The Best 4 Cup Coffee Maker – Reviews And Guide [2023]

Although you can get some rather big and fancy coffee machines, if you’re part of a small household, then the best 4 cup coffee maker is all you really need.  When there are just one or two coffee drinkers in the home, then the best 4 – 5 cup coffee maker is ideal.

Even if you like to experiment with your own special brew from time to time, having the best small coffee maker is great for those occasions when you just don’t have the time. 

Plus, the great thing about small coffee makers is they take up next to no space in the kitchen, so you can easily store it away when not in use.

If you’ve been considering purchasing a small coffee machine, particularly one of the 4 – 5 cup coffee makers, then this is a great guide for you. 

In these best 4 cup coffee maker reviews, I take you through all the factors to consider when purchasing the best small coffee pot. I also compare some of the top rated 4 cup coffee makers and some of the best 5-cup coffee maker options currently on the market.

The Best 4 Cup Coffee Maker 2023 Comparison

Below is a handy table where you can see all the different 4 and 5 cup coffee pot options reviewed within this article. 

Keep reading below for the detailed 4 and 5 cup coffee maker reviews.

My Pick For The Best Small Coffee Maker 2023

Don’t have time to read my complete best four cup coffee maker reviews and just want to hear my recommendation for the best small drip coffee maker?

Why Purchase A 4 Cup Coffee Maker?

These days, it seems like everyone is buying the biggest and fanciest coffee machine. So why consider a small 4 cup coffee maker?

Well there are a range of reasons why having the best four cup coffee maker at home might come in handy including:

• The best small cup coffee maker is fast, and you’ll have great tasting coffee in just minutes.
• When there are only one or two coffee drinkers in the home or at college, a large fancy coffee machine is often a waste of money and coffee grounds.
• The best buy 4 cup coffee maker is easy to use, there are no complicated steps to learn.
• A small coffee maker is, well small. It doesn’t take up much space which is great if you’re using it as a backup or need to store it away.
• Also perfect if you have a small kitchen with limited counter space or for travel in your RV.

Things To Consider When Purchasing The Best 4 – 5 Cup Coffee Maker

To purchase one of the best 4 or 5 cup coffee makers that is ideal for your needs, it is recommended you consider the following factors. 

If you already know what you need, hop straight to the reviews here.

1. Cup Size

Before we get into these coffee maker 5 cup and 4 cup reviews, let’s clear something up. 

When it comes to coffee machines, a cup doesn’t equal your standard 8 ounce cup. 

In coffee makers, the standard cup is often just 5 ounces, which equates to just over half of your usual cup size.

For this reason we have included both 4 cup coffee maker reviews and the best 5 cup coffee maker options. There is very little difference in overall size and that extra standard cup may make all the difference to your morning coffee!

So if just two to three regular sized cups of coffee at one time is enough for your household, then this is the article for you. 

However, if the members of your house drink more coffee than this at once, then you’re best to look at bigger capacity quality coffee makers like these.

2. Coffee Maker Size

One of the benefits of having a four or five cup coffee maker is they are nice and compact. 

If you are purchasing a small drip coffee maker as you don’t have a lot of kitchen space, be sure to double check the overall dimensions of the machine before purchasing. 

Check the width of the machine’s base as well as the height to ensure it will fit under your kitchen cabinets.

Also check if the water reservoir needs to be filled up from the top or the side too. This may impact where you can put the coffee maker on your counter.

3. Carafe Type

Coffee makers come with carafes made from either glass or stainless steel. 

In some cases, you can even get a cheap 4 cup coffee maker with heavy duty plastic carafes, although that’s not something we would recommend if you are searching for the best 4 cup coffee makers.

• Stainless steel is a great durable material for coffee carafes.  Some stainless steel carafes are also thermal carafes, which are great for keeping your coffee warm. 
• Glass is the classic option and won’t add any flavors to your brew.  They are also easy to clean as you can see inside the pot.

However the downside of glass is that it is more fragile and easier to break.  Thankfully most coffee maker brands offer replacement carafes should yours break.

It is worth considering that even top 4 cup coffee makers with a glass carafe won’t keep your coffee hot for long.

