How to Choose the Best Coffee Machine
This machine is a technical marvel. It keeps the water temperature precisely and evenly across the coffee grounds in a filter basket. This produces more flavor than cheaper rivals.
Contrary to semiautomatic machines that require you to load the portafilter manually and decide when to stop pulling, this fully automatic machine will do everything for you.
Filter coffee machines
A filter coffee machine brews up a pot of filter coffee by passing hot water through the ground coffee beans that sit in a filter. The grounds absorb the water and release flavour compounds that are then absorbed into the cup of coffee. They are available in a variety of sizes, from 3 cups to 13 cups.
The models we tested have insulated containers that keep your coffee warm without an energy-hungry heat plate. Some models have a 24 hour timer, so you can set it for the night before and wake up to an ice-filled jug waiting for you. Other features that are useful include a permanent reusable filter that reduces waste paper and the ability to see the water tank and allow you to see clearly the level of water in it.
Some filter coffee makers are small enough to fit on the worktop of a small kitchen while others are larger. Some also have a removable water tank to make refilling and cleaning easier, while others have fixed tanks that can restrict where you can put yours.
If you want an espresso machine that has added functionality, choose one that comes with an integrated grinder. This allows you to grind your fresh coffee beans at your own pace and then disperse the ground beans directly into the basket. Some models include this accessory as an alternative. There are models that use pre-ground beans, too.
We recommend a model that has a larger capacity for those who want to make several cups at once. We've tested several filter coffee makers with this feature and discovered that the Melitta Look V Timer is one of the top in making great filter coffee at a fair price. It's incredibly easy to setup and use, has an impressive number of user reviews and many useful tips and guides and is extremely robust and reliable.
Espresso machines
Espresso machines can produce various specialty drinks by simply pressing a button. They're like the manual coffee makers that are found in cafes. They require a bit more effort to use than other types of machines - users must grind their own beans and measure and tamp the grounds, and steam the milk separately - but our testers noticed that the results were worth it.
Espresso machines use hot water and pressures up to nine bars to make a stronger, concentrated drink. They may also have an integrated milk frother to make macchiatos and cappuccinos. They tend to be more expensive but provide a high-end experience.
They are a popular option for those looking to recreate the cafe-style coffee at home. They have an airtight tank that heats the water to boiling before flowing through a nozzle and into ground coffee. The machines can take some time to warm up and once they're in place, they can create a cup in 4 to 6 minutes.
If you're looking for a bit more control, a semi-automatic espresso maker allows the user to add their own ground beans but automatically stops the flow of water halfway through the making process. This is to ensure consistency in the resulting espresso. It is not for novices and requires patience to master. For those who have a knack for tamping this can be the perfect espresso maker.
The more sophisticated super-automatic espresso machine takes away the guesswork of the process and is more like commercial coffee makers. The machine measures and grinds the coffee prior to pumping hot water through it. These machines are great for those who want to make a particular drink rather than just an espresso. They are among the most popular on the market.
Pod and capsule machines are easy to use, but they provide less customization in comparison to their bean-to-cup counterparts. The Lavazza Jolie & Milk offers nine drink options that are preset including classics such as cappuccino and white coffee, to more inventive concoctions such as macchiatos and ristrettos. It also can dispense steam and hot water at the press of a button.
Bean-to-cup machines
The most effective bean-to-cup machines crush whole roast coffee beans on demand and then make the beans into various drinks. coffee machine for home can be done with the click of the button. Some also let you save your preferences for coffee to ensure that every time you turn the machine on it can automatically produce the drink you're looking for. They can be connected to home tech networks or apps to provide greater flexibility.
Most of the time, you are able to alter the finer points of each beverage, such as the temperature and pressure of the extraction, which means you are in complete control of the taste of each cup like. They're typically designed to deliver a better quality of coffee than pod or capsule machines. This is because a quality bean-to-cup machine grinds the beans to an exact consistency, then force hot water through them at the exact pressure and timing required to maximise flavour.
There are a variety of bean-to-cup machines that can also froth milk. This is great for making the creamy, textural layers of the cappuccino or latte however there can be some learning curve to get these right. Once you have it sussed they can create drinks that could be at home in a specialty coffee shop.
Sage's Oracle Touch is one of the best examples for modern bean-to-cup machine. It's a touch more expensive than the best pod or capsule machines, but it's worth the extra expense. The machine features a large screen that is color-coded and guides the user through each step of making a particular coffee. It features a pro-steam wand that creates the perfect texture of your milk, and allows you to customize the drink to your tastes. Oracle Touch can dispense both cold and hot drinks. It will also remember your preferred beverage for the school run and you won't need to purchase a new one every time. If you're in the market for a high-end coffee maker that comes with a premium burr grinder and lots of bespoke features, read our complete review of this machine.
The capsule or pod machines
The top pod machines remove the guesswork and provide reliable results with no hassle. These models dispense capsules of ground or instant coffee, tea and other drinks. These machines are a good option for those with no experience with espresso machines or bean to cup machines and want an easy fix in the morning.
These machines are a great option for those who don't wish to buy a lot of beans, and also because they're cheaper if you're not using them frequently. However, they're generally less flexible than other models and do not offer the same high-quality brew that a filter or bean-to-cup machine can offer.
If you're after a no-fuss cup of coffee, this pod coffee maker from Illy is the ideal choice. You just lift the top cover (which automatically ejects capsules that are used) and then insert a fresh capsule and press the button for either the large cup or small cup. The machine employs an innovative two-stage extraction process to make rich and satisfying coffee.
It can also provide hot water for herbal teas and hot beverages, as well as a cappuccino or latte, due to the milk frother. It's important to note that milk made from pods doesn't have the same texture and richness as milk made using manual frothers, such as Dualit or Lavazza.
The machine is more elegant than most of the pod coffee makers available, and it's also quieter - so it won't create a noise while you're getting your caffeine fix. It's made to fit into any kitchen, from contemporary to traditional and is enjoyable to use. The lever is large and catapults the used capsule out of the receptacle. It can hold up to ten capsules.
The machine offers a variety of beverages, ranging including tall travel mugs and short espressos. A barcode reader can also tell you which pods you're using. But it's not as flexible as a bean-to-cup machine in terms of customising the coffee you drink and there's no way to tweak the amount of extraction.