9 Best 4-Cup Coffee Makers of 2021

Although there are many ways of getting your daily caffeine fix, nothing beats having a coffee maker at home. And for the typical small to medium size families, a 4-cup coffee maker is the best option.

The best 4-cup coffee makers are designed to be sleek and compact to ensure they take up little space in your kitchen, and they are also highly portable.

With these coffee makers, you can get at least 4 standard sized (5 or 6 ounces) cups which in most instances will be enough for 1 or 2  typical coffee drinkers.

These coffee makers will also make coffee faster than the larger and more complicated models, and they are also more affordable.

But, like with everything else, there are all kinds of 4-cup coffee makers from several brands in the market, and so this piece aims to help you pick the best with reviews and a buying guide.

9 Best 4-Cup Coffee Makers – Review

• Carafe Material: Glass
• Water Tank: 17 ounces
• Auto Off Feature: No

With a classic French press system like this 4-cup one by Bodum, making your daily cup of coffee is an effortless task as it is designed to be easy to use and with no waste.

This coffee maker is also made with durability in mind as it features a tough body, lid, and plunger which are all made from stainless steel.

The beaker is also equally durable but what makes it fantastic is that the borosilicate glass is designed to withstand high temperatures for more efficient brewing and easy handling.

Also, there is a super comfortable polypropylene handle that has an appealing matte finish to add to the elegance of the coffee maker.

Although the design of the handle and this is more so how it is joined to the beaker does not seem well thought out, it still works well and should last long enough. Also, the style of the plunger only takes some getting used to.

​2. Bodum 11055-16 – Top Quality Coffee Maker with Stunning Elegance

• Carafe Material: Stainless steel
• Water Tank: 17 ounces
• Auto Off Feature: No

Bodum makes this top-rated 4-cup coffee maker for quick and easy brewing and to ensure that you get a top quality appliance that will serve you well for many years.

The stunning elegance of the French press coffee maker ensures that it will look amazing in your kitchen, but there is still more to it besides the appealing look.

This is also a highly durable appliance made with double-walled stainless steel beaker and a stainless steel plunger. The beaker is also designed for thermal insulation, and it will help keep your coffee hot for up to 2 hours.

Because this coffee maker uses a mesh filter, you can be sure that all the rich flavors will be delivered to your cup and not absorbed by any paper filter. And there is also a long and comfortable handle for ease of use.

Cleaning it is also made super easy by the fact that this is a dishwasher-safe appliance, and so you only need to take it apart and pop it into the dishwasher.

Although there are many plastic parts on this coffee maker, they are all made to last and few will come into contact with your coffee.

• Carafe Material: Glass
• Water Tank: 24 ounces
• Auto Off Feature: No

Making coffee does not always have to be a messy and stressful process because with this automatic 4-cup coffee maker by Mr.Coffee, everything is made quick and easy.

This no-fuss appliance is one of the best 4-cup drip coffee makers out there, and it comes with an on/off indicator light that can be very handy as it makes it easy to tell when the coffee maker is on or off.

And to make things even more convenient, there is also an auto pause feature that will allow you to get a quick cup of coffee in the middle of the brewing process.

With the dual water window, visibility is also improved significantly, and so you will never have to worry about overflows.

The coffee maker also uses a removable filter basket that not only saves you cash as you do not have to buy replacement filters but also makes clean up quick and easy.

A more non-skid bottom would have been better but this coffee maker is still stable enough and remains in place. Also, the carafe opening might be relatively smaller but it is still super easy to refill and clean.

​4. Mr.Coffee DR5-RB – Smart and Simple Brewing

• Carafe Material: Glass
• Water Tank: 24 ounces
• Auto Off Feature: No

This smart and simple coffee maker by Mr. Coffee is the cheapest in our 4-cup coffee maker reviews, and so it will give you a more cost-effective way of brewing.

The coffee maker comes with an on/off indicator light that lets you know when the appliance is on or off which is always a handy feature.

But, the auto-pause feature is probably what will impress most coffee aficionados as it makes it possible to get a cup before the brewing cycle is complete.

Like with most of the other top-quality 4-cup coffee makers, Mr. Coffee also gives this one a dual water window that will prevent overflows.

There is also a stain-resistant warming plate and a removable filter basket both of which are meant to make cleaning quick and easy.

The lid design would do with some improvement, but it will not affect the performance or convenience of this coffee maker significantly.

• Carafe Material: Stainless steel
• Water Tank: 24 ounces
• Auto Off Feature: No

For the coffee lovers that prefer something more traditional and easy to use, this stovetop coffee maker will be a great buy as it makes brewing a simple process.

