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    KitchenCoffee MachineMr. Coffee 5-Cup Mini Brew Switch Coffee Maker
    #14 of 15
    Mr. Coffee 5-Cup Mini Brew Switch Coffee Maker

    Key Specs

    Reservoir Material

    Unspecified plastic

    BPA-Free

    Not disclosed

    Safety Certified (UL/ETL)

    UL Listed

    Brew Temperature

    182°F

    Mr. Coffee

    Mr. Coffee 5-Cup Mini Brew Switch Coffee Maker

    #14 of 15 coffee machines tested

    4.0R3 Score / 10
    We can't recommend this one.
    Safety
    4.372% weight
    Efficacy
    323% weight
    Usability
    54% weight

    $16.99

    Buy on Amazon

    The bottom line

    What the product listing won't tell you

    Know before you buy

    The brew temperature of 182°F produces noticeably weak, under-extracted coffee — well below the 195-205°F range that specialty coffee experts recommend for proper flavor extraction.

    Buy it if

    • You need the cheapest possible coffee maker and brew quality is not your primary concern

    Mr. Coffee 5-Cup Mini Brew Switch Coffee Maker

    Mr. Coffee

    Mr. Coffee 5-Cup Mini Brew Switch Coffee Maker

    $16.99
    Buy on Amazon
    Mr. Coffee 5-Cup Mini Brew Switch Coffee Maker

    Mr. Coffee

    Mr. Coffee 5-Cup Mini Brew Switch Coffee Maker

    $16.99Buy on Amazon

    We may earn a commission. It doesn't affect our scores.

    You want verified electrical safety at a budget price — the UL certification is genuine and uncommon at this price point

  1. You prefer the simplest possible operation with no buttons, screens, or settings to figure out

    2. Skip if

    • You care about coffee flavor — the 182°F brew temperature produces weak, under-extracted coffee that specialty drinkers will find unacceptable

    • Material safety matters to your family — the plastic reservoir type is undisclosed and no BPA-free claim is made for this model

    • You want any convenience features like a programmable timer, removable reservoir, or permanent filter

    What's inside

    Specs the product listing doesn't explain

    Performance

    What determines how well this performs its core job

    Brew Temperature182°F
    Safety & Materials

    What your food and family come into contact with every use

    Reservoir MaterialUnspecified plastic
    BPA-FreeNot disclosed
    Safety Certified (UL/ETL)UL Listed
    CarafeGlass with warming plate
    Dishwasher Safe CarafeNot disclosed
    Living With It

    Noise, maintenance, and what happens if something goes wrong

    Price$16.99 USD
    Other Specs

    Additional product details

    Removable ReservoirNo
    ProgrammableNo

    How we scored it

    3 criteria - open any layer to see exactly what we found

    4.3

    Safety

    Below Average

    3

    Efficacy

    Poor

    5

    Usability

    Average

    Material SafetyCritical
    72%
    4.3▾

    Criteria

    Water Reservoir Material
    2/10

    The water reservoir is plastic, but Mr. Coffee does not disclose what type. Without knowing the specific polymer, there is no way to assess whether it leaches BPA or other chemicals when in contact with hot water daily.

    BPA-Free Declaration
    1/10

    Mr. Coffee has not made a BPA-free claim for this specific model. While some of their more expensive machines carry BPA-free labeling, this budget model does not — so there is no assurance about BPA in the plastic components.

    Electrical Safety Certification (UL/ETL)
    10/10

    An independent lab has verified this machine meets UL safety standards for household coffee makers — protection against fire, shock, and overheating. This is a solid safety feature at any price, and especially noteworthy at $16.99.

    R3 verdict

    The UL certification is a genuine bright spot — verified electrical safety at the category's lowest price. But the unspecified plastic reservoir and missing BPA-free claim mean the material safety picture is incomplete. The two most heavily weighted safety criteria score near minimum.

    Moderate confidence
    Brewing PerformanceImportant
    23%
    3▾

    Criteria

    Brew Water Temperature
    3/10

    Brews at just 182°F — well below the 195-205°F range that specialty coffee experts recommend. Your coffee will taste noticeably weak and watery compared to machines that hit the right temperature. This is the most impactful performance gap.

    Carafe Material
    3/10

    The glass carafe sits on a warming plate that keeps cooking your coffee after it is brewed. Already weak from low brew temperature, the coffee degrades further the longer it sits — expect a stale, bitter taste within 30 minutes.

    R3 verdict

    The core coffee-making experience is compromised on both fronts. The 182°F brew temperature produces weak, under-extracted coffee, and the glass-hotplate carafe continues degrading it after brewing. If flavor matters to you, this is the critical issue.

    Daily UsabilityNice to have
    4%
    5▾

    Criteria

    Carafe Dishwasher Safe
    5/10

    Mr. Coffee does not say whether the glass carafe is dishwasher safe. We are working from what is listed — and it is not listed.

    Removable Water Reservoir
    5/10

    The water reservoir is built in — you fill it through the top. It works, but it is less convenient than a removable tank you can carry to the sink.

