KEURIG MINI VS MINI PLUS – WHICH IS THE BEST BUY?

If you’re in the market for a compact pod coffee maker, look no further than Keurig. 

Keurig is the leading brand in coffee pod machines. While they feature a wide range of options, their Keurig Mini and Mini Plus are prized for their compact design. 

But when it comes to the Keurig Mini vs. Mini Plus, which one is right for you?

I’ve got you covered. I’ve examined every last inch of these machines, so you don’t have to. I weighed in on all the attributes from size to features, so you don’t have to spend hours researching each machine. 

Read on to find out which one will be right at home in your kitchen. 
 

KEURIG MINI

FEATURES

• Brews 6 to 12 ounces
• Removable drip tray
• Available in 5 colors

The K-Mini is by far the smallest design in the Keurig lineup. This tiny coffee maker is a mere 4.5 inches wide and about a foot tall. That’s about the size of a paper towel roll. 

Ideal for tight spaces, the Keurig Mini takes up virtually no counter space and stores just as easily. The drip tray is removable, so you can brew directly into a 7-inch cup. 

Streamlined and efficient, the Keurig Mini operates at the push of a button. No learning curve is required. 

You can even choose from studio gray, dusty rose, poppy red, oasis, or matte black to match your kitchen color scheme. 

Fast and fresh, the Keurig mini is excellent for those who only need a single cup. 
 

PROS

• Super compact design
• Inexpensive
• Portable

CONS

• Doesn’t brew large quantities
• Small water reservoir
• No coffee strength settings

KEURIG MINI PLUS

FEATURES

• Brews 6 to 12 ounces
• Removable water reservoir 
• Available in 6 colors

For tight spaces with limited storage, there’s the Keurig K-Mini Plus. This compact coffee maker features a removable compartment that holds up to 9-K pods.

Simply remove it from the front of the machine and choose a flavor. The water reservoir is also removable for easier filling and cleanup. 

If you need a bold pick me up, hit the strong brew button. You’ll have your extra strength java cup in no time.

When not in use, take advantage of the cord storage to keep your space nice and tidy. 
 

PROS

• Bold brew option
• Portable
• Great for tiny spaces 
• 90 seconds auto-shutoff

CONS

• Pricier
• Can’t brew a whole pot at once

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?

The Keurig Mini and Mini Plus are both compact coffee makers. However, there are some notable differences between these coffee pod machines. 

Here’s the full breakdown of the Keurig Mini vs. Mini Plus so you can decide which one to buy.
 

SERVING SIZE

When it comes to serving size, the Keurig Mini and Mini Plus are the same. Both these options are single brew coffee machines, which means you get only one cup at a time.

The quantity of that cup, however, varies. Each tiny machine can brew 6 to 12 ounces which is about a standard coffee mug. 

This makes them an excellent choice for the solo coffee drinker who only wants a single cup. The trouble is if you need a vat worth of caffeine to wake up, this won’t be enough. 

So before you buy, carefully consider how much coffee you need to get going in the morning. 
 

DIMENSIONS

You can tell the Keurig Mini is one of the tiniest coffee makers around at a single glance. This cutesy-looking machine is a mere 12.1 inches tall and 4.5 inches wide. 

Tiny house or studio apartment, the Keurig Mini has the dimensions you need. 

And the Keurig Mini Plus? This machine features the exact same dimensions. So either one will work perfectly for your space, no matter how big or small.
 

SETTINGS

The Keurig Mini Plus is the clear winner when it comes to settings. But not by much. 

Take a look at the operation panel, and you’ll see this machine offers a single additional setting. While this may be limited in quantity, it’s mighty in power. 

The Keurig Mini Plus features a strong brew option, which means the difference between an average and bold cup. 

The Keurig Mini, on the other hand, only has one setting. That’s it.

If you can’t live without strong coffee, go with the Keurig Mini Plus. Otherwise, save the money because the Keurig Mini will work just fine.
 

COFFEE QUALITY AND STRENGTH

Each of these single-serve machines brews coffee pods. So your coffee bean flavor will be the same regardless of which model you choose. 

But as I mentioned before, the strength will vary. The Keurig Mini Plus allows you to hit a “strong” button. The Keurig Mini doesn’t. 

