Keurig K Mini Review: Is It Worth Buying?

Today I will review one of the tiniest and best-selling Keurig machines; The Keurig K-Mini!

I think you all know I love coffee and everything related to it. That said, pod-based coffee makers are my favorite to experiment with. This time I decided to lay my hands on the Keurig K-Mini coffee maker to curate an in-depth review for my readers. I tested the machine on the basis of its features, functionality, and coffee quality.

So, is Keurig K-Mini the right pick for you? Keep Reading to know the answer!

Features of Keurig K-Mini

• Brand: Keurig
• Type: Single-serve Coffee Maker
• Material: Plastic
• Weight: 4.6 Lbs
• Water Reservoir: 12 oz
• Brew Sizes: 1 – Any size from 6 to 12 oz
• Compatible Pods: K Cups Coffee Capsules
• Auto Shut-off: 90 Seconds
• Removable Drip Tray: Yes
• Dishwasher Safe: No

Keurig K Mini Overview

Keurig is a rockstar when it comes to single-serve and compact coffee makers, and the K-Mini is surely one of their remarkable creations! The coffee machine was tiny and could fit into the tightest places. Trust me; the machine had a minimalistic but still aesthetic design – I loved it!

The machine comes in plenty of color options; Matte Black, Dusty Rose, Poppy Red, Oasis, and Studio Gray. However, I opted for the Dusty Rose one since it matched the theme of my kitchen more.

The Keurig K-Mini isn’t equipped with any extra or glittery features since it’s a very affordable model. However, you will find all the basics, like an auto shut-off feature, a removable drip tray, and a one-touch control. Also, I found the coffee maker very straightforward and effortless to use.

You need to keep in mind that the K-Mini is strictly a single-serve coffee maker with a very small water reservoir of 12 oz. So, it is only suitable for a coffee drinker living alone in a dorm or studio apartment. Moreover, the model is a little bit noisy while brewing coffee.

Still, the coffee quality was exceptional, the machine heated up quickly, and the brew time was ideal too. There is no attached milk accessory, obviously, but you can purchase a separate Keurig milk frother to enjoy milky beverages like lattes and cappuccinos.

Things to Consider Before Buying Keurig K-Mini

There are a lot of things to consider when it comes to purchasing coffee machines. What you read above was just a sneak peek of things to expect from the K-Mini. You need to know a little more about its features and details before finally making the purchase.

As always, I have done this hard work for you too!

Now, it’s time to dive deep into the Keurig K-Mini review and look at all its features to determine whether it is the right pick for you. Read on!

1. Design

As I have briefly mentioned above, the K-Mini Keurig coffee maker is a sleek and compact machine with a super cute and aesthetic design. I was actually amazed at how tiny the machine was. I loved that the machine is available in plenty of color options to match the buyers’ needs and preferences.

The build is pretty simple and basic; the machine is 5 inches wide and 12 inches tall, and the water reservoir is at the top of the unit, right next to the silver control button. There is a removable drip tray at the bottom for accidental spills.

However, you need to remember that the K-Mini is made of plastic, and won’t give a very high-end appearance. But the significant part is that there is cord storage at the back of the machine to store the wires when the machine is not in use. This design feature will surely help your coffee maker and counter space look neat.

2. Usability

I found the Keurig K-Mini a piece of cake to use. It has a one-touch control system literally. There are two buttons on the machine; one is the power button, and the other is to start the brew session. Moreover, there is a small blinking light that indicates when the machine is ready to brew.

Just fill the water reservoir to the 6, 8, 10, or 12 oz line, put in a K-Cup pod, press the start button, and your coffee will be ready in about a minute. The Keurig K-Mini can also hold a travel mug, so you can have your coffee on the go too!

The Keurig K-Mini coffee maker is also equipped with an auto shut-off feature; the machine automatically turns off after 90 seconds of inactivity. However, I found this time frame a little short.

In addition, you must remember that you will have to refill the water reservoir after every brewing session. Apart from this minor inconvenience, I didn’t find anything troublesome in the usability of this coffee machine.

3. Performance

I would rate the Keurig K-Mini average in terms of performance, considering it’s a single-cup machine with a very affordable price. Moreover, it took almost two minutes to heat up, which is quite long in my opinion.

Furthermore, I didn’t find the coffee super hot. Also, it was a bit noisy while brewing coffee. one more thing that can be a deal breaker is that Keurig K-Mini doesn’t have any customizable options.

So, if you are looking for a coffee maker that is a beast in terms of performance, you should consider other mid-range options!

