If you’re a coffee-lover, you’ll find that a good five-cup coffee maker can make enough coffee to get you through the day. And even if you have multiple coffee drinkers in the home, you should be able to brew enough coffee to satisfy everyone’s needs quickly. The best five-cup coffee makers are also easy to use and can come with programmable functionality, allowing you to brew fresh coffee even when you’re not in the kitchen.
You’ll also want to ensure that your coffee maker is easy to keep clean, especially since mineral buildup can compromise the heating elements. There are other features to consider as well, such as whether you want an auto-pause function or if you would like a hot plate, which ensures that you’re less likely to pour yourself a cup of cold coffee.
Keep reading our guide for the best five-cup coffee makers to learn more. But if you can’t decide between drip, pour-over, or a French press coffee maker, check out our best coffee maker guide.
Top 5 Cup Coffee Makers
#1 Amazon Basics 5-Cup Coffee Maker
Award: TOP PICK
WHY WE LIKE IT: It comes with a 740ml carafe that is easy to clean and is pretty easy to use thanks to its one-button operation.
- One button operation makes it easy to use
- Carafe has an anti drip spout to prevent spillage
- Can be connected to a smart switch to allow for scheduled brewing
- Carafe and reusable filter are not dishwasher safe
This AmazonBasics 5-Cup coffee maker is a compact alternative that users who prioritize a space-saving design might find worth considering. It comes with a removable filter basket composed of a soft mesh and a 740ml carafe that’s got an anti-drip spout to prevent spillage. The carafe also has an auto shut-off feature that kicks in whenever the carafe becomes too hot, and the machine’s one-button operation makes it pretty easy to deal with. When cleaning, owners are advised to hand wash the carafe and reusable filter since both are not dishwasher safe.
It does not have a programmable brewing feature built into it, but users can still schedule it to brew their coffee at a designated time by leaving it on and connecting it to a smart socket. To effectively do this, owners would have to ensure that its water tank is filled and its carafe is left in position.
#2 KRUPS Simply Brew Connect Drip Coffee Maker
Award: HONORABLE MENTION
WHY WE LIKE IT: It has a relatively compact design and a keep-warm function to ensure that brewed coffee stays warm. It is also easy to operate and has a large opening on its top for easy filling.
- Has a keep warm function
- Has a Pause and Brew feature for pouring a cup of coffee mid-brew
- One button for easy operation
- Drip tray is not removable
This Krups simply brew coffee maker is an ideal choice for a small family, thanks to its 5-cup brewing capacity. Its minimalistic design makes it great for small kitchens, and thanks to its Pause and Brew feature, users will also be able to take out the carafe mid-brew, pour themselves a cup of coffee, and put it back into the coffee machine. It comes with a permanent filter and measuring spoon so that owners can accurately measure and pour their required amount of ground coffee. Still, its drip tray is not removable to accommodate different-sized cups and mugs.
The coffee maker has a significantly large opening for easy filling, and on its side, it has a water tank window through which users will be able to note how much water is left inside before refilling. It also has a keep-warm function that ensures the brewed coffee stays nice and warm and also features a one-touch button on its side for easy operation.
#3 Mr Coffee 2134286 5-Cup Mini Brew Switch Coffee Maker
Award: BEST FOR SMALL SPACES
WHY WE LIKE IT: It is very compact and is easy to use thanks to its one-button operation. It also has a grab-a-cup function where users will be able to pour themselves a cup before it is finished brewing.
- Very compact design
- Easy to use
- Carafe is marked for easy measuring
- Left handed users have complained about a number of design flaws
The Mr. coffee 5-cup mini brew coffee maker is perfect for anyone who will appreciate its space-saving design. It has a water reservoir that can hold up to 0.7 liters of water, and thanks to its simple one-button operation, everyone should be able to use it to brew coffee. The coffee maker also has an auto-pause feature that will pause its brewing process and allow users to pour themselves a cup. However, there have been a lot of complaints, especially from left-handed users, about various design flaws that make it difficult for them to use.
