How to Choose the Best Coffee Machine
This machine is a technical marvel. It regulates the temperature of water precisely and distributes it evenly across the ground coffee in a filter basket. This gives more flavor than other less expensive machines.
Contrary to semiautomatic machines that require you to pack the portafilter by hand and decide when to stop pulling, this fully automated machine takes care of everything.
Filter coffee machines
A filter coffee maker brews up a pot of filter coffee by passing hot water through coffee beans, which are then placed in a filter. The grounds soak up the water, and release the flavour compounds that are then extracted into your cup of coffee. They are available in a range sizes, from 3 to 13 cups.
Some of the models we tested come with insulated Jugs that keep your coffee warm without the energy-intensive heat plate. Others have a 24-hour timer, which means you can set it for the night before and wake up to a jug full of coffee waiting for you. Other features that are useful include a long-lasting, reusable filter that minimizes the amount of paper waste and a easily-observable water tank that is easily visible.
Some filter coffee makers are small enough to fit on a compact kitchen worktop, while others have bigger footprints. Some models also come with a removable water tank to make refilling and cleaning easier, while others have fixed tanks that can restrict the location you can put yours.
If you are looking for a filter coffee machine with added functionality, choose one with an integrated grinder. This lets you grind fresh coffee beans at will and then disperse the ground beans directly into the basket. Some models offer this accessory as an alternative. There are models that use pre-ground coffee beans.
If you're looking to be able to make multiple cups of filter coffee at a time, we'd recommend a model that has a larger capacity. We've tested a range of filter coffee makers with this feature and found that the Melitta Look V Timer is one of the best at delivering a great filter coffee at a reasonable price. It's incredibly easy to setup and use, has an impressive amount of user reviews with many useful tips and guidelines and is extremely durable and reliable.
Espresso machines
Taking a page from the manual coffee makers that are used in cafes Espresso machines are able to create a range of specialty drinks with just the touch of one button. They require a bit more effort to use than other kinds of machines as users grind their own beans, measure and tamp the grounds and steam milk separately - but our test participants found that the results were worth it.
Espresso machines make use of hot water and pressures up to nine bar to produce an even stronger, more concentrated drink. They can also have an inbuilt milk frother to make macchiatos or cappuccinos. They tend to be more expensive but provide a high-end experience.
These are popular for those who wish to recreate cafe-style coffee at home. They come with an airtight container where the water heats up to a boiling point before being released through a nozzle into ground coffee. The machines may take a while to heat up, but once they are fully operational, they can make the cup in between 4 and 6 minutes.
Semi-automatic espresso machines are an excellent option for those who prefer a little more control. They permit users to add their own beans, but stop the flow of water halfway through the brewing procedure. 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 however, for those who have a knack of tamping it, it could be the ultimate coffee maker.
The super-automatic machine works than a traditional coffee maker and takes the guesswork out of the process. The machine grinds and weighs the coffee, then it pumps hot water through it before being dispensing it into your cup. They're perfect for those who are more attracted to making a particular beverage rather than just the usual cup of coffee and are often the most well-known coffee maker on the market.
Pod and capsule machines are easy to use, but they provide an uncustomizable experience when in comparison to their bean-to-cup counterparts. The Lavazza Jolie & Milk has nine pre-programmed drink choices. They range from classics like cappuccino and white coffee to more innovative drinks like ristrettos or macchiatos. It can also serve hot water and steam at the touch of one button.
Bean-to-cup machines
The top bean-to-cup machines crush whole roasted beans on demand and then brew them to create various drinks - usually with the push of a button. Many also allow you to save your coffee preferences to ensure that every time you turn on the machine, it can automatically produce the beverage you want. They can also be linked to applications or home tech networks to provide greater flexibility and automation.
You can usually control the finer details like the temperature and the pressure of the extraction. This gives you complete control over the taste of each cup. They are typically made to create a higher quality of coffee than pod or capsule machines. This is because a good bean-to-cup machine will grind the beans to an exact consistency, then force hot water through them at precisely the pressure and duration required to enhance the flavor.
There are many bean-to cup machines that can also make milk frothy. This is great for creating the rich and textural layers of a cappuccino or the latte. However it can be a little tricky to get these right. However, once you get it down they can create drinks that could be at home in a specialty coffee shop.
One of the best examples of a modern, bean-to-cup machine is Sage's Oracle Touch. It's more expensive than the best capsule or pod machines, but it's worth the extra cost. coffee machine for business has a huge touchscreen that shows the user through every step of making a specific coffee. It has a pro-steam wand to produce the perfect texture of your milk and allows you to personalize the drink to your tastes. It is also able to serve cold drinks and hot drinks and the Oracle Touch will even remember your drink of choice for the school run and will not require you to make up a new order each time. If you're looking for a premium coffee maker that comes with a premium burr grinder, as well as a variety of custom features, check out our full review of this machine.
Machines for capsules or pods
The top pod machines remove the guesswork and provide consistent results without fuss. These machines offer capsules of ground or instant tea, coffee and other beverages. They are a great option for those not as familiar with espresso machines or bean-to cup machines and are seeking an easy fix for the morning commute.
These machines are a good option for those who don't want to purchase large quantities of beans. They also work because they're less expensive if you're not using them frequently. However, they're generally less flexible than other models and do not give the same high-quality brew that beans-to-cup machines or filters can offer.
If you're after a no-fuss cuppa, this pod coffee maker from Illy is ideal. Simply lift the top flap (which automatically releases the old capsule) and then insert the new one, and then press either the big cup or small cup button. The machine employs a unique two-stage extraction method to create rich and satisfying coffee.
The milk frother included allows it to dispense hot drinks such as hot chocolate, herbal teas and cappuccinos, as well as lattes. It's worth noting that milk made from pods 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 quieter and more elegant than other pod coffee makers. It won't bother you while you're getting your caffeine fix. It's designed to look great in any kitchen, from traditional to modern, and is a real pleasure to use. The lever propels capsules into the container that can accommodate up to ten capsules.
The machine offers a variety of drinks, including tall travel mugs and short espressos. A barcode scanner can also tell you which pods you're using. But it's not as flexible as a coffee maker for customizing the coffee you drink and there's no option to tweak the amount of extraction.