Keurig K-Cafe Review: Why This Is My Favorite Keurig Machine

I’ve never been a huge fan of Keurig coffee makers, so when I picked up the K-Cafe to test it, I wasn’t super excited. The convenience is nice, but the quality has always left something to be desired in my opinion. I’ve been testing out the newer Keurig K-Cafe model for a few weeks now and I have to admit…I’m pleasantly surprised. This is by far my favorite Keurig machine yet.

In this in-depth Keurig K-Cafe review, I’ll explain what I like about the K-Cafe, where it falls short, and whether or not it’s the right choice for your kitchen. After years of being underwhelmed by Keurig, their newest model might just win me over.

Quick Keurig K-Cafe Review

The Keurig K-Cafe is a solid single-serve coffee maker with a few bonus features that help it stand out from the crowd. It brews K-Cups like a traditional Keurig but also has options for making lattes, cappuccinos, and regular coffee—all without having to buy special K-cups.

I like the large 60oz water reservoir because it reduces how often I have to refill it when I’m tossing back coffees like it’s nobody’s business. I also like the ability to froth milk with the attached frother, even though it’s not the greatest frother. The separate hot water spout is a nice touch, although I haven’t used it once and don’t expect to.

The interface is also intuitive and easy to navigate. The coffee quality is better than older Keurig models but still not as good as traditional brewing methods like pour over, French press, Chemex, or high-end drip machines. And the “shots” are nowhere near real espresso, but they are kind of tasty in their own right.

Keurig K-Cafe Review

Now let’s get into the nitty gritty details of this machine so you can decide if the K-Cafe is right for your kitchen.

Appearance

Keurig coffee makers have never been much to look at if you ask me. They’re always bulky and plastic-y without much design flair. The K-Cafe is a nice change of pace for Keurig. It sports a sleek, modern, partially stainless steel exterior. It looks like a high-end piece of coffee equipment rather than a run-of-the-mill single-serve coffee maker.

I like the metal accents and the matte black plastic touches on the drip tray, frother, and other components. The digital display is crisp and easy to read. There’s a nice metal handle on the water reservoir, too, which adds a bit of character. This kind of thing is unnecessary, but it makes a big difference.

Overall, it’s a sharp looking machine that would fit into nearly any kitchen aesthetic. Compared to other Keurigs it looks seriously upscale.

Ease of Use

Despite its high-end look, the K-Cafe doesn’t have a steep learning curve, which is ideal for many people. I’ve spent weeks dialing in espresso recipes, so it’s a nice change of pace just to hit a button and have your coffee a minute later. The interface is straightforward with buttons for the main menu, coffee, lattes, cappuccinos, and hot water.

To brew a regular cup of coffee, just insert a K-Cup, choose your size, and hit start like any other Keurig. The main difference is the additional options for making frothy lattes and cappuccinos, which you do in the frother.

Using the attached milk frother is easy, too. Just pour milk into the frother container, attach it, select your beverage, and the K-Cafe will automatically froth the milk. The main difference between the latte and cappuccino setting is the amount of froth. Lattes have a bit less foam.

You can also dispense hot water on its own from the spout for making tea, instant oatmeal or soup. This doesn’t appeal to me, although I probably should try it for my morning oatmeal.

The water reservoir lifts out from the back to refill when needed, which is standard on Keurig machines. Helpful alerts on the display let you know when you’re running low. You can also customize the auto-off timer as needed, which is a nice touch, especially if you have multiple people that get up at different times and will want to come out to a hot machine that’s ready to brew.

Another nice feature on the deluxe edition of the K-Cafe is the Wifi connectivity, which lets you interface with the machine and schedule brews from a mobile app. I don’t use this myself, but my wife relishes the idea of lying in bed and having her coffee brewed for her before she even gets up.

Overall, it’s a nicely designed machine that makes brewing faux lattes and cappuccinos nearly foolproof. As long as you can operate a microwave, you can figure this thing out no problem.

Coffee Quality

Alright, now for the part of the Keurig K-Cafe review that all my fellow coffee snobs care about—how’s the actual coffee? It’s…okay.