So while it won’t change the quality, it will change the strength. This is a factor you’ll highly want to consider if adjustable coffee strength is high on your list of demands. 
 

WATER RESERVOIR

How much coffee do you drink? One cup? A whole pot?

The reason I ask is that the size of your water reservoir should match your cup. 

If you’re a one-and-done coffee drinker, the Keurig Mini and Mini Plus will be perfect for you. The water reservoir for each machine holds a single cup. 

For those who feel like a zombie until you’ve glugged a whole coffee pot, neither of these options are a great choice.  

After a single brew, you’ll have to refill the water reservoir if you want to rebrew. This is fine for one cup or two, but it gets pretty annoying if you want an entire pot.

Quantity aside, another key difference you’ll notice between these two options is the construction of the water reservoir. 

The Keurig Mini Plus features a removable water reservoir. Fill it up, secure it in place, and brew away. 

The Keurig Mini has a built-in water reservoir. While this is still easy to use, it’s less efficient when it comes time to clean.  
 

EASE OF USE

Nothing is more frustrating than dealing with an overly complicated coffee machine first thing in the morning. That’s why it’s important to choose a user-friendly option.

While both these options have some easy-to-use features, it doesn’t get any easier than the Keurig Mini. 

This coffee machine brews at the push of a button. Simply fill the water reservoir, plop in a coffee pod, place your mug on the drip tray, and hit brew. 

The streamlined design doesn’t have any customizable settings, so there’s no guesswork in the equation. What’s even better is the removable drip tray allows you to brew into a larger mug. 

The Keurig Mini Plus is just as easy to use but with a slight advantage. This option can accommodate a travel mug.

That’s right. You can brew directly into your to-go cup and hit the road. It doesn’t get any easier than that!

If you like the option of a direct brew to travel cup, go with the Keurig Mini Plus. It will save you an additional step on busy mornings. 
 

EASE OF CLEANING

Like all kitchen appliances, you’ll need to clean your coffee machine. The good news is that both of these coffee machines are pod compatible, which cuts down some of the work. 

However, that’s about where the similarities end. For an easier to clean option, go with the Keurig Mini Plus. 

This machine features a removable drip tray and water reservoir. That means you don’t have to try and cram your hand into the machine while trying to get to every nook and cranny. 

Meanwhile, the size of the Keurig Mini is both a blessing and a curse. This compact machine means less to clean. However, only the drip tray is removable. 

Cleaning every dark corner can be a bit tough. That said, this coffee maker is still pretty easy to clean. But the Keurig Mini Plus is even easier.  
 

COLOR

The Keurig Mini comes in five fun colors to add a pop of life to your kitchen. I dig the cool blue oasis and the fiery vibrance of the poppy red. 

The Keurig Mini Plus, on the other hand, does the Keurig Mini one better by offering another color. 

Go with the Keurig Mini Plus, and you’ll have a choice of matte black, matte white, studio grey, cool aqua, evening teal, and cardinal red.

I’m digging the evening teal, but to each their own. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, after all. 
 

VALUE

For the price, the Keurig Mini is a stellar buy. This machine is pure simplicity. It has the efficiency you want in a coffee pod machine with the size you desire. 

The user-friendly operation panel and removable drip tray are all you need to quickly brew your morning cup. Nothing more, nothing less. 

But if you want a bit more, the Keurig Mini Plus may be a better buy. This machine features the same compact size you want with the strong brew setting you need.  

It also has a nifty removable pod storage compartment. This makes it the perfect portable option for business trips or weekend vacation rentals. However, it’ll cost you a bit more. 

Consider what features are more valuable to you before you buy. Both of these are great choices if their features suit your needs.  
 

OUR VERDICT

Small packages mean extensive offerings when you buy a Keurig Mini or Mini Plus. The problem is deciding which one to choose. 

If you want a simple, streamlined machine, go with the Keurig Mini. This single-serve coffee maker is fast and efficient.  If you prefer to customize your coffee as a stronger brew, the Keurig Mini Plus is the better choice. This option brews bold java and features a nifty coffee pod storage compartment. Either way, both of these choices will produce quality coffee in every cup.