Mr. Coffee 5-Cup Mini Brew Review

While the Mr. Coffee 5-Cup Mini Brew generally didn't score very high in our testing, yet it is affordable and simple to use. If you're a little more particular about your morning java, you can check out some other options on our best drip coffee maker review.

Performance Comparison

Brew Quality

In our temperature test, Mr. Coffee 5-Cup struggled to brew at an optimal range. Averaging 194.1°F, this coffee maker falls just shy of the desired 195°F-205°F suggested by the SCA, leading to less flavor extraction. Couple this with the manufacturer's suggested measurement of coffee grounds, and you have a recipe for a weak cup of coffee. There is no pre-infusion option or any of the added features you might find on a higher-end model. The Mr. Coffee 5-Cup has just one switch to toggle the machine on and off, meaning it does not shut off on its own if you run out the door and forget. The basket is a mini version of the standard flat basket. However, we found that you can use a standard-size filter if you need to. There is no reusable filter included, and the water distribution across the grounds isn't very consistent. When it comes to flavor, we didn't think the Mr. Coffee 5-Cup quite measured up. If you don't mind a weaker coffee, or you like to add creamer, sugar, or other flavoring to your coffee, this might not be a big problem.

User Friendliness

The Mr. Coffee 5-cup could be considered quite user-friendly if you are basing your assessment solely on ease of use. Without any programmable settings to mess with, making coffee with this machine is pretty foolproof. Add your coffee filter, put in the grounds, pour in your water, close the lid, and flip the switch. The only potential hang-up is that the brew basket is a bit weird. At first, it wasn't very obvious which way it goes in, but once we figured that out, we were in business. With that being said, the lack of ability to personalize your coffee experience may be a glaring loss if you are used to a tastier pour-over.

There is a sneak-a-cup feature on the Mr. Coffee 5-Cup, but we noticed it tended to drip without the carafe underneath. With a hot plate warm enough to heat the coffee in the carafe, this dripping can lead to burnt coffee on the hot plate, not one of our favorite things. The water reservoir is located in the back of the machine with a lid that opens to both the water tank and the coffee grounds. Fortunately, this space is large enough that there isn't much fear of accidentally spilling water into the grounds while you're filling the machine. The hinge of the lid to the water reservoir is located on the left, so it would have to be poured right-handed. There is also an indicator window on the right-hand side so you can see how much water you're adding. Overall, the Mr. Coffee 5-Cup Mini Brew is very simple to use.

Ease of Cleaning

The Mr. Coffee 5-Cup has a dishwasher-safe glass carafe and lid, and the filter basket is also dishwasher-safe. We were a bit surprised to find the manufacturer has no recommendation for descaling. It is simply suggested to add water and run a single brew to flush the system, which won't provide the deep-cleaning power you need to keep your machine running smoothly. We also noted that the hot plate needed to be wiped down quite often as the sneak-a-cup feature tends to leak. Cleaning is a breeze, assuming you don't have to scrub burnt grounds off the hot plate, but it seems the process may not get the job done as well as some form of descaling might.

Consistency

For temperature testing and data collecting, we took the Mr. Coffee 5-Cup to sea level to get accurate readings. On average, the Mr. Coffee 5-Cup gave us 175°F carafes of coffee based on the measurement of five separate brews. As far as brewing temperature goes, this machine did not impress. With an average temperature of 194.1°F in the brew basket, we found this machine brewed at colder temperatures with each subsequent brew — the opposite of what most machines do, as they often heat up with repeated use.

Should You Buy the Mr. Coffee 5-Cup Mini Brew?

Though the Mr. Coffee 5-Cup does little to impress or set itself apart from other low-end drip coffee makers, but it isn't a horrible option for small-space living. If you are willing to compromise affordability for a less tasty coffee, this is not a bad machine to go with, but there are far better options out there — including inexpensive and small options that taste and perform better.

What Other Drip Coffee Makers Should You Consider?

We've tested a few models that are higher up on the price ladder but provide better-tasting coffee. The Black+Decker is a 5-cup machine with a little more impressive performance that results in better-tasting coffee. If you can afford to splurge just a little more, the Ninja 12-Cup is well worth the investment, offering very useful features, great ease of use, and a much more satisfying brew.