If you ever feel like you don’t have the kitchen space for a coffee machine, you’ll appreciate this Keurig Mini Plus review. I will be going over the specs, design, benefits, and pitfalls of this compact coffee maker. I’ll also be comparing it to other Keurig machines.
A coffee machine has so many benefits. It consistently produces cafe-quality coffee. It’s also convenient and helps you save money and time. By the end of the article, you will be equipped with more than just knowledge about the Keurig K Mini. You’ll also learn about many other Keurig coffee makers so you can compare them. I’ll conclude by answering some frequently asked questions too.
Things to Know About the Keurig K-Mini Plus
What’s in the Box
- Keurig K Mini Plus Coffee Maker
- 12oz Water Reservoir
- 9 Pod Storage Capacity
- 1-Year Limited Warranty
Specs
- Cord Length: 30-inch
- Reservoir Size: 12oz
- Weight: 4.6lbs
- Color: Black
- Dimensions: 12.1 x 4.5 x 11.3-inches
Features of the Keurig Mini Plus Coffee Maker
Design
Unlike most other Keurig coffee makers, the Keurig K Mini Plus has a much smaller water reservoir. As a result, it requires filling each time you brew coffee. In addition, the dimensions are quite narrow and compact. This creates a portable and easy-fit design. It’s made to fit anywhere in your kitchen, office, or backpack for when you take it on the go.
Easy To Use Control Panel
The K Mini Plus makes it incredibly easy to brew a hot cup of coffee. It has a simple control panel that is seamless and straightforward. There are only 2 buttons to concern yourself with when it comes to brewing.
The big K brew button dispenses a regular shot of coffee. The “strong” brew button dispenses a stronger shot of coffee. The only other button on the panel is the power/on button (you won’t miss it), so make sure to press it before doing anything.
Water Reservoir
The Keurig K Mini Plus comes with a 12oz removable water reservoir, which will require a refill for each brew cycle. Other models like the Keurig K Slim and the K Elite coffee makers can hold multiple cups worth of coffee servings in their water reservoir. However, the pay-off with the K Mini Plus is that you save an enormous amount of space.
Another benefit is the guarantee of fresh water used for each cup of coffee made. You refill it with each use rather than using water that’s been in the reservoir for extended periods between uses.
Keurig Mini Plus cup sizes
The K Mini Plus can brew for almost any coffee mug cup size. By detaching the removable drip tray from the Keurig machine, you can create an extra inch of height to brew for tall travel mugs of up to 7-inches tall. You can also purchase the K-mug separately. A single cup with the Keurig logo is designed to be the perfect fit for your K Mini Plus coffee maker.
Removable Drip Tray Accent
The removable drip tray makes it easy to wash from time to time. Also, removing it gives you that extra space to brew for larger-sized cups of up to 7-inches in height. This makes it convenient for those on the go who need to take a travel mug with them.
K-Cup Pod Storage Capacity
The K-Mini Plus pod storage component holds up to 9 K-Cup pods. This means you do not need to worry about cleaning out the machine until your 9th cup of coffee. This K-Cup pod holder is built seamlessly into the coffee maker’s structure. It does not interfere with the dimensions of the K-Mini brewer.
Warranty and Support For K-Mini Plus
Keurig provides a 1-year limited warranty from the date of purchase of any of Keurig’s coffee machines. This means you can have your machine replaced for any defects in materials or workmanship under normal home use.
Benefits of the Keurig K-Mini Plus
Beautiful Look
The aesthetics of the K-Mini Plus coffee maker is unmatched. It has a sleek black color, touches of silver, and logo design at the front and on the K brew button. The absence of a gigantic removable water reservoir adds to its beauty.
Great things come in small packages. The Keurig K Mini Plus proves this by having the most beautiful, uninterrupted appearance of all Keurig brewers.
Easy to Use
Perhaps the easiest Keurig brewer to use is the K Mini Keurig model. It allows you to make delicious coffee with the press of a button. The Keurig K Mini brews regular and strong coffees through a simple control panel consisting of 2 brewing options.
You also need not worry about wasting power or causing an accidental brew. There’s an auto-off function that shuts down the machine automatically when not in use.
Coffee on Demand
The simplicity of the control panel means you can enjoy coffee on-demand wherever you decide to plug in your machine. At home, the office, or in a motel, there is always time for a quality cup of coffee, and the K Mini makes brewing coffee on the go a reality.