So if you want to enjoy the brewed coffee over a few hours, you might be better off choosing a 4 cup thermal coffee maker.

4. Filter Type

Another feature to consider when purchasing the best 4 cup drip coffee maker is the type of filter it uses.  Filters can be either disposable paper or reusable mesh.

Reusable filters are generally best as they are environmentally friendly and convenient as you’re not having to constantly buy more filters. 

If the coffee maker you’re thinking of buying has a reusable filter, just be sure it is dishwasher safe for ease of cleaning.

If you prefer brewing coffee through paper filters, you can still use these with a reusable coffee filter.

5. Settings

Like any appliance, the best rated 4 – 5 cup coffee makers come with a range of settings.  Here are a few settings worth considering:

• Programmable Timer: A 4 cup programmable coffee maker which you can set the night before is great if you like to wake up to freshly brewed coffee.

• Keep Warm Function:  If you’re not buying a 4 cup coffee maker with thermal carafe, then you’ll want to ensure it has a keep warm function.  This function keeps the coffee warm, allowing you to have multiple cups over a longer period of time, or simply to keep the coffee warm until you’re ready to drink it.

• Brew Pause:  This is essential for those times where you just can’t wait for the entire pot to brew.  The brew pause function allows you to sneak a cup of coffee mid brew.

• Auto Shut Down:  A 4 cup coffee maker with auto shut off, will shut down after a certain period of non use. This means you don’t need to worry about whether you turned the coffee pot off after you’ve left the house.

6. Ease Of Cleaning

If you end up with a coffee maker that’s easy to use but a pain to clean, then it’s not actually all that convenient after all.

Make sure you have an idea of what will be involved to clean the coffee maker before you buy it. The more features and components the machine has, the more likely it will take you a longer time to clean.

Generally, the best rated 4 cup coffee maker will have removable parts, such as the carafe and filter (if the machine has one), that are dishwasher safe.

7. Durability

The best coffee maker – 5 cup or 4 cup – will come with a warranty, which can give you some idea of what to expect from their durability.

It’s also recommended you take into consideration the brand’s reputation for making durable coffee products.

All the brands we list in our best 4 cup coffee maker 2023 reviews are considered some of the top coffee maker brands.

Summary Of The Best 4 – 5 Cup Coffee Makers 2023

To recap, here is summary of the products in our best small coffee maker reviews – read on for the detailed reviews!

• Cuisinart DCC-450BK 4-Cup Coffeemaker with Stainless-Steel Carafe, Black
• Mr. Coffee 5 Cup Programmable 25 oz. Mini, Brew Now or Later
• Hamilton Beach 5-Cup Switch Coffee Maker (48136)
• Mr. Coffee Simple Brew Coffee Maker, 4 Cup Coffee Machine
• BLACK & DECKER 5-Cup Coffeemaker (CM0700BZ)
• Bonavita 5-Cup One-Touch Coffee Maker with Thermal Carafe (BV1500TS)
• Zojirushi EC-DAC50 Zutto 5-Cup Drip Coffeemaker
• Brentwood TS-213W 4-Cup Coffee Maker (White)
• Krups Simply Brew 5 Cup Drip Coffee Maker (KM202850)
• Farberware 2-4-Cup Stainless Steel Percolator (FCP240)

The Best 4 Cup Coffee Maker Reviews 2023

Below I have reviewed 10 of the best small coffee makers currently available.

1. Cuisinart 4 Cup Coffee Maker Review

The Cuisinart DC 450 4 Cup Coffee Maker is the perfect machine for those short on time or short on counter space in the kitchen. 

With this stylish compact coffee machine, you’ll have great tasting coffee in minutes.

The Cuisinart 4 cup coffee maker features a durable stainless steel carafe. 

This simple 4 cup coffee machine with automatic shut off comes with a scratch resistant warming plate, which will keep coffee warm up to 185 F and automatically turn off after 30 minutes.

Cuisinart 4 cup coffee pot features:

• Brew pause
• Ergonomic handle with knuckle guard
• Drip free spout
• 30 minute automatic shut off

The top flips up to fill the water reservoir and the filter basket is compatible with a #2 paper filter or even a permanent filter.

