How to Choose the Best Coffee Machine
There's a lot of technological brilliance behind this machine, which manages to precisely regulate the temperature of water and evenly distribute it over ground coffee beans in the filter basket. This ekes out more flavour than other less expensive machines.
Unlike semiautomatic machines, which require you to fill the portafilter by hand and decide when to stop pulling, this fully automated machine will do everything for you.
Filter coffee machines
A filter coffee machine produces filter coffee by passing hot, filtrated water through grounds of coffee. 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 variety of sizes, from three to 13 cups, and are available with a variety of options.
Some of the models we tested have insulated Jugs that keep your coffee warm without the need for an energy-hungry heat plate. Some have a 24-hour timer, which means you can set it to run the night before and wake to a jug full of coffee waiting for you. Other useful features include a permanent, reusable filter that reduces paper waste and a easily-observable water tank.
Some filter coffee machines are small enough to fit on a tiny kitchen countertop, while others have bigger footprints. Some also come with a removable water tank for easier refilling and cleaning and cleaning, while others have fixed tanks that may limit where you can place yours.
If you want an espresso machine that has added functionality, choose one that comes with an integrated grinder. This allows you to grind fresh coffee beans at will and then pour the ground beans directly into the basket. Some models offer this accessory as an alternative. You can also find model that use pre-ground coffee beans, too.
We recommend a product that has a larger capacity for those looking to make several cups at a time. We've tested several filter coffee makers that have 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's super simple to install and use, has an impressive number of user reviews and numerous useful tips and guides, and is very robust and reliable.
Espresso machines
Espresso machines can create many different specialty drinks by simply pressing a button. They're like the manual coffee makers you can find in cafes. The machines require more effort than other types as users grind their own coffee beans, weigh the ground coffee, and then steam the milk separately. However, our test subjects discovered the results are worth the extra work.
Looking to achieve the same quality as a barista espresso machine, espresso machines use hot water and up to nine bars of pressure to make a stronger, more concentrated drink. They can also have built-in milk frothers to create cappuccinos or macchiatos. They are often more expensive but provide a high-end experience.
These are popular for those who want to recreate the cafe style coffee at home. The water is heated in an airtight container before being released through an nozzle into the ground coffee. The machines can take some time to warm up however when they are in place, they can create the cup in between 4 and 6 minutes.
For those who want a bit more control an espresso machine that is semi-automatic allows users to add their own ground beans, but automatically stops the flow of water midway through the brewing process. This is to ensure consistency in the final espresso. It is not for beginners and requires some patience to master. For those with a knack for tamping this can be the perfect espresso maker.
The more sophisticated super-automatic espresso machine takes away the guesswork and is more like commercial coffee makers. The machine is able to measure and grind the coffee before pumping hot water through it. These machines are ideal for those who want to create a specific beverage rather than just a cup of coffee. They tend to be among the most popular available.
The capsule and Pod machines are simple to use, but they provide a less customisable experience in comparison to their bean-to-cup counterparts. The Lavazza Jolie & Milk has nine pre-programmed drinks to choose from. They range from classics like white coffee and cappuccino to more imaginative drinks such as ristrettos or macchiatos. It also can serve hot water and steam at the press of a button.
Bean-to-cup machines
The top bean-to-cup machines crush whole beans on demand, and then make several drinks - typically by pressing the button. Many machines allow you to save your preferences for coffee, to ensure that the machine can make the beverage that you like every time it's turned on. They can be connected to home tech networks or apps for greater flexibility.
black coffee machines can usually control the finer aspects such as the temperature or the pressure of the extraction. This gives you complete control over the taste of each cup. They're also often designed to produce a higher quality of 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 filtering water through the beans at the exact pressure and at the exact time to maximize flavour.
There are many bean-to cup machines that can also froth milk. This is great for creating the rich, textural layers of a cappuccino or latte - however, there is some learning curve in getting these drinks right. Once you've mastered the machine it is able to make drinks that are at home in a specialty coffee shop.
One of the most excellent examples of a modern bean-to-cup machine is Sage's Oracle Touch. It is a little more expensive than the best capsule or pod machines, but the additional cost is worth it. The machine features a large colour touchscreen, and guides the user through each step of making a certain coffee. It also comes with a professional steam wand for producing the perfect texture of milk, and allows you to customize each drink to your tastes. Oracle Touch can dispense both cold and hot drinks. It will also remember your preferred drink for school runs so you don't have to purchase a new one every time. If you're in the market for a high-end coffee maker with a premium burr grinder and lots of unique features, read our full review of this machine.
Pod or capsule machines
The best pod coffee machines eliminate the guesswork of brewing, and give regular results with minimal or no fuss. These machines offer capsules of ground or instant coffee, tea and other beverages. These machines are a good option for those who have little experience with espresso or bean-to-cup machines and need a quick fix in the morning.
They're a great choice for those looking to test different blends without buying large quantities of beans and they're cheaper than other alternatives if you don't need the machine as often. They are less versatile and don't produce the same quality of coffee as filters or a bean-to- cup machine.
If you're after a no-fuss cuppa, this pod coffee maker from Illy is ideal. You simply lift the top cover (which automatically removes used capsules) and then insert a fresh capsule and press the button for either the large or small cup. The machine employs a unique two-stage extraction system to create rich, satisfying coffee.
It also allows you to pour hot water for herbal teas and hot beverages and can also make coffee or latte, because of the milk frother. It's important to note that milk made from pods tends not to have the same texture and richness as milk made using manual frothers like Dualit or Lavazza.
It's more quiet and stylish than many other pod coffee makers. It won't disturb the user while you are getting your caffeine fix. It's designed to look nice in any kitchen, from rustic to modern, and is a real pleasure to use. The lever propels capsules into the receptacle that can accommodate up to ten capsules.
The machine comes with a range of beverages, including tall travel mugs and short espressos. A barcode reader will also inform you of the pods you are using. But it's not as flexible as a coffee maker for customizing the coffee you drink and there's no way to alter the amount of extraction.