Keurig K-Mini Vs K-Mini Plus: What’s the Difference?

Do you have limited kitchen space and in need of a compact coffee maker? Keurig’s K-Mini and K-Mini Plus will meet your needs without compromising on quality!

When it comes to home-brewed coffee, there is only one company synonymous with superior taste, quality and effortless brewing. That is Keurig! Since 2004, Keurig has been a major player in the home-brewed coffee market. Read on for a thorough review of Keurig’s K-Mini Vs K-Mini Plus.

No time to read our review? No worries! Cozy has you covered. When deciding between the two models we recommend you go with the Keurig Mini Plus. With pod storage, a removable water reservoir and strong brew features the upgrades in this tiny but powerful machine are worth it! If you are looking for a Keurig machine with more features check out our comprehensive review of Keurig’s top models by clicking here.

The K-Mini and K-Mini Plus are two machines that deliver the quality and taste coffee lovers associate with Keurig, with the added benefit of a compact design for small kitchens. Whether you are looking at the K-Mini or the K-Mini Plus, there is a LOT to love.

Keurig has brought all the power of the original Keurig design, without sacrificing any of the taste. If you’re in the market for a new compact Keurig home-brewing coffee machine, you’ll want to read on as we figure out who the king of mini brewers is in our Keurig K Mini vs K Mini Plus review.

Keurig Comparison ChartKeurig K-Mini Keurig K-Mini Plus 
Product Dimensions12.1” H x 4.5” W x 11.3 D12.1” H x 4.5” W x 11.3 D
Serving Sizes6oz – 12oz6oz – 12oz
Strong BrewNOYES
Removable Water ReservoirNOYES
Pod StorageNOYES
Travel Cup FriendlyYESYES
Energy Saver Auto-OffYESYES
Cord StorageYESYES
Color Options45

Similarities

Two cups of coffee filled by Keurig's K-Mini and K-Mini Plus models.
The Keurig K-Mini and K-Mini Plus is Keurig’s smallest coffee maker.

If you have space-challenges, prefer a portable coffee maker or love the minimalist lifestyle but don’t want to compromise on quality, and style Keurig has you covered with the K-Mini Vs K-Mini Plus! Read on to learn more about what both Keurig models have to offer.

Machine Size

The K-Mini vs K-Mini Plus look very similar. For starters, they share a similar compact, space saving design with both Keurig’s measuring only 12.1 inches high and 4.5 inches wide making these models the slimmest and smallest Keurig machine yet! With a convenient cord storage feature combined with their compact size the K-Mini and K-Mini Plus are the perfect choice for anyone who has limited counter space to work with. They are small, portable and easy to store on your counter or in a cabinet. They are also a great option if you enjoy traveling and like to take your coffee maker with you for long trips!

Cup Size

The K-Mini and K-Mini Plus both have the capability to brew a 6 to 12 ounce cup of great-tasting coffee cup. These two Keurig models work slightly differently than larger Keurig models that have a higher capacity water reservoir. With the K Mini and K Mini Plus you will need to refill the water reservoir with the cup size you want to brew every time you make a cup. This can be a  convenient feature as you can opt to brew what you need and nothing that you don’t. For some having to refill with water every time can be a hindrance, if this is the case for you, you should consider a different model with a larger water reservoir such as the popular Keurig K Select or the K Elite

Another thing both the Keurig K Mini and K Mini Plus have in common is the ability to remove the drip tray to use a travel mug that is up to seven inches high. This is a useful option when brewing a cup of joe to go.

The removable drip tray not only accommodates travel mugs up to 7 inches tall but also holds a full accidental brew, making cleanup as easy as possible.

Auto Off Feature

Both Keurig brewers come with the environmentally friendly energy saving auto-off feature that turns off your K-Mini or K-Mini Plus 90 seconds after last use. 

This feature kicks in automatically after your last brew, making saving energy virtually effortless when it comes to your Keurig. 

Keurig K-Cups

Both the K-Mini and K-Mini Plus are compatible with over 400 brands and 60 types of drinks available in Keurig K Cups and Pods. 