It is low wattage at just 550 watts and comes with a 3 year warranty, which is a great indication of its longevity.

For anyone after a no fuss easy to use option, the Cuisinart 4 cup stainless steel carafe coffee maker is the best 4 cup coffee maker with auto shut off on our list. 

>> Click here to check the price and read more reviews

2. Mr. Coffee Mini Programmable Coffee Maker Review

Best 5 cup programmable coffee maker

For those who love the smell of freshly brewed coffee when they wake up, the new Mr Coffee Programmable Mini Brew is a must. 

We think this is one of the best small programmable coffee maker options – perfect for 1 or 2 people to enjoy a cup of coffee first thing in the morning. The new version has a sleeker, more modern design, and an improved water dispensing arm for better tasting coffee.

The programmable setting is one of the best features of this Mr Coffee 5 cup coffee maker.  Simply program it the night before, and there is no need to wait around for it to brew in the morning. 

However if you forget to do this, the sneak a cup function is a lifesaver, as you won’t need to wait for the brewing cycle to complete before you can grab a cuppa.

The Mr. Coffee Mini Brew is the perfect size for 2 x 12 ounce coffee cups.

Other great features of the 5 cup Mr Coffee Maker include:

• A water filtration disk for better tasting coffee
• Dishwasher safe nylon filter basket
• 2 hour auto shut off
• Ergonomic handle
• Easy to read markings and a water window so you’ll know when it’s time to refill the reservoir.

For the price, this is a great little coffee brewer and low wattage too at just 650 watts.

The mini Mr Coffee maker comes jam packed with great features and is so compact that it will take up barely any space on your kitchen counter, in your RV or in your dorm. 

If you’re after the best 5 cup programmable coffee maker, do yourself a favor and check this one out.

>> Click here to check the price and read more reviews

3. Hamilton Beach 5 Cup Coffee Maker Review

Hamilton Beach is well known for making top quality coffee makers, so it’s no surprise that they feature in this 4 5 cup coffee maker review guide. 

This 5 cup coffee maker from Hamilton Beach is a great inexpensive no fuss option.

The Hamilton Beach small coffee pot features:

• A glass dishwasher safe carafe
• Swing away filter basket for easy filling
• Nonstick hot plate that keeps your coffee warm.

Like all great coffee machines, the Hamilton Beach small coffee maker has the brew pause, which enables you to grab a cuppa before the brewing process is complete.  It is also easy to wipe down and keep clean.

Although for such a quality brand like Hamilton Beach, it’s disappointing it doesn’t have settings such as automatic shut off or a timer. It comes with a 1 year warranty.

The Hamilton Beach 5 Cup Coffee Maker is the only smart plug compatible coffee maker featured on our list.

Use voice commands with Alexa, Google Home or Siri to make coffee making even simpler.

For lovers of Hamilton Beach products looking for an easy to use, compact 5 cup coffee maker, this is a good option to consider.

>> Click here to check the price and read more reviews

4. Mr Coffee Simple Brew Coffee Maker Review

The Simple Brew is a great Mr Coffee 4 cup coffee maker.  This drip coffee maker is similar to the Mini Brew reviewed above but with fewer features and a lower price tag.

Unfortunately this 4 cup Mr Coffee maker does not feature the programmable setting like the Mini Brew, with just a simple on/off switch. 

It does feature the handy grab a cup auto pause function, so you won’t need to wait for the brewing cycle to complete before you can sneak a cup. It uses basket style paper filters, or you can purchase a compatible permanent filter separately.

Other great features of the Mr. Coffee 4 cup coffee maker include:

• A removable filter basket for simple filling and cleaning
• Warming plate to keep coffee warm
• Dual water window to make filling the reservoir easy and mess free.  

Note this 650 watt brewer comes with a one year warranty. However for a few dollars more, consider upgrading to the Mr Coffee Mini Brew, which has more convenient features. 

Despite the small number of features, it is one of the top rated small coffee makers on Amazon.

It is a super cute looking compact coffee machine that is easy to use and super cheap.  Perfect for small apartments, occasional coffee drinkers or college students in dorms.

>> Click here to check the price and read more reviews

5. Black and Decker 5 Cup Coffee Maker Review

If you’re just after a great budget option that gets the job done, the Black and Decker 5 Cup Coffee Maker CM0700BZ is one to consider. 

With a flick of the switch, this 5 cup machine will have you drinking freshly brewed coffee in next to no time.

This Black & Decker 5 cup coffee maker features:

• A durable glass carafe with ergonomic handle and drip free pouring
• Permanent filter basket
• On/off switch
• Sneak a cup feature

The permanent filter basket means you won’t need to spend extra on disposable paper filters.

Note this Black and Decker small coffee maker doesn’t have an auto-off switch and is not programmable.

However despite being a cheap option, this coffee maker does have the sneak a cup feature, which is brilliant when you’re in a rush. 

Other great features include the easy view water window, a hot plate to keep your coffee warm for up to an hour, plus all removable parts are dishwasher safe.

It also comes with a two year warranty, which is more than most on our list.

If you’re after one of the best five cup coffee makers yet don’t have a big budget, you’ll be pleasantly surprised with the features of this cheap Black and Decker coffee maker.

>> Click here to check the price and read more reviews

6. Bonavita 5 Cup Coffee Maker BV1500TS Review

Best 4 5 cup coffee maker

If you are looking for the best tasting coffee and want a small coffee machine capable of brewing coffee fast, then the Bonavita BV1500TS coffee maker is certainly one to consider. 

This is a top of the range 5 cup coffee brewer capable of making great tasting coffee at the touch of a button.

Unlike cheaper machines, throughout the brewing process, this Bonavita 5 cup coffee maker maintains a steady shower of water, which is consistently heated to the optimal temperature of around 200-203 F to ensure the very best extraction of flavor. 

This best 5 cup drip coffee maker also comes with an optional pre infusion mode, which is great for maximizing coffee ground flavor and aroma extraction.

This coffee machine doesn’t include a heating plate as it has a stainless steel lined thermal carafe. Your coffee is maintained at the optimal temperature once it’s brewed for around one hour.

The brew basket uses #4 cone shaped filters and you can even brew as little as 3 cups (15 oz) at a time.

The Bonavita coffee brewer has the essential settings you need:

• Auto shut off setting
• Pre-infusion mode
• Thermal stainless steel carafe
• Dishwasher safe parts including the carafe lid, filter basket and showerhead.

The high powered heater manages to brew 4 – 5 cups in just 5 minutes.

Note if you want a 4 cup thermal coffee maker, but also need the option to brew a larger pot when you have company, Bonavita make this brewer in an 8 cup size too.

The larger brewer can brew as little as 2 cups or 8 cups at a time. Something to consider. You can see the 8 cup maker here.

For coffee lovers looking for a high quality, small and compact coffee machine, this 5 cup coffee maker with auto shut off is one of the best Bonavita coffee maker options to consider. 

It is one of the more expensive machines in these reviews, but it comes from a highly reputable coffee maker brand. Plus with a generous 2 year warranty included, we think the investment is well worth it.

>> Click here to check the price and read more reviews

7. Zojirushi Coffee Maker 5 Cup Review

One of the higher end coffee makers in our best small coffee pot reviews is the Zojirushi Zutto 5 cup coffee maker. 

This is a stylish looking, compact coffee maker that produces great tasting coffee for even the fussiest coffee drinker.

One of the features that sets this machine apart from the others is the charcoal water filter.  This filter is designed to purify water for a better tasting coffee. 

It also has a cone shape filter basket that sits within the carafe, which helps keep the coffee maker small. Note you do need to hold the lid on when you pour.

Other great features of this top quality coffee maker include:

• Durable glass carafe
• Automatic keep warm function
• Removable water tank. 

If you are comparing the Bonavita vs Zojirushi, the Bonavita does have more features and a better quality showerhead for even coffee saturation.

Unfortunately for a coffee maker with this price tag, the Zojirushi has limited settings. It doesn’t have a programmable timer, auto off or the sneak a cup feature.

It does come with a one year warranty and runs at 650 watts.

