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Keurig K-Cafe Essentials vs Keurig K-Café Single Serve Coffee Maker

Both are Keurig K-Cafe single-serve brewers with a built-in frother and a 2 oz coffee SHOT button, so the core latte and cappuccino routine is the same. The K-Cafe (B) is the fuller machine: four cup sizes, a 60 oz reservoir, hot and cold frothing for iced drinks, and a dishwasher-safe frother. The K-Cafe Essentials (A) is the trimmed version: three cup sizes, a 42 oz reservoir, hot froth only, and a smaller footprint. Owners rate the K-Cafe line around 4.2 out of 5, praising convenience and easy cleanup while noting plastic build and the need to froth milk separately from brewing.

  • Choose the K-Cafe Essentials if you want a compact Keurig latte maker for hot drinks only and a smaller reservoir suits your counter and your daily cup count.
  • Choose the K-Cafe if you want iced lattes and cappuccinos, a bigger 60 oz reservoir, four cup sizes, and a frother you can put in the dishwasher.

Prices

  • Keurig K-Cafe Essentials: $35.99 at Swede Things in America (last seen Nov 1)
  • Keurig K-Café Single Serve Coffee Maker: $35.00 at Schumann (checked today)
  • Difference: the Keurig K-Café Single Serve Coffee Maker is $0.99 cheaper than the Keurig K-Cafe Essentials at the latest prices (Nov 1 and Nov 10)
Keurig
Keurig K-Cafe Essentials Single-Serve K-Cup Pod Coffee, Latte and Cappuccino Maker with Built-In Frother

Keurig K-Cafe Essentials

Keurig K-Cafe Essentials Single-Serve K-Cup Pod Coffee, Latte and Cappuccino Maker with Built-In Frother

4.2(5,396 ratings)
$35.99at Swede Things in AmericaChecked Nov 1
See all prices and details
Visit Swede Things in America
Pros
  • Compact footprint for small kitchens
  • Quick 5-minute auto shutoff saves energy
  • Built-in frother handles oat, almond and soy milk
  • Coffee SHOT and STRONG buttons for bolder drinks
Cons
  • Hot froth only, no iced lattes
  • Smaller 42 oz reservoir needs more refills
  • Three cup sizes, no 6 oz option
  • Frother is not dishwasher safe
Keurig
Keurig K-Cafe Single Serve K-Cup Coffee Maker W/ Milk Frother

Keurig K-Café Single Serve Coffee Maker

Keurig K-Cafe Single Serve K-Cup Coffee Maker W/ Milk Frother

$35.00at SchumannChecked 4 h ago
See all prices and details
Visit Schumann
Pros
  • Cold froth setting for iced lattes and cappuccinos
  • Dishwasher-safe frother makes cleanup easy
  • Larger 60 oz reservoir means fewer refills
  • Four cup sizes including 6 oz
Cons
  • Takes up more counter space
  • Longer 2-hour auto shutoff
  • Plastic housing feels less premium than metal machines
  • Milk must be frothed in a separate step from brewing

What separates them

Keurig K-Cafe EssentialsKeurig K-Café Single Serve Coffee Maker
Cup sizes8, 10, 12 oz6, 8, 10, 12 oz
Water reservoir42 oz, removable60 oz, removable
FrothingHot froth for lattes and cappuccinosHot and cold froth, for iced drinks too
Frother cleaningHand washDishwasher safe
FootprintAbout 10.3 in wide and 12.7 in deepLarger body, roughly 14.8 in wide
Auto shutoff5 minutes after the last brew2 hours after the last brew
Coffee SHOT and STRONGBoth includedBoth included
Pod compatibilityAny K-Cup pod, reusable filter includedAny K-Cup pod, reusable filter compatible

Price history

$195.00$35.00
Oct 31Nov 10
  • Keurig K-Cafe Essentials: lowest $35.99 on Nov 2 at Swede Things in America; $99.00 on Nov 10.
  • Keurig K-Café Single Serve Coffee Maker: lowest $35.00 on Nov 10 at Schumann.

Prices at every store

Keurig K-Cafe Essentials

  • eBayNew

    In stock

    $99.00Free shippingChecked 1 h ago
    Visit eBay
  • WalmartNew

    In stock

    $108.00+ $19.95 shippingChecked 1 h ago
    Visit Walmart
  • Swede Things in AmericaNew

    Availability unknown

    $35.99Checked Nov 1
    Visit Swede Things in America
  • MercariNew

    Availability unknown

    $134.00Checked Oct 31
    Visit Mercari

Also available at

  • WalmartCheck price at Walmart
  • KITCHMENTCheck price at KITCHMENT

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All 6 stores and price history →

Keurig K-Café Single Serve Coffee Maker

  • The Home DepotNew

    In stock

    $199.49Free shippingChecked 3 h ago
    Visit The Home Depot
  • SchumannNew

    Availability unknownShips from Brazil · duties may apply

    $35.00Checked 4 h ago
    Visit Schumann
  • From WhereNew

    Availability unknown

    $195.00+ $9.00 shippingChecked 4 h ago
    Visit From Where
  • Martexplore.comNew

