Keurig K-Café Barista Bar Single Serve Coffee Maker and Frother

Keurig® K-Café® Barista Bar Single Serve Coffee Maker and Frother
4.3
Based on 105 customer reviews
13
3
2
11
76

Customer Reviews Summary

The Keurig K-Café Barista Bar Single Serve Coffee Maker and Frother is celebrated by users for its versatility and convenience. Customers across multiple platforms highlight its ability to brew both hot and iced coffee, along with its included milk frother that creates a rich foam for specialty drinks. Users appreciate the compact design, which saves counter space while still offering robust functionality. This machine has been particularly praised for its ease of use, quick brewing, and the ability to customize drinks according to personal preferences. Many customers mention that it is an ideal choice for individuals or families with varied coffee tastes, as it caters to a range of beverages from strong espresso-style shots to creamy lattes. Additionally, users find the brewing options intuitive, enabling them to experiment with their favorite coffee styles and recipes without the steep learning curve of more complex machines.

However, the product is not without its challenges. A few users reported issues with the frother, such as it malfunctioning after extended use or being less effective with non-dairy milk options. Others noted that the iced coffee feature does not brew at a cold enough temperature, resulting in some ice melt. Some customers also reported occasional inconsistencies with the brewing process, such as needing to restart the machine to achieve the desired cup size. Despite these minor concerns, the majority of reviews reflect a high level of satisfaction, with many users expressing that the machine offers great value for its price and has significantly reduced their need for coffee shop visits. One user even remarked that the machine has become an indispensable part of their daily routine.

PROS

  • Versatile functionality: The machine offers a wide range of brewing options, including hot coffee, iced coffee, and espresso-style shots. One user commented, “The shot option is perfect for making strong lattes and cappuccinos.” This versatility appeals to coffee enthusiasts with diverse preferences. Users also appreciate that the machine can accommodate various pod sizes, ensuring a personalized coffee experience every time.
  • Compact design: Its slim and sleek design makes it ideal for small kitchens or office spaces. A customer noted, “It doesn’t take up much counter space but delivers big on features.” The compact size does not compromise its functionality, making it a favorite for those with limited space. Its modern aesthetics also make it an attractive addition to any countertop.
  • Easy to use and clean: Users frequently commend the machine for its straightforward operation and low maintenance. One review stated, “Even with all its features, it’s so easy to figure out, and cleaning is a breeze.” The removable parts add to the ease of cleaning. Customers also highlight the clarity of the instruction manual, which makes setup and troubleshooting simple.
  • Milk frother performance: The included frother is praised for its ability to produce hot or cold foam. Several users highlighted its capability with both dairy and non-dairy milks, stating, “It’s quick and creates perfect foam for my lattes.” The frother’s separate power source also allows for flexibility in storage and usage.
  • Cost efficiency: Many reviewers mention that the machine has helped them save money by reducing their visits to coffee shops. A satisfied customer said, “It paid for itself in less than a month of use.” Users also note the long-term savings on specialty drinks, which are easy to recreate at home.

CONS

  • Frother reliability: Some users experienced issues with the frother malfunctioning after extended use. One customer shared, “The frother stopped working after two weeks, so I had to purchase a separate handheld frother.” Another user noted that contacting customer support for a replacement was time-consuming.
  • Iced coffee feature: The iced coffee function does not brew at a sufficiently low temperature to prevent ice melt, leading to diluted drinks. As one user put it, “The iced coffee option is nice but doesn’t make the coffee cold enough.” Users suggest pre-chilling the brewed coffee for better results.
  • Non-dairy frothing: While the frother works well with regular milk, some users found it less effective with non-dairy alternatives. A review mentioned, “The frother struggles with almond and oat milk, making only loose foam.” This limitation may deter those who prefer plant-based diets.
  • Durability concerns: A few reviewers pointed out issues with the machine’s plastic components, describing them as less sturdy. One user noted, “The plastic parts feel cheaper compared to older models.” Some customers also reported minor leaks from the water reservoir.
  • Water reservoir size: Some users felt that the water tank capacity was insufficient for frequent use. A customer remarked, “I wish the water reservoir was a bit larger for my daily coffee needs.” This can be a drawback for heavy coffee drinkers or families.

Who Should Buy?

The Keurig K-Café Barista Bar is an excellent choice for individuals or families looking for a versatile, all-in-one coffee maker that can brew a variety of beverages. It is ideal for those with limited counter space, as its compact design does not compromise functionality. Coffee enthusiasts who enjoy experimenting with lattes, cappuccinos, and other specialty drinks will appreciate the milk frother and shot options. Additionally, this machine is perfect for people seeking convenience and cost savings, as it eliminates the need for frequent coffee shop visits. The product also caters to those who value speed and simplicity in their morning routines, ensuring a delicious cup of coffee with minimal effort.

