Keurig K Mini Plus Reviews: Our Expert Review of this Small Keurig Appliance

Do you enjoy delicious coffee but find yourself limited on space? You may feel like you’re the only person in the world who needs a miniature yet stylish coffee machine, but trust us when we say you’re not alone. Through some pretty intensive research, we were able to put together a comprehensive Keurig K Mini Plus review to include all of the essential information you may want to know before committing to one.

If you’re in a rush, we’ll tell you straight off the bat that this machine is ideal for someone working with a small space and who doesn’t need more than one cup of joe at a time. While it didn't score the highest spot on our Keurig machine buying guide, it still holds its own as a premier single serve coffee appliance.

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About the Keurig Brand

Anyone who has ever taken a stroll through the appliance section in any store knows the name Keurig. Keurig is known as a revolutionary brand dedicated to making a cup of coffee easy, simple, and quick to obtain. Co-creators John Sylvan and Peter Dragone began the company by experimenting with a single-serve coffee machine. 

After several prototypes, the team - later joined by Dick Sweeney - created the first Keurig, along with the now recognized invention of the K-Cup pod that held the perfect amount of coffee grounds for one cup. Since the first Keurig machine, the brand has branched out and created lines of specialty coffee along with many other machines and accessories to suit the needs of coffee lovers around the world. 

While the initial vision was to create these coffee machines for office settings, the popularity of the product inspired the brand to aim for home kitchen countertops. Homebrewers became the heart of the corporation, and today it’s not uncommon to see the name in the kitchens of your friends, families, and colleagues. 

Keurig K Mini Plus

Specifications: 

• Plastic
• Capacity: 12 ounces 
• Weight: 6.4 pounds
• Dimensions: 11.3” x 4.5” x 12.1” 

Before we get into the nitty-gritty specifics of this review, we’ll go through a few of the pros and cons of this coffee machine. 

• ✅ This machine is a very small, convenient size perfect for small spaces and single homes. 
• ✅ With simple operation instructions, anyone can use this product with ease. 
• ✅ The coffee maker is very low-maintenance and easy to clean. 
• ✅ It includes a removable water reservoir for easy refilling. 
• ✅ It has built-in storage to hold up to nine k-cups. 
• ✅ The machine has a strong brew button for a stronger flavor. 
• 🚫 Does not make large batches at once. 
• 🚫 Cannot make any kind of specialty drink. 
• 🚫 Expensive price for its size and capabilities. 
• 🚫 Limited controls and programmability. 

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The Keurig K Mini Plus: An Introduction 

The Keurig K Mini Plus is an upgrade to the K Mini. Its 5-inch design makes it perfect for studio apartments, tiny dorm rooms, and small officers. Its convenient size comes as no surprise to us, as the entire Keurig brand aims to make coffee easy and accessible to anyone. 

While this is certainly an excellent option for some people, it’s also true that the K Mini Plus may not be ideal for all coffee lovers. It's a single-cup brewer, so you can only make one cup of coffee at a time. 

The K Mini Plus only accommodates k-cups, but you can use a k-cup reusable coffee filter for grounds. However, it doesn’t come with a filter or a grinder, which might be a turn-off for coffee aficionados who prefer freshly ground coffee every morning. 

Throughout this review, we’ll be going over tons of helpful information that can help you decide if the K Mini Plus is the right coffee machine for you. Let’s continue on to learn more. 

Keurig K Mini Plus Review

If you’re interested in potentially purchasing the K Mini Plus, we want to make sure you have as much information as possible. That’s why we took the time to go through the details of its functionality, its features, its ease of use, and much more.

Overall, we do think Keurig stamped the price tag a bit too high on this one. This machine is certainly simple and convenient, but there are many other coffee makers in the same price range that have more features and functionality. 

That being said, there are still many positives to this product that justify our 4/5 star rating. 

Features 4/5 ⭐

Considering the small size of the K Mini Plus, we have to give the brand credit for the convenient features it includes. The K Mini Plus definitely has some upgrades following its predecessor, the K Mini, and we’d be at fault if we didn’t highlight them.

Let’s start with the basics: the water reservoir. The K Mini Plus includes a removable water reservoir, which makes it much easier to refill. Unlike the standard K Mini, which has a built-in reservoir, you can take this one off of the machine and bring it over to your sink for each refill. 

The K Mini Plus also features a strong brew button, which is a pretty big draw for substantial coffee drinkers. This button gives you the stronger, bolder flavor that true coffee lovers enjoy. 

