Keurig coffee makers are well-known for their single-cup brewing technology. Many people enjoy this type of coffee maker since it allows them to prepare a cup of coffee quickly and easily with the press of a button.
Nespresso is the other main single serve coffee maker. The debate between Nespresso vs Keurig still rages on, but for now we’ll look at just how this little coffee maker can brew such an incredible cup of coffee.
There are several various versions of Keurig coffee makers on the market. You can check out our comparison of the Keurig Mini vs Mini Plus if you aren’t by the end of this Keurig Mini Plus review. Let’s find out what allows this little brewer to make such bold coffee.
Keurig Mini Plus Review
Feature Breakdown
This little coffee maker is pretty straightforward, but it still has some great features. Here are the specs of this model:
- Strong brew option
- Small enough to fit anywhere
- Removable water reservoir
- Makes up to 12 ounces of coffee
- Brews in about 90 seconds
- Uses K-Cup pods for brewing
- Removable drip tray
Body Style
The Keurig Mini Plus has a sturdier build than the original Keurig, with a sleek and slim black finish. We all recall the classic Keurig design. While it is still aesthetically beautiful, that large frame can take up necessary space in a small apartment or at the workplace.
Some additional chrome highlights are included on the Mini Plus over the Keurig Mini, particularly on the detachable drip tray. This may appear to be a minor detail, but it has a big impact in terms of appearance.
Auto Shut Off
Almost all Keurig coffee makers have an auto shut-off function. When the machine is dormant for 90 seconds, it turns off automatically. The auto shut-off function is designed to save money while also being a useful safety precaution if you have children in and around the house.
Brewing Options
The Keurig Mini Plus is a simple machine to use. On top sits a huge silver button that must be pressed to start the brewing process. Because the machine takes about 90 seconds to make a full cup after the heating cycle is finished, you won’t have to wait long. The freshly brewed coffee has a temperature of around 160 degrees Fahrenheit, the perfect temp to drink right away.
The most important feature of the Keurig K-Mini Plus is the strong brew option. To extract a stronger flavor from the coffee grounds, the Keurig will brew coffee a little more slowly for these k cup pods. Other Keurig K-Mini coffee machines do not offer this function. The strong brew function is fantastic if you intend to add cream and sugar, or for making a lattes.
Brewing Size
The Keurig Mini Plus works slightly different than the larger Keurig brewing machines. it uses the full amount of water in the reservoir to determine how much coffee is brewed. There are fill lines etched into the machine’s water reservoir to indicate how many ounces of delicious coffee you can expect to make with each K-Cup inserted into your machine.
This does imply, however, that you must add water between each brewing cycle. This might be inconvenient if you are hosting an event, but it means you won’t have to transport a lot of water around every day for coffee in your house or at work.
Water Reservoir
The Keurig K-Mini Plus has a removable water reservoir. The brewer requires that you to add water before each brewing cycle. So, being able to bring the water reservoir to your filtered water tap is easier than trying to refill a built in water reservoir.
Removable Drip Tray and Mug Size
With the drip tray in position, there’s only enough room for 6-inch coffee mugs. If you remove the detachable drip tray, you can fit 7-inch travel mugs underneath it.
If you’re making one cup of hot coffee, the size of the machine shouldn’t be a concern. However, if you’re planning on sharing your K-cups with family and friends, it’s good to know that this brewer will accommodate large mugs or travel cups.
Cord Storage
The power cable can be stored in the Mini Plus. The power cord is constructed with a pivot point, allowing you to easily store it in cramped places. This also implies that you can pack it up and travel with it to the beach or ski resort.
Pod Storage
A unique feature of the K-Mini Plus is that it has a 9 pod storage capacity. That means you can store more of your favorite K-cups right within the machine itself. The pod storage function is a container that fits in the brew slot, so while the machine is not in use, it appears as if the pods and brewer are one item. It’s really quite genius!
Coffee Maker Size
As mentioned before, this is not a big brewing machine. This small Keurig machine is 4.5 wide x 12.1 tall x 11.3 deep inches. That means it will fit into almost any small space in your kitchen.
The flip-up lid on the water reservoir adds another 5 inches to the height. If you keep it in a low cabinet, you’ll need to pull it out each time you make a cup to fill up the tank.
What Coffee Can You Use?
The Keurig brewer is well-known for its wide range of K-Cup Pods. You can get anything from Starbucks coffee pods to tea pods at your local market. Dunkin Donuts, Folgers, and Maxwell House are just a few of the many companies that offer Keurig products. There is an option to buy a reusable filter basket and user fresh ground coffee when brewing.
There are also a lot of specialty coffee roasters who make specialty pods like Real Good Coffee Company and Black Ink Coffee. Coffee drinker of every kind will find something to enjoy.
Is the Keurig K Mini Plus for you?
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Small size fits anywhere | Requires you to add water before each brew cycle |
| Great price for all the features | Max 12 ounce brew size means it won’t fill large tumblers in a single brew |
| Can brew stronger coffee | |
| 9 K-Cup Pod Holder | |
| Has an auto-off function |
The Keurig K-Mini Plus will brew an excellent cup of coffee with each K-Cup pod. The strength of each coffee mug can be customized, so if you want something stronger than regular coffee, the Mini Plus is for you and another coffee lovers in your life.
Although it’s relatively small, there are a couple of extra features you may not need. For instance, the 9 pod storage function has only limited appeal in households that don’t drink that much coffee at one time
If you want a larger Keurig coffee machine, then check out our other coffee maker review on the Keurig K-Elite vs K-Supreme to find more of the best Keurig coffee makers out there.
