How to Choose the Best Coffee Machine

This machine is a technological marvel. It regulates the water temperature precisely and evenly across the ground coffee in a filter basket. This ekes out more flavour than cheaper rivals.

Contrary to semiautomatic machines that require you to fill the portafilter manually and decide when to stop pulling, this fully automated machine takes care of everything.

Moccamaster KBGT: Off-White Filter Coffee Maker 1.25L coffee machines

A filter coffee maker brews up a pot of filter coffee by passing hot water through 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, ranging from 3 to 13 cups, and come with a range of features.

A few of the models we tested feature insulation to keep your coffee warm without the need for a consuming hotplate, while others have a timer that can be programmed for 24 hours so you can set it up the night before and wake up to a jug of coffee waiting to enjoy. Other helpful features include a long-lasting, 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 small kitchen, while others are larger. Some have a removable tank for easy refilling and cleaning. Others have fixed tanks that could limit the space you utilize.

If you want a filter coffee maker with added functions, pick one that comes with an integrated grinder. This lets you grind your fresh coffee beans at will and then dispense the ground beans directly into the filter basket. Some models offer this feature as an alternative. You can also find model that use pre-ground beans, too.

For those who want to be able to make several cups of filter coffee in one go, we'd recommend a model that has a larger capacity. We tested a variety of filter coffee makers with this feature and found that the Melitta Look V Timer is one of the best in providing excellent filter coffee at a fair cost. It is simple to use and set up, has a large number of user reviews, with many helpful tips and instructions. It is also robust and reliable.

Espresso machines

Espresso machines can produce various specialty drinks by pressing a single button. They're similar to the manual coffee makers found in cafes. They require a little more effort than other types of machine as users 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 effort worth it.

Looking to achieve the same level of quality as a barista espresso machine, espresso machines use hot water and up to nine bars of pressure to create a stronger, more concentrated drink. They also come with an integrated milk frother for creating cappuccinos and macchiatos. They tend to be more expensive, but offer superior experience.

They are a popular choice for those who wish to recreate cafe-style coffee at home. The water is heated in an airtight container prior to being released via an nozzle into the ground coffee. They can take a while to heat up, but when they are ready, they can be used to make a cup of coffee in four to six minutes.

Semi-automatic espresso machines are a great alternative for those who want some control. They permit users to add their own beans but stop the water flow halfway through the brewing procedure. This is done to ensure consistency in the espresso. It is not for beginners and requires some patience to master. However, for those who are adept for tamping this can be the ultimate espresso maker.

The super-automatic machine is more like a coffee maker from the industrial world and removes the guesswork out of the process. The machine grinds and measures the coffee, and then pumps hot water through it before being it is poured into your cup. These machines are ideal for those who wish to make a particular drink and not just an espresso. They are among the most sought-after available.

The capsule and pod machines are simple to use, but they offer an uncustomizable experience when compared to their bean-to cup counterparts. The Lavazza Jolie & Milk offers nine pre-made drink options including classics such as cappuccino and white coffee to more inventive concoctions such as ristrettos and macchiatos. It can also dispense steam and hot water at the press of one button.

Bean-to-cup machines

The most effective bean-to-cup machines crush whole coffee beans at the touch of a button, and then prepare the beans to make many drinks. This is typically done with the click of the button. A lot of them allow you to save your coffee preferences so that each time you turn on the machine, it will automatically create the beverage you want. They can also be linked to apps or home tech networks for greater flexibility and automation.

You can control many of the finer details like the temperature or the pressure of the extraction. This gives you complete control over the taste of each cup. They're often also designed to produce a higher quality of coffee than pod or capsule machines. This is because a high-quality bean-to-cup machine grinds the beans to a precise consistency, and then push hot water through them at precisely the pressure and time needed to maximize flavor.

There are also plenty of bean-to-cup machines with milk frothing capabilities. This is great for making the creamy, textural layers of the cappuccino or latte although there can be a bit of a learning curve in getting these right. Once you've mastered the machine, it can produce drinks that are at home in a specialty coffee shop.

One of the most impressive examples of a modern bean-to-cup machine is Sage's Oracle Touch. It is a little more expensive than some of the top capsule or pod machines, but the added cost is worth it. It has a huge touchscreen that shows the user through each step of making a particular coffee. It has a pro-steam wand to create the perfect texture of your milk and allows you to customize each drink to suit your tastes. It also can serve cold drinks and hot drinks and the Oracle Touch will even remember your drink of choice for school runs, so you don't have to create a new order each time. If you're looking for a premium coffee maker with a top-quality burr grinder and a host of unique 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 provide consistently good results with little or no fuss. These machines can be used to make capsules of ground or instant tea, coffee, Web site and other beverages. These machines are a good option for those with no experience with espresso or bean-to-cup machines and need an instant fix in the morning.

They're a great choice for those who want to experiment with various blends without spending large quantities of beans and they're also cheaper than other alternatives if you don't use the machine as much. They're not as versatile and don't yield the same quality of coffee as a filter machine or bean-to cup machine.

If you're looking for a straightforward cup of coffee, this pod coffee maker from Illy is the ideal choice. You just lift the flap on top (which automatically releases the old capsule) and then insert an additional one and then press either the big cup or small cup button. The machine utilizes an exclusive two-stage extraction system to create rich, rewarding coffee.

The included milk frother allows it to dispense hot drinks, such as herbal teas, hot chocolate, and cappuccinos or lattes. It's important to note that the milk derived from pods tends not to have the same rich texture as milk that is made using a manual frother like Dualit or Lavazza.

This machine is more stylish than the majority of pod coffee makers available and is also quieter - so it won't cause a ruckus while you're getting your caffeine fix. It's designed to look good in any kitchen, from country to modern and is a great pleasure to use. The lever launches capsules into the container that can hold up to ten large capsules.

The machine comes with a selection of drinks including short Philips CSA210/60 Kaffeepadmaschine Black Coffee Maker Shop Now espressos to tall travel mugs, and the barcode reader inside can tell which type of pod you're using. However, 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.