Well, if you are an espresso fan, then you know that a strong shot of espresso is the perfect way to start your day. But what if you don’t have time to go to your local coffee shop? Well, luckily there are plenty of espresso K cups on the market that can give you that same great taste without having to leave your house. But with so many different types and brands available, how do you choose the right k cup for you?
First of all, you’ll want to make sure that you choose a brand that uses high-quality beans. After all, the quality of the beans will directly affect the taste of your espresso. You’ll also want to consider things like how strong of a shot you want and how easy it is to use the espresso K cup.
From different types of best espresso K-Cups available on the market to our top 10 picks, we have tasted, examined, and compared a wide variety of them. So, If you are in search of the best k cup, look no further! In this post, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about finding the perfect K-Cup for your morning cup of joe.
The table below contains all of our editors’ top ten picks for 2022, with recommendations for all specialties.
San Francisco Bay Espresso Roast Onecup K-cups
- Compatible with Several Brewers
- No Bitter Aftertaste
- Family-Run Company
Illy Extra Dark-roast K-cups
- Compatible with all Keurig Brewers
- Roasted to Perfection
- Worlds Most Ethical Coffee
Café Bustelo Espresso Style K-cups
- Made from only Finest Beans
- Kosher Certified
- Robust Dark Roast Flavor
Lavazza Espresso Italiano K-cups
- Made from 100% Arabica Beans
- Caramel Notes
- Dark Italian Roast Coffee
Caribou Coffee Keurig Espresso K-cups
- Sweet with a hint of Spice
- Compatible with all Keurig Brewers
- Kosher Certified
Starbucks Verismo Espresso K-cups
- High-quality Espresso
- Non-Verismo Machines are not Compatible.
- Made with 100% Arabica Beans
Glorybrew the Knight Dark Roast
- Compatible with all Keurig Brewers
- Rainforest Alliance Certified
- Full-bodied Dark Roast flavor
Brooklyn Bean Express O-coffee Pods
- Recyclable Pods
- Kosher, Non GMO and Gluten Free
- Rich, full-bodied, and Robust Flavor.
Green Mountain Black Granite Coffee K-cups
- Orthodox Union Kosher
- 100% Arabica Caffeinated Coffee
- Rich with Sweet & Smoky Notes
Dunkin Midnight Dark Roast Coffee K-cups
- Unique Dark Roast Coffee
- Rich Taste with Smoothness
- Same Taste as in Dunkin' Shop
The Top 10 Best Espresso K-Cups
Are you still doubtful yet? If so, read on to see further detail about why these are our top rated espresso K cups that create espresso.
San Francisco Bay Espresso Roast Onecup K-cups
- Compatible with Several Brewers
- No Bitter Aftertaste
- Family Owned Company
- Naturally Caffeinated
- Pack of 12 Count single K-Cup
San Francisco Bay Espresso Roast k-cups are one of the most trusted brands when it comes to k-cups. In our test, this was one of the best overall espresso roast k-cup we could find. The coffee is rich, complex, and full-bodied, making it the perfect coffee for any time of day. The k-cup is compatible with most Keurig machines and also with Cuisinart brewers. They are eco-friendly. The One k Cup pods, which include an outer bag and a one-way coffee valve, are made of plant-based materials. Additionally, the BPI has certified that they are fully compostable.
You can trust the quality of SF BAY Coffee because it is a family-owned company that has been roasting beans since 1997 and aspires to serve coffee that is not only delicious but also made ethically. Uses only 100% arabica coffee and certified Kosher coffee bean.
Pros
- Compatible with Keurig, Cuisinart, and several other brewers
- Fully Compostable espresso Pods
- Eco-friendly
Cons
- A bit expensive
- The filtered bottom feels weak and flimsy
- Decaf taste is too bold
Illy Extra Dark-roast K-cups
- Compatible with all Keurig Brewers
- Roasted to perfection
- Worlds Most Ethical Coffee
- All-Natural, No Preservatives
- Pack of 32 Count single K-Cup
Illy’s Extra Dark-Roast k-cups are made with 100% Arabica Coffee and all-natural ingredients. These k cup pods produce a rich, full-flavoured espresso that is sure to please even the most discerning coffee drinker. The illy Intenso blend is made with only the best Arabica beans from around the world. With no preservatives and a commitment to ethically sourced coffee. The dark roast is intense, robust, and full flavoured with notes of deep cocoa and brews a balanced coffee with a very inviting aroma.
