How to Choose the Best Coffee Machines

Whether you're looking for a simple filter machine, a coffee pod or capsule brewer, or an espresso maker, you'll find an option here that will meet your requirements. Prices start around PS50.

These brewers offer convenience with consistency, consistency, and hands-off ease. They also be top performers in our Lab tests.

Manual

For those who like to be in complete control of the process, a manual machine is an ideal choice. These machines allow users to operate manually the operation using a piston that is mechanical. This produces precise extraction and pressure. This type of machine requires more experience and skill to operate, however many coffee drinkers consider it worth the effort.

Manual coffee makers are generally made from high-quality materials and can last for a long time without any major maintenance requirement. They come with a variety of accessories like filters, portafilters measuring cup, tamper, and funnel. They can be used to make cappuccinos or other drinks that use ground or pod coffee. Some manual coffee machines feature traditional steam arms for drinks that are milk-based, whereas others have a nozzle which spreads water across the grounds.

The majority of manual coffee makers heat the water in a separate kettle, and then pour it over the grounds inside the chamber of brewing. The user then presses or raises the lever or hand to activate a piston that pushes the hot water through the grounds before it is poured into the cup below. This kind of machine does not have the same precision or accuracy in temperature control as a fully automated or semi-automatic coffee maker. You may have to experiment to find your perfect espresso taste.

While some manual coffee machines are made for home use, most are designed for businesses in the hospitality industry like hotels or restaurants or bed and breakfasts and farmhouses. They are compact and efficient, and take up little counter space. They are also less expensive than other kinds of machines and can easily be repaired or replaced.

They are usually constructed from durable materials, including chrome and brass. Some are made by hand and can add a touch elegance to your kitchen design. They are also generally easy to clean. Some are available in a variety of colors and can match the style of your kitchen. They are easier to use than a fully automated or semiautomatic coffee machine, and they can make delicious coffee.

Semiautomatic

For the espresso lover who doesn't want to be in complete control of all variables of brewing an ideal shot, semi-automatic machines are an acceptable compromise. They begin to take over some of the tasks that go into making an espresso, including steaming milk and pre-infusion. But, you'll have many options to tailor your beverage to your own personal tastes.

One of the best semi automatic coffee makers on the market is from Breville, a company known for its wide range of kitchen appliances. The Infuser is an extremely versatile model, allowing you to make lattes, cappuccino and espresso with just a press of a button. The machine automatically dispenses water in the correct amount for each drink. The built-in burr grinder adjusts the size of the grind to accommodate different beans or extraction levels. The Infuser's compact, sleek design and user-friendly controls make it a perfect choice for those with limited counter space.

The Dedica espresso machine is another top-rated model from Breville. Its 15 bar pump is enough to extract a quality espresso shot and its commercial-grade construction is built to last. The Dedica has a removable milk tank and the frothing tool, which can be used for lattes or cappuccinos.

For a semiautomatic coffee maker that provides more hands-free convenience consider a super-automatic. These machines go one step above standard automatics by offering programmable coffee sizes, automatically grinding beans, and often measuring and tamping them for you. These machines tended to score the best in our Lab tests for their comprehensive capabilities and hands-free user-friendliness.

If you're looking for a machine that can do everything, consider the Philips Dinamica. The Dinamica has a large touchscreen interface with 16 different drinks including cappuccino and latte. It automatically grinds whole beans to match the selection of beverages and can save your preferred settings so that you don't have to go through the menu of choices completely. The top-of-the-line features of this machine include a movable tank with an integrated water hardness test and an AquaClean filter that reduces scale and ensures you always get the best Compact Coffee machine cup of coffee.

Fully automated

A fully automated machine will make a smooth and rich cup of coffee with the touch of a button. It's an ideal choice for busy homes or offices and is able to brew espresso-based drinks and filter coffee. Many models also have automatic milk frothing that lets you enjoy cafe-style coffees such as cappuccino and latte. Some models are even programmable that allows you to choose your preferred drink prior to time. These machines are perfect for multitaskers since you can work on your laptop while coffee is brewing.

They are also very popular in commercial coffee shops as they can brew multiple types of drinks simultaneously. These are more expensive than semi-automatic ones. However, the convenience provided by a fully-automated coffee maker might be worth the extra cost for some people.

The Mcilpoog WS-203 Super-Automatic Espresso and Coffee Machine is a high-end, highly customizable coffee machine that offers the quality of a top cafe, all from your home. It is easy to use, with an LCD touch screen that makes coffee-making as simple as three steps. It comes with a stainless steel burr grinder that is adjusted and programmable settings so you can customize your espresso to your personal preferences.

De'Longhi ECAM35020W Dinamica Automatic Coffee and Espresso Machine is another great option for busy households. The coffee machine has a fast heating time and comes with a milk frother and an adjustable steel burr mill for making espresso and best Compact coffee machine coffee-based drinks. It is also able to produce a wide range of coffee types that include iced and filter coffee.

It is a flexible and affordable Nespresso compatible machine that is perfect for the modern, well-equipped kitchen. It comes with a massive 1.7L water tank and coffee bean container capacity, and comes with a quiet, fast heating system that makes a quick and delicious cup of coffee every time. It is easy to use thanks to user profiles that automatically prioritize each user's preferred drinks, so they are only an easy tap away.

Super-automatic

These models are a step above semi-automatic machines. They grind, dose, pull the shot, and then froth milk with the click of a button. These machines are ideal for coffee drinkers who wish to drink multiple drinks at once and appreciate the convenience.

A great example is the Gaggia Velasca Prestige which combines an excellent brewing machine and an automatic milk frothing system for the perfect cappuccino, latte, or macchiato. The machine's programmability allows you to tailor it to your exact requirements and save your settings for the next time. A bypass doser comes included in many of these machines, allowing you to use pre-ground coffee instead of the beans stored in the bean hopper. It's which is a great feature for guests or when you want to switch to a different variety of beans.

The DeLonghi Magnifica Evo Fully-Automatic machine is a popular choice for its versatility and user-friendliness. It has seven one-touch recipe options with easy-to-read color icons, from Espresso to Latte Macchiato. It can also save six user profiles so that everyone can have their favorite beverage brewed at the touch of one button. This machine also includes the ceramic burr grinder which is the optimum option for durability and performance.

The Jura ENA 4 is another model produced in Switzerland that you should consider. It is a sleek and understated design, a huge bean box and water tank capacity, making it ideal for commercial use. It has a highly efficient brewing system and the incredible Aroma G3 grinder. You'll be able to enjoy the best coffee and espresso you've ever tasted.

The Philips 3200 LatteGo has a slightly more compact build than some of the other coffee machines that are super-automatic on this list, but still is able to provide a high-quality cup of coffee. This machine is rated to make up to 5000 cups before it needs to be descaled, which makes it ideal for homes with a busy schedule. It also has a built-in grinder that has 13 settings.