For picky coffee drinkers that prefer to have their water purified before making a cup as well as wanting a contemporary looking coffee maker, the Zojirushi Zutto is certainly one worth considering.

>> Click here to check the price and read more reviews

8. TS Brentwood 4 Cup Coffee Maker Review

With most coffee makers coming in black or stainless steel, this white 4 cup coffee maker by Brentwood is a refreshing change. 

The Brentwood 4 cup coffee maker not only looks great but provides all the basic features you need for great tasting coffee fast.

Brentwood is a well known brand that has made kitchen appliances for decades. The Brentwood TS-213W is an easy to use coffee machine featuring a glass carafe and a warming plate to keep your coffee hot. 

Essential features include:

• Removable, reusable filter basket
• Reusable scooper
• Water level window which helps you fill the reservoir with ease.

This 650 watt 4 cup white coffee maker is not packed with settings and features.

There is no automatic shut off and it is not programmable. But it has all you need to make freshly brewed coffee fast and comes at a great price. 

Plus with a bright white design, the Brentwood is perfect for those wanting something a little different on their kitchen bench. Note it also comes in black and blue.

>> Click here to check the price and read more reviews

9. Krups Simply Brew 5 Cup Coffee Pot Review

Finally, if you need the best 4 5 cup coffee maker, the Krups Simply Brew coffee pot is a great option from a highly regarded coffee maker brand.

It is a fast and compact coffee brewer, with a one hour keep warm function and easy to use no drip glass carafe.

Features of the machine include:

• A simple one touch brew function
• Brew pause feature
• Permanent coffee filter
• No drip glass carafe

It also comes with a two year warranty for peace of mind.

The Simply brew coffee maker is an easy to use coffee machine and one of the best compact coffee maker models available. 

>> Click here to check the price and read more reviews

10. Farberware 4 Cup Coffee Percolator Review

For something a little different from all the drip coffee makers in these reviews, the Farberware is a stylish stainless steel 4 cup electric percolator coffee maker. 

With the ability to brew a cup a minute, with this coffee maker, you’ll have freshly brewed coffee in next to no time!

The Farberware percolator is a stainless 4 cup coffee maker constructed from durable stainless steel.

Percolator features:

• Stainless steel coffee basket
• Cool touch handle and lid knob with rolled edges for safe handling
• No drip spout to minimise spillages.

With a robust coffee flavor more like espresso than other coffee makers, this small coffee maker is a top choice for those in small apartments, dorms and RVs.

Unlike the other coffee makers in this guide, the Farberware doesn’t have many features. 

However it does have an automatic keep warm mode to ensure every cup of coffee is at the perfect temperature.

The Farberware 4 Cup Coffee Maker is a great looking and very compact appliance.

It will look fantastic on any kitchen counter and takes up very little space.  This is a premium appliance and perfect for coffee drinkers who enjoy percolated coffee fast.

>> Click here to check the price and read more reviews

FAQs

Are There 4-Cup Coffee Makers?

Yes! There are 4-cup coffee makers on the market. Keep in mind that a standard cup for coffee makers is defined as 5 oz, so small 4 cup coffee makers tend to brew between 20-25 oz of coffee at a time.

How Much Coffee Do I Put In A 4-Cup Coffee Maker?

For a medium strength brew, it is recommended to use 1 coffee scoop or 2 tablespoons of coffee for every 5 ounces of water.

Conclusion

We hope you have found the best mini coffee maker for your home in our reviews of the best rated 4 5 cup coffee makers 2023.

Our top pick is the Bonavita BV1500TS thanks to the superior shower head and pre-infusion function.

But if you are looking for the best programmable 4-cup coffee maker with automatic shut off, the Mr Coffee Mini Brew is the best choice.

Ready to make great coffee? Read our guide to the best coffee beans or take a look at all our coffee maker reviews. Looking for ways to flavor coffee? Here are 15 options.

More Coffee Guides

• Top rated SCAA certified coffee makers
• Best low acid coffee beans
• The best dual coffee makers
• Best automatic pour over coffee brewer
• Best RV coffee maker

Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Pin and Save For Later