This machine includes pod storage that slides right into your brewer to hold nine of your favorite K-Cups when you’re not using it. It fits seamlessly under the spout to save you even more counter space. 

The features on the K Mini Plus are limited due to its size, but what it does include are extremely useful items that impact everyday use, so we find them suitable for the purpose of the machine. 

Ease of Use 5/5 ⭐

The K Mini Plus couldn’t be easier to use. Because it uses K-Cups, the coffee is already perfectly ground and measured for the ideal cup of joe. The steps are as simple as inserting the cup and hitting the “go” button. 

It’s clear to us that the K Mini was made to make brewing simple. While some coffee lovers enjoy the process, others of us just want to make it out the front door in time. With this machine, you don’t need any fancy equipment, technique, or skills. 

Design 4/5 ⭐

The highlight of the K Mini Plus’s design is by far its compact design. This machine was made for small spaces, and we couldn’t agree with that premise more. 

The K Mini Plus takes up next to no room with its 5-inch width. While other coffee machines are large and bulky, this machine sits almost unnoticed in tiny spaces. It’s also lightweight, so it’s easy to move around or pack up for your next move. 

Although the machine is so small, it doesn’t inhibit your ability to use your favorite mug. The K Mini Plus accommodates cup sizes from 6 to 12 ounces. The drip tray is removable, so you can take it out to make room for your favorite travel mug up to 7 inches tall. 

And speaking of the drip tray, this bottom component leaves enough space to catch a full accidental brew. Cleanup has never been easier! 

The machine is made mostly of plastic, which can be concerning to some in terms of quality. However, the plastic allows for six different color options so you can match your unique style and kitchen decor. 

Value for Your Money 3.8/5  ⭐

Simplicity seems to be the key to this product’s success, so we did find it a bit disappointing that the price ranked up with some more complex coffee makers on the market. 

This machine essentially has one function: to brew a single cup of coffee. While it does include some helpful and functional features, like a removable drip tray and a strong brew button, it certainly doesn’t have anything fancy. 

Don’t get it wrong, though; many buyers appreciate this machine for the convenience and ease of use that it offers. For many, that’s enough to justify its buying price. 

If you’re looking for a solution to long brew times and complicated processes, then you’ll get your money’s worth for this machine. However, if you’re searching for an easy-to-use machine with extra features, you may need to look elsewhere. 

Performance 4.5/5 ⭐

The K Mini Plus has an average lifespan of five years when used once daily. And with regular maintenance and cleaning, you can ensure it functions well over that time frame. 

So, not only does the K Mini perform for a long time, but it performs well. When you brew with this Keurig model, you get fast results and a great flavor. Despite the fact that it’s made from plastic, the design of the machine does not impact the taste. 

Plus, the added strong brew button impacts the taste and gives you a little more control over the flavor of your coffee. 

Over our review period, we’ve been able to attest to the fact that this machine will give you consistently great-tasting coffee. It helps that it uses K-Cups, so the measure of the grounds is always the same. 

You can expect to have a full mug within just five minutes. This is a quick-setup, fast-acting machine that shaves valuable time off your morning routine. That being said, we do wish it had a timer option so you could set your machine the night before, but we’ll settle for the fast performance. 

The temperature of the brew consistently sat between 160 and 170 F degrees. That’s not terrible, but it is below what experts consider the perfect brewing temperature. This temperature also gets lower if you try to brew one cup immediately after another. 

Finally, the K Mini Plus will automatically turn itself off after 90 seconds of brewing, so we love that it conserves energy and avoids overuse. 

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Don't Buy the K Mini Plus If...

The K Mini Plus has proven itself to be a wonderful and convenient coffee maker, but it’s not the ideal solution for everyone. You should consider looking into other machines if: 

1. You have a large family or frequently host large gatherings. 

The K Mini Plus says it all in its name: it’s a mini machine. While this is an awesome option for single-serve use, it’s not the best choice for someone with a big family who drinks lots of coffee. 

The idea of a single-serve may be appealing to someone who lives alone, but you can’t make big batches of coffee at once to accommodate more people. In fact, you have to refill the reservoir for every cup, so you can’t even continually hit the brew button. 

2. You enjoy specialty coffee. 

The K Mini Plus can brew any kind of 1.0 K-Cup that you prefer, but it can’t help you with any kind of specialty coffee drinks. This machine won’t be able to make espresso or froth your milk for you, so it’s best for someone who enjoys plain coffee. 

3. You prefer lots of programmable features. 

One of the main programmable features that this coffee maker is missing is a timer. Many people, especially those who get up early for work, like to program their coffee maker the night before to automatically brew for them. 

