I tested this compact drip-coffee machine and it’s a fantastically fuss-free way to brew small batches of coffee — even if it can’t quite reach the intense flavor of more methodical methods

The Ratio Four does a lot of things right. Using and keeping it clean requires minimal hassle, it can brew just a couple of cups at a time and it looks gorgeous among my appliances. But sadly, despite a lot of experimentation, I found the coffee it produces to be good, rather than a blow-your-socks-off taste explosion. It’s a fantastic compromise if you want solid small-batch brews fast but it wouldn’t be my go-to when I have time to work on a coffee I can really savor.

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  Simple to use

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  Easy to produce consistent results

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  Can brew small batches

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  Sharp attractive design

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  Water tank is slightly odd looking

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  Decent flavor but not exceptional

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  Not the cheapest for what it is

Ratio Four: one-minute review

The Ratio Four is a drip-coffee machine focused on smaller batches. That means it fulfils a valuable niche in the market ...