The coffee maker features a highly durable stainless steel construction designed to ensure that it will last for many years and with a mirror polished finish for a more appealing look.

There is also an induction base that will help to speed up the coffee preparation process and make it more energy efficient. And it is suitable for all cooking surfaces.

Handling the stovetop coffee maker is also made easier by the superior handle quality, and because this is a dishwasher-safe appliance, cleaning it is quick and easy.

When compared to others in our list, this is a more expensive coffee maker, and this is more so given the fact that it is a stovetop model. However, given its superior quality and ease of use, you can be sure of getting value for your cash.

• Carafe Material: Stainless steel
• Water Tank: 32 ounces
• Auto Off Feature: No

Primula PES-4604 is a quick and convenient stovetop coffee maker that will ensure that getting your morning cup of coffee will not take a lot of effort.

It is a well-built coffee maker that features an 18/10 stainless steel construction that also has a sleek and shiny finish.

The coffee maker is also designed to be dishwasher safe, and this means cleaning it will be quick and easy which is always what you want in a coffee maker.

Also, brewing with it is also made safer by the oversize handle that remains cool to touch even when the beaker is full of super hot coffee.

Another factor that makes this one of the best 4 cup coffee makers out there is that it is also relatively more affordable when compared to similar models.

The base is slightly concave and although this might cause some energy wastage as the contact with the stove will not be perfect, the waste is negligible as the coffee maker will still heat fast and evenly enough.

• Carafe Material: Stainless steel
• Water Tank: 20 ounces
• Auto Off Feature: Yes

With a top quality coffee maker from a leading brand like Cuisinart, you can always be confident of getting an expertly brewed and rich tasting coffee. And this is exactly what their model DDC-450 will deliver.

This Cuisinart 4-cup coffee maker will be perfect for making coffee for one person or a couple of light drinkers. The appliance is also well built with a sturdy body and highly durable stainless steel carafe.

Its carafe also features a dripless spout that will ensure pouring your coffee is not messy. To make this an even more convenient appliance, it also has a brew pause feature to allow you to pour a cup before the brewing is complete and a 30-minute auto shut-off function.

The compact size of the appliance also ensures that it will have a small footprint in your countertop, and there is also a comfortable handle on the carafe for easy handling.

Although the lifting handle will only rotate for 90 degrees, cleaning the appliance should still be easy enough once you get used to it.

• Carafe Material: Glass
• Water Tank: 20 ounces
• Auto Off Feature: No

For those that live in small houses or dorms or just don't have a lot of counter space, the compact and space saving EHC-2022 coffee maker by Maxi-Matic is a perfect choice.

Besides taking up little space, this coffee machine also makes some amazing coffee and does it faster than most others in its class.

The small 4-cup coffee maker will come with a semi-transparent reservoir with a water level indicator for easier monitoring and the carafe is also dishwasher safe for easy cleaning.

With the pause and serve function, you can easily stop the machine before it finishes brewing to pour a quick cup of coffee. And there is also a handy power indicator light.

There is a swing out filter compartment that houses a removable, washable and reusable built-in filter that will save you some money and minimize waste.

Plastic lid feels a little flimsy but this should not be a big issue given the price tag of the coffee maker and the fact that it will not affect the performance of the appliance.

• Carafe Material: Glass
• Water Tank: 32 ounces
• Auto Off Feature: No

Cold brewing always provides smoother, less bitter and less acidic coffee, and if this is what you are looking for, the Oxo Good Grips is your best choice for a 4-cup coffee maker.

It is designed with a perforated rainmaker that will ensure more optimal flavor extraction by distributing water evenly over the coffee grounds.

Also, this coffee maker uses an ultra-fine stainless steel mesh filter that is both reusable and easy to clean. And making coffee is also straightforward thanks to the brew-release switch controls.

This coffee maker has a small countertop footprint which makes it ideal for use in small spaces, and you can easily disassemble it for easy cleanup and storage.

The up to 24 hours brew time is quite long, but this should not be a deal breaker as it is typical of cold-brew coffee makers.

How to Buy the Best 4-Cup Coffee Makers

A small and compact 4-cup coffee maker is just what you need to get that perfect cup of coffee that you cannot do without. And to make sure that you choose a model that serves you well and gives you value for your cash, you need to watch out for the following things.

1. Common Types of Coffee Makers

Before you even start shopping for the best 4-cup coffee maker, you will first need to understand the different types available. By doing this you will have an idea of what will suit your needs best and hence what to look for when shopping.

