07 Best 5-Cup Coffee Makers In 2022 – Buyer’s Guide

If the smell (or thought) of a fresh cup of coffee is the only thing that gets you out of bed in the morning, you probably know the importance of a great coffee brewer.

That’s why investing in a new coffee maker can be a really big decision. But unfortunately, not everyone has the budget to buy a large machine with all the bells and whistles.

If you’re brewing for just one or two, your best bet is likely a 5 cup coffee maker.

Whether you want to downsize your coffee brewer and need a compact machine for your limited counter space, or you prefer making smaller batches of coffee in the morning, you’ll find these best 5 Cup Coffee Makers well worth the investment.

So, where should you start? Here are the 07 best 5-cup coffee makers choices to fit your budget and meet all of your caffeine needs. 

No matter your taste, there’s a good chance you’ll find a compact model on our list that’s perfect for you.

07 Best 5 Cup Coffee Makers On the Market Today

With so many options to wade through, choosing the right 5-cup coffee maker can be challenging.

Luckily, I’ve done the hard yards for you and put together a list of the best 5-cup coffee makers you can find online. You’re welcome!

Read on to find out which one is best for you!

1. Zojirushi Zutto 5-Cup Drip Coffeemaker – Best on the list

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Specs: Brand: Zojirushi | Material: Plastic | Color: Silver | Weight: 4.71 Pounds

Zojirushi is a Japanese brand known for making high-end boilers in North America, and this EC-DAC50, 5-Cup Coffee Maker is the best pick on the list of best 5-cup coffee makers. It features a compact silver exterior designed accurately for my fellow Home Baristas, and the best part is that this machine doesn’t occupy much space on kitchen counters.

The removable water reservoir is a praiseworthy feature that makes filling water a breeze. The machine functions to purify the water first, then it starts brewing. You can use the water window installed on one side of the machine for accurate filling. A steadily designed filter basket sits inside the glass carafe; therefore, it’s much more convenient to use. The coffee flavor is extracted thoroughly while brewing, enhancing the taste of the coffee.

One thing which I liked the most about this coffee maker is that it has an all-day hot plate which is very helpful as it keeps the coffee piping hot considering you want it without the burnt taste. Now that’s something not all coffee makers provide.

Instead of the Carafe basket, this machine has a filter lid that works in place of the showerhead, allowing hot water to go across the coffee grounds evenly. It’s the most compact coffee maker and can last two years or more easily if used normally. It’s also suggested to descale the machine periodically with citric acid cleaner. Assembling and removing the parts is also very easy, making cleaning no more hassle.

The machine takes about 6 minutes to brew 5 cups. The only downside with this model is the lack of auto shut off & pause functions, so you’ll have to wait until it’s finished brewing before you can pour a cup and turn off the appliance.

Overall, it’s a very great coffee maker, which is a bit expensive relative to its capacity, but it’s worth that high price with a machine that works this well!

2. Bonavita Thermal Carafe Coffee Maker  – The Runner-Up

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Specs: Brand: Bonavita | Material: Stainless Steel | Color: Stainless Steel | Weight: 5 Pounds

Made with a stainless steel body, Bonavita 5 cup is a great coffee maker that operates simply with the touch of a button, so you get to savor every toasty sip. Here is what to expect from this great coffee maker.

A pre-infusion mode comes with this model, which functions to fully soak the beans before brewing, leading to a much more robust taste. In case you leave the house in a hurry, then no need to worry as the coffee maker will shut down automatically by itself. The Thermal Carafe has pretty great heat retention as well, to keep the coffee warm for up to two hours. You might be thinking, where is the heating plate? Unfortunately, it’s not, so you’ll have to microwave it if the coffee gets cold.

As filters are the most essential parts of a coffee maker, this one uses standard #4, cone-shaped filters. Moreover, the carafe lid, filter basket, and showerhead are detachable and dishwasher safe. It’s advised to hand clean the Carafe, while other removable parts can easily be popped into the dishwasher. The plastic used is BPA free making the appliance safe from chemical components. 

Speaking of downsides, the price does bother some buyers because you can find relatively similar kinds of options at an economical price. Another noticeable downside is that you won’t be able to get the last few drops out of the Thermal Carafe, which is a bit annoying for some users.

Apart from its downsides, in terms of coffee taste and brew time, this coffee maker is well worth your money.

3. BLACK+DECKER CM0700BZ, 5-Cup Coffeemaker – Best Budget Pick 

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Specs: Brand: BLACK+DECKER | Material: Plastic | Color: Black | Weight: 1.79 Pounds

BLACK+DECKER are known for its remarkable coffee makers, and in terms of 5-cup, this BLACK+DECKER CM0100BZ is our top recommendation. Here is what you can expect from this coffee maker.

