13 Best Decaf K-Cups To Try In 2024

Working from home has tons of perks. One of those perks for me is easily making a good cup of coffee without ever leaving the house.

The Keurig machine has given me that freedom, but I’ve found that after 1 or 2 caffeinated coffee pods, I have to switch over to decaf K cups.

Luckily, there are tons of Keurig-compatible decaf coffee pods to choose from, and many of them are as flavorful as their caffeinated counterparts.

In this guide, I’ll provide you with all the best decaf K cups on the market for at-home coffee drinkers trying to cut back on caffeine.

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13 Best Decaf K-Cups For Delicious Taste

In the past, die-hard coffee lovers strayed away from decaf coffee, myself included! For me, it was simply because it didn't have the bold and rich flavor of regular coffee beans. [1]

Nowadays, that's not the case at all. I've noticed that many decaf coffee producers have taken it upon themselves to create delicious decaffeinated brews with the same bold and rich taste as regular coffee. As someone who can't handle too much caffeine, I'm not complaining!

After trying dozens of highly rated decaf K cups, these are my top 13 regarding taste, price, and availability.

1. Illy Decaffeinated - Best Tasting

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Out of all the best decaf K cups on this list, the best tasting is from Illy, which is why I’ve put it as #1 on this list.

I found the taste of these pods to be rich and bold, yet it still has a balanced aftertaste. That’s exactly what I want from my morning brew, and Illy’s use of 100% Arabica beans is what contributes to this smooth flavor.

I immediately noticed a toasty flavor when sipping on these medium roast beans. It’s very light on the taste buds, making it the perfect choice for a delicious cup of morning coffee.

The price is a bit high - about $1.20 per pod - but I was able to save money by opting for a bulk package instead of the standard 10-pod pack.

It’s not the most expensive option, especially compared to Lifeboost’s decaf pods, but there are certainly cheaper pods out there, like pods from the Original Donut Shop or Krispy Kreme.

If you're on a budget, maybe these shouldn't be your main decaf pod option. Even so, these pods deserve the #1 because of their amazing taste.

It’s definitely a product worth purchasing, but consider treating it as your “special” decaf option if you’re on a tighter budget.

You can then go for one of the cheaper options - like Original Donut Shop - for regular sipping.

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2. Starbucks House Blend - Most Sustainable

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Anyone who can't go without Starbucks but wants to avoid the pricy coffee shop is in luck.

Thanks to these pods, Starbucks has made it easy to brew their house decaf blend in a Keurig coffee maker.

This 100% Arabica medium roast coffee offers notes of toffee and chocolate. Even as a decaf version, these pods produce delicious coffee with great flavors.

You can buy a 22-count box for $20 from the Keurig website, which is just under $1 per pod.

You can confidently say that you’re buying from an ethical, sustainable coffee provider if you go with the Starbucks blend.

Although it’s a massive corporation, the coffee is ethically grown and responsibly traded.

Learn More - Best Starbucks K-Cups

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3. Original Dunkin Donuts Decaf K-Cups - Best Flavored

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Some of the best decaffeinated K-cups come from Dunkin Donuts, particularly in terms of flavor. These Dunkin pods create a flavorful cup every time; even the decaf version packs a powerful punch.

Because of its recognizable flavor that Dunkin's popular brand is loved for, this pod is great for making iced coffee at home.

This medium roast brews with a rich aroma, and you'll definitely taste notes of chocolate and nuttiness as you sip.

I can't tell a difference between the pods and the decaf blend I buy in-store.

However, I have found that when I brew a larger cup than 8 ounces, it tastes a bit weak. So avoid the 12-ounce setting on your Keurig!

Best of all, you can get 54 pods for about $45, which comes out to about $0.80 per pod.

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4. Lifeboost Decaf Coffee Pods - Organic Option

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Lifeboost may not be a well-known brand, but it certainly delivers when it comes to decaf K-cup coffee.

This small business cares about quality, which explains why they produce great coffee!

Along with being 100% organic, these medium roast pods are non-GMO, single-origin, and low in acid. If you have a sensitivity to acidity, this is a great choice for you.

The main thing that sets this product apart is the bean cultivation. The beans are sun-dried and spring water washed, leading to pure, natural coffee derived from nature.

In terms of flavor, you'll notice undertones of chocolate and caramel with mild fruitiness.

The only real downside to Lifeboost pods is the cost.

Creating such a natural product doesn't come cheap, and that's reflected in the price—a 10-pack runs at around $16, which is $1.60 per pod.

Related Article - 10 Best Organic K-Cups

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5. Original Donut Shop Decaf K-Cups - Value For Money

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Donut Shop coffee makes it easy to enjoy a diner-style brew from home. When you think of diner coffee, you may associate bitterness and an unpleasant aftertaste.

With Donut Shop Decaf, that's not the case at all.

These pods are fresh, bold, and flavorful, all without harshness or bitterness. Each pod brews a simple yet potent cup of coffee, and it’s dirt cheap.

Out of all the products in this review, Donut Shop offers the best value for money. A 12-pack costs between $7 and $8; that’s only about $0.60 per pod!

