If you are looking for popular Keurig models that will pack a big coffee punch without taking up a lot of space, you are in luck! Keurig has several models available that are designed to be small, streamlined and portable. The Keurig K-Mini and K15 are both single-serve machines that will take up a small amount of real estate in your kitchen, office, dorm room or even in your RV. Each model has similarities as well as differences that set them apart from one another.
Today we compare the Keurig K-Mini vs the K15 so you can easily determine which model is the best fit for your needs. First let’s take a look at the features of each machine:
Keurig K-Mini vs K15
| Model | Keurig K-Mini | Keurig K15 |
| Dimensions | 12.1” High x 4.5” Wide x 11.3”D. | 10.8”H x 6.9”W x 10.7”D |
| Single Cup Brew Sizes | 6, 8 10 and 12 ounces | 6, 8 and 10 ounces |
| Water Tank Capacity | 12 oz | 10 oz |
| Auto-Off | Yes | Yes |
| Types of Compatible Pods | K-Cup (both Keurig Official and compatible pods) | K-Cup (both Keurig Official and compatible pods) |
| Ground Coffee | Yes | Yes |
| Cord Storage | Yes | Yes |
| Removable Drip Tray | Yes | Yes |
| Colors | 4 | 9 |
Contents
Keurig K-Mini
At less than 5 inches wide, the Keurig K-Mini is the slimmest brewer produced by Keurig. This single serve coffee maker is designed to fit anywhere you choose to use it making it a perfect fit for small spaces. Like all Keurig’s, this machine has the capability to brew a hot cup at the press of a button in minutes. For more information read our comprehensive review of the K-Mini and K-Mini Plus.
Keurig K15
The Keurig K15 is a perfect choice if space and portability are important to you. With the ability to brew a cup in less than two minutes, the K15 makes single cup brewing fast, simple and as convenient as possible.
Keurig K-Mini vs K15 Similarities
The K-Mini and K15 similarities don’t end at being compact. You will find that both brewers are designed with several similar features. Below we have outlined all the features these two brewers have in common:
Water Reservoir Type
The water reservoir on both the K Mini and K15 are designed to be as portable as possible. As a result, they do not hold large amounts of water.
Instead, the water reservoirs are designed for the water to be added right before brewing and are sized to brew one cup at a time. For those who plan on making several cups of coffee back to back, we suggest you consider a Keurig brewer with a larger water reservoir such as the Keurig K-Elite.
For those who are in the market for a portable or small single serve coffee brewer, opting for one with a small water reservoir is wise for many reasons.
First, you won’t have to empty the water reservoir of large amounts of water every time you want to move or store it. Secondly, the larger the water reservoir the brewer has the more space that machine will occupy. Obviously if you want something compact you will need the components of the machine to also be small.
Auto Off Feature
Auto off is a great energy saving feature that both the K-Mini and K15 come equipped with. It works by automatically turning the brewer off after 90 seconds of inactivity. This feature is an easy, environmentally friendly way to conserve energy and save money.
Coffee Brewing Options
Keurig is known for the vast variety in drinks it offers. With over 400 varieties and 60 brands of K-Cups, there are many different drinks and flavors to try including:
The versatility in drinks and drink types offered is one of the largest selling points of owning a Keurig.
For those who are not familiar with Keurig, all Keurig machines use K-Cups which is coffee that comes in a pre-measured capsule or pod. To brew with a Keurig you simply choose which K-Cup you want to make, insert it in the brewer, select your brewing options and let the machine do the rest!
If you are a fan of freshly ground coffee or would like an environmentally friendly alternative to the K-Cup, both the K-Mini and K15 have the ability to brew with a reusable filter.
A reusable filter can be filled with your favorite freshly ground coffee before brewing and can be used over and over. Many prefer this option over traditional K-Cups because it results in less waste.
The My K-Cup Universal Reusable Filter is the only Keurig designed reusable coffee filter made for Keurig. A reusable filter makes using your own coffee in a single serve brewer both simple and convenient.
Removable Drip Tray
Both the K-Mini and K15 come with a removable drip tray. The drip tray is a very convenient feature that is designed to capture any extra drops of coffee your cup may not catch so that your brewing station stays clean and mess free.
Did you forget your mug? With the K-Mini and K15 this is no problem as the removable drip tray can hold an entire accidental brew.
The drip tray also acts as a shelf for your cup, raising it up higher so it is closer to the coffee being dispensed. When the drip tray is removed, it creates extra room so you can fit taller cups under the machine such as travel mugs.
The removable drip tray is also designed to allow the Keurig to be easier to clean. Instead of having to clean the drip tray while still attached to the machine, you can remove it and rinse it in your sink. Understanding how to clean and maintain your Keurig machine is an important step to keeping fresh coffee in your mug.
Electric Cord Storage
When designing the K-Mini and the K15, Keurig planned each feature to ensure the brewers are as portable as possible. In fact, even the electrical cord has a convenient place to store it when not in use.
Both Keurig models come equipped with a built in cord storage space located in the back of the machine. To utilize the cord storage feature, you simply need to unplug the brewer and tuck the cord into the designated storage space.
This will keep your machine’s electrical cord tangle free and out of your way when moving the brewer from place to place.
Keurig K-Mini vs K15 Differences
Water Reservoir Size
As mentioned, the K-Mini and K15 are designed with one cup water tanks. However, the maximum capacity of each water tank does differ between the two machines.
The K15 has the smaller water reservoir of the two brewers, with a maximum capacity of 10 ounces. The K-Mini has the ability to hold slightly more water, with a maximum capacity of 12 ounces
The more water the machine can hold, the larger the cup the brewer can produce. Although two ounces is not a huge difference, you should opt for the K-Mini if you want the ability to brew the largest cup size possible.
Size
The K-Mini and K15 are both designed to be as slim and compact as possible.
The K-Mini measures at 12.1 inches high, 4.5 inches wide and 11.3 inches deep. In comparison, the K15 measures at 10.8 inches high, 6.9 inches wide and 10.7 inches deep.
If you are concerned with the machine having to fit in a space with a low profile such as low hanging cabinets, then you should opt for the K15 because it is shorter than the K-Mini.
If you are working with limited counter depth then you will want to opt for the K-Mini which is not as deep as the K15.
Removable Drip Tray Capacity
The removable drip trays on the K-Mini and K15 are designed to capture any accidental overflow during the brewing process.
The K-Mini has the ability to capture slightly less than the K15, with a drip tray capacity of 8 ounces. In comparison, the K15 has the ability to capture a total amount of 10 ounces.
In our opinion, both drip tray capacities are more than adequate. However, if you are concerned about frequent overflows or accidents you should opt for the K15.
Cozy’s Bottom Line
The K-Mini and K15 are both designed to be portable and small, and are very similar in many ways. Despite their similarities we recommend each brewer for different needs.
If you are looking for a brewer that is as portable as possible that also has the ability to brew a decent sized cup, then the Keurig K-Mini is the perfect model for you. Its small size and convenient features make it the ultimate choice for a portable single serve machine.
If you are looking for a smaller brewer that will stay in the same location, such as a dorm room or office cubicle then we recommend the Keurig K15. With a bigger drip tray this machine will do a good job of keeping your small space as mess free as possible. This machine, while still small, does have a larger footprint than the K-Mini which is why we recommend it for those who are in the market for a single serve machine that will be kept in one place for longer periods of time.
Regardless of which model you choose we are certain the K-Mini or K15 will be small machines that will make a big impression!
Happy Drinking!