Black & Decker 5-Cup Coffee Maker; Compact Design

Why I picked up this 5-cup brewer

Counter space is scarce in my kitchen, and I don’t need a 12-cup machine for two morning mugs. That’s what led me to the 5-cup Black & Decker. It’s a compact, single-switch drip maker with a glass carafe, a small footprint, and very little to fuss over. After a few weeks of daily use, I’ve come to appreciate its simplicity—along with a few quirks that are worth knowing before you buy.

Design and footprint

This is a genuinely small machine: roughly 10.8 inches high and about the size of a hardcover book front-to-back. It tucks neatly under upper cabinets and doesn’t hog the counter. The carafe is a Duralife glass design with a comfortable handle and a spout that does a better-than-average job at avoiding stray drips. The base plate is non-stick and easy to wipe clean.

The top lid opens wide to reveal both the water reservoir and the filter basket. The basket lifts out for cleaning and accepts small, basket-style paper filters (often labeled “4–5 cup” or “junior” basket filters). There’s no permanent filter included, so plan on paper filters or supply your own reusable basket.

Controls are as simple as it gets: a single on/off switch with an indicator light. The light is blue and, depending on your kitchen lighting, it can be harder to distinguish on from off at a glance than a contrasting red or orange. I adapted quickly, but it’s a small usability detail worth noting.

Setup and daily use

Filling is straightforward thanks to an easy-view water window. Keep in mind that “5 cups” in drip-coffee-speak means about 25 ounces total. For most households, that’s two large 12–16 oz mugs or three smaller cups.

The machine heats up quickly and gets brewing with a steady stream of hot water through the grounds. There are no strength settings or pre-infusion modes to think about—just add water, add grounds, and flip the switch.

A feature called Sneak-a-Cup pauses flow when you pull the carafe mid-brew so you can pour an early cup. It works, but only if you pour and return the carafe promptly. In my testing, a few drops still found their way onto the hot plate if I dallied. If you rely on mid-brew pours, have a napkin handy and try to keep the pause under ten seconds.

Brewing performance

Brew time from cold to finished pot lands around the six-minute mark for a full reservoir, which is reasonable for this size. The water reaches an adequately hot brewing temperature and delivers a consistent, classic drip profile. With a medium grind and a sensible coffee-to-water ratio (more on that below), the coffee comes out balanced and clean.

The warming plate does its job. It keeps the carafe hot without scorching for the time I’d reasonably hold coffee—about 30 minutes while I get through that second mug. There’s an important caveat: there’s no auto shutoff. This is by design, but it means you need to remember to flip the switch off when you’re done. If you’re forgetful or live with people who are, consider plugging it into a smart outlet or setting a phone reminder. It’s a simple machine, and that simplicity cuts both ways.

Taste and consistency

This brewer isn’t chasing specialty-coffee nuance; it aims for an everyday, reliable cup. I consistently got a clean, medium-bodied drip with no plastic taste or off-flavors after the initial rinse cycle. The carafe lid seals well enough to hold heat, and the spout’s shape keeps the pour tidy—no thin streams sneaking down the side of the pot.

Extraction was even across the bed when I used a flat-bottom filter, and I didn’t encounter channeling or dry zones that can plague very cheap brewers. You won’t get the clarity of a pour-over or the body of a French press, but you will get a satisfying weekday cup without babysitting the process.

Cleaning and maintenance

The removable filter basket is dishwasher-safe, and it cleans up easily under the tap if you prefer to hand wash. The carafe tolerates daily washing with a soft sponge; a little baking soda and warm water clears any lingering film each week. The warming plate is non-stick, so minor drips wipe off without scrubbing—useful given the occasional Sneak-a-Cup dribble.

Descaling is the usual process: run a cycle with a 1:1 mix of white vinegar and water, then follow with two cycles of fresh water. Because the water path is simple and the parts are few, maintenance is about as low-effort as drip machines get.

Quirks and limitations

• No auto shutoff: The most significant omission. It’s easy to live with if you’re diligent; annoying if you’re not.
• Blue power light: Not the most visible status indicator in bright kitchens. I wish it were brighter or a contrasting color.
• Sneak-a-Cup drip: It slows the flow, but doesn’t always stop it entirely. Pour quickly and re-seat the carafe firmly.
• Paper filters required: Out of the box, there’s no permanent filter. I prefer paper filters for cleanup and flavor, but you’ll need to keep them on hand.
• Capacity labeling: “5 cups” means small coffee cups, not large mugs. Expect two generous mugs per brew.

None of these are dealbreakers for me given the price and footprint, but they define the experience.

Who it’s for

• Small kitchens, dorms, RVs, and offices where counter space is precious.
• One- or two-person households who drink a couple of mugs in the morning.
• Anyone who prefers a single switch and no programming, timers, or app connectivity.
• People who prioritize easy cleanup and a decent pour from a compact glass carafe.

If you want timed brewing, brew-strength control, a thermal carafe, or auto shutoff, you’ll need to look at larger or more feature-rich machines.

Brewing tips that worked for me

• Use the right filter: Look for “4–5 cup” or “junior” basket-style paper filters for a snug fit.
• Aim for a medium grind: Similar to table salt. Too fine and you risk bitterness; too coarse and the cup thins out.
• Start with a 1:15 ratio: About 48–50 grams of coffee for a full 25-ounce pot. For two big mugs (roughly 20–24 oz), use 38–40 grams. Adjust to taste.
• Pre-rinse paper filters: A quick rinse helps the first cup taste cleaner and warms the basket.
• Don’t linger on Sneak-a-Cup: If you must pull early, pour and return the carafe within a few seconds to minimize drips.
• Set a shutdown habit: Flip the switch off as soon as you pour your last cup, or pair the machine with a smart plug.

The bottom line

The 5-cup Black & Decker does exactly what it promises: it brews a straightforward, hot pot of coffee in a very small footprint, with minimal cleanup and virtually no learning curve. The carafe pours cleanly, the basket is easy to handle and dishwasher-safe, and the machine warms effectively without scorching. The compromises—no auto shutoff, a not-so-obvious power light, and a Sneak-a-Cup that can leave a couple of drops on the plate—are real but manageable.

Recommendation: I recommend it for anyone who needs a compact, no-nonsense drip maker for one or two coffee drinkers and values simplicity over features. It’s an especially good fit for apartments, dorm rooms, and RVs where space is tight and reliability matters more than programmability. If auto shutoff, timers, or larger capacity are must-haves, step up to a midrange machine; otherwise, this little brewer is a practical, wallet-friendly way to get your morning coffee without crowding your counter.