Keurig K-Mini Review: Pros, Cons & Do I Recommend It in 2024

When it comes to Keurig machines, the convenience is hard to beat, but in my experience, the quality of the coffee itself leaves much to be desired compared to pour over, French press, or traditional drip coffee. However, I’ve used my fair share of Keurig brewers at friends’ houses and offices over the years, so I have some insights into what separates the good from the bad when it comes to these single-serve pod coffee machines.

In this hands-on Keurig K-Mini review, I’ll be specifically looking at the K-Mini model. I’ll provide an overview of this petite little machine along with a rundown of the pros, cons, features, and specs to help you decide if the K-Mini is the best Keurig machine for your kitchen. I’ll also explain why I don’t recommend this machine unless you’re really tight on space and countertop real estate is your #1 priority.

Quick Keurig K-Mini Review

The Keurig K-Mini is one of the Keurig brand’s newest and smallest single-serve coffee makers. Its slim 4.5”-wide footprint takes up minimal counter space, making it perfect for small kitchens, apartments, offices, tiny homes, and anywhere else you need coffee but don’t have much room. In fact, it’s the smallest Keurig available, taking up just 54.45 square inches.

Despite its tiny size, the K-Mini brews a full 6 to 12 oz cup capacity and is compatible with hundreds of K-Cup pods from Keurig, third-parties, and even reusable pods. It heats quickly, brews in under a minute, and sports a simple one-button operation. In terms of convenience, Keurig got everything right here, EXCEPT the water reservoir. It’s super small and holds just 12 ounces, making it the smallest reservoir on any Keurig machine.

With that being said, I get why Keurig did this. In addition to being the smallest Keurig machine, the K-Mini is also the cheapest (actually, it’s tied for cheapest with the K-Express). To save on the manufacturing cost, Keurig didn’t include a water pump that regulates the amount of water it delivers to the brew head. That means ALL of the water you put into your machine will get pumped into the K-cup. So, you regulate your cup size between 6 and 12 ounces based on how much water you add. This is less convenient than having a water reservoir that you can just fill up every few brews.

While not perfect, the K-Mini is a solid option for Keurig fans who prioritize convenience and counter space over more advanced features and coffeehouse-quality brews. It makes a decent cup of coffee quickly and easily, so it’s definitely worth considering if you’re tight on space.

As I’ll discuss more later, the K-Mini doesn’t make the best coffee. Keurig machines in general lack a lot of the technology to make delicious, full-flavor coffee, but the K-Mini doesn’t have water temperature control or MultiStream technology, both of which help improve the coffee that comes out a little. This is a bare-bones machine, so I’d only recommend not upgrading if you just need a super small machine because of space constraints.

Keurig K-Mini Pros and Cons

Keurig K-Mini Review

Now let’s look at the Keurig K-Mini in more detail across a variety of factors to help you determine if it’s the right single-serve brewer for your needs.

Appearance

One of the main selling points of the K-Mini is its petite size. Measuring just 4.5” wide, 11.3” deep, and 12.1” tall, this little machine takes up a fraction of the precious counter real estate required by most drip coffee makers and other Keurig models. In fact, the average Keurig machine’s footprint is a little over 108 square inches, and the K-Mini takes up just 54.45 square inches, making it the smallest of all of the Keurig machines.

The K-Mini comes in a variety of fun colors like Oasis, Pink Punch, Black, Cardinal Red, and more. The glossy plastic housing has a modern, sleek appearance that will blend seamlessly into any contemporary kitchen design. I’m not a huge fan of entirely plastic coffee makers, but for the price, I understand the choice to go plastic.

While very compact, the K-Mini doesn’t feel particularly cheap or flimsy, despite being mostly plastic. The sturdy body feels solidly constructed. Overall, the streamlined design looks much more elegant than clunky, which I love to see in modern coffee makers. And this is coming from someone who doesn’t particularly like the bulky look of most Keurig machines.

Ease of Use

When it comes to simple, no fuss operation, the K-Mini delivers. This straightforward brewer has just one button: the power button. Press it once to turn it on, insert a K-Cup, place your mug, press the button again, and coffee streams out in under 60 seconds.

The machine will brew cups that are anywhere from 6 to 12 oz, depending on how much water you put into the water reservoir before brewing. Add your water, lift the hatch, insert your K-cup, lower the hatch, and you’re ready to brew. It doesn’t get much easier than that!

Unlike some higher-end Keurig models, the K-Mini does not have a touch screen, temperature settings, brew strength adjustments, or any fancy programmable features. This is a bummer because I feel like those settings are really necessary to get even decent coffee out of a Keurig machine, but in terms of simplicity, the lack of options makes the K-Mini super simple to use.

