Quick Summary: We have picked the Ninja Programmable Coffee Brewer as the top pick in our best Best 4 Cup Coffee Makers list as it has a large reservoir capacity, adjustable settings, and has many programmable options. It is equipped with a Flavor Straw, which circulates the coffee as it is being made. This keeps all of the coffee equally hot and flavorful.
There’s nothing like the smell of coffee, is there? With a 4 cup coffee maker at home, you get to enjoy that delicious scent every morning. It’s the best wake up, isn’t it?
You know coffee helps you wake up because it’s a stimulant, but did you know coffee has great health benefits? It’s a huge antioxidant, can help you burn fat, and includes essential B vitamins.
To enjoy flavorful, freshly ground coffee you want the best coffee maker. It can be hard to decide with so many on the market. That’s where Bestpickist comes in! We’ve spent ages collating the best coffee makers so your choice is easy.
As you browse, remember the important things. You might want a large reservoir capacity or a coffee maker that connects to the waterline so that you don’t have to keep refilling. A self-clean feature will save you time.
Adjustable settings need to be considered. You might want strong, bold flavors in the morning, but as the day wears on, a weaker brew might be better to ensure you get a good night’s sleep! Discover our top 10 so you can choose your ultimate coffee maker.
Quick Navigation
- 10 Best 4 Cup Coffee Makers Comparison
- Reviews of 10 Top 4 Cup Coffee Makers
- Why Choose A Small Coffee Maker?
- How to Choose the Best 4 Cup Coffee Making Machine
- Final Verdict
10 Best 4 Cup Coffee Makers Comparison
 | 1. Ninja 12 Cup Programmable Coffee Maker (Best overall)Ninja may have made a name for themselves with their blender, but don’t overlook their offering to the coffee market. The Ninja CE201 offers classic and rich brews to customize your flavor experience. A new boiler ensures your coffee will be hot using their Hot Brewing Technology. The water reservoir can be removed, making fill-up a breeze. | Read Our Review |
 | 2. Cuisinart DCC 450BK 4 Cup Coffeemaker (Best Budget)Simple yet efficient would describe the Cuisinart DCC-450BK 4-Cup coffee maker. This ultra-compact coffee maker features a unique no-burn knuckle guard to ensure you won’t burn your hand while pouring, as well as a no-mess dripless pour spout. The brew-pause ensures you can grab a cup before the brew has finished. | Read Our Review |
 | 3. Cuisinart Perfectemp Coffee Maker 14 Cup ProgrammableAlways enjoy your coffee at the exact temp you like with the Cuisinart Perfectemp Coffee Maker. The brew strength options allow you to pick between regular brew or a bold flavor profile. The programmable display offers delay-brew, self-clean, auto-shutoff, and a solo-cup setting. | Read Our Review |
 | 4. Mr. Coffee Simple Brew Coffee Maker 4 Cup Coffee MachineIf you’re looking for a simple, straight-forward coffee maker, then look no further than the Mr. Coffee Simple Brew 4 Cup Coffee Maker. This drip maker has a simple on/off switch and indicator light, as well as a grab-a-cup auto-pause trigger that allows you to snag a cup of coffee before the brew cycle is finished. | Read Our Review |
 | 5. Mr. Coffee 4 Cup Programmable Coffee MakerThe 4-Cup programmable coffee maker from Mr. Coffee offers a big flavor in a simple design. The water reservoir makes filling up easy with easy-to-see exterior measurement lines. Set your coffee maker to have your coffee ready to go first-thing with a delay brew function. Don’t miss out on the grab-a-cup auto-pause! | Read Our Review |
 | 6. Braun KF7150BK Brew Sense Drip Coffee MakerNo matter whether you like your coffee with extra bold flavor or with the beans’ natural profile, the Braun drip coffee maker will brew the same great flavor until the last drop. A series of buttons across the top allow you to customize your beverage experience along with a large backlit LCD display. | Read Our Review |
 | 7. Braun KF6050WH BrewSense Drip Coffee MakerEnjoy unique Pure Flavor Technology with the Braun BrewSense drip coffee maker. Your coffee will always be at the perfect temperature with the best flavor profile, no matter if you’re brewing a single cup or a whole carafe. A 24-hour programmable timer ensures your coffee will be ready to go when you are. | Read Our Review |
