Keurig Express vs Mini: Side-by-Side Comparison

You won’t have to look much further than Keurig coffee makers if you’re looking for freshly brewed coffee, quick and hassle-free.

This article discusses two of the most competitive Keurig coffee maker models: Keurig K-Express and Keurig K-Mini. Both models are equally exceptional at their job.

These two Keurig machines, however, have distinct advantages and disadvantages.

The Keurig K-Express is an upgrade to the Keurig K-Mini. The K-Mini has been one of the top-selling entry-level Keurigs for some time now. The Keurig Mini is a single-serve coffee maker, while the Keurig Express is a large-capacity brewer.

Although both Keurig coffee machines use Keurig K-Cup pods, they are different. The K-Cup pods come in hundreds of different flavors and brands, or you can use reusable K-cups.

So, how do Keurig K-Express and K-mini differ from one another? And which one would we recommend for you? Keep reading to find out!

Keurig K-Express: At a Glance

Keurig K-Express is an all-rounder. It has all the functions a coffee lover would look for in their coffee maker. The K-Express makes coffee rich and flavorful at the touch of a button.

Having a large water reservoir, it can prepare three brew sizes: 8oz, 10oz, and 12oz. It allows you to make cup after cup of coffee without refilling, and back-to-back brewing eliminates the need to reheat your coffee maker at the beginning of your second brew.

The K-Express makes better coffee than the Mini because it includes a “strong” button. Compared to the Mini, the Express has a better heating element, which allows it to make coffee faster and with less noise.

Keurig K-Mini: At a Glance

Keurig K-Mini is a compact brewer with an aesthetically appealing outlook. It offers several different brewing options, including coffee, hot water for tea, or hot cocoa.

The K-Mini has a tiny water reservoir, so you can only brew with how much water you put in. However, it offers 6 oz to 12 oz brew sizes with just a touch of a single button. Its drawback is that the water reservoir, located at the rear of the machine, cannot be removed.

Compared to the Express, the Mini is a little smaller, comes in more colors, and stores the cord inside the machine, so it’s more convenient to travel with.

Keurig K-Express vs Keurig K-Mini: Side-by-side Comparison

For you to better understand Keurig K-Express and K-Mini, we will now dive deep into how both models work. The following details will help you understand the distinctive features of both machines.

1. Design

A coffee machine that looks good will catch your attention more than one that looks dull. The design of the coffee machine makes it stand apart from other models.

Keurig K-Express comes in a sleek black design with a plastic body. Though it has a plastic exterior, it looks worth the money you will pay. The machine seems elite and stylish, giving it a modern outlook.

It comes with a removable water reservoir and drip tray. When you remove the drip tray, a travel mug can easily fit under the spout. The machine contains specific buttons for brew sizes and also has a descale button.

Keurig K-Mini coffee maker is a compact brewer that can fit almost anywhere on your counter space. It has a matte finish that comes in various funky colors like Black, Oasis, Evergreen, Poppy Red, Dusty Rose, and Studio Gray.

The machine has only one button for brewing and has a blue indicator light to inform you when your brew is ready. It is a single-cup coffee machine with a small water reservoir that is not removable but has a removable drip tray. At the device’s rear is a space to roll the cord in.

2. Coffee Quality

True coffee lovers maintain coffee quality. Is it worth investing in a coffee machine if you don’t get the desired taste in return? No, right? Let’s see which of the two single-serve coffee makers provides superior quality.

K-Express coffee maker makes top-notch coffee, rich and flavorful. It makes the best coffee with reusable K-cups because they contain more coffee grounds than K-cups.

It also has a Strong brew coffee option to take your coffee to the next level. If you think Keurig makes weak coffee, the strong brew option can be your savior. Press the Strong brew option to make a cup of coffee more robust than usual.

K-Mini makes weaker coffee than K-Express. While K-express works better with reusable k-cups, the K-Mini makes better coffee using standard K-cups. Using reusable K-cups in K-mini will make weak coffee as K-Mini extracts coffee grounds too fast.

3. Brewing

The Brewing technique, temperature, and duration are crucial for understanding if the coffee machine matches your preferences.

Both Keurig K-express and K-mini use the same brewing technique. The heating element of the machine heats the water. Once you pop in a K-cup and close the lever, the hot water pierces through the pod, extracts its flavors and strengths, and makes you a delicious cup of coffee.

However, the taste of the coffee varies depending on the brand, roast, and blends of k-cup you are using.

Both models brew at similar temperatures between 165F to 170F. The temperature of brewed coffee reduces to 160F, which is pretty hot.

4. Water Capacity

The Water Reservoir of the coffee machines varies in size depending on the model. The coffee makers with larger water capacity will allow you to brew several cups without refilling water for each brew.

Detachable water reservoirs are easier to clean and also easier to refill.

The Keurig K-Express has a capacity of 42 ounces of water in the tank. It has a removable water tank, so refilling or cleaning it under the sink is easier.

