Keurig K-Slim Coffee Maker Review for 2021

The Keurig K-Slim is a small, middle-range coffee maker that works with K-Cup pods and helps you brew almost any type of hot drink you want.

Despite its attractive design, extensive usability, and proven performance, this machine won’t empty your pockets.

It’s a shame that the package doesn’t include anything but the machine itself. But if you order the product with the McCafé variety pack, you’ll get forty recyclable K-Cups for only about twenty more dollars.

Still, after testing and reviewing more than ten compact single-serve brewers, we found the K-Slim to be an ideal choice for small house owners. Continue with our Keurig K-Slim review to know more about its specific features.

Things to Consider Before Buying a Single-serve Coffee Maker

Just like the popular K-Mini, the K-Slim is Keurig’s answer to customers with space issues. What makes it stand out from other tiny coffee makers is that it comes with a massive reservoir despite its small dimensions.

Therefore, you won’t need to take frequent trips to the water tap and refill your device every morning. Since all Keurig admirers look for ultimate convenience, this can be a huge selling point for the K-Slim.

If you’re a busy bee who can’t forgo quick morning coffee and, at the same time, you don’t have enough space to fit a large coffee maker in your home, the Keurig K-Slim is your best deal.

Yet, before you rush to buy the machine, take a look at the following factors to make sure it fits your very needs.

• Reservoir capacity.
• Appearance and color options.
• Cleaning efforts.
• Taste of coffee.
• K-Cup and pod compatibility.
• Brewing time.
• Ability to fit your travel mugs.
• Exact dimensions.
• Ability to brew bold coffee.
• Auto-on and auto-off features.

Why You Should Consider the Keurig K-Slim

Style

With this brewer, lack of space is not an issue. At 4.8 inches wide, 12 inches high, and 15 inches deep, this machine is one of the slimmest brewers on the market. 

It only comes in black, but it has a trendy appearance that blends into most areas. So, you can put it on your office desk, apartment kitchen, or a dorm’s pantry.

The plastic casing may seem cheap or flimsy at first sight, but the one-year-warranty ensures you’ll have it repaired or replaced in case of damage. According to customer comments, it’ll most likely be years before it stops working.

One common complaint about its design is that it has a short cord. So you may not be free to place the unit anywhere you want.

Water Tank 

With an impressively narrow design, the K-Slim boasts a relatively large reservoir. It can hold 46 ounces of water, which translates into four cups of 8-ounce coffee. So, unlike its K-Mini alternative, you don’t have to fill the reservoir each time you use the machine.

The plastic reservoir is transparent, allowing you to see when it’s time to refill it. It’s a detachable component that allows for easy cleaning and refilling.

Also worth mentioning is the carrying handle of the reservoir. If you hold it appropriately, it securely grips to your fingers and minimizes the chance of accidental falls.

One complaint about the water tank is its position. Since it sits at the unit’s backside, you have to turn the machine back to remove it. Or, you can fill a jar and pour water inside the reservoir.

K-Cups

Whether you prefer Keurig K-Cups or other brands such as Starbucks, Green Mountain, or Gloria Jean’s, the K-Slim is open to all brands and types of K-Cups. So you won’t have to sacrifice quality for accessibility. You’ll also have more diverse flavors at your disposal.

Not only that, the K-Slim accepts the universal K-Cup filter, so you can brew ground coffee in the form of K-Cups. This possibility adds a bit of fun to your brewing experience and gives you better control over the process.

It’s also a bonus for those who prefer drip coffee but enjoy the convenience of k-cups.

Cup Size Flexibility

Coffee lovers tend to drink different portions of coffee per serving. For example, once-a-day coffee drinkers may want to have a large portion at once, while coffee maniacs may want to distribute that amount through hours of the day.

Thankfully, the K-Slim includes three different brew sizes. Whether you want an 8-ounce, 10-ounce, or 12-ounce cup of coffee, you’re free to choose.

Of course, some Keurig series come with smaller or bigger servings, but I think having three options is fair enough for a machine at this size.

User Interface

Keurig offers a basic interface for the K-Slim. A handful of buttons on top of the device allow you to turn on the machine, adjust the serving size, and get the ball rolling – no extra picklists or touchscreens to deal with.

Just pop up the handle, insert your K-Cup, and choose a serving option. Then, hit the flashing K button in the center and get your fragrant coffee in a minute. Could it be any easier?

Travel Mug Friendly

Active people tend to have their coffee on the road instead of a comfy breakfast table. If this sounds like you, you definitely want a brewer that’s compatible with travel mugs so that you can bring your coffee everywhere. 

Luckily, the K-Slim does an excellent job on that front. Despite its decisive size, It can accommodate up to 7 inches tall mugs. All you need is to pull out the drip tray to create enough clearance.

So, you won’t have to brew in a smaller cup and then pour it into your travel mug.

Auto-Off Feature

With its auto-off technology, the Keurig K-Slim automatically turns off your device after five minutes of inactivity.

It can be good news for both frugal and absent-minded people.

When the brewer shuts off automatically, it no longer consumes your electricity and reduces your running costs. Also, no electricity connection means no electric shocks and fires while you’re away.

Maintenance

Cleaning a Keurig is like shooting a fish in a barrel. To maintain its glowing exteriors, all you need is wet wiping in a weekly manner. Removable parts such as the drip tray and water tank are easy to wash in the sink and to clean the brewing needle, you can brew pure water into a small cup.

