Keurig Mini vs Mini Plus | Here’s Why I Ditched My Keurig Mini

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Another debate that seems to be on the minds of Keurig owners is whether or not it’s better to go with a Keurig Mini vs Mini Plus.

If you choose the wrong machine for your needs, you’ll regret it down the road and end up with a counter full of unused coffee makers that all take up way too much space.

The best way to choose your coffee maker is to get some advice from a seasoned homemade barista like me…JK 🙂

I don’t consider myself an expert but I do know a thing or two that I hope can help make an informed decision about your next coffee baby!

Let’s get started!

The Keurig System In A Few Words

The Keurig brewing system is known as a “pod” machine.

It allows you to brew a single serving of coffee, tea, hot chocolate or soup from an approved K-cup pod filled with ground coffee.

The machine heats the water to the perfect temperature for all common types of coffee and then uses a vacuum to eject the water through the K-cup into a mug or travel cup. Hello, productivity!

People have been debating whether to buy a Keurig Mini, Keurig Mini Plus, Keurig Elite or something else entirely.

There are a lot of pros and cons to be considered. I am going to break down my opinion on each type in this post, but the best way to make an informed decision is with some expert advice.

Keurig Mini vs Mini Plus – The Overview

The K-Mini Single Serve Coffee Maker

I’m going to start off with the Keurig Mini because I use it and personally believe that as a beginner in the coffee world, it can do wonders for you.

That being said the K-Plus does some things a little better but I’m getting ahead of myself…

Let me tell you more about what I’ve learned while owning my Keurig K-Mini.

As small as it can be, it’s also an impressive little device. If you have a cup of 6-12oz that’s ready to get filled with your favorite drink, you can be sure to have it a just a few minutes.

At less than 5″ wide, and with a footprint of around 12″ tall, it fits right where you want it to and can be placed out of sight behind your counter.

If you’ve never had the mini brewer before, consider yourself lucky

I’d encourage you to fill your cup with a favorite drink and see for yourself what the K-Mini’s capabilities are like.

The one-cup water reservoir is hidden at the back of the machine, right next to the drip tray which is also where any residue overflows go.

So, as long as you have your K-Cups, you’re off and running.

Shop Keurig K-Mini Coffee Maker 

The K-Mini Plus Single Serve Coffee Maker

The K-Mini Plus is the brainchild of the Keurig Coffee team that wanted to provide people with a machine that was better than what was currently on the market.

I’ve had to buy both machines after I initially decided to start using a mini brewer in my studio.

While I was perfectly satisfied with my K-Mini until it broke after about a year and a half, the new and improved (and larger) model had some features that were hard to pass up.

The K-Mini Plus Single Serve Coffee Maker comes in more colors, which is awesome. I got one in the Mini Plus that matched my studio decor.

That means that if you’re not prepared for it, you’ll probably end up giving it away to someone who likes bigger things.

I have to admit that the K-Mini Plus can give you that strong brew that you crave.

In fact, if your favorite cup of coffee is a bold one, then this is the machine that will satisfy that hunger.

I’ll touch more on this in a bit!

Just like her big sister, the K-Mini Plus comes with a removable drip tray that allows you to pull in a 7″ travel mug, which is a plus if you’re a big drinker and work, for example, and don’t want to come every 20mins for a cup of joe.

Shop Keurig K-Mini Plus Coffee Maker

Keurig Mini vs Mini Plus – How Are They Similar?

Ease Of Use

When it comes to bringing a new apparel at home, it’s best to open the leaflet and start reading the instructions, right?

But both are so easy to use that you don’t need to read too much.

If you’re already a coffee lover, I guess you already know where to start until you get your cup of joe!

It’s easy as 1,2,3…

Design And Size

Both the Mini and Mini Plus are simply gorgeous.

They are both sleek, compact, and look good on any kitchen countertop.

But if you prefer, they can be placed out of sight without taking too much space.

On the one hand, it gives you the opportunity to have a nice coffee maker in plain sight without being too visible.

The Water Reservoir Capacity

Both units can hold up to 8oz of water.

Auto Shutoff

A must-have option in coffee makers is the auto-shutoff option. Basically, the machine will turn itself off 90 seconds after your last brew.

Keurig Mini vs Mini Plus – What Has Changed?

At a glance, you might think nothing has really changed but they have brought in some slight improvements. Let’s take a look at these changes.

Reservoir

The water reservoir is still a one cup reservoir but in the K-Mini Plus, it is now a removable one.