 | 8. Maxi Matic Elite Gourmet Automatic Coffee MakerThe automatic brew and drip coffeemaker from Elite Gourmet allows you to grab a cup of coffee mid-brew with the pause-and-serve function. This coffee maker features a removable, reusable metal mesh filter, as well as an extra-sturdy glass carafe with exterior printed measurement markings. | Read Our Review |
 | 9. Zojirushi EC DAC50 Zutto 5 Cup Drip CoffeemakerEnjoy up to 5 cups of coffee with the Zojirushi EC-DAC50 Zutto drip coffeemaker! The filter is designed to fit snugly directly inside the decanter, and the concealed (but removable!) water reservoir and water filter keep all the pieces neatly tucked away. Enjoy the automatic warm feature that keeps your coffee warm until you’re finished. | Read Our Review |
 | 10. 4 Cup Built In The Wall Self Filling Coffee and Hot BeverageThe Brew Express beverage system comes with a wall-mount kit that allows you to mount it directly into the wall. This gives you back your prized countertop space! Connect the machine to your water line and never worry about filling up the system again with an automatic filling water sensor. | Read Our Review |
Reviews of 10 Top 4 Cup Coffee Makers
We searched through hours of information to bring you the best one. After careful deliberation, we chose the following 10 Best 4 Cup Coffee Makers as the best based on their sizes, capabilities, ease of cleaning, and ease of use.
Best Overall
1. Ninja Programmable Coffee Brewer
What You Will Love: It has a removable reservoir and a mid-brew pause button.
The Ninja Programmable Coffee Brewer gives coffee lovers a lot of great features. On top of this list is the removable reservoir.
I cannot count the times I have made a mess using the coffee pot to fill the reservoir. With this coffee maker, you can take the reservoir off, fill it, and then reattach it. No mess to worry about.
Unfortunately, as the reservoir holds up to 60 ounces, it does get heavy when it is full. This Ninja has a flavor straw that circulates the coffee the entire time. As a result, the whole pot of coffee is an equal temperature and the heat is consistent.
You may have wondered why this machine has a 60-ounce reservoir if it is a 4 cup machine. That is because it can brew up to 12 cups, but it has a small batch for 1- 4 cups. It also has other settings such as classic and rich.
It can be programmed for up to 24 hours, and it has a mid-brew pause button that lets you pour a cup while it is brewing coffee. At about $100, it is a bit expensive, but it is totally worth it.
Pros:
- 60-ounce removable reservoir
- Adjustable settings
- Programmable
- High-quality stainless steel exterior
- Flavor straw
- Thermal flavor extraction technology
- BPA free
- Comes with a coffee scoop
Cons:
- Expensive
- Removable reservoir can be heavy when full
Best Budget
2. Cuisinart DCC- 450BK 4-Cup Coffee Maker
What You Will Love: The stainless steel carafe is shatterproof, and there is a brew-pause feature.The Cuisinart DCC- 450BK 4-Cup Coffee Maker is great for small spaces. It takes up very little counter space, but that is just one great part of it.
The stainless steel carafe is shatterproof and will keep your coffee hot as long as the warmer plate is on.
When the warmer plate turns off, which happens automatically after 30 minutes, the warmer plate and carafe cool quickly.
This results in cool coffee. If you like to take your time with your coffee, you might want to brew only one or two cups at a time.
The brew-pause feature lets you pour yourself a cup mid-cycle. Though you can make four cups with this machine, you should be aware that a cup is only 4 to 5 ounces of coffee. This means that you might not get what you consider 4 full cups with this coffee maker.
It has a dripless pour spout, and the knuckle guard can prevent burns. There is a lot to love about this compact machine, especially when it is priced under $40.
Pros:
- Good price
- Brew-pause feature
- 30-minute automatic shut off
- Stainless steel carafe
- High-quality stainless steel exterior
- Dripless pour spout
- Knuckle guard
- Compact size
Cons:
- Warmer plate and carafe may cool too quickly,
- A cup equals 4 to 5 ounces
Best Stainless Steel Coffee Maker
3. Cuisinart DCC-3200 Programmable Coffee Maker
What You Will Love: This coffee maker gives you brew strength control so you can choose a regular or a bold one.
The Cuisinart DCC-3200 Programmable Coffee Maker has some great adjustable features.
