Kimi K2 vs GPT-5 Mini for reasoning: which is better in 2026?
A head-to-head look at Kimi K2 and GPT-5 Mini for reasoning. Benchmarks via artificialanalysis.ai, pricing as of May 2026. Compare AI models like these inside Admix.
Quick verdict
For reasoning in May 2026, Kimi K2 edges out GPT-5 Mini on the intelligenceIndex metric. Huge context window at low price.
Side-by-side specs
| Spec | Kimi | GPT-5 Mini |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence index | 70.4 | 64.5 |
| Coding index | 68.9 | 61.0 |
| Context window | 2M tokens | 200K tokens |
| Speed (tok/s) | 110 | 220 |
| Input $/M | $0.60 | $0.25 |
| Output $/M | $2.50 | $1.00 |
| Released | Dec 11, 2025 | Sep 10, 2025 |
How they handle reasoning
Kimi K2: Huge context window at low price. The main caveat is coding lags western frontier models.
GPT-5 Mini: Excellent quality-to-price ratio. The main caveat is behind flagships on hard reasoning.
Cost per 1,000 queries
Assuming 1,500 input and 800 output tokens per query:
- Kimi K2: $2.90 per 1,000 queries
- GPT-5 Mini: $1.18 per 1,000 queries
Verdict by sub-task
- Best raw quality on reasoning:
- Best price: GPT-5 Mini
- Longest context: Kimi K2
- Fastest: GPT-5 Mini
FAQ
Is Kimi K2 better than GPT-5 Mini for reasoning?
On May 2026 benchmarks (artificialanalysis.ai), Kimi K2 ranks higher than GPT-5 Mini for reasoning on the intelligenceIndex metric. The gap is small enough that the choice often comes down to price, context length, and tone.
Which is cheaper, Kimi K2 or GPT-5 Mini?
Kimi K2 costs $0.60 input and $2.50 output per million tokens. GPT-5 Mini costs $0.25 input and $1.00 output per million tokens.
Can I use both Kimi and GPT-5 Mini in one app?
Yes. Admix is a multi model AI chat aggregator that lets you run Kimi K2 and GPT-5 Mini side by side under one subscription.
Sources
Benchmarks from artificialanalysis.ai (May 2026).
Related
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