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6. Krispy Kreme Classic Decaf 

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Krispy Kreme is another popular donut shop well-known for its original blend of fresh roasted coffee.

These decaf pods are another budget-friendly option that feature bold flavor with a smooth finish.

This brand has been brewing coffee since the 1930s, so they know how to deliver a bold taste as well as anyone.

Although the beans are medium roasted, these pods taste similar to the Dark Magic decaf pods.

I haven't even gotten to the best part; you can get a bulk package of 96 decaffeinated K-cups for just $48. With this budget-friendly deal, each single-serving pod is less than $0.50.

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7. San Francisco Bay Decaf K-Cups - Best French Roast

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French roast coffee is extremely dark, even more so than dark roast.

The beans are roasted for long periods of time, which removes acidity but also creates an extremely strong flavor.

If that’s what you’re into, the San Francisco Bay Decaf pods are perfect for you.

These pods are high in flavor, low in acidity, and eco-friendly. The company uses the Swiss water process for removing caffeine, a method that uses only water, heat, and time.

In addition, these pods are compostable, making this the most environmentally-friendly option.

Surprisingly, the rich taste and sustainability are also budget-friendly.

You can purchase an 80-count pack for just over $40, so that's about $0.50 per pod.

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8. Caribou Coffee Caribou Blend - Low Acid

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Caribou Coffee is a Minnesota-based coffee shop chain that was founded in 1992.

It now has more than 600 locations, and better yet, it's easy to find decaf Caribou pods online or in stores, depending on where you live.

The stand-out feature of this product is its low acidity. There's no bitter, acidic taste, and it's very unlikely that you'll experience any acid reflux from drinking this.

Just like the previous coffee producer, Caribou uses the Swiss water process to decaffeinate. That means no chemicals or solvents are used to create this blend.

Find Out About - 7 Best Low Acid K-Cups

As you sip, you'll taste nothing but clean coffee, but eventually, you'll experience an aftertaste of bittersweet chocolate.

Expect to pay about $40 for a pack of 48 pods - $0.83 per pod.

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9. Gevalia Signature Blend Bold Decaf - Best Light Roast

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Gevalia’s Signature Decaf Blend features a light, mild taste thanks to the lightly-roasted Arabica beans.

As long as you can handle a bit of acidity, this is a great option.

Related Article - Light Roast K-Cups To Try

Gevalia may not be a household name, but the Swedish company has been around since 1853.

They’ve had plenty of time to perfect each cup of coffee, which is apparent through the beans’ flavor and aroma.

All in all, this is the best choice for light roast decaf, and you can get 84 pods for about $50 (about $0.60 per pod).

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10. McCafe Decaf Premium Medium Roast - Cheapest

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Considering the low price, McDonald’s coffee is pretty darn good. I myself have gone through the drive-thru to order a coffee a time or two.

Nowadays, it’s easy - and cheap - to make McDonald’s medium decaf coffee from home.

The medium roast blend is smooth and rich.

The Keurig version tastes almost exactly like what you’d get at a McDonald’s location, so you’re not missing out by making coffee at home.

You can order an 84-pack of these pods for about $30, which is only $0.35 per pod.

This is certainly not the best Arabica decaf blend out there, but the price is right! So if you’re looking for more coffee pods at a low price, I recommend this one.

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11. Peet's Coffee House Blend - Best Dark Roast

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While it may be hard to find a Peet’s coffee shop near you, the company’s decaf K-cups are sold pretty much everywhere.

The dark roast house blend is my favorite, all thanks to the rich and lively flavor profile.

This is by far the best dark roast decaf option for Keurig.

Every pod makes a quality cup, and it’ll only cost you $38 for 60 pods (about $0.63 per pod).

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12. Folgers 100% Colombian - Best Colombian Blend

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Folgers is a household name for coffee drinkers, and still all my parents will drink even after all of these years. (It's those corny Christmas commercials!)

It's affordable, easy to find, and extremely flavorful. That's especially the case for the Colombian decaf K-cups.

This company has been providing the world with coffee since 1850.

They've made a lot of improvements over the years, especially with particular blends. It's rich and full-bodied like most Colombian beans are!

Right now, you can buy 72 of these pods for about $38, which is just over $0.50 per pod.

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13. Green Mountain's Decaf K-Cups - Best Breakfast Blend

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Green Mountain Coffee Roasters has always been a top performer when it comes to K-cups.

The company's decaf blend is highly rated, with close to 50,000 reviews on Amazon and a 4.8 average rating.

Aside from being a trusted coffee provider, this breakfast blend has a lot going for it. The beans are sustainably sourced, and the flavors are clean and bright.

Like most breakfast blends, this one is not overly flavorful, which is perfect for your first cup of coffee in the morning.

In terms of price, you can find deals that offer 96 pods for $45 - about $0.47 per pod.

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Best Decaf K-Cups Compared For You

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How To Choose The Best Decaf K-Cups

After purchasing hundreds - maybe even thousands - of Keurig K cup products over the year, I’ve found that there are some important things to think about before purchasing, including:

Price

Aside from convenience, saving money is a big reason to drink coffee at home. [2]

Up until recently, I haven't thought much about my coffee budget, but I'm now saving for a wedding, and I've found that switching to pods (rather than buying in-store) has been a life-saver!