Do Users Recommend This Product?

Yes, the majority of users highly recommend the Keurig K-Café Barista Bar for its performance, versatility, and value. Customers love the convenience it brings to their daily coffee routines and its ability to produce coffee shop-quality drinks at home. While there are minor drawbacks, such as frother issues and iced coffee limitations, these do not overshadow the overall positive experience reported by users. For those seeking an affordable, multi-functional coffee maker, this product is a solid investment. Many reviewers emphasize the joy of creating their favorite beverages at home, transforming everyday coffee-making into a satisfying ritual.

Check it out on Amazon

See the latest pricing for Keurig K-Café Barista Bar Single Serve Coffee Maker and Frother, with 3 Brew Sizes, Hot and Cold Coffee Capabilities, 2oz Coffee Shot Button, Black on Amazon

Check it out on Best Buy

See the latest pricing for Keurig – K-Café Barista Bar Single Serve Coffee Maker and Frother – Black on Best Buy

Overview

Product Page: Keurig® K-Café® Barista Bar Single Serve Coffee Maker and Frother | Keurig
Click on the link above to go to the official product page and get more detailed information about the product.

Customer Reviews

Updated on December 30, 2024

Showing 110 reviews of 206 reviews.

Sort by
Filter by
J DaltonDecember 6, 2023

No water filter holder

This is NOT my first Keurig. This is the first time my Keurig showed up without the water filter holder. The instructions that came with the machine says it is sold separately! WHY? I am not talking about the filter, I am talking about the piece of the machine you snap the filter into. Also, I went back and looked. No where on the page to buy the machine does it say you need to buy the water filter starter pack separately. Even the often bought together section doesn’t suggest it. This is probably something that should be mentioned in big bold letters! It would have been so easy for me to add the starter kit to my order. Instead I am standing here needing a cup of coffee and I have to wait yet another day for one of the most important parts of the machine to show up. I have purchased over a dozen Keurig machines over the years this is the first time the filter holder was NOT included. Still trying to decide if I am pissed enough to just send it all back…

jerakeDecember 27, 2023

Surprisingly good coffee!

I owned the original Keurig years ago, but the k-cups were too dang expensive so I went back to pour-over (better flavor, not bitter). I bought a K-mini back around 2018 for when my sister would visit, but never used it much. While traveling and in a hotel that did NOT have a coffee maker in the room (why?) I bought an Instant Pot version which was very good, solid machine – the coffee flavor was decent but not the best, and I still like that little machine.

All of that said, I have some models to compare this one with – I bought this one because I do like a good flat white, and I’m down with making espresso on the stove, but given my hectic job I typically have to make coffee in between or during conference calls, so something faster is ideal. I was very attracted to the “shot” and “iced” option on this model in particular, and since it was a great price at the time, I decided to go for it and try this model out. I wouldn’t have bought this if it wasn’t on sale.

I was not disappointed – it makes a great cup of coffee when using store-bought k-cups. I prefer just one brand, and while it’s not as good as the pour over, it’s very full flavored (I’m a coffee fanatic, can’t live without the stuff easily) and VERY good for when I’m in a hurry. It makes a stronger cup of coffee overall, which I like. Also, it’s very narrow and doesn’t take up counter space, which I definitely appreciate.

I tried out the “shot” option – it does what it says it does, and I had an excellent (and much cheaper) flat white, so as far as I’m concerned – given the flavor and the shot option alone – this unit is a keeper. I already had a milk frother that I prefer, so I can’t attest to the one sent with the kit – it will be a good backup for the one I have. Anyway I definitely recommend purchasing this unit if you’re on the fence.

Dave HubbardSeptember 22, 2023

Almost perfect. Almost.

