8 Best Half Caff K-Cups (Half The Caffeine, All The Flavor!)
Love coffee but struggle with the caffeine? You're not alone.
I love drinking coffee, but having more than a few cups makes me jittery and raises my anxiety. That's why I decided to switch to half-caff.
In this guide, I'll show you the 8 most flavorful half-caff K cups available.
Hopefully, this will help you find the right K cup for making great, low caffeine coffee at home.
At A Glance: My Top Products
- My Top Pick - Folgers Half-Caff Medium Roast Coffee
- Runner Up - Green Mountain Coffee Roasters Half Caff
- Highly Rated - Maud's Half Caff Coffee
8 Best Half Caff K-Cups Reviewed
Half caff K cups have half of the caffeine removed, so you can easily regulate your intake.
The only problem was that I didn't think they always had the same rich coffee flavor.
I wanted to find the best-tasting half-caff K cups, so I set out on a mission to find K cups that deliver all the same taste with half the caffeine content.
I tested 35 different half-caff K cups to find the best around. I compared each of them for quality, taste, and freshness and compared the benefits of each brand.
I eventually narrowed it down to the 8 best half-caff K cups that ticked every box.
1. Folgers Half-Caff Medium Roast Coffee
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Folgers is my top pick for half-caff coffee because I honestly couldn't tell it was half-caff at all.
It’s rich, robust, and smooth, delivering bold coffee flavor in every sip. These are the best half-caff K cups for anyone who loves strong coffee.
The strong flavors in this medium-roast coffee all come from the beans.
Arabica coffee beans are usually considered the best quality, but Folgers makes this combination of Arabica and Robusta work well.
The Arabica has deep flavor and smoothness, with a slight harshness from the Robusta. This culminates in a balanced flavor profile that really hits the mark.
The roasted coffee mixture doesn’t have the same sweetness as the Starbucks K cup (and I wouldn’t recommend it to sugary coffee lovers), but coffee aficionados will love it.
These K cups also work well with milk, cream, or sugar, so you can enhance the flavor to suit you.
The stand-out factor for me with these K cups is the consistency.
Every Folgers cup uses the same medium roast blend, giving the same delicious taste every time. Perfect for anyone who loves the same coffee every day.
Folgers medium roast coffee may have half the caffeine, but it has all the flavor.
If you want to cut back on caffeine but keep the same coffee flavor, I recommend these K cups.
Related Article - Tasty Medium Roast K-Cups
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2. Green Mountain Coffee Roasters Half Caff
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Love coffee but have a sensitive stomach? No problem. This Green Mountain half-caff K cup is less acidic than other brands but still delivers all the flavor.
It's best for those who want great-tasting coffee that's gentle on your stomach.
Green Mountain Coffee Roasters is a well-known coffee brand with a solid reputation.
They use high-quality Arabica beans, and this medium roast blend really delivers on flavor.
It's well-balanced too, and I found the sweet and bitter notes contrasted well. What I really liked about the Green Mountain Half caff was the freshness.
The K cup pods are all well made and sealed perfectly, keeping the coffee inside fresh and giving you a delicious brew.
They batch-roast their grounds, so the K cups are less consistent than the Folgers half-caff, but the coffee inside still tastes great.
The Green Mountain half-caff medium roast is Kosher certified and suitable for anyone. There are no chemicals, dairy, or flavoring additions, just pure coffee.
This K cup works with additions (milk, sugar, etc.) but is good enough to have black.
If you have a sensitive stomach but still love a flavorful cup of coffee, I recommend this K cup.
Related Article - Best Cappuccino K Cups
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3. Maud's Half Caff Coffee
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This tall, dark, and handsome coffee is irresistible to true coffee lovers.
This is the best half-caff coffee option for those who like bold, rich, and strong coffees, and experienced coffee drinkers will love it.
Maud's half-caff coffee pod may have half the caffeine, but it has all the flavor.
