keep water hot and ready for a brew at all times, as well as drip-free carafes.
Selection
Regardless of which Velocity Brew or Speed Brew you get, you’d get BUNN’s iconic features.
One of the most popular options is the BUNN Velocity Brew GRX-B, which is also known as Velocity Brew GRB. There’s also the white version called the Velocity Brew GRW. Then there’s the Velocity Brew BX-D designed for use in high-altitude areas. As for the crème de la crème of the line, there’s the aforementioned Velocity Brew BT with a thermal carafe.
In most cases, the Velocity Brew GRX-B is more than enough. It has all the brewing features the Velocity Brew BT has, except for the thermal carafe, and it’s more affordable to boot.
On the other hand, the Speed Brew lineup consists of the Classic, Select, Elite, and Platinum. As noted, the difference between the Speed Brew Select and Elite is in aesthetics, while the Classic is more like the no-frills sibling here. The Speed Brew Platinum is the top-of-the-line model, featuring a double-walled, vacuum-insulated thermal carafe that promises to keep coffee warm for at least two hours.
Verdict
The Speed Brew is a worthy replacement to the Velocity Brew.
Deciding between the two is a bit of a no-brainer. The BUNN Speed Brew simply does a better job, and it’s the better looker too. In particular, the Speed Brew Platinum is an excellent buy, thanks to its thermal carafe and modern design.
Sure, the BUNN Velocity Brew arguably makes coffee about one minute faster, but sacrificing taste for the sake of speed isn’t exactly tilting the scales to its favor. That said, the Velocity Brew GRX-B is still a decent pick, considering it’s withstood the test of time. It just falls a tad short in comparison.
FAQs
When it comes to features, the two are identical, from their multi-stream spray heads to their 10-cup capacity. However, the BUNN Speed Brew can make better-tasting coffee, while the Velocity Brew can prepare a full pot of coffee faster.
Yes, BUNN coffee makers use a multi-stream spray head to evenly saturate coffee grounds and extract as much flavor as possible. That way, the coffee will have a richer, fuller taste.
If it’s brewing slow, it likely has mineral buildup. To fix it, you’ll need to descale it, where a solution of vinegar and distilled water is a viable option.
The BUNN Velocity Brew can brew 10 cups of coffee in only about three minutes, which is a whole lot faster than most counterparts.