How to Choose the Best Coffee Machine

This machine is a technical marvel. It maintains the temperature of the water precisely and evenly across the ground coffee in the filter basket. This produces more flavor than cheaper rivals.

Unlike semiautomatic machines, which require you to fill the portafilter manually and decide when to stop pulling, this fully automated machine will do everything 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 the flavour compounds that are then extracted into your cup of joe. They come in a range of sizes, ranging from 3 to 13 cups, and are available with a variety of options.

Some of the models we tried have insulated jugs to help keep your coffee warm without the need for an energy-hungry hotplate, while others have a 24-hour programmable timer so you can set the timer for the night prior to and get up to a pot of coffee waiting for you to drink. Other useful features include a permanent, reusable filter that helps reduce waste paper and a easily-observable water tank that is easily visible.

Some filter coffee machines are compact enough to fit on a small kitchen counter, whereas others have larger footprints. Some models have a removable tank to make refilling and cleaning easy. Some have fixed tanks that could restrict the space you make use of.

If you are looking for a filter coffee maker with added functionality, choose one with a grinder integrated. This lets you grind freshly brewed coffee beans as you please and then disperse the ground beans directly into the basket. Some models offer this feature as an alternative. There are also models that make use of pre-ground beans too.

We suggest a model that can handle a greater capacity for those who want to make multiple cups at once. We've tested a range of filter coffee makers with this feature and found that the Melitta Look V Timer is one of the top in delivering a great filter coffee at a fair price. It's super simple to install and use, has an impressive amount of user reviews, as well as many useful tips and guides and is extremely durable and reliable.

Espresso machines

Espresso machines can make various specialty drinks by simply pressing a button. They're similar to the manual coffee makers that are found in cafes. They require a bit more effort to use than other types of machine users have to grind their own beans and measure and tamp the grounds, and steam the milk separately - but our testers found that the results made the extra work worth it.

In the hope of achieving 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 can have a built in milk frother to make macchiatos or cappuccinos. They're generally more expensive than other coffee machines, but offer a high-end, premium experience.

These are popular for those who wish to recreate cafe-style coffee at home. They come with an airtight container in which the water is heated to a boiling point before being released through a nozzle and into ground coffee. They can be quite slow to heat up, but when they are ready, they can be used to make a cup of coffee in between four and six minutes.

Semi-automatic espresso machines are an excellent alternative for those who want some control. They allow the user to add their own beans but stop the flow of water during the brewing process. This is done to ensure consistency in the final espresso. This is not a good choice for beginners and requires patience to master. However, for those who are adept to tamp, this can be the perfect espresso maker.

The advanced super-automatic espresso machine eliminates the guesswork and is more of an industrial coffee maker. The machine grinds and measures the coffee before pumping hot water through it. They're perfect for those who are more interested in making a specific beverage instead of just an ordinary cup of coffee and are often the most popular coffee machine available.

The capsule and Pod machines are easy to use, but they provide an uncustomizable experience when compared to their bean-to cup counterparts. The Lavazza Jolie & Milk offers nine drink options that are preset that range from classics like white coffee and cappuccino to more imaginative concoctions like macchiatos and ristrettos. It also can dispense hot and steam at the press of the button.

Bean-to-cup machines

The best bean to cup machines crush whole coffee beans upon demand, and then brew the beans to create many drinks. This is usually done at the touch of a button. Many machines allow you to store your coffee preferences, so that the machine can make the beverage that you like every when it is powered on. They can be connected to home tech networks or apps for greater flexibility.

Often, you can alter the finer points of each beverage, such as the temperature and pressure of the extraction, so you have complete control over the taste of each cup like. They're often made to create a higher quality coffee than pod or capsule machines. A good bean-to cup machine will grind the coffee beans to a precise consistency and then push hot filtrated water through the beans at precisely the pressure and at the exact time to maximize flavor.

There are many coffee makers that have milk frothing capabilities. This is great for making the creamy and textural layers in a cappuccino or latte. However, it can be a little tricky to get these right. Once you have it figured out they can create drinks that would easily be at home in a specialized 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 the best capsule or pod machines, but the added cost is well worth it. The machine features a large screen that is color-coded, and will guide the user through each 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. It is also able to serve cold drinks as well as hot drinks, and the Oracle Touch will even remember your drink of choice for the school-run and you don't need to make a fresh order every time. Read our full review if you're in the market for a high-quality coffee machine with a premium grinder and numerous bespoke features.

Pod or capsule machines

The best pod coffee machines eliminate the guesswork of brewing, and give consistently good results with little or no effort. These machines offer capsules of ground or instant coffee, tea and other drinks. They can be a good option for those not as familiar with espresso machines or bean-to cup machines and are simply looking for an easy solution to an early morning at work.

These machines are a good alternative for those who don't need to buy large quantities of beans and also because they're less expensive when you don't use them frequently. But, pod coffee makers they're typically less flexible than other models and will not provide the same quality of brew that beans-to-cup machines or filters can provide.

If you're looking for a straightforward cup of coffee, this pod coffee maker from Illy is the perfect choice. It's as simple as lifting the flap on top (which automatically releases the old capsule), chuck in an additional one and then press either the big or small cup button. The machine uses a unique two-stage extraction process to make rich and satisfying coffee.

The included milk frother allows it to serve hot drinks such as hot chocolate, herbal teas, and cappuccinos or lattes. It's important to note that milk made from pods isn't likely to have the same rich texture as milk made with a manual frother like Dualit or Lavazza.

This machine is more stylish coffee machines than most of the pod coffee makers on the market and is also quieter - so it won't cause a ruckus while you're getting your caffeine fix. It's designed to look nice in any kitchen, from country to modern and is a true pleasure to use. The large lever swells up and catapults the used capsule into the receptacle that can accommodate ten capsules.

The machine can provide a variety of drinks, including tall travel mugs and short espressos. A barcode scanner can also tell you which pods are being used. It's not as flexible as machines that grind beans into cups, and you can't adjust the amount of coffee extraction.