What’s better than a room in the early morning filled with the warm aroma of freshly-brewed coffee perfected to your taste; is it the tactile feeling as it passes through your mouth and leaves you journeying to the region of its origin? Or is it the aftertaste that leaves you yearning for a second cup?
Is the coffee shop too full in the morning on your way to work as you try to beat traffic, or is the coffee there just too overpriced without quality assurance?
You need two things; a really good barista or the easy option of a 4 cup coffee maker to hasten the whole process and avoid the hassle.
What is it About a 4 cup Coffee Maker?
A good old friend keeping you company during breakfast time or an odd hour in the night doesn’t sound so bad now, does it?
Now picture having that old friend not taking up too much of your personal space while doing all the work you needed done for you and a little extra? Yap! The 4 cup coffee maker holds all these qualities.
It all narrows down to a matter of what suites your liking if you’re wondering why 4 cups are necessary. A 4 cup coffee maker gives you the option to forgo long waited periods of impatient guests waiting for coffee to brew impeccably.
The benefits of a 4 cup Coffee Maker.
Apart from becoming your own personal barista and spurring up your creativity, a 4 cup coffee maker is portable making it easy to take it to places you want to go and stay in for a while.
Adding on to the benefits mentioned in this post, small coffee makers are convenient; with just the push of a button, you can enjoy a fresh cup of coffee without having to scoop and blend ground coffee, creamer and any other ingredients.
The amount of money spent in a month on coffee shops compared to the cost it takes to make coffee at home will prove a significant difference, taking off the excessive price tag for just a cup of coffee.
The Extra Features
Some 4 cup coffee makers go beyond brewing options; they include options for brewing that is programmed at a specific time, auto-shut off options keep-warm ones.
Others have alerts to let you know when the coffee is ready, and other electric models have lights that show when the machine is on or when the coffee is done.
Let’s also talk about the “larger quantity” advantage, 4 cup coffee makers allow you to enjoy lots of coffee, are convenient for brunch with some friends, dinner parties with guests where coffee is served or breakfast.
BEST 4 CUP COFFEE MAKERS: TOP 12 REVIEWS
After going into the nitty-gritty of why you should have one of them, based on facts certainly, a little browsing has led to resurfacing some of the most popular brands of 4 cup coffee makers in the market.
1. Zojirushi EC-DAC50 Zutto 5-cup Drip Coffee Maker
Watch your coffee brew as you work or relax with the help of the glass carafe in the Zojirushi EC-DAC50 Zutto 5-Cup Drip Coffee Maker. Even better than a 4-cup coffee maker, is this 5-cup coffee maker that sits perfectly in a large or small room, it is space efficient.
Providing quick heat-up and brewing, it holds 650-watts to power up your brew. Unlike the previous model, this coffee maker has a filter cone sitting inside the decanter providing ease in its compatibility as you use it.
Better yet, it has an automatic keep warm function; if you’re a fan of coffee like me, then that is something to be grateful for.
Guys! Adding on to the effectiveness is a charcoal filter that removes the impurities from the used water, think of how crisp and clean your coffee will taste? And this taste can last for up to 2 years.
However, this coffee maker doesn’t break away from a couple of problems coffee makers have. It misses an automatic shut-off, so you better be on your toes ready to switch it off after brewing in order to avoid an unpleasant bitter aftertaste.
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2. Mr. Coffee 4-Cup Switch Coffee Maker
This coffee maker is a good helper for when you are busy chatting with a group of people waiting for coffee to brew or as you read a book and wish to charge up to enjoy longer reading hours, Whatever the case, you will like Mr. Coffee’s 4-Cup Coffee Maker.
This product assures no more annoying overflows as it has a dual water window that helps you watch as you fill. With the Grab-A-Cup Auto Pause b feature, the Mr. Coffee 4 cup coffee switch coffee maker gives you the ultimate heads-up by stopping the brewing cycle if you need a cup before the brewing is done.
