7 of the Best 4 Cup Coffee Maker Reviews 2021
Finding the best 4 cup coffee maker is easy-breezy, because you, my friend, landed on the right page, at the right time!
Are you in the market for a new coffee maker, but not sure which one or what features to look for?
Fret not! This article will answer all your burning questions and help you choose the best 4 cup coffee maker for your needs, without breaking the bank.
What is The Best 4 Cup Coffee Maker?
- Braun KF6050WH BrewSense Coffee Maker - Best Overall & Editor's Choice
- Choose between 1-4 cups or a full pot
- 24 hour programmable timer
- Gold tone filter instead of paper filter - Zojirushi EC-DAC50 Zutto - Runner Up
- Removable water tank
- Charcoal water filter
- Compact design - Chefman Grind and Brew Coffee Maker & Grinder - Best with Built-in Grinder
- Adjustable strength settings
- Integrated coffee grinder
- Cool design - Bonavita One-Touch Coffee Maker - Best Value
- Simple one button operation
- Showerhead for optimal extraction
- Stainless steel carafe - Mr. Coffee Advanced Coffee Maker - Best Programmable
- 24 hour programmable timer
- Pause and serve function
- One hour auto shut off - Cuisinart DCC-450BK Coffee Maker - Best for Small Spaces
- Pause and serve function
- Stainless steel carafe with knuckle guard
- Small and compact design - BLACK+DECKER Coffee Maker - Best Budget
- Removable filter basket
- Keeps coffee warm for an hour
- Small and compact design
1. Braun KF6050WH BrewSense Coffee Maker
Best Overall & Editor's Choice
The BrewSense coffee machine lets you choose between a one to a four-cup setting. This means you won’t have to worry about wasting coffee.
It has a pause function so that you can have a cup of coffee before the rest of the pot has brewed, even though the carafe prevents oxygen from getting into the coffee so it keeps it fresher for longer.
This coffee maker has a 24-hour programmable timer which is a bonus if you want your morning cup of coffee ready for you as soon as you walk into the kitchen. However, grinding coffee the night before means it won’t be as fresh. But if you are happy enough with this, then this drip coffee maker could suit you.
This programmable coffee maker is unique in that it has a gold-tone filter instead of paper which may give a better flavor as the oils reach the cup instead of being absorbed by the paper in the filter basket.
Plus it has a charcoal water filter which optimizes the flavor. It also includes an auto shut off function and a cleaning feature.
All these features and more helped us choose this four cup coffee maker as the best overall and our Top Choice among the remaining coffee makers.
Braun KF6050WH BrewSense Coffee Maker
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Pros:
- Has a 24 hour programmable timer
- Auto shut off function
- Gold tone coffee filter
Cons:
- Charcoal water filter will eventually need replacement
- Does not have a hot plate
2. Zojirushi EC-DAC50 Zutto
Runner Up
This drip coffee maker has some great features and is a higher end model among the other coffee makers on this list. It can brew up to five cups.
Although hopefully, you’re not going to be drinking all five cups of coffee yourself. If you are, then we need to have a chat, so contact me as soon as you’re done with your second cup of coffee!
What makes this coffee maker different from other coffee machines is that it’s a drip coffee maker rather than a brewer. The water is heated during the brewing process then it drips through the grounds in the filter basket, which generally provides a better tasting cup of hot coffee.
It is easy to keep clean with the removable water reservoir and glass carafe. It keeps your cup of coffee warm by using a hot plate under the carafe.
This coffee maker comes with a charcoal water filter, which is the best way to filter water since it doesn’t carry any other flavors when mixed with fresh coffee grounds. The water filter lasts a few years, and it comes with a replacement so you’re not shelling out money too soon for another one.
The cone shaped filter ensures water goes through evenly for a tasty coffee experience, but it is not a programmable coffee maker.
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Pros:
- Drip coffee machine
- Charcoal water filter
- Removable water tank
- Warming plate
Cons:
- Not programmable
- Charcoal water filter will eventually need replacement
3. Chefman Grind and Brew Coffee Maker & Grinder
Best with Built-in Grinder
This Chefman coffee maker with grinder has adjustable strength and ground settings which is helpful to customize your coffee to your tastes. It's a 4 cup coffee maker that keeps coffee fresh for thirty minutes. The brew pause feature will let you have one cup before the rest of the pot has brewed without burning yourself.
