How to Choose the Best Coffee Machine

This machine is a scientific marvel. It keeps the water temperature precisely and evenly over the coffee grounds in the filter basket. This ekes out more flavour than cheaper rivals.

This fully automated machine is able to handle everything. Contrary to semi-automatic machines that require you to pack your portafilter manually and then decide when you're ready to stop pulling the portafilter, this fully automated machine takes care of everything for you.

Filter coffee machines

A filter coffee machine makes filter coffee by passing hot filtering water through grounds of coffee. 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 three to 13 cups, and are available with a range of features.

A couple of models we tested have insulation to keep your brew warm without the need for a consuming hotplate. Other models have a timer that can be programmed for 24 hours so you can set the timer for the night prior to and wake up to a jug of smeg coffee machine waiting to drink. Other helpful features include a reusable, permanent filter that reduces paper waste and a easily-observable water tank that is easily visible.

Some filter coffee makers are small enough to be able to fit on the countertop of a small kitchen while others are larger. Some have a removable water tank to make refilling easier and cleaning easier and cleaning, while others have fixed tanks that could limit where you can place yours.

If you want a filter coffee maker with added functions, pick one with a grinder integrated. This lets you grind your fresh coffee beans at will and then pour the ground beans directly into the filter basket. Certain models come with this feature as an option. There are also models that use pre-ground coffee beans, too.

We recommend a product that can handle a greater capacity for those who want to make several cups at once. We've tested a number of filter coffee makers with this feature and we found the Melitta Look V Timer to be among the top for providing a delicious cup of filter coffee for reasonable prices. It is simple to set up and use and has a lot of user reviews, and numerous helpful tips and instructions. It's also durable and reliable.

Espresso machines

Espresso machines can produce many different specialty drinks by pressing a single button. They are similar to the manual coffee makers that are found in cafes. They require a little more effort than other types of machines - users must grind their own beans and measure and tamp the grounds, and steam the milk on their own - however, our test participants found that the results made the extra effort worth it.

In the hope of achieving the same quality as baristas, an espresso machine uses hot water and up to nine bars of pressure to create an even stronger and more concentrated drink. They can also have a built in milk frother to make macchiatos or cappuccinos. They are often more expensive, but offer high-end experience.

These are popular for those who want to recreate cafe-style coffee at home. The water is heated in an airtight container prior to being released through an opening into the ground coffee. The machines can take a while to heat up, but once they are in place, they can create the cup in between 4 and 6 minutes.

If you're looking for greater 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 the consistency of the espresso. It's not ideal for beginners and requires a bit of patience to master, but for those with a knack of tamping it, it's the perfect coffee maker.

The super-automatic machine is more like an industrial coffee maker and eliminates the guesswork from the process. The machine grinds and weighs the coffee, and then pumps hot water through it prior to being dispensing it into your cup. These coffeee machines are great for those looking to create a specific beverage rather than just the cup of coffee. They tend to be among the most popular available.

Pod or capsule coffee machines are most user-friendly, but they are less customizable in terms of experience than their counterparts that are bean-to-cup. The Lavazza Jolie & Milk has nine pre-programmed drink choices. These range from classics like white coffee and cappuccino to more innovative drinks like ristrettos and macchiatos. It can also dispense steam and hot water at the touch of a button.

Bean-to-cup machines

The best bean-to-cup machines crush whole roast beans on demand and then brew them to create several drinks, usually by pressing the button. Some also let you save your coffee preferences so 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 manage the finer aspects of each drink, including the temperature and pressure of extraction, meaning you're in total control over what each cup tastes like. They're often designed to produce a better quality coffee than pod or capsule machines. A good bean-to-cup machine will grind the coffee beans to a specific consistency and then force hot filtrated water through the beans at precisely the pressure and time needed to enhance the flavor.

There are many bean-to cup machines that can also frost milk. This is a great way to create the rich and textural layers in a cappuccino, pod coffee machine or the latte. However it can be a little difficult to make these drinks. Once you've mastered the machine it can make drinks that are perfect in a specialty coffee shop.

One of the most impressive examples of a modern, bean-to-cup machine is Sage's Oracle Touch. It's a bit more expensive than the best capsule or pod machines, but the extra cost is worth it. The machine has a large touchscreen that's color and helps the user through every step of making a particular coffee. It features a pro-steam wand to create the perfect texture of your milk and lets you customize every drink to meet your preferences. Oracle Touch can offer cold and hot drinks. It will also remember your preferred drink for school runs so you don't have to order an entirely new one each time. If you're in the market for a high-end coffee maker with a top-quality burr grinder and a host of unique features, read our complete review of this machine.

Pod or capsule machines

The top pod coffee machines eliminate the guesswork of brewing and provide consistently good results with little or no fuss. These models dispense capsules of instant or ground tea, coffee, and other beverages. They are a good option for those who are less experienced with espresso or bean-to-cup machines, and are looking for an easy fix for a workday morning.

These machines are a good option for those who don't wish to purchase large quantities of beans and also because they're less expensive if you're not using them as often. They're less flexible and don't provide the same quality of coffee as the bean-to cup machine.

This pod coffee maker is ideal for those who want an instant cup of coffee. Simply lift the flap on top (which automatically ejects the used capsule), chuck 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 milk frother included allows it to pour hot drinks, such as herbal teas, hot chocolate and cappuccinos, as well as lattes. It's important to note that the milk from pods isn't likely to have the same rich texture as milk made with manual frothers, such as Dualit or Lavazza.

This machine is more stylish than the majority of pod coffee machine coffee makers out there It's also quieter, so it won't make a racket when you're enjoying your caffeine fix. It's made to fit into any kitchen, from modern to rustic and is a joy to use. The chunky lever springs up and launches the capsule out of the receptacle, which can accommodate ten capsules.

The machine offers a wide range of beverage options, from short black espressos to large travel mugs and the barcode reader inside can tell which type of pod you're using. However, it's not as flexible as a bean-to-cup machine in terms of customising the coffee machines nespresso you drink, and there's no way to alter the amount of extraction.