Keurig Coffee and Espresso Machines: What Each One Makes
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Keurig is the brand that made single-serve pod coffee a household habit. Its machines brew one cup at a time from K-Cup pods, the small sealed cups of ground coffee you drop into the brewer, so there is no measuring, no grinding and very little cleanup. Over the years Keurig has moved beyond plain coffee into lattes, cappuccinos and what it calls espresso-style shots, which is why so many shoppers now search for a Keurig coffee and espresso machine.
The three brewers below each take a different path: the K-Café SMART adds a built-in milk frother and app control for coffeehouse drinks, the K-Crema uses extra pressure to make crema-topped coffee and espresso-style shots, and the K-Mini Mate keeps things tiny and simple for one cup of regular coffee.
Keurig Coffee and Espresso-Style Machines Compared
| Model | Drinks It Makes | Milk Frother | Water Reservoir | Cup Sizes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Keurig K-Café SMART Single Serve Coffee | Coffee, lattes, cappuccinos, iced coffee | Yes, hot and cold | Not listed | 6 brew sizes (per title) |
| Keurig K-Crema Single Serve Coffee Maker | Coffee, crema-topped coffee, espresso-style shots, tea, cocoa | No | 72 oz, removable | 6, 8, 10 and 12 oz |
| Keurig K-Mini Mate Single Serve K-Cup | Coffee | No | One cup, up to 12 oz | Up to 12 oz |
A Quick Word on Keurig and Espresso
Before comparing models, it helps to answer the question many first-time buyers ask: does Keurig make espresso? Traditional espresso is made by forcing hot water through very finely ground, tightly packed coffee at high pressure, usually with a dedicated espresso machine. K-Cup pods contain coffee ground for brewing, and Keurig itself uses careful wording: the K-Crema makes “espresso-style shots,” and the K-Café SMART makes lattes and cappuccinos from regular K-Cup pods.
In plain terms, these are strong, concentrated coffees that work well as the base for milk drinks, not true espresso in the traditional sense. For most people making a morning latte at home, that difference matters less than convenience. If a rich, true espresso is the goal, a dedicated machine is the better fit, and our guide to the Keurig espresso coffee maker lineup explains the options in more depth.
Keurig K-Café SMART Single Serve Coffee for Lattes and Cappuccinos
Keurig
Keurig K-Café SMART Single Serve Coffee Maker with WiFi Compatibility, Latte and Cappuccino Machine with Built-In Frother, 6 Brew Sizes, Black
Price and specifications are read from the Amazon product page and can change.
Keurig K-Café SMART Single Serve Coffee
Best for: Latte and cappuccino lovers at home
Pros
- Hot and cold milk frother
- WiFi app with BrewID
- Five strengths, six temperatures
- Brew over ice
Cons
- Smart features need WiFi and app
- Reservoir size not listed
The Keurig K-Café SMART Single Serve Coffee maker is the model to choose if milk drinks are the main event. It has a built-in milk frother with three hot speeds and one cold setting, and it works with dairy milk or a dairy alternative. A frother whips air into milk to create the foam that tops a cappuccino or the silky texture in a latte, and the cold setting lets you make cold foam for iced drinks. It brews with any K-Cup pod and can brew hot over ice for iced coffee.
The “SMART” part is WiFi. Once you connect it through the Keurig app, BrewID technology recognizes the specific K-Cup pod you insert and recommends Signature Brew settings chosen by Keurig’s coffee experts. The app also unlocks Barista Mode, with step-by-step directions for coffeehouse drinks, and a menu called Café Creations built around your pod. From the app you can brew remotely, schedule a brew, save favorite settings and manage SMART Delivery reorders.
You can fine-tune each cup with five strength settings, from Balanced to Intense, and six temperature settings, from Warm to Max Hot. The title mentions 6 brew sizes, though the listing does not spell out the ounce amounts. MultiStream technology spreads water more evenly over the grounds than the K-Classic brewer, for fuller flavor. It draws 1200 watts, and the reservoir size is not listed.
This Keurig with milk frother suits latte and cappuccino lovers and makes a strong gift for someone who spends a lot at coffee shops. If you drink coffee black and want bolder shots, the K-Crema is the better fit, and if you do not want app features, note that the smart functions depend on WiFi.
Keurig K-Crema Single Serve Coffee Maker for Crema and Espresso-Style Shots
Keurig
Keurig K-Crema Single Serve Coffee Maker
Price and specifications are read from the Amazon product page and can change.