First is the auto shut off feature. You can adjust it to shut off between 0 and 4 hours, which is great since you can keep it warm as long as it takes you to drink it.
You can also adjust the keep warm temperature. It is programmable up to 24 hours in advance. Additionally, though it can make up to 14 cups of coffee, you can set it to make just 1- 4 cups. The silver and black color combination make it look modern and sleek.
The buttons and clock only add to the attractive design. It comes with a reusable gold tone filter, and it has a brew pause feature.
There are a few complaints, however. First, at around $70 and up depending on the seller, it is a little on the expensive side. The reservoir lid may not open fully, making it a little difficult to fill the reservoir.
Finally, users noticed a plastic smell and taste. This is likely just the new product smell, as many appliances have. Other users said that this smell and taste went away after a couple of uses.
Pros:
- Brew strength control for regular or bold coffee
- Programmable for 24 hours
- Self-clean
- Adjustable auto shut off and keep warm temperature
- Silver and black color combination
- Includes a clock
- High-quality stainless steel exterior
- 1- 4 cup settings or full 14 cup carafe
- Reusable gold tone filter
Cons:
- Expensive
- Reservoir lid may not open completely
- Has a plastic smell in the beginning
Best User Friendly Coffee Maker
4. Mr. Coffee Simple Brew 4-Cup Coffee Maker
What You Will Love: It is a great choice for those who just want a simple coffee maker. Sometimes, simple is the way to go. This Mr. Coffee Simple Brew 4-Cup Coffee Maker is about as simple as they come with its minimal, though great, features.
It has an on/off indicator light, and a dual water window that keeps you from overflowing the reservoir.
After one cup is brewed, it automatically pauses to give you time to pour yourself a cup. It then continues its process.
It is also very easy to keep clean. The stain resistant warming plate only needs to be wiped down. The filter is removable, so it can be rinsed out. On the downside, everything is manual. This means you actually have to get up in the morning and make your coffee.
You will not wake up to a full pot. Additionally, it uses paper filters, which is an ongoing expense- though not a large one. And since this usually runs under $30, having to buy paper filters may not be an issue for you.
Pros:
- Simple to use
- On/off indicator light
- Grab a cup auto pause
- Dual water window
- High-quality stainless steel exterior
- Removable filter basket
- Easy to clean warming plate
- Very affordable
Cons:
- Everything is manual
Best Programmable 4 Cup Coffee Maker
5. Mr. Coffee 4-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker
What You Will Love: It is a great mix of convenience and simplicity.
For those who want a simple machine but still want fresh coffee as soon as they wake up, the Mr. Coffee 4-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker is a great choice.
It is basically the Mr. Coffee Simple Brew with a couple of programmable features. It features the same on/off indicator light, removable filter basket, and dual water window.
You can pour a cup of coffee while the rest is still brewing like the Simple Brew. It also lets you make up to 4 cups of coffee at a time, but you can make as little as half a cup if that is all you want.
An additional feature is the cord storage section. It lets you put away the cord so there is less clutter on the counters. It has a Delay Brew feature that allows you to set it ahead of time so that you can wake up to fresh, aromatic coffee.
Also like the Mr.Coffee Simple Brew, this one requires paper filters, so there is an ongoing expense. At less than $50, it is very budget friendly. Coffee Simple Brew, this one requires paper filters, so there is an ongoing expense. At less than $50, it is very budget friendly.
Pros:
- Budget-friendly
- Simple yet programmable
- Delay Brew feature
- On/off indicator light
- High-quality stainless steel exterior
- Removable filter basket for easy cleaning
- Dual water window
- Cord storage
- Pause and serve feature
Cons:
- Requires paper filter
Best Drip Coffee Maker
6. Braun Brew Sense Drip Coffee Maker- Black
What You Will Love: It includes features that help you prevent mess, and you get to choose your boldness level.
The Braun Brew Sense lets you control your boldness by choosing regular or bold. It has a unique ledge that collects any condensation and puts it back into the machine.
Though it can make up to 12 cups, you can make as little as you want with the 1- 4 cup functions. The easy to read buttons, 24-hour clock and large LCD digital display make it very simple to use.
You can program it 24 hours in advance, so you can wake up to your favorite brew. Most parts are dishwasher safe, making it even easier to use and clean. You can use the pause and pour feature to snag a cup before the coffee is finished brewing.
