Short on time? Our top pick is the AMASTE Drip Coffee Maker.
Do you live with a partner?
Do they share your love for great coffee?
Are you looking for a coffee maker that brews the perfect amount for two people?
If the answer is yes, then I have the perfect machine for you – a 5 cup coffee maker!
This thing will make just the right amount you need, so you can forget about throwing away coffee that’s gone cold.
Or drinking it anyway when it’s cold and disgusting, if you struggle with letting things go, like me.
I’ve done a lot of in-depth research, compared different features and selected a list of models that stand out from the crowd.
If you want to find out more about the best 5 cup coffee maker on the market, read on!
Best 5 Cup Coffee Maker: Our Top 5 Choices
- AMASTE Drip Coffee Maker (Best Overall 5 Cup Coffee Maker)
- KRUPS Simply Brew Compact Filter Drip Coffee Maker (Best Durable 5 Cup Coffee Maker)
- BLACK+DECKER 5 Cup Coffeemaker (Best Budget Friendly Option)
- Zojirushi EC-DAC50 Zutto 5-Cup Drip Coffeemaker (Best Space Saving Design)
- Capresso 5 Cup Mini Drip Coffee Maker (Best Programmable)
AMASTE Drip Coffee Maker
Mid-century modern design is more popular than ever. If that’s your esthetic, you’ll definitely love this model by Amaste.
It comes in 4 color options – black, red, apricot orange and matcha green. Let’s face it: having options is always a plus.
This machine not only looks cool, it has some cool features, too.
For instance, it lets you adjust the strength of your coffee. This feature is not something you often see in machines of this size and in this price range.
After brewing, the warming plate keeps the coffee warm for the next 30 minutes. After that, the appliance shuts down. This means you don’t have to worry about whether you’ve left the coffee maker on once you’ve headed out of the house.
Pros
- You can choose between mild, medium or strong coffee
- The coffee maker shuts down after 30 minutes of idleness
- There are 4 color options, so you can pick one that matches your kitchen
- It’s quiet, so it won’t rupture your eardrums first thing in the morning
Cons
- The plastic construction might not be as durable as some other models on this list
KRUPS Simply Brew Compact Filter Drip Coffee Maker
The first thing you notice about this Krups coffee machine is the design.
It’s made of steel, and for a machine in this price range, that’s quite impressive.
It works with a single press of a button. And it’s rather fast – it brews a full carafe of coffee in just 5 minutes.
But if you’re too impatient, a Pause & Serve option allows you to grab a cup during the brewing cycle.
The hot plate keeps your coffee warm for 1 hour, after which it shuts down automatically. But, the machine itself doesn’t turn off, so you’ll have to do it yourself.
Unless you want to end up with a huge electricity bill, that is.
One great thing about this machine is the fact that it’s easy to clean. The carafe, lid, and removable filter basket are dishwasher safe on the top rack. Still, I’d recommend washing them on a delicate cycle such as the glassware setting, to minimize the risk of the plastic parts deforming.
Pros
- Comes with a reusable coffee filter and a measuring spoon for pouring the desired amount of ground coffee into the machine
- The warming plate keeps your coffee warm for up to 1 hour before it shuts down automatically
- All the accessories are dishwasher safe
- A large water tank door opening makes it easy to refill
Cons
- At the price it’s sold at, it should have an auto shutdown feature
BLACK+DECKER 5 Cup Coffeemaker
This Black+Decker model is ideal for RVs, offices and small kitchens.
In fact, it’s a perfect gift for a student.
Personal study fuel generator that fits in a dorm?
Man, I sure wish I had that during college.
It’s simple to use, too. There’s a single button – that’s it. You press it, and it starts brewing your coffee into a carafe.
Speaking of which – this is one of the most beautiful carafes I’ve ever seen. They’re usually either round or cylindrical, but this one is conical, and it looks quite elegant.
But it’s practical too. It has a comfortable grip handle and anti-drip design, so you’ll never spill your coffee while you’re pouring it.
