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Best 4 Cup and 5 Cup Coffee Makers of 2021: Just Right!

Caught in a limbo where traditional automatic drippers lead to wasted coffee while single-serve models don’t make enough to quench your caffeinated cravings? The best 4 cup & 5 cup coffee makers will get you out of that dark place!

Featuring smaller carafes, they give you all the perks of larger models but without making more coffee than you can drink in one go nor compromising on quality. Plus, they’re usually more compact too, which is always handy in modern kitchens.

Let’s take you through our buying guide and 4-5 cup coffee maker reviews to help you find the right sidekick for you!

AT A GLANCE: OUR TOP PICKS

Cuisinart DCC-450BK 4-Cup Coffeemaker with Stainless-Steel Carafe, Black
  • Practical & user-friendly
  • Brew-pause feature
  • Available in 2 colors
Bodum Chambord 4 Cup French Press Coffee Maker with Locking Lid Stainless Steel, 17-Ounce
  • Best manual option
  • Iconic design
  • Reliable filter
KRUPS Simply Brew Compact Filter Drip Coffee Maker, 5-Cup, Silver
  • Stylish design
  • Permanent filter
  • Brew-pause feature

Best 4 Cup & 5 Cup Coffee Makers Buying Guide: Small But Mighty!

4 cup coffee maker

Instead of opting for the first model that catches your attention, take a moment to understand what type of 4 or 5 cup coffee maker you need in your life.

Automatic or manual?

The chances are that, if you’ve been looking for a 4 or 5 cup coffee maker, you’re thinking of an automatic dripper.

It makes sense: after all, these coffee machines are quick and practical and that’s why we’ve reviewed 8 of them.

However, we thought we’d remind you that there’s another type of coffee maker that can brew those quantities of joe: the iconic French press.

If you were hoping for a more budget-friendly option and you like the idea of being slightly more involved with the brewing process, that could be the best solution for you.

Paper filters or reusable?

What could seem like a trivial decision can actually affect the final flavor of your cup:

  • Paper filters retain the coffee oils, guaranteeing a smooth, sediment-free brew that tastes more like pour-overs. While they consist of an additional cost, they also make it easier to clean up once you’ve brewed;
  • Reusable filters let the coffee oils into your cup, resulting in a bolder-tasting joe. Even though they must be rinsed after each use, keep in mind that they’re often dishwasher-safe and that they’re kinder to the environment (no waste!).

Carafe: thermal or glass?

Unless you drink it straight away, the importance of your coffee maker doesn’t end when you’ve brewed your java: the carafe can actually make a big difference.

  • Thermal carafes are, overall, the best option: they’re durable, reliable and keep your coffee extra hot without spoiling it;
  • Glass carafes are undoubtedly stylish and fascinating (we could watch the coffee brew through them for hours!) but they’re more fragile. Most importantly, their hot plate can lead to over-extraction if you leave it on for too long. 

PRO TIP: If you want the best-tasting coffee but love the look of glass carafes, just get used to drinking it asap instead of forgetting about it for half an hour every time.

Extra features for your 4 or 5 cup coffee maker

Why invest in a 4 or 5 cup coffee maker that matches your desired coffee quantity but doesn’t actually complement your routine?

If you think you’d make the most of them, consider looking for one or more of these features:

  • Brew-pause: it lets you enjoy the first cup of coffee before the rest of the carafe is brewed;
  • Programmability: so that you can program your 4 or 5 cup coffee maker to wake up before you do and get the first pot of the day ready;
  • Automatic shutoff: useful if you can never remember whether or not you’ve switched off your appliances.

Best 4 Cup Coffee Makers of 2021 [Top 4 Reviews]

Let’s start with an overview of the smaller 4 cup coffee makers:

