Keurig's K-Café SMART single serve coffee maker brews coffee and makes latte and cappuccino drinks from K-Cup pods, using a built-in hot and cold milk frother and the Keurig app. Its BrewID technology recognizes the pod you insert and recommends drinks for it, and the brewer offers six sizes from a 2 oz shot to a 12 oz cup, five strength settings and six temperature settings. Keurig lists it at $199.99.
What is the Keurig K-Café SMART single serve coffee maker?
It is the connected version of Keurig's K-Café line. Where a standard Keurig only brews a cup, this one adds a frother and a smartphone link. Keurig says it brews full-flavored coffee and hot and iced coffeehouse drinks using any K-Cup pod, and that the Keurig app lets you brew from anywhere, schedule a brew, save settings and use Voice Assist to brew remotely.
BrewID is the headline feature. The brewer recognizes your specific K-Cup pod and customizes the brew settings to it, and with the app it recommends a menu of Café Creations designed for that pod. Barista Mode shows step-by-step directions on your phone for lattes, cappuccinos and similar drinks. Both features require the Keurig app, which matters if you do not want to use one.
Keurig K-Café SMART specs
| Pod system | K-Cup pods |
|---|---|
| Brew sizes | 2 oz and 4 oz coffee shots, plus 6, 8, 10 and 12 oz cups |
| Strength | 5 settings, from Balanced to Intense |
| Temperature | 6 settings, from Warm to Max Hot |
| Milk frother | Hot and cold, three speeds and one cold setting |
| Water reservoir | 60 oz, removable, up to 7 cups before refilling |
| Favorites | Save up to 10 custom settings |
| Iced coffee | Brew over ice |
| Color | Black |
Keurig's page does not publish dimensions, a weight, a wattage or a warranty term for the K-Café SMART, so none are claimed here. It also does not state an auto off time or a warm-up time.
How the Keurig K-Café SMART frother, shots and settings work
The coffee shots are what turn a pod brewer into a milk drink machine. Keurig lets you brew a concentrated 2 oz or 4 oz shot, which is the base for a latte, cappuccino or macchiato, then froth milk or a dairy alternative with the built-in frother. The frother has three speeds and one cold setting, so it can froth cold as well as hot. These shots are made from K-Cup pods, so the strength is capped by what a pod holds, and nobody has tested them for this page.
Brewing for a regular mug uses the same machine. You can choose 6, 8, 10 or 12 oz, set the strength from Balanced to Intense and the temperature from Warm to Max Hot. MultiStream Technology saturates the grounds more evenly, by Keurig's account, against its K-Classic. Brew over ice is a listed mode for iced coffee, and Signature Brew applies settings created by Keurig's coffee experts.
The app side adds Smart Delivery, a coffee subscription that Keurig says learns what you like, and a pantry tracker that follows your pods as you brew. The 60 oz removable reservoir takes up to seven cups before a refill.
Keurig K-Café SMART vs Keurig K-Supreme
The Keurig K-Supreme lists at $154.99 and brews 6, 8, 10 or 12 oz cups from K-Cup pods with a 1.95 l tank and a 1 year warranty. It has no milk system. The K-Café SMART costs $45 more by list price, adds 2 oz and 4 oz shots, a hot and cold frother, strength and temperature settings and the app, and carries a 60 oz reservoir of about 1.77 l. The warranty and dimensions are the things the K-Café SMART page leaves out.
Keurig K-Café SMART vs Nespresso Lattissima One
The Nespresso Lattissima One lists at $129 and is a different capsule system, Nespresso Original, with an integrated 4.2 oz milk jug, an espresso and lungo size plus 3 milk recipes, and a 2 year warranty. It is cheaper than the Keurig's list price and its milk is automatic. The K-Café SMART works with the open K-Cup standard, offers six brew sizes and adds the app and BrewID. Pick the Nespresso for automatic milk drinks from capsules made for espresso, and the Keurig if you want one machine that makes regular mugs, shots and frothed milk from K-Cup pods.
Is the Keurig K-Café SMART worth it?
At $199.99 it is the most feature-heavy K-Cup brewer in this comparison, with the frother, shots and app. Keurig's page shows $99.99 as a low figure for a kit offer, so check which offer you are looking at. Gaps in the published data are real: no warranty, no size and no weight, so check those before you plan a counter spot or a purchase. A frothed milk drink from a pod shot is also not the same as espresso from a pump machine, which is a trade-off pod brewers accept.
Keurig publishes the reservoir, the sizes, the strength and temperature steps and the frother speeds in full, which is enough to compare it against other pod brewers on features. It publishes nothing on footprint or power, so check the size with Keurig or the retailer before you commit to a counter spot.
Who should buy the Keurig K-Café SMART (and who should not)
It suits someone who already buys K-Cup pods and wants lattes and iced coffee from the same machine, who will use the app, and who likes saved settings for a household with different tastes. Up to 10 favorites can be stored.
It is not for someone who does not want a phone app, since BrewID recommendations, Café Creations and Barista Mode all need it, or who wants a published warranty and size before buying. A buyer who wants automatic milk should compare capsule machines with an integrated jug.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does BrewID do on the Keurig K-Café SMART?
It recognizes your specific K-Cup pod and customizes the brew settings for it. With the Keurig app it also recommends drinks for that pod.
Does the K-Café SMART froth milk?
Yes. It has a hot and cold milk frother with three speeds and one cold setting, which works with milk or a dairy alternative.
What sizes does it brew?
Six sizes: 2 oz and 4 oz coffee shots, plus 6, 8, 10 and 12 oz cups.
Do I need the Keurig app?
For brewing remotely, scheduling, Café Creations and Barista Mode, yes. Keurig marks the Café Creations and Barista Mode features as requiring the app.
How big is the water reservoir?
It is a 60 oz removable reservoir, up to seven cups before refilling.
What is the warranty?
Keurig's product page for this model does not publish a warranty term.
