Our country is addicted to coffee. And that’s not just our assumption, oh no. In fact, according to statistics, about 62% of people drink coffee every day, and 7 out of 10 drink it weekly! Seeing how much money you’d waste on buying coffee every day, maybe a couple of times, is it really that surprising that as of 2017 about 68% of people said they own a coffee maker. And that number only grows.
As you may know, there are plenty of coffee maker models; and when you have a big family or you need to make a lot of coffee at once – the most popular choice is a 4 cup coffee maker.
And finding the best 4 cup coffee maker doesn’t seem very difficult, is it? You might look up good user feedback and if it’s good just get this model, yes? Well, there’s actually a lot more to it than that. When and if you want to make a good purchase, you must be aware of the factors that can affect the functionality of your coffee maker. So in this article, we shall talk all about what makes the best small coffee maker and what are the aspects you need to pay attention to.
Why Use a Small Coffee Maker and Avoid Bulky Ones?
So you may be wondering -what’s so special about a 4 cup coffee maker anyway? Well, one of the biggest benefits of this machine is that it provides a perfect alternative to large and bulky coffee makers. Just like them, a four-cup coffee maker gives you a lot of coffee; but unlike bigger models, it doesn’t take too much space,
Besides that, a small coffee maker also does the job of brewing your coffee much faster. Who wants to wait for hours before you can have that cup of coffee in the morning? Thus, if you need to make a lot of coffee fast, but don’t have a lot of space or money, a 4 cup programmable coffee maker could be just the perfect option. It may not be able to froth milk, but it will save you a lot of space and time.
Top 5 Best 4 Cup Coffee Makers
Cuisinart DCC-450BK
Cuisinart DCC 450 BK is a sturdy and durable 4 cup coffee maker, equipped with advanced features that will make you start your day with fervor and flavor.
Its stainless steel carafe retains the heat and flavor of coffee for a very long time. This Cuisinart 4 cup coffee maker comes with a knuckle guard and dripless pour that ensures that you do not make a mess every time you make coffee.
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Bonavita BV1500TS
This 4 cup stainless steel coffee maker makes preparing coffee as easy as ABC. Its one-touch brewing option is perfect if you don’t have much time to spare every morning. Plus, this coffee maker has a very convenient auto-off feature. All and all, it is one of the best among our 4 cup coffee maker reviews list.
It has a cross-shaped shower head which ensures that water hits the coffee grounds evenly and makes the best coffee. The heater also keeps the temperature of your coffee warm for a long time. Other than that, the carafe of this best 4 cup coffee maker uses 4 cone-shaped filters, which makes it so much easier to clean.
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Mr. Coffee TF5-RB
Mr. Coffee 4 cup coffee maker is a great device for anyone who loves a good cup of coffee. It comes with an indicator that shows whether it’s on or off. Its removable filter basket ensures easy and quick cleanup. Besides that, its dual water window allows you to see when it fills the tank, preventing overflow. Moreover, this compact coffee maker comes with a feature that allows you to stop the brewing cycle if you wish to have a cup before the brewing is done.
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BLACK+DECKER CM0700BZ
The Black and Decker 5 cup coffee maker is the best affordable option you may have right now. It is compact and thus a great option for small offices, kitchens, and apartments. Its one-touch feature lets you choose the right kind of coffee each time. It has a one-piece cover and can brew 5 cups of coffee at a time. The water window ensures that there is no overflow. It also lets you pour the right amount of coffee and water according to the marked measurements. The carafe plate also keeps your coffee warm for a good couple of hours.
The filter basket is removable and dishwasher-friendly. This makes maintaining and cleaning this equipment real easy.
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AmazonBasics MA-D03A
This compact coffee maker makes a good 5 cups at a time. It does not require a paper filter for it comes with a reusable soft mesh and a removable filter basket. Its anti-drip feature also allows you to pour a cup of coffee while it’s still brewing. Moreover, you also get a one-year warranty for this 4 cup coffee maker.
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Features to Look for in 4 Cup Coffee Makers
When you want to choose only the best 4 cup coffee maker, you must pay attention to:
Carafe Material
Material is one of the most important things to keep in mind when looking for a good small coffee maker. Because the material type will determine not only the price and overall quality of the machine but also how durable it will be.
Plastic
If you are looking for something cheap and sturdy, heavy-duty plastic might be a good choice. It’s a pretty light material and makes it pretty easy to carry your machine around. But that’s about all the benefits of plastic we can name since it’s not the material we would recommend for the best small coffee maker. As you may know, there are many dangers of plastic both for your health and the environment. Thus, if possible, we always suggest going with a plastic-free coffee maker.
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel is one of the most popular materials for coffee makers. And no surprise, given that steel is very sturdy, temperature-resistant, and sleek-looking. It also keeps your coffee warm for the longest time. However, stainless steel may be a bit difficult to clean and maintain.
Glass
Glass is a luxurious material but very easy to clean and does not interfere with the flavor of your coffee even slightly. But it does not keep the coffee warm for long and is, of course, extremely fragile.
Temperature Range
The best 4 cup coffee maker must have a good temperature range. Remember – the right temperature to brew your coffee is 195 to 205 degrees Fahrenheit. Going above will ruin the flavor of your coffee and it could end up tasting bitter and burnt. Thus, you must always go for a coffee machine that brews your coffee somewhere between the recommended temperature.
Timer
While preparing our 4 cup coffee maker reviews we’ve determined that one of the most useful features of your java brewer is a timer. This feature is especially helpful if you love to wake up and drink some cup of joe right in the morning. What the timer will do, is that you set it for the time you want to make a coffee, and it will prepare it. Pretty convenient for those that don’t have much time to spare, don’t you think?
Budget
Of course, you don’t want to break the bank by purchasing your java machine. So naturally, you need to look up machines that match your budget, but also provide superb quality. But given how many high-quality coffee makers under 100 there are, finding a perfect model shouldn’t be much of a problem.
Tips to Make the Most of 4 Cup Coffee Maker
- Make sure that the water you use for your coffee is filtered. It eliminates any foreign elements that can affect the flavor, aroma, and taste of your coffee. Thus, it is best to get a coffee machine that comes with an inbuilt filter.
- Remember – even the best 4 cup coffee machine cannot give you the best coffee unless you’re using good, high-quality beans! And don’t forget that you need to store those beans properly: in an airtight vacuum container, in a dark place.
- Clean your coffee machine regularly – it will ensure that your maker stays functional and serves you for a longer time. Thus, try to clean your device at least every 2 months.
- Remember to brew only at the right temperature – it will ensure your coffee tastes rich and full.
- Don’t forget to descale your machine every 1-3 months!
Final Word
That’s all we wanted to share on the four-cup coffee maker and how to choose it! All and all, this is a pretty great device when you need a lot of coffee but don’t have too much space for a large brewer!
And when you want to find only the best 4 cup coffee maker 2023, remember to pay special attention to the materials it’s made from, as well as what features it has, and how simple it is to clean!
So, have you ever used a 4 cup coffee maker before? Or is this the first time you’re considering it?