So, These K-cups are a great choice for those who want the best-tasting espresso without having to leave home. They are also Compatible with Keurig 1.0 and 2.0 brewers. So, these Keurig k-cups are an excellent option for anyone looking for a delicious and convenient way to enjoy their favourite coffee.
Pros
- Compatible with all Keurig K-cup brewer
- Made by an Italian company
- Rich and flavorful with crema.
Cons
- A little costly
Café Bustelo Espresso Style K-cups
- Made from only Finest Beans
- Full-bodied Flavor and Captivating Aroma
- Kosher Certified
- Pack of 12 Count single K-Cup
- Captivating Aroma
Cafe Bustelo is a rich Espresso drink made from only the finest 100% pure coffee bean, roasted to deliver an unforgettable cup of coffee. With a bolder taste, this is the perfect choice for those who like dark coffee. They manage to maintain a perfect balance of strength and non-bitter. You’ll be able to taste and smell the rich flavors of the coffee but there are no additives.
They are also budget-friendly, delicious and come in five flavors. Plus, you have four size options to choose from. With a bold flavour and captivating aroma, If you want your coffee to taste more like a cafecito, add in some milk and brown sugar. You can use these k cup pods with Keurig coffee maker to make delicious coffee beverages such as Cortaditos or Café con Leche, and you can recycle the empty pods!
Pros
- Compatible with all Keurig K- cup brewers
- Brews coffee within 1 minute
- Robust dark roast flavor
- Without any additive
- Recyclable pods
Cons
- Lacking in bold taste
- Might be somewhat pricey
Lavazza Perfetto Espresso K-cups
- Made from pure Arabica Beans
- Caffeinated
- 64 Count single K-Cup / Pod
- Caramel Notes
- Dark Italian Roast Coffee
Lavazza has been crafting quality coffee for over 120 years, and its italiano blend is no exception. They are renowned for their excellent Italian coffee. Now you can enjoy that same great taste at home with ease thanks to its K-cups. These single-serve pods are packed with the rich, full-bodied flavor of the Lavazza Perfetto coffee blend. Notes of caramel and chocolate make this dark roast coffee irresistible. And at 100% Arabica, you can rest assured you’re getting a premium coffee experience.
For all the coffee lovers out there, you’ll definitely be satisfied with Lavazza’s espresso. Even those who prefer black coffee will find something to appreciate in this rich drink.
Pros
- Rich and velvety texture
- Free of additives
- Best espresso pods for Keurig Rivo system
- Fine grind ensures maximum extraction
Cons
- Slightly acidic in taste
- Can be rather expensive
- A small selection of coffee makers
Caribou Coffee Keurig Espresso K-cups
- Compatible with all Keurig Brewers
- 40 Count single K-Cup / Pod
- Kosher Certified
- Affordable price
- Recyclable K-Cup Pods
Welcome to the exciting world of Caribou Coffee. Their unique and delicious espresso K cup pods are perfect for anyone who has an espresso addiction. With a variety of exotic and diverse flavours, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Caribou Caramel espresso K Cup is a rich-tasting and high-quality blend. Discover your favourites from a wide variety of roasts and flavours.
This espresso roast has a sweet, fruit tinge to it from the Latin American and Ethiopian beans used in the blend. The exceptional pods are compatible with Keurig k cup brewers. These cups are certified by Orthodox Union Kosher and Rain Forest Alliance. So what are you waiting for?
Pros
- Affordable price
- Robust dark roast flavor
- Recyclable pods
- Keurig licensed
- Blended extremely well
Cons
- High in sweetness
- Mild Taste
Starbucks Verismo Espresso K-cups
- 100% arabica sourced and selected from around the world.
- Not compatible with non-Verismo brewers
- Flavor of dark roast is burnt
- Can be brewed quickly
- Pack of 72 total Verismo pods
The Starbucks Verismo Espresso Roast is a delicious single-serve espresso pod that offers a high-quality option which is perfect for any coffee lover. These espresso roast used the best Arabica beans for our coffee, ensuring that each cup is roasted, ground, and packaged fresh. These starbucks espresso K cups provide a rich and intense flavour profile that is sure to please.
The dark roast espresso is caramelly sweet and pairs perfectly with steamed milk. The majority of the flavors taste excellent, but the plain dark roast flavor has a burnt taste, similar to burnt dark chocolate. This product comes in six boxes which include 12 Starbuck Espresso dark roast Verismo Pods. So, this is the perfect way to stock up on your favorite Starbucks coffee. They are compatible with the Verismo System by Starbucks but not with any other machines.
Pros
- Compatible with the Verismo System
- Excellent and authentic espresso
- Blends well with steamed milk
- Made from 100% arabica coffee bean.
