Comparison of Keurig K-Mini Plus vs. K-Mini – Which To Buy

Keurig is making a great effort in modernizing the look and feel of their machines. It clearly shows in the design of the Keurig K-Mini Plus. The biggest difference here, why make a new machine? Is it any different or better than the old K-Mini (K15 or K10), and if you already have a K-Mini, should you upgrade to a new one? That’s what I’ll be answering in this post.

Keurig K Mini vs K Mini Plus

K-Mini Plus vs. K-Mini vs K-Slim vs K-Compact: Quick Side by Side Comparison

Keurig K-Mini Single Serve K-Cup Pod Coffee Maker (Black) with Descaling Powder and 12-Count Single Serve K-Cup Bundle (3 Items)
Best Pick
Keurig K-Mini Plus Coffee Maker, Single Serve K-Cup Pod Coffee Brewer, 6 to 12 oz. Brew Size, Stores up to 9 K-Cup Pods, Black
Keurig K- Slim Single Serve K-Cup Pod Coffee Maker, Multistream Technology, Black
Keurig K-Compact Single Serve Coffee Maker
Keurig K-Mini Single Serve K-Cup Pod Coffee Maker (Black) with Descaling Powder and 12-Count Single Serve K-Cup Bundle (3 Items)
Keurig K-Mini Plus Coffee Maker, Single Serve K-Cup Pod Coffee Brewer, 6 to 12 oz. Brew Size, Stores up to 9 K-Cup Pods, Black
Keurig K- Slim Single Serve K-Cup Pod Coffee Maker, Multistream Technology, Black
Keurig K-Compact Single Serve Coffee Maker
Serving Sizes
6, 8, 10 and 12 oz
6, 8, 10 and 12 oz
8, 10, 12 oz
6, 8, 10 oz
Strong Brew Option
Removable Water Reservoir
Pod Storage
Dimensions
12.1”H X 4.5” W X 11.3”D
12.1”H X 4.5” W X 11.3”D
12.14″ H x 4.76″ W x 15.2″ D
12.5"H X 13.2"W X 8.2"D
Keurig K-Mini Single Serve K-Cup Pod Coffee Maker (Black) with Descaling Powder and 12-Count Single Serve K-Cup Bundle (3 Items)
Keurig K-Mini Single Serve K-Cup Pod Coffee Maker (Black) with Descaling Powder and 12-Count Single Serve K-Cup Bundle (3 Items)
Serving Sizes
6, 8, 10 and 12 oz
Strong Brew Option
Removable Water Reservoir
Pod Storage
Dimensions
12.1”H X 4.5” W X 11.3”D
More Info
Best Pick
Keurig K-Mini Plus Coffee Maker, Single Serve K-Cup Pod Coffee Brewer, 6 to 12 oz. Brew Size, Stores up to 9 K-Cup Pods, Black
Keurig K-Mini Plus Coffee Maker, Single Serve K-Cup Pod Coffee Brewer, 6 to 12 oz. Brew Size, Stores up to 9 K-Cup Pods, Black
Serving Sizes
6, 8, 10 and 12 oz
Strong Brew Option
Removable Water Reservoir
Pod Storage
Dimensions
12.1”H X 4.5” W X 11.3”D
More Info
Keurig K- Slim Single Serve K-Cup Pod Coffee Maker, Multistream Technology, Black
Keurig K- Slim Single Serve K-Cup Pod Coffee Maker, Multistream Technology, Black
Serving Sizes
8, 10, 12 oz
Strong Brew Option
Removable Water Reservoir
Pod Storage
Dimensions
12.14″ H x 4.76″ W x 15.2″ D
More Info
Keurig K-Compact Single Serve Coffee Maker
Keurig K-Compact Single Serve Coffee Maker
Serving Sizes
6, 8, 10 oz
Strong Brew Option
Removable Water Reservoir
Pod Storage
Dimensions
12.5"H X 13.2"W X 8.2"D
More Info

K-Mini vs. K-Mini Plus

There are a few added improvement to the K-Mini Plus over the K-Mini…

Strength Control:

K-Mini Plus has the Strong Brew option which the K-Mini lacks. This button makes your coffee taste stronger by brewing it for a longer time. Learn about it in details here.

Dimensions of the Machine:

K-Mini and K-Mini Plus both have the same dimensions of 12.1” High (16.8” high with handle open) x 4.5” Wide x 11.3” Deep. When they first came out, the K-Mini used to be slightly bigger in size but has now been redesigned to match the slim size of Mini Plus.

Water Reservoir:

The K-Mini Plus still has a water tank similar to the K-Mini’s in the sense that you have to fill in a fresh cup at every brew and fill it up to the size of your choice. The difference is that on the K-Mini Plus, the tank is removable, which makes it easier to refill and clean. K-Mini’s reservoir is not removable.

How important is a removable water reservoir over a non-removable one?

Personally, I wouldn’t say the refilling is necessarily the issue. Both models have a lid that opens wide enough, and the reservoir is quite wide so filling it is not hard. Cleaning it, however, is an issue. Rinsing out water reservoirs in all coffee makers is a must. It’s not something you have to do on the daily, but every now and then to get rid of any build-ups or gunk. Rinsing out a non-removable tank in a hassle. It’s enough to make me go for the K-Mini Plus instead of the K-Mini.

