If you’re a coffee lover, a four-cup coffee maker is the perfect kitchen appliance for you. It’s an ideal size for small households or for those who prefer to brew multiple cups of coffee throughout the day.
Table Of Contents
−- Best 4 Cup Coffee Maker Reviewed
- Cuisinart DCC450BK 4-Cup Coffee Maker – Most Affordable
- Bonavita BV1500TS – Best Overall & High End
- Mr. Coffee DRX5-RB Simple Brew Coffee Maker – Best Glass Carafe
- Capresso 303.01 4-Cup Compact Coffee Machine – Best for Espresso based
- Zojirushi EC-DAC50 Zutto – Best Compact Japanese Quality
- Braun BrewSense KF6050WH
- Kenmore 80509 – 5 Cups in case you need more
- Things to consider when choosing the best 4 cup coffee maker
- Frequently asked questions
- What should you know before buying a 4 cup coffee maker
- Conclusion
With so many options available in the market, choosing the right one can be overwhelming.
That’s why we’ve done the research for you and compiled our list of the best four-cup coffee makers on the market. From convenience to affordability, we’ve covered it all in our review.
So grab a cup of coffee and read on to find your perfect match!
Best 4 Cup Coffee Maker Reviewed
In this article, our team has conducted hours of research to compile a top-ranked list of the best 4 cup coffee makers on the market. So far, we have reviewed several models:
Cuisinart DCC450BK 4-Cup Coffee Maker – Most Affordable
The DCC has a stainless steel carafe and makes four cups of coffee. It has a no-drip spout and a knuckle guard. The Cuisinart 4-cup coffeemaker is great for a kitchen with limited counter space, measuring only 5.2 inches wide.
The pause-brew mechanism is a fantastic feature of this machine. If you need a cup of coffee before the carafe is finished, you can temporarily pause the brewing process to retrieve some without spilling coffee.
It does not, however, have a timer, but it does have a 30-minute shut-off feature. It will give you plenty of time to empty the pot before it gets cold. Stainless steel is more robust than glass and less dangerous than plastic.
Pros
- The tiny size is ideal for small places.
- 2 cups, 3 cups, or 4 cups of coffee
- 30-minute automatic shut-off
- Brew-pause function
- Stainless-steel carriage with knuckle protection and dripless pour spout
- Cleaning the hot plate is simple
Cons
- Cleaning a carafe might be difficult
Bonavita BV1500TS – Best Overall & High End
Check out the Bonavita BV1500TS if you take your coffee seriously. It was created with the goal of brewing better-tasting coffee faster. Using regular #4 cone-shaped filters, it creates five cups of coffee in roughly six minutes.
This is a top-of-the-line coffee brewer that can produce excellent coffee brewer that can produce excellent coffee at the push of a button. Bonavita is a favorite among specialty coffee drinkers. Their coffee makers are frequently lauded as the closest thing to a barista-level pour-over cup.
This Bonavita 5-cup coffee maker produces a constant stream of water that is heated to the ideal temperature of around 200-203F to enable the best flavor extraction.
This finest 5-cup drip coffee maker also has an optional pre-infusion mode, which is ideal for extracting the most flavor and fragrance from the coffee grounds.
One of the finest features of this 5-cup coffee maker is how simple it is to clean. Dishwasher safe is the carafe lid, filter basket, and showerhead. The carafe is composed of BPA-free plastic and is made of sturdy stainless steel.
The only drawback to this type is that pouring from the carafe without the lid is a little tricky. After the brew, however, it’s simple to screw it on.
Pros
- Setting for automatic shutoff
- Mode of pre-infusion
- Carafe made of thermal stainless steel
- The carafe lid, filter basket, and showerhead are all dishwasher safe
- In approximately 5 minutes, a high-powered heater can make 4-5 cups of coffee
- On the counter, it looks fantastic
- Designed to make great coffee in less time
- Miniature coffee maker
- A showerhead that distributes water evenly
Cons
- A high price point
- No brew break
- It isn’t programmable
- The cover is poorly designed
Mr. Coffee DRX5-RB Simple Brew Coffee Maker – Best Glass Carafe
Mr. Coffee’s DRX5-RB Simple Brew Coffee Maker is a simple, easy-to-use drip coffee maker designed for ease of usage. It’s made with a basic glass carafe and four-cup cupcake filters, and it works with any ground coffee.
The Grab-A-Cup Auto Pause feature pauses the process so you can pour a cup, then resumes once the glass carafe is replaced.
Mr. Coffee has been around for decades, and the reason for that is that they manufacture quality products. This model also includes a dual water window, which allows you to see how much water you’ve poured without having to crane your neck.
The filter basket may be easily removed for cleaning, and the hot plate is stain-resistant and wipeable. There is a basic LED indication that indicates whether it is on or off. This drip coffee maker has only one button to operate and is very inexpensive.
The lack of an automatic shut-off on this one-touch coffee maker is a drawback, while the indication light serves as a reminder to turn it off manually.
Pros
- Compact, easy-to-use design
- Auto-pause Grab-A-Cup
- Carafe made of easy-to-clean glass
- Indicator light for on/off
- Double-paned water window
- Warming plate with stain-resistance
- Excellent value
Cons
- There is no automated shut-off
- The glass carafe has a tendency to leak
Capresso 303.01 4-Cup Compact Coffee Machine – Best for Espresso based
The Capresso is a compact espresso and cappuccino machine if you want something a little finer. You have the option of adjusting the strength of your coffee as well as using a milk frother and steamer.
Both espresso and cappuccino may be made fast, though using the frother requires some experience. You may also control the amount of steam. Thumb guards and a boiler cap are included. It comes with a dishwasher-safe glass carafe. It is simple to disassemble for cleaning, however, you must remember to descale it on a regular basis.
For the more expensive coffee maker, it has a surprisingly compact footprint. It won’t take up much space in most kitchens, making it easy to store on the counter.
Pros
- The pause feature is ultra-compact and ideal for pre-infusion
- Carafe in stainless steel
- It can make up to four espressos at once
- Simple to use
- Brew strength chooser
- To prevent steam from escaping, use a safety valve and a boiler cap
- The drip tray and coffee pot are also dishwasher safe
Cons
- No timer is available
Zojirushi EC-DAC50 Zutto – Best Compact Japanese Quality
The fact that this coffee maker is a drip coffee maker rather than a brewer distinguishes it from other coffee machines. During the brewing process, water is heated and then dripped over the grounds in the filter basket, resulting in a better-tasting cup of hot coffee.
It also includes a space-saving reservoir, which means you won’t have to give up much counter or storage space. It doesn’t have a lot of extra functions, including the ability to program ahead of time, but it does include an automated stay warm option.
When combined with fresh coffee grounds, this coffee maker comes with a charcoal water filter, which is the greatest way to filter water because it doesn’t contain any other flavors. The water filter is replaceable and lasts for a few years.
The cone-shaped filter ensures that water passes through evenly for a delicious cup of coffee.
Pros
- The filter is ‘hidden’ in the range server, which is a clever design
- Capacity: 5 cups
- Easy to store and transport
- The coffee maker that drips
- Plate for warming
- Design is compact
- Reservoir with removable water
- Water filter with integrated charcoal
- Elegant glass carafe
- Coffee maker with a single touch
Cons
- It isn’t programmable
- Replacement of the charcoal water filter is inevitable
Braun BrewSense KF6050WH
You can choose from a one-to-four-cup setting on the BrewSense coffee machine. You won’t have to worry about wasting coffee this way.
It comes with a built-in water filter as well as a reusable gold-tone filter, and it’s designed to use the ideal brewing temperature and time for better-tasting coffee. Even while the carafe prevents oxygen from getting into the coffee, it keeps it fresher for longer, it has a stop option so you can have a cup of coffee before the remainder of the pot has brewed.
This coffee maker has a 24-hour programmable timer, which comes in handy if you want your morning cup of coffee ready when you go into the kitchen.
For safety, it has an automated shut-off. This machine is self-cleaning and even notifies you when it’s time to descale the brewer. It also has a smaller footprint than a 12-cup coffee maker.
Some users complained that the display screen was difficult to read. Another issue is that the water gauge isn’t very precise, so you might have to use the carafe to get the proper amount of water.
It also contains a charcoal water filter to improve the flavor. It also has an auto-shutoff option and a cleaning function.
Pros
- The filter is reusable
- Water filter built-in
- 1-4 cup settings or full pot
- 24-hour clock
- The appropriate brewing temperature is maintained
- Brew-pause
- Self-cleaning
- Tones of gold
Cons
- The display can be difficult to read
- The water gauge is off
- Replacement of the charcoal water filter is inevitable
- There is no hot plate
Kenmore 80509 – 5 Cups in case you need more
A fantastic design with the perfect amount of additions. You don’t have to bother about paper filters with the integrated metal filter, and you get better-tasting coffee since it allows more natural oils to pass through, increasing the flavor.
This model’s overall aesthetics are further enhanced by the glass carafe. The 24-hours programmable timer on this coffee maker is ideal for waking up to a freshly prepared pot of coffee. Up to five cups can be made at once, and the pause and serve feature allows you to fill your cup before the entire glass carafe is ready.
The pot is kept warm by a two-hour automated shut-off. Some users complained that the pause and serve option caused drips. It can also be fairly noisy when brewing, even if it doesn’t beep, which may prevent you from using it in an office setting.
Pros
- Compact and simple design
- Metal filter, reusable
- Programmed 24-hour timer
- 5-cup carafe in glass
- Pause and serve feature
- Automatic 2-hour shut-off
Cons
- The pause and serve drips
- Produces a lot of noise when brewing
Things to consider when choosing the best 4 cup coffee maker
Design
Although the design does not necessarily alter the taste of the coffee, it is a significant factor to consider. The majority of our options are available in rather neutral color palettes that include black, white, and silver, with some red options available if you want a splash of color.
Depending on your preferences, there are a few different styles to pick from. Some 4 cup coffee makers feature a sleek, modern design, while others merely resemble little versions of traditional equipment.
Size
If you don’t have a lot of counter space, you should always examine the dimensions of the coffee machine you purchase. Some of these machines have minimal footprints, while others have huge footprints. However, the capacity of the water tank and carafe is affected by the model’s size, and this model has ample.
You must also consider the height of the coffee maker in addition to the amount of counter space it takes up. It makes little sense to keep a large unit around if you plan to utilize drip coffee as a backup method of brewing coffee. A four-cup coffee maker should suffice for a couple of fast cups.
However, you should think about if 4 glasses would be sufficient for your needs.
Another option is to go even more minimalist and go for a single-serve coffee maker. This choice appeals to me because it provides excellent value for money.
The importance of maintaining an accurate brewing temperature should be prioritized. The coffee maker won’t get hot enough to brew much more than a weak puddle, which is a common problem in the lower price range.
Alternatively, be inconsistent. A model that consistently brews about 200°F is ideal.
Ease of use
If ease of use is a top issue for you, there are a few things to consider. Timers are commonly included with 4-cup programmable coffee machines. You may set things up the night before to start brewing in the morning, so you can get out of bed for a hot cup of coffee.
Cleaning and maintenance are also key considerations. Others are self-cleaning and even notify you when it’s time to descale them, while others feature dishwasher-safe pieces that are simple to clean.
Carafe materials
The carafe can either be made of glass or steel. Each material has advantages and disadvantages. Glass carafes are easier to clean, but once removed from the heat, they don’t keep your coffee warm for very long.
A stainless steel coffee pot, on the other hand, would keep the temperature better and seem more dependable and elegant. Stainless steel carafes, on the other hand, are a little more difficult to clean.
Filters
There are a few things to consider when it comes to filters. Small paper filters are used in some of these coffee makers, whereas conventional paper filters are used in others.
Check to see what kind of paper filters your coffee machine requires. There are several sizes and two different forms to choose from, so it’s crucial to get the proper one.
