Cuisinart 4 in 1 Coffee Maker Review

My husband and I take our coffee very seriously. And not in that typical “don’t talk to me until I’ve had my cup of coffee” sort of way. We buy small-batch roasted specialty coffee, own numerous burr grinders (including one that we road trip with), and have mastered over 30 methods for making coffee (including pour-over drippers, French press pots, and automatic drip machines), and drink our coffee black so we can experience the tasting notes for the beans we buy. 

But I’m also aware that most folks have a more casual attitude to coffee: Sometimes you just want a no-fuss cup of Joe to start the day. Automatic machines like Keurig and Nespresso are super convenient for busy mornings and for quickly getting caffeinated. The problem with them: They can’t brew big pots of coffee. That is, until now. The Cuisinart 4-in-1 Coffee Maker can brew a large drip pot of coffee and is K-Cup and Nespresso pod-compatible. I set out to see if this one machine could do the work of three.

The Tests

• Large Drip Pot Gold Filter Test: I brewed 55 grams of medium-roast ground coffee using 1000 grams of water. I used the reusable gold mesh filter that came with the Cuisinart 4-in-1 and timed how long it took to brew the entire batch of coffee. I then tasted the coffee and took notes of the flavor and any flaws.
• Large Drip Pot Paper Filter Test: I brewed 55 grams of that same medium-roast ground coffee using 1000 grams of water, this time with a paper filter, and timed how long it took to brew the entire batch of coffee. I then tasted the coffee.
• Large Bold Drip Pot Test: I turned on the “bold” button and brewed another large pot using the same coffee and ratios. I timed how long it took to brew, and then I tasted it.
• Small Drip Pot Test: I brewed a smaller batch of medium-roast ground coffee with a paper filter, using 30 grams of coffee and 500 grams of water, and timed how long it took to brew the batch. I tasted the coffee and took notes.
• K-Cups Test: I brewed several cups of K-Cup Green Mountain Breakfast Blend Light Roast coffee and timed how long it took to brew each cup. I then tasted the coffee and took notes.
• Nespresso Pod Test: I brewed a single shot of an espresso-style coffee using a Nespresso Roma pod and timed how long it took to brew it. After tasting it and taking notes, I repeated this test by brewing a double shot.
• Steaming Milk Test: I steamed six ounces of whole milk using the steam wand, heating it to 150°F. I then poured it into a double shot of the Nespresso to make a latte. I tasted the beverage and took notes. I then repeated this test with a non-dairy barista-style nut milk. 

What I Learned

The Rain Showerhead Helped Brew a Better Cup

Automatic drip coffee makers have come a long way from the old-school Mr. Coffee drip machines that my parents had when I was growing up. When Serious Eats tested automatic drip coffee makers, they found that the best-performing ones, including the Ratio Six and the Fellow Aiden, had rain showerheads with more holes for water. This resulted in more even extraction and a better cup of coffee. The Cuisinart 4-in-1 coffee maker features a showerhead with plenty of holes. This leads to coffee grounds that were evenly saturated, with no signs of channeling or dryness.

A Paper Filter Is Better Than the Reusable Gold Filter

When I first tested the Cuisinart 4-in-1, I used the reusable gold mesh filter that came with the machine. The resulting coffee was not great: It tasted hollow and flat, a sure sign that it was under-extracted. This makes sense because a reusable filter allows the water to pass through at a faster rate than a paper filter. Quick pass-through means less time to extract flavor. I tried to compensate for this by using a finer grind in my beans, but this allowed some powdery silt to pass through to my cup, much like how a French press becomes sludgy if you grind the coffee too fine. But once I switched to the paper filter, these issues were resolved. The paper-filtered cup of coffee was more balanced and flavorful, and a more satisfying cup overall.

Turn Off the Warm Function

Unlike Serious Eats’ favorite drip makers with thermal carafes, the Cuisinart 4-in-1 has a warming function and a glass carafe. Heating the carafe with this function can result in burnt coffee, as the burner can cook the coffee and turn it bitter. I experienced this in my second cup after it had been left on the warming plate. You can turn off the warming function after you brew the coffee by just pressing the on/off button.

If you brew a big pot—eight cups or larger—leaving the pot in the machine will still keep it fairly warm. My large pot of coffee only dropped from its initial temperature of 177°F  to 144°F after 30 minutes—still a relatively hot cup of coffee. This is because more coffee equals a larger thermal mass, which retains the heat. If you brew a smaller batch of coffee or plan on keeping your coffee around for a longer period of time, I recommend transferring it to an insulated thermos to help maintain the heat.

K-Cups Were Convenient

I’m not a K-Cup person, though I understand the appeal. Stick a pod in, press a button, and you have a cup of coffee almost instantly. The coffee’s quality isn’t great, but it gets the job done, especially if you’re in a rush or you need a quick cup of coffee before you can do anything else in the morning (like make a real cup of coffee). 

