The Keurig K-Mini Mate Plus is a K-Cup coffee maker under 5 inches wide that brews hot, brews over ice and has a Strong Brew button. Keurig prices it at $109.99, and it holds 50 oz of water, far more than the smallest Keurigs.
What is the Keurig K-Mini Mate Plus?
It is the upgraded version of Keurig's smallest brewer, aimed at countertops, dorm rooms and office corners where space is the first problem. Keurig describes it as one of its smallest coffee makers ever, at just under 5 inches wide, and says it comes in three colors. It brews K-Cup pods, and Keurig says it is compatible with more than 400 K-Cup varieties.
What the Plus adds, on Keurig's page, is brew over ice, Strong Brew and a 50 oz removable reservoir, where the original K-Mini takes a single cup of water at a time. Nobody has tested the machine here, so everything below is the maker's description and its published figures.
Keurig K-Mini Mate Plus specs
| Pod system | K-Cup pods, 400+ varieties |
|---|---|
| Cup sizes | 8, 10 and 12 oz |
| Brew options | Brew over ice, Strong Brew |
| Water reservoir | 50 oz, removable |
| Travel mug clearance | Up to 7.25 inches tall, using the removable drip tray |
| Width | 4.57 inches |
| Depth | 12.79 inches |
| Height | 9.13 inches closed, 14.5 inches open |
| Weight | 5.1 lbs |
| Colors | Three, shown as Wild Orchid on the maker's page |
| Price | $109.99 |
Keurig's page does not state wattage, warranty length, an automatic shut-off time or a warm-up time. It also does not say whether a reusable filter for ground coffee fits, so check that before planning to brew your own grounds.
How does brew over ice work on the K-Mini Mate Plus?
Keurig says you press a button and get iced coffee that is "never watered down". That wording is the maker's claim, and it is worth reading carefully. Brew over ice means the machine brews hot coffee onto a glass of ice. It does not chill the coffee first, so some ice will melt. The usual way to handle that is to use the smaller 8 oz cup size and fill the glass with ice before you brew.
The Strong Brew button is the other control. Keurig says it gives a more intense, bolder cup at the touch of a button. Keurig does not say how much stronger, or whether it slows the brew or uses less water, so treat it as a one step change you try and judge for yourself.
Cup sizes are 8, 10 and 12 oz, with no smaller option. If you like a small 6 oz cup from a pod, this is not the machine for that, since the smallest size is 8 oz. Keurig says the removable drip tray accommodates travel mugs up to 7.25 inches tall, and notes that the mug is sold separately.
The 50 oz tank is the real change from the original. Instead of pouring water in before every cup, you fill the tank and brew several cups back to back. Keurig says that suits busy mornings and guests. The tank is removable, and the machine it sits in is only 4.57 inches wide.
Keurig K-Mini Mate Plus vs Keurig K-Mini
The Keurig K-Mini Single Serve Coffee Maker is the machine this one improves on, and it is listed at $71.00. It brews any size from 8 to 12 oz, has a 0.35 liter single cup reservoir that you fill for each brew, shuts off automatically 90 seconds after the last brew and is also under 5 inches wide. It fits travel mugs up to 7 inches tall.
The Mini Mate Plus costs $38.99 more. For that you get the 50 oz removable tank, about 1.48 liters against the K-Mini's 0.35 liter single cup reservoir, plus brew over ice and Strong Brew buttons. If you brew one cup at a time and do not mind filling the reservoir each time, the K-Mini does the core job for a lot less. If you make two or three cups in a row, the larger tank is the reason to pay more.
One point goes against the Plus: the K-Mini's page lists an auto shut-off after 90 seconds, and Keurig's page for the Mini Mate Plus does not mention one.
Keurig K-Mini Mate Plus vs Keurig K-Slim
The Keurig K-Slim Single Serve Coffee Maker is the other slim Keurig, at $149.99. It has a 46 oz removable reservoir, brews 8, 10 and 12 oz cups, shuts off after 5 minutes, takes the My K-Cup reusable filter for ground coffee and uses MultiStream Technology. It weighs 6.22 lbs and is less than 5 inches wide, so the footprint matches.
The Mini Mate Plus is $40 cheaper, has a slightly bigger tank at 50 oz against 46 oz and weighs less at 5.1 lbs. It adds brew over ice and Strong Brew as named buttons. The K-Slim lists the MultiStream brewing system and a reusable filter option, which the Mini Mate Plus page does not. If you care about the brewing technology or want to use your own grounds, the K-Slim is the one to look at. If you want the lowest price in a slim body with iced coffee, the Mini Mate Plus is.
Is the Keurig K-Mini Mate Plus worth it?
At $109.99 it sits between the basic K-Mini and the K-Slim, and it is worth it for a specific kind of buyer: someone with very little counter space who brews more than one cup at a time. For a single cup each morning, the extra tank and buttons matter less. For a shared office kitchen or a dorm room with a roommate, a 50 oz tank saves repeated trips to the sink.
The price also needs to be set against what pods cost. A brewer is a one-time purchase, while pods are a recurring one, so a cheap pod machine does not stay cheap if you drink several cups a day. Running cost depends on how many cups you drink.
Who should buy the Keurig K-Mini Mate Plus (and who should not)
Buy it if you are short on space, want iced coffee from a pod machine, or share a small kitchen with another coffee drinker. The 4.57 inch width is the main reason to choose it over a standard Keurig.
Skip it if you want a 6 oz cup, an automatic shut-off, a reusable filter for your own grounds or a stated warranty. Skip it too if you only ever brew one cup at a time and want to spend less, since the K-Mini covers that for $71.00.
Frequently Asked Questions
How wide is the Keurig K-Mini Mate Plus?
It is 4.57 inches wide, 12.79 inches deep and 9.13 inches tall with the handle closed. Keurig describes it as under 5 inches wide.
What cup sizes does it brew?
Three sizes: 8, 10 and 12 oz. There is no 4 or 6 oz option.
Can the K-Mini Mate Plus make iced coffee?
Yes. Keurig lists brew over ice, which brews hot coffee onto a glass of ice at the press of a button.
How big is the water tank?
The removable reservoir holds 50 oz, which is enough for several cups before a refill. The original K-Mini fills a single cup of water per brew.
Does it fit a travel mug?
Yes, Keurig says the removable drip tray accommodates travel mugs up to 7.25 inches tall. The mug itself is sold separately.
How much does the K-Mini Mate Plus weigh?
Keurig lists 5.1 lbs, or about 2.3 kg.
