Living in a small apartment means every inch of counter space is prime real estate. For years, I struggled with bulky coffee makers that brewed way more coffee than I needed, leading to waste. I was tired of the clutter and the stale, leftover coffee. I needed a simple, compact, and efficient drip coffee maker that could deliver a fresh, hot cup without taking over my kitchen, and the daily waste from single-serve pods just wasn’t an option for me anymore.
A compact drip coffee machine is the perfect solution for anyone facing the problem of limited space but still craving the taste and aroma of freshly brewed coffee. These smaller units are designed to deliver just enough coffee for one or two people, eliminating the waste and counter consumption of their larger 10- or 12-cup counterparts. The ideal customer is a single person, a couple, a college student in a dorm, or anyone with a small office or kitchen. They value simplicity and efficiency over a long list of complicated features.
However, this product category isn’t for everyone. Large families or households with multiple heavy coffee drinkers will find a 5-cup capacity frustratingly small and will constantly be brewing new pots. They would be better served by a larger-capacity machine with programmable features to suit their high-volume needs. Before buying, you should consider a few key factors:
- Capacity: Be realistic about how much coffee you drink. A “cup” in coffee maker terms is typically 5-6 ounces, not a full mug. Ensure the total volume meets your daily needs.
- Footprint: Measure your available counter space, including vertical height under any cabinets.
- Features: Do you need an automatic shut-off for peace of mind? Is a reusable filter important to you for environmental and cost reasons? Do you want a pause-and-serve function for that first impatient cup?
- Carafe Type: Glass carafes let you see how much coffee is left but can lose heat, while thermal carafes keep coffee hotter for longer but are opaque.
- Compact Design: The coffee machine is great for small kitchens or offices this coffee maker brews just the right amount for 1-2 people,...
- Pause & Brew Function: Enjoy the flexibility to pour a cup mid-brew without a mess with the small drip coffee maker. This brewing...
Introducing the Krups Simply Brew
The Krups Simply Brew Stainless Steel Drip Coffee Maker 5 Cup is an elegant and straightforward solution to the small-space coffee problem. It promises to do one thing and do it well: brew a small, fresh pot of coffee with minimal fuss. Its sleek stainless steel and black plastic design gives it a modern look that blends well with most kitchen decors. When you purchase it, you get the coffee maker itself, a 5-cup glass carafe, a permanent reusable coffee filter, and a small measuring spoon. This machine is built for the minimalist who values function over frills. It’s perfect for someone who just wants to press a button and get a good cup of coffee. It is not for the tech-savvy user who wants programmable brew times, strength controls, or other advanced settings.
Pros:
- Extremely compact design is perfect for small kitchens.
- Simple one-touch button for easy operation.
- Includes a permanent filter, reducing waste and ongoing costs.
- Pause & Serve feature works without dripping.
- Keeps coffee pleasantly hot on the warming plate.
Cons:
- Lacks an automatic shut-off feature, which is a safety concern.
- The power button is awkwardly placed on the lower side.
- The carafe spout can dribble if you pour too quickly.
- ADJUSTABLE CARAFE TEMP: Our Cuisinart 14-Cup* Coffee Maker with adjustable carafe temp feature adjusts the warming plate temperature to...
- 2 BREW STYLES: Classic or Rich, each brew is flavorful and never bitter with custom brew strengths.
- BREW BY THE CUP OR CARAFE: Brews both K-Cup pods and coffee grounds.
A Deep Dive into Features and Performance
After using this compact coffee machine for a long time, I’ve come to know its quirks, its strengths, and its weaknesses intimately. It has become a reliable part of my morning routine, but it’s not without its flaws.
Ultra-Compact Design and Build Quality
The first thing you’ll notice about this machine is its size. Measuring just over 8 inches wide and under 6 inches deep, it has one of the smallest footprints I’ve ever seen on a drip coffee maker. It slides neatly into a corner of my counter, leaving plenty of room for other appliances. The combination of brushed stainless steel on the front and black plastic for the body gives it a surprisingly premium look for its price point. It feels sturdy enough for daily use. However, I have noticed that the main lid, which covers the water reservoir and filter basket, can feel a bit flimsy. A common complaint is that it doesn’t always stay propped open when you’re adding water or coffee grounds, which can be a minor annoyance during the morning rush.