The K Mini Plus operates pretty quickly, so it’s still doable, but you won’t be able to set a timer for yourself. 

4. You’re on a tight budget. 

The K Mini Plus is definitely on the more expensive side of the aisle, so it may not fit into a tight budget. Even if you love everything about the machine, there may be a cheaper option available to you. 

The price-to-value ratio on this one is just okay at best, so even if you can afford it, you may prefer to spend the same amount of money on a machine that offers a few more features. 

How to Use the K Mini Plus

As you can see from our 5/5 star rating for “ease of use,” the K Mini Plus is extremely easy to use - even if you’ve never used a standard coffee machine before. While the instructions can probably make things pretty clear, we’ll do a quick outline of the simple steps here. 

First, remove the water reservoir and fill it to the appropriate line. Put it back into place and select your favorite K-Cup 1.0. 

Open the top of the machine and place your K-Cup inside. From here, you can choose to use the strong brew button or not. 

Place your mug under the spout, removing the drip tray if necessary. Press the brew button and wait for your coffee to flow into your mug. 

You can keep your machine in good working condition by cleaning it regularly. You should wipe down your machine after each use, and the K-Cup pod holder and drip tray are both dishwasher-safe. 

Plus, Keurig recommends that you descale your machine every three to six months to keep it safe, clean, and functioning well.

K Mini Plus vs. K Mini

The differences between the K Mini Plus and the original K Mini aren’t super huge, but for many people, they’re significant enough to justify an upgrade. Take a look at the specifications first.

K Mini: 

• Serving sizes: 6 to 12 oz.
• Size: 11.3” x 4.5” x 12.1”
• Materials: Plastic
• Color options: 6

K Mini Plus:

• Serving sizes: 6 to 12 oz.
• Size: 11.3” x 4.5” x 12.1”
• Materials: Plastic
• Color options: 6

At the very basic level of specifications, the K Mini and the K Mini Plus are exactly the same. However, the K Mini Plus does include some important upgrades that differentiate it from the original design. 

The K Mini Plus includes storage for up to nine K-Cups, which the K Mini does not have. It also adds a strong brew button that lets you control your brew strength, unlike the original. You can remove the reservoir for easy filling on the Plus, while the original is locked onto the machine. 

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Small Keurig Competitors

Keurig isn’t the only brand to dream up a single-serve coffee maker and put it on the market. The K Mini Plus definitely has some competition on the market, so it’s a good idea to check these models out before making a final buying decision. 

Sboly Single Serve Coffee Maker

Although the Sboly single-serve is not a Keurig machine, it is compatible with K-Cups. So, you can invest in a more affordable option while still enjoying the convenience and flavor of a K-Cup. This machine also works with ground coffee, so you can use any kind of coffee that you prefer. 

The Sboly is comparable to the K Mini Plus in size, and it actually weighs less. It has both plastic and stainless steel elements with a black and silver design that suits most kitchens. The one-button operation makes it as easy to use as the K Mini, with separate buttons for ground coffee and K-Cups. When you press both buttons at once, it initiates the self-cleaning cycle. 

Bosch Tassimo T55  

The Bosch Tassimo T55 is another single-serve coffee maker that uses T-discs instead of K-Cups. While K-Cups are more prevalent and easier to find, the cost of the two is comparable. 

The T55 is a high-quality brewing system with reliable construction. Not only does it brew coffee super quickly, but it can also make espresso and cappuccinos. The water reservoir is removable, holds more water, and has a water filter offer. This machine is larger than the K Mini, though, so it may not be ideal if you don’t have a lot of counter space. 

Cuisinart Single Serve Coffee Brewer

This Cuisinart single-serve machine runs at about the same price range as the K Mini Plus, but it has just a few more functions and features that could make it a better option for you. The machine itself is just a tad bit bigger, but it still fits nicely in small spaces. 

This Cuisinart model is K-Cup compatible and also supports ground coffee with its coffee filter. It has control buttons for three different drink sizes along with a 30-minute auto-shutoff feature. The removable water tank holds up to 40 ounces at once for fewer refills and more continuous brewing. 

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Conclusion

Overall, the K Mini Plus is an excellent design from a well-trusted and beloved brand in the world of coffee. It’s the ideal solution for anyone who has minimal space, lives on their own, and just enjoys a good, old-fashioned cup of coffee. 

We would certainly recommend this product to anyone who doesn’t mind spending a couple of extra bucks. It’s reliable, produces quality coffee, and looks great on your countertop.

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