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’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 machine to brew, or sit there and wait for it 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 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!
Keep on reading to find your next 4 cup coffee maker!
The Best 4 Cup Coffee Makers
- Braun KF6050WH BrewSense Coffee Maker
Best Overall - Zojirushi EC-DAC50 Zutto
Runner Up - Chefman Grind and Brew Coffee Maker & Grinder
- Bonavita One-Touch Coffee Maker
- Mr. Coffee Advanced Coffee Maker
- Cuisinart DCC-450BK Coffee Maker
- BLACK+DECKER Coffee Maker
A Quick Summary of Our Top Picks
Best Overall
- Choose between 1-4 cups or a full pot
- 24 hour programmable timer
- Gold tone filter instead of paper filter
Chefman Grind and Brew Coffee Maker & Grinder
- Adjustable strength settings
- Integrated coffee grinder
- Cool design
Bonavita One-Touch Coffee Maker
- Simple one button operation
- Showerhead for optimal extraction
- Stainless steel carafe
Mr. Coffee Advanced Coffee Maker
- 24 hour programmable timer
- Pause and serve function
- 1-hour auto shut off
Cuisinart DCC-450BK Coffee Maker
- Pause and serve function
- Stainless steel carafe with knuckle guard
- Small and compact design
- Removable filter basket
- Keeps coffee warm for an hour
- Small and compact design
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 coffee is left in it, 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 perfect brewing temperature 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 switch 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.
The Best 4 Cup Coffee Maker
Braun KF6050WH BrewSense Coffee Maker
The BrewSense coffee machine lets you choose between a one to 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 make 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 model could suit you.
This model 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 filter.
Plus it has a charcoal water filter which optimizes the flavor. It also includes an auto shut off function and a cleaning feature.
Braun KF6050WH BrewSense Coffee Maker
Best Overall
If you click this link & purchase, we earn a commission at no additional cost to you. Thanks for your support!
Pros:
- Has a 24 hour programmable timer
- Auto shut off function
- Gold tone coffee filter
Cons:
- Charcoal water filter will eventually need replacement
Zojirushi EC-DAC50 Zutto
This coffee maker has some great features and is a higher end model. 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 it different from other coffee machines is that it’s a drip machine rather than a brewer. The water is heated and drips through the grounds which generally provides a better tasting cup of 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 warming plate under the carafe.
This model 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 the 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 to get a better flavor, but it is not programmable.
Zojirushi EC-DAC50 Zutto
Runner Up
If you click this link & purchase, we earn a commission at no additional cost to you. Thanks for your support!
Pros:
- Drip coffee machine
- Charcoal water filter
- Removable water tank
Cons:
- Not programmable
- Charcoal water filter will eventually need replacement
Chefman Grind and Brew Coffee Maker & Grinder
This Chefman has adjustable strength and ground settings which is helpful to customize your coffee to your tastes. It brews four cups and keeps coffee warm for thirty minutes. The pause function 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!
Chefman Grind and Brew Coffee Maker & Grinder
If you click this link & purchase, we earn a commission at no additional cost to you. Thanks for your support!
Pros:
- Unique and cool design
- Adjustable strength and ground settings
- Accepts pre-ground coffee
Cons:
- Won’t keep coffee warm for long
- Not programmable
Bonavita One-Touch Coffee Maker
This machine is highly thought of in the coffee industry. It makes up to five cups and as its name suggests, it’s done with a touch of a button.
It is quick, taking around six minutes to brew the five cups, and it has a pre-infusion showerhead to disperse water for optimal extraction which makes for optimal coffee flavor.
The 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
If you click this link & purchase, we earn a commission at no additional cost to you. Thanks for your support!
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
Mr. Coffee Advanced Coffee Maker
This brand might be the most popular on the market today, and this model 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 pause and serve option that allows you to serve yourself a cup of coffee before the brewing cycle is complete, without hindering the overall coffee taste.
Mr. Coffee Advanced Coffee Maker
If you click this link & purchase, we earn a commission at no additional cost to you. Thanks for your support!
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
Cuisinart DCC-450BK Coffee Maker
This 4 cup coffee maker makes your coffee with a dripless pour spout. It has the pause function to have a coffee before the rest of the pot has brewed and the knuckle guard protects you from burning yourself when holding the carafe.
It doesn’t have a timer, but it has the auto shut off function and it is compact with a sturdy stainless-steel carafe.
Cuisinart DCC-450BK Coffee Maker
If you click this link & purchase, we earn a commission at no additional cost to you. Thanks for your support!
Pros:
- Dripless pour spout
- Knuckle guard
Cons:
- Not programmable
- This stainless steel carafe is not thermal
BLACK+DECKER Coffee Maker
This coffee maker has a removable filter basket making it easy to clean, it looks sleek in all black and it won’t take up a lot of space in your kitchen.
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.
It has a duralife glass carafe which is sturdier than other glass carafes and it has an easy grip handle for comfortable pouring.
BLACK+DECKER Coffee Maker
If you click this link & purchase, we earn a commission at no additional cost to you. Thanks for your support!
Pros:
- Removable filter basket
- Dishwasher safe
- Sturdier glass carafe
Cons:
- Not programmable
- No auto shut off function
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!