I don't think clipless is silly for four miles. I actually think if the reason you are clipless is performance it is silly to use them for commuting at all. That said I use spd pedals commuting because it's the easiest system to keep my feet from sliding off the pedal when it is raining. Any performance benefit is gravy on top of that.

I use the shimano pedals that are platform on one side and spd on the other. I am always mystified by people who say they have to look down. I suppose I've gotten lucky with mine, but this has never been a problem for me. The balance of the pedal is that it's almost always spd side up and if it isn't I take my foot off for one revolution and then it's spd side up and you clip in. At this point I do it without noticing let alone looking.