Amazon Product
Cuisinart DCC-450BK
  • Effortless pot of joe
  • Brew-pause feature
  • Auto shutoff
View on Amazon
Amazon Product
Gevi 4-Cup
  • 6-hole sprayhead
  • Fast one-touch operation
  • Handy front-fill design
View on Amazon
Amazon Product
Mr. Coffee Simple Brew
  • Affordable pick
  • Brew-pause
  • Easy to use
View on Amazon
Amazon Product
Bodum Chambord
  • Timeless French press model
  • Improved design to keep coffee hot for longer
  • Bolder brews
View on Amazon
Amazon Product
KRUPS Simply Brew
  • Ergonomic no-drip carafe
  • Brew-pause feature
  • Versatile design
View on Amazon
Amazon Product
Zojirushi EC-DAC50
  • Small on the countertop
  • Unique filter/carafe design
  • Easier to make iced coffees
View on Amazon
Amazon Product
Mr. Coffee 5 Cup Programmable
  • 24h programmability
  • Practical carafe
  • Water filtration
View on Amazon
Amazon Product
BLACK+DECKER 5-Cup Coffeemaker
  • Budget-friendly but with interesting features
  • Brew-pause
  • Stylish look
View on Amazon
Cuisinart DCC-450BK 4-Cup Coffeemaker with Stainless-Steel Carafe, Black
  • Filter: paper
  • Carafe: thermal

Best for: an effortless brew with a few extra features

Available in either black or red, this 4 cup coffee maker is compact and practical.

We’ve found that it streamlines the brewing process while also allowing you to enjoy the perks of some larger and more expensive models, like the brew-pause feature and the automatic shutoff after 30 minutes.

This Cuisinart machine relies on a stylish stainless steel carafe with a dripless-pour spout and an ergonomic knuckle guard to prevent burns.

Bottom line: A simple but reliable 4 cup coffee maker that won’t let you down.


2. Gevi 4-Cup Coffee Maker - Also Great

  • Filter: reusable
  • Carafe: glass

Best for: kitchens with low cupboards

Full of perks despite the humble price tag, this Gevi model focuses on both practicality and brew quality.

First of all, it relies on a 6-hole outlet to ensure even extraction, and the anti-leaking hole comes to the rescue if you accidentally overfill the water tank.

Secondly, it’s fast and easy to use thanks to the one-touch operation, anti-drip design, and automatic shutoff of its hot plate.

Finally, this 4 cup coffee maker is especially a godsend for households with low cupboards: instead of having to pull it forward every time, they can rely on its easy front access.

Bottom line: While 4 cup brewers aren’t as wide as traditional drippers, this model optimizes vertical space, too.


Mr. Coffee Simple Brew Coffee Maker|4 Cup Coffee Machine|Drip Coffee Maker, Black
  • Filter: paper
  • Carafe: glass

Best for: a reliable but budget-friendly coffee experience

Mr. Coffee is popular amongst coffee lovers who aren’t interested in lots of customizable features and just want a simple pot of joe. This coffee maker does exactly that, but in smaller quantities compared to Mr. Coffee’s traditional models.

It also features a handy on/off indicator light, the sought-after brew-pause option, and a removable basket filter that makes for easy filling and cleaning.

Bottom line: A humble 4 cup coffee maker that will easily streamline your morning routine.


Bodum Chambord 4 Cup French Press Coffee Maker with Locking Lid Stainless Steel, 17-Ounce
  • Filter: reusable
  • Carafe: glass

Best for: manual

As promised, here’s a more traditional brewing method that’s perfect to brew up to 17 oz of coffee: the iconic French press.

Not just any French press, though! (1)

“The French press is a no-fuss style of coffee-making for those who love a good cup of joe. Since the 1950s, the Bodum CHAMBORD French Press Coffee Maker has been a top choice for this technique.” The Spruce Eats 

Featuring an elegant and classy design, this model relies on ultra-light, heat-resistant borosilicate glass and doesn’t involve any BPA plastic.

As for flavor, the 3-part stainless steel mesh filter is impeccable at allowing the beans’ aromatic oils into your cup while trapping sediments.

It also features an improved design that closes off the spout to keep your coffee piping hot for longer. All its parts are dishwasher safe, which is always a massive plus!

Discover more about this French press in our Bodum Chambord review.

Bottom line: You can’t go wrong with one of the best French presses on the market.


Not 100% sure? Let’s check the best 5 cup coffee makers too, then!

Best 5 Cup Coffee Makers of 2021 [Top 4 Reviews]

Could do with a little extra joe? Here are the best 5 cup coffee makers:

KRUPS Simply Brew Compact Filter Drip Coffee Maker, 5-Cup, Silver
  • Filter: reusable
  • Carafe: glass

Best for: a stylish design

Topping off the beautiful glass carafe with a stainless steel finish, this 5 cup coffee maker is guaranteed to become the most attention-grabbing piece in your kitchen. 