This product also eases the constant habit of checking whether you switched your appliances off by having an on/off indicator light, letting you know when your coffee maker is on or off.
For an easy cleanup, this product has a removable filler basket. For user-friendliness, the water reservoir is easy to fill.
This product is super compact! If you have a small counter space and you’re into pocket friendly purchases, then the reusable, plastic filter comes in handy as it saves you a lot of money.
With all this in mind, there is however, a dark side. This 4 cup coffee maker is not the ultimate whisperer, its creation is a bit noisy and slow, yikes. You also have to be careful as it lacks an auto shut-off function.
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3. Mr. Coffee Simple Brew 4-Cup Coffee Maker
The Mr. Coffee Simple Brew 4-Cup Coffee Maker is a hit with all the compact and fancy features it holds.
With the on/off indicator light that gives you a heads up on whether your coffee maker is on or off. That TV show isn’t just hitting the right mood without a cup of coffee? This 4 cup coffee maker allows you to grab a quick cup with its Grab-A-Cup Auto Pause feature before brewing is finished.
For a new owner, the dual water window provides great help as you get clear visibility as you fill so no overflows.
The Mr. Coffee Simple Brew 4-Cup Coffee Maker has a stain-resistant warming plate, it’s easy to clean and it helps to reheat the carafe and recreate that remaining coffee into a newly hot refreshment.
While we thought the room wouldn’t be big enough for an elephant, well… one fit. The cup sizes are too small and you might encounter a problem when pouring your coffee due to the dripping issue.
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4. BLACK+DECKER DCM600B 5-Cup Coffee Maker
Standing like a black beauty, this Black+Decker DCM600B Coffeemaker presents itself in a portable and compact design.
It comes with a keep hot carafe plate that is nonstick, adding an hour to enjoy some warm coffee goodness and save time on having to reheat it. The water window on it eases measure for the perfect amount, and you can keep tabs on how much coffee is left to drink.
Alongside the easy-grip handle, this coffee maker has a removable filter basket that doubles up points in being easy to clean and is dishwasher safe.
The lighted on/off switch serves as a very convenient feature as it activates you into the ultimate multi-tasking guru as you go about the rest of your duties.
It’s important to note, however, the Black+Decker DCM600B Coffeemaker neither offers a permanent filter nor a digital clock/ pre-set timer.
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5. Mr. Coffee Advanced Brew 5-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker
Draped in style, sophistication and functionality, the Mr. Coffee Advanced Brew 5-Cup Coffeemaker provides advanced performance in the brewing of rich-tasting coffee.
With the Grab-A-Cup Auto Pause feature that lets you steal a cup of coffee before the brewing is complete this makes this coffeemaker very convenient with the help of programmable features.
This product also features an auto shut-off feature and in an hour, it powers the unit down automatically to help avoid the hassle of having to go back to shut it off and help you save energy at the same time.
The water window gears it up to check for overflows, and the carafe has markings for the right amount of coffee as you pour for brewing.
If you’re in a rush, then this product wouldn’t be the best pick for you. The speed of performance isn’t as impressive and the brewing process takes longer.
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6. Elite Cuisine EHC-2022 Maxi-Matic 4 Cup Coffee Maker
No fuss or muss when it comes to implementing the Elite Cuisine EHC-2022 Coffee Maker in your daily routine. Doesn’t it seem annoying when you have to pay extra for more cream in a café? But with this coffee maker, you can add special ingredients to your coffee. It’s the perfect option for brewing coffee with cream and sugar spicing up the taste and the smell too.
The 4- cup coffee maker is ideal for small spaces and lets you enjoy your hot coffee as the carafe sits on a hot plate. Coming with a swing out filter compartment and a re-usable and washable built-in filter, you just need to be careful since it’s a reusable coffee filter with mesh.