This coffee maker also has an easy-view window through which users can gauge their current water level, and since its carafe has ounce marks for easy measuring, users will also be able to brew just the right amount of coffee that they need.
#4 Bonavita 5 Cup Coffee Maker
Award: BEST FOR PERFORMANCE FEATURES
WHY WE LIKE IT: It has a decent brewing time of only six minutes and a pre-infusion mode that is activated by holding down its switch for three seconds. It also comes with a thermal glass carafe.
- Optional pre-infusion mode for enhanced flavor extraction
- Stainless steel body for easy cleaning and impressive design
- Auto-off feature for switching off after brewing
- Cannot be programmed for advanced brewing
The Bonavita 5-cup coffee maker is a uniquely designed alternative with a polished metallic body and is pretty easy to use thanks to its one-button switch. The coffee maker has a reservoir that can hold up to 0.8 liters of water, which means it can brew between five and eight cups of coffee. It has one unique feature where if its one-button switch is held down for about three seconds, the machine holds water in the brewing basket for an extra 30 seconds, thereby slightly improving the flavor of freshly roasted coffee. Still, it does not have an auto-brew feature that allows for scheduled brewing.
This machine also comes with a thermal carafe that keeps brewed coffee warm, and its water outlet has a wide showerhead design that evenly distributes water over ground coffee to ensure uniform flavor extraction. To save on power costs, it also has an auto-off feature where it switches itself off after brewing, and as far as cleaning is concerned, its carafe lid, filter basket, and showerhead are all dishwasher safe.
#5 Black + Decker CM0700B 5-Cup Coffee Maker
Award: BEST FOR EASE OF USE
WHY WE LIKE IT: It has a one-button design that makes it very easy to use and a sneak-a-cup feature where users can take out the carafe and pour themselves a cup mid-brew.
- Very easy to use
- Elements are dishwasher safe
- Available in black or silver
- Drip tray is not removable
This CM0700B 5-cup coffee maker from Black and Decker is a very well-designed appliance that comes with its own carafe and filter basket. Getting it to work is as easy as flipping a switch, and thanks to its sneak a cup feature, owners will be able to take out the carafe mid-brew and pour themselves a cup of coffee, and this temporarily halts the brewing process. The coffee machine’s removable filter basket is also dishwasher safe. However, its drip tray is not removable.
With water level markings on the side of its water reservoir, users will easily be able to view just how much water is inside its water tank, and its carafe is designed with a non-drip spout to prevent pouring. The coffee machine is available in either black or silver.
#6 Elite Gourmet Automatic Brew & Drip Coffee Maker
WHY WE LIKE IT: It has a relatively compact design and an easy-view water window for users to keep an eye on the current water level. It also has an anti-drip system that allows users to pour a cup of coffee mid-brew.
- Great for small apartment or office
- Has a warming plate to keep brewed coffee warm
- Comes with a removable filter that is easy to clean
- Some might not like that it is made of plastic
This Elite Gourmet automatic brew and drip coffee maker comes with a 5 cup glass carafe for serving small groups of people. Its reusable filter is easy to take out, and since it also comes with a pause and serves feature, users will be able to pour themselves a cup of coffee mid-brew. This coffee maker has a pretty small footprint and a filter that’s easy to clean. Still, some may not like that it is made of plastic.
To make sure that brewed coffee stays warm, this coffee maker also comes with a warming plate, and thanks to an easy-view water window on the side of its water reservoir, users will always be able to keep an eye on just how much water is inside its tank.
Beginner’s Guide to 5-Cup Coffee Makers
What are 5-Cup Coffee Makers?
Five-cup coffee makers are drip coffee machines that can brew multiple cups of coffee in one session. Another nice feature of this coffee pot is that it’s usually very user-friendly, with straightforward controls that virtually anyone can use. The standard components include a water reservoir, a filter basket where coffee grounds are added, and a built-in slot for the glass carafe or pot.
