Keurig is a company known for manufacturing single-serve coffee makers that make brewing coffee convenient. With so many models to choose from, it definitely can be hard to choose which one to buy.
If you are deciding between a K-Express and a K-Mini Plus, both Keurig models have very similar features so it may come down to their design, price, or how much coffee you drink a day. In this article, I will be talking about the features of both Keurig models so you can decide which one is best for you.
In this article:
- Design and Size
- Brew Cup Sizes and Strong Brew Option
- Maintenance
- Auto-Off Feature
- K-Cup Pods Compatibility
- Price
Design and Size
The K-Express and the K-Mini Plus are sleeker and more compact designs compared to the other Keurig models. So, if you are looking for a Keurig that only takes up a little space, both the K-Express and K-Mini Plus are good options.
However, between the K-Express and K-Mini Plus, the K-Mini Plus is the slimmer brewer. In fact, K-Mini Plus is Keurig’s slimmest brewer yet.
The Keurig K-Mini Plus is 4.5 inches wide compared to the 5.1-inch width of the K-Express. While the difference is really not that big, the K-Mini might feel less cramped if you have a smaller space.
The Keurig K-Mini Plus is also 11.3 inches deep and 12.8 inches high when the lid is open. The K-Express, on the other hand, is 12.8 inches deep and 17.2 inches high when open.
When it comes to color options, the K-Mini Plus has the K-Express beat. You have 7 colors to choose from if you plan to buy the K-Mini Plus. The K-Mini Plus comes in Black, Cardinal Red, Studio Gray, Evening Teal, Matte White, Cool Aqua, and Misty Green.
The K-Express only has 2 color options – Black and Mint. If you are big on colors, the K-Mini Plus can be a great addition to your home.
Brew Cup Sizes and Strong Brew Option
When it comes to brewing features, the K-Express and K-Mini Plus almost have the same similarities but, they also have differences.
Both brewers are single-serve coffee makers but the K-Mini Plus has more brewing cup sizes. You can opt to brew 6, 8, 10, or 12 ounces but the downside is, you will have to refill the water reservoir each time you want to brew a cup of coffee.
The K-Express, on the other hand, only has 3 brewing sizes – 8, 10, and 12 ounces. If you are a heavy coffee drinker, the K-Express is a great option.
With the K-Express, its removable water reservoir has a capacity of 42 ounces so you don’t can brew up to 4 to 5 cups of coffee before you have to refill it with water.
If you like to travel, both coffee makers have removable drip trays making them travel mug-friendly. The K-Express is taller so it can fit a travel mug up to 7.4 inches tall while the K-Express can fit a travel mug up to 7 inches tall.
The K-Mini Plus and K-Express both have a “STRONG” brew option that lets you brew a stronger cup.
Maintenance
As with all Keurigs, cleaning and descaling are very important no matter what model you choose to buy. The difference between the K-Mini Plus and the K-Express is that the K-Express has a descale light which lets you know if the machine needs to be descaled.
This feature can be very convenient, especially if you are busy and need to be reminded to descale your Keurig. The K-Mini Plus does not have this feature so you will have to remember to descale a K-Mini Plus.
Keurig recommends descaling its coffee makers once every 3 to 6 months so you can just set a reminder on your calendar in advance.
Related: Keurig Not Working After Descaling | The Complete Guide
Auto-Off Feature
If you are concerned about accidentally leaving your Keurig on after brewing a cup of coffee, you don’t have to worry about it with these two brewers.
The K-Express and K-Mini Plus both have an auto-off feature that automatically turns off the brewer after your last brew. The difference is, that the K-Mini Plus turns off after 90 seconds (1.5 minutes) while the K-Express turns off after 5 minutes after your last brew.
So, for an energy-saving coffee maker, the K-Mini Plus might be your best option.
Related: How to Set Your Keurig's Auto-Off Feature
K-Cup Pod Compatibility
The K-Express and K-Mini Plus are compatible with all Keurig K-cup pods and are also compatible with the universal reusable filter. The reusable filter is not included in the brewer so you’ll have to buy it separately.
If you like brewing your own coffee, the reusable filter is a great Keurig accessory to buy. Not only can you use your preferred coffee grounds, but you can also save money by not buying K-cup pods.
Price
Keurigs are expensive but, when it comes to the price point between these two, the K-Express is more affordable than the K-Mini Plus. If you are on a budget, the price may be a huge factor when it comes to your final purchase decision. Both Keurig models are great if you are looking for an entry point to Keurig and you want to see if they are really worth the hype.
Final Thoughts
While these two don’t have other advanced and programmable features, the K-Express and K-Mini Plus have features that can brew you a decent cup of coffee. Choosing between these two coffee makers will largely depend on your personal preferences.
With how similar the K-Mini Plus and K-Express are, it really can be a tough decision. If you only drink one cup of coffee a day, then the K-Mini Plus might be the best option for you. You’ll have to refill the reservoir with fresh water before each brew, but this won’t be much of a hassle if you prefer to have one cup a day.
If you have guests over or drink multiple cups a day, then the K-Express is a good option for you. The water reservoir can hold up to 42 oz. of water so you can brew multiple single-serve coffees without having to refill the reservoir each time.
You could also take into consideration the brewer’s dimensions as the K-Mini Plus is slimmer than the K-Express.