The only part that might be a little disappointing is that the Elite Cuisine EHC-2022 Maxi-Matic 4 Cup Coffee Maker lacks an auto off feature. And it also doesn’t brew more than two cups at a time.
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7. Cuisinart DCC-450BK with Stainless-Steel Carafe
This coffee maker might be what you’re looking for when it comes to avoiding making a mess on your counter while pouring coffee into a mug.
The Cuisinart DCC-450BK with Stainless-Steel Carafe comes with a dripless pour spout and knuckle guard. Unlike the previous model, it comes with an automatic shut off that shuts off 30 minutes from starting the brew cycle. This makes it safe to use.
Talk about a durability! From the title, this 4 cup coffee maker has a stainless-steel carafe. This makes it super easy to clean at the same time.
Coming with a handy instruction booklet adds on to the easy-to-use attribute of the Cuisinart coffee maker, such a great assistant!
Now, unfortunately guys, you can’t see your coffee while it’s brewing because of the stainless steel carafe. Also, this coffee maker does not come with any filter, you are required to buy it separately. Don’t put this 4 cup coffee maker under an overhanging shelf or your fingers for that matter, as steam comes out during brewing.
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8. Braun KF7150BK Brew Sense Drip Coffee Maker
The style and functionality of this coffee maker is definitely worth it’s price tag. It’s authenticity, versatility and compatibility make it a great choice for a coffee maker. Made with a combination of both stainless steel and plastic, it has all features you wish for, making your coffee brewing even easier.
For a full-bodied coffee flavour, it has a Pure Flavour Brewing System so you can get wrapped up in all the coffee goodness. The stand-up carafe locks in flavour, making sure no air gets inside to avoid messing up the coffee’s taste. The anti-drip and ergonomic lid adds on to this feature as you pour a yourself a cup at any time during brewing.
The Fully Programmable 24-hour clock allows for accurate brewing, and the auto on/off function make this coffee maker a good choice.
Coming in all tastes, the Bold Strength Selector allows you to enjoy your coffee regular or bold, talk about being spoilt for choice! For that long-work day, the multi-keep warm settings help to keep your coffee nice without the flavour burning.
One drawback could be that the lid is not slow-closing, so it slams as you close it.
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With an unbeatable combination, the Bonavita 5-cup Coffee Maker offers simplicity on one hand and programmable features on the other. It is worth the consideration if you ask me.
Talk about precision; this coffee maker has a powerful and precise 1100-watt heater that maintains optimal brewing temperature of 91o– 96o C, giving you better flavour and faster brewing. The extraction comes out ideally in small batch sizes with the help of a specially designed showerhead. And to make things even better, this product offers you one-touch brew operation with automatic shut-off.
Made of stainless-steel, durability is assured and you don’t have to worry about any harmful chemicals as the plastic parts are BPA-free. Purchasing this thermal carafe leaves you with a 2-year warranty.
Thanks to the dishwasher-safe showerhead, carafe lid and filter basket, disassembling and cleaning will be super easy. You can also choose the pre-infusion mode if you wish to degas before brewing.
Being certified by the SCAA, this coffee maker proves to have met the rigorous standards for a machine that can make a high-quality coffee.
To retain heat, the tempered glass is double-walled, very impressive in my opinion. To add on to the scream of modern functionality, the lid is removable for heat retention purposes after brewing.
One of the things that seems to be a bit annoying is that you don’t get the freedom to empty all of the brew because of its design. Another thing is that the number 4 cone-shaped filter is too large for the filter basket even when you fold it a bit.
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10. Hamilton Beach 5-Cup Coffee Maker
For that pick-me-up during the day or that extra boost of energy, the Hamilton Beach 5-Cup Coffee Maker is a suitable companion for any large or small space. It has a compact and portable design, making it ideal for a basic coffee-making experience.
It comes with a water reservoir at the back where you can put water and add the grounds into the sliding filter basket. If you’re in a rush, then the Automatic Pause and serve feature should take care of that quench, it allows you to pause the brewing cycle after the carafe is removed before the whole pot is ready.