They use a mixture of decaf medium-roast coffee and regular dark-roast coffee, resulting in a more intense brew than other brands.
The flavor is similar to the Folger’s half-and-half cup but with slightly more bitterness.
I enjoyed the slightly harsh aftertaste, but casual coffee drinkers may need to add milk, cream, and sugar.
These K cups don't just taste great; they're easy to use too. The pods fit perfectly, so there's no risk of them clogging your Keurig machine.
They are also made from fully recyclable material and are easy to recycle. This makes it easier to lower your waste and protect the environment.
There is no denying the strong coffee flavor in Maud’s half-caff coffee.
This may not be the right K cup for latte lovers or sugary coffee drinkers, but I recommend it to true coffee aficionados.
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4. Skinnygirl Half Caff Coffee
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Skinnygirl is not a brand I know well, but they have impressive reviews, so I had to try them.
Their half-caff coffee is good and incredibly drinkable. The gentle smoothness makes these K cups perfect for casual coffee drinkers.
With a name like Skinnygirl, it's easy to assume it will be weak, watery coffee. That isn't the case; every cup of medium-roast coffee has a rich flavor.
It's smoother than the Folger and Maud's coffee K cups, too, and better for drinking throughout the day.
Skinnygirl takes care of the coffee beans and runs a sustainable enterprise.
They use Rainforest Alliance-certified beans from South America and batch-roast them for more hands-on care. This makes it an ethical and delicious coffee.
There are no artificial flavoring additions either, and the decaf is made using the Swiss water method, so there are no solvents.
It's just pure coffee in these half-caff coffee pods, with no surprises.
Skinnygirl half-caff coffee is more expensive than other brands, but I think it's worth it.
This is the K cup I recommend for anyone who wants a gentle, easy-to-drink coffee with a mild energy boost.
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5. Fresh Roasted Coffee Sumatra Organic Half-Caff
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There aren’t many half-caffeinated options out there, so when I saw the Fresh Roasted Coffee coffee variety pack, I had to try it.
These are high-quality coffee blends and the best half-caff coffee option for those who want to mix up their morning routine while keeping their caffeine intake low.
The Fresh Roasted Coffee pack contains 4 different varieties. They all have the same caffeine level but noticeably different tastes:
- Certified organic Sumatra Half Caff - this has deep, earthy notes with a chocolate finish
- Certified organic Ethiopian Sidamo Half-Caf - this has some cherry and blueberry notes
- Certified organic Peruvian Half-Caf - this has some almond, orange, and chocolate notes
- Certified organic Mexican Chiapas Half-Caf - this has some sweet and nutty notes
Fresh Roasted Coffee doesn't just offer great-tasting coffee; they also make it guilt-free.
They are all about sustainability, with fair trade practices to protect the workers.
All their whole beans are USDA organic too, so you get the pure coffee flavors from the beans.
Fresh Roasted Coffee half-caff options don't have the deep and intense flavors of Folgers or Maud’s coffee, but they are still rich and distinctive.
Each medium roast coffee captures the unique flavor of the region, and I recommend these K cups for anyone looking to experiment with a few different blends.
Related Article - Best Decaf K-Cups
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6. Bradford Coffee Colombian Half Caff
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This half-caffeinated medium roast K cup is the smoothest on the list and really easy to drink.
It’s best for those who like a smooth, mellow coffee morning, noon, or night.
Bradford Coffee is a boutique roaster based in Downtown Los Angeles. They have an impressive reputation, so I was excited to try their coffee.
The aroma had me salivating before I even brewed the coffee. The delicious coffee smell filled my senses, and I immediately knew it would be good.
The aroma was followed up by a rich brew. It's bold but with some sweet caramel notes that create a complex flavor.
This medium roast caffeine-reduced K cup may not have the same depth of flavor as Folgers coffee, but it has a good balance and no acidity.
Most importantly, this K cup has no bitterness. It’s as smooth as they come and one of the best for casual drinking.