There's no denying that using Keurig K cup machines isn't the most cost-effective option for coffee drinking at home, but the convenience factor makes up for that.

I've definitely found that it's much cheaper than going to Starbucks every day!

Although Keurig coffee pods aren't the cheapest option for making coffee at home, it IS possible to find budget-friendly (and high-quality) K cup pods.

In general, Keurig K cups range from $0.40 to upwards of $1.20 per pod.

The average cost is about $0.60 per pod, so like I said, this is a much cheaper alternative to a $5 or $6 Starbucks drink.

Flavor Profile

Coffee flavor is a big consideration when choosing K-cup pods. Whether you’re into dark roast coffee or a lighter roast, rich flavor is a must.

There are several factors involved in coffee flavor, like the level of roasting, the region of origin, and the type of bean.

For example, Arabica beans are much sweeter and fruitier than Robusta beans, which tend to be more earthy and bitter.

Roast Level

Everyone has their own personal preference for roast level. I prefer a dark roast decaf coffee - but to each his own!

You’ll definitely want to consider the roast level based on your personal preference.

If you prefer all the natural flavors to shine through, a light roast is best.

On the flip side, a darker roast is much less acidic - perfect if you want to avoid a bitter aftertaste and focus on the smooth flavor.

Coffee Machine Compatibility

Keurig has produced many coffee makers over the years - 87, to be exact! However, only 24 are currently being manufactured by the company. [3]

Twenty-four is still a lot, so you must be mindful to buy the right pods for your specific machine.

The good news is that Keurig has made it easy by making K cups compatible with most of their coffee makers.

Just to be safe, always confirm that the Keurig coffee pod you’re buying is compatible with the machine you’re using at home.

Environmentally Impact

Keurig has gotten a lot of backlash in regard to the company’s environmental impact.

Although the pods are recyclable, most people don’t take the time to actually recycle each K cup.

For anyone who wants to use a Keurig machine but also minimize waste, one option is to use a reusable K cup in your coffee maker.

This allows you to fill the cup with pre-ground coffee, so there’s essentially no waste involved.

In terms of choosing sustainable coffee, choose a product that uses only ethically sourced beans.

Many brands are focusing more on environmentalism, so this shouldn’t be too difficult.

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Do Decaf K Cups Contain Caffeine?

According to the National Coffee Association, “Decaffeination removes about 97% or more of the caffeine in coffee beans.

A typical cup of decaf coffee has about 2 mg of caffeine.” [4]

Keep in mind that some decaf coffees contain as much as 15 mg of caffeine, but this is still a very small number compared to standard medium-roast coffee.

A regular drip coffee typically contains anywhere from 80 to 90 mg of caffeine per 8-ounce cup.

Related Articles:
Best Dark Roast K-Cups
Best Hot Chocolate K-Cups
Best Espresso K-Cups

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Common Questions

Can I drink decaf coffee every day?

Yes, you can drink decaf coffee every day! Decaffeinated coffee is perfectly safe, and studies show that decaf has similar health benefits to the caffeinated version. [5]

Do doctors recommend decaf coffee?

Yes, doctors often recommend decaf coffee, especially to patients who are sensitive to caffeine. In fact, studies show that regularly drinking decaf coffee can extend your life by reducing your risk of death from heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.

How many cups of decaf coffee can I drink in a day?

It’s recommended to drink no more than 3-4 cups of decaf coffee or decaf espresso per day. Although the caffeine content is much lower from removing caffeine, drinking too much decaf can cause heartburn and indigestion.

What are the side effects of decaf coffee?

There are very few side effects to drinking a decaf blend, but every individual is different. Depending on the decaffeination process, you could experience side effects like headaches, nausea, or indigestion. [6]

Does decaf coffee affect your heart?

Decaf coffee has been proven to affect the heart in positive ways. Today says that “all coffee types are associated with reduced risk of cardiovascular disease; drinking two to three cups of coffee per day — whether decaffeinated, instant and/or ground — has the lowest risk.” [7]

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Which One Should You Go For?

If you're looking for delicious decaffeinated coffee offered in K cups, you have plenty of options.

Whether you’re into decaf French roast, light roast, medium roast, or dark roast, there’s something out there for you.

My personal favorite is the Illy decaffeinated coffee K cups, but you can’t go wrong with any of the products I’ve reviewed in this guide.

Resources:

1. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/decaf-vs-regular-coffee-taste_n_3430681
2. https://www.businessinsider.com/heres-how-much-money-you-could-save-by-making-coffee-at-home-2015-10
3. https://www.keurig.com/c/coffeemakers101?cm_sp=All-Hot-Brewers-_-Top-Nav-_-coffeemakers101
4. https://www.ncausa.org/Decaffeinated-Coffee
5. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/decaf-coffee-good-or-bad
6. https://www.consumerreports.org/coffee/is-decaffeinated-coffee-bad-for-you/
7. https://www.today.com/health/diet-fitness/decaf-caffeinated-coffee-better-heart-disease-symptoms-rcna51561