How to Choose the Best Coffee Machine

This machine is a technological marvel. It regulates the water temperature precisely and evenly across the coffee grounds in the filter basket. This machine has more flavor than its cheaper competitors.

Unlike semiautomatic machines, which require you to load the portafilter manually and decide when to stop pulling, this fully automated machine takes care of everything.

Filter coffee machines

A filter coffee machine brews up a pot of filter coffee by passing hot water through coffee beans that are placed in the filter. The grounds absorb the water and release flavor compounds that are then absorbed into the cup of coffee. They come in a range of sizes, from three to 13 cups, and come with a range of features.

Some of the models we tried have an insulated jug that helps keep your coffee warm without the need for an energy-hungry 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 useful features include a reusable and permanent filter to cut down on paper waste and an insulated water tank that allows you to see clearly when it's full.

Some filter coffee makers are small enough to fit on the countertop of a kitchen that is small, while others are larger. Some models have a removable tank to make refilling and cleaning easy. Others have fixed tanks which may restrict the space you utilize.

For a filter coffee maker with extra functionality choose one that has an integrated grinder so that you can choose to grind your own coffee beans on demand and dispense them directly into the filter basket (though some offer this as an optional accessory). You can find models that use pre-ground coffee beans.

For those who want to be able to make multiple cups of filter coffee in one go we suggest a model that has a larger capacity. 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 reasonable cost. It's incredibly easy to setup and use, comes with an impressive number of user reviews with many useful tips and guidelines and is extremely robust and reliable.

Espresso machines

Espresso machines can make various specialty drinks by simply pressing a button. They're like the manual coffee makers found in cafes. They require a little more effort than other types of machine - users must grind their own beans and measure and tamp the grounds, and steam the milk in separate batches - however our test subjects found that the results were worth it.

Espresso machines make use of hot water and pressure up to nine bar to produce an intense, more concentrated drink. They also come with an integrated milk frother for creating cappuccinos and macchiatos. They're generally more expensive than other coffee machines, automatic espresso machines but offer a high-end, premium experience.

They are a favorite choice for those who want to recreate the cafe-style coffee at home. The water is heated in an airtight container prior 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 coffee in between four and six minutes.

Semi-automatic espresso machines are a good alternative for those who want some more control. They permit users to add their own beans, however, they stop the flow of water halfway through the brewing procedure. This is done to ensure consistency in the final espresso. It's not ideal for beginners and requires a bit of patience to master the process, but for those with a knack of tamping it, it could be the ultimate coffee maker.

The more advanced super-automatic espresso machine takes away the guesswork of the process and is more a commercial coffee maker. The machine grinds and weighs the coffee, and then pumps hot water through it before dispensed into your cup. They're ideal for those who are more interested in creating a particular beverage, rather than just the usual cup of coffee makers with grinder and tend to be the most popular coffee machine on the market.

Pod or capsule coffee machines are most simple to use, but offer less of a customisable experience than their bean-to-cup counterparts. The Lavazza Jolie & Milk offers nine drink options that are preset that range from classics like cappuccino makers and white coffee to more imaginative concoctions like ristrettos and macchiatos. It can also serve hot water and steam by pressing one button.

Bean-to-cup machines

The best bean-to cup machines crush whole beans on demand and then brew them to create a range of drinks, usually by pressing a button. Many also allow you to save your coffee preferences so that every time you turn the machine on, it will automatically create the drink you desire. They can be connected to home technology networks or apps for greater flexibility.

You can usually control the finer details such as the temperature or the pressure of the extraction. This gives you complete control over the flavor of each cup. They are typically designed to produce a higher quality of coffee than capsule or pod machines. This is because a quality bean-to-cup grinder will grind the beans to a precise consistency, then force hot water through them at precisely the pressure and duration required to maximise flavour.

There are many bean-to cup machines that can also make milk frothy. This is great for creating the creamy and textural layers in a cappuccino or Latte. However, it can be difficult to master these. Once you master the machine, it can produce drinks that are perfect in specialty coffee shops.

One of the best examples of a modern, bean-to-cup machine is Sage's Oracle Touch. It's a touch more expensive than the top pod or capsule machines, but it's worth the extra cost. It has a huge, colour touchscreen that guides the user through each process of making a certain coffee. It also comes with a professional steam wand for producing the perfect texture of milk, and enables you to customise the drinks to suit your preferences. Oracle Touch can serve both hot and cold drinks. It also keeps track of your drink preference for the school run so you don't have to purchase another one each time. If you're in the market for a premium coffee maker with a premium burr grinder and a host of custom features, read our complete review of this machine.

The capsule or pod machines

The best pod machines eliminate the guesswork and provide regular results without hassle. These machines offer capsules of ground or instant tea, coffee and other beverages. They can be a good option for those less familiar with espresso or bean-to-cup machines and are seeking a quick fix on a workday morning.

They're a great choice for those looking to try out different blends without buying huge quantities of beans, and they can also be cheaper than other alternatives if you don't need the machine as often. However, they're usually less versatile than other models and do not provide the same quality of brew that beans-to-cup machines or filters can provide.

This pod coffee maker is ideal for those who want an instant cup of coffee. You just lift the top cover (which automatically ejects used capsules) and then insert a fresh capsule and push the button for the large or small cup. The machine employs a unique two-stage extraction process to make rich and satisfying coffee.

The included milk frother allows it to serve hot drinks like herbal teas, hot chocolate and cappuccinos as well as lattes. However, it's worth noting that pod-related milk tends to lack the lushly textured texture that you can get with a more expensive, manual frother from Dualit or Lavazza.

This machine is more peaceful and stylish than many other pod coffee makers. It won't annoy you while you're getting your caffeine fix. It's designed to look good in any kitchen, from rustic to modern and is a true pleasure to use. The lever launches capsules into the container that can hold up to ten large capsules.

The machine comes with a range of beverages, including tall travel mugs and short espressos. Barcode readers will also inform you of the pods you're using. It's not as customizable as the machine that grinds beans to cup and can't alter the amount of coffee extraction.