A drip brew coffee maker is one of the easiest and most satisfying brew methods. From one touch brewing to auto pause and programmable brew cycles there are a lot of reasons to love these coffee brewers.
If you are limited in counter space or you don’t require a huge volume of coffee every time you brew then a 5-cup coffee maker is a perfect choice. These small coffee makers can brew enough hot coffee for 1-2 large cups or 5 small cups. They don’t use a lot of power and take up hardly any space. The most important point is that they brew really bold and delicious coffee and a keep warm function means you can enjoy this whenever suits you.
If you’re keen to find a high-quality coffee maker that fits your needs then we have a treat in store. Here are ten of the finest five-cup coffee makers fully reviewed so you can easily find the one that’s perfect for you.
The Best 5-Cup Coffee Makers Reviewed
- Top Choice – Bonavita 5 Cup Coffee Maker
- Runner Up – KRUPS Simply Brew Compact Filter Drip Coffee Maker
- Best Programmable Coffee Machine – Capresso 5-Cup Mini Drip Coffee Maker
- Budget Option – Mr. Coffee 5-Cup Mini Brew Switch Coffee Maker
- Best Thermal Carafe – Cuisinart DCC-450BK 4-Cup Coffeemaker
1. Top Choice – Bonavita 5 Cup Coffee Maker
Brand: Bonavita
Water Reservoir: 40 Oz
Automatic Shut-Off: Yes
Brew Pause: No
Power: 1100 Watts
The top choice has to be Bonavita with its powerful and precise 5-cup coffee maker. It has a high-quality heating element that ensures the water is heated up to the correct temperature to ensure the fullest flavor every time you brew coffee. It’s even certified by the SCA which means that this machine has passed the rigorous testing regime they set out.
It can brew five large cups of coffee thanks to the roomy, 40 Oz water reservoir. The water is delivered by a unique showerhead spout that evenly coats the coffee grounds. There’s also the option to add a pre-infusion stage to really enhance those flavor notes.
The carafe, filter basket, and showerhead are all dishwasher safe so this makes clean-up a breeze. It’s a single button to start brewing and auto-off means it won’t burn out on you. The only downside with this machine is it doesn’t have a lot of programmable extras so you can’t set it up the night before.
2. Runner Up – KRUPS Simply Brew Compact Filter Drip Coffee Maker
Brand: Krups
Water Reservoir: 42 Oz
Automatic Shut-Off: No
Brew Pause: Yes
Power: 1500 Watts
Next up, we have the Simply Brew by Krups which is a powerful little coffee machine. It has a non-drip, easy pour spout that makes it clean and mess free. It’s a top fill machine so be wary of placing this under low cabinets as you may not have room to top up the water tank. The water level window on the side lets you easily see how much you’ve added.
It comes with a reusable filter basket as well as a measuring spoon to get you started and the warming plate will keep your coffee hot for as long as you want it to. Just be mindful and don’t forget about it as this machine has no auto-off feature. Thankfully the on-button has a power light so will tell you whether it’s switched on or not.
This is a great option with a compact footprint that can brew really good-tasting coffee. The only downside is that it doesn’t have programmable auto-on settings so you can’t set it up the night before.
3. Best Programmable Coffee Machine – Capresso 5-Cup Mini Drip Coffee Maker
Brand: Capresso
Water Reservoir: 25 Oz
Automatic Shut-Off: Yes – 2 Hours
Brew Pause: Yes
Power: 650 Watts
Capresso has developed this compact little coffee maker that can do a lot more than simply brew coffee. It’s a neat-sized machine that can brew enough for 1-2 people, depending on the size of cup you enjoy best. The water tank even has a step level indicator so you can monitor the water level very easily as you top it up.
It has a built-in timer so you can program it to brew coffee whenever you want it and the 2-hour auto shut-off means it will switch off when the brewing stage is complete. An included reusable gold tone filter means you have the option of using this or paper filters if you prefer.
The brew pause option lets you sneak a quick cup of coffee before it’s finished the complete brewing cycle. Overall this is a really effective little coffee maker that’s also very budget friendly!
4. Budget Option – Mr. Coffee 5-Cup Mini Brew Switch Coffee Maker
Brand: Mr. Coffee
Water Reservoir: 25 Oz
Automatic Shut-Off: No
Brew Pause: Yes
Power: 650 Watts
A lot of 5-cup coffee makers fit well into a tight budget but this Mr. Coffee Mini Brew takes it a step further. It’s an incredibly inexpensive way to brew rich-tasting coffee from the comfort of your own home.