In the K-mini, the reservoir is hidden behind a panel at the back of the machine.

You just have to open up the lid and fill it in with water.

An easy filling is most welcome!

Pod Storage

If you’re a kind of messy soul, rejoice! You won’t have your K-Cup pods scattered here and there anymore.

The K-Mini Plus comes with a pod storage to help you organize your K-Cup pods in a more space-saving manner.

Brew Strength

If like me, you love an intense cup of joe when you wake up, the K-Mini Plus will do the job.

I loved the Keurig Mini but frankly, the coffee was not strong enough for me.

But when I tested the K-Mini Plus, I was a bit surprised at my first strong cup of coffee with a mini brewer.

So hats off to the team behind the machines from Keurig for this feature.

Keurig Mini vs Mini Plus – The Downsides of These Machines

They are pretty, aesthetic, and would work well in any kitchen or living room.

But let’s face it.

These machines cost a little more than their plastic counterparts, and there are some downsides to both machines.

Here’s what you need to know about the things I dislike about these little coffee makers.

Noise

Let’s face it. The Keurig machines are a good thing but they do have a problem with noise.

My other big babies, The Hamilton Beach Flexbrew & Keurig K-Duo don’t make these weird sounds when brewing.

Well, after all, you can’t expect a perfect device for less than $100.

It’s the new norm now! Yikes!

Change in Coffee Quality

This is a thing I noticed in cheap coffee makers; the quality of your coffee won’t be the same like the first one!

You’ll notice after some time that the coffee turns watery and it’s not as strong.

And some complaints about the coffee getting too weak.

It’s because of the plastic parts build in the K-Cups.

So, if you notice that some of your K-Cups are turning out weaker than usual, get rid of them and replace it with another fresh one.

You can easily find the K-Cup Universal Coffee Filters that are compatible with the K-Mini or K-Mini Plus on amazon.

Brewing Time

I don’t know about you but coffee is the first thing I need to get into my body as soon as I wake up.

Luckily, I don’t use a mini brewer in the morning.

But they take a lot of time to brew a single cup and that’s the one thing I really hate.

Let’s be honest, if you’re a serious coffee lover, you will find these machines a bit lacking.

You need a lot of time to brew and that can get very annoying especially when you don’t want to run to the kitchen every five minutes for your cup of joe.

Anyway, they are still good coffee makers if you’re on a tight budget and still love a good cup of coffee every morning!

So, don’t let these mini fails to rule you out from a good cup of coffee.

These machines are actually a blessing to many people who love a good cup of joe at home.

Keurig K-Mini vs Mini Plus | Which One To Get?

If I had to choose between these machines, I’ll choose the Keurig Mini Plus.

It’s quite small and compact and it doesn’t take too much space in my kitchen cabinets.

Its design is subtle and blends into the kitchen countertop without being too obvious.

I just love that.

I always have a headache when it comes to making a decision between two versions of the same product.

Is it worth paying more for this? Is it worth compromising on these features?

Keurig Mini vs Mini Plus – Who Wins The Battle

If you’re one that likes to stay on the safe side and stick with what has worked for you, I’d go with the Mini.

The Mini will be just great if you’re only looking for a single cup of coffee and don’t want to spend money on all those K-Cups.

It comes at a much higher price than its big sissy but it’s still cheaper than any K-Cup you’re going to buy.

If you like strong coffee and if having a lot of cups (thanks to the travel mug option) is what you need, then I would go for the K-Mini Plus.

Overall, the K-Mini with its lower price tag is great for beginners in the coffee maker world.

It doesn’t boast as many features as its bigger sister but it still does a great job. If you’re looking for a coffee brewer at an affordable price, this one is for you.

Flip side, go with the K-Mini Plus.

It has all the features that you could possibly want and we can’t forget its high price!

Overall, it’s better if you’re a coffee lover and will use your machine morning and night.

I’d recommend it to anyone who might want their coffee ready in 5 minutes or less from now regardless if they’re rushing to work, getting ready for the gym or need a little pick-me-up before heading out in the morning.

Final Thoughts on The Keurig Mini vs Mini Plus

We’ve reached the end of our little debate and by now I hope that I was able to give you a decent comparison of the Keurig Mini vs Mini Plus.

Although they are different machines, our discussion has shown that they are more alike than different.

I know what I would choose if I was in your shoes!

But I’ll let you choose for yourself and hope that this article helps to make it easier.