Firstly, the sneak-a-cup feature momentarily stops the coffee flow to give you a cup of coffee before the brewing process completes. A permanent, removable filter is included that is quite easy to clean; instead of using regular paper filters, this one will save you a lot of money and time. Its one-touch operation makes it highly convenient to operate, and for further peace of mind on/off indicator light is also available.

The model includes a Glass Carafe and transparent water window with measurement markings on it. It has a great Space-Saving Compact Design that is ideal to fit virtually anywhere.

Unfortunately, it’s not all the smiles and rainbows; it does come with a few flaws, like lacking an auto shut-off feature which is a must-have for some of our busy coffee aficionados. Also, the hot plate is discovered to be more prone to burning coffee than others, therefore not a good choice for keeping coffee warm all day. It’d be better to invest in a coffee mug warmer (View On Amazon) to keep your coffee warm.

4. Capresso 5-Cup Mini Drip Coffee Maker – Best for Home Baristas

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Specs: Brand: Capresso | Material: Stainless Steel, Polyprop | Color: Black & Stainless Steel | Weight: 2 Pounds

There’s a lot to like about the Capresso 5-Cup Mini Drip Coffee Maker. This small, elegant, and compact coffee maker offers a lot of versatility. You may call it the most feature-rich unit on the list.

First and foremost, the item is highly programmable; you can program your brewer a day in advance. Make sure to place the grounded coffee on the filter, a night before. This helpful feature will automate your morning routine and save some precious time before your day really begins. Another noticeable feature is the hot plate, ensuring that the coffee remains hot for 2 hours. After 2 hours, the auto shut-off will perform its task and turn off the item immediately. 

Thanks to the drip stop feature, you can take a sip even before the brew cycle completes. Just pull the Carafe up, and the filter will stop dripping coffee; after you’re done, simply place the Carafe back. Compared to other models, this one is small & fast; you can brew five cups in a short time because of the fast heating element introduced in the coffee maker. 

The GOLDTONE Filter eliminates the continuous use of those messy paper filters and is also very easy to clean. Glass Carafe comes with measurement markings too. The only drawback is that the water reservoir isn’t removable, so you have to fill water into it manually. 

If you’ve been searching for a convenient and affordable way to make a standard cup of caffeine, then the Capresso 5-Cup Coffee Maker is certainly an easier approach to brewing that ideal cup.

5. Mr. Coffee Programmable Coffee Maker – Best Small Coffee Maker

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Specs: Brand: Mr. Coffee | Material: Nylon | Color: Black | Weight: 1.56 Pounds

Mr. Coffee is one of the most famous brands in the world of coffee makers, and one key to its success has been the diversity of options and sizes available to its coffee appliances. This Mr. Coffee 5 Cup Coffee Maker is the smallest coffee maker on the list. Despite its space-saving design, Mr. Coffee’s mini- brewer also saves users precious time preparing a fantastic cup of tasty coffee. Let’s take a closer look at its features.

First of all, this machine offers programmable functions like delayed brewing. Nothing is better than waking to the scent of coffee already spreading across your kitchen, ready to be consumed; the brew-later function exactly does that. Also, the grab-a-cup feature allows you to grab a cup of coffee before the brewing cycle is finished.

The glass carafe is durable with measuring markings and an ergonomic handle. Easy to view water window also assists in minimizing the risk of overflows. The automatic shut-off feature also adds to items’ security and reliability. Note that this machine is not dishwasher safe, and it is suggested to thoroughly clean the carafe and the removable filter with hot water and mild liquid detergent after use.

Both the Capresso and Mr. Coffee Coffee Makers are at the same point in terms of functionality and pricing. But the only difference Mr. Coffee has is its small size which makes it fit nearly anywhere. 

After briefly analyzing this coffee maker, I admit that this machine is full value for your money.

6. KRUPS Simply Brew Drip Coffee Maker – Most Durable & Reliable

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Specs: Brand: KRUPS | Material: Stainless Steel | Color: Silver | Weight: 3.36 Pounds

KRUPS is a German brand known for making high-quality kitchen appliances since 1846. Their coffee makers are known for their visual appeal and their ability to last for years. There are a lot of small and mighty coffee makers by KRUPS, but for the topic, i.e., best 5-cup coffee maker, this one sits perfectly on the counter.

We start the discussion with the perfectly sized 5-cup glass carafe perfect for one or two people. The glass carafe has an aesthetic and modern design with measurement markings. It also features a great pretty large opening and an efficient handle for convenient pours and zero mess. 

Besides the Carafe, the operation is simple as well; with just a push of a button, you’ll find this brewer working. A water tank is present inside the Coffee Maker, simply remove the top and fill the tank. 

A permanent coffee filter is included; however, the unit is also compatible with #2 filter papers. You’ll also find a coffee scoop. All the parts are dishwasher safe making cleaning simplest of all. It’s automatic keep hot function is another handy feature allowing your coffee to remain hot for up to 30 minutes.