Cons
- Dark roast tastes burned.
- Non-Verismo machines are incompatible
- 10% of pods are inoperative.
Glorybrew the Knight Dark Roast
- Compatible with Keurig 1.0 & 2.0 brewers
- 12 Count single K-Cup / Pod
- 100% Compostable K-Cups
- Rainforest Alliance certified
- Full-bodied dark roast flavor
We have also tasted Glorybrew Dark espresso Roast. These K-Cup pods produce rich, full-bodied shots of espresso with plenty of smooth flavor. The blend is made up of 100% premium Arabica bean sourced from South and Central America, resulting in a smooth finish with subtle spice. This region is famous for its delicious coffees, and an expert blend really puts it on top.
Not only their beans are satisfaction guaranteed, but they are also certified sustainable by the Rainforest Alliance. These beans are offered in compostable Keurig espresso pods that are BPI Certified. So, you can feel good about the true quality and your environmental impact. They are compatible with most single-serve coffee brewers, including Keurig brewers. So, there’s no need to sacrifice taste or ethics with Glorybrew The Knight dark roast coffee.
Pros
- Affordable Price
- Compatible with Keurig 1.0 and 2.0 brewers
- Dark, rich, and delicious.
Cons
- Only three flavors
- Composted only in a commercial facility
- Have very less crema
Brooklyn Bean Express O-coffee Pods
- Extra bold dark roast espresso coffee
- 40 Count single K-Cup / Pod
- Beans expertly roasted
- Kosher, Non-GMO, & Gluten-free.
- Recyclable pods
Another excellent coffee option is Brooklyn Beans. You can expect a delicious, rich and bold espresso that is smoky but not too bitter. Their espresso is made with high-quality beans that are roasted in small batches, ensuring a great-tasting cup of coffee with both aroma and rich flavor every time. Their coffee beans are guaranteed to be freshly roasted using 100% arabica bean of the highest quality.
The coffee from Brooklyn Beans is not only strong and flavorful but it’s a “Hold-on-to-the-overhead-subway-strap-for-dear-life-type” of strong too. Plus, the Brooklyn Beans espresso O-Coffee Pods have a fresh and inviting taste that makes it easy to enjoy. These pods are compatible with Keurig 2.0 brewers and K-cup machines. So go ahead and express your love for the best espresso with Brooklyn Beans!
Pros
- Cost-effective
- Pods are recyclable
- Rich, full-bodied, robust, and authentic espresso
- Use high-quality coffee beans
Cons
- Beverage with a lot of caffeine
Green Mountain Black Granite Coffee K-cups
- Dark Roast & Caffeinated coffee
- Orthodox Union Kosher Certified
- Contains 96 k-cups
- Compatible with new Keurig 2.0 Brewer
- Rich and Full-Bodied
Green Mountain Coffee is known for its high-quality blends and variety of flavours. With years in the industry, GMC’s espresso cups are no exception! These tasty treats come made with only top-grade beans roasted by experts who know what they’re doing. So, enjoy your morning cup today without worry because you get all these great reasons why green mountain coffee roasters should be on every shelf.
Green mountain coffee roasters have been making K Cups for a very long time but they are still able to maintain high standards and quality control at every step of the process.
Green Mountain Black Granite coffee pods are made with 100% Arabica coffee beans. This dark roast coffee is full-bodied and rich, with sweet smoky notes. Best of all, it is certified Orthodox Union Kosher and sourced from responsible farmers. So start your day off right with a cup of Black Granite coffee!
Pros
- Compatible with Keurig 1.0 and new 2.0 brewers
- Deliciously smooth and rich in texture
- Certified Orthodox Union Kosher
Cons
- Sometimes taste bitter
- Somewhat caffeinated
Dunkin Midnight Dark Roast Coffee K-cups
- Roast that is ready to meet your expectations
- 10 Count single K-Cup / Pod
- Use them with any Keurig coffee maker.
- Intensely dark roast experience
There are plenty of reasons to love Dunkin Donuts coffee. Not only do they make great donuts, but their coffee is also delicious. And if you want to make it at home, their K-Cups are a fantastic option. This unique blend is specially blended and roasted to deliver a bold, rich taste with signature smoothness. These K-Cup pods are compatible with all Keurig brewers. Just pop one of these K-Cups into your Keurig brewer and enjoy an authentic Dunkin’ experience in no time.
