The Keurig K-Latte is a handy device to brew coffee, froth milk, and a delicious cup of home-made latte.
The K-Latte and other Keurig K series are similar because they all use K-Cups to make instant coffee, but the K-Latte is mainly focused on foam-based drinks. Nevertheless, it can also give you pure coffee, which makes it a bifunctional machine.
It has a built-in frother, a K-Cup holder, and several serving options. The travel mug friendly option is another feature worth mentioning. Read our Keurig K-Latte review to learn more about this wonderful package.
Pros
- Quick results.
- Quality foamer.
- Silent operation.
- Adjusts coffee-milk proportion.
- Flip-up frother base.
- K-Cup variety.
- Easy-to-clean stainless-steel frother.
- Detachable parts.
- Secure pod holder.
- Simple interface.
Cons
- The reservoir needs frequent refillings.
- You can’t brew your desired size of coffee and froth milk at the same time.
Things to Consider Before Buying a Single-Serve Latte Machine
For most of us, having delicious lattes and cappuccinos is a luxury limited to high-end coffee shops. No matter how many Youtube videos you watch or how many times you try, it’s nearly impossible to make those coffeeshop lattes at home.
Plus, even if you have some barista skills, it costs you a lot to buy the necessary tools. You need at least $500 to buy an espresso machine and around $100 for a milk frother.
The Keurig K-Latte resolves these issues. You can prepare an almost instant latte without investing in coffee shop equipment or standing in long lines for a morning takeaway.
If you’re looking for an easy, affordable way to make espresso-based drinks at home, this brewer is your winning bet. But if you want to perfect your barista skills, you’d better go for a semi-automatic machine such as the Delonghi EC680M or the NESCAFÉ Dolce Gusto.
Before investing in a latte maker, you should consider the following factors:
- Time of brewing and frothing.
- Froth quality.
- Other brewing features.
- Size and style of the machine.
- Maintenance and cleaning process.
- User interface.
- K-cup variability.
- Taste.
- Noise Level.
- Price.
- Reservoir capacity.
Why You Should Consider the Keurig K-Latte
Design
Keurig K-Latte has a main body for brewing your coffee and a side-base to hold your milk frother mug. Once you’re done with the milk frothing, you can simply put it out and flip up the frother side to have more countertop space.
When the froth base is open, the machine has about 15.6 inches in length, 16 inches in width, and 11.8 inches in height.
You can see an indicator light on the frother that notifies you when the whipping ends. There’s also an Add-Water lamp that doesn’t let you forget to fill the reservoir.
Given the plastic shell of the whole unit, the stainless-steel frother is a bonus. It features a maximum and minimum filling line that guides you on how much milk you need.
The drip tray is vertically adjustable so that you can fit as tall as a 7-inches travel mug below the brewing funnel. Another premium is the firm K-Cup handle. Unlike other Keurig machines, this one doesn’t move and feels a bit sturdier.
As the decorative factors go, the K-Latte may somehow disappoint you. Contrary to other Keurigs, it doesn’t give you many choices, and it comes in only one color – matte black. Still, it has a sleek, basic design that fits most interiors.
Brewing time
As a combination of coffee brewer and latte maker, this machine takes less than a minute to brew your shot and about three minutes to make dollops of foam in your frother.
It means you’ll have a 10-ounce cup of latte in less than four minutes – far quicker than using manual frothers or going to drive-through coffee shops.
Brewing Features
The Shot button on the K-Latte works similar to the Strong Brew Option in earlier models. It gives you the freedom to brew a more concentrated beverage.
Also, the machine doesn’t turn its back on iced coffee lovers. Although you might not see an individual button for this feature, you can brew coffee over ice.
Multiple Pod Types
When it comes to K-Cup compatibility, the K-Latte follows in the footsteps of other Keurig models. It accepts all types and brands of K-Cups, including the reusable pods.
So, you can either buy a K-Cup of your favorite flavor or make your own mix using a reusable one. This will expand your coffee horizons and give you the chance to test multiple flavors.
Reservoir
Like most coffee makers, the K-Latte has a removable water tank, making it easy to fill and clean. However, its capacity doesn’t live up to customer expectations. It has a 32-ounce canister, which holds only three cups of full coffee before refilling.
Another complaint is that the add-water light starts flashing before the tank’s empty, which means even more frequent refilling. You have to refill the tank when there’s still 10 ounces of water inside it.
Cleaning
Keurig brewers are designed for simple maintenance. For this model, it starts with the nonstick material of the frother. With a stainless steel interior, the hot milk or foamy substance won’t stick inside your milk frother. So, you can easily wipe them.
