Keurig K-Mini vs K-Express: Size or Convenience?
Naila Syifa
Updated April 2025
Keurig is a top brand in the coffee maker market, and if you're looking for an affordable single-serve machine that doesn't take up much counter space, its K-Mini and K-Express are two popular options worth considering.
Both retail at USD 89.99 and are space-saving with less than 5 inches of width. However, each offers a different set of features that may appeal to different coffee brewing needs.
Now let's take a closer look at what each machine brings to the table!
Key Takeaways
Keurig K-Mini offers cord storage and a smaller footprint but requires refilling for each brew. The K-Express features a 42-oz reservoir for multiple brews without refilling and has stronger brew options. In short, the K-Mini is more space-saving while the K-Express is more convenient.
Keurig K-Mini
Compact Coffee Maker
✓ 6-12 oz. Cup
✓ One Cup Reservoir
✓ Space-Saving Design
✓ Travel Mug-Friendly
Keurig K-Express
Minimalist Coffee Maker
✓ 3 Cup Sizes
✓ 42 oz. Reservoir
✓ Strong Button
✓ Travel Mug-Friendly
Design
Keurig K-Express
Keurig K-Mini and K-Express are equally good for small kitchens or limited counter space, thanks to their compact and slim profiles.
The actual dimensions vary slightly, with the K-Mini being shorter in length and height than the K-Express. Look at the measurements below.
Keurig K-Mini: 12.1” H x 4.5” W x 11.3” D
Keurig K-Express: 12.6” H x 4.5” W x 12.8” D
It's also worth mentioning that the K-Mini features a cord storage in the back, which allows us to adjust the cord length and keep our countertop looking neat.
The K-Express can't add a cord storage because its back houses a large water reservoir, which also explains why it has a longer depth than the K-Mini.
This removable reservoir can store up to 42 ounces of water, which is equal to four 8-ounce cups of coffee. That means multiple brew cycles without very frequent refilling.
The K-Mini can save more counter space with its shorter depth, but we'll need to refill the water for each brew as the reservoir only holds enough water for a single cup at a time.
Unless you have a very limited space that can only accommodate the K-Mini, I think the extra 1.5-inch depth of the K-Express is worth it for the convenience of its larger water reservoir.
Keurig K-Mini vs K-Express
Now let's move on to another design aspect – the color. The K-Mini comes in 6 color variants in matte finish, while the K-Express has 5 color options with a glossy finish. Matte or glossy? That's a matter of personal preference.
Below are the color options for both models, but they may vary depending on where you shop.
Keurig K-Mini: Matte Black, Studio Gray, Oasis, Evergreen, Dusty Rose, Poppy Red
Keurig K-Express: Black, Warm Stone, Mint, Island Berry, Lavender
Controls
Keurig K-Mini
Keurig K-Mini has a very simple control interface featuring just one button on top of the machine. It's a brewing button with Keurig's K logo, which we can simply press to start the brewing process.
The K-Express, meanwhile, offers a more sophisticated control. On the front corner of the machine, you'll find a few buttons – a power button, a strong brew button, and three brew size buttons (8, 10, and 12 ounces).
More buttons don't mean it's more complicated to use. It instead brings a level of brewing customization that the K-Mini simply doesn't offer. We'll explore these features in more detail in the next section.
Brewing Features
Keurig K-Express
Both the K-Mini and K-Express allow us to adjust how much coffee we want in our cup, but there's a slight difference in this.
The K-Mini has a single-brew water reservoir, so we can simply add as much water as we want for our cup size, ranging from 6 to 12 ounces (177 to 355 ml).
The good thing about this is flexibility, as we can brew any specific amount within that range rather than being limited to preset options. The less convenient aspect is that we need to measure the water ourselves each time, which sounds like a hassle for me personally.
On the other hand, with an ample 42-ounce water reservoir, the K-Express lets us select from three preset cup sizes (8, 10, or 12 ounces) with the push of a button. There's no need for manual water measurement, making it more convenient for daily use.
The K-Express also adds a few extra brewing features. We can brew a bolder, more intense cup of coffee with the strong brew button.
There is also a back-to-back brewing feature, which means we can brew another cup immediately without waiting for the machine to reheat.
Keurig K-Mini vs K-Express
Final Thoughts
Keurig K-Mini
Keurig K-Mini is set apart with its very compact design and a cord storage that makes it a good fit for extremely limited counter spaces. Its one-cup reservoir means you'll need to add fresh water for each brew, but it gives precise control over your cup size from 6-12 ounces.
With the same price and slightly longer dimensions, the K-Express offers more convenience with its 42-ounce reservoir, preset cup sizes, and additional brewing features like the strong brew option and back-to-back brewing capability.
With those additional capabilities, the K-Express seems to offer more value for the money, but if counter space is your absolute top priority and you don't mind refilling the water for each brew, the K-Mini is still a solid choice.
If you'd like to read more about Coffee Makers, check out our other relevant guides here:
Keurig K-Supreme vs K-Supreme Plus
Keurig K-Express vs K-Slim
Author
Naila Syifa
Naila has spent over 1,800 hours researching, exploring, and writing about the latest trends in technology, consumer electronics, and smart home gadgets.
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