These units also tend to be fairly budget-friendly since these are usually streamlined appliances with simple functionality. They tend to fall somewhere between a mini coffee maker and a full-size, 12-cup version, which helps save counter space. At a minimum, you’ll get an on/off switch to manually control brewing. But programmability is also a common feature, meaning that you can set your unit to brew coffee at set times automatically. While it is possible to get more complex five-cup coffee makers, these are the exception and not the norm for this product category.
5-Cup Coffee Makers vs. Other Drip Coffee Makers
Drip coffee makers come in a variety of configurations, including single-cup and large-capacity brewers. As with the best four-cup coffee makers, the main difference between a five-cup coffee maker and other drip coffee makers is the maximum brewing capacity in a single session. As the name implies, a five-cup coffee maker can brew up to five cups of coffee in a single setting. However, this measurement is based on the antiquated idea that a coffee cup should contain roughly five ounces of liquid. So, you can brew up to 25 ounces of coffee every time you turn on the machine.
While five-cup coffee makers don’t traditionally have extensive functionality, they work the same as other drip coffee brewers. Programmability is usually limited to creating preset brew times. In some cases, you can get five-cup coffee makers with a warming plate. In contrast, more complex drip coffee makers can sometimes come with other brewing options such as making cappuccinos, lattes, espressos, and more.
How 5-Cup Coffee Makers Work
Five-cup coffee makers brew using the drip coffee method. To operate them, you’ll add coffee grounds into either a disposable or reusable filter inside the filter basket. Before you start the brewing process, you’ll want to ensure that there’s sufficient water in the water reservoir.
Once the brewing process begins, water is drawn from the reservoir into the filter basket and warmed before the hot water is poured over the ground coffee. The result is liquid coffee that drips into a glass or stainless steel carafe. Many five-cup coffee makers are also designed to keep coffee warm after brewing.
Like other drip coffee makers, five-cup coffee makers all feature an on/off button. Many of them are also programmable, meaning you can create preset times where the coffee maker turns on and begins to brew coffee. And in some cases, you can find coffee makers that feature an auto-pause option.
This means that you can remove the carafe and pour coffee during a brewing session. The appliance will automatically detect that the carafe is gone and pause brewing until you return it to the warming plate. Another common feature is the automatic shut-off which ensures that coffee doesn’t get burned and helps conserve energy.
Why You Should Buy a 5-Cup Coffee Maker
Traditional coffee cups hold five to six ounces of liquid, but people drink significantly more than that per cup of coffee. A five-cup coffee maker can ensure that you can drink multiple cups without having to brew more coffee.
Are 5-Cup Coffee Makers Worth Buying?
- Multiple People Want Coffee: If you live in a home with numerous coffee drinkers, a five-cup coffee maker can reduce the amount of time people spend waiting for the coffee to brew.
- You’re a Frequent Coffee Drinker: Even if you’re the only coffee drinker in your home, if you regularly drink more than one cup of coffee per day, you’ll find that a multi-cup coffee maker is a wise investment.
- You Can Save Money: Going out for coffee can be a nice little luxury, but that five-dollar cup of coffee can add up — especially if you do it every day. Brewing your cup of joe at home can help you save money.
Why 5-Cup Coffee Makers May Not Be for You
- You Prefer Other Coffee Methods: Drip coffee is a standard for coffee makers, but it isn’t the only way to get your caffeine fix. For many people, the best automatic pour-over coffee makers, French presses, and even classic percolators are preferable to drip coffee.
- You Limit Your Coffee Intake: While coffee drinks have gotten larger over the years, not everyone is guzzling it by the gallon. If you prefer smaller amounts of coffee, you may find that a five-cup coffee maker is excessive.