Still, this doesn’t mean that it’s style over substance. On the contrary, this Krups model is perfect for a quick, effortless brew, too.

From its permanent filter to the no-drip carafe and the brew-pause feature, it’s clear that a lot of planning has gone into its design.

Bottom line: A coffee maker that will impress your guests with its looks as well as its delicious coffee.


2. Zojirushi EC-DAC50 Zutto - Also Great

Zojirushi EC-DAC50 Zutto 5-Cup Drip Coffeemaker,Silver
  • Filter: paper
  • Carafe: glass

Best for: small countertops

This Zojirushi model is one of the most compact 5 cup coffee makers we’ve tried. Only 6-inch wide, it’ll effortlessly fit on any countertop.

What first caught our attention, though, is the unique design of its brewing parts: the cone-shaped filter basket sits directly inside the glass carafe! Make sure you use the included charcoal filter for purer water, too (2).

“Did you know 98% of your cup of coffee is water? Subsequently, the quality of your coffee is directly linked to the water used to brew it.” Kicking Horse Coffee 

Plus, this coffee maker features a removable water tank with separate measurements for hot or iced coffee (keep in mind, though, that it doesn’t actually make cold brews).

Bottom line: A truly clever way to save precious space without compromising on quality.


3. Mr. Coffee 5 Cup - Best Programmable

Mr. Coffee 5 Cup Programmable 25 oz. Mini, Brew Now or Later, with Water Filtration and Nylon Reusable Filter, Coffee Maker, Black
  • Filter: paper (or reusable sold separately)
  • Carafe: glass

Best for: a programmable morning brew

Tempted by the idea of waking up to a fully brewed pot of joe? Don’t let it be just a dream!

With this budget-friendly Mr. Coffee model, you can make the most of your beloved programmable feature, as well as the brew-pause.

Every part of this coffee maker and, especially, its carafe was clearly designed with practicality and easy handling in mind, so your first coffee of the day will be a breeze no matter how sleepy you are.

It even includes a water filtration disk for better-tasting brews.

Bottom line: If you can never trust the other members of your household to brew you a nice cup of joe, you can trust this coffee maker.


4. BLACK+DECKER 5-Cup Coffeemaker - Budget-Friendly

BLACK+DECKER 5-Cup Coffeemaker, Black, CM0700BZ
  • Filter: reusable
  • Carafe: glass

Best for: a stylish but affordable brew

This Black+Decker 5 cup coffee maker proves that, if you know where to look, you can find models that make great-tasting coffee and even offer you a few perks… for a fraction of the price!

From the on/off light to the ergonomic carafe and the brew-pause feature, this Black+Decker coffee machine is practical and reliable.

It’ll also look amazing in any kitchen thanks to its versatile black finish and elegant glass carafe.

Bottom line: A budget-friendly brewer with cool features and an aesthetically pleasing design: what’s not to love?


FAQs

1. What is the best 4 cup coffee maker on the market?

In our opinion, the best 4 cup coffee maker on the market is the Cuisinart DCC-450BK or, if you were after a non-automatic brewing method, the Bodum Chambord French press.

2. What is the best 5 cup coffee maker?

The best 5 cup coffee maker is the KRUPS Simply Brew: it guarantees a quick, streamlined brewing process while also spoiling you with a couple of perks.

3. How much coffee do I use for 4 cups?

For 4 cups, you should use 8 tablespoons (2 per cup), which equates to around 40-60 grams of ground coffee.

4. How do you make coffee in a 5 cup coffee maker?

To make coffee in a 5 cup coffee maker you follow the exact same steps that you’re used to with larger drippers: fill up the water reservoir, add grounds to the filter (either paper or reusable, depending on your model), and press the brew button.

If you're wondering about the power usage of these coffee makers, read our post discussing how many amps a coffee maker uses


References

1. Minkin, T. (2019, May 14). Bodum CHAMBORD French Press Coffee Maker Review. Retrieved from https://www.thespruceeats.com/bodum-chambord-french-press-review-4684924
2. Maddie. (2015, August 19). The importance of water quality in coffee preparation. Retrieved from https://www.kickinghorsecoffee.com/our-coffee

giada

Born in Italy but currently brewing from the UK, Giada is a highly-caffeinated coffee expert with a soft spot for espressos. She worked in cafés for years and has recently fallen in love with the practical Kalita Wave (just don’t tell her Italian moka pot!).

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