While the lack of customization options may turn off some coffee connoisseurs, the simple one-touch functionality is perfect for anyone who wants quick, hassle-free coffee without navigating complex menus. This machine is so easy my tech-challenged grandma could operate it no problem (probably…?).

If you find yourself confused by the options on other Keurig machines first thing in the morning, or you just want a simple, no-frills Keurig machine, the K-Mini is probably perfect for you.

Coffee Quality

As with most pod coffee makers, the K-Mini has some limitations when it comes to replicating the taste of a freshly ground and brewed cup using a pour over, French press, or traditional drip machine. Pre-ground coffee is always going to taste stale because coffee loses flavor and aroma compounds just minutes after grinding. And the coffee in K-Cups is usually months old by the time it reaches your machine.

I personally would only recommend Keurig machines that at least have some temperature control and MultiStream technology to most people. Not that these are magic formulas for delicious single-serve coffee, but they are modest improvements. The K-Mini lacks these and any other customization options.

However, the convenience factor of pod systems is hard to deny. And when it comes to pod coffee, the K-Mini brews a fast cup compared to other Keurig machines. You’ll have coffee within 60 seconds of turning the machine one, which is pretty crazy. Some Keurig coffee makers take twice that long.

The water temperature in the K-Mini reaches an adequate 190°F temperature, too, which is better than some other alternatives. Still, hotter would be ideal for optimal extraction. The rapid 30 second extraction time is on the fast side, which can result in weak, watery coffee, but again…if you’re just after convenience and expediency, the K-Mini is hard to beat.

Within the limitations of single-serve pod brewing, the K-Mini produces an acceptable cup of joe. Don’t expect complex flavors akin to your favorite coffee shop, but it’ll do the trick for an easy and super fast morning brew. If you’re looking for high-quality coffee, I’d recommend the Keurig K-Cafe or a standard drip machine instead. But if counter space is your biggest concern, the K-Mini can’t be beaten.

Counter Space and Footprint

The primary benefit of the K-Mini is its petite size. At just 4.5” wide and 11.3” deep, this miniature machine barely takes up any room, making it one of the best coffee makers for small spaces. It’s less than half the size of the classic Keurig K-Classic brewer, and slimmer than an average toaster.

If you have an RV, boat, tiny apartment kitchen, or limited counter space, the K-Mini is a great option that won’t dominate your counters. The slim profile can easily fit in tight corners or small crevices that normal coffee makers can’t.

Despite the tiny footprint, the K-Mini doesn’t feel unstable or prone to tipping. The squat, sturdy body has a low center of gravity. Just make sure you place it on a flat, level surface and you shouldn’t have any issues with stability.

Again, if you’re looking for a tiny coffee maker that takes up minimal space, you can’t beat the K-Mini.

K-Cup Compatibility

The K-Mini is not a Keurig 2.0 machine, so you aren’t limited only to Keurig-branded K-Cups like some older models. This brewer is compatible with all K-Cups, including:

• Keurig’s own K-Cup pods
• Third-party licensed K-Cups (from brands like Green Mountain, Peets, Starbucks, etc.)
• Generic unlicensed K-Cups
• Refillable, reusable K-Cup pods

Having an open system provides tons of options for trying different roasts, flavors, and brands, as well as other beverages, like hot apple cider, hot chocolate, and more. You can buy larger bulk packs of inexpensive store-brand pods, or splurge on premium varieties. The choice is yours. My recommendation is to find the right grind size for your Keurig and then grind fresh right before brewing with a reusable K-cup, as fresh coffee grounds will almost always taste better than pre-ground, regardless of quality.

Just make sure to stick to cups specifically designed for Keurig brewers, and not Nespresso or other pod formats.

Price

The K-Mini is tied for being the cheapest Keurig machine (tied with the K-Express, which is a little larger). At the time of writing, the machine hovered around $79.99, but you can often find it on sale for $20 to $30 less. Considering all the fancy features packed into some high-end pod brewers these days, the K-Mini is a great budget-friendly option.

Check the current price of the Keurig K-Mini here.

For an entry-level pod brewer, the K-Mini is very competitively priced. Especially when you compare it to the most expensive Keurig machine, the K-Duo Plus, which retails for $229.99. And even compared to the average cost of a Keurig machine, which is a little over $165, the K-Mini is super affordable at less than half the price.

Quality

While affordable, the K-Mini doesn’t feel cheaply made. The glossy plastic exterior feels sleek and sturdy. The internal components like the pump, heating system, and brew head are similar to what you’d find in higher-priced Keurig models. I expect the K-Mini will last for 2 to 5 years, which is on par with other Keurig machines and single-serve coffee makers in general.

As with any small appliance, defects or premature failure can happen on occasion. But generally speaking, Keurig brewers are built to last. Proper cleaning and descaling are important for longevity.

Compared to flimsier sub-$50 coffee makers, the K-Mini is clearly a cut above in terms of quality. Still, if you’re looking for a Keurig machine that can last for 5 to 10 years or more, I don’t think the K-Mini is right for you.

Warranty

Keurig provides a 1-year limited warranty on the K-Mini, which is in line with what most similar coffee makers come with. This protects against defects in materials or workmanship for 12 months from the date of purchase.

Compared to pricier Keurig brewers that come with longer 2-year warranties, 1 year is a bit lacking. However, it’s about average for lower-cost coffee makers in this price range, even from Keurig.

If reliability and longevity are important, spending a bit more for a model with a longer warranty like the K-Slim or K-Classic may provide better peace of mind. But for a super-affordable brewer, the 1-year coverage on the K-Mini is certainly reasonable.

Water Reservoir

One drawback of the K-Mini’s compact design is the small 12 oz water reservoir. This holds just enough liquid for one cup before you’ll need to refill it—so you’ll be refilling after every single brew.

Having to replenish the water after just a cup can get annoying, especially in a busy household with multiple coffee drinkers. For offices or family homes where people want 3, 4, 5+ cups at a time, constant refilling is a headache. If that sounds like your situation, I’d recommend going with a Keurig machine with a larger water reservoir. The K-Supreme Plus has the largest reservoir of any Keurig machine at 78 ounces, and the K-Elite isn’t far behind at 75 ounces. That’s about 6 times more than the K-Mini holds.

On the flip side, the petite tank is ideal if you live alone or generally just brew 1 cup each morning. You won’t have to worry about a whole reservoir of water sitting there getting stale.

So whether the tiny reservoir is a pro or con depends entirely on your specific coffee consumption habits. For light, occasional use, it’s perfect. For heavier, constant use, it may be a nuisance.

Wrapping Up: Why I Generally Don’t Recommend the Keurig K-Mini

The K-Mini is one of Keurig’s most compact, affordable single-serve coffee makers. If you have minimal space in your kitchen, it’s probably perfect for you. But if you can spare a few more inches of counter space, I’d recommend a different machine. The K-Mini lacks more sophisticated programming options and high-end features, like Keurig’s MultiStream technology, the strong setting, and water temperature control. These options all provide the opportunity for better coffee, so to see all of them missing is not ideal.

With that being said, though, this petite brewer nails the basics. It whips up a decent cup of joe from K-cups in under 60 seconds flat, which is twice as fast as some other single-serve brewers. In terms of expediency and simplicity, the K-Mini can’t really be beaten, in my opinion. The only downside when it comes to convenience is that you have to refill the water reservoir after each cup, but that’s not a huge deal.

At the end of the day, if convenience, compact size, and low cost top your list, the hard-to-beat Keurig K-Mini will fit the bill perfectly. It makes an excellent choice for a first single-serve brewer or backup coffeemaker for small spaces. But if you want the option to make delicious full-flavor coffee and have a little extra counter space to spare, I’d recommend a different Keurig machine, like the K-Elite.

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of K-cups can I use with the Keurig K-Mini?

You can use any type of K-cup with the K-Mini, including Keurig’s own brand, licensed brands like Green Mountain and Starbucks, inexpensive generic/store-brand pods, and reusable K-Cups that you can fill with your own ground coffee. Since it’s not a Keurig 2.0 machine, the K-Mini doesn’t use technology to restrict K-cup usage like some models. As long as the K-Cup is designed to fit Keurig brewers, the K-Mini will brew it. Just avoid cups made for Nespresso or other pod systems.

How much electricity does the K-Mini use?

The K-Mini uses 1050 watts of power when brewing. This is similar to other Keurig single-serve machines as well as standard 10 to 12 cup drip coffee makers. You can estimate electricity usage by multiplying the wattage by the average time it takes to brew a cup, which is around 1 minute. So roughly speaking, the K-Mini will use around 17 watt-hours per 8 oz cup brewed. This will cost almost nothing per cup in electricity!

What is the largest cup size the K-Mini can brew?

The K-Mini can accommodate cups between 6 and 12 ounces, depending on how much water you put into the reservoir before brewing. The largest cup it can brew is 12 oz. This capacity is suitable for both small cups like a traditional 6 oz coffee mug, as well as larger travel mugs up to 12 oz. If you prefer 16+ oz cups, you may want a machine with a larger brew size capacity. But for typical coffee cup sizes, the K-Mini can accommodate them.

Does the K-Mini make espresso drinks or hot chocolate?

No, the K-Mini is designed solely for brewing regular coffee using K-Cups. It cannot brew espresso pods, tea pods, hot chocolate pods, or other specialty beverage pods. Also, since it does not have a milk frother, you cannot make lattes, cappuccinos, or other milk-based espresso drinks. However, you can brew coffee using flavored coffee pods to create tasty drinks like mochas and vanilla lattes without the espresso.