Capacity
INTERFACE
 
Best Overall
1
Mr. Coffee Simple Brew Coffee Maker Review
Mr. Coffee Simple Brew Coffee Maker
Capacity
4 Cubic Feet
INTERFACE
2.87 Pounds
Runner Up
2
Gevi 4-Cup Coffee Maker Review
Gevi 4-Cup Coffee Maker
Capacity
600 Milliliters
INTERFACE
2.00 Pounds
Alternative
3
Cuisinart DCC-450BK 4-Cup Coffee Maker Review
Cuisinart DCC-450BK 4-Cup Coffee Maker
Capacity
4 Cups
INTERFACE
3.25 Pounds
Alternative
4
BOSCARE Coffee Maker Review
BOSCARE Coffee Maker
Capacity
4 Cups
INTERFACE
2.29 Pounds
Alternative
5
Zojirushi EC-DAC50 Zutto Coffee Maker Review
Zojirushi EC-DAC50 Zutto Coffee Maker
Capacity
5 Cups
INTERFACE
4.66 Pounds

Choosing the best 4 cup coffee maker isn’t complicated if you know what to look for.

Don’t know the first thing about finding the best small drip coffee maker?

No worries.

This review got you covered.

We’ll show you the best rated 4 cup coffee maker in the most common categories to help you pick one that suits your style.

Enough talk already. Let’s get to brewing!

Best 4 Cup Coffee Maker

1

Mr. Coffee Simple Brew Coffee Maker

Best Overall
Mr. Coffee Simple Brew Coffee Maker Review

Want a no-frills 4 cup drip coffee brewing machine that makes life easier? Mr. Coffee Simple Brew Coffee Maker should be on your radar. It doesn’t have all the selection of features you’ll find in larger 12-cup versions. But how many of those fancy buttons and functions do we really use anyway?

Mr. Coffee’s offering is an ideal choice if you live alone. Yes, it is a “4-cup” coffee machine, but don’t expect this cute machine to make four normal-size cups of joe! With this coffee maker, 1 cup equals 5 ounces.

You can actually get about 1 1/2 mugs of coffee from this model, making it great for solo households and those who want only that much coffee in the office.

The simplistic 4-cup coffee maker model is equipped with an easy on/off switch and has a clearly visible indicator light that tells you when the machine is in action or reminds you to shut it off.

If you’re like most people who’d like to grab a cup before the full brewing cycle is complete, Mr. Coffee will automatically pause the machine so you can pour freely.

And the best part? Brewing resumes when you put the carafe back in position.

You can easily monitor the water level from the dual water window. This minimizes the chance of overfilling. At only 2.8 pounds, this is one of the lightest 4-cup coffee makers available on the market.

Cleaning the coffee maker is a breeze, and that’s mostly because the basket filter lifts out easily so you can properly give the machine a quick rub down.

Featured Specs

Water Tank Capacity4 Cubic Feet
Keep WarmStain-resistant warming plate
Pause FeatureGrab-A-Cup Auto Pause
9.6Expert Score
Buying advice
  • Lightweight design
  • Great for travelers
  • User-friendly coffee maker
  • Highly efficient
  • Removable filter basket for easy cleaning
  • Uses paper filters

Buying Advice

Like to travel a lot but don’t want to miss out on making your own great-tasting coffee? You might want to go with Mr. Coffee Simple Brew Coffee Maker.

It is portable and lightweight, making it a great travel-friendly option.

Besides, it is a no-nonsense coffee maker. Nothing complicated, just add your coffee and brew!

Important information
Safety Information
The US labels this product according to standards, and its ingredients, labeling, and allergen warnings may differ from similar products sold elsewhere.
Legal disclaimer
The FDA has not evaluated dietary supplement statements, and they cannot detect, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition.
2

Gevi 4-Cup Coffee Maker

Runner Up
Gevi 4-Cup Coffee Maker Review

Gevi offers a compact 4-cup coffee maker in a sleek, eye-catching design that’s a great addition to any modern kitchen. The machine is easy to operate.

Even if you’ve not used a coffee maker before, all you need to do is press the on/off button, sit back and let the machine brew your cup of coffee.

With this model, you can be sure of getting a warm cup of coffee at all times. Gevi designed the coffee maker with a 2-hour keep-warm function so you can enjoy a warm sip every now and then.

And if you need to take a quick sip before brewing is complete, the machine has an auto pause feature that lets you do so.

You’ll save a few bucks on filter replacement, thanks to the reusable filter.

But that’s not all.