The consistency and quality of Bradford Coffee are what's taken them from downtown Los Angeles to a global market.
They take a hands-on approach to coffee making that enhances the brew and makes every K cup taste the same.
It's worth noting that there's about 20% more coffee in each of these medium roast caffeine-reduced K cups compared to other brands.
This makes it slightly more caffeinated than the Fresh Roasted Coffee or Skinnygirl K cups and gives it a bit more strength.
This K cup doesn’t pack the same flavor punch as other brands, but it’s great as a morning pick-me-up or an evening chillout drink.
I recommend it to anyone who likes lighter-tasting, smooth coffees.
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7. Starbucks House Blend Half Caff
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Starbucks makes some of the world’s best coffee, so it makes sense that they also produce one of the world’s best half-caff K cups.
This coffee packs all the flavor you would expect from a Starbucks product, and it is perfect for anyone who wants barista-level coffee with just half the caffeine.
Starbuck's medium roast caffeine-reduced K cup is sweeter than Maud's, Folger, or Skinnygirl's K cups.
The toffee and milk chocolate notes are subtle but there, and I could taste them in every sip.
This lighter flavor is actually quite refreshing, and the coffee blend works well with added milk and sugar.
The high quality of these Starbucks coffee pods extends into the packaging itself.
The K cups are much more reliable than other brands and will work in every Keurig without clogging up the machine.
The half-caff medium roast coffee pods are fully recyclable too, which makes clearing up the waste much easier.
These Starbucks half-caff K cups have all the flavor of their house blend, and you won't even notice it's half caffeinated.
They are expensive, but I recommend these K cups to anyone who wants premium half-caff medium roast coffee at home.
Related Article - Best Starbucks K-Cups
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8. World's Best Half Caff Dark Roast Coffee
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Dark roast coffee is an art and an acquired taste. World’s Best half-caff K cups use a darker roast than other half-caffeinated pods that gives a deep taste.
These are the best K cups for those who love dark coffee flavors.
Everything about the World’s Best Half caff K Cup is intense.
The dark roast coffee gives a darker look and taste than most medium roast K cups, and even the Folger’s K cup is light in comparison.
The strong aroma and taste take over your senses and gives you a coffee flavor you'll enjoy even after you finish.
The robust flavors and creamy finish make it the perfect pairing for sweet foods or rich meals and bring balance to your pallet.
Despite the strong taste, dark roasts actually have less caffeine content than medium roast coffee.
This means these half-caffeinated cups contain less caffeine, so you can drink them more frequently without spiking your anxiety levels or causing the jitters.
The World's Best half-caff K cups are harsher but still smooth and full-bodied.
They aren't great for sugary coffee lovers or casual coffee drinkers, but I recommend them to anyone who wants strong coffee with a gentle energy boost.
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Half Caff K-Cups Compared For The Best Taste
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Folgers
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Green Mountain
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Maud's
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Skinnygirl
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Fresh Roasted Coffee, Sumatra Organic
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Bradford Coffee Colombian
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Starbucks House Blend
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World's Best Half Caff
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Buyer’s Guide: How to Find The Best Half Caff K-Cups
Price (Per Count)
Your average half-caff K cups cost $0.50-$0.90.
They can be slightly more expensive than your average regular K cups because they blend two types of coffee grounds (regular and decaf), but they are cheaper than many flavored K cups.
If you're on a tight budget, I recommend the Bradford Coffee Colombian K cups. These are the cheapest per unit and offer some great value.
Remember, you can always get the best price by buying your K cups in bulk.
They keep for a long time, so if you drink coffee regularly, I'd advise sizing up your order and getting a bigger box to save some extra money.
Caffeine Level
Most people who want half-caff K cups are looking to limit their caffeine take, so this is probably one of the key factors for you to consider.
Most half-caff K cups usually have 40-60mg of caffeine. This won't have the same caffeine effect as your standard coffee but will give you a gentle energy boost.
The exact caffeine content will vary depending on the type and roast level of the coffee beans.
