4 Cup Coffee Maker

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For a lot of people, the day doesn’t start until they have tasted their first sip of coffee. With so many options for brewing, it can be hard to decide which is best for you. A lot of people like 4 cup coffee makers because they are easy to use, keep your second cup warm for a long time and make great coffee.

Still, it can be hard to know what makes a good product and those that are best to avoid. This is why we have created our list of the best 4 cup coffee makers. Each one has a lot to offer, some are near-silent when in use and others just make a great cup of Joe! Whatever your preference, there are some impressive products.

Quick Summary of Best 4 Cup Coffee Makers

 Editor’s Choice 
BLACK+DECKER 5-Cup Coffeemaker
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 Best Stainless Steel 
Cuisinart DCC-450BK 4-Cup Coffeemaker with Stainless-Steel Carafe
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 Easiest To Use 
Mr. Coffee 4-Cup Switch Coffee Maker
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 Best Value 
Elite Cuisine EHC-5055 Automatic Brew & Drip Coffee Maker
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 Best Large Capacity 
Ninja 12-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker with Classic and Rich Brews
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 Best Programmable 
Mr. Coffee JWX9-RB 5-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker
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BLACK+DECKER 5-Cup Coffeemaker

 Editor’s Choice 

Although many people associate the brand with tools their coffee-making range is impressive. What we like with this product is the capacity to make 5-cups and with an easy-grip handle it is comfortable to pour even though it holds more coffee than other brands.

One problem with a lot of coffeemakers is that they can be difficult to clean but this comes with a removable basket that solves this issue. The carafe plate keeps the carafe warm for up to an hour so you can go back for more coffee and it will still be drinkable. The water window of the 25 oz carafe means you can see exactly what is left thanks to the measurement markings. With a simple to use one-button operation, making good coffee doesn’t get much easier.

PROS:

  • Makes 5 cups
  • The carafe has a hot plate to keep it warm and a water window
  • Easy to use
  • Removable filter basket
CONS:

Cuisinart DCC-450BK 4-Cup Coffeemaker with Stainless-Steel Carafe

 Best Stainless Steel 

A favorite for many, this impressive 4 cup coffee maker features a dripless pour spout to prevent any mess from the stainless steel carafe. Those who don’t want to wait will appreciate that there is even a pause button so you can stop the device halfway through, pour yourself a cup and let the machine continue once you are drinking.

To make sure it doesn’t waste energy it has a 30-minute automatic switch off that will save you money on your bills as well as an on indicator light to remind you. The unit has a compact design so it fits onto any workspace with ease and the consensus from users is that it is reliable and makes a great coffee – what more can you ask for!

PROS:

  • Stainless steel carafe
  • Pause button so you can pour your first coffee without having to wait
  • 30-minute auto switch off
CONS:

Mr. Coffee 4-Cup Switch Coffee Maker

 Easiest To Use 

With a pause button to make sure you can grab a cup before the whole carafe is full you never have to wait long before your first cup of the day. The carafe has a water window so you can see how much you have left and the water tank allows you to see when you need to fill it back up.

Mr. Coffee has a great reputation in the industry which is what you might expect from such a brand name and this product is more affordable than you might think. One minor complaint is that the brew could be a little hotter but for some people, it will pour at the perfect temperature.

PROS:

  • Water windows on carafe and water tank
  • Removable basket filter
  • Pause button so you can grab a cup before it is finished
CONS:

  • Pours a little colder than we would prefer

Elite Cuisine EHC-5055 Automatic Brew & Drip Coffee Maker

 Best Value 

A lot of people like this sturdy 5 cup coffee maker because it is well priced and well-built considering. Anyone who finds it hard to properly clean their current coffeemaker will appreciate its dishwasher safe carafe. The filter compartment swings out so it is easy to remove and clean – a lifesaver for anyone using theirs day in day out.

Both the water tank and the carafe are visible so you can see exactly how much is in either and never overfill or spill water on your kitchen surface. Elite Cuisine has included a 1-year warranty with this so you can make a fresh cup of coffee with the confidence that comes with knowing your purchase is protected.

PROS:

  • Makes 5 cups
  • Comes with a 1-year warranty
  • Easy to clean
  • Good value
CONS:

  • Doesn’t stay hot for as long as other brands

Ninja 12-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker with Classic and Rich Brews

 Best Large Capacity 

We’ve thrown in a bit of a curveball here as although this isn’t a 4 cup coffee maker, there is nothing wrong with getting more of a bang for your buck. The device is programmable and you can set it to make your coffee up to 24 hours in advance.

The warming plate is also one of the best going as it keeps your coffee warm for up to 4 hours, substantially longer than a lot of the competition. We mentioned its large capacity and it can make up to 12 cups but it can also brew smaller quantities for a stronger brew. With a gold tone removable filter that means you don’t have to use the disposable kind, it has more than a few benefits that a lot of others don’t offer.

