How to Choose the Best Coffee Machine
There's a lot of technical brilliance behind this machine, which is able to precisely maintain water temperature and evenly disperse it over ground coffee beans in the filter basket. The machine is more flavorful than its competitors that are less expensive.
Contrary to semiautomatic machines that require you to pack the portafilter manually and decide when to stop pulling, this fully automatic machine takes care of everything.
Filter coffee machines
A filter coffee machine produces filter coffee by passing hot, filtering water through coffee grounds. The grounds absorb the water and release flavor compounds, which are then infused into the cup of coffee. They are available in a range sizes, from 3 to 13 cups.
Some of the models we tested have insulated Jugs that keep your coffee warm without the need for an energy-hungry heat plate. Some models have a 24 hour timer, which means you can set it for the night before and wake to a jug full of coffee waiting for you. Other features that are useful include a permanent, reusable filter that reduces waste paper and a water tank that allows you to see clearly the level of water in it.
Some filter coffee makers are small enough to fit on a compact kitchen countertop, while others have larger footprints. Some models have a removable tank for easy refilling and cleaning. Others have fixed tanks that could limit the space you use.
If you want a filter coffee maker with added functionality, choose one that comes with an integrated grinder. coffee press machines lets you grind your fresh coffee beans at will and then dispense the ground beans directly into the basket. Some models offer this feature as an alternative. There are models that make use of pre-ground coffee beans.
For those who want to be able to make several cups of filter coffee at once we suggest a model with a larger capacity. We've tested many filter coffee makers that have this capability and we found the Melitta Look V Timer to be among the top for providing a delicious cup of filter coffee for an affordable price. It's easy to use and set up and comes with a huge number of reviews from users, and many helpful tips and guides. It is also robust and reliable.
Espresso machines
Drawing inspiration from manual coffee makers found in cafes Espresso machines are able to create a range of specialty drinks with just the push of one button. They require a bit more effort than other kinds of machines - users must grind their own beans, measure and tamp the grounds, and then steam the milk on their own - however, our testers discovered that the results made the extra work worth it.
Aiming for the same quality as a barista espresso machine, an espresso machine makes use of hot water and up to nine bars of pressure to make a stronger, more concentrated drink. They can have a built in milk frother to make macchiatos and cappuccinos. They can be more expensive, but they offer a superior experience.
They are a popular option for those wanting to recreate cafe-style coffee at home. They feature an airtight tank that heats the water to boiling point before releasing through a nozzle, and then into ground coffee. They can take a long time to heat up, but once they are ready, they are able to produce a cup of coffee in as little as four to six minutes.
If you're looking for a bit more control, a semi-automatic espresso machine allows the user to add their own ground beans, but automatically stops the flow of water midway through the making process. This is done to maintain consistency in the espresso. It's not a great choice for those who are new and requires some patience to master, but for those with a knack of tamping it, it's the ultimate coffee maker.
The advanced super-automatic espresso machine eliminates the guesswork of the process and is more an industrial coffee maker. The machine grinds and measures the coffee before pumping hot water through it. These machines are great for those who wish to create a specific beverage and not just the cup of coffee. They tend to be among the most sought-after available.
Pod or capsule coffee machines are the most simple to use, but offer less of a customisable experience than their counterparts that are bean-to-cup. The Lavazza Jolie & Milk has nine pre-programmed drinks to choose from. They range from the classics like white coffee and cappuccino to more imaginative drinks like ristrettos and macchiatos. It also can serve steam and hot water at the press of one button.
Bean-to-cup machines
The best bean to cup machines crush whole roast coffee beans upon demand, and then prepare the beans to make a variety of drinks. This is typically done at the touch of the button. Many also allow you to save your preferences for coffee so that every time you turn the machine on it will automatically make the drink you're looking for. They can be connected to home technology networks or apps for greater flexibility.
Most of the time, you are able to alter the finer points of each beverage, such as the temperature and the pressure of the extraction, which means you are in complete control of what each cup tastes like. They're typically designed to produce a higher quality of coffee than capsule or pod machines. A good bean-to-cup machine will grind the coffee beans to a precise consistency and then force hot, filtered water through the beans at the precise pressure and time needed to maximize flavour.
There are a variety of bean-to-cup machines that can also frost milk. This is a great way to create the rich, textural layers of the cappuccino or latte however, there is some learning curve to getting these right. However, once you get it down, these machines can produce drinks that are easily at home in a specialist coffee shop.
Sage's Oracle Touch is one of the best examples for a modern bean to cup machine. It is a little more expensive than the top capsule or pod machines, but the extra cost is well worth it. It has a huge colour touchscreen, and guides the user through each step of making a particular coffee. It also comes with a professional steam wand to create the perfect texture of milk and allows you to customize every drink to your preference. Oracle Touch can dispense both hot and cold drinks. It will also remember your drink preference for the school run, so you won't have to order an entirely new one each time. If you're looking for a high-end coffee maker with a top-quality burr grinder, as well as a variety of bespoke features, take a look at our full review of this machine.
Pod or capsule machines
The best pod coffee machines eliminate the guesswork of brewing and deliver consistently good results with little or no effort. These models dispense capsules containing instant or ground coffee, tea and other drinks. They are a great option for those not as familiar with espresso machines or bean-to-cup machines, and are simply looking for a quick fix on a workday morning.
They're a great option for those who want to try out different blends without buying large quantities of beans and they're cheaper than other alternatives if you don't need the machine as much. However, they're usually less versatile than other models and will not give the same high-quality brew that a filter or bean-to-cup machine can provide.
If you're looking for a straightforward cup of coffee, this pod coffee maker from Illy is ideal. You just lift the flap on top (which automatically removes the used capsule) then put in a new one and press either the big cup or small cup button. The machine employs an innovative two-stage extraction process to make rich and satisfying coffee.
The included milk frother lets it to serve hot drinks, such as herbal teas, hot chocolate, and cappuccinos or lattes. It's important to note that milk made from pods tends to not have the richly textured texture you can get with a more costly, manual frother from Dualit or Lavazza.
This machine is more stylish than the majority of pod coffee makers available and is also quieter - so it won't make a racket when you're enjoying your caffeine fix. The machine is designed to fit in any kitchen, from modern to country and is enjoyable to use. The lever catapults used capsules into the receptacle which can hold up to ten large capsules.
The machine can provide a variety of beverages, from tall travel mugs to short espressos. A barcode scanner can also tell you which pods are being used. It's not as customizable as the machine that grinds beans to cup, and you can't adjust the amount of coffee extraction.