Metal filters are reusable, which is advantageous because it eliminates the need to purchase new paper filters.
Consider a timer
You don’t have to have a timer on your machine, but it may be useful. To do this, many machines provide an automated start option.
If you don’t like making coffee in the mornings or know you’ll be busy, you may prepare and program your 4 cup coffee maker to brew automatically at a specific time.
This approach is ideal for individuals with a hectic schedule, but keep in mind that the coffee quality will suffer as a result of having to ground your beans the night before and place them in the coffee filter to prepare the machine.
If you’re concerned about safety, seek machines that have an automatic shut-off feature.
Warranty
Warranty coverage is always vital, especially when dealing with a device that contains electrical components and is intended for use in the kitchen. These coffee machines are all protected by warranties, albeit the length of time varies depending on the model. They’re all between one and three years old.
Safety functions
An auto-off switch is the most crucial safety feature you can obtain with one of these coffee machines. They are actually used for two different purposes. For starters, they keep your coffee warm after it has finished brewing.
The auto shut-off feature’s second purpose is to ensure that the power is turned off. That means you won’t have to stress about forgetting to turn off your coffee maker before going to work or going out.
Price
The prices of these coffee machines range from $23 to $85. That is a significant price difference.
Simple machines that are easy to clean, can be set on a timer, and include Grab-A-Cup auto-pause are at the bottom end of the range.
12-cup programmable coffee machines that brew superb drip coffee while the carafe is precisely sealed to make the drink more flavourful are on the upper end of the pricing range. This takes your coffee drinking at home to the next level. It also offers brew-pause and self-cleaning features. The automated shut-off provides additional safety and keeps the coffee pot warm for several hours, allowing you to enjoy another cup of hot coffee later.
Frequently asked questions
How much coffee do I use in a 4-cup coffee maker?
It is subject to personal preference, but one and a half to two tablespoons of coffee per six ounces of water is advised.
How should I clean my 4-cup coffee maker?
After each use, clean the carafe thoroughly, either by hand or in the dishwasher. Clean the coffee maker by removing the used grounds from the filter basket. If you have a reusable filter, simply wash it. Using a coffee maker with a self-cleaning option makes this process a little easier. The coffee maker may even notify you when it’s time to clean by monitoring internal water scaling.
What should you know before buying a 4 cup coffee maker
If you’re considering buying a 4 cup coffee maker, you should keep a few things in mind to ensure you get the best coffee experience for your needs.
- Size and Capacity – As the name suggests, a 4-cup coffee maker is designed to brew four 8-ounce cups. But, you need to check the mug size that comes with the coffee maker as it can greatly differ from an 8-ounce cup. Also, you need to check if its capacity serves your use case, if you’re a family of 3-4 and all like coffee, then a 4 cup coffee maker may not suffice.
- Brewing Time – The brewing time for a 4-cup coffee maker will vary based on the make and model you select. Typically, they can take anywhere from 3-8 minutes to brew your coffee. You should check the brewing time and how these line up with your schedule, so you are not rushing your coffee brewing before you head out.
A 4-cup coffee maker is an excellent choice for small coffee drinkers or people looking for a personal brewing experience. By considering the above factors when selecting a coffee maker, you can ensure that you choose the right one that suits your needs and brews flavorful coffee every time.
Conclusion
Choosing the best compact coffee maker can be difficult, especially considering the wide range of features offered. You’ll make the best decision if you strike the perfect mix between price, features, and brew quality. For the most part, a compact 4-6 cup coffee machine will suffice. Programmable features can be very useful, especially when they are reasonably priced
Whatever machine you choose, all you have to do is push a button and let it handle the hard work.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase using these links. Remember to support us by purchasing through the Amazon/Walmart/Impact Radius links provided. Last update on 2024-04-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Disclosure: No compensation or free products were received in exchange for writing this review.
Editorial Staff
The editorial staff at Crazy Coffee Crave is a team of coffee enthusiasts & Baristas who enjoy the one thing we all think about as soon as we get up in the morning. Trusted by thousands of readers worldwide.