    Availability unknown

    $237.49Free shippingChecked 4 h ago
    Visit Martexplore.com

Also available at

  • PzDealsCheck price at PzDeals
  • Deal SuppliesCheck price at Deal Supplies
  • CarvitySciCheck price at CarvitySci
All 9 stores and price history →

Specs compared

SpecKeurig K-Cafe EssentialsKeurig K-Café Single Serve Coffee Maker
colorBlackNickel, Silver, Nickel colored finish
Pod StyleYesK-Cup
Brew StyleDripCoffee, Cappuccino, Latte
Height12.7″ high4.3 in
Depth10.3″ deep2.7 in
Width10.3″ wide15.3 in
Water reservoir capacity42 oz60 oz
Pod CompatibleYes—
AutomationAutomatic—
With Auto ShutoffYes—
FinishBlack—
Single CupYes—
Show all 40 specsShow fewer specs
SpecKeurig K-Cafe EssentialsKeurig K-Café Single Serve Coffee Maker
With Permanent FilterYes—
BrandKeurig—
Compatible formPods—
Preset cup sizes8 oz, 10 oz, 12 oz—
Number of preset cup sizes3—
Product lineK-Cafe, Keurig, Single-Serve Brewers—
ModelK-Cafe—
Items includedCup not included—
MaterialPolypropylene, ABS Plastics—
Number of cups

What reviewers say

Keurig K-Cafe Essentials

  • 4.2 / 55,396 ratings

With 4.2 out of 5 from 5,396 ratings, owners mostly like the convenience of café-style drinks at home and the frother's results with different milks. Complaints center on the frother's cleaning and the reservoir size.

What people mention
  • FrotherMixedOwners like the froth quality but say cleaning it after every milk drink is a chore.
  • Drink temperatureCriticisedSome owners find lattes and cappuccinos come out cooler than they like.
  • ReservoirCriticisedThe 42 oz tank runs out quickly when brewing several drinks.
  • Ease of usePraisedReviewers call the brew-froth-enjoy routine quick to learn.

Keurig K-Café Single Serve Coffee Maker

Owners like the convenience of coffee and frothy milk drinks from one machine and praise the cold froth for iced lattes. Common complaints are the counter space it takes up, the extra step of frothing, and that the shot doesn't match real espresso.

What people mention
  • Milk frotherPraisedOwners say it froths dairy and plant milks well, and the cold setting is a favorite for iced lattes.
  • Counter footprintCriticisedBuyers note it is bulky for a single-serve brewer and needs clearance for the frother.
  • Shot qualityMixedReviewers find the Coffee SHOT convenient but say it tastes like strong brewed coffee, not espresso.
  • Ease of usePraisedThe brew, froth, enjoy routine is quick to learn and the reservoir lifts out for refilling.

Questions and answers

Which is better for iced lattes?
The K-Cafe (B). It has a COLD froth setting for cold milk, which the K-Cafe Essentials does not. Brew a coffee SHOT, froth cold milk, and pour over ice.
Do both make espresso?
Neither is a true espresso machine. Both use a 2 oz coffee SHOT from a K-Cup pod to build a concentrated base for lattes and cappuccinos. The result is coffeehouse-style, not espresso-style.
Which has the bigger water tank?
The K-Cafe (B) holds 60 oz versus 42 oz on the Essentials. If you brew several cups a day, the larger tank means fewer refills.
Is the frother easy to clean?
The K-Cafe's frother is dishwasher safe. The Essentials frother needs hand washing. Both froth skim, soy, almond and oat milk.
Is the K-Cafe worth stepping up to over the Essentials?
Yes if you want iced drinks, a larger reservoir, a 6 oz cup size and dishwasher-safe frothing. The Essentials covers hot lattes and cappuccinos in a smaller footprint.
Can I use my own coffee instead of pods?
Yes. Both work with a reusable K-Cup filter, so you can use ground coffee. Pods remain the faster option.

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More comparisons

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  • Keurig K-Cafe Essentials Single-Serve K-Cup Pod Coffee, Latte and Cappuccino Maker with Built-In Frother vs Keurig K-Cafe Barista Bar Single Serve Coffee Maker and Frother

Buying guides that pick them

  • Best Keurig coffee makers with milk frothers
5
—
Weight6.5 lb—
Color categoryBlack—
Manufacturerkeurig—
Has nrtl listing certificationN—
Manufacturer ColorBlack—
App ControlNo—
FunctionsAutomatic Shutdown—
Integrated Milk FrotherYes—
FeaturesRemovable Watertank, Drip Tray, K-Cup Compatible—
Filter TypeDisposable Filter—
Capacity (gal)0.32—
Weight (lb)6.5—
Brew sizes—6, 8, 10, 12 oz.
Latte and cappuccino shot—2 oz shot
Milk frothing—Hot & Cold Froth
Strength control—Yes
Removable reservoir—removable
Auto off—2 hours after the last brew