Cleaning the plastic shell is a five-finger exercise with a damp cloth. Its dishwasher-safe milk frother means you don’t need to wash the parts by hand. And the detachable parts – such as the drip tray and reservoir – make it more than easy to have a gleaming device.
To make the device last longer, descale your reservoir at least every three months. This time may vary due to your water quality and the number of cups you prepare every day. The harder your water supply, the sooner you may see white flakes or mineral deposits inside the container.
The good news is, your Keurig machine will take care of the descaling process. Your only job is to add some descaling solution, fill the tank with water, and press the largest serving size. The device will brew what’s in the canister and remove the limescale buildup.
Don’t forget to put a large mug or bowl below the brewer.
Silent Operation
Almost all Keurig machines come with a Quiet Brew Technology, but this one is a substantial upgrade. It doesn’t matter if you’re running the brewer or the frother; you barely notice it’s working.
All you hear is the mild, churning noise of milk being stirred and the plopping sound of coffee flowing into your mug – no uproar from the motor or device itself.
Serving Size
The K-Latte has three cup sizes: 6-, 8-, and 10-ounces. You’ll get equal caffeine strength with all three sizes; the only difference is in their portion.
These three options are available when you don’t want to use the frother.
Convenience
When we’re talking about user-friendliness, it’s not easy to beat a Keurig device, and the K-Latte is no different.
Its simple physical buttons mean you don’t have to deal with baffling menus and ambiguous touchscreens. All you need is pull up the k-cup handle, insert a pod, and start brewing at a button’s push. If you want to froth milk as well, don’t forget to run the frother first.
The only downside is that you can’t brew your desired amount of coffee while the milk frother is on. Once you pour some milk in the frother and switch it on, the K-latte automatically gives you a fitting portion of coffee – about 2 ounces. In other words, the 6, 8, and 10-ounce options are disabled.
Nevertheless, this feature can be helpful because you won’t have to guess what amount of coffee you need to make a lovely latte. It’s like an automatic recipe and guidance for beginners.
Taste
With an automatic brew size adjustment, the K-Latte will please your taste buds. It knows precisely how much coffee you need for a certain amount of milk. It’s like having a professional barista at home.
You can also add a layer of your favorite syrup to the milk, boosting its flavor.
Affordability
For a two-digit price tag, the K-Latte is the most durable brewer you can get. It gives you fast results, maximum convenience, and great coffee for several years.
Besides, this brewer produces the closest flavor to coffeehouse lattes. So, you’ll no longer have to go to a coffee shop every morning, which clearly cuts down your expenses.
Flexibility
The final item to consider is flexibility. The machine has a 39-inch cord that lets you put it anywhere on the countertop.
Besides, it can accommodate your biggest travel mugs. When the drip tray is still attached, you’ll have a max clearance of 5.8 inches between the tray and brewing funnel, but if you remove that part, it’ll add up to 7 inches long.
Things to Know about the Keurig K-Latte
Can a Keurig Make Lattes?
The Keurig K-Latte is a single-serve coffee maker and latte machine that lets you prepare a range of different lattes at the comfort of your home. Whether you like a cinnamon latte, almond latte, or toffee flavor, you can have it on your kitchen counter with a single press of a button. This latte maker works with K-cups and a single-serve frother.
Can You Make a Vanilla Latte With a Keurig?
You can make a vanilla latte with Keurig K-Latte. Here’s what you should do:
1. Insert a dark roast K-Cup in your machine, select the smallest cup size, and brew it into a large mug.
2. Pour almond, coconut, or cow milk into the frother until you reach the max line.
3. Once it’s done frothing, add some vanilla syrup into the fother and stir.
4. Gently pour the foamy mixture into your mug. Your vanilla latte is ready.
Is the Keurig K-Latte Worth It?
The Keurig K-Latte is definitely worth your investment. It gives you high-quality lattes without paying a premium price or too much waiting around.
It also boasts more advanced features such as hot water dispensing, strong brew mode, and iced-brew options. Besides, this device is quiet, user-friendly, and durable.
The Keurig K-Cafe Alternative
The Keurig K-Cafe has almost the same functionality as the K-Latte, with a few more features and, of course, a heftier price tag. It has a 60-ounce water tank that keeps water for a more extended period between each fill-up.
The reservoir comes with a handle, and the mug clearance goes up to 7.2 inches, which means more flexibility. It takes more space and offers more features such as smart start and auto-off.
The Final Words on Our Keurig K-Latte Review
Whether you buy it or make it yourself, having a delicious cup of latte usually takes too long. But this isn’t the case with the Keurig K-Latte. It’s a dual-function coffee maker that brews your favorite K-Cup in three different sizes. At the same time, it stirs your milk to make a foamy substance for your lattes.
