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A Keurig espresso maker is not quite what the name suggests, so it is worth being clear from the start. Traditional espresso is made by forcing hot water through finely ground, tamped coffee at high pressure. Keurig brewers use K-Cup pods, and most of them make strong, concentrated coffee rather than true pressure espresso. For many home latte drinkers that is perfectly fine: a small, bold shot topped with frothed milk tastes like a coffeehouse drink, takes a minute, and involves no grinding or tamping. The question is which Keurig does that best for your routine.
The six machines here fall into three groups. The K-Café, K-Café SMART and K-Café Barista Bar are built for milk drinks, with either a frother or a concentrated shot button. The K-Crema uses what Keurig calls PressureInfusion Technology to make crema-topped coffee and espresso-style shots, which is the closest in this lineup to a pressure brew. The K-Express and K-Elite are standard single-serve brewers with a strong setting, useful for comparison if you mostly drink black coffee and only occasionally add milk.
Keurig Espresso-Style Lineup at a Glance
| Model | Shot or pressure feature | Milk frother | Reservoir |
|---|---|---|---|
| K-Café SMART | Strength settings, Barista Mode in app | Hot and cold, 3 speeds | Not specified |
| K-Cafe | SHOT button | Dishwasher safe, cold setting | 60 oz |
| K-Express | Strong button only | No | 42 oz |
| K-Crema | PressureInfusion, single and double shots | No | 72 oz |
| K-Café Barista Bar (Renewed) | 2 oz coffee shot button | Not listed | 42 oz |
| K-Elite | Strong button only | No | 75 oz |
The Models in Detail
Keurig K-Café SMART
Best for: Latte drinkers who like app-guided recipes
Pros
- Hot and cold milk frother
- BrewID pod recognition
- Five strengths, six temperatures
- Brew over ice
Cons
- Needs WiFi for smart features
- No dedicated shot button listed
The Keurig K-Café SMART Single Serve Coffee Maker is the most feature-rich latte machine in the lineup. It has a built-in hot and cold milk frother with three speeds and a cold setting, works with dairy or dairy alternatives, and offers five strength settings from Balanced to Intense plus six temperature settings from Warm to Max Hot. The title lists six brew sizes.
Its WiFi features depend on the Keurig app. BrewID recognises the K-Cup pod and recommends signature brew settings, Café Creations suggests drinks for that pod, and Barista Mode gives step-by-step directions for coffeehouse beverages. You can brew remotely, schedule brews and save favourites. MultiStream technology is described as saturating grounds more evenly, and a brew over ice setting handles iced coffee. It runs at 1,200 watts. The listing does not specify reservoir size or a dedicated shot button.
It suits a household that makes a latte most mornings and likes the app guiding recipes. If you prefer simple buttons with no WiFi setup, the standard K-Cafe does the core job.
Keurig K-Cafe
The Keurig K-Cafe Single-Serve K-Cup Coffee Maker is the straightforward latte and cappuccino machine. A SHOT button brews a concentrated shot of coffee from any K-Cup pod, which you then combine with milk from the included frother. The frother handles skim, soy and almond milk, has a cold setting for iced drinks and is dishwasher safe.
Regular coffee comes in 6, 8, 10 and 12 oz sizes, with a strong brew option. The 60 oz removable reservoir brews 6 cups before refilling, and auto off turns the brewer off 2 hours after the last brew. The listing notes there is no digital clock or display screen, and the cord is 30 inches long. It runs at 1,500 watts.
This is the most direct answer to “which Keurig makes lattes”: a shot button and a frother, no app needed. It gives way to the K-Café SMART if you want temperature and strength control.
Keurig K-Express
The Keurig K-Express Single Serve K-Cup Pod Coffee Maker is included as a baseline. It brews 8, 10 or 12 oz cups, has a strong button, and the 42 oz removable reservoir makes up to four 8 oz cups before refilling. The removable drip tray fits travel mugs up to 7.4 inches tall, and it turns off 5 minutes after the last brew.
It works with a reusable filter for your own ground coffee, sold separately. Although the listing categorises it as an espresso machine, it has no shot function and no frother, so it cannot make lattes on its own.
It suits a small kitchen or office desk where strong black coffee is the main drink. Latte lovers should look at the K-Cafe instead.