The water level viewing window is useful so you can see how full the carafe is and it has an auto shut off function for those who are safety conscious.
The design is what stands out with this 4 cup coffee maker. It is unique and cool to display in your kitchen. So if you’re looking for something that is different aesthetically, then this may be it!
This coffee maker is probably one of the coolest designs compared to the other coffee makers on this list!
Chefman Grind and Brew Coffee Maker & Grinder
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Pros:
- Unique and cool design
- Adjustable strength and ground settings
- Accepts pre-ground coffee
Cons:
- Does not have a hot plate
- Not a programmable coffee maker
4. Bonavita One-Touch Coffee Maker
Best Value
This coffee maker is highly thought of in the coffee industry and amongst coffee drinkers. It is a five cup coffee maker and as its name suggests, it’s done with a touch of a button.
It is quick, taking around six minutes for brewing coffee, and it has a pre-infusion showerhead to disperse water for optimal coffee extraction which makes for optimal coffee flavor.
The durable stainless steel carafe is great for keeping your coffee warm for longer, and it has an auto off function. Plus it’s easy to clean because the parts are dishwasher safe.
Bonavita One-Touch Coffee Maker
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Pros:
- Stainless steel and thermal carafe
- Pre-infusion showerhead for optimal flavor
- Dishwasher safe
Cons:
- Due to the carafe lid, pouring the coffee can be messy if you're not careful
- Not programmable
5. Mr. Coffee Advanced Coffee Maker
Best Programmable
This brand might be the most popular on the market today, and this 4 cup coffee maker, in particular, is one of the best from this brand.
It has a 24-hour programmable setting so you can prep your coffee from the night before, as well as a 1-hour auto shut off function for those who need it.
Like some of the other 4 cup coffee makers, this one has a brew pause function that allows you to serve yourself a cup of coffee before the brewing process is complete, without hindering the overall coffee taste.
This coffee maker probably has the best brew pause feature among the other 4 cup coffee makers on this list.
Mr. Coffee Advanced Coffee Maker
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Pros:
- 24-hour programmable
- Auto shut off function
- Pause and serve option
Cons:
- The carafe lid can prove to be messy if you're not careful while pouring
- Coffee filter basket is flat as opposed to cone shaped
6. Cuisinart DCC-450BK Coffee Maker
Best for Small Spaces
This 4 cup coffee maker makes your coffee with a dripless pour spout. It has the brew pause feature to have a cup of coffee before the rest of the pot has brewed and the knuckle guard protects you from burning yourself when holding the carafe.
This drip coffee maker doesn’t have a timer, but it has an auto shut off function and it is compact with a sturdy stainless steel carafe. Unlike some of the other coffee makers with stainless steel carafes, the carafe for this small coffee maker is not a thermal carafe, which pretty much defeats its purpose.
Luckily, among the four cup coffee makers, this is a good drip coffee maker with a drip free spout that makes up for the thermal carafe downfall.
Cuisinart DCC-450BK Coffee Maker
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Pros:
- Dripless pour spout
- Knuckle guard
- Compact
Cons:
- Not programmable
- This stainless steel carafe is not thermal
7. BLACK+DECKER Coffee Maker
Best Budget
This coffee maker has a removable filter basket making it easy to clean and dishwasher safe, it looks sleek in all black and it won’t take up a lot of space in your kitchen as it is also a small coffee maker.
There is a viewing pane in the water container making it convenient to know how much is left, and there are measurement markings to accurately fill it based on how many cups of coffee you plan on making.
This coffee maker has a duralife glass carafe which is sturdier than other coffee makers with a glass carafe and it has an easy grip handle for comfortable pouring.
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Pros:
- Removable filter basket
- Dishwasher safe
- Sturdier glass carafe
Cons:
- Not programmable
- No auto shut off function
- No warming plate
What’s the use of a small batch coffee maker?
A 4 cup coffee maker is perfect for a small family, or a bunch of roommates, or even when you have guests and family over. It’s quick and easy to make, plus it pleases most people’s taste buds!
The best part is that some of these coffee makers have timers, so you can set them to brew coffee automatically for a certain time.
