Keurig coffee makers are well-known for their single-cup brewing technology. This type of coffee maker is loved by many because it offers a quick and easy way to make a cup of coffee without having to wait for a whole pot to brew.
The other big single serve coffee maker is Nespresso. The discussion of Nespresso vs Keurig is still ongoing, but in this article, we are going to compare Keurig’s Mini Plus with the Keurig Mini.
There are several different models of Keurig coffee makers on the market, but two of the most popular are the Mini and the Mini Plus. So, how different are they? Let the battle of Keurig Mini vs Mini Plus begin!
Feature Breakdown
These two sleek and slim coffee makers are very similar with a few exceptions.
Body Style
The Mini and the Mini Plus both have a modern, compact body style that is sleek and slim with a black finish. We all remember the classic Keurig look. And while it is still aesthetically pleasing, that wide frame is not useful in a small apartment or at the office.
The Mini Plus has some additional chrome accents, most notably on the removable drip tray. This may be a small detail, but it can make a big difference when it comes to appearance.
Auto Shut Off
Almost all Keurig coffee machines come with an auto shut off feature. Once the machine is inactive for 90 seconds, it turns off automatically. The auto shut off feature is meant to save money, but it’s also a nice safety feature if you have little ones running around the house.
Brewing Options
Both the Keurig Mini and Mini Plus are straightforward brewers that are simple to operate. There is a large silver button on top that you press to get your brew going. You won’t have to wait long, as each machine takes around 90 seconds to brew a complete cup after the heating cycle is complete. The freshly brewed coffee comes out ready to drink at around 160 degrees Fahrenheit, perfect for coffee lovers.
The major difference is that the Keurig K-Mini Plus has a strong brew option. The Keurig will brew a little slower for these k cup pods to try and extract a more bold flavor from the coffee grounds. The K-Mini coffee machine does not have this feature. It’s great if you plan on adding cream and sugar, or frothed milk for a latte!
Brewing Size
Unlike larger Keurig brewing machines, the Keurig Mini and Mini Plus brew based on the amount of water that has been added to the water reservoir. There are fill lines that indicate how much delicious coffee you can expect to be brewed for each K-Cup you slot into your machine.
This does mean you will have to add water between each brewing cycle. This can be inconvenient if you are hosting an event, but for small homes or in your cubicle at work, this means you won’t have to haul around a small bathtub just to make coffee each day.
Water Reservoir
The Keurig K-Mini Plus has a removable water reservoir while the Keurig K-Mini does not. Both models require you to add water before each brewing cycle. So, being able to bring the water reservoir to your filtered water tap might be easier than trying to refill the built-in reservoir on the K-Mini.
Removable Drip Tray and Mug Size
With the drip tray in place, there is only room for a maximum of 6-inch coffee mugs. If you take out the removable drip tray, you gain another inch of space allowing 7-inch travel mugs to fit under the spout.
Cord Storage
Both the Mini and the Mini Plus have cord storage. The power cord is also designed to pivot so you can easily fit it in small spaces. This also means you can pack it up and take it on trips to the beach or ski resort.
Pod Storage
The best 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 on the machine itself. The pod storage feature is a a container that fits in the brew slot so while you’re not using the machine, the pods and brewer look like a single piece. Really convenient!
With the K-Mini, you have to store your coffee pods in an external storage unit. The external storage units are sold separately and come in a variety of options.
Coffee Maker Size
As mentioned before, these are not big brewing machines. Both Keurig machines are the same size (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 does add another 5 inches to the height. If you store it under a low cabinet you will need to pull it out each time you make a cup to refill the tank.
What Coffee Can You Use?
Keurig is will know for their amazing line of K-Cup Pods. You can find anything from your favorite Starbucks beverages to frothy steamers at your local grocery store. Dunkin Donuts, Folgers, even Maxwell House are just a few of the many brands you can use with Keurig’s.
There are also a lot of specialty coffee roasters who make specialty pods like Real Good Coffee Company and Black Ink Coffee.
What’s the difference between a Keurig Mini and a Keurig Mini Plus
Aside from the chrome accents on the Mini Plus, there are really only two differences between these models. One is that you can use the strong brew function on the K-Mini plus. The other differences are the removable water tank and 9 pod storage.
Which Keurig K Mini is Best for Coffee Lovers?
Both machines will brew an excellent cup of coffee with each K-Cup pod. In this competition, the Keurig K-Mini Plus is the clear winner. It may cost a little bit more than the Keurig K-Mini, but it has an excellent feature set that you can’t find with any other small-space coffee maker.
If you want a larger Keurig brewing machine, then check out our review on the Keurig K-Elite vs K-Supreme to find more of the best Keurig coffee makers out there.
