Considering its price, there are better coffee maker bargains out there. The Bosch Tassimo T55 is another single-serve coffee maker that uses T-discs instead of K-Cups. While K-Cups are more prevalent and easier to find, the cost of the two is comparable. Although the Sboly single-serve is not a Keurig machine, it is compatible with K-Cups. So, you can invest in a more affordable option while still enjoying the convenience and flavor of a K-Cup. This machine also works with ground coffee, so you can use any kind of coffee that you prefer.
While testing, the shortest recorded brew time was two minutes flat, and the longest two minutes and 30 seconds. This is lightning quick, but it may be the culprit of why K-Cups don’t always taste all that great. The K-Mini stabs open a coffee pod, then sputters warm water through it without fully soaking all of its grounds Hamilton Beach or allowing them to steep. Like all Keurigs, the K-Mini only accepts K-Cup branded coffee pods to brew coffee, tea, and hot cocoa, though thankfully, grocers carry a wide range. These pods can run anywhere between $7 to $14 per 12-pack, the lower end being grocery chain branded pods and the higher end Starbucks branded.
It can be extremely attractive given its size and weight. It is perfect for homes and offices with space constraints (e.g. city apartments, offices, dorms, hotels). Some of Keurig K-Mini my friends use their own K-Mini while on vacation, instead of using coffee makers at the hotels. Further, there have been some health issues concern regarding the k-cups.
The Coffee Maven’s editors select and review products independently. We may receive a commission if you purchase through one of our links at no additional cost to you. Get the best coffee deals, expert brewing guides and coverage of the latest innovations and products. You won’t find a timer or clock, and there’s no way to program sizes or brew strengths. When we tested it, we also found it to be pretty noisy, which the sleepyheads in your family may not appreciate. You’ll find the small 12-ounce water reservoir in the back.
That is especially true if you’re short on space, as it is the most compact Keurig available. There is nothing to critique when it comes to the water reservoir on the K-Mini Plus. Yes, it only holds one serving of water at a time, so you will have to refill it every time you brew coffee. And the advantage of this system is that you can precisely choose the actual cup size of your coffee based on how much water you add. This coffee machine can brew anywhere between 6oz to 12oz of coffee, depending on how much water I pour in the water reservoir.
The K-Mini Plus has a removable water reservoir, whereas it is fixed in the original K-Mini. The removable reservoir is not only easier to refill, but it makes it much more convenient to clean. This range of drinks options is one of the main reasons that Keurig machines are second only to drip coffee makers in popularity in the US.