So overall I’m very happy with this Keurig. My previous Keurig had lasted me for 10 years! And I only replaced it because I’d gotten this one and don’t need two of them. This one is a bit more compact while still holding a decent amount of water (a little less than my previous but still enough for a number of cups)
It is quick at heating and dispensing of course, as all that I’ve used have been and works with my oldest plastic reusable filter as well as a couple of metal ones I’ve just gotten. No issues as well.
The fact that it comes with a milk frother is wonderful as well. This works very well and gently heats the milk as it froths (if you choose hot frothing) and also offers normal, unheated frothing. This doesn’t take long at all and turns out very well with our whole milk at least. It recommends whole or then skim otherwise for best frothing.
Frother makes just enough for a decent “espresso”. (I put that in quotes because although the coffee maker can heat extra and force out just a shot of coffee at a stronger strength in shot mode to mix with the frothed milk to make an espresso basically, it doesn’t have the pressure that an actual espresso machine does for a true espresso. Still passable and I love it)
Now, back to the Keurig itself and the issues that I DO find with it. Firstly, it doesn’t have a power button. My previous did, so when finished I could just turn it off. This one needs to be unplugged to turn off. Not horrible for me and I’m sure it’s more safe, but for those that might have their plug behind other appliances or more difficult to reach this may be an issue. Also the power cord for the frother is shorter (and heavier gauge with actual ground prong) than the keurig so keep in mind when figuring where to place them.
Second issue is that it seems no matter if I leave my cup in place for a short while or remove it immediately, shortly after I remove my cup the machine drains out just a bit more coffee, so I end up with just a little on the drain pad. Annoying.
Last issue I have, is that the stream comes out a bit close to the machine itself. I have one coffee mug that has a slight bulge around and that keeps it ALMOST out of range of the stream, and I have to have it turned one specific way to fill properly without worry of missing. So if you have any rounded cups like this that have either a wide lip, or that smaller opening then keep this in mind as well.
Other than those issues, I love this machine. Again, takes much less space than my older one and works great.
Oh, and also the measurements seem accurate enough as well. My older one didnt’ always put out the measured amount of coffee as it indicated. (may have been 10 year old stubborness) 😉

AlexOctober 2, 2023

Fast, Easy To Clean, Good Looking

My last single serve machine was giving me some problems so I thought it was time to get something new, and wow was I impressed with this unit. My last machine was basically a generic one with no features, so this was definitely a step up in every way. So out of the box you get the unit itself, a separate milk frother, and a quick start guide to help you out with all the features.

I like the rounded looks and narrow footprint this machine provides, it fit perfectly on my coffee bar with everything else. The first thing I noticed that there is no power switch, the handle to the pod compartment turns the machine on when you’re ready to use it, lifting it up will get the selector buttons blinking.

You can choose three different sizes 8, 10, and 12 ounces, there is also a button if you are making an iced coffee. There are two indicator lights at the bottom, one is if the unit is low on water, and the other is a descale light to let you know that the machine needs cleaning.

Making coffee is super easy, just lift up the handle, pop in a pod, close it and select the size you want. My last unit was really slow, it would take 4 minutes to brew a 14 ounce coffee, this one takes 90 seconds to brew a twelve ounce cup, so much faster. Every pod I put in this machine worked and fit perfectly whether it was a plastic one or one of the newer environmentally friendly ones.

I was not overly impressed with the shots that this unit produced, but I won’t be using it for that since I have an espresso machine so it’s not a big deal. Overall I’m really impressed with the speed, ease of use, and quality of the coffee produced by this machine and would definitely recommend it if you are looking for a good single serve.

Gallery ImageGallery ImageGallery ImageGallery ImageGallery ImageGallery ImageGallery Image
JJHOctober 23, 2023

Versatile Keurig coffee maker

This Keurig K-Cafe Barista Bar single serve coffee maker and frother is ideal for those who primarily brew coffee using k-cups. It’s quite versatile, with a hot and cold brew feature, single 2oz. shot brewing, and selectable brew sizes of 8oz., 10oz., and 12oz. It can also accommodate coffee mugs of various sizes, up to 7” tall.

The water reservoir has a fairly large 42oz. capacity. There are indicator lights for when the water reservoir needs to be refilled, and for when it’s time to descale the unit. Oddly, there’s no power button to turn the unit on or off, but the auto off feature turns the unit off in around 5 minutes. It’s fairly tall, with a narrow footprint, so it doesn’t take up too much countertop space. It’s around 12.6” in height, 17.1” when the top is open. The black color looks very nice, the coffee maker has a streamlined and modern appearance.

A separate milk frother is also included. It’s capable of frothing both hot and cold milk, which is nice. The frother must be hand cleaned after use, it’s not dishwasher safe, cleaning isn’t too bad, the whisk is the most challenging part to clean. I don’t use the frother daily, but it’s really nice to have when I want to brew something special.

The overall quality is very good, on par with what one would expect from Keurig. The top handle feels smooth and sturdy. There’s very little after leaking, unlike my old coffee maker, which leaked quite a bit. The only thing that could be improved, is the way that the water reservoir attaches to the body. It seats reasonably well at the bottom, but the top of the reservoir doesn’t attach to the top of the body as securely as I would like. It’s easy to take off for refilling, but it doesn’t securely attach to the top of the body, leaving a small gap, but it’s a relatively minor issue.

