How to Choose the Best Coffee Machines

There's a model to meet every need regardless of whether you're looking to buy an espresso maker or a coffee pod brewer. Prices start at PS50.

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

Manual

A manual machine is a good option for those who want to control their coffee. These machines allow you to manually operate a mechanical piston operation, which results in an exact amount of pressure and extraction. This kind of coffee machine requires a little more skill and experience to operate than other types but a lot of coffee drinkers say that it is worth the effort.

These manual coffee machines are made of high-quality materials that can last for a long time without maintenance. These machines come with a range of accessories like filters, portafilters, measuring cup, tamper, and funnel. They can be used to make cappuccinos as well as other drinks that use ground or pod coffee. Some manual coffee machines feature traditional steam arms for drinks made with milk, whereas others feature a nozzle that spreads water across the grounds.

Most manual coffee machines use a kettle that is used to heat water and then pour it over the grounds in the chamber for brewing. The user presses or raises a lever to activate a piston which forces hot water into the cup. This kind of machine doesn't have the same precision or accuracy in temperature control as a fully automatic or semi-automatic coffee maker. You may need to play around to find the ideal espresso flavor.

While some manual coffee machines are made to be used at home, the majority are designed for hospitality businesses like hotels, restaurants, bed and breakfasts, and farmhouses. They are typically small and compact taking up one or two square feet of counter space. They are also less expensive than other types of machines and are able to be repaired or replaced.

These machines are typically constructed using durable materials like chrome and brass. Some are hand-crafted, and they can add a touch of elegance to the kitchen design. They are also usually easy to clean. Some come in a variety of colors that can be matched to the aesthetics of any kitchen. They are more user-friendly than a fully automated or semi-automatic coffee machine and they can make delicious coffee.

Semiautomatic

Semi-automatic machines are a good compromise for espresso lovers who don't want to manage all the variables involved in brewing the perfect shot. These models start to take over some of the duties involved in making an espresso, including steaming milk and pre-infusion. You'll still have the option to customize your drinks to suit your tastes.

Breville is a brand known for its wide range of kitchen appliances. It makes one of the top semi-automatic coffee makers that are available. The Infuser is a versatile model that lets you make cappuccino, espresso and lattes at the touch of one button. The machine will automatically disperse the right amount of water for each drink. Its built-in burr grind adjusts the size of the grind to accommodate different extraction levels or beans. The Infuser's slim, sleek design and easy-to-use controls makes it a great option for people with small counter space.

The Dedica espresso machine is yet another highly rated model from Breville. Its 15 bar pump is sufficient to extract a quality espresso shot and its commercial design is built to last. The Dedica has a removable milk tank and the frothing tool, which can be used to make cappuccinos or lattes.

For a semiautomatic coffee maker that provides even more hands-free convenience consider an ultra-automatic. These machines are a step up from standard automatics, offering programmable coffee size, automatic grinding beans, and usually measuring and tamping on your behalf. These machines scored the highest in our Lab Tests for their all-in-one features and user-friendliness.

The Philips Dinamica is a super-automatic machine that can do it all. This model has a large, intuitive touchscreen interface which lets you select 16 different beverages, including cappuccino, latte, and black coffee. It automatically grinds whole beans to match the drink you choose, and it can even save your preferred settings so that you can bypass the selections menu entirely. Its advanced features include a water tank that is removable with a built-in water hardness tester as well as an AquaClean filter that reduces scale build-up and helps ensure that your machine will always make the highest quality coffee.

Fully automated

A fully automated machine will make a rich and smooth cup of coffee with the push of one button. This is a great choice for busy offices or homes because it can make both espresso 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 beverage ahead of time. These machines are perfect for multitaskers, as you can work while coffee is brewing.

These machines are well-liked in commercial coffee shops as they can brew several different drinks at the same time. However, they're typically more expensive than their semi-automatic counterparts. Some may feel that the convenience of a fully-automatic coffee maker is worth the extra cost.

The Mcilpoog WS-203 Super-Automatic Espresso and Coffee Machine is a premium coffee machine that is highly customizable that gives you the experience of a top cafe from the comfort of your own home. It is easy to use, with touchscreen display which makes coffee making as easy as just three steps. It comes with a stainless steel burr grinder that can be adjustable and programmed so that you can customize your coffee to meet your needs.

Another option for busy homes is the De'Longhi ECAM35020W Dinamica Automatic Coffee and Espresso Machine. The coffee maker boasts a quick heat-up time, and comes with a movable steel burr grinder and a milk frother for preparing coffee and espresso-based beverages. It can also produce a wide range of coffee types, including filter and iced coffee.

This is an affordable and versatile Nespresso-compatible machine that is perfect for a modern, well-equipped home. It comes with a large 1.7L water tank and a coffee bean capacity. It also has a quick, quiet heating system that makes a quick and delicious cup of coffee every time. It's also extremely simple to use and manual coffee machines comes with profiles for users that automatically prioritize the drinks that are most liked by each user and are only a tap away.

Super-automatic

These models are a step higher than semi automatic machines. They grind and dose, take the shot, and froth milk at the touch the button. They are the ideal option for those who wish to enjoy the wide variety of drinks and appreciate the ease of not having to prepare each one at a time like in a manual model or an automated model.

A good example is the Gaggia Velasca Prestige which combines a high-quality brewing machine with an automated milk frothing system to make the perfect cappuccino, latte, or macchiato. The ability to program this machine means you can tailor it to meet your needs and manual coffee machines save your settings for the next time. A bypass doser is standard with many of these machines which enables you to use coffee that has been ground instead of the beans stored in the bean hopper, an ideal feature for guests or when you want to switch to a different variety of beans.

Magnifica Evo, a fully automatic machine is also a top choice because of its versatility and ease of use. It features seven one-touch recipes with easy-to-read colored icons for everything from Espresso to a Latte Macchiato. It also allows you to save six user profiles so that each can have their favorite beverage brewed at the touch of one button. The machine also comes with a ceramic burr grinder which is the best choice for longevity and performance.

The Jura ENA 4 is another model manufactured in Switzerland that you must think about. It features sleek and minimal design, a large bean box and water tank capacity, making it ideal for commercial use. It features a sophisticated grinder and brewing system, the Aroma G3. You'll enjoy some of the finest espresso and coffee you've ever tasted.

The Philips 3200 LatteGo has a slightly more compact build than the other coffee machines that are super-automatic on this list, yet manages to deliver a quality cup of coffee. This machine is rated to produce up to 5000 cups before needing to be descaled, which is ideal for any busy home. It also has a built-in grinder that has 13 settings.