- You’re Not a Coffee Drinker: Similar to coffee sippers, many people aren’t coffee fans. As cheap as coffee makers can be, it’s a useless expense if you don’t drink coffee or only keep one on hand for guests.
How Long Will a 5-Cup Coffee Maker Last?
Traditional drip coffee makers tend to be fairly durable, although individual experiences can vary. Typically, you can get roughly five years of use out of your five-cup coffee maker before it needs to be replaced. However, this assumes that you routinely clean and descale it and don’t abuse your appliance.
Cheaper models can have shorter lifespans, with some options barely making it to the two-year mark before it’s time to replace them. On the other hand, more premium coffee makers can often last well past the five-year timeline. Some people have reported that their coffee makers lasted as much as ten years.
Still, to get at least two to five years out of your coffee maker, you need to treat it right. At a minimum, you need to practice routine maintenance, which includes cleaning and descaling it regularly. Descaling is essential as water naturally contains minerals that can accumulate on the heating element. If left unchecked, limescale can develop on the heating elements and cause damage.
But in some scenarios, it’s best just to get a new coffee maker. Specifically, if the heating element is no longer functional or the water reservoir begins to leak or is cracked, it’s time to move on to a new five-cup coffee maker.
How to Choose the Best 5-Cup Coffee Maker
Everyone’s coffee drinking habits are different. Similarly, you need to consider whether you’re just fulfilling your coffee needs or multiple coffee drinkers in your home. And of course, additional features like programmability and budget will also be important factors as you select the right five-cup coffee maker.
Best 5-Cup Coffee Maker Key Factors to Consider
1. Is the filter permanent?
Once upon a time, the only option for coffee filters was disposable paper filters. While convenient, they were wasteful. Today, you can find drip coffee makers with a removable permanent filter. The benefit of this is that you save money since you don’t need to buy replacement filters. However, you’ll need to keep them clean.
2. Can you easily clean the unit?
To get the maximum life out of your five-cup coffee maker, you’ll want to keep it clean. At a minimum, this means cleaning the carafe regularly after every use. But it also means occasionally deep cleaning the other components like the water reservoir or filter basket. Look for models where it’s easy to get into those nooks and crannies where limescale can accumulate.
3. Can you program your coffee maker?
Programmability is a “nice to have” function that tends to be fairly common, even for budget five-cup coffee makers. At a minimum, you can program your drip coffee maker to automatically begin brewing coffee in the morning while you’re getting ready for the day. Sometimes this means you can also program other brew times — especially if you’re the type who needs a midday pick-me-up cup of coffee.
4. Can you auto-pause the brewing process?
Not all coffee makers feature auto-pause functionality, but if they do, it’s ideal for people that don’t want to wait until brewing is finished to grab a cup of coffee. With auto-pause, you can remove the carafe from the coffee maker during brewing, and the machine will automatically detect that it’s gone. Brewing will pause until you return the carafe so that you don’t deal with spills.
5. How large is the reservoir capacity?
Depending on the amount of coffee you drink in a setting, the reservoir or water tank capacity will be important. At a minimum, your coffee maker’s reservoir is designed to hold exactly five cups or 25 ounces of water. But if you’re the type who drinks more than five or six ounces of coffee per cup, you may find that you need to refill the reservoir more frequently.
6. What is the carafe material?
Typically, you’ll find that the carafes for coffee machines are made from either glass, stainless steel, or plastic. There are benefits and drawbacks to each. Stainless steel tends to offer the best heat retention but can also be hot to the touch. Glass is a common choice in terms of aesthetics but can experience heat loss faster. And while plastic can be durable and safer if dropped, there’s always a risk of chemicals leaching out into your coffee when exposed to the hot liquid.
7. What’s your budget?
While it shouldn’t be the only factor, of course, price matters. For people who only need a simple coffee maker, budget-friendly options usually include programmability and an auto shut-off feature. Meanwhile, if you want something more robust, you can find it as long as your wallet can afford it.