It can brew a single-serve up to five small cups of coffee and the brew pause is handy for any impatient coffee drinkers. There’s a water window so you can easily check the levels in the tank and the filter basket lifts out for easy cleaning.
The glass carafe is ergonomic by design which adds to the user experience with this machine. It doesn’t have an auto shut-off option so take care to monitor this one and don’t forget about it when you switch it on!
5. Best Thermal Carafe – Cuisinart DCC-450BK 4-Cup Coffeemaker
Brand: Cuisinart
Water Reservoir: 20 Oz
Automatic Shut-Off: Yes – 30 Minutes
Brew Pause: Yes
Power: 550 Watts
A thermal carafe gives you the benefit of keeping your coffee nice and hot but avoids the issue of it burning as can happen with a hotplate. This also saves power. It’s recommended to pre-heat the carafe if you want your coffee to stay as hot as possible.
It has a really low power usage but the volume of coffee it brews is slightly less than the typical 5 cup options we have been looking at so far. Each cup is considered to be roughly 5 Ounces so the maximum serving this option can do is 20 Oz.
It automatically turns off after 30 minutes of inactivity and it also has the handy brew pause feature so you can grab a quick cup at any time. There’s an indicator light as well so you can easily see if the power has been left on accidentally.
Coffee Maker Buyers Guide
Filter Types
When it comes to choosing a coffee brewer for your home there are a variety of filter types you need to consider. Some machines take flat bottom paper filters and some use cone-shaped ones. It’s a general rule that flat bottom filters allow the water to run through quicker than cone-shaped ones. If you want a more robust cup of joe, then cone-shaped is best. If you prefer milder, fruity flavors found in light roast coffee then a flat bottom filter can help accentuate these.
Some machines will also include a reusable metal filter or goldtone filter. These are permanent filters and can be washed and reused many times. Although these reusable filters are good for the environment they don’t make the best tasting coffee. The water tends to run through the coffee too quickly and doesn’t allow for optimal flavor extraction.
Carafe Design
Drip coffee makers typically come with one of two carafe designs. A glass carafe and warming plate or a stainless steel, insulated carafe. The glass option allows you to easily see how much coffee you have left and the hot plate keeps your java really warm until you are ready to enjoy it. The downside is that the hotplate can end up burning the coffee if left for too long making it taste bitter.
The stainless steel carafes remove the issue of the coffee burning after it has brewed as they keep coffee warm by insulating it. This means you can have fresh tasting coffee for many hours after the brewing cycle and you can even take it with you to work or on the school run. The downside with these options is you do need to pre-warm the coffee pot to really get the most out of it. This does means boiling the kettle and adding hot water before you start the brewing process.
Programmable Features
Awaking to a fresh cup of coffee ready brewed for you is a real luxury. A 5 cup programmable coffee maker with a timer built in can be a lifesaver on those busy mornings. If you prefer to fill the water tank and add coffee grounds the night before then look for a coffee maker with programmable features.
Some models have auto shut off which means they will turn themselves off after a peroid of time with no activity. This can help prevent it from wasting power and even burning out and breaking. The downside is that you may find your machine switches off too quickly after brewing coffee. If you like to have full control over your coffee maker then opt for one that has a customizable auto off feature.
Water Filter
Good coffee is only possible if you use nice tasting water to brew it. Filtered water not only tastes better but it also means a better extraction of coffee flavors. Filtered water prevents limescale build up on your coffee maker and can reduce the need for descaling as well. Some coffee makers come with a water filter built in but if yours doesn’t have this then consider using pre-filtered water to get the most out of your coffee maker.
Space Saving Design
A big reason a lot of people choose these kinds of coffee maker is due to their compact design. Limited countertop space does not mean you have to go without a coffee maker. the main consideration is the footprint of the machine as this will decide if you have room for it. The next thing to consider is how you fill up the coffee filter basket as well as the water tank. Top-opening machines are tricky if you want to keep the coffee maker under a low cabinet as you may find these tasks difficult. If in doubt, opt for a front, swing open basket and removable water tank to keep these tasks easy and straighforward to do.
F.A.Q.s
What are the top 5 coffee makers?
Our top 5 coffee makers for brewing five cups of coffee are the Bonavita 5 Cup Coffee Maker followed by KRUPS Simply Brew Compact Filter Drip Coffee Maker then Capresso 5-Cup Mini Drip Coffee Maker and Mr. Coffee 5-Cup Mini Brew Switch Coffee Maker and finally Cuisinart DCC-450BK 4-Cup Coffeemaker.
