The Keurig Express or the Keurig Mini? Which Should be Your Go-To?

There is nothing like a well-made cup of coffee.

Thankfully:

A good cup of coffee is within reach, thanks to compact brewers like the Keurig Mini and Keurig Express. Sadly, you may not have space for both of them.

Fortunately, I decided to examine the K-Mini and K-Express in great detail.

In addition, I will provide all you need to decide which is the right fit for your kitchen counter.

Without further ado, let’s dive in!

Keurig K-Express vs Keurig K-Mini: A Side-by-Side Comparison

I noticed that the Keurig K-Express and the Keurig K-Mini have similar price points but different functionality. The strength function of the K-Eexpress appeals to me because it allows me to brew a bolder cup of coffee. I appreciate that it comes with a detachable water reservoir and brews as much as 10 oz of coffee at once.

Rating Summary

Specifications Table

	Keurig K-Express	Keurig K-Mini
Overall Rating	86.6 %	76.6 %
Current Price	$79.99	$99.99
Brand	Keurig	Keurig
Weight	4.1 lbs	4.6 lbs
Material	Plastic	Plastic
Capacity	8,10,12 Oz	6-10 Oz
Coffee Maker Type	Single Serve	Single Serve
Special Functions	Strong Brew Function, Detachable Reservoir	None
Product Dimensions	12.63” H × 4.56” W × 12.87” D	12.1” H × 4.5” W × 11.3” D
Warranty	1 Year	1 Year

Quick Overview

The Keurig K-Express and the K-Mini excel in different aspects.

So:

How does this information help you make a choice?

Well:

When I closely reviewed these two products, the answer became apparent.

Let’s begin with the Keurig K-Express.

Keurig K-Express (Rating: 86.6%)

Now:

I paid close attention to the features of both coffee makers when I was in the market for a new model. The strength control function on the K-Express stood out to me.

The strong option also lets me get the best out of the common types of coffee beans.

Additionally:

I noticed it has a detachable 42 oz reservoir, while the K-Mini requires a refill after each brew. It also holds enough water for multiple brews of 8, 10, and 12 oz cups.

The varying brew sizes allow me to make more or less coffee, depending on my needs.

Remarkably:

The Keurig K-Express allows for back-to-back brewing. This came in handy when I went through several cups of coffee. I didn’t have to wait for my coffee maker to reheat between brews.

Unfortunately, unlike the K-mini, the Keurig K-Express does not have multistream technology. So, it may not be the most efficient option at the same price.

It also does not come with temperature control.

However:

I found a way around this by preheating the brewer for as long as possible before making a fresh cup.

Keurig K-Mini (Rating: 76.6%)

Fact:

The K-Mini is a beginner-friendly brewer that is easy to use and widely purchased. The Keurig K-mini fits this description.

Now:

I noticed that this single-serve coffee maker doesn’t come outfitted with fancy settings.

However, it makes great and simple coffee that could serve as a base for fancy latte recipes. I’m a big latte fan, and I found this very convenient.

Noteworthily:

One feature that gives the Keurig K-Mini a leg up for me is the auto-on feature. This allowed me to program my K-Mini’s preheat time, so it was ready when needed.

The above pairs nicely with the energy-saver auto-off mode that will shut the brewer down due to inactivity, saving power.

Essentially:

The K-Mini is a time-conscious brewer and could shave a few minutes off your morning coffee routine.

Despite all this:

The Keurig K-Mini has very limited functionality. It cannot cold or slow brew and doesn’t allow temperature control.

The Keurig K-Mini also does not have a strong option and only offers bare-bones brewing.

In addition, I hated having to refill the reservoir after every brew.

Coffee Holli’s Recommendation: Which Coffee Machine Should You Buy?

While the Keurig K-Express and the Keurig K-Mini have similar price points, they were both made for different things.

So, what should be the deciding factor? While this is a personal decision, let me highlight a few positives and drawbacks that could tip the scale for you.

As I mentioned, the K-Mini is a huge time saver, thanks to the programmable preheating and energy saver functions.

This could be particularly handy if you don’t have enough time in the morning to brew coffee.

It’s not uncommon for you to find this brewer at a discount in online stores, but it usually costs a little more ($20) than the K-Express.

Conversely:

Maybe you’re looking for a brewer that can give you a stronger, bolder flavor. In which case, the K-Express has you covered with its strong setting.

A controlled experiment by the Washington Post, showed that the strong button could help extend brew time by a full 30 s, bringing it closer to the optimal time of 2 minutes and 30 seconds.

As such:

The K-Express may be the better bang for the buck. Its generous reservoir size (42oz) and surprising price point make it the better option for your morning coffee.

From experience:

The look and feel of the K-Express is very appealing. In addition, I noticed it is easier to clean and maintain thanks to its detachable reservoir.

I also find its brewing capacity helpful for those long and stressful days.

So:

All things considered, which one should you purchase?

Well:

I think the Keurig K-Express is the better choice.

Conclusion

I did a deep dive into the functions of two amazing brewers to help you decide which would meet your needs.

The bottom line?

The K-Express and the K-Mini are both affordable entry-level brewers.

However, the K-Express allows for a more customizable brewing experience with its strength control feature.

So:

Which one is right for you? Do you need the strength control option and detachable reservoir on the K-Express? Or are you in love with the K-Mini’s time-saving features?

Hopefully:

This guide has provided all the information you need to choose the right brewer.

Finally:

Did you notice anything I may have failed to mention in this guide? Do you have any questions or suggestions you would like me to hear? Feel free to leave a comment below. 

Frequently Asked Questions