The Hamilton Beach 5-Cup Coffee Maker saves on dish washing time, trickling coffee pours into a glass carafe that is easy to clean, so the optimal amount it needs cleaning is once a week.
It presents compatibility with the presence of a smart plug; you can plug into any compatible smart plug to voice control or add to your routines, note however, that the smart plug is sold separately.
An automatic shut-off feature is what it misses, and the flawed design of the machine’s pouring spout can be disappointing.
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11. Capresso 303.01 4-Cup Espresso and Cappuccino Machine
Visiting the café to order your favourite beverage will now be a thing of the past, saving on time and definitely your wallet too! This 4-cup coffee machine provides exclusive features with a coffee/steam selector that make it easy for control brewing and steaming giving you a full-bodied cup of coffee.
For that perfect froth or steamed milk, the Capresso 303.01 4-Cup Espresso and Cappuccino Machine comes with a swivel frother with an easily adjustable steam output to make those cappuccinos or lattes extra awesome.
The wait for a good drink won’t be too long as the boiler/steam function reduces the warming up time drastically! In under 5 minutes you can have access to 2-4 cups of latte or cappuccino, just perfect! The safety boiler cap with a built-in valve adds puts the cherry on top in the 4-cup coffee maker’s functionality. The protective thumb guard and filter holder is sure to put a smile on your face.
This product also comes with an illuminated on/off switch to ease the process and the glass carafe is dishwasher safe, it is compact and no mess will be created as it is very easy to clean.
However, the right-positioned steam control should be something to be careful about as it might burn your hands, and it only makes warm drinks, not hot ones. The frother is also subject to breaking after months of use.
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12. Mr. Coffee DRX5 Programmable Coffee Maker
Mr. Coffee just seems to be making us have a tough time in choosing the best 4 cup coffee maker with their excellent delivery in different options! The The DRX5 4-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker is an affordable product, very economical machine. As a silent helper, it has no bells and whistles compared to some more expensive coffee makers.
What it has that proves it to not be as basic is the delay-brew timer option, you can set this machine on your way to bed and in the morning dive into a fresh aroma of coffee. It also has a useful auto shut off option and you can even pause the brewing process.
The standard paper filters are similar to those installed in most 4-cup coffee makers although you can go for a permanent filter if you wish to.
You can measure what goes in accurately with the help of a dual water window and there is a Lift and Clean filter basket that makes it convenient, talk about being user-friendly!
The only problem with this 4-cup coffee maker is that there is no backlight.
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Buying Guide: Things to Look for to Get the Best Guaranteed 4 Cup Coffee Maker
The time has come to purchase the coffee maker of your dreams? Well not to worry, I have compiled a few key factors to look out for when that time comes.
The Auto Shut-off Option
You know those early mornings when you forget something super important when rushing out of the house? With this feature in a 4 cup coffee maker, you can be sure that your machine gets tuned off and is not sitting in there running all day long. Now you can focus on more important things during the day.
Take The Carafe Material into Consideration
As most carafes are made of either glass, stainless steel or plastic; these are one of the things you need to look into.
Depending on the quality, plastic can have an aftertaste and most budget-friendly 4 cup coffee makers are the ones made of this material. They tend to be prone to breaking, although some are made a bit stronger. For glass, it can be fragile and if you have butter fingers, you can opt to go for stainless steel- it’s more durable, and insulation is better.
The Water Filter
The right feature is one of the most popular features people consider when choosing a coffee maker. The flavour and aroma of coffee is dependent on the filter.
High-end 4 cup coffee makers come with water filters that ensure all the flavour oozes just perfectly, these are the permanent filters. They are of high maintenance because you have to clean frequently. On the other hand, paper filters are disposable but they don’t allow all the coffee oils to pass through, so the overall flavour of the coffee isn’t as good.