On the other hand, the water reservoir of the K-mini can hold 12 ounces of water, making only one cup. For the next brew, you will have to refill it. K-mini’s water reservoir is not removable, which can be one of its drawbacks.

5. Usability

The usability of coffee machines is what makes or breaks it for coffee lovers. A coffee machine must be quick and hassle-free to save time and energy.

Keurig K-Express is easy to use because it has all the buttons on display. From there, you can choose the brew size you want. You have to press the button to get the required volume of coffee.

It also has a descale button. It gives a reminder to descale your coffee machine after 250 brews. It makes it easier to keep track of the machine’s cleanliness.

Another essential feature is its auto shut-off option. The coffee maker goes into a power-saving mode within 5 minutes of inactivity, saving you energy.

Keurig K-Mini is smaller and more straightforward because it has only two buttons, one to power on and the other to brew. Once your brew is ready, the blue lights on the brewer will indicate it.

The Keurig K-Mini is known for its quickness as it brews a cup of coffee within two minutes. Once the coffee is ready, the quick auto shut-off will turn on the power-saving mode within 90 seconds of inactivity.

6. Reusable K-cups

Reusable K-cups are an excellent invention for the coffee world. They allow you to refill coffee grounds of your choice to suit your taste. Also, Reusable K-cups are a sustainable choice compared to standard K-cups.

Keurig K-express works better with reusable K-cups to brew 8oz coffee. It is because the reusable K-cups contain more coffee than the standard ones.

On the other hand, K-Mini works excellent with standard K-cups because it brews coffee quickly, so it would result in weak coffee if you use refillable k-cups.

7. Water Heat-up time

The heat-up duration of the Keurig coffee machine varies from 30 seconds to 3 minutes, depending on its model. Once you press the power button, the machine’s heating element heats the water in the reservoir to start the brewing process.

The K-express takes approximately 1.30 minutes for the whole heating-up process. In this process, the machine starts to heat up as soon as you press the power button.

On the other hand, the K-mini requires a total of 2.20 minutes to heat up. It takes 1.40 minutes to heat and pour the water from the reservoir in the next 80 seconds.

8. Cleaning and Maintenance

The maintenance of the coffee machine is crucial for its longevity and efficiency. Otherwise, the buildup and calcium deposits accumulate on the machine’s internal parts, which usually affects the brewing process and coffee quality.

The primary and essential part of maintaining a Keurig machine is regularly descaling it. Descaling it every 3 to 6 months or after brewing 300 K-cups is advisable. It keeps the device in proper working condition.

The Keurig K-express is easier to clean and maintain because it has a removable water tank. You can easily clean the water tank by running water. The K-express also has a descale option which means when it’s the time to descale it, the machine will notify you.

You can also use a charcoal filter in your K-express, which decreases the chances of buildup. However, the Keurig K-mini is too small to use a filter. Its water reservoir is not detachable, so it is challenging to maintain its cleanliness.

9. Price

Buying a Keurig coffee maker is expensive, so it must be worth each penny. The prices of the Keurig machines vary from mid to high, depending on their model.

Keurig K-express is slightly cheaper than the K-mini and has additional features like an extensive water reservoir and the “Strong” coffee option. On the other hand, the price range of the K-mini may vary depending on the color you use.

The Final Verdict

Now that you know what points to consider while choosing between Keurig K-express and Keurig K-mini, we hope you will be able to make the right choice.

Keurig K-Express and Keurig K-Mini are great options for making great-tasting coffee using your favorite K-cups. We recommend K-Express over K-mini because it offers additional features in a slightly lower price range. It has the option of “Strong” coffee, has a removable water tank, and works better with refillable K-cups.

However, for coffee lovers to travel a lot, K-Mini can be your saviour as it is portable. It is also suitable for people who don’t drink and brew several cups of coffee daily.

FAQs

Can the Keurig Mini make just hot water?

Yes! Keurig K-Mini can make hot water if you brew a cup without inserting a K-cup. Pour water into the reservoir, press the brew button, and put a mug under the spout. The brewer will soon start dispensing hot water.

Can I use bottled water in my Keurig Mini?

Bottled or filtered water works better for brewing coffee, so that you can use it in your Keurig K-mini. Water quality contributes to the coffee’s consistency and taste, so it’s best to use bottled water.

Can I use a Keurig Mini for tea?

Yes! You can make tea in a Keurig K-mini by using Keurig-compatible Tea K-cups. You can also use a refillable K-cup with the tea you choose, but K-mini makes a weaker drink with refillable K-cups.

Can I use ground coffee in Keurig?

You can use the coffee of your choice in Keurig using refillable K-cups. Make sure to use medium coarse ground coffee, so the water flows smoothly through it and fully extracts the flavors.

What happens if you put milk in the Keurig Mini?

It’s not advisable to use Keurig K-Mini with milk. Milk is thicker than water and can dry up in the machine’s internal parts. It will cause clogging and may permanently damage the device.