Best Small-Batch
Ratio Four Small-Batch Brewer (Series 2)
$300-$350The Ratio Four makes single or double-mug drip coffee with exceptional clarity and sweetness using just one button. Its whisper-quiet pump and handblown glass carafe deliver café-quality results without complexity.
what experts say
- >“The Ratio Four Series 2 will still do one of two things: It will make one delicious mug of drip coffee. Or it will make two delicious mugs of drip coffee. With nary a knob twiddle or app or even a second button.”— WIRED
- >“The OXO 8-Cup and 9-Cup coffee makers and Ratio Six all have outstanding showerheads.”— Serious Eats
pros & cons
[+] what's great
- +Single-button operation with optional 3-second hold for one-mug optimization
- +Newly whisper-quiet vibratory pump in Series 2 (major improvement over original)
- +Handblown borosilicate glass carafe with no drip stop (forces immediate enjoyment)
- +Brews at optimal drinking temperature with full-bodied, aromatic extraction
[-] what's not
- -No thermal carafe or warmer—coffee cools quickly if not consumed immediately
- -No drip stop means occasional spills if you grab the carafe mid-brew
- -Limited to 1-2 mug capacity (not suitable for households needing larger batches)
- -Minimal customization options compared to programmable machines
