Be Your Own Barista with the Mr. Coffee Single-Serve Latte, Iced and Hot Coffee Maker
Updated: Dec. 04, 2023
The Mr. Coffee 4-in-1 coffee maker whips up iced coffee, cappuccinos and lattes in under four minutes—but do the results stand up to a coffee snob's scrutiny?
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Between shopping sustainable coffee brands and packing a portable espresso maker for camping trips, I welcome any and all brewing methods that produce a delicious cup of Joe. That said, dedicated espresso machines and fancy gear get pricey and eat up precious morning time. Don’t have the budget for our coveted Breville Bambino Plus? Don’t despair—the Mr. Coffee 4-in-1 machine brews up almost any coffee drink at a quarter of the price.
What is the Mr. Coffee 4-in-1 coffee maker?
The Mr. Coffee 4-in-1 coffee maker is a compact machine similar to a Keurig or Nespresso that offers single-serve coffee, iced coffee and a built-in milk frother. The milk frother makes both hot and cold foam, enabling users to recreate their favorite copycat coffee shop drinks with minimal effort. Add it to any coffee bar thanks to the small footprint—it takes up the same amount of space as the average coffee maker.
Because it uses a mini brewing basket and reusable filter in lieu of K-Cups, users are free to choose any type of coffee to brew. It’s the perfect way to use up those bags from the best coffee subscriptions. In addition, the machine is ideal for those in a rush. It brews lattes, cappuccinos, hot or iced coffee in under four minutes. Instant coffee or store-bought cold brew are the only quicker options.
Mr. Coffee 4-in-1 Features
- Box includes the machine, coffee scoop, coffee cup with lid and straw, foaming pitcher with lid, brewing basket, reusable filter, instructions and recipe book
- Choose between iced coffee, hot coffee and hot foam or cold foam
- Brewer makes up to 16 ounces of coffee and the reservoir has measurement markings
- Sleek design
- Recipe book offers 14 different drink ideas
Also, check these coffee maker deals that you should not miss!
How We Tested It
Brewing Iced Coffee
When the Mr. Coffee 4-in-1 arrived, there was a little setup required. I took the plastic off of all the components and washed them. In addition to the machine itself, the 4-in-1 comes with an iced coffee cup, lid and straw, filter basket and coffee scoop along with the pitcher for foaming the milk. The stainless steel pitcher has a lid and a small plastic blending device that need to be inserted in the bottom of the pitcher to facilitate foaming.
Once all the components were washed, I assembled the machine. I tried cold coffee first since I’m a little bit of a Starbucks fangirl. I inserted the basket filter into the brewer, then popped both into the machine and filled them with a single scoop of grounds (my choice for this test was Counter Culture coffee’s Big Trouble beans—I highly recommend, just make sure you have a good coffee grinder).
After that, I filled the cold coffee cup with cold water up to the “water” line and poured it into the reservoir. Then, I added ice to the marked line and returned the cup to the base of the brewer. Then press the “iced coffee” button and let the machine brew. In 60 seconds, I had a cup of chilled coffee. The machine did a good job of icing down the hot liquid, but I did add a few extra ice cubes before drinking.
Brewing Hot Coffee
The process for brewing regular coffee is similar, except I added 1.5 scoops of grounds to make 12 ounces of coffee—the mug I chose was on the large side. I decided to try my hot coffee with some foam to test the milk frother. According to the instructions, both cold and hot foam are possible with the frother. I opted for hot foam.
Just like the cold coffee test, I added my grounds to the brewing basket, filled the reservoir with filtered, cold water and then brewed a cup of hot coffee using the “hot coffee” button. As expected, I had a delicious-smelling cup of my favorite coffee in under a minute.
Using the Frother
For the foam, I added whole milk to the “latte” line on the inside of the frothing pitcher. I replaced the pitcher on the machine and pressed the “hot froth” button. It was quieter than the handheld frothers I’ve used, and the motor didn’t seem terribly powerful. But then, after about 30 seconds, I heard the hot plate under the frother engage and saw the foam begin to form. This brewing method took the longest—about four minutes.
Once the machine stopped, I opened up the pitcher and marveled at the cloudlike foam. I slowly poured it into my coffee using the spout on the pitcher to guide the foam. It looked pretty and tasted even better, and I didn’t even have to use a whisk or other coffee products to achieve it.
Users can definitely use this machine to make pretty latte art, but my skills are still at a rookie level. Add additional fixings to make each cup your own—coffee syrups are highly encouraged. This method tastes just as good as a commercial coffee shop, and I saved $5.
Pros
- Doesn’t use K-Cups, so any coffee can be used (and it’s more sustainable)
- Brewing coffee takes one minute
- Brew basket and filter have handles to toss used grounds
- Every component comes apart and is dishwasher-safe
- Measurements inside the machine, scoop and cup easily measure out grounds and water
- Scoop stores into a cutout on the side of the machine
- Built-in drip tray minimizes mess
- Takes up minimal counter space
- Cost is equivalent to a drip coffee maker
Cons
- The cord is short, so it needs to be located directly in front of an outlet
- It doesn’t brew real cold brew coffee like the Instant cold brewer
- Single-serve size isn’t suitable for larger families
What Other Reviewers Had to Say
Reviewers across the internet comment on the ease of use, since the Mr. Coffee 4-in-1 requires the same know-how as the average drip coffee maker. Verified reviewer Jess N. writes, “This is the best coffee machine. It fits the taller tumbler glasses fine, it gives great directions for hot and iced coffees, lattes, cappuccinos, etc. Now, this is to say that I’m no barista and I’m not a coffee snob…we have a Nespresso at work, but I don’t use it because they don’t keep oat milk in the office. It’s not to say I haven’t heard good things, but it’s to say that this Mr. Coffee is exactly what I was looking for.
I’m able to replicate the exact coffee I like to drink from the local place and have it at home in my 24-ounce tumblers with no problem. Not quite as fancy schmancy, but it gets the job done with easy-to-follow instructions…I put my liquid flavoring into the frother for the perfect mix. It cleans well, brews well and has an easy frother cleanup. I’m so happy that I bought this thing.”
Final Verdict
Those who like the simplicity of a Keurig but want to enjoy a fancier drink now and then—especially folks tight on time—will enjoy the Mr. Coffee 4-in-1. Simple controls, precise measurements and a small footprint make this four-in-one a solid choice for those who crave simple barista-style drinks on a budget.
Still shopping for a Mother’s Day gift? It’s the perfect gift for a coffee-loving mom. Pair with a subscription to Atlas Coffee Club and a funny mug to instantly become the favorite child.
Where to Buy the Mr. Coffee 4-in-1
The Mr. Coffee 4-in-1 is available for purchase at major retailers like Amazon, Walmart and Target. It normally retails for $120, which is the average cost of a Keurig or Nespresso machine. Luckily, Walmart still has it in stock—snag one today and start brewing up lattes in no time.
Originally Published: April 27, 2023