Keurig K-Crema
The Keurig K-Crema Single Serve Coffee Maker is the one that gets closest to espresso. Its PressureInfusion Technology is described as using 5x more pressure to produce crema-topped coffee and espresso-style shots, in single and double sizes, from any K-Cup coffee pod. A classic brew mode handles coffee, tea and hot cocoa.
It has a 72 oz removable reservoir, four cup sizes (6, 8, 10 and 12 oz), MultiStream technology and a removable drip tray with three heights. It measures 13.1 by 8.54 by 13.3 inches. Two limits matter: the listing says it is not compatible with a reusable coffee filter, and it does not include a milk frother, so lattes need a separate frother.
It suits people who drink shots or crema-topped black coffee and want the richest texture a Keurig offers. For true pump espresso from ground beans, a dedicated espresso and coffee machine is a different category altogether.
Keurig K-Café Barista Bar (Renewed)
Best for: Buyers comfortable with a renewed machine
Pros
- 2 oz coffee shot button
- Brew over ice
- Reusable filter compatible
Cons
- Sold as Renewed
- No frother listed
The Keurig K-Café Barista Bar Single Serve Coffee Maker is sold as a renewed unit; the brand line on the listing reads Amazon Renewed rather than Keurig. It brews a concentrated 2 oz coffee shot from any K-Cup pod for lattes and cappuccinos, plus 8, 10 and 12 oz cups. Brew over ice starts hotter and cools for less ice melt.
It has a 42 oz removable reservoir, auto off after 5 minutes and compatibility with a reusable filter. The listing mentions lattes and cappuccinos but does not list a frother among its features, so confirm what is included before counting on milk frothing. The dimensions listed, 12.8 by 12.6 by 5.1 inches, seem too short for a brewer and may describe packaging.
It suits a shopper comfortable with a renewed machine who wants a shot button. If you want a confirmed frother in the box, choose the K-Cafe.
Keurig K-Elite
The Keurig K-Elite Single Serve K-Cup Pod Coffee Maker is a premium standard brewer with a brushed finish. It brews 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 oz sizes, has strong brew and iced settings, and a hot water on demand button for soups or oatmeal. The 75 oz reservoir is the largest here, and a maintenance reminder prompts descaling.
The box includes a water filter handle and filter. It has no shot button and no frother. The 4 oz size gives the most concentrated option, which some people use as a base for milk drinks with a separate frother, but that is a workaround rather than a listed feature.
It suits a busy household that mostly drinks strong coffee and tea and wants a big reservoir. For regular lattes, the K-Café models are better equipped.
Matching a Model to Your Setup
- You want the app to guide you through latte recipes: the K-Café SMART.
- You want a simple shot button and frother with no WiFi: the K-Cafe.
- You drink espresso-style shots or crema-topped coffee without milk: the K-Crema.
- You are fine with a renewed brewer and mostly need a shot button: the K-Café Barista Bar.
- You want a large reservoir and hot water for tea or oatmeal: the K-Elite.
- You need a compact brewer for strong black coffee at a desk: the K-Express.
Before You Buy
None of these machines is listed as a true pump espresso maker with a portafilter. The K-Crema’s PressureInfusion is the closest, and the K-Cafe models rely on a concentrated coffee shot. The K-Café SMART listing does not state its reservoir size, the Barista Bar listing does not list a frother, and the K-Crema cannot use a reusable filter.
Pod choice matters as much as the machine. Dark roast pods generally produce a bolder shot for milk drinks. If you want espresso from capsules designed for pressure brewing, our capsule latte machine guide covers a different system.
FAQ
Can a Keurig make real espresso?
Not in the traditional sense. The K-Crema makes espresso-style shots using PressureInfusion, and the K-Cafe models brew a concentrated coffee shot.
Which Keurig is best for lattes?
The K-Cafe and K-Café SMART, which both include a milk frother with a cold setting.
Does the K-Crema have a frother?
No frother is listed. You would need a separate frother for lattes.
Can I use my own ground coffee?
The K-Express and Barista Bar work with a reusable filter. The K-Crema listing says it is not compatible with one.
Is the Barista Bar new?
No. The listing is for a renewed unit.
Which Keurig should I buy for iced lattes?
The K-Cafe or K-Café SMART, since both have a cold froth setting. The SMART adds brew over ice.