Now imagine this: your alarm goes off and the first thing you notice is the freshly brewed coffee coming from your kitchen. No need to prepare the coffee maker to brew, or sit there and wait for the brewing process to be done, like a morning zombie. Just wake up and sip away till you’re fully awake.
Some of the best 4 cup coffee makers are small and compact, so they’re perfect for small spaces with limited counter space and are easy to put away when they’re not being used.
Just make sure you use good quality coffee beans to ensure this formula works:
The Best Coffee Beans + The Best 4 Cup Coffee Maker = The Best Cup of Coffee!
Things to Consider before Buying the Best 4 Cup Coffee Maker
What material should it be? Stainless Steel, Glass or Plastic?
The material of the coffee carafe is important and definitely worth knowing the pros and cons for each type, to help you decide on the best coffee maker for your needs.
Most stainless steel carafes will be thermal which means your freshly brewed coffee will stay warm for longer. The seal, on these carafes, prevents oxygen from getting in and quickly turning your coffee stale. The downside is that they can be heavy, and you can’t see how much is left in the pot.
A glass carafe is the most popular. It looks nice, it is easy to clean, and you can see how much leftover coffee there is, so you don’t have to panic if you go for seconds and can only fill half your cup! The downside is that they’re fragile and won’t keep your coffee warm for too long.
Then there are plastic carafes, which are less fragile than glass carafes, but won’t keep your coffee warm for long and just look cheap.
What’s the ideal brewing temperature?
The National Coffee Association USA defines the best temperature for brewing coffee to be between 195° to 205° Fahrenheit (91° to 96° Celcius). Any higher than that and it could leave your coffee tasting burnt and bitter. Any lower and you won’t get the optimal extraction of flavors from the coffee (1).
This is one of the most important things when choosing the best 4 cup coffee maker, so make sure to check the machine has the correct range of temperatures listed above.
Does it need to have a timer?
Your machine doesn’t have to have a timer, but you may want it for convenience. Many machines come with an automatic start option to do this.
If you hate prepping your coffee in the mornings or you know you’re going to have a tight schedule, you can prep and set your 4 cup coffee maker to brew automatically at a certain time.
This option is great for those with a busy schedule, but you want to keep in mind that the coffee flavor won’t be optimal since you have to grind your coffee beans the night before and place them in the coffee filter to prep the machine.
So you have to choose between convenience and optimal coffee flavor and freshness.
You may also want to look for machines with an automatic shut off feature if you’re safety conscious or always in a hurry and forgetful. This way, while you’re driving to work, you don’t have to second guess yourself and worry for the rest of the day whether you remembered to shut the coffee machine off or not.
Frequently Asked Questions - FAQ’s
How should I use the best 4 cup coffee maker?
Use filtered or bottled water so no other flavors impact your coffee. Use high-quality coffee beans for the best flavor. Usually, arabica beans are better but more expensive.
Can I grind the coffee the night before?
It’s best not to do this as coffee beans are best when they are freshly ground. Lots of brands will have the roast date on the package and it is best to ground just before you are about to make your coffee.
Preferably use coffee beans instead of already ground coffee. The Chefman Grind and Brew Coffee Maker & Grinder, listed above, has an integrated grinder but for all the rest you will need to purchase a separate grinder.
It can be therapeutic to grind your own beans and this way you grind them to your liking.
How much coffee do I use in a 4 cup coffee maker?
It is down to personal taste and once you experiment with it then you will have it down to a fine art. It is recommended to put between one and half to two tablespoons per cup of coffee per six ounces of water. Read this article for the best coffee to water ratio and the golden coffee cup standard.
Are the 4 cup coffee makers environmentally friendly?
These machines tend to have the most plastic in them and so are generally the worst for the environment.
If you choose a machine which is free of BPA plastic like the Cuisinart model, then it will be environmentally friendly.
When you choose a glass or stainless-steel option then it is generally safer as there are no chemicals which are present in plastic.
What is the best grind of coffee to use for a 4 cup coffee maker?
The best grind for this type of coffee maker is medium to coarse, similar to French press coffee.
Final Thoughts
Owning the best 4 cup coffee maker is essential for those rushed mornings or family gatherings, because it’s convenient and a crowd pleaser!
The smell of coffee in the morning from one of these machines might encourage you to get out of bed earlier without breaking the bank.
Whichever machine you choose, you’ll have to simply press a button and let it do the hard work for you. Happy Brewing!