It also features a hot plate to keep your coffee warm. But beware – this one gets rather hot, so you don’t want to keep it on for too long. Otherwise, your coffee will taste burnt.
And since there’s no auto shutdown feature, you need to remember to do it yourself.
Pros
- This model comes with a 2-year warranty
- The removable filter basket, carafe and carafe lid can be washed on the top rack of the dishwasher
- It’s rather compact, which makes it suitable for small counter spaces
- The hot plate keeps your coffee warm until you turn off the machine
Cons
- Both the machine and hot plate are switched on and off with a single button
Zojirushi EC-DAC50 Zutto 5-Cup Drip Coffeemaker
No matter how cramped your counters are, you’ll barely notice this thing. This Zojirushi coffee maker has such a tiny footprint, you can fit it basically anywhere.
One thing I love about this machine is that the water reservoir is removable. You can take it out and rinse it in the sink, which is way easier than running a deep cleaning process with vinegar.
Although, you’ll want to do one of those from time to time as well.
Another great thing about this appliance is that it comes with a charcoal water filter.
This purifies your water and assures you get the best tasting coffee possible. It lasts around 2 years, after which you should replace it.
Unlike most coffee makers, this model keeps the warming plate on until you shut the whole thing down. While this can be useful, you need to remember to turn it off after some time. If you leave it on for too long, it’ll make your coffee taste atrocious.
Pros
- Comes with a charcoal water filter that purifies water and improves coffee taste
- Keeps your coffee warm until you turn it off
- The water tank is removable for easy filling and cleaning
- Comes with a 1-year limited warranty on defects in materials and workmanship
Cons
- Expensive compared to other models on this list
Capresso 5 Cup Mini Drip Coffee Maker
Programmability is one of my favorite perks because it makes those heavy-eyed mornings so easy.
Capresso Mini Drip coffee maker has an extra handy 24-h programmable Auto-On option. You can set it up in advance, and have a carafe full of coffee waiting for you in the morning.
Plus, it has an Auto-off feature, meaning the machine will turn off after 2 hours. So when you run out of the house late for work, you don’t need to worry about turning off the coffee maker.
But, I have to disappoint you a bit.
Although there is a Drip-stop feature that should allow you to steal a cup while the machine is still brewing, it doesn’t really work well. You will end up with coffee dripping a bit on your hot plate anyway.
Another downside is that 5-cups have a smaller brew volume (25 oz). So, if you like to drink large cups or fill out the travel mug, you will empty the carafe very soon.
Pros
- Programmable, so you can set up the brewing 24h in advance
- It’s great for small kitchen counters because it’s compact
- Comes with a reusable gold-tone filter, meaning you don’t need to buy paper filters
- It has a low wattage, which means you will save on your electricity bill
Cons
- Despite the Drip-stop option, the machine keeps dripping a bit when you remove the carafe
- Small brew volume means you don’t get 5 large cups with this coffee maker
Buying Guide
There are tons of different 5 cup coffee makers on the market.
Some are pretty simple, others have tons of buttons that make you feel like you’re operating a plane.
Let’s start with the basics.
Here are some features and characteristics to keep an eye on when picking the perfect model.
Filters
Coffee filters come in two shapes – coned and flat-bottomed.
Cone filters are narrow, so when you pour water over them, it passes evenly through the coffee grounds. With flat-bottomed filters, the coffee grounds are spread over a larger area, so not all of the grounds will have equal contact with the water.
Does that mean that cone filters are better than flat-bottomed ones?
In this case, not really.
There’s not enough space in a cone filter for the amount of ground coffee you need to fill that carafe. That’s why most 5 cup coffee makers have a flat-bottomed filter.
Nowadays, most models come with a reusable filter, which is eco-friendly and convenient. This type of filter also lets some oils and micro-fines through, which makes a more bold and rich-bodied brew.
Certain models, however, use paper filters.
These are affordable, but the expenses add up over time. That’s especially true for people who drink coffee religiously throughout the entire day.
They filter way more debris and oils from the grounds, resulting in a bright, light-flavored cup of your favorite drink.
Carafe
A carafe is one of the most important features of a coffee maker. There are three things you want it to be – durable, easy to clean and easy to pour.
Generally, there are two options when it comes to carafe materials.
Glass is the standard option. It looks good and it lets you see precisely how much coffee you have left inside. It’s also affordable and easy to clean.
But it’s not the best option for keeping your coffee warm.
A stainless steel carafe, or thermal carafe, on the other hand, is a more expensive option. And in my opinion, worth every penny. This material is great for retaining heat, all the while being cool to the touch. There’s simply no chance of burning yourself by touching the carafe’s outer body.
Sure, there’s always a catch.
A stainless steel carafe is more difficult to clean than a glass carafe, but not by a large margin.
With all this being said, you should know that most 5 cup coffee makers come with a glass carafe. This is mainly to keep them affordable to everyone.
Size
The amount of space you have on your counters is definitely a key factor when picking the right coffee maker.
Well, unless you like keeping it in the box and stored away every time you’re not using it.
But what’s the point in that?
Before you buy a machine, measure the space you have on your counters for it. Then, find a model that’s the best fit for your kitchen.
Consider buying an under cabinet coffee maker to save space on your counter.
If you want a larger amount of coffee, cosider buying an 8 cup coffee maker instead.
Brewing Time
Generally, it takes anywhere from 5 to 12 minutes to make a full carafe of freshly brewed coffee with a 5 cup machine.
The difference doesn’t sound like a lot. But anyone that doesn’t utter a single word in the morning before they’ve had their first cup of coffee will certainly disagree.
If this scenario seems familiar, then this factor is definitely worth considering.
Programmability
Most 5 cup coffee makers work on a 1-button principle.
Considering how affordable they are, this is no surprise.
But that doesn’t mean you can’t find a model that’s programmable, even in this price range.
A programmable machine lets you set a timer up to 24 hours in advance. So if you want a cup of freshly brewed coffee as soon as you wake up tomorrow, you can have it.
Automatic Features
Certain models have some rather practical automatic features.
Auto shutdown is definitely my favorite one. This means the machine goes off automatically after a certain time of idleness. Some models even let you set up how long of an interval you want it to be.
No more worries about forgetting to turn your appliances off before leaving the house!
Anti-drip is another cool feature. It stops the coffee from dripping when you remove the carafe in the middle of the brewing process.
Basically, it allows you to fill a cup mid-brew, which is really handy if you’re short of time.
Power Consumption
These tiny machines don’t use as much power as your oven, for example. But leaving one on for a long time will definitely get you a higher electric bill.
How do I know this?
Because forgetting to turn off appliances is definitely my thing. Well, it was until I switched to those with auto shutdown.
Does power consumption worry you for the same reason it used to worry me?
Get a model with an automatic shutdown feature, and never worry about wasting energy again.
Design
Let’s be real, design matters a lot.
No one wants an ugly-looking appliance sitting on their counter for everyone to see.
Most 5 cup coffee makers are made of plastic, steel or a combination of the two.
I have to admit – I was surprised to see how many different styles can be achieved with either or the combination of those two materials. Modern, retro, minimalistic, Barbie pink… whatever your style is, you can bet there’s a model on the market that complements your esthetic.
The Final Verdict
There are tons of amazing 5 cup coffee makers on the market, so making a choice is not easy.
AMASTE Drip Coffee Maker comes first on this list because it has some amazing features.
You can adjust the strength of your coffee and choose between 4 colors of this retro-designed machine to match your kitchen. Plus – it’s fairly quiet and it automatically switches off after 30 minutes for your convenience.
But if the retro design isn’t your thing, there are other models on this list and they’re all worth checking out.
Whichever you choose, you’ll surely be happy with it.