Programmable Settings
Some 4 cup coffee makers will allow you to determine the kind of settings in advance; from the amount of coffee, to the time in which it gets brewed. You can also choose the brew strength depending on the coffee maker you buy; this allows you to choose between light or bold coffee for a personalised taste.
Brewing Time that’s Quick
One of the first thoughts that emerge when thinking of coffee brewing in a coffee lover’s mind is the brewing time, thus opting for a 4 cup coffee maker. We are impatient by nature, so a coffee maker that cuts down the brewing time will leave a smile on your face.
Keeping Your Coffee Hot
Exceptionality is experienced with the ability of your 4 cup coffee maker to maintain the right temperature to your drink. A coffee maker proves its convenience by keeping the coffee hot even after a couple of hours. The temperature of the water at the point of contact to the coffee should be 195 to 205 degrees Fahrenheit according to the SCAA Golden Cup Standard.
Be Stylish
Aesthetics should also be considered when choosing a 4 cup coffee maker. Should you choose one that blends with the theme of the kitchen or room? Is it white or black, or with hints of gold? Personal preferences will determine all these choices.
Frequently Asked Questions on 4 Cup Coffee Makers
How much coffee do I put in a 4 cup coffee maker?
I would recommend 1 to 11/2 tablespoons of ground coffee per cup, although some coffee manufacturers recommend using one tablespoon per cup. You could however use more or less depending on how you would prefer it to be.
How long should a 4 cup coffee maker last?
Well this depends on how you use it and how well you maintain it. On average of good performance, you are likely to get between 2 and 3 years.
What are the tips on maintaining a 4 cup coffee maker?
- Make sure that you descale your coffee maker every 5-6 months. Use a good descaler.
- Use only clean filtered water.
- Before brewing, run a little clean plain water daily through the coffee maker until it comes out clear.
- Rinse and clean all removable water parts after each use, including the filter basket, carafe, and water reservoir.
Are more expensive 4 cup coffee makers better?
Most cheaper 4 cup coffee makers barely get that hot and they also burn over time.
A larger brew head produces the ground coffee more evenly, giving you better extraction and flavour.
Does the coffee filter in a 4 cup coffee maker make a difference?
A huge difference you will notice is that paper filters reduce the amount of bits of coffee that end up in your cup, these are called fines. The more the fines are, the more full-bodied or mouthfeel the coffee is.
Is the taste of coffee affected by a 4 cup coffee maker?
Sometimes the water you use could affect this, it might not always be the coffee bean or the coffee maker. Slightly bitter coffee is the end product when hard water is used, since the minerals reduce coffee’s flavour. You could even boil the water and let it cool before using it for coffee brewing if you think the quality will affect the taste.
Can I leave my 4 cup coffee maker on?
- While leaving it on, it is not generally a fire hazard although it is possible that they could catch fire. Another hazard is that if left near an electric cord 59 if the cord melts, it could cause a fire.
- Furthermore, leaving it on wastes electricity. This could have an impact on your electricity bill and create an eventual effect on your environmental footprint.
- If there was little to no coffee left in the pot, it will lead to burning the pot.
- If you’ve left coffee in a hot coffee pot, thick coffee is what you may come home to. This can then add a burnt taste to some types of coffee.
So, no. it’s not a good idea leaving your coffee maker on.
In Conclusion
Making the right selection for a good 4 cup coffee maker can be a daunting task, but I have given you pointers you need when this time comes, hopefully these ease your decision-making process.
The number one choice on our end would definitely be the Bonavita 5-Cup One-Touch Coffee Maker Featuring Thermal Carafe. This 12.30” by 6.20” beauty offers a temperature range that is ideal and has both auto shut-off and brew-pause options and it is BPA-free.
How about you? Which 4 cup coffee maker do you like best? Do you think you could go for one from the above list? Feel free to leave a comment, we would love to hear your comments or tips when choosing the best 4 cup coffee maker!
