Keurig K-Slim Review: Slim on Features but Worth it
Summary
Pros
Cons
Keurig K-Slim Summary
The Keurig K-Slim is a good-looking coffee machine (and yes, very slim at 4.76 inches) that should fit in most kitchens. Its slim size comes with a tradeoff though, it's quite long at 15.2 inches, similar a to full-sized automatic espresso machine. It offers only a few features, but this coffee maker has been designed for coffee drinkers who want a something that is no-fuss easy-to-operate and easy-to-clean. Significantly, it comes with the MultiStream technology for a delicious cup of coffee, a feature that higher-end Keurig models do not offer.
The Keurig K-Slim coffee maker is a sleek and stylish single-serve machine that is perfect for anyone who wants great coffee without all of the fuss.
As its name implies, it’s extremely slim (what an insight!)
This machine is designed with simplicity in mind - it's easy to use, easy to clean, and makes delicious coffee every time thanks to the MultiStream Technology it now has.
Whether you're a busy professional or just looking for an easier way to make your morning cup of joe, the Keurig K-Slim is a great choice!
Read this Keurig K-Slim review to find out more!
Specifications
- Model: Keurig K-Slim
- Type: Single Serve K-Cup coffee maker
- Display: None
- Colors: Black, White, Scarlet Red
- Dimensions: 12.14” H x 4.76” W x 15.2” D
- Weight: 6.22 lb
- Cord Length: 29”
- Power Rating: 1,500 watts
- Warranty: 1 year
Key Features
- Single Serve Cup Sizes: 3 sizes (8, 10, and 12 oz)
- Lattes & Cappuccinos: No
- Drip Coffee Sizes: No
- Temperature Control: No
- Strength Control: No
- Iced Setting: No
- Fits Travel Mug: Yes, max height of 7.0"
- Milk Frothing: No
- Carafe Type & Heating Plate: No
- Water Tank Capacity: Removable 46 oz water tank
- Multi-Position Water Tank: No
- Auto On: No
- Energy Saving Auto Off: Yes
- Programmable: No
- Pause & Pour: No
- High Altitude Setting: Yes
- MultiStream Technology: Yes
- BrewID Technology: No
- Wireless Connectivity: No
- Automatic Ejection of used Pods: No
Keurig K-Slim Single Serve Coffee Maker Review
Design and Build Quality
The K-Slim, although very slim, as its name implies, is not the slimmest of the Keurig coffee makers. That honor goes to the K-Mini.
Nonetheless, the K-Slim is just 4.76 inches wide. It should fit pretty much anywhere - you could even install it on your nightstand.
Imagine just having to reach over to grab a cup of coffee upon waking up?
Keurig had to make some sacrifices to make such as a slim coffee maker. This is one of the longest Keurig line coffee makers at 15.2 inches in length.
This makes it longer than the K-Supreme Plus SMART!
The Keurig K-Slim is also one of the lightest coffee makers, weighing in at just over six pounds. This makes it very easy to move around and even take with you on trips.
It comes by default in black, white, or scarlet red colors, but for about $30 you can customize the color, and patterns and you can even add some text!
The 46-oz water reservoir sits behind the machine, and it's removable for easy refill or washing. It’s sufficient for several cups of coffee before you need to refill it.
The user interface is so simple that even my centenarian grandma could start brewing coffee without even reading the instructions manual.
The UI is typical of most Keurig coffee makers - the "K" button (brew button) is surrounded by other buttons to select the cup size, add water, and descale.
The drip tray can be removed for washing, and to increase the vertical clearance to accommodate travel mugs of up 7 inches in height.
In short, the Keurig K-Slim is well-designed, easy-to-use, and compact. It should fit most kitchens, however, beware that it's quite long! Despite its slim size, it can accommodate a 46-oz water tank, enough to last a few days.
Ease of Use and Features
The Keurig K-Slim is one of the easiest coffee makers to use. Just pop in a K-cup pod, select your cup size, and press brew.
This means it's extremely easy to use but has very few features. You would be purchasing this coffee machine for its compact size.
There are no temperature control or coffee strength settings.
However, Keurig has now incorporated the MultiStream Technology into the K-Slim - a technology that not even higher-end coffee makers like the K-Elite or the K-Café currently have.
The K-Slim can brew 3 cup sizes: 8-oz, 10-oz, and 12-oz cups.
However, in our opinion, the 10-oz and 12-oz cups are not very useful unless you like watery coffee.
It also includes the high-altitude settings that most Keurigs have, it's a fairly fast and quick brewer, and it has an auto-off feature to save energy.
The K-Slim is compatible with the My K-Cup Universal Coffee Filter. This is good because it could save you money and helps keep those pesky K-Cup pods away from the environment.
In short, the Keurig K-Slim is an easy-to-use coffee maker with few features. It's a good choice for those looking for a simple, compact and lightweight machine that is still able to brew a great cup of coffee thanks to the MultiStream Technology.
Coffee Drink Quality
The coffee quality from the Keurig K-Slim is quite good within the world of Keurig coffee makers.
It's one of the few Keurig coffee machines that incorporate the MultiStream Technology, which evenly saturates the coffee grounds, resulting in a more consistent and flavorful cup of coffee.
However, not much customization is possible - even the "Strong Brew" that many Keurigs carry is absent.
We recommend using only the 8-oz cup brew size since 10 oz or 12 oz is way too much water for the quantity of coffee grounds contained in typical Keurig coffee pods.
As such, it would have been preferable if the K-Slim could brew 4-oz, 6-oz and 8-oz cup sizes instead of the 8-oz, 10-oz, and 12-oz sizes it currently can brew.
Finishing on a good note, the My K-Cup Universal Coffee Filter (sold separately) has the potential to improve the coffee quality by using your own freshly ground coffee grounds! This is because K-Cup pod coffee is not as fresh.
In short, the coffee quality from the K-Slim brewer is quite good if you use the 8-oz cup brew size. It's one of the few Keurig coffee machines that incorporates the MultiStream Technology. However, not much drink customization is possible.
Cleaning & Maintenance
Keurig coffee makers are famous for how easy they are to clean and maintain.
The Keurig K-Slim is no exception.
The removable water reservoir and removable drip tray make it very easy to keep the machine clean.
The K-Cup holder, funnel, and entrance & exit needles can easily be cleaned.
There is a descaling function but there is no notification system to tell you when it's time to run this cycle.
So you'll need to keep track of time; typically, depending on the water hardness of your area, you should descale your Keurig Slim coffee machine every 3 months as recommended in the K-Slim User & Care Guide.
The descaling process itself is actually pretty quick at 15 to 20 minutes compared to other coffee makers like the K-Elite, which can take up to 45 minutes to complete this cycle.
Although the Keurig K-Slim is compatible with water filters, it does not include one. You will need to purchase the Tall Handle Water Filter Kit.
There is also a rinse cycle. Although not specified by Keurig, you should run from time to time the 8-oz brew cycle but without a K-Cup to rinse your machine, especially if you haven't used it for a while.
In short, the Keurig K-Slim is easy to clean and maintain. It should take you only a few minutes each day to keep this machine in top shape. However, you'll need to keep track of the last time you descaled your machine.
Value for Money
For better or for worse, this is the section of our reviews where we do a bit of math to see how well products stack up in terms of value for your money.
At the time of writing (August 2022), the K-Slim retails for about $130 if you buy it as stand-alone. You could also purchase it with a Starter Kit for a 55% discount but this requires a 12-month commitment of 9 boxes of 20/22/24 K-Cups or 16 bags of coffee. This is equivalent to a commitment of approximately $180.
The K-Slim costs about $40 more than the K-Mini. However, we think the higher cost is justified because the K-Slim has the MultiStream technology, a feature that the K-Mini lacks. Further, the K-Slim is more practical as you don't have to refill the water reservoir prior to every brew.
Purchasing the K-Slim makes sense if you live in a small apartment with little space and want a compact no-fuss machine that can brew coffee quickly.
It's even more worthwhile if you don't have a coffee maker and instead, you purchase coffee from coffee shops every day. These days coffee costs about $3 per cup, meaning, your yearly cost of coffee could be over $1,000!
In short, the Keurig K-Slim is a good value purchase if you are looking for a small, counter space saving machine that can brew a quick cup of coffee. It'll save you a ton of money if you purchase your daily coffee from coffee shops.
Our Verdict
Summary
Pros
Cons
Keurig K-Slim Summary
The Keurig K-Slim is a good-looking coffee machine (and yes, very slim at 4.76 inches) that should fit in most kitchens. Its slim size comes with a tradeoff though, it's quite long at 15.2 inches, similar a to full-sized automatic espresso machine. It offers only a few features, but this coffee maker has been designed for coffee drinkers who want a something that is no-fuss easy-to-operate and easy-to-clean. Significantly, it comes with the MultiStream technology for a delicious cup of coffee, a feature that higher-end Keurig models do not offer.
What Should I Get - A Keurig, Ninja, or a Nespresso Machine?
Keurig, Nespresso and Ninja offer great options to conveniently make single-serve coffee. So which one is good for you? It depends on your preferences.
- If you like espresso coffee or specialty coffee drinks, then get a Nespresso machine. The best Nespresso machine, in this case, would be one from the OriginalLine. If you like specialty coffee make sure you also check our recommended automatic espresso machines since some Nespresso machines can cost as much!
- If you like to have espresso coffee and drip coffee (or have many opinions at home), again, a Nespresso machine would be best. However, this time look for VertuoLine ones.
- If you like to conveniently make regular coffee, then the best option is Keurig coffee makers.
- If you want convenience but don’t want to deal with pods or capsules, we recommend you check out our best ninja coffee machines post!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Keurig K-Mini or K-Slim better?
The K-Slim is better in our opinion because it now incorporates the MultiStream technology. It’s also more practical, especially if you live with a family, as you don’t need to refill the water reservoir before every brew.
Does the Keurig K-Slim use K-Cups?
The K-Slim is compatible with all K-Cups including third-party ones. It’s also compatible with the My K-Cup Universal Coffee Filter.
Why isn't my Keurig K-Slim working?
Resetting your K-Slim can solve some issues. To do so, lift and lower the handle, remove the water tank, and unplug from the wall for at least one hour.
Alternatively, your K-Slim might need descaling. Check our Keurig descaling post for more details.
Does K-Slim have Strong Brew?
No, it does not. As such, we recommend using the smallest 8-oz brew size. However, it now has the MultiStream technology, which should improve the coffee quality over previous versions.
Can you use your own coffee in Keurig K-Slim?
Yes, you can. You will need the My K-Cup Universal Coffee Filter. If you want to up your coffee game, you could buy fresh coffee beans and grind them!
Does the Keurig K-Slim make espresso?
No, it does not. Espresso requires 9-bar pressure. Keurig coffee makers do not use pressure brewing.
Can the Keurig K-Slim make tea?
Yes, it can! There are many K-Cups you can buy from Keurig for different kinds of tea.
What is the warranty for the Keurig K-Slim?
Keurig offers a 1-year limited warranty.
What is the difference between the K-Slim and the K-Slim + ICED?
The key difference between the K-Slim and the K-Slim + ICED is that the former one has the MultiStream technology whereas the ICED version does not. The K-Slim + ICED, as its name implies, has the Brew Over Ice feature, which adjusts the brewing to minimize ice melt. The K-Slim does not have the Brew Over Ice feature.