The Cuisinart 4-in-1 functions just like a regular Keurig machine, though it requires about two minutes of warm-up time for the first cup. Subsequent cups from the K-Cups took a little over a minute. At about 150˚F, the resulting cup is slightly cooler than a brewed cup of coffee from the drip, and it tastes as you would expect from a plastic pod.

The Nespresso Single Shot Was Better Than the Double Shot

The Nespresso feature functions similarly to the K-Cups, but with an espresso-style concentrated beverage. To use it, remove the Nespresso pod holder, insert the pod, replace the holder, and close the lid to brew. The Cuisinart 4-in-1 also has an adjustable cup platform, so the espresso glasses can be placed closer to the spout. You have the option of making a single or double shot, and I found the double shot to be a little weaker and closer in concentration to a Moka pot cup of coffee than the single shot. Although it was not as good as a true espresso pulled from an espresso machine, the single shot had better concentration and body.

The Steaming Wand Required Some Practice

Like some Nespresso machines, the Cuisinart 4-in-1 has a steam wand for foaming and steaming milk. In my tests, it worked fine but didn’t quite achieve the velvety smooth microfoam that you would get from a dedicated espresso machine. Still, the steaming wand is a nice touch, as it creates steamed milk suitable for lattes, mochas, and hot chocolate. And with practice, you could make better foam.

The Verdict

The Cuisinart 4-in-1 Coffee Maker is a good option for folks who don’t want multiple small appliances cluttering up their countertop. It brews large pots of coffee, individual cups using the K-Cups feature, and espresso-style drinks. It does all those tasks efficiently and with decent results.

Pros

The Cuisinart 4-in-1 offers the versatility of a coffee maker that can brew up to 12 cups of coffee, single cups of K-Cup coffee, and Nespresso espresso-style drinks, all in one countertop appliance. The brewed coffee was appropriately strong, with balanced flavors that would satisfy everyone but coffee divas. The K-Cup option quickly dispensed a cup of coffee in three different sizes—six, eight, or 10 ounces. The Nespresso option created espresso-style shots and milky espresso drinks with the steam wand. 

With all those options, you’d think the machine would be complicated to use, but the user interface and screen were relatively intuitive. Buttons were clearly marked, and the start/stop button also functioned as a dial for selecting the pod type (K-Cup or Nespresso), size of drink, and the steam and hot water functions. Cleanup was relatively simple as well; most of the parts are removable for easy washing.

Cons

The carafe is made of thin glass, which feels fragile. If it’s left on the warming plate too long, the coffee will burn and taste bitter. There are two different water reservoirs, one for the automatic drip and another for the pods, which feels fussy. The internal water reservoir for the automatic drip is awkwardly placed, with a narrow opening behind the coffee grounds basket. As a result, I often accidentally spilled water into the brew basket when filling the reservoir. The reusable gold mesh filter basket that comes with the machine produces thin and flat coffee, although you can get around that by using paper filters. The steaming wand doesn’t produce velvety microfoam and, like all steaming wands, takes practice to perfect.

Finally, if you’re more of a coffee diva who enjoys specialty coffee beans, don’t expect this coffee maker to produce a cup that matches the clarity and nuance of a pour-over or one of our favorite automatic coffee machines like the Ratio Six or Fellow Aiden. The Nespresso produces a weaker and less flavorful shot than a true espresso machine, and you’re most likely to already have a strong opinion on Keurig coffee. 

Key Specs

• Dimensions: 12 x 13.5 x 14.5 inches
• Weight: 16 pounds
• Materials: Glass, plastic, stainless steel
• Brewing modes: Automatic drip, Automatic drip “Bold,” Auto programmable, Keurig K-Pod compatible, Nespresso (original) compatible
• Brewing capacities: 12 cups
• Reservoir capacity: 12 cups for the stationary drip reservoir and 9 cups for the removable pod reservoir
• Warranty: Three-year limited warranty

FAQ

What Nespresso pods are compatible with the Cuisinart 4-in-1 coffee maker?

The Cuisinart 4-in-1 Coffee Maker is compatible with the original Nespresso pods. It is not compatible with the newer Vertuo pods. 

Which K-Cups are compatible with the Cuisinart 4-in-1 coffee maker?

The Cuisinart 4-in-1 Coffee Maker is compatible with all K-Cups as well as third party K-Cup-compatible capsules. If the coffee capsule is not K-Cup-compatible, it will not work in the Cuisinart 4-in-1. 

Why We’re the Experts  

• Irvin Lin is a cookbook author, recipe developer, food writer, photographer, ceramicist, and former barista. 
• He’s tested and reviewed hundreds of kitchen items, including pour-over drippers, and stovetop kettles. 
• He owns a significant amount of coffee equipment and still continues to collect more. He is always highly caffeinated.