Coffee quality
There is such a huge range of K-Cups to choose from, with hundreds of brands including big names such as Starbucks, Caribou, and McCafe offering their own K-Cups, you get to enjoy the best coffee America has to offer anytime, anywhere.
K-Cup Storage
The K-Mini Plus single serve coffee maker provides a storage component that stores up to 9 regular K-Cups, meaning you can have peace of mind of not worrying about emptying the used K-Cups till you’ve reached your 9th coffee.
Cleaning
Descaling your K Mini Plus is quite simple to do. It involves emptying out the cartridge of empty K-Cups and applying the Keurig descaling solution as per guidelines. Read our step-by-step guide on How to Descale a Keurig for more information on what this entails.
Maintenance
The other component you will want to track periodically is the Keurig needles, which are responsible for ripping into the K-Cups to enable the brewing process. Your needles won’t work properly if they are dirty from built-up coffee particles or if they get bent over time.
Luckily, we have a simple guide on How to Clean a Keurig Needle which details the process of locating, diagnosing, and treating your Keurig needles.
How does the Keurig Mini Plus work?
The mechanics of the Keurig Mini Plus is quite straightforward. First, turn on the power and fill the water reservoir anywhere between 6-12oz, depending on how much coffee you dispense.
Next, choose your favorite K-Cup and insert it into the brewer by opening up the silver lid, making sure to close it once inserted. Finally, place your mug under the dispenser, press the big K button or strong brew button, and watch the magic happen!
Pros and Cons of Keurig Mini Plus
Pros
- Compact, portable design that fits on any counter space and enables coffee on the go.
- Beautiful, aesthetic look with no unsightly water tank that takes up space.
- Simply controls and mechanisms for a hassle-free brewing experience.
- Compatible with K-Cup universal reusable coffee filter for making ground coffee.
- The drip tray is removable dishwasher safe and encourages the use of a tall travel mug.
- Easy coffee pods and discreet cord storage capabilities for enhanced portability and convenience.
- The auto-off feature allows you to save energy when not in use.
Cons
- The water tank must be filled with each use.
- Only compatible with K-Cup coffee pods.
How does Keurig Mini Plus compare to Other Keurigs?
Keurig Mini Plus vs. Mini
Keurig Mini vs Mini Plus: Which is best? Within the same price range and identical in dimensions is the Keurig K Mini (without the Plus), which is essentially the same thing but with fewer perks than the Mini Plus, for example, no removable water tank.
Other differences include the strong button and the pod storage, which are present in the K Mini Plus but not the standard K Mini. To sum up, the Mini Plus operates just like the Mini but with a few more features. To learn more, see our Keurig K Mini review.
Keurig Mini Plus vs. Slim
Keurig Slim vs Mini: Which is the right one? The K Slim is a notch above the K Mini Plus in size, though within a similar price range. It boasts a removable water tank and holds up to 4 cups worth of coffee brews per water refill cycle.
Another notable difference is the strong button which is only present on the Mini Plus, whereas the K Slim gives you three options between 8oz, 10oz, or 12oz. To learn more, see our Keurig K Slim review.
Keurig Mini Plus vs. Supreme
The Keurig Supreme is a significantly higher price than the K Mini Plus but is still reasonably affordable. Built with multi-stream technology, the Supreme achieves a more aromatic and flavorful brew that produces more tasty coffee.
The water tank is around double the size of the Mini Plus, with enough storage for 9 cups of coffee per cycle. To learn more, see our Keurig Supreme review.
Keurig Mini Plus vs. Compact
Within the same price range as the Mini Plus is the Keurig Compact, which mostly has the same functionalities except it can also brew hot water, which is a major bonus for lovers of tea, soup, or instant noodles.
With 36 ounces of water capacity in its reservoir, you can enjoy brewing multiple cups of coffee as opposed to the Mini Plus which only allows one cup per tank refill. To learn more, see our Keurig Compact review.
Keurig Mini Plus vs. Classic
Also within the same price range as the Mini Plus is the Keurig Classic, one of the largest among the Keurig machines. With a water tank that holds a whopping 48 ounces of water, you can enjoy at least 6 cups of hot coffee before heading to refill duty.
The Classic is a single-cup brewer designed to brew coffee in a way that saves you as much time and effort as possible in your morning routine. To learn more, see our Keurig Classic review.
Other Keurig options
Keurig K-Select Coffee Maker
The K Select coffee maker is another option of the Keurig brand and is in a lower price range than the Mini Plus, specializing in high water capacity and holding up to 52oz of water. To learn more, see our Keurig K-Select review.
