Keurig K-Slim: Specs
Tank capacity: 48 ounces
Size: 15.2 x 4.7 x 12.1 inches
Brewing sizes: 3 (8, 10 and 12 oz cups)
Removable water tank: Yes
Milk frother: NO
Strength settings: NO
Iced coffee: NO
Auto on/off: Yes
The K-Slim is an upgraded version of the Keurig K-Mini, sporting a similar frame, while also adding a water reservoir and improved flavor with “multistream technology.” Built to save countertop space, the K-Slim has a slimmer body than a regular, powerful Keurig coffee maker, but it can still brew coffee in under two minutes. Simply fill the water reservoir, insert a K-Cup, and press a button to make an 8-, 10-, or 12-ounce cup of coffee.
The K-Slim’s “multistream technology” puts it above the more unpretentious Keurigs like the K-Mini and K-Classic, with its ability to thoroughly soak the entire K-Cup for better flavor. That’s why it’s one of best keurig coffee makersHowever, like all Keurig machines, the K-Slim still has temperature issues that prevent it from making the perfect cup of coffee, which we’ll cover in our Keurig K-Slim review.
Keurig K-Slim Review: Price and Availability
The Keurig K-Slim has a list price of $129, but it’s uncomplicated to find for sale, both on Amazon and on the official Keurig website. As with other Keurig models, prices can vary by color, which includes red, white, and black.
Like all Keurig machines, the K-Slim will operate exclusively K-Cup brand pods to brew coffee, tea, and heated cocoa. These pods can cost anywhere from $7 to $14 for a 12-pack, depending on the brand. That’s about 60 cents to $1.15 per K-Cup pod. If you’re looking to save money when buying a Keurig, consider buying reusable K-Cup capsules.
Keurig K-Slim Review: Features
Like the similarly styled K-Mini, the K-Slim can only make a regular cup of coffee, with no options for strength or temperature. The K-Slim has three buttons for selecting 8-, 10-, or 12-ounce cups, and a huge center button for starting the brewing process.
Unlike the K-Mini, however, the K-Slim has two lights that indicate when to add water to the reservoir and when to descale it. It also has a removable water reservoir that holds up to 48 ounces. That’s pretty nifty when you’re filling it under the tap.
Keurig K-Slim Review: Design
The most significant update in the K-Slim is one that is not found in other Keurig machines: multistream technology. This means that it better saturates the K-Cup capsule with water during the brewing process, resulting in better-tasting coffee.
The K-Slim is similar in structure to the K-Mini, though it’s an inch deeper and a few inches taller. It’s about 15 inches lofty, 4.5 inches wide, and 12 inches long. With the latch open, it’s about 16.5 inches lofty, which could be a problem for those with low kitchen cabinets.
The K-Slim’s water tank, located at the back of the unit, makes the unit a bit longer than it needs to be. While it’s nice to be able to pull the tank out and fill it from the tap, it gives the unit a less elegant look. That extra inch of depth takes up a lot of counter space, because it juts out far beyond other appliances and items you might have in your kitchen—in my case, a kettle and a coffee maker. For comparison, the K-Slim’s depth is about the size of a family-sized cereal box and a half, and it’s a bit taller, too.
Keurig K-Slim Review: Performance
Given my previous experience with Keurig coffee makers, I’m surprised the K-Slim can make great-tasting K-Cup coffee. I’ve brewed a few 12-ounce cups Publix Home Roasted Decaffeinated Coffee and I was shocked to find that they tasted pretty similar to those in a regular home coffee maker. The multistream technology that Keurig has introduced in this machine actually makes a difference — the excess water jets assist soak all the grounds inside the K-Cup pod, resulting in fresher coffee. Other Keurig machines simply operate a single jet, which can’t fully soak the grounds inside the pod, resulting in a weaker flavor.
Even so, the K-Slim still can’t get the coffee to the right temperature. I brewed six cups and each one took less than two minutes—the shortest was one minute and 12 seconds, the longest one minute and 46 seconds. No cup reached a temperature higher than 181 degrees Fahrenheit. National Coffee Association claims that the optimal brewing temperature is between 195 and 205 degrees Fahrenheit, and the K-Slim simply can’t do that.
It’s also worth noting that the K-Slim lacks crema, the gaunt layer of foam seen on espresso and pressurized coffee cups. This foam is indispensable to a delicious cup of coffee, but it can’t form at low temperatures and pressures. Still, while I’ve been unimpressed with Keurig machines in the past, the K-Slim’s brewing capacity far surpasses that of the K-Classic and K-Mini.
The entire brewing process uses about 139 kWh of energy, more than the K-Classic and K-Select but less than the K-Cafe. However, the machine’s auto-off feature turns the K-Slim off after five minutes of inactivity to assist save on these costs. We recorded a decibel level of 74 dB during operation, with the machine’s loudest noise occurring towards the end of the brewing cycle, after the last spray of coffee. It’s the third-loudest Keurig we’ve tested, after the K-Mini and K-Cafe.
Keurig K-Slim Review: Ease of Employ
Although the K-Slim has a ton of lights, it only has four buttons: one for an 8-, 10-, or 12-ounce serving and a huge brew button to start the brewing process. To start the machine, simply fill the water tank, open the pod compartment latch, insert a K-Cup pod, and close it. Then select your desired serving size, press the brew button, and wait. It’s a quick and painless task, which is why Keurig is such a massive name in the world of home appliances.
The water reservoir is uncomplicated to remove and fill, and it can be easily hand washed if necessary. The only frustrating part of the K-Slim’s design is the reservoir sensor. Although it can hold up to 48 ounces of water, the machine will always ask you to add water if it doesn’t have enough for a 12-ounce cup. If you want to make a 10-ounce cup, you’ll need to add an additional two ounces for the machine to brew. It won’t start brewing until the “add water” delicate goes out.
Like all Keurigs, the K-Slim needs to be descaled every three to six months. Fortunately, the water tank and drip tray are removable, so you can throw them in the top rack of the dishwasher or wash them by hand if necessary.
Keurig K-Slim Review: The Verdict
The K-Slim is a Keurig coffee maker that has the power to brew a tasty cup of coffee in under two minutes. While it still has the flaws common to other Keurig machines, such as a tender temperature and excessive size, this coffee maker is surprisingly competent at making coffee. It’s an easy-to-use machine that requires minimal effort to operate, and the removable water tank and drip tray make it uncomplicated to spotless. This may be the best Keurig coffee maker you can buy, given its ability to produce a decent-tasting K-Cup.
Still, those of you who want a more coffee shop experience at home may be disappointed. The K-Slim doesn’t offer temperature control or strength options, and the coffee it produces, while more flavorful than other Keurig machines, still falls a bit flat. If the convenience of brewing a cup of coffee in under two minutes is your biggest selling point, the K-Slim is a solid buy. It’s our pick for the best value Keurig, and while it lacks some of the special features found in our favorite Keurig machines, the K-Elite and K-Cafe, the K-Slim is a great entry point.