Manual

Manual coffee makers are designed to give you a more hands-on approach to making your cup of coffee. They are inexpensive, highly portable and easy to master coffee makers. 

There are several coffee makers that can fall into this category such as the French press and pour-over because all will not require any electricity to make the coffee.

With a manual coffee maker, you will also get more control over elements like the temperature and steeping time.

Cold Brew

Cold brew coffee makers have been gaining popularity over the years. Many coffee aficionados love them because they produce smoother and less acidic brew than what you get with hot-water extraction.

The cold brewing process will work by steeping the coffee grounds in cold water, and it is a largely hands-off process that can take several hours or even overnight.

A typical cold brew coffee maker will consist of a few large plastic parts and a wide-mouthed and stable carafe with a lid.

Drip Coffee Maker

Drip coffee makers are some of the most popular types globally. The drip or filter coffee makers work by running hot water through coffee grounds over a filter.

Some will use paper filters that require regular replacement while others will use more permanent plastic or metal filters.

The popularity of these coffee makers stems from their convenience, affordability and their availability in various sizes and shapes.

French Press

The French press is one of the most affordable types of coffee makers as some will retail for as little as $10. Besides affordability, they are also fast and relatively easy to use.

These coffee makers provide a more traditional way of making coffee and do not have any high-tech. All you need to use them is place grounds on the pot, add hot water, wait for a few minutes and then press down the plunger.

With these coffee makers, the coffee might not be as full and rich as what you get with others, and you will often end up with some grounds floating in the cup.

Percolator

The percolators were some of the most widely used coffee makers in the USA back in the 19^th century. They are made for user convenience and safety and most will brew anywhere between 4 and 12 cups.

A percolator will consist of two sections with one being for holding water and the other for coffee grounds, and it is mostly made of aluminum, but there are also many stainless steel and copper models.

To use the coffee makers, you only need to add water and coffee grounds to the respective chambers and then put it on the heat source. The heat source can be over the stove or plugging into an outlet depending on the model.

2. Programmable

Programmability can make your coffee maker more convenient, and so it is always an important factor to watch for when picking a model.

A programmable model will allow you to set the machine to make coffee when you want it. For example, you can program it to have the coffee ready in the morning when you wake up.

With a programmable coffee maker, you can also do other things like choosing your preferred brew strength.

3. Carafe

The carafe is one of the most crucial parts of the coffee maker. And although there are several things that you should consider to ensure the model you pick has the best one, the material is by far the most important.

When it comes to the carafe material, the most popular options are plastic, glass, and stainless steel. Each of these materials will have both merits and demerits.

Plastic carafes are the most budget-friendly option, but they are also not very durable and some poor quality plastics can also have an aftertaste. Glass, on the other hand, can be fragile but does not have an aftertaste while stainless steel is the strongest and also easy to clean.

For most users, stainless steel carafes will be the best option.

4. Brew Pause Feature

Sometimes you just want a cup of coffee fast and cannot wait for the machine to complete the brewing cycle. With some 4-cup coffee makers, this should not be a problem as you can use the brew pause feature.

With the brew pause function, you only need to press the button and serve your cup of coffee before allowing the machine to continue brewing.

Although this feature is not an essential component of the 4-cup coffee makers, coffee aficionados know just how important it is, and so it is always a wise decision to go for a machine with the feature.

5. Automatic Shut Off

The auto shut off function can be a lifesaver. With the busy morning schedules and limited time, you will not always remember to switch off your coffee maker.

A 4-cup coffee maker with auto shut off will give you peace of mind even when you forget to switch off the machine and it also helps to prevent accidents.

6. Ease of Cleaning

Maintenance and cleaning are a part of owning a 4-cup coffee maker that is unavoidable. Hence, before you settle on any model, it should be quick and easy to clean.

Models with easily removable parts that are dishwasher safe are often the easiest to clean because you only need to take it apart and pop the parts into your dishwasher.

Also, a self-cleaning function is always very handy as you can quickly descale the appliance with a simple push of a button.

Conclusion

With the best 4-cup coffee maker, getting your daily dose of coffee will be a quick, easy and convenient process, and you will never need to buy the expensive coffee at your local café.

By keeping factors like carafe material, programmability and ease of cleaning in mind when shopping, it should be easy for you to choose a top quality model from the many options in the market.

And to make things even easier for you, our detailed 4-cup coffee maker reviews will provide some high-performing and top-notch recommendations.