A small, low-cost filter machine that still has a timer, adjustable keep-warm and a descaling reminder.
Updated
- 33.5 cm Height
- 2 years Warranty
- Glass Jug type
- 25.5 cm Width
Pros
- Timer starts brewing at a set time
- Keep-warm set from 30 minutes to 2 hours in 30-minute steps
- Descaling programme with four hardness levels and a reminder LED
- Compact: 33.5 cm tall and 20 cm deep, with a removable tank
Cons
- Small: up to 8 cups from a 1 litre tank
- Glass jug on a hotplate, and Melitta advises against long keep-warm times
- Takes size 102 filter papers rather than 1×4
- Melitta asks for a five-minute pause between brews
- Best for
- One- or two-person households who want coffee ready on a timer for the smallest outlay.
- Not for
- Large households, or anyone brewing more than 8 cups at a time.
Our verdict
The Optima Timer is the smallest and simplest machine in our filter range, and it still has the features that help first thing in the morning. It brews up to 8 cups from a removable 1 litre tank, starts on a timer, and lets you set the hotplate’s keep-warm from 30 minutes to two hours in 30-minute steps, although Melitta advises against keeping coffee warm for long, for the sake of its flavour.
Like the dearer Melittas, it has a descaling programme. You choose one of four water-hardness levels (it ships set to high, and the setting survives unplugging), and the red CALC light stays on once the brew count for your level is reached.
The compromises come with the size: 850 W, a five-minute rest between brews, size 102 papers rather than 1×4, and a two-year warranty. At 33.5 cm tall and 20 cm deep, it is also the shortest of the filter machines we track.
Cleaning and running costs
Run two brews of clean water before first use. Each brew takes one size 102 paper, and Melitta suggests about 6 g of ground coffee per cup. When the CALC light stays on, fill the tank with descaler, press CALC and let the programme run for about 25 minutes, then rinse with two brews of clean water. The manual recommends Swirl Oxy-Power or Swirl Citrus-Clean; Melitta UK sells its own Anti Calc powder for filter machines and kettles (article 6762482). The filter cone and glass jug can go in the dishwasher; rinse the tank under the tap, without harsh brushes.
Who should look elsewhere
If you want coffee kept hot off the heat, or more than 8 cups at a time, the Melitta LOOK V Therm Timer adds an insulated jug and a 1.25 litre tank. For full jugs every day and a five-year warranty, the Moccamaster KBG Select is the long-term buy.
Compare it with every filter coffee machine we track, read which type of coffee machine suits you, or see how often to descale in a hard-water area.
Melitta Optima Timer specs
- 33.5 cm Height
- 2 years Warranty
Size
| Jug capacity | not listed |
|---|---|
| Jug type | Glass |
| Width | 25.5 cm |
| Height | 33.5 cm |
| Depth | 20 cm |
| Weight | 2.3 kg |
Coffee
| Built-in grinder | No |
|---|---|
| Grind settings | not listed |
Features
| Programmable start | Yes |
|---|---|
| Power | 850 W |
Ownership
| Warranty | 2 years |
|---|
Cleaning
| Takes a water filter | No |
|---|
Manufacturer figures, checked 2 Nov 2026. — means not listed.
Where to buy the Melitta Optima Timer
- Melitta£59.99Go to Melitta (opens in a new tab)
Prices and stock change; the retailer’s page is always the final word.
Melitta Optima Timer questions
What size filter papers does the Melitta Optima Timer take?
Size 102, one per brew. That is smaller than the 1×4 size the LOOK V Therm Timer and AromaFresh Pro X take, so check the box before you stock up. Melitta suggests about 6 g of ground coffee per cup, which comes to roughly 48 g for a full tank of 8 cups.
How long does the Melitta Optima keep coffee warm?
Thirty minutes as standard. To change it, hold ON/OFF and press MIN: each step adds 30 minutes, up to two hours. Melitta advises against keeping coffee warm for long because the flavour suffers, so it is best poured soon after brewing. The jug is glass on a hotplate, so the coffee cools once the keep-warm time ends.
How do I descale a Melitta Optima Timer?
Start when the red CALC light stays on. Fill the tank with descaler, press CALC and let the programme run for about 25 minutes, then rinse with two brews of clean water. Set your water hardness first (hold CALC and press MIN until your level shows) so the light comes on at the right point. The manual names Swirl descalers; Melitta UK sells its own Anti Calc powder.
How do I set the timer on a Melitta Optima?
Set the clock first: after plugging in, the display flashes until you set the time with the H and MIN buttons. Then hold TIMER and press H and MIN to choose the start time, and press TIMER to arm it; a blue LED shows it is set. Pressing ON/OFF still starts a brew straight away.
Can I brew two jugs one after the other?
Yes, after a short rest. Melitta’s manual asks you to let the machine cool for five minutes between two brews. With up to 8 cups from the 1 litre tank, a household that regularly needs a second jug may be better served by a bigger machine such as the LOOK V Therm Timer, which brews up to 10 cups.