The coffee maker doesn’t offer much programmability like auto shut off or advance brew, but it does include the grab a cup feature to take a sip before the brewing ends. 

Concerning design and simplicity, this coffee maker is the best.

7. Aerolatte 5-Cup French Press Coffee Maker – Best French Press

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Specs: Brand: Aerolatte | Material: Glass | Color: Clear | Weight: 0.83 Pounds

You can not leave French Press out of the discussion regarding the best 5-cup coffee makers. On average, four percent of the coffee drinkers here in the U.S. are French Press lovers, which counts in millions. 

This Aerolatte 5-cup French Press Coffee Maker is available in multiple sizes. There are two filters included; one on the plunger and the other on the spout. Both these filters ensure that not even a single speck of ground ends up in your mug. The borosilicate glass carafe is heat-resistant and is seated on a stainless steel frame; it pops easily out of the steel frame when you’re ready to put it in the dishwasher. Furthermore, to avoid accidental spillovers, a unique water level gauge is printed on the glass. It even comes with a scoop for added precise coffee measurements. 

All of the parts are dishwasher-safe. For instance, if any part breaks or gets lost, don’t panic as you can easily replace it with the new one. However, for most of the other coffee makers, replacement parts were hard to discover.

At just $20, enjoy a delicious full-bodied cup of coffee every morning. 

Things To Keep In Mind When Choosing a 5-Cup Coffee Maker

Here are a few things you should look at when choosing the best 5-cup coffee maker. 

Carafe Type

When it comes to carafe construction, two materials are used: glass and thermal. Both carafe types have their own merits.

Most coffee makers come with glass carafes with a hot plate. Glass Carafe is obviously see-through, so it lets you monitor the coffee as it’s brewed. Glass carafes are easy to clean too and can be popped into the dishwasher. However, note that if you leave the glass pot on the plate for too long, it’ll make your coffee bitter. But, if you’re looking for a fancier and inexpensive option, go with a glass pot. 

On the other hand, a Thermal Carafe will keep your coffee warm for many hours. Since there is insulation between the walls which maintains the temperature, models that come with them don’t have a hot plate as it’s not needed. You won’t be able to see the coffee level as the sides are opaque. If you want a pot that can keep your coffee hotter for longer and don’t mind dropping some extra cash, a thermal carafe will be a better match.

Features

Suppose you couldn’t dedicate more than three brain cells to any task before 9 a.m. In that case, it is better to invest in the best 5-cup coffee maker which kinda nails the fundamentals—consistent water temperature, automatic shut-offs, bolder strength settings, easy to use, solid build— without sacrificing convenience.

Maintenance

Without proper care and maintenance, oily sludge and mineral buildup will form on your coffee maker, affecting your brew’s quality and even causing your brewer to malfunction. To keep your coffee machine in tip-top shape, you’ll want to clean your coffee maker every three to six months, depending on how often you use it.

Dimensions

To avoid any unpleasant surprises be sure to check the size and dimensions of the coffee maker you are willing to buy. If you are planning to place your coffee maker beneath your cabinet, then do consider height, to make sure it fits gently.

Filters: Paper vs Metal

Another main consideration while choosing the best 5-cup coffee maker should be the filter type. What type of filter should you use when brewing coffee? Paper filter or Reusable filter? While the answer depends on your choice, there are a few differences you should know aside from a visual difference.

Paper filters tend to trap most of the coffee oils in the filter, resulting in a brighter cup, both in appearance and flavor. Paper filters are practically mess-free as they end up in the trash day in and day out. It also means it’ll cost more over time.

Reusable permanent filters, on the other hand, produce a more strong and more robust cup of coffee with a darker, more cloudy appearance. They let the coffee oils and micro-fines pass into the cup, which settles at the bottom of the cup. They help cut down on waste and reduce carbon footprint. They are better for the environment. They are cost-effective in the long run but are messy when it comes to clean up.

Final Verdict:

And with that, our review on the best 5-cup coffee makers came to an end. Now that you have brief info on how to choose the best 5-cup coffee maker, it’s time for you to choose a coffee maker that’s both aesthetically pleasing and highly functional.

Considering our top picks, the Zojirushi Zutto 5-cup Coffee Maker is our most recommended choice for overall design, performance, and operation. But if you’re looking for a more affordable option, go with the Black+Decker 5-cup Coffee Maker.

Stay Caffeinated!

Taimoor S.

Taimoor followed his passion to become a coffee connoisseur and now travels the world to visit the most popular coffee shops. His cupboard is also stocked with a collection of brewing gadgets. He loves to drink Death Wish Coffee’s dark roast and highly caffeinated coffee grounds when he needs a boost of energy.