    Programmable Auto-Brew
    5/10

    No programmable timer — you flip the switch when you are ready. Straightforward but no way to schedule your morning coffee the night before.

    Read the full methodology

    How we scored it

    3 criteria - open any layer to see exactly what we found

    4.3

    Safety

    Below Average

    3

    Efficacy

    Poor

    5

    Usability

    Average

    Material SafetyCritical
    72%
    4.3▾

    Criteria

    Water Reservoir Material
    2/10

    The water reservoir is plastic, but Mr. Coffee does not disclose what type. Without knowing the specific polymer, there is no way to assess whether it leaches BPA or other chemicals when in contact with hot water daily.

    BPA-Free Declaration
    1/10

    Mr. Coffee has not made a BPA-free claim for this specific model. While some of their more expensive machines carry BPA-free labeling, this budget model does not — so there is no assurance about BPA in the plastic components.

    Electrical Safety Certification (UL/ETL)
    10/10

    An independent lab has verified this machine meets UL safety standards for household coffee makers — protection against fire, shock, and overheating. This is a solid safety feature at any price, and especially noteworthy at $16.99.

    R3 verdict

    The UL certification is a genuine bright spot — verified electrical safety at the category's lowest price. But the unspecified plastic reservoir and missing BPA-free claim mean the material safety picture is incomplete. The two most heavily weighted safety criteria score near minimum.

    Moderate confidence
    Brewing PerformanceImportant
    23%
    3▾

    Criteria

    Brew Water Temperature
    3/10

    Brews at just 182°F — well below the 195-205°F range that specialty coffee experts recommend. Your coffee will taste noticeably weak and watery compared to machines that hit the right temperature. This is the most impactful performance gap.

    Carafe Material
    3/10

    The glass carafe sits on a warming plate that keeps cooking your coffee after it is brewed. Already weak from low brew temperature, the coffee degrades further the longer it sits — expect a stale, bitter taste within 30 minutes.

    R3 verdict

    The core coffee-making experience is compromised on both fronts. The 182°F brew temperature produces weak, under-extracted coffee, and the glass-hotplate carafe continues degrading it after brewing. If flavor matters to you, this is the critical issue.

    Daily UsabilityNice to have
    4%
    5▾

    Criteria

    Carafe Dishwasher Safe
    5/10

    Mr. Coffee does not say whether the glass carafe is dishwasher safe. We are working from what is listed — and it is not listed.

    Removable Water Reservoir
    5/10

    The water reservoir is built in — you fill it through the top. It works, but it is less convenient than a removable tank you can carry to the sink.

    Programmable Auto-Brew
    5/10

    No programmable timer — you flip the switch when you are ready. Straightforward but no way to schedule your morning coffee the night before.

    Read the full methodology
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    Where to buy

    Verified retailer - current pricing

    Starting price

    $16.99

    R3 approved retailer Score unaffected by purchase
    Buy on Amazon

    We earn a small commission on purchases. It never influences our scores - R3 is funded by readers, not brands.

    Other Options to Consider

    Alternatives that address specific trade-offs

    Why this matters: The core coffee-making experience is compromised on both fronts. The 182°F brew temperature produces weak, under-extracted coffee, and the glass-hotpl

    Breville Precision Brewer
    Better brewing performance

    Breville Precision Brewer

    Breville

    8.5$329.95

    Scores 8.9/10 on brewing performance vs 3.0 here

    Fellow Aiden Precision Coffee Maker
    Better brewing performance

    Fellow Aiden Precision Coffee Maker

    Fellow

    8.3$399.95

    Scores 10.0/10 on brewing performance vs 3.0 here

    Technivorm Moccamaster KBT
    Better brewing performance

    Technivorm Moccamaster KBT

    Technivorm

    8.1$349

    Scores 10.0/10 on brewing performance vs 3.0 here

    OXO Brew 8-Cup Coffee Maker
    Better brewing performance

    OXO Brew 8-Cup Coffee Maker

    OXO

    8.0$199.99

    Scores 10.0/10 on brewing performance vs 3.0 here

    Didn't find the coffee machine you need?

    See all coffee machines we reviewed

    #14 of 15 coffee machines reviewed

    Moderate confidence
    Moderate confidence
    Permanent Filter Included
    5/10

    Mr. Coffee does not mention a permanent filter — the 'Lift & Clean filter basket' is the housing, not the filter itself. You will likely need paper filters.

    Permanent Filter Included
    5/10

    Mr. Coffee does not mention a permanent filter — the 'Lift & Clean filter basket' is the housing, not the filter itself. You will likely need paper filters.

    R3 verdict

    The Mr. Coffee Mini Brew is as simple as it gets — flip a switch, wait for coffee. No frills, no programmability, no removable parts beyond the carafe. For some buyers this simplicity is a feature; for others it is a limitation.

    Moderate confidence

    R3 verdict

    The Mr. Coffee Mini Brew is as simple as it gets — flip a switch, wait for coffee. No frills, no programmability, no removable parts beyond the carafe. For some buyers this simplicity is a feature; for others it is a limitation.

    Moderate confidence