There is no fear of damaging your coffee machine with Gevi’s model. The machine will automatically shut itself off even if you forget to turn it off before leaving home.

We like that the manufacturer equipped this model with a swing-out brew basket. This is easier to access than a top-load basket.

Simply swing it out from the front of the machine so you can easily clean the coffee maker. Also, you can clean the detachable filter, coffee pot, and funnel in a dishwasher.

Featured Specs

Water Tank Capacity600ml
Keep Warm120 Minutes Keep-Warm Function
Pause FeatureGrab-A-Cup Auto Pause

Buying Advice

The Gevi 4-cup Coffee Maker might not come with a steep price tag, but it is a fine and elegant-looking machine that will match most modern kitchen décor.

It is easy to operate, lasts long, and works great, too!

9.4Expert Score
Buying advice
  • Keeps coffee warm for up to 2 hours
  • Beautiful stainless steel design
  • Basket comes off easily for quick cleaning
  • Comes with a reusable filter
  • One-touch control for easy operation
  • Tends to spill easily due to the carafe’s edge design
Important information
Safety Information
The US labels this product according to standards, and its ingredients, labeling, and allergen warnings may differ from similar products sold elsewhere.
Legal disclaimer
The FDA has not evaluated dietary supplement statements, and they cannot detect, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition.
3

Cuisinart DCC-450BK 4-Cup Coffee Maker

Alternative
Cuisinart DCC-450BK 4-Cup Coffee Maker Review

From Cuisinart comes this easy-to-operate 4-cup coffee maker that many coffee drinkers love.

It is offered at a lower price, yet it is feature-packed.

First, you don’t have to worry about damaging the machine even if you forget to turn it off before heading out.

That’s all thanks to the automatic shut off function that turns itself off after 30 minutes of inactivity.

This makes it an excellent pick for busy individuals who are likely to rush into their day without remembering to turn off their coffee makers.

And if you are in a hurry and can’t wait until the end of the brew cycle, the 4-cup coffee maker’s pause feature lets you sneak your cup away and enjoy your coffee before brewing is complete.

Although the machine is slightly on the taller side, it is compact enough to fit on most kitchen countertops in small households.

For extra convenience, the machine comes with a dripless pour spout so you don’t have to worry about spilling your precious coffee.

The ergonomic handle combined with a knuckle guard means pouring coffee is even more convenient.

But you don’t have to worry about the machine or carafe slipping off. This cute little machine is constructed using stainless steel from top to bottom.

Even the carafe is stainless steel!

That means you won’t have to spend money on a replacement carafe for a long time.

Featured Specs

Water Tank Capacity 0.37 Cubic Feet
Keep Warm 30 minutes automatic shutoff
Pause Feature Brew Pause

Buying Advice

Consider this option if you want the best 4-cup coffee maker with auto shut off functionality.

Also, the stainless steel carafe can’t easily be damaged. This makes Cuisinart’s offering a great pick for those who want to conveniently make coffee without worrying about breaking their carafe.

9.1Expert Score
Buying advice
  • Easy to operate
  • Reasonably priced model
  • Shatterproof carafe
  • Top to bottom sleek stainless steel construction
  • Automatic shutoff function
  • Paint may come off after a while
Important information
Please prime the machine before using it for the first time, as mentioned in the instruction manual.
Safety Information
The US labels this product according to standards, and its ingredients, labeling, and allergen warnings may differ from similar products sold elsewhere.
Legal disclaimer
The FDA has not evaluated dietary supplement statements, and they cannot detect, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition.
4

BOSCARE Coffee Maker

Alternative
BOSCARE Coffee Maker Review

This Boscare model might be what you’re looking for if you want a very affordable 4-cup coffee maker that doesn’t compromise quality.

It comes with just about everything you’ll want in the best 4 cup drip coffee maker.

Instead of merely equipping the machine with an automatic shut off feature, Boscare took things a step farther with the boil-dry protection feature.

the machine will automatically stop brewing if the temperature goes too high or if the water tank becomes empty.

This means you don’t have to worry about damaging your coffee maker even if you forget to add enough water to the reservoir.

Operating the machine is easy-peasy. Simply press the on/off button and enjoy your flavorful coffee in a matter of minutes.

And when it comes time for cleaning, you can easily detach the filter, coffee pot, and funnel. For extra convenience, the parts are all dishwasher safe.