Keurig K-Elite Coffee Maker
Called the K-Elite for a reason, this coffee maker is the cream of the crop when it comes to water reservoir capacity, boasting an enormous 75oz of space, coming a long way from the one cup reservoir of the Mini series. To learn more, see our K Elite review.
Keurig K-Duo Coffee Maker
The K-Duo is specially designed for brewing up large pots using coffee grounds through its big compartment made for that exact purpose, eliminating the need to purchase a separate K-Cup universal filter. To learn more, see our K-Duo review.
Keurig K155 Office Pro Commercial Coffee Maker
Significantly higher in terms of price, the Keurig K155 Commercial immediately gives off a fancy office vibe with its silver appearance and professional design and holds up to 90oz of water so you rarely have to refill it. To learn more, see our Keurig K155 Commercial review.
Keurig K-Cafe Special Edition Single-Serve K-Cup Pod Coffee
The K-Cafe’s main X-factor is the milk frother, which allows you to take things to the next level and really reproduce an excellent coffee of cafe quality. Also, note its significantly higher price range than the K-Mini Plus, though reasonably affordable still. To learn more, see our K-Cafe review.
Keurig K-Supreme Coffee Maker
The K-Supreme is a little higher than the Mini series in terms of the price range but is also higher in quality. Designed to make the perfect cup of coffee in about a minute, the Supreme uses multi-stream technology to enhance the aroma and flavor. To learn more, see our K-Supreme review.
Keurig Mini Plus FAQ
Who is Keurig K-Mini Plus for?
The K-Mini Plus is for coffee lovers who want more than just a decent coffee. Its compact, lightweight design and the small water tank are intended for travelers or if you are the only coffee drinker in your home.
Why do people prefer Keurig K-Mini over other coffee machines?
The main attraction of the Keurig K-Mini is its simplicity in both design and functionality. Able to be moved around easily with optimal cord storage and having very simple brew controls that do not limit you in any way, it’s the perfect coffee machine for coffee on the go, in office use, or in the home.
What is the difference between Keurig K Mini and K-Mini Plus?
The main difference between the K Mini and K Mini Plus lies in various places, with the Plus having additional features for those willing to spend a little extra. These additional perks include the removability of the water tank, the pod storage compartment, and the strong brew button.
Does Keurig Mini Plus use regular K cups?
Yes, the Mini-Plus uses regular K-Cup pods and can store up to 9 K-Cups before requiring descaling.
Which Keurig Mini is the best?
Overall, the Keurig Mini Plus is the better option, as it has significantly more features than the Keurig Mini. However, the standard K Mini wins when it comes to price range, making it the better option for those on lower budgets.
Does Keurig K Mini Plus use pods?
No , the K Mini Plus is only compatible with K-Cup pods, so you cannot use non-K-Cups such as Nespresso or other standard coffee pods.
What is the difference between Keurig K Mini Plus and K Slim?
The main difference is the size of the machine and the capacity of the water tank. The K Mini Plus uses a single cup water tank which requires a refill upon every use, while the K Slim stores up to 4 brews worth of water in its tank.
How long does it take for a Keurig Mini Plus to brew?
The K Mini Plus takes no more than a minute of your time to brew your coffee.
Verdict: Is Keurig Mini Plus worth the money?
Absolutely! The Keurig Mini Plus is an example of big things coming in small packages, and you will be thoroughly impressed with just how much it can do. In addition, its light and compact design would do wonders for coffee lovers who like to move out and about for the right person.
Overall Review of the Keurig Mini Plus Coffee Maker
The Keurig K Mini Plus is the ultimate in portable coffee makers, and I can easily visualize a life of adventure using it. Imagine going on a long road trip from motel to motel or staying at a seaside cabin by the ocean, and there isn’t a cafe in sight!
The Mini Plus coffee maker would be an absolute life-saver for me, and I can easily see myself enjoying a travel mug full of coffee thanks to that delightfully detachable drip tray. So if you have the budget, don’t settle for anything less. Get your hands on the K Mini Plus and enjoy the added features of the strong brew function, pod storage, and flexible drip tray.
Want the Best Keurig Coffee Maker?
We’ve reviewed all of the current Keurig coffee makers, so we know a thing or two about Keurig. Here are all the different models reviewed for your reading pleasure plus the best Keurig machines.