4. Water Reservoir

K-Mini has a very tiny water reservoir with a capacity of 12 oz. So, this water tank capacity is only suitable for people who only drink one cup of coffee a day. If you are someone who consumes plenty of coffee, you should consider other options to avoid constant refills.

Another minor inconvenience I found was that K-Mini does not have a removable water reservoir. This means you have to pull out the machine to refill the tank every time. But I think this drawback can be overlooked if we look at the affordable price.

5. Coffee Quality

So, does the Keurig K-Mini produces delicious coffee? Well, the answer is YES! The coffee was sufficiently hot, aromatic, super tasty, and flavorful – just like what you can expect from a single-serve coffee maker.

If your expectations are super high, you should opt for high-end options.

6. Pods Compatibility

The Keurig K-Mini is compatible with all K cups. However, you can’t use Vue, Rivo, or K Mugs with the machine. Moreover, you can also use third-party regular-sized pods from brands like Starbucks, Dunkin’, Lavazza, and Peet’s Coffee.

The thing some coffee lovers might love is that the Keurig K-Mini is also compatible with reusable and refillable pods. All you have to do is purchase your favorite ground coffee and fill the reusable K-Cup pods. This freedom can help save money and the environment too.

7. Cleaning and Maintenance

Since Keurig K-Mini is a tiny coffee maker, its cleaning and maintenance are no rocket science. However, keep in mind that K-Mini has no indicator that reminds you of cleaning and descaling; you will have to keep track of the time yourself!

I would recommend you descale the machine with the Keurig descaling solution after every three months. Just fill the water reservoir with the solution and run a brewing cycle. Moreover, the drip tray is also removable. Just take it out after every day or two and rinse it with water.

All in all, I found the cleaning and maintenance part a piece of cake!

8. Price

The Keurig K-Mini has a standard price of $79, but you can find it for much less on sale. The prices can also change with the colour options. If you ask me, I find this coffee maker very reasonably priced. It is surely a steal deal for a person living alone and looking for something super affordable.

9. Warranty

Like all Keurig coffee makers, the K-Mini also comes with a 1-year warranty covering repairs and replacements. You can also register your machine online to enjoy other perks and benefits like free K-cups.

Should You Buy a Keurig K Mini?

So, is Keurig K-Mini worth buying or not? Well, it is a good and affordable option with all the basic features a good coffee maker should have. Moreover, it is very easy to use, compact and brews good quality coffee. It is perfect for people who are tight on budget and are okay with a small water reservoir. All in all, it is a viable option and offers great value for money.

However, if you are looking for a machine with a large water tank and extra features, the Keurig K-Mini is not the right pick for you.

Alternatives of Keurig K Mini

Now that you have gone through the entire Keurig K-Mini review, let’s look at a few of its alternatives that I find equally good.

1. Keurig K-Slim

Keurig K-Slim is tiny like K-Mini, but has a 46 oz removable water reservoir and offers three brew sizes to choose from; 8, 10, and 12 oz. It also features indicator lights, and the unit shuts off automatically after 5 minutes of inactivity.

2. Keurig K-Mini Plus

As the name implies, Keurig K-Mini Plus is an advanced version of the original K-Mini with a few upgrades. It features a removable water tank and also a strength control setting option.

3. Keurig K-300

Keurig K-300 is a single-serve model from the Keurig 2.0 series. It features a 60 oz removable water reservoir and plenty of temperature control settings. Moreover, it has a digital touch display and plenty of maintenance alerts.

FAQs

What is the difference between K-15 and K-Mini?

The K-15 and K-Mini are two almost identical models by Keurig. The only difference was that with K-15, you could only brew coffee anywhere from 6 to 10 oz, while K-Mini offers 6 to 12 oz. However, Keurig has discontinued the K-15 coffee maker now.

How to use Keurig K-Mini?

Using Keurig K-Mini is a piece of cake. All you need to do is fill the water reservoir to your desired brew size, put a K-Cup pod in the container, and press the brewing button. Your coffee will be ready in 2 minutes.

Is the Keurig K-mini environmentally friendly?

The Keurig K-Mini coffee maker is not environmentally friendly since it is made of non-recyclable plastic. However, the K-Cup pods the machine uses are recyclable and environmentally friendly.

What is the difference between Keurig K-Slim and Mini?

There are plenty of differences between the Keurig K Slim and Mini. First of all, K-Slim has a 46 oz water reservoir, while Mini has a 12 oz one. K Slim also offers three brew sizes; 8, 10, and 12 oz. Moreover, K-Slim also has a couple of extra features than the Mini. However, the dimensions of both models are almost the same in dimensions.

What is the smallest Keurig model?

Well, the K-Mini single-serve coffee maker is the most miniature creation by Keurig up till now.