At over $70, it is expensive, but the stainless steel and black sleek design is a sight to see on your countertop every morning.
Pros:
- Large LCD digital display
- Bold strength selector for regular or bold brew
- Some parts are dishwasher safe
- Easy to read buttons
- 24-hour clock and programmable timer
- Auto on/off
- 1- 4 cup functions
- Pause and pour feature
- Sleek design
- Stainless steel and black design
- Very user-friendly control panel
- Provides consistent flavor
Cons:
- It is pretty expensive
Runner-up for Drip Coffee Maker
7. Braun Brew Sense Drip Coffee Maker- White
What You Will Love: The gold tone filter is reusable, meaning you do not have to consistently buy paper filters.
The white Braun Brew Sense is as impressive as the black model at the lower price of around $60.
You can program it 24 hours in advance so that your coffee is ready when you awake. The auto shut off feature will automatically shut it down if it is left on for too long.
It can also make up to 12 cups but can do batches as small as 1- 4 cups. The Pure Flavor Technology is said to enhance the flavor of your coffee thanks to the gold tone filter.
This filter is reusable so you do not have the added expense of disposable filters. It, too, has an attractive design. Unfortunately, the glass carafe is said to be fragile, so handle with care. Also, the reservoir is too high for some people to reach and fill.
Pros:
- 24-hour programmable timer
- Auto shut off feature
- Easy to read clock
- 1- 4 cup setting
- Water level indicator
- Pure flavor technology to ensure the coffee is the right temperature
- Sleek and compact design
- Gold-tone filter
- Easy access control panel
- Keeps condensation in the machine
Cons:
- The glass carafe is fragile
- The reservoir is too high for many people to fill
Best for Compact Design
8. Elite Cuisine Maxi-Matic 4 Cup Coffee Maker
What You Will Love: It is simple, easy to use, and compact for small apartments, dorm rooms, RVs, and other small spaces.
The Elite Cuisine Maxi-Matic is simplicity at its finest. It has a simple on/off switch, and an LED indicator light.
The filter compartment swings out for easy access, and the filter is both removable and reusable. In fact, both the carafe and filter is dishwasher safe.
The carafe warmer plate remains warm for up to an hour after brewing is finished. The semi-transparent water tank lets you keep up with the water level, and the water tank is easy to fill.
It has the beloved pause and serves function so you do not have to wait for the whole pot to brew. The downside is that there are absolutely no programmable features, so your coffee will not be waking you up and getting you out of bed in the morning.
Pros:
- Dishwasher safe carafe and filter
- Compact for tight spaces
- Automatic carafe warmer plate
- Easy to access and easy to fill the water tank
- Very simple to use
- Removable and reusable filter
- Semi-transparent water reservoir
- High-quality stainless steel exterior
- Pause and serve
- Very affordable
Cons:
- No programming at all so there will be no coffee waiting for you in the morning
Best Coffee Maker with Removable Water Tank
9. Zojirushi Zutto Drip Coffee Maker
What You Will Love: The cone filter sits inside of the carafe, making it an even more compact machine than most others. The Zojirushi Zutto is a great coffee machine that can make up to 5 cups.
It is already a pretty compact kitchen gadget, but the cone shape filter sits inside of the carafe, making it even more compact. The silver and black design make it nice to look at. Even sloped carafe is a nice design.
It has a removable water reservoir for easy filling and a removable filter for easy cleaning. Though the water filter has to be replaced, it generally stands up to normal use for about 2 years. This uses 650 watts of energy, which is fairly light use.
It has an automatic keep warm function, and it comes with a measuring spoon and a manual for you can operate it easily. The only real downside is that at close to $100, it is an expensive option. However, since you are not constantly buying new filters, it might be worth the initial investment.
Pros:
- Very compact
- Makes up to 5 cups
- Removable water tank and filter for easy filling and cleaning
- Automatic keep warm function
- Comes with measuring spoon and manual
- 650 watt for light energy usage
- Filter lasts up to 2 years with normal use
Cons:
- Expensive
Best Auto Filling Coffee Maker
10. Brew Express 4 Cup Self-Filling Coffee System
What you will love: The ultra-slim design gives you back precious counter space while also automatically filling with water.
Never worry about filling your coffee maker with water again with the Brew Express autofill beverage system. Switch from 2-cup, single-cup, half-mug, or full-carafe mode at the simple touch of a button.
