Start by thinking about how many cups you want to make per round, and how much time will pass between the first and last cup being poured. A compact glass jug is a good fit if everyone drinks at around the same time. For staggered coffee breaks, a thermal carafe with a suitable small-batch setting is more practical. Compare the stated capacity with the mugs you use: the Consumentenbond gives 125 ml as the capacity of a traditional filter coffee cup.
Wants to make enough coffee for a few participants per round, without brewing too little or making more than necessary. The Consumentenbond and product information from Melitta and Severin help put the stated cup capacities into context.
Serves coffee while participants take breaks at different times, so wants to know how well it stays warm. The Consumentenbond discusses the difference between coffee in a thermal carafe and coffee on a hotplate.
Has a small table or limited worktop space and wants to leave room for materials and for taking the jug out. Severin and Melitta publish model specifications that you can compare with the space available.
A good fit if: you usually serve a small round of coffee shortly after brewing and have limited worktop space.
Bear in mind: a limited brew capacity may mean brewing a second batch if there are more participants.
A good fit if: participants drink coffee at different times and you usually brew a small amount.
Bear in mind: a manufacturer’s claim about flavour is not an independent taste test. Check the carafe capacity and filter type too.
A good fit if: the group size varies and you sometimes want to brew more coffee than a compact machine can manage.
Bear in mind: a half-jug setting is not automatically suitable for every small quantity. Moccamaster itself advises against using the KBG Select for fewer than four cups.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this most relevant for? |
|---|---|---|
| Amount per brew | Count how many people will drink coffee in each round and compare the capacity of their mugs with the jug or small-batch setting. | If I want enough fresh coffee for a typical round, without choosing a jug that is too small or unnecessarily large. This is the top priority for around 40% of consumers who focus on the amount per round. |
| Keeping coffee warm | Work out how long there will be between the first and last pour, and check the type of carafe. | When participants take breaks at different times, I want the coffee to still be suitable for serving later. Around 30% of consumers prioritise keeping coffee warm when serving is staggered. |
| Worktop space and serving | Measure the available space and leave room to fill the water tank and take out the jug. | On a busy craft table, I want to leave room for materials and movement while keeping the machine within easy reach. Limited worktop space is the top priority for around 20% of consumers. |
| Cleaning and parts | Check the filter type and cleaning instructions, and whether a compatible replacement jug is available. | If I want cleaning to be straightforward afterwards, and don’t want to replace the whole machine if the jug gets damaged, I’ll look at maintenance and compatible parts. This is the most important consideration for around 10% of consumers. |
Your own mug may hold more than a traditional filter coffee cup. The Consumentenbond gives 125 ml as the capacity of one of these cups, so the same jug may fill fewer large mugs than you expect.
Measure the cups your group actually uses and compare the amount you need in millilitres with the jug’s capacity.
According to Moccamaster, the KBG Select is designed for four to ten cups; the manufacturer advises against using this model for fewer than four.
Check the stated range for the small-batch setting on the exact model, rather than relying on the name of the feature alone.
Filter types and replacement jugs vary by model. Severin lists a washable permanent filter for the KA 4808, while Melitta specifies filter size 100 for the Aromaboy.
Before buying, check the filter type, which parts are included and whether a compatible jug is available for the exact model.
The Aromaboy is designed to make up to two cups. According to Melitta, the One Therm has a small-batch setting for two to five cups and an insulated carafe.
According to Severin, the KA 4808 is designed for four cups and has a glass jug with a stated capacity of 0.56 litres.
According to Braun, the IDCollection KF 5120 has a setting for one to four cups and a glass jug.
Moccamaster specifies four to ten cups for the KBG Select and lists a half-jug setting.
These product options range from compact brewing capacities to larger filter coffee makers, including a model with a thermal carafe. Compare the stated capacity, carafe type and the space you have available.
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An option for a regular round of two cups; the product name specifies that two porcelain cups are included.
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For anyone looking for a small, fixed brewing capacity; the product name specifies a capacity of 300 ml.
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An option if participants want to serve themselves coffee at different times; this model is listed with a thermal carafe.
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An option for anyone who wants to use coffee beans; the product name specifies a built-in grinder.
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A glass jug may be a good fit if you want to brew a larger amount; compare the stated capacity with the number of participants per round.
Count how many people will drink coffee in the same round and measure their cups in millilitres. The Consumentenbond gives 125 ml as the capacity of a traditional filter coffee cup, so a larger mug will require more from the jug.
Before using a new machine, run it through with water and make sure the jug and filter holder are free of coffee residue. Descale it according to the instructions for the exact model. The Consumentenbond recommends regular descaling, but does not give a universal schedule for every machine.
First check whether a compatible replacement jug is available for the exact model. If a product does not perform as you could reasonably expect under normal use, the retailer is your point of contact for your statutory guarantee in the Netherlands. ACM ConsuWijzer explains that the retailer must resolve the issue.
For household drip-filter appliances that fall within its scope, Regulation (EU) 2023/826 specifies a maximum shut-off time of five minutes for an insulated carafe and 40 minutes for a non-insulated carafe, subject to the conditions set out in the regulation. These are requirements for the appliance, not advice on how long to keep coffee.