How do you use the Black + Decker 5-cup coffee maker?
Open the lid and fill the water tank up to the desired level using the water level window to monitor this. Add a filter paper or the reusable mesh filter if using and add coffee grounds that have been ground to a medium consistency. Use 1 level tablespoon of coffee per cup of coffee or a 1:17 ratio of coffee to water. Close lid and place carafe on warming plate. Make sure the machine is plugged in and press the power switch to on.
What is the best 5 cup coffee maker?
The top choice for a 5 cup coffee maker is the Bonavita 5 Cup Coffee Maker. It brews delicious coffee and it is certified by SCA.
Where can I buy a 5-cup coffee maker?
There are direct links to all the products listed here on Amazon. Simply click the price & reviews button under your desired option to go straight to the listing.
More Five Cup Coffee Maker Reviews
BLACK+DECKER 5-Cup Coffeemaker
Brand: Black + Decker
Water Reservoir: 25 Oz
Automatic Shut-Off: No
Brew Pause: Yes
Power: 650 Watts
Black and Decker is a popular choice when it comes to home appliances as they really know how to make quality products at a very affordable price. This 5-cup coffee maker is no exception to this rule. The space-saving design means it will fit well into any kitchen and one-touch brewing makes it very easy to use.
The sneak-a-cup, quick serve function allows you to grab some coffee if you can’t wait for the brew cycle to finish. The on/off switch has a power light so this helps you to remember to switch it off which is useful as it doesn’t have an automatic shut-off feature. Overall this is a really functional and very affordable option.
Zojirushi EC-DAC50 Zutto 5-Cup Drip Coffeemaker
Brand: Zojirushi
Water Reservoir: 25 Oz
Automatic Shut-Off: No
Brew Pause: No
Power: 650 Watts
This stylish option by Zojirushi is optimized for delicious tasting coffee. It has a built-in charcoal water filter that lasts for up to 2 years and removes impurities from the water. This leads to better-tasting coffee and a much healthier machine in the long run. The water tank is removable for easy refilling and cleaning and the automatic keep-warm function keeps your coffee piping hot as long as you need it to.
The filter basket is incorporated into the carafe which helps reduce the height of this machine making it a very compact design. It stands at just over 10 inches tall so will fit in even the most height-limited spaces.
Amazon Basics 5-Cup Coffee Maker
Brand: Amazon
Water Reservoir: 25 Oz
Automatic Shut-Off: Kind Of – Safety Feature
Brew Pause: Yes
Power: 600 Watts
Just because it’s from the Amazon Basics range does not mean this machine is best avoided. It is designed with overheat and boil-dry protection to help avoid accidental burnout. It’s compact in size and has a water level window which enhances the user experience.
It has a brew pause feature and an on/off light so you can see from a quick glance if you’ve left the machine running. There’s no auto-off apart from the boil dry protection so it’s a good idea to set an alarm to remind you to switch it off.
Holstein Housewares – 5-Cup Compact Coffee Maker
Brand: Holstein Housewares
Water Reservoir: 25 Oz
Automatic Shut-Off: No
Brew Pause: Yes
Power: 650 Watts
This drip brewer by Holstein Housewares has all you’re basic necessities for brewing coffee. With a removable filter basket and water level window, setting the machine up is very straight forwards. It even has the sought-after, brew pause feature.
The main draw of this option is the bright and cheerful colors. It comes in red, yellow, teal, and mint so you can choose an option that really suits your style. It’s very compact in design at less than 10 inches tall and it comes with a one-year warranty for peace of mind.
Elite Gourmet EHC9420 Automatic Brew & Drip Coffee Maker
Brand: Elite Gourmet
Water Reservoir: 25 Oz
Automatic Shut-Off: No
Brew Pause: Yes
Power: N/A
Last but certainly not least we have the Elite Gourmet automatic brew & drip coffee maker. It comes with the option of a reusable filter basket and the glass carafe has a spill-proof spout. The handle is ergonomically designed for easy pouring and there’s a knuckle guard to avoid burns.
Pause and serve is one of the handy features this machine has alongside the automatic keep-warm function. It doesn’t have an auto-shut-off feature so be sure you monitor this after you finish brewing your coffee. There’s no information available on the power of this machine.
Final Thoughts
So that’s it for five cup coffee makers. These little machines are so compact and easy to use you’ll struggle to remember how you ever managed without one. I hope this article has proved helpful in setting you up on your coffee brewing journey
