How to Choose the Best Coffee Machine
This machine is a scientific marvel. It regulates the temperature of the water precisely and distributes it evenly across the coffee grounds in a filter basket. This ekes out more flavour than cheaper rivals.
This fully automated machine will take care of everything. Contrary to semi-automatic machines that require you to load your portafilter by hand and decide when you want to stop taking the portafilter out, this fully automated machine does it all for you.
Filter coffee machines
A filter coffee maker makes filter coffee by passing hot, filtrated water through grounds of coffee. The grounds absorb the water and release flavour compounds which are then extracted into the cup of coffee. They are available in a range sizes, from 3 to 13 cups.
Some of the models we tested have an insulated jug that helps keep your brew warm without the need for an energy-hungry hotplate, while others have a 24-hour programmable timer so you can set it up the night before and get up to a pot of coffee waiting for you to enjoy. Other helpful features include a permanent, reusable filter that helps reduce waste paper and a easily-observable water tank.
Some filter coffee makers are small enough to sit on the counter top of a kitchen that is small, while others are larger. Some come with a removable water tank for easier refilling and cleaning some have fixed tanks that can restrict the location you can put yours.
For a filter coffee maker with extra functionality Look for one with an integrated grinder, so you can grind your own coffee beans at any time and pour them directly into the filter basket (though some models offer this as an option). There are models which use coffee beans that have been ground.
For those who want to to make several cups of filter coffee at a time, we'd recommend a model that has a larger capacity. We've tested a number of filter coffee makers with this capability and discovered the Melitta Look V Timer to be among the top for providing a delicious cup of filter coffee for reasonable prices. It is easy to set up and use and comes with a huge number of user reviews, with many helpful tips and guides. It is also sturdy and reliable.
Espresso machines
Espresso machines can create various specialty drinks by simply pressing a button. They are similar to the manual coffee makers that are found in cafes. They require a little more effort to use than other kinds of machines users have to grind their own beans, measure and tamp the grounds, and steam the milk on their own - however, our test subjects noticed that the results made the extra work worth it.
Espresso machines make use of hot water and pressure up to nine bars to make a stronger, concentrated drink. They can have a built in milk frother to make macchiatos and cappuccinos. They're typically more expensive than other coffee machines but they provide a premium, high-end experience.
They are a favorite among those who wish to recreate the cafe style coffee at home. They come with an airtight container in which the water is heated to boiling point before releasing through a nozzle, and then into ground coffee. The machines may take some time to heat up, but when they are ready, they can produce cups in 4 to 6 minutes.
For those who want some more control, a semi-automatic espresso maker allows users 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's not the best choice for novices and requires some patience to master however, for those who have the ability to tamp it, it could be the ultimate coffee maker.
The advanced super-automatic espresso machine eliminates the guesswork of the process and is more like an industrial coffee maker. The machine grinds and measures the coffee, then it pumps hot water through it before dispensing it into your cup. These machines are great for those looking to make a particular drink and not just the cup of coffee. They are among the most sought-after available.
The capsule and Pod machines are easy to use, but they offer a less customisable experience compared to their bean-to cup counterparts. The Lavazza Jolie & Milk offers nine pre-made drink options, from go-tos like cappuccino and white coffee, to more creative concoctions including macchiatos and ristrettos. It can also serve hot and steam at the push of the button.
Bean-to-cup machines
The most effective bean-to-cup machines crush whole roast coffee beans upon demand and then make the beans into many drinks. This can be done at the touch of the button. A lot of machines let you save your preferences for coffee, so that the machine will create the drink you prefer each time it's turned on. They can also be connected to apps or home tech networks to provide greater flexibility and automation.
Most of the time, you are able to control the finer details of each drink, including the temperature and the pressure of the extraction, so you have complete control over what each cup tastes like. They're typically designed to provide a higher quality of coffee than pod or capsule machines. A good bean-to cup machine will grind the coffee beans to a precise consistency, and then force hot filtrated water through the beans at precisely the pressure and time needed to enhance the flavor.
There are a lot of bean-to-cup machines that have milk frothing capabilities. This is great for making the rich and textural layers of a cappuccino or Latte. However, it can be a little difficult to master these. Once you have it sussed, these machines can produce drinks that would easily be at home in a specialized coffee shop.
Sage's Oracle Touch is one of the most impressive examples of modern bean to cup machine. It's higher priced than the top pod or capsule machines, but it's worth the extra cost. The machine features a large colour touchscreen, and guides the user through each step of making a particular coffee. It has a pro-steam wand that creates the perfect texture of your milk, and allows you to customize every drink to meet your preferences. Oracle Touch can dispense both cold and hot drinks. It also keeps track of your preferred drink for school runs and you won't need to purchase another one each time. If you're in the market for a top-quality coffee maker with a premium burr grinder and lots of bespoke features, read our complete review of this machine.
Pod or capsule machines
The top pod machines remove the guesswork and deliver consistent results without fuss. These models dispense capsules containing instant or ground coffee, tea and other drinks. They are a good alternative for those less experienced with espresso or bean-to-cup machines, and are seeking an easy solution to an early morning at work.
These machines are a great alternative for those who don't wish to buy large quantities of beans, and also because they're less expensive even if you don't use them as often. They're less flexible and don't yield the same quality of coffee as filters or a bean-to- cup machine.
This pod coffee maker is ideal for those who want a quick cup of coffee. It's as simple as lifting the top flap (which automatically ejects the used capsule) then put in an additional one and then press either the big or small cup button. The machine employs a unique two-stage extraction process to make rich and satisfying coffee.
The included milk frother allows it to pour hot drinks such as herbal teas, hot chocolate, and cappuccinos or lattes. It's worth noting that pod-related milk tends to not have the richly textured texture that you can achieve using a more expensive manual frothers from Dualit or Lavazza.
This machine is more peaceful and stylish than many other pod coffee makers. It won't disturb you while you're getting your caffeine fix. It's designed to look great in any kitchen, from country to modern and is a great pleasure to use. The large lever swells up and catapults the used capsule out of the receptacle, which can hold ten large capsules.
The machine has a wide range of beverage options that range from black espressos with a short brew to tall travel mugs, and the barcode reader inside can tell which type of pod you're using. But it's not as flexible as a coffee maker in terms of customizing the coffee you drink and there's no option to tweak the amount of extraction.