Best of all, this has been designed to take up less counter space, giving you back precious space while still enjoying a beautiful design.
Multi-Cup Design
No matter what you’re craving, the Brew Express can handle it, with different cup modes. Just put your coffee mug and select the quantity and you are done.
Autofill
Never make a mess filling up your coffee pot again with this coffee maker designed to connect directly to your water supply.
Slim Profile
This coffee pot can stand by itself, or fit directly into the wall with the included wall-mount kit.
Pros:
- Can be used for any hot beverage, such as tea, coffee, cocoa, or more.
- The auto-fill feature ensures you always have water ready to brew your favorite beverage.
- Use pods or a coffee filter!
Cons:
- Must be directly connected to the water supply.
Related: Best Coffee Makers
Why Choose a Small Coffee Maker?
If you are a coffee fanatic, you may wonder why on earth you should choose a small coffee maker. Well, how much coffee do you drink in a couple of hours?
Even my mother- a coffee addict- only drinks four cups a day. So if you only drink a few cups a day, why pay for a larger one?
You also have to consider the time frame of your coffee drinking.
Coffee will get stale in a couple of hours or less, so if it takes you longer to drink the pot than two hours, you are wasting your money making more coffee than you can drink while it’s fresh.
Additionally, small machines take up much less space and generally use much less energy. They are quicker than larger ones, so they are perfect for busy mornings, and small households.
Finally, they can be great when you want to try out different samples of new coffee.
Obviously, the size you purchase depends on your preferences, but do take into account the previously stated factors: how much coffee you drink, how much time it takes you to drink it, your household size, and your available counter space.
And if you are all about minimalism then you can go even smaller. With single serve coffee maker you just make as many cup you want; let it be 3, 4 or 5 cup a day.
How to Choose the Best 4 Cup Coffee Making Machine?
Like all good things, you have different options when it comes to coffee machines. And that, of course, can make it hard to choose one. Here is a little 101 to help you understand your options:
Coffee Maker Types
Coffee Makers and Espresso Machines are different in nature. An espresso machine forces high pressure to force water through coffee for a very short time. In contrast, coffee makers use the power of gravity to slowly pull water through the filters.
There are different types of coffee brewers and the one you choose will be a completely personal choice.
There are manual coffee makers- pretty self-explanatory. Then there are the cold brew; again self-explanatory, except you can heat the coffee after it’s made or just drinks it cold.
Moka pots are used on the stove-top, vacuum brewers use a combination of vapor pressure and a vacuum, and percolators cycle extremely hot water through coffee grounds.
The last common type of 4 or 5 cup coffee maker is the automatic drip, coffee maker. This is the one you see in most homes and restaurants. These one touch machines are extremely fast and simple to use.
Power
Though this machine may seem insignificant when it comes to the power it uses, it is always important to double check.
They can use anywhere from 300 watts to over 1400 watts.
There are energy efficient options that will help with your electric bill. The key is to simply check the energy usage before purchasing so that you are aware.
Size
While coffee makers, in general, vary in size from tiny to extra-large, 4 or 5 cup coffee makers will usually be small or medium. Because they do not make too much coffee at once, they are fairly compact.
Materials Used
4 or 5 cup coffee makers will be made with combinations of plastic, metal, and glass. These materials will affect the stability and durability of the coffee machine, so pay attention to the materials your machine is made from. Also, consider whether you want a glass carafe or stainless steel carafe.
User Friendliness
Coffe makers today are extremely user-friendly. Programmable 4 or 5 cup one touch coffee maker made making coffee even easier. You just put in your coffee beans and water and the process of coffee making will start by pressing a button. You can go from a simple on/off button to tons of buttons you have to learn to operate.
Some great characteristics are a timer, a programmable button, and a stop and pour feature. While none of those are necessary, they can be very useful.
Expenses
Of course, the initial investment in your 4 or 5 cup coffee makers can range from a store brand $10 to as much as you want to spend.
However, you also need to calculate how much you will need to spend on filters and other items throughout use.
Final Verdict: Best 4 Cup Coffee Makers
If you are a coffee lover, you likely know how important a good machine is. Finding one with the features you appreciate is important.
Whether you want a simple machine or one with all the bells and whistles, you can use this buying guide to help you pinpoint 4 cup coffee maker for you.
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