I’ll start by explaining why I’ve never been crazy about typical Keurigs when it comes to taste. Single-serve coffee makers have some limitations when you’re really trying to maximize flavor. Pre-ground coffee goes stale quickly and smaller brewers often don’t heat water hot enough or brew for long enough. Optimal is 195-205°F for 4-6 minutes, unless you’re talking about espresso, and then it’s the same temperature but between 20 and 30 seconds in most cases.

Like most Keurigs, the K-Cafe only heats to about 185 degrees (F) and brews for 1 minute—online spec sheets say it gets up to 190 degrees (F) for coffee and sits between 150 and 165 degrees (F) for shots. This is better than some models but still not ideal. This means you’ll never get coffee shop quality out of a Keurig, including the K-Cafe.

With that being said, the K-Cafe does have some improvements that previous models lacked. It uses Keurig’s MultiStream technology to saturate the grounds more evenly for balanced extraction during brewing. This alone makes a noticeable difference in your cup.

While it won’t impress true coffee connoisseurs, I was able to get a smooth, drinkable cup out of the K-Cafe. Especially for milk-based espresso drinks, it worked well and tasted decent. Would I serve this at a dinner party and brag about my coffee setup? No. Is it a somewhat satisfying daily latte maker? It sure is.

The frother also steams and foams milk nicely without scalding it like some machines. Frothing almond milk worked well too for non-dairy lattes. I didn’t test soy milk or skim milk, but I expect it would be similarly adequate.

Could the K-Cafe be better? Of course. But for a single-serve pod brewer, I can’t complain too much about the K-Cafe’s output. And it’s by far the best I’ve had from a Keurig.

Related Article: What Grind Size Should You Use In a Keurig Machine?

Counter Space and Footprint

The K-Cafe is definitely larger than your average Keurig to accommodate the frother and extra features. It measures 12.5” tall by 15.3” wide by 16.2” long. That height of 12.5” is with the lid closed, by the way. When it’s open, it stands at 16.7” tall. If you have low upper cabinets, make sure to account for this.

The K-Cafe is a bit bigger than I’d recommend for smaller kitchens, but I didn’t have any issues on my counter or my coffee bar.

Just a quick note: it has 6.2” of clearance under where the coffee comes out. If you remove the drip tray, you can get a travel mug that’s 7.2” tall under there with no problem.

Just be aware the footprint is larger than your classic single-serve. If you’re tight on counter space, the K-Slim or K-Mini models might suit you better. But if you have some room to spare, the K-Cafe doesn’t look gargantuan by any means.

Related Article: Keurig K-Mini Review: Pros, Cons & Do I Recommend It in 2024

K-Cup Compatibility

The K-Cafe takes standard K-Cups but uses Keurig 2.0 pods. As such, generic or off-brand cups probably won’t work. Stick to cups with the Keurig logo to ensure compatibility. On the plus side, it does work with reusable pods, which I highly recommend.

Here are the compatible K-Cup pod types:

• Keurig branded K-Cup pods
• Private label roaster K-Cup pods
• Licensed K-Cup pods (Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts, Green Mountain, Peet’s, etc.)
• Reusable pods (you can fill with your own grounds)

My advice is invest in a reusable pod and use freshly ground coffee. It really enhances the overall quality compared to pre-ground pods.

Also just a quick note: the K-Cafe takes standard K-Cups even if you’re brewing shots, so there’s no need to go out and buy different pods.

Price

Keurigs are known for convenience and affordability. But since this is one of the higher-end models with more features, the K-Cafe sits at the upper end of the Keurig price range. The MSRP is usually around $199.99, but I recommend checking for deals on Amazon, where the price fluctuates.

Is it worth $200 when a basic Keurig runs less than half that? That depends on your budget and how much you value the extras like the frother and the ability to brew shots. For all the bells and whistles, I think the price is fair. But it’s still a relatively hefty investment for a single-serve machine.

Quality

The K-Cafe feels sturdy and well-made with its partially metal exterior. Keurigs aren’t exactly heirloom appliances, but I don’t have any major concerns about it going south after a year or anything. Previous Keurig models I’ve owned lasted 2-3 years before small issues like mineral buildup and water pumps wearing out required replacement. I would expect similar longevity with the K-Cafe with proper cleaning and maintenance, although it feels more durable.