These authentic K-Cup pods are filled with 100% Arabica coffee beans, ensuring a flavorful cup of coffee each and every time. You can also add your favorite creamer, sweetener, or other flavorings to create your perfect cup of joe. Dunkin’ Donuts coffee pods may not be the most high-end brand, but they sure do deliver on taste and value.
Pros
- Rich and full-bodied Dark roast
- Delicious flavor with an aroma
- 100% Premium Arabica Coffee.
- Gluten-free
Cons
- Composted only in a commercial facility
- Not same as the company's packaged coffee
Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Espresso K-cups
According to a recent survey, nearly 60% of American coffee drinkers use a single-serve coffee maker at home. If you’re a coffee addict, you know that not all espresso is created equal. The same goes for espresso K-cups. With minimal effort, using espresso K-cups is a great way to get a rich, full-flavored cup of coffee. But with so many different brands and varieties on the market, how do you choose the best k-cup espresso for your needs? Here are six important criteria to keep in mind:
Bean Type
If you want to make delicious espresso, be sure to use finely ground coffee bean. For a smooth, well-rounded espresso cup, Arabica beans are the way to go. However, if you prefer a bolder, more intense flavor, Robusta beans may be a better option. Be sure to use coffee beans that are medium-dark or dark-roasted.
Flavor
We prioritize flavor when choosing which espresso K cups to buy. Some have added flavoring, while others are more natural. Consider what kind of taste you prefer before making your selection. The flavors could range from bitter to sweet.
Whatever taste you like, you should first decide what tastes best to you. Additionally, be mindful of your caffeine intake and drink accordingly.
Roast Level
The roast level affects both the flavor and the caffeine content of the coffee, so be sure to choose accordingly. Espresso is typically made from the finely ground coffee bean. Our top picks espresso K-Cups brands use the medium to dark roasted beans to provide a great cup of espresso with great body, consistency, and flavor.
Quality
Best espresso K-cups are made with high-quality coffee beans and roasted to perfection. This results in a rich, full-flavored cup of espresso that is sure to please even the most discerning coffee lover. Additionally, make sure to search for their fair trade and certified organic. This ensures that the coffee beans used are ethically and sustainably sourced.
Price
Espresso K-cups vary widely in price, depending on the brand, the bean type, and the roast level. They can be as low as $0.50 per cup, while others may cost upwards of $2.00 per cup. Be sure to compare prices before making your purchase to ensure you are getting the best value for your money. Fortunately, several of the K-cups on the above list are Affordable to purchase for your home.
Compatibility
When choosing the best espresso k-cup, be sure to check compatibility with your brewing machine. While most of them are compatible with Keurig k cups brewer, some are not. Additionally, some are only compatible with specific Keurig models. Also, there are some other k-cups that are only for a particular brewing system. For example, the Starbucks Verismo Espresso K Cup Roast can only be brewed with a Starbucks Verismo System.
Frequently Asked Question
Can You Make Espresso with a Keurig?
You can’t make real espresso with a Keurig But can get an approximate taste while using a Keurig. Espresso machines use a combination of hot water and high pressure to force water through freshly ground coffee beans, while Keurig brewers use hot water to brew pre-packaged coffee pods. This method can create a strong cup of coffee, but it doesn’t produce the same concentrated flavor as espresso.
Does Starbucks make an espresso K-cup?
Yes, Starbucks makes an espresso K-cup. The Starbucks Verismo Espresso Roast comes in 6 boxes of 12 Starbucks dark roast flavors. The coffee is dark roasted and then packaged into the K-cups. They provide a robust and distinct flavor that is sure to appeal to espresso lovers. It has a burnt taste. Some people say the taste is like chocolate that is burnt.
Final Verdict
There are a lot of best espresso K-cups, and it can be tough to choose the right one for you. Fortunately, we have done the hard work and put together a list of the top k-cup espressos for you.
Our top pick is San Francisco Bay Espresso Roast OneCup, made with a high-quality coffee bean that is roasted to perfection. If you’re looking for dark roast espresso K-cups, we recommend the IIlly Extra Dark-Roast. They are made with 100% Arabica coffee beans. And our third suggested one is Café Bustelo Espresso Style Dark Roast, made from only the finest pure coffee bean!
No matter what your preferences are, we are confident that you’ll find the perfect espresso K-cup on this list. So, what are you waiting for? Go ahead and stock up on your favorite K-cups today!
Nicholas’ coffee journey started at a very young age, as it has always been a part of his family. His parents operated five coffee shops throughout upstate New York during his childhood. Nicholas brings with him over 15 years of experience in the beverage industry, where he has held various sales and marketing roles at both domestic and international companies.