Additionally, the K-Mini and K-Mini Plus are also both compatible with the My K-Cup Reusable Coffee Filter. The My K-Cup Reusable Coffee Filter is the only approved Keurig filter that can be reused and refilled with the ground coffee of your choice.

Key Differences

The K-Mini vs K-Mini Plus similarities end here, read on to learn more about what makes each Keurig Coffee Brewer model unique:

Water Reservoir 

The K-Mini Plus and K-Mini’s water reservoirs have similar functionality in that you will need to fill the water reservoir with water for the cup size of your choice with every brewing cycle. 

On the K-Mini Plus, the difference is that the tank is removable, which makes it easier to refill as well as clean. The water reservoir on the K-Mini is fixed, so you are unable to remove it for refills or cleaning.

Pod Storage

Like most traditional Keurig’s the K-Mini does not come with K-Cup storage built into the machine. This typically means you have to find another place to store the K-Cups used in the machine. The K-Mini Plus introduces a new pod storage feature and now comes with a small container that holds 9 K-Cups and fits in the brewer for ultimate portability and space saving! 

Stronger Coffee

Caffeine lovers who enjoy a stronger brew will appreciate that the K-Mini-Plus offers the ability to change the strength of your K-Cup coffee with its strong brew function. This function provides a bolder, more robust cup of coffee at the push of a button. The strong button is a great feature for families or couples with different tastes in coffee. Everyone can brew the perfect cup of coffee, and you can also use this feature to enhance the taste of flavored K-Cups and avoid losing any of the flavor if you like adding milk or creamer to your coffee. The K-Mini does not come with the strong brew feature but still can brew the standard delicious K-Cup.

Color Choices 

Both models offer a variety of fun choices when it comes to the color of the coffee brewer.

The K-Mini offers four fun and playful color choices including black, dusty rose (light pink), oasis (light blue) and studio grey. The K-Mini Plus has a larger choice of colors with five different colors available including black, cardinal red, evening teal (dark blue), studio gray and white.

Cleaning and Maintenance

Although both the Keurig Mini and Keurig Mini Plus are easy to clean and maintain, the Keurig Mini Plus has a few additional features that make it the easiest of the two models to clean. 

The Keurig Mini can be cleaned with an easy wipe down, however, you will have to be able to get into all the nooks and crannies of the machine in order to be able to thoroughly clean it. This can be a bit challenging as the Keurig Mini is designed with no removable components.

The Keurig Mini Plus is designed with removable components, allowing for better cleaning and easier reach into the crevices of the machine where dirt can accumulate. Both the drip tray as well as the water reservoir can be removed and cleaned separately. These two removable components allow the rest of the machine to be wiped down thoroughly.  

If an easier cleaning experience is important to you, the Keurig Mini Plus will be the easiest of the two models to clean and keep clean.

To keep your Keurig in good working condition it is recommended to clean the external parts regularly and to descale the machine every three to six months.

Cost

Typically coming in at an affordable price, the K-Mini won’t break the bank, making it a very economical choice. However, the K-Mini Plus offers a few additional features that make this machine an excellent upgraded version of the K-Mini for not much higher of a price point.

Pros & Cons of K-Mini

ProsCons
Travel mug friendly and fits K-Cup podsThe water reservoir is not removable 
Cord storage to meet your minimalist needsMust refill water after each use
Fits anywhere with its slim five-inch designCannot control the strength of the coffee
No pod storage
Energy-efficient auto-off power-saving feature

Pros & Cons of K Mini-Plus

ProsCons
Travel mug friendly and fits K-cup podsMust refill the water reservoir after each use
Strong brew option for a more intense, bold flavor
Fits anywhere with its slim 5-inch designTemperature control and iced coffee feature unavailable
Pod storage for up to 9 K-cups for ease of use

Cozy’s Bottom Line

At first glance the Keurig Mini and Keurig Mini Plus appear to be twins! However, the difference in features between the two models should have you taking a second look. 

The Keurig Mini Plus has many additional features that are worth splurging for including a removable water reservoir for convenient refills, a strong brew option and pod storage to keep your coffee pod collection with your brewer. 