Featured Specs

Water Tank Capacity600ml
Keep Warm40 Minutes Keep-Warm Function
Pause Feature30 seconds Auto Pause
8.7Expert Score
Buying advice
  • Affordable price point
  • Easy to operate
  • Automatically stops working when the water tank is empty
  • Auto pause feature
  • Strain-restrain warming plate to keep your coffee warm
  • The carafe is cheap plastic

Buying Advice

This is an excellent budget option. It works great and is simply a steal at its current price.

Important information
Safety Information
According to standards, the US labels this product and may differ from similar products sold elsewhere in terms of ingredients, labeling, and allergen warnings.
Legal disclaimer
The FDA has not evaluated dietary supplement statements, and they cannot detect, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition.
5

Zojirushi EC-DAC50 Zutto Coffee Maker

Alternative
Zojirushi EC-DAC50 Zutto Coffee Maker Review

Want a high-end small coffee maker? Check out the Zutto 5-Cup Drip Coffee Maker by Zojirushi.

No, we are not recommending this model for its programmability – it doesn’t have such functionality.

But it produces great-tasting coffee!

The secret lies with the built-in charcoal filter that purifies the water and lets it pass evenly through the coffee grounds.

With this coffee maker, you can enjoy warm coffee every time. The automatic keep-warm feature makes sure of this.

The machine has a small footprint so it won’t take up a lot of space on your counter. Even the water reservoir is concealed inside the unit to make it very compact.

Featured Specs

Water Tank Capacity675ml
Keep WarmAutomatic Keep Warm
Pause FeatureNo
8.5Expert Score
Buying advice
  • No-frills, space-saving design
  • Easy to maintain
  • Brews very fast
  • Built-in cone filter
  • Durable design will brew coffee for several years
  • Standard coffee filters won’t fit this model

Buying Advice

Zojirushi doesn’t have all the bells and whistles you’ll find with many other models. But it is a fantastic pick if you are in the market for a highly functional analog coffee maker.

It makes great-tasting coffee very efficiently, and that’s what matters most. Keep in mind that it comes with a higher price tag.

Important information
Safety Information
US regulations label this product according to standard and may differ from similar products sold elsewhere in terms of ingredients, labeling, and allergen warnings.
Legal disclaimer
The FDA has not evaluated dietary supplement statements, and they cannot detect, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition.

4 Cup Coffee Maker FAQ

Can you make more than 4 cups of coffee in a 4cup coffee maker?

coffe brewer for more cups

A 4-cup coffee maker doesn’t brew exactly four full cups of coffee in one go.

In the real sense of the word, the name “4-cups” is a misnomer. That’s because even the best quality 4 cup coffee maker brews about 20 ounces of coffee at a time.

That’s only enough to fill one large travel mug or two standard-sized coffee mugs. Of course, you can make more than four cups of coffee in a 4-cup coffee maker, but not at a time.

The units are typically small and generally take up the least space on your countertop. They are designed to help you grab a quick cup of coffee but nothing more.

How to descale a 4 cup coffee maker?

The process of descaling a 4-cup coffee maker is the same for just about any coffee maker, regardless of size or capacity.

But first, it is important to understand the difference between descaling and cleaning a coffee maker.

Cleaning a coffee pot or machine simply requires the use of water and probably any safe cleaning agent to remove and rinse out loose debris.

On the other hand, to descale means removing mineral buildup typically caused by hard water over time. So, how do you know when to descale your 4-cup coffee maker?

Here are some of the most obvious signs:

  • Visible limescale or mineral buildup on parts of the coffee machine
  • Your machine takes longer time than usual to brew a cup of coffee
  • Moldy smells from the coffee maker
  • Brewed batch is far less than what you usually have
  • Extra granules or grounds in the brewed cup

With some coffee makers, you might even see a red indicator light warning you it’s time to do a thorough cleaning.

If you notice any of the above, merely rinsing out your coffee maker won’t cut the deal. Luckily, you can descale the machine using the following steps:

  1. Take out the carafe, empty and rinse it.
  2. Remove any coffee grounds from the coffee maker and dispose of them properly (not down the sink!).
  3. Pour the descaler solution into the water chamber until halfway and top it off with water.
  4. Put the carafe back in place and run the machine.
  5. Turn off the coffee maker about halfway through the brew cycle. Allow the solution to sit for an hour.
  6. Now, complete the brew cycle, pour out the descaler and water mixture, and rinse the carafe.
  7. Next, fill the water chamber with fresh, clean water and run the machine for a full cycle.
  8. Allow the coffee maker to cool down a bit and repeat the rinsing process one or two more times for a thorough rinse.