This coffee maker does pretty much everything that I need it to do, and a bit more. It doesn’t grind fresh beans, so if you prefer to grind and brew fresh beans, this probably isn’t the best option. There is an optional accessory available for brewing ground coffee, but it’s sold separately, the Keurig k-cup universal coffee filter. But if you primarily brew with k-cups, as I do, this is an excellent option, certainly worth considering.

I’m very pleased with this Keurig coffee maker. I really like that it’s cold brew friendly, and that it has the single shot feature, I use the shot feature more often than I expected to. At just under $140, it may seem to be a tad bit overpriced, particularly to those who don’t usually brew with k-cups. I consider this versatile Keurig coffee maker to be a reasonably good value. I highly recommend it to those who primarily brew with k-cups.

Gallery ImageGallery ImageGallery ImageGallery ImageGallery ImageGallery ImageGallery ImageGallery ImageGallery ImageGallery ImageGallery ImageGallery Image
Susie WilliamsOctober 8, 2023

Awesome Keurig!

I’ve been using Keurig practically since they started becoming popular (we’re talking 15+ years) and I’ve had quite a few over the years. They generally last a good amount of time and are super reliable when it comes to making a good cup of coffee. I definitely think this is my favorite version yet for several reasons.

I love how compact and sleek-looking it is. My previous Keurigs have been a bit bulky and take up a lot of space and don’t look great. This one is skinny and sleek and looks more professional than most machines I’ve seen. The milk frother isn’t attached, so you can store it away if you’re not using it every day. It does require a different outlet for use.

The options for the machine are basic, but are everything you need, including different cup sizes and the option to make an iced coffee, which is a fabulous upgrade from my previous machine. It also has the option to make a concentrated shot, which is also unique from other machines. The frother works really well, though I do find I need to run it a couple times to really froth up my oat milk. I love that I can make quick and easy lattes with this machine!

It doesn’t have an on/off button and instead turns on when you open the top to put a pod in and turns off 5 minutes after use. It seems to heat up really quickly and from the time I put a pod in until I have a brewed cup of coffee is very short.

My old reusable pods work well with the machine and I’ve used all kinds of pods and they all work great and brew a good cup of coffee with no spraying.

I’m really, really happy with this machine for both its appearance and its performance!

Gallery ImageGallery ImageGallery Image
Jeff DavisNovember 1, 2024

Do NOT purchase – Quit, won’t power on, NOTHING

Worst Keurig product I’ve ever used. The item is nearly 100% plastic. It’s very poorly made. Used mine for 6 months and it just quit. Would belch a little steam and that’s it. What a WASTE of money. This is NOT your father’s Keurig. It’d little more than a knock off.

With Love from Dracula's LandSeptember 23, 2023

Not an Espresso Machine, But Still a Great Way to Make Coffee

Easy to operate and clean
Intuitive settings
Good modern looking machine
Not an espresso machine – shot option will not make even close to an espresso coffee
The froter has a very short and rigid cord also base is not heavy and wide enough to prevent the frother to accidentally tilt and get scalded with the hot milk
Overall: Great and modern looking machine but definitely will not replace my espresso machine. Will be great as a backup.

Conclusion:

I recommend the Keurig K-Café Barista Bar Single Serve Coffee Maker and Frother for people who are looking for a convenient and easy-to-use way to make coffee at home. However, if you are looking for an espresso machine, this is not the right product for you.

P. RoblesAugust 1, 2024

This is more a review of the frother than the coffee maker

My husband is in charge of making the coffee. He hasn’t grumbled much so I’m assuming it works well. About the frother, don’t bother trying to use non-dairy. It doesn’t work. I’ve tried almond and oat, dairy half and half and lactose-free whole milk. The only really good, substantial froth came from the lactose-free on the hot setting. Cold froth is very loose. All things considered, I can live with that. Good purchase.

Mike EvansDecember 10, 2023

Daily Coffee Delight!

The Keurig Coffee Maker has become my daily coffee companion, and I’m thoroughly pleased with it. While it may not produce top-tier coffee or true espresso, it certainly satisfies my need for a good cup every day.

What stands out for me is the fantastic frother that comes with it. The frother’s performance is top-notch, creating creamy and delicious milk for my cappuccinos. It adds a delightful touch to my coffee routine.

If you’re seeking a reliable and convenient solution for your daily coffee fix, the Keurig Coffee Maker is a great choice. While it might not deliver the highest coffee snob standards, it more than meets the needs of those looking for a consistent and enjoyable coffee experience. Highly recommended!

Gallery Image
More keurig Products
Help Us Improve!