Water Filtration:

None of these brewers have water filtration. Due to the small tanks, you can’t use filter cartridges to filter out water impurities. It’s highly recommended that you use filtered or bottled water. Never use distilled water, find out why here.

Pod Storage:

Keurig K Mini Plus Single Serve K Cup Pod Storage

This is a nice addition to the K-Mini Plus. Since it’s quite compact in design, it’s actually also very portable. If you decide to take your machine on the go, you’ll find the 9-pod storage quite handy. It fits right into the machine when not in use (it goes where your cup is usually placed).

Who Should Buy the K-Mini Plus? Should You Upgrade Your Current K-Mini?

The Keurig K-Mini Plus is a great compact machine. It’s a great choice for a single or two users at most, the reason I say that is because it takes about 2 minutes to brew a cup, and you’ll have to fill it up at each brew. If a large family is going to use it, there’s going to be a long wait and lots of refilling to get every body their cup of jo’. For a larger family, I always recommend a larger Keurig like the K-Elite that can brew larger amounts faster.

It’s also the best option for someone who needs to save as much counter top space as possible. At 5″ wide, you don’t have to worry about K-Mini Plus or K-Mini taking space at all.

Verdict? Buy The K-Mini Plus!

If this is going to be your first K-Mini, then by all means, go for the PLUS version. But if you already have a K-Mini, should you upgrade to the new Mini Plus?

The three additional things you’re going to get are:

  • Strong Brew button
  • Removable water reservoir.
  • Pod storage

If none of these matter to you, then there’s no reason for an upgrade, your older K-Mini will be just as fine.

Feature List of the Keurig K-Mini Plus

  • The slimmest Keurig machine to date (as of writing), at 5″ wide only.
  • The taller design now allows to place a travel mug up to 7″ tall when removing the drip tray.
  • Brews four cup sizes: 6, 8, 10 and 12 oz.
  • Strong brew option for brewing a bolder and stronger cup.
  • Removable one cup reservoir is now easier to refill. You still have to refill only as much as you want to brew.
  • Includes a 9-pod storage that fits right into your brewer. Perfect for using on the go.
  • Compatible with all K-Cup pods, including refillable filters (sold separately).
  • Available in different colors.
Buy From Target

See the K-Mini Plus in Action:

K-Mini Plus FAQ:

Does the K-Mini/Plus Use Regular K-Cup Pods?

Yes, you’ll use the same K-Cup pods like every other Keurig machine. It’s also compatible with refillable pods.

Can You Use Hot Cocoa or Tea Pods in K-Mini?

Yes, absolutely. You can use any type of pods you like. I would advise however that you run an empty brew (brew small cup without a pod inside) when switching between beverages to get rid of any residues.

Does the K-Mini or K-Mini Plus Come with a Water Filter?

No, none of them are compatible with water filters. Any Keurig that does not have a water reservoir, but a tank that refills with fresh water at each use, will most likely not include a water filter duo to the small size of the tank.

Is the K-Mini/Plus Considered a Keurig 2.0 Machine?

No, the Keurig 2.0 has been discontinued and is no longer being sold.

Does Keurig’s My K-Cup Refillable Pod Work with K-Mini and K-Mini Plus?

Yes, it does. You also have the option of buying third party brands, but I always recommend buying officially released pods whenever possible.

Keurig K-Mini vs. K-Slim, What’s The Difference?

The K-Slim is a great option for a Keurig that is almost as compact as the K-Mini, but instead of refilling the water tank with fresh water every time you brew, the K-Slim has a reservoir that holds up to 46 oz of water.

Other features:

  • It has three serving sizes: 8, 10 and 12 oz.
  • Dimensions: 12.14″ H x 4.76″ W x 15.2″ D

Although the height and width of the machine is nearly the same as the K-Mini, it is deeper (due to having a reservoir at the back).

K-Slim does not have Strength Control (like the K-Mini Plus), and it’s only available in black.

Keurig K-Mini vs. K-Compact, What’s The Difference?

The K-Compact brewer looks quite similar to Keurig’s K-Classic brewer. The name Compact suggest that it is smaller in size, and that is correct. However, it is not as small as the K-Mini, but can be considered compact in comparison to other Keurig machines.

How is it different than Keurig K-Mini?

Dimension: that’s a good place to start…

  • The K-Compact is 12.5” High x 8.2” Wide x 13.2” Deep.
  • K-Mini and K-Mini Plus are 12.1” High x 4.5” Wide x 11.3” Deep

The K-Mini is smaller in width and depth but almost the same height as the K-Compact.

Water Reservoir:

  • K-Compact has a small 36 oz water reservoir. It is removable and easy to refill and clean.
  • K-Mini, like the K-Mini Plus has a single-serve water tank. Which means you’ll have to add fresh water every time you brew a cup. The only difference is the K-Mini Plus has a removable tank.

Serving Sizes:

  • K-Compact brews sizes: 6, 8 and 10 oz.
  • K-Mini brews sizes: 6, 8, 10 and 12 oz.

So while the K-Mini is the smallest K-Cup brewer, Keurig calls the K-Compact their smallest brewer with a water reservoir.

See K-Compact in Action: