Keurig coffee makers come in different shapes and sizes. Usually, multifunctionality adds to the size of a coffee maker. For example, a Keurig coffee maker with an attached frother will be bulkier than the one without. Carafe brewers have a bigger footprint on your counter than single-serve brewers.
What is the Smallest Keurig Coffee Maker for the Best Coffee?
The Keurig K-Mini Plus is the smallest Keurig that makes the best coffee. It measures 4.5 x 11.3 x 12.1 inches in width, depth, and height respectively. It has inbuilt storage for up to 9 K-cups and is perfect for small countertops in RVs, college dorms, offices, and small kitchens.
The Keurig K-Mini Plus single-serve coffee maker is an upgrade to the K-Mini which has identical dimensions. It is a fast brewer as it makes your coffee in under two minutes.
Why the Keurig K-Mini Plus is the Smallest Keurig with the Best Functionality
A coffee maker should not compromise functionality and the quality of the brew for size. Just because a coffee maker is saving you some space, you should not overlook its usability and whether it makes great coffee.
No Keurig coffee maker combines size, functionality, and the ability to make great coffee better than the Keurig K-Mini Plus.
Keurig K-Mini Plus Pros
- It is the smallest Keurig with a strong brew function for robust coffee
- It makes very hot coffee and is among the best easy-to-carry coffee brewers for hot coffee
- Has a sleek, stylish design
- It has an energy-saving auto shut down feature
- It’s the smallest Keurig with a removable water tank for easy cleaning
- The water tank’s capacity is 12oz which is enough to fill a travel mug
- Despite its compact size, it has an inbuilt storage chamber for k-cups which fits a maximum of 9 k-cups to save you more space
- The drip tray is removable to fit up to a 7.0 inches tall travel mug
- The drip tray can hold a full cup in case you forget to place a cup under the brewer
- It is the slimmest Keurig coffee maker at 4.5 inches wide
- This brewer can make four different cup sizes – 6, 8,10, and 12 ounces.
- Keurig K-mini plus can make just hot water for your oatmeal
- K-Mini Plus is compatible with the reusable filter from Keurig. See how to use the filter.
Keurig Mini Plus Cons
Despite the K-Mini Plus being the smallest Keurig for great coffee, it has a few shortcomings that include
1. Adding Water for Every Brew Cycle
You have to refill the water in the water tank every time you want to make a cup of coffee. Unlike large coffee makers that have big tanks that make a few coffee cups continuously without refilling the reservoir, the K-mini plus requires that you add water for every cup.
However, this is a welcome compromise as it’s to be expected for the size of this coffee maker and it does not affect the quality of the brew. This single-serve Keurig brewer is fast as it brews each cup of coffee in two minutes.
2. Height Clearance When the Tank is Open
The Keurig K-Mini Plus stands at about 16.8 inches when the lid is open as compared to the older Keurig K-15 which measures 12.8 inches with the lid open. So, if your countertop has limited height clearance, you may not be able to open the lid and add water for example.
To overcome this, simply remove the water tank and add water to it before replacing it in the brewer. Alternatively, use a goose-necked kettle to add water so that you do not have to open the lid all the way up.
The Keurig K-Mini Plus and the K-Mini were made taller than the K-15 to fit taller travel mugs so the height issue is an acceptable compromise.
3. No Water Filter
Both the K-Mini and K-Mini Plus do not use water filters as their water tanks are too tiny to fit a filter handle. However, you can drop a charcoal filter in the tank without any handle when brewing with unfiltered water.
How the Keurig K-Mini Plus Compares to Other Small Single-Serve Keurigs
Keurig K-Mini Plus vs K-Mini vs K-15
The closest Keurig to a Keurig K-Mini Plus is the Keurig Mini. In fact, the mini plus is an upgrade to the K-Mini. The K-Mini and K-Mini Plus have the same dimensions with a skinny style. The K-Mini, however, is 2.0 lbs lighter than the K-Mini Plus. See the price of the Keurig K-Mini.
Keurig K-15 on the other hand is shorter than both the K-Mini and K-Mini Plus. The Keurig K-15 is probably the shortest Keurig at 11.1 inches in height. The problem with the height and design of the K-15 is that it only fits a 5.2 inches tall travel mug when the drip tray is detached. 4.5” W x12.1” H x 11.3” D.
See the price of the Keurig K-15.
The chart below compares the K-Mini Plus, K-Mini, and K-15.
| Keurig K-Mini Plus | Keurig K-Mini | Keurig K-15 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 4.5” W x12.1” H x 11.3” D | 4.5” W x12.1” H x 11.3” D | 6.9″ W x 10.8″ H x 10.7″ D |
| Weight | 6.6 lbs | 4.6 lbs | 6.0 lbs |
| Removable Water Tank | Yes | No | No |
| Removable Drip Tray | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Travel Mug | 7.0 inches | 7.0 inches | 5.2 inches |
| Strong Brew Function | Yes | No | No |
| Brew Size | 6,8,10, and 12oz | 6,8,10, and 12oz | 6,8, and 10oz |
| K-Cup Storage | Yes up to 9 k-cups | No | No |
| Reusable Filter | Compatible | Compatible | Compatible |
| Auto Shutdown | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Sleek Design | Yes | Yes | No |
Verdict
The Keurig K-mini plus is head and shoulders above other small Keurig coffee makers such as the K-15 and K-mini as it has a strong brew capability and its water reservoir is removable to add water and for easier cleaning. which they do not have.
The strong brew capability is handy when brewing a tall mug or when making iced coffee.
Final Thoughts About the Smallest Keurig
When buying the smallest Keurig for small spaces, you may want to consider its overall features and its usability. The smallest Keurig coffee maker should not only save you space but should also have some additional features such as brew-strength control to make great coffee.
The Keurig K-Mini Plus is the smallest coffee maker with the capability to control the strength of your brew. It also has an inbuilt pocket for your K-Cups. Whether you are brewing coffee into a travel mug or you are simply making a small cup, you can use the strong brew feature to make bolder Keurig coffee.
This single-serve Keurig comes with a removable water tank that you can easily remove and clean.