Keep in mind that you can use vinegar to clean your coffee maker instead of a commercial descaler. The process is the same and using vinegar is usually cheaper.

But there’s a catch.

Using vinegar may void your warranty, as some manufacturers may only honor the warranty claim if you use descaler.

In any case, the best way to minimize the need to descale your 4-cup coffee maker is to avoid the use of tap water for brewing. Instead, opt for spring or bottled water when making coffee.

What type of filters does a 4 cup coffee maker use?

coffe maker filtar

As with most things about brewing a cup of coffee, there are varying and usually strong opinions about the coffee filters.

It doesn’t matter whether you use a 4, 8, 10, or 12-cup coffee maker, there is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to choosing the “best” coffee filter.

A coffee filter might seem so simple, but the options can be overwhelming. You’ll have to decide whether you want paper or metal filters, a basket or cone, and bleached or unbleached.

Here’s a quick rundown of the different considerations to help you figure out which option works best for you.

Coffee Filter Material

Metal: If you’ll like to have a full-flavored taste and smell from each sip of your coffee, a metal filter might be your best option. It doesn’t absorb any of the coffee oils due to its metal mesh structure, and it is environmentally friendly. Plus, they can last for a very long time.

But metal filters have larger pores so you might get tiny coffee grounds that may pass through the filters and collect at the bottom of your cup. This can cause a slightly heavier mouthfeel.

Paper: These are the most common coffee filters you’ll find. They are disposable, cheap, and easy to obtain. Paper filters tend to absorb a small amount of flavorful coffee oils.

With a paper option, you have bleached and unbleached filters.

Bleached filters are typically white and may not be the healthiest option both for you and the environment owing to the manufacturing process. Unbleached filters are usually brownish and are more environmentally friendly.

Coffee Filter Shape

  1. Cone: A cone coffee filter that resembles a little hat is a fantastic choice if you have a manual coffee machine. For automatic brewers, you should consider getting a cone filter that has two sides tapered into a short line.
  2. Basket: Also known as the flat-bottom filters, the basket shape filter is what readily comes to mind when most people think of coffee filters. They come in a cupcake liner shape. While they are great, most coffee aficionados tend to lean toward cone filters.

Coffee Filter Size

Figuring out the most suitable coffee filter size is a bit more straightforward. Your options include regular size and junior size.

Regular size coffee filters are designed to work with larger coffee machines that can hold above six cups of coffee.

Junior size coffee filters work best for coffee makers that produce less than six cups of coffee. Go with this size if you want the best fit for the best 4 cup coffee maker.

Conical Coffee Filter Size

If you prefer to go with a conical filter, you’ll have a more extensive size chart to choose from. The sizes are typically numbered #1, #2, #4, and #6. The numbers tell you the correct brewer to use with the filter.  

Here’s what each number on a conical coffee filter indicates:

  • Size #1 is best suited for single-serve coffee makers (whether electric or nonelectric).
  • Size #2 works for 2-cup, 4-cup, and 6-cup electric coffee makers. It is also designed for up to 2-cup nonelectric coffee makers.
  • Size #4 is suited for 8-cup to 12-cup electric coffee machines and 8-cup to 10-cup nonelectric coffee makers.
  • #6 works best for pour-over coffee makers rated for 10-cup or larger capacities.

Whats the best type of coffee for a 4 cup coffee maker?

The best type of coffee for a 4-cup coffee maker or any other coffee machine for that matter should be freshly roasted and freshly ground.

While it is okay to buy and store your coffee properly, you want to order quantities according to your consumption habit.

This means you won’t have to store the coffee for a long time before using it, as that might affect the flavor and taste.

As a general rule of thumb, a pack of 250 grams of coffee should last about a month if you drink only one cup of coffee per day.

This should help you figure out how much to order per month and when to get a fresh batch. For the best results, consider ordering weekly.

Conclusion

For small families, solo households, and even folks who travel a lot, getting the best 4 cup coffee maker they can afford is a huge relief.

If you fall into any of these categories, you don’t have to stress about maintaining a large artisan coffee maker.

But don’t let the small capacity of a typical 4-cup coffee maker fool you.

The best of these cute machines are surprisingly efficient. But getting a poorly made model can become a headache.

For this reason, we’ve selected the best options to help you start your day right.

Reference Articles

Last Updated on March 29, 2022 by Ashok Parmar

Share.

My name is Ashok Parmar, and for seven years, I worked as a warehouse manager that strictly dealt with coffee shops all around the United States.

Leave A Reply