One area I’m always willing to pay more for is quality materials. While there’s some plastic in the internal components, the metal housing is a big plus in terms of durability.

Warranty

Keurig offers a 1-year limited warranty on the K-Cafe. That’s pretty standard for most small kitchen appliances in this price range. One perk they offer is free ground shipping if you do need to send it in for service during that year window. That’s a really nice touch.

Some higher-end brands like Nespresso offer longer warranties, although lifetime guarantees are rare. But for what you pay for this machine, a 1-year warranty seems fair. Just don’t expect it to be covered for years and years down the line.

Related Article: Difference Between Keurig and Nespresso: Which Is Right for You?

Water Reservoir

The 60oz removable water reservoir on the K-Cafe means less frequent filling for households with multiple coffee drinkers. Previous Keurigs I’ve used seemed to run dry every 1 to 2 days, which was a pain.

Refilling the reservoir is easy—it lifts out from the back of the machine with a sturdy plastic handle. The water tank will detach completely for cleaning. Helpful alerts on the display let you know when the water level is running low.

Ultimately, for offices or larger households, the 60oz capacity means fewer disruptions to your morning coffee routine.

Wrapping Up: My Final Thoughts

After several weeks with the Keurig K-Cafe, I have to say it beats my expectations. While Keurigs will never replicate the quality of a pour over cone, Chemex, French press, or high-end drip machine, this model brews a smooth, drinkable cup of coffee perfect for easy at-home lattes.

The sleek design and intuitive interface make the K-Cafe accessible for coffee novices but also appealing for more seasoned baristas. If convenience and ease-of-use are priorities in your kitchen, I don’t think you can go wrong with this machine. Sure, it has some limitations in terms of temperature control and optimal brew time. But for casual everyday use, I was pleasantly surprised by the flavor.

While there are cheaper Keurig models, you get what you pay for with the K-Cafe. The ability to make frothy cappuccinos and lattes at the touch of a button makes this machine stand out. If those specialty drinks are essential to your morning routine, the additional cost is definitely worthwhile.

So, is the Keurig K-Cafe a perfect coffee maker for hardcore aficionados? Definitely not. But is it the best Keurig machine I’ve used, and the most versatile model for coffee, lattes, and cappuccinos? In my opinion, yes. If convenience outweighs getting the absolute optimal brew, this model delivers quality and consistency.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need to buy special pods for the K-Cafe or can you use regular K-cups?

The K-Cafe uses Keurig 2.0 K-cup pods, so you need to use pods with the Keurig logo. It won’t work with older, off-brand/generic pods without the Keurig branding. However, you can use reusable pods and fill them with your own freshly ground coffee, which is recommended for the best flavor. The machine comes with a 6-count variety box of K-cup pods to get you started.

How do you clean the milk frother on the K-Cafe?

Keurig recommends rinsing the milk frother with warm soapy water after each use. About once a week, do a deeper clean by filling the frother container with equal parts water and white vinegar. Froth the vinegar solution for 30-60 seconds. Then rinse thoroughly with plain water. Make sure to disassemble all the frother pieces so the inner tubing gets cleaned too. This prevents any buildup of milk residue over time.

Can you make iced coffee with the K-Cafe?

While the K-Cafe doesn’t have a dedicated iced setting, you can certainly brew hot coffee over ice to make iced coffee. Just brew an extra strong K-Cup on the smallest “shot” setting. Then pour that concentrated coffee over ice and add cream, milk, or sweetener as desired. I’ve found the shot setting is better than the “bold” or “strong” settings on other Keurig machines for limiting the amount of dilution in your iced coffee.

What’s the warranty for the Keurig K-Cafe?

The K-Cafe comes with a one-year limited warranty. This covers any defects in materials or manufacturing. However, the warranty doesn’t cover normal wear and tear or damage from improper use, care, and maintenance. You may be able to purchase an extended warranty for several more years of coverage, depending on where you get your machine.