If you want a slightly larger caffeine boost, I recommend the Bradford Coffee Colombian half-caff K cups.
If you want a slightly lower caffeine boost, I recommend the World’s Best half-caff K cups as they have the lowest caffeine content.
Whichever brand you choose, it’s important to consider how much caffeine you consume.
If you drink a lot of coffee in a day, I recommend choosing a K cup with a lower caffeine content. This will help you control your overall caffeine intake.
Flavor Profile
The best half-caff K cups have the same rich flavor as regular coffee pods.
All the best half-caff K cups on the list above have great flavor, but the taste varies depending on the type of bean used, the roast level, and added flavorings.
If you prefer a lighter coffee with less intense flavor, I recommend medium roast half-caff pods like the Starbucks or Green Mountain Coffee roasters half-caff K cups.
If you prefer a deeper flavor with more bitter notes, I recommend a dark roast blend like the World's Best half-caff K cups.
The flavor profile should be listed on the packaging of the coffee pods to help you decide.
Remember, you can always add milk, cream, sugar, or other flavors to change the taste as needed.
Roast Level
The roast level of your coffee beans directly impacts the taste and caffeine strength of your coffee.
Most half-caff K cups are either medium roast or dark roast.
A half-caff dark roast blend will have a deep flavor with some bitterness. It may even have some harshness that only seasoned coffee drinkers will enjoy.
Despite the stronger flavor, the half-caff dark roast usually has the least caffeine because of the longer roasting.
Medium roasts have a lighter flavor profile and fewer bitter notes than dark roasts. It's still full-bodied, but it's usually smoother and easier to drink.
It will have more caffeine than most dark roast half-caff K cups.
If you're a coffee purist who enjoys intense coffee flavors, I recommend a dark roast like the World's Best or Maud's K cup.
If you prefer smoother, more relaxed coffees, I recommend a medium-roasted coffee like the Green Mountain half-caff K cup.
Related Article - Best Dark Roast K Cups
Coffee Machine Compatibility
Keurig machines are only compatible with K cups and won't work with other coffee pods.
You need to make sure you select half-caff Keurig pods and not regular half-caff coffee pods that can't be used in your Keurig.
You also need to ensure your K cup is compatible with your specific Keurig machine.
Some newer Keurigs (like the Keurig 2.0) won’t work with older K cups, which can leave you with some useless pods.
All the half-caff K cups on the list above are compatible with every Keurig.
Most half-caff coffee K cups will be compatible with every Keurig, but I recommend checking the box and manufacturer's information before you buy.
Environmental Impact
K cups and coffee pods create a lot of waste. However, all modern K cups are recyclable, so you can protect the environment by disposing of them responsibly.
Some half-caff K cups are easier to recycle than others and come with clear instructions on what to do.
If you’re environmentally conscious, I recommend buying the Maud’s K cups because they’re the easiest to dispose of properly.
What Exactly Is Half Caff Coffee? (How’s It Made?)
Half caff coffee is coffee with about half the caffeine of a normal brew.
It’s made by mixing regular coffee beans and decaffeinated coffee beans, usually in a 1 to 1 ratio.
This means that each half-caff coffee contains 50-60mg of caffeine, rather than 90-120mg in a standard coffee.
Regular coffee is made from coffee beans sourced around the world.
However, some coffee beans are decaffeinated by being soaked in solvents or using the Swiss water method.[1]
This removes 95-97% of the caffeine and leaves you with almost fully decaffeinated coffee beans for decaf coffee.
Half caff coffee K cups use 50% decaffeinated beans and 50%.
This means only around half of the coffee grounds are caffeinated, and the K cup produces half caffeinated coffee (though in reality, it’s about 55% caffeinated because the decaf coffee still has trace caffeine levels).
Half-caffeine coffee still gives you an energy boost, but it’s much milder than regular coffee.
It’s perfect for anyone looking to cut back on caffeine, those with sensitive stomachs, or those who drink coffee later in the day but don’t want to disturb their sleep.