If you aren’t one who wants extra features, the Keurig Mini is a good basic option to consider. It will still deliver a warm cup of coffee at the press of a button. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does the K-Mini and K-Mini Plus coffee maker use regular K-Cups?

A:Yes, the K-Mini  and K- Mini Plus coffee makers brew Keurig K-Cups. It does not brew K-Carafe pods, K-Mug pods, Vue pods or Rivo pods

Q: Can I adjust the size of my beverage with the K-Mini Plus single serve coffee maker?

A: Yes, the K-Mini Plus coffee maker brews any cup size between 6-12oz depending on how much water you pour into the reservoir.

Q: What is Keurig’s slimmest coffee brewing machine?

A: The K-Mini Plus has a sleek design that is less than 5 inches wide, making it the slimmest Keurig Coffee Maker available on the market. 

Q: Does the K-Mini and K-Mini Plus have auto-off?

A: Yes, both machines will shut off automatically 90 seconds after the last brew.

Q: How much liquid does the K-Mini and K-Mini Plus removable drip tray hold?

A: The removable drip tray on the K-Mini and K-Mini Plus holds a full accidental brew.

Q: How many varieties of Keurig K-Cups are available?

A: Keurig K-Cups come in over 400 varieties and 60 different types of drinks. Click here to check out Cozy’s list of some of our favorite K-Cups. 

Q: Can I reuse a K-Cup?

A: No, K-Cups are designed for one time use. A Keurig My K-Cup Reusable Coffee Filter is the only reusable K-Cup option.  

Q: Can I use the My K-Cup Reusable Coffee Filter with the K-Mini and K-Mini Plus coffee maker?  

A: Yes, the K-Mini and K- Mini Plus coffee maker is compatible with the Keurig My K-Cup Universal Reusable Coffee Filter.

Q: What is a My K-Cup Reusable Filter?                                                                                       

A: My K-Cup Reusable Filter is the only approved reusable coffee filter for Keurig coffee brewers. My K-Cup Reusable Filter allows you to brew your own coffee beans in your Keurig Brewer. Because it is reusable, it is also a more environmentally friendly option.

Q: What type of coffee is recommended for My K-Cup Reusable Filter?

A: It is recommended you use a coarser grind similar to what you would use in a French press. Avoid a finer grind, as that could clog the screen or result in poor extraction. Fine or espresso grinds, tea leaves, cocoa as well as other powdered beverages are not recommended. 

Q: How much coffee does a My K-Cup Reusable Filter Brew?

A: My K-Cup Reusable Filter will brew any cup size in your Keurig from 4 to 12 ounces.

Q: How do I reset my K-Mini or K-Mini Plus?

A: To reset both the K-Mini and K-Mini Plus simply hold down the brew button for 5 seconds, which will dispense all of the water in the machine. Once all the water is discarded, press the power button to restart the machine.

Q: How often should I clean my K-Mini or K-Mini Plus?

A: Typically it is recommended to descale your Keurig Brewer every 3 to 6 months. How often your machine needs to be descaled will depend on the mineral content of the water used in the machine. Scale,also known as calcium deposits, can build up in your brewer over time.

Q: What is the typical lifespan of a Keurig Coffee Maker? 

A: 5 years is the average lifespan of a Keurig Coffee Maker that is used daily.

Cozy’s Conclusion

When Cozy compared the product specs, design features, and benefits, the K-Mini vs K-Mini Plus were close when it came to ranking one better than the other. However, due to the extra functionality and options at a slightly higher price point Cozy’s clear winner is the K-Mini Plus. 

If you’re a coffee enthusiast, the K-Mini Plus will be a great fit for you! It comes with all the features that the K-Mini offers, but the extras like the removable water reservoir, strong brew button (a definite plus!), and the option to store your K-pods with the machine keeping your counter clutter-free makes this machine a great buy. 

Although it is a bit more expensive, the value you get for a slightly higher cost is well worth it. However, if you are a casual coffee drinker and don’t care about the extra features, by all means, the K-Mini is also a great option.  Either way Cozy knows you will love your new Keurig – enjoy!

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