Keurig K-Crema Single Serve Coffee Maker
Best for: Fans of strong, crema-topped coffee
Pros
- Single and double espresso-style shots
- 72 oz removable reservoir
- Adjustable drip tray, 3 heights
- Four cup sizes
Cons
- No milk frother
- No reusable filter support
The Keurig K-Crema Single Serve Coffee Maker focuses on stronger, richer coffee. Its PressureInfusion technology uses what Keurig describes as 5x more pressure to create crema, the thin layer of tiny coffee bubbles on top that gives a silky texture. With any K-Cup coffee pod, it makes single or double espresso-style shots, crema-topped coffee, and, in classic mode, regular coffee, tea and hot cocoa.
Practical features stand out here. The 72-ounce removable reservoir brews several cups before refilling, the four cup sizes are 6, 8, 10 and 12 ounces, and the removable drip tray adjusts to three heights so both small shot cups and taller mugs fit. MultiStream technology saturates grounds evenly. It measures 13.1 by 8.54 by 13.3 inches.
Two points to know before buying. The K-Crema has no milk frother, so for lattes you would need to froth milk separately. And the listing contradicts itself on filters: the features say it is not compatible with a reusable coffee filter, while the specifications list the filter type as reusable. Follow the feature note and plan to use K-Cup pods.
This model suits people who like strong, black coffee or quick espresso-style shots for iced drinks, and who want a large reservoir for a busy household. For milk-based drinks made in one machine, the K-Café SMART does more.
Keurig K-Mini Mate Single Serve K-Cup for Small Spaces
Keurig
Keurig K-Mini Mate Single Serve K-Cup Pod Coffee Maker, Brews Up to 12 oz Cup, Compact Portable Coffee Machine for Small Spaces, Great for Dorms & Offices, Black
Price and specifications are read from the Amazon product page and can change.
Keurig K-Mini Mate Single Serve K-Cup
Best for: Dorms, offices and tiny kitchens
Pros
- Only 4 inches wide
- Fits 7.25-inch travel mugs
- Light at 3.9 pounds
Cons
- One cup per fill
- No espresso-style or milk options
The Keurig K-Mini Mate Single Serve K-Cup brewer is the smallest Keurig brewer ever, according to the listing, at about 4 inches wide. It uses a one-cup reservoir: you add water for one drink each time, and it brews a single cup of up to 12 ounces from any K-Cup pod.
It is travel mug friendly, fitting cups up to 7.25 inches tall so you can brew straight into a to-go mug. It weighs 3.9 pounds and measures 9.34 by 3.94 by 9.46 inches, and it comes in a range of colors. The listing notes the cup is not included. It makes regular coffee only, with no espresso-style mode, strength control or frother listed.
This is the right gift for a student in a dorm, a desk at the office or a small apartment kitchen. It gives way to the other two models the moment you want lattes, stronger shots or more than one cup without refilling.
How to Choose the Right Keurig Coffee and Espresso Machine
Decide on milk drinks first. If you want lattes and cappuccinos from one machine, the K-Café SMART is the only model here with a built-in frother. It is the Keurig latte and cappuccino maker of this group.
Strength and crema. If you want bolder coffee with a crema layer, or espresso-style shots for iced drinks, the K-Crema is designed for that.
Space and household size. The K-Mini Mate is only 4 inches wide but brews one cup per fill. The K-Crema’s 72-ounce reservoir suits households making several drinks each morning.
Smart features. The K-Café SMART’s BrewID, scheduling and Barista Mode need WiFi and the Keurig app. If you prefer simple buttons, the K-Crema and K-Mini Mate keep things straightforward. If you are also weighing other pod systems, our guide to single-serve espresso pod machines is a helpful comparison.
FAQ
Does Keurig make real espresso?
Keurig describes its drinks as espresso-style shots and coffeehouse beverages made from K-Cup pods. They are concentrated coffees, not traditional espresso made from finely ground, tamped coffee.
Which Keurig has a milk frother?
Of these three, only the K-Café SMART has a built-in frother, with three hot speeds and one cold setting.
Can I use a reusable filter in the K-Crema?
The features say the K-Crema is not compatible with a reusable coffee filter, although the spec field lists a reusable filter type. Plan on using K-Cup pods.
Do I need WiFi to use the K-Café SMART?
WiFi through the Keurig app is needed for BrewID, Barista Mode, scheduling and remote brewing. The listing describes buttons on the machine as well.
What size mug fits the K-Mini Mate?
It fits travel mugs up to 7.25 inches tall and brews up to 12 ounces per cup.
Which Keurig should I buy as a gift?
For a latte lover, the K-Café SMART. For a strong-coffee fan, the K-Crema. For a student or office worker, the K-Mini Mate.