PROS:

  • Keeps coffee warm for up to 4 hours
  • Can make up to 12 cups
  • Programmable coffeemaker
  • Gold tone filter is easy to clean and can be reused
CONS:

  • Not everyone wants 12 cups

Mr. Coffee JWX9-RB 5-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker

 Best Programmable 

Being able to program a coffeemaker means you can wake up with a freshly brewed coffee that is good to go before you are. The aroma can be smelt whilst you come down the stairs thanks to the delayed brew timer. You can also make tailor your coffee based on brew strength so if you like to take yours a little stronger, you can at the push of a button.

The stainless steel carafe looks good and keeps the contents warm and fresh and you can even grab a cup whilst the machine is still filling thanks to the pause function. The filter is easy to lift and clean and the 1-hour automatic shut off helps to assure it turns off even when you forget.

PROS:

  • Brew timer allows you to make coffee for when you wake up
  • Tailored brew strength
  • Pause and pour a cup
CONS:

  • More expensive than standard products

4 Cup Coffee Makers Guide

A quality coffee maker should be able to do more than make a great brew, everyone wants theirs to be convenient as well. This is only possible when you buy one of the best 4 cup coffeemakers as some of the sub-par products can be too basic and a waste of time.

Before you can be sure you won’t be sending the product back within a couple of months you need to do a little research. This is why we have created the following buyer’s guide. It details exactly what a 4 cup coffee maker should do so you don’t waste your time and enjoy a quality cup of coffee every day.

What To Look For In A 4 Cup Coffee Maker

Brew Pause Feature

Let’s face it, you could buy the fastest 4 cup coffee maker but it still won’t be quick enough when you’re craving caffeine. The best products have a brew pause feature that allows you to pick up the carafe and pour yourself a cup halfway through the brewing process. When you put it back on the hot plate, it will pick up where you left it but you’ll be sipping away.

Removable Filter Basket

One of the issues that some people have with a 4 cup coffee maker is in the cleanup. Buy the wrong product and you could spend more time cleaning up than drinking coffee. Look for a coffeemaker that has a removable basket as it makes cleaning the used coffee a lot easier. Gold tone filters mean you don’t have to use the disposable kind which saves money and is more convenient.

Stay Warm Length

Some products feature a low quality hot plate that doesn’t do a lot once the carafe is full. The better products will be able to keep the carafe warmer for longer and even as much as an hour can make a big difference and stop you from having to throw it away. If you are entertaining, some products keep the coffee warm for up to 4 hours.

Programmable Brewing

This might be top of your list of priorities but remember that a programmable 4 cup coffee maker will come with a higher price tag. There is something to be said for the convenience of being able to wake up to a fresh cup of coffee but make sure it fits into your budget first.

Automatic Switch Off

It can happen to us all, you’ve poured yourself a fresh cup of coffee, got ready for work and left your coffeemaker on. A lot of coffeemakers come with an auto switch-off function that stops you from having to worry about whether everything is turned off or not. These most vary between 30 minutes to an hour after using it.

Capacity

When you search for a 4 cup coffee maker you might be surprised to see that there isn’t a lot of difference in price between them and the 5 cup variants. This is good news for those who like to entertain or drink a lot of coffee. If you are buying it for an office space then the greater the capacity the better but for personal use, 4 – 5 cups is usually enough.

Easy To Use

Besides being easy to clean, a 4 cup coffee maker should also be easy to use. this starts with being easy to refill so a removable water tank is good although they can be hard to come by and a one-button operation keeps things simple. Removable baskets are important as well as having the type you can use time and again – some even stop you from needing to use a disposable filter ever again.

Easy To Clean

When you use a coffeemaker that has a removable basket you will find that there is a lot less mess on your kitchen surface, and it is easy to tip the contents into the trash. On top of this, some products come with a carafe that is dishwasher safe. This allows you to keep it pristine, a bonus since it can be an awkward item to clean.

Stainless Steel Carafe Vs Glass

Both of these have their benefits and a lot will depend on what your personal preference is. When it comes to appearance we like the smooth look of a stainless steel carafe and it is also more durable than the glass products.

Then there is the fact that it is easier to clean than its glass counterparts. However, a glass carafe is preferable for a lot of people because it allows you to see how much coffee you have left.

What Is The Best 4 Cup Coffee Maker?

For a lot of people, it will be the one that suits your needs so a programmable coffee maker might be more important. In terms of build quality, value, reliability, and the ability to make a great cup of coffee every time, it is hard to look past the BLACK+DECKER 5-Cup Coffeemaker.

Not only does it give you a little extra with a 5 cup carafe but the hot plate keeps everything warm for up to an hour and it is incredibly easy to use. With one-touch operation and a removable basket they tick all the important boxes which are why it is such a popular product.

Conclusion

Compared to other brewing methods, a 4 cup coffee maker can be an inexpensive and valuable purchase if you are into your coffee. Even if you just want something that makes a good brew without any fuss, they are a great alternative to the likes of espresso machines.

This is why a lot of baristas use them at home and offices have them ready to go. When done right, many people find that a 4 cup coffee maker is the sort of compact, easy to use product that once you start using, you can’t live without.

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