Brewing Performance and Coffee Taste
When it comes to making coffee, the Krups Simply Brew is incredibly fast, brewing a full 5-cup pot in just a few minutes. It’s also remarkably quiet during the brewing process. The resulting coffee taste is good, but it requires a bit of experimentation to perfect. I found that the water doesn’t disperse very widely over the coffee grounds; it tends to concentrate in the center. This can lead to under-extraction and a weaker, more watery cup if you’re not careful.
To counteract this, I’ve found two effective methods. First, using a slightly finer grind of coffee helps slow the water down, allowing for better saturation. Second, I sometimes place a standard #2 paper filter inside the permanent mesh filter. This not only makes cleanup a breeze but also seems to help the water spread out more evenly, resulting in a richer, more flavorful brew. For a basic machine, the flavor it can produce with a little tweaking is quite impressive.
The 5-Cup Glass Carafe
The glass carafe is a highlight for me. I appreciate being able to see exactly how much coffee is left at a glance. The handle is ergonomically designed and feels comfortable and secure in my hand, which is a small detail that makes a big difference in daily use. The main drawback, however, is the spout design. If you try to pour a cup when the pot is full and you’re in a hurry, it is almost guaranteed to dribble down the side. I’ve learned to pour slowly and deliberately to avoid making a mess. Some users have gone as far as to remove the lid entirely while pouring, which also solves the problem. It’s a design flaw, but one that is easy enough to work around once you’re aware of it.
Usability and Everyday Convenience
Simplicity is the core principle of this 5 cup coffee maker. The entire operation is controlled by a single on/off switch. While I love the simplicity, its placement is less than ideal. It’s located on the lower right side, towards the back, which means you have to reach around to access it. The button glows when it’s on, but you can’t see the light from the front of the machine.
The Pause & Brew function is a lifesaver on busy mornings. You can pull the carafe out mid-brew to pour a cup, and the machine immediately stops the flow of coffee without a single drip. It’s a feature that works flawlessly.
The Keep Warm feature is also very effective. The warming plate keeps the remaining coffee at a perfect, hot temperature—not lukewarm, and not burnt. This is where the biggest disadvantage comes into play: there is no automatic shut-off. The warming plate will stay on indefinitely until you manually switch it off. This requires you to be mindful and remember to turn it off before leaving the house, which could be a deal-breaker for some.
Finally, the reusable filter is a fantastic addition. It saves money on paper filters and reduces waste. Cleaning is straightforward—just rinse it out after each use—though it can become stained over time and getting all the grounds out can be messy.
What Others Are Saying
I spent some time looking through online reviews to see if my experience matched that of other users, and the consensus is quite clear. People overwhelmingly praise the Krups Simply Brew for its compact size, simple operation, and quick brewing speed. Many, like me, bought it specifically to save counter space. However, the same two complaints appear repeatedly: the lack of an automatic shut-off and the tendency of the carafe to dribble. Despite these flaws, most users feel it’s a great value for the price, especially for a single-person household.
Final Thoughts on the Krups Simply Brew
If your morning routine is complicated by a cluttered kitchen and a coffee maker that produces more waste than you can drink, you need a simpler solution. The challenge is finding a machine that is small in size but not in performance. For this specific problem, the Krups Simply Brew Stainless Steel Drip Coffee Maker is an excellent choice. It solves the space issue with its ultra-compact design and brews a fast, hot pot of coffee with the press of a single button. While it’s not perfect—requiring mindfulness due to the lack of auto-shutoff—its performance and convenience for small-batch brewing are hard to beat. Click here to check the latest price and get this fantastic little coffee maker for your home.
Last update on 2025-10-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API