Do you love drinking fresh-brewed coffee but hate grinding beans? If so, you’re probably familiar with Keurig coffee machines. These single-serve brewers have taken over the coffee market, and for a good reason – they’re convenient and make great cups of coffee.
But if you’re looking to buy your first Keurig brewer or are considering upgrading from an older model, you may be wondering what the difference is between Keurig’s most popular models, the Mini and Mini Plus versions.
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While these machines may look similar, they are quite different in terms of functionality and ease of use. So, if you want to know which Keurig is going to make you the strongest, tastiest, most delicious cup of coffee, then read on! It’s time to compare both models so you can decide which is best for your needs.
What is the Keurig Mini?
The Keurig K-Mini coffee maker was the original mini coffee brewer Keurig released. It is a pod coffee maker and is one of the most popular choices for coffee connoisseurs worldwide who want coffee on demand.
As the name might suggest, it’s small – designed for those coffee lovers with limited countertop space – and lightweight. The Mini can brew a perfect cup of your favorite coffee in under two minutes with the press of a single button and almost no cleanup required.
Ideal for those who want a simple machine, it’s one of the most affordable Keurig models on the market. The simple, compact design is stylish and timeless, and it comes in an array of colors to match any kitchen décor.
But, does its small size affect the coffee quality? Although it’s noticeably petite compared to the likes of Breville coffee makers, it’s travel mug friendly. The Keurig Mini can still accommodate 7-inch travel mugs (if you remove the drip tray) and brew up to a 12-ounce cup size using any K-Cup. The removable water tank holds up to 12 ounces of water, so you won’t have to refill it after every brew cycle.
However, the most loved characteristic of the Keurig Mini is its simplicity. To use it, simply place the K-Cup in the slot, push the button, and your hot coffee will be in your mug in a matter of minutes. It’s so simple to operate, which is why so many people love it.
What is the Keurig Mini Plus?
The Keurig K-Mini Plus is the upgraded version of the K-Mini single-serve coffee maker. These two coffee pod machines look almost identical, and both pack a powerful punch when it comes to coffee standards. Yet there are certainly a few upgrades when we look at the Plus.
It’s an incredibly thin machine at only five inches wide and can fit into the smallest of spaces on your counter. Yet, its taller design can also accommodate a 7-inch travel mug, so you aren’t sacrificing much in terms of coffee space. All the usual brewing sizes are included, too, and you can make 6, 8, 10, and 12-ounce cups of fresh coffee.
However, one of the key upgrades of the Mini Plus over the standard model is the extra button for the strong brew option. This is ideal if you like strong black coffee with a bit more of a kick. It also comes with a handy pod storage feature for all of your K-Cups. Very useful if you’re sick of fumbling around in your kitchen cupboards for them.
Other than that, it’s business as usual for the Keurig Mini Plus. You still get the automatic shutoff feature, and it also comes in three colors (black, red, and teal), so you can select the color that works best in your kitchen.
What additional features do they both have?
Small Size
The Keurig Mini and Keurig Mini Plus are small, lightweight coffee makers that are perfect for those who want a machine that takes up minimal counter space. When the lid is open, the height of these coffee machines is 16.8 inches, the width is 4.5 inches, and its depth is 11.3 inches. Meanwhile, there’s a 6-inch gap between the drip tray and the coffee spout, which is more than enough for most cup sizes.
Easy to Use
Both of these machines are very easy to use. All you need to do is place a K-Cup full of coffee grounds in the slot and push a button. With these machines, you can also prepare all sorts of tea, coffee, and even hot chocolate drinks as long as you have the K-Cups.
Automatic Shut Off
Both machines have an automatic shutoff feature, which saves energy. The auto-off feature works by shutting the machine off after a period of inactivity, so you don’t have to worry about it staying on all day and wasting electricity.
Brews Quickly
Both machines have a quick coffee brewing process, taking under two minutes to make a cup of cafe-quality coffee. Simply place your pod into the machine and press the go button – it makes brewing the perfect cup of coffee a breeze.
Removable Drip Tray
The drip tray is removable on both machines, so if you want to use a larger mug, such as a travel cup or a very tall latte glass, you can.
Brewing Sizes
Each of these coffee machines can brew coffee in a range of standard sizes, including coffee cups between four and twelve ounces.
They Come in Different Colors
The Keurig Mini and Keurig Mini Plus come in different colors, so you can choose the one that best suits your kitchen décor. The Keurig Mini Plus is available in three colors, while the Keurig Mini Plus is available in four.
Style and Design
The overall look of both of these machines is also pretty much identical. They have a sleek, modern design, and both are also very slim, so they will fit in smaller spaces on the kitchen counter.
Brew Quality
Despite some of the improvements Keurig has made to their coffee maker in the Mini Plus (which we’ll discuss very soon), the brew quality in each of these machines is the same. They both use the same type of coffee pod and brew the same type of coffee.
Of course, since it’s a pod machine, the coffee won’t be quite as fresh as if you were using fresh beans in an espresso or drip coffee maker. But, no matter which machine you choose, you’ll still be getting a top-quality brew.
What are the main differences?
Now that we’ve looked at what these machines have in common, let’s look at the biggest differences between them.
Coffee Strength
One of the key differences that makes the Keurig Mini Plus stand out from the Mini is the strength control via the strong brew function. The strong brew button delivers the same great coffee as the regular Keurig Mini, only with a much bigger punch. If you like your coffee with a bit more of a kick, then the Plus version of this machine is pretty unbeatable.
Pod Storage
Another difference between the Keurig Mini and Keurig Mini Plus is that the Plus version enables you to easily store your K-Cups with a compartment built right into the machine. You can keep up to nine Keurig K-Cup pods in your coffee maker and have them ready for when you need them.
Water Reservoir
The Mini Plus’s removable tank is another convenient benefit. This bonus feature means you won’t have to keep going back and forth to the sink with a jug like you do with the Mini – you can simply remove the fresh water tank, fill it up, and you’ll be ready to brew a cup of delicious coffee.
Ease of Cleaning
Talking of removable parts, the cleaning process with the Mini Plus is 100 times easier. With the Mini, you have to insert your cloth into all the possible nooks and crevices in your device – which is a lot less convenient than simply removing the part you want to clean and rinsing it under the tap!
Price
Finally, let’s talk about price. The Keurig Mini Plus is slightly more expensive than the Keurig Mini, but this really isn’t a bad difference for all of the extra features it offers.
So, which machine is right for you?
As you can see, there are a few differences between the Keurig Mini and the Keurig Mini Plus. While they might look the same and share many of the same basic functions, the Mini Plus has much stronger brew settings. It’ll also give you a K-Cup pod storage chamber and a removable water reservoir. As you can see, with this compact coffee maker, convenience is king, and the machine has been upgraded to make your life easier.
On the other hand, if you’re a coffee drinker that’s not too concerned about the extra storage space or strong coffee, then the Keurig K-Mini is an affordable coffee maker that will still serve you well. At the end of the day, it all comes down to personal preference, but if it were a hard and fast contest, we would certainly vote for the Keurig K-Mini Plus coffee maker!
Happy Caffeinating!