The most difficult part is descaling the reservoir, and it’s only necessary every three to six months. It’ll remove the buildup of deposits such as scale, lime, and bacteria. Watch the video below to learn how to descale a Keurig:

To minimize your descaling efforts, you can also use bottled water or a water filter. Although the K-Slim doesn’t come with a filter or filter handle, it’s compatible with them. So, you can invest in a Keurig side reservoir water filter, place your filter cartridges inside it, and remove impurities from the water.

Taste

When working with a Keurig, the taste of your coffee will depend a lot on the quality of water, your coffee pod, and how you clean the machine. If you use a water filter and descale your reservoir as per the guidelines, your drinks will taste just as good as the K-Cup.

For maximum coffee taste, you’d better also clean the needle after brewing sweat or dense beverages. If you’re not a frequent drinker and the water remains in the reservoir for days, it’s better to refresh the water tank before you brew the next coffee.

Advanced Features

Keurig K-Slim isn’t the most advanced coffee maker on the market. For one thing, it lacks the Strong Brew option you can find in other Keurig models. So, if you like the bitter taste of dark coffee, this machine may disappoint you.

Besides, it doesn’t come with temperature control, hot water, or an iced brew button, which is ok. 

Getting hot water on demand doesn’t need a dedicated button. If you choose a serving size and activate the machine without a K-Cup, it starts producing hot water rather than coffee. It helps you make tea, hot chocolate, and quick breakfasts such as oatmeal. Just remember to wipe away any coffee residue in the pod holder and needle.

Also, the lack of a “brew over ice” option doesn’t mean you can’t pour the brewed coffee over ice cubes. Just pick another mug and fill it with large ice pieces. Then add your coffee very gently. At last, you can also relish it with cold milk, sugar, and your favorite syrups.

Temperature control and timer are two missing options that you can’t work around. Still, the brewer has enough to give you compared to what you pay for it.

Alternatives

If you think the K-Slim fails to satisfy your coffee needs, here are three other space-saving options to look for.

Keurig K-Mini

As a more affordable option, the Keurig K-Mini gives you two additional serving sizes – a six-ounce and a twelve-ounce cup. It’s almost as narrow as the K-Slim but lacks the large reservoir. So, you should add water every time you want a freshly brewed coffee. Besides, it has a pour-over reservoir rather than a detachable one.

It’s as tall as the K-Slim, but about five inches smaller in depth. Another advantage is the cord storage, making it a super portable device.

If you’re selective and care about their kitchen appearance, the K-Mini can be a good alternative because it comes in various colors – including dusty rose, oasis, studio gray, and black.

Keurig K-Mini Plus

The K-Mini Plus has the same dimensions, cup size variability, and appearance as the K-Mini. A few but significant differences include the strength control option, pod storage, and removable water tank.

The Strong brew option is great for coffee purists who don’t have enough space for larger models such as the K-Select and K-Elite. The pod storage accommodates 9 K-Cups and creates more clearance on your countertop. 

This series comes in five beautiful colors: black, white, evening teal, cardinal red, and gray.

Keurig K-Compact

Although it’s a slimmer alternative to regular Keurig K-Cup coffee makers, this one is much bigger than either the K-Slim or the K-Mini collections. With 13 inches wide, it takes about 8 inches more of your counter space.

Just like the K-Slim, it has three serving options and no settings for iced or strong coffee. At 32 ounces, its reservoir holds much less water than that of K-Slim. The only advantage over the K-slim is that this one is a bit cheaper.

Things to Know about the Keurig K-Slim

1.  Does the Keurig K SLIM Need a Filter?

The Keurig K-Slim doesn’t necessarily need a filter, but if you want to experience the genuine taste of your K-Cup, you should consider it. 

Even though they’re not visible to the naked eye, water impurities and bacteria exist in the tap water. These particles can affect the smell of your coffee and make it distasteful.

Putting a water filter inside your reservoir not only maximizes your coffee taste but also reduces the need for frequent descaling and extends the lifespan. Still, if you don’t want to pay extra for a filter, you can use distilled or purified water.

1. How Do You Work with a Keurig Slim?

Working with a Keurig K-Slim is as easy as inserting a K-Cup and pushing a few buttons. Just like using other Keurig models, there are no complicated menus or gadgets to deal with.

Press one of the numerical buttons to set a cup-size, place an equivalent cup beneath the nozzle, and push the K button to start the brewing process.

1. How Do I Clean My Keurig K Slim?

Here are a few tips on how to clean your Keurig K-Slim:

• Use a soft and non-fluffy cloth to wipe away the dust and dirt on the body. Do it once a week on average.
• Remove the drip tray and reservoir, wash them in soapy water and rinse them thoroughly. Make sure they’re completely dry before you slide them back into the machine.
• Do a cleansing brew after making sticky beverages such as hot chocolate. This is exactly like a regular brew without inserting a K-Cup.
• Descale your reservoir often to keep it at its highest performance.

Final Thoughts on Our Keurig K-Slim Review

Although it doesn’t include high-tech options such as auto-start or bold coffee brewing, the Keurig K-Slim offers just enough for regular coffee makers. It’s an excellent choice for those who have a space problem and prefer convenience over any other factors.