It’s also useful to prevent jitters and to keep your anxiety levels in check.
Half Caff Vs Decaf: What’s The Difference?
Half caff coffee has half the caffeine of normal coffee (around 50-60mg), whereas decaff coffee only has a trace amount of caffeine (usually under 10mg).
Therefore, decaf coffee is a lot less caffeinated than half-caffeine coffee.
The two types of coffee are made with slightly different ingredients that give different benefits.
Decaf coffee contains coffee beans that have had about 97% of the caffeine removed.
These decaffeinated coffee grounds are then used to make all your favorite coffee drinks.
Half caff coffee contains 50% regular coffee beans and 50% decaffeinated coffee beans.
The blend of coffee grounds in half-caff K cups gives you around half the caffeine.
Decaf coffee is best for those who love the coffee taste but can’t drink a lot of caffeine.
Those with IBS, digestive problems, high blood pressure, or acid reflux will benefit from decaf. It’s also suitable for pregnant women to drink.
Half caff coffee is for those who just want to cut back slightly. That includes those sensitive to caffeine who want to avoid caffeine-induced side effects.[2]
It's also useful for people who want to drink coffee later at night.
Despite the varying caffeine levels, the taste is consistent across regular, half-caff, and decaf coffee; it's only the energy boost that changes.
Related Articles:
Best Low Acid Coffee K-Cups
Best French Vanilla K Cups
Related Half Caff K-Cup Questions
How much caffeine is typically in a half-caff K-cup?
There's usually 40-60mg of caffeine in a half-caff K cup. This can vary depending on the type of caffeinated beans used and the roast level of the coffee.
Will half-caff coffee wake you up in the morning?
Yes, half-caff coffee should give you an energy boost in the morning to help wake you up. It won't have the same caffeine effect as regular coffee (because the caffeine intake is lower), but it will give you some energy to start your day.
Is half-caff coffee healthier than regular coffee?
Half caff coffee is generally considered healthier because it can help lower your caffeine intake, reducing the risk of potential caffeine side effects. Plus, it still has all the healthy natural antioxidants that are found in caffeinated coffee.[3]
How long does half-caff last?
On average, single-serve half-caff K cups will last 12-18 months if they are stored properly. Some brands will last longer, and it's worth checking the best-before date on the box.
Is half caff coffee a diuretic?
Caffeine is considered a diuretic, so half-caff coffees are still diuretic because they contain caffeine. However, the caffeine effect is not the same, and half-caff is less of a diuretic than regular coffee.
Does half caff have chemicals?
No, the best half-caff K cups don't contain any chemicals. Some decaf coffees are processed with solvents to remove the caffeine, which can leave traces of the chemicals in the brew, but only in very small amounts.
Is there half-caff espresso?
Yes, this is sometimes called a "split shot" or "half & half." It's half decaf coffee and half regular espresso. The mixture does change the taste, but the combination of caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee can actually make the espresso more complex.
Which One Should You Go For?
A good half-caff K cup should be a half-caff version of your favorite brew.
It should be flavorful, with all the taste of a regular coffee, with a gentler caffeine boost to perk you up.
All the K cups on the list fit that bill, but the Folgers half-caff is my top choice single-serve K cup.
It has bold flavors but stays really smooth and easy to drink. It's also really affordable and offers great value for money.
However, that is just my personal preference, and it might not satisfy your individual tastes.
I’ve included something on the list for everyone, so I recommend looking through all the great options to find the right one for you.
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Resources:
- https://illumin.usc.edu/where-does-my-decaf-come-from/
- https://medlineplus.gov/caffeine.html
- https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/coffee-worlds-biggest-source-of-antioxidants
Parker Russell is a coffee professional and the founder of Black Ink Coffee. As an expert in the field of coffee roasting, cupping (professional Q-Grader) and brewing, Parker has established Black Ink as brand that fuels the grind of dreamers.