How to Choose the Best Coffee Machine

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

In contrast to semiautomatic machines, which require you to pack the portafilter manually and decide when to stop pulling, this fully automatic machine will do everything for you.

Filter coffee machines

A filter coffee machine produces filter coffee by passing hot, filtrated water through coffee grounds. The grounds absorb the water and release flavour compounds which are then extracted into the cup of coffee. They come in a range of sizes, ranging from three to 13 cups, and are available with a range of features.

Some of the models we tested come with insulated jugs that keep your coffee warm without the energy-intensive heat plate. Some models have a 24 hour timer, single serve coffee makers so you can set it to run the night before and awake to a jug full of coffee waiting for you to drink. Other helpful features include a permanent, reusable filter that helps reduce waste paper and an easily visible water tank.

Some filter coffee makers are small enough to be able to fit on the worktop of a small kitchen, while others are larger. Some have a water tank that can be removed to make refilling easier and cleaning easier, while others have fixed tanks that could limit where you can place yours.

For a filter maker with extra functionality, look for one that has an integrated grinder, so you can grind fresh coffee beans on demand and then pour them directly into the filter basket (though some models offer this as an option). You can find models that make use of pre-ground coffee beans.

If you want to be able to make several cups of filter coffee at a time We suggest a machine 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 best in making great filter coffee at a fair cost. It's incredibly easy to setup and use, has an impressive number of user reviews with many useful tips and guides and is extremely robust and reliable.

Espresso machines

Taking a page from the manual coffee machines coffee makers that are used in cafes espresso machines can be used to create a variety of special drinks at the touch of the button. They require a bit more effort than other types of machine - users must grind their own beans, measure and tamp the grounds, and steam the milk separately - but our test subjects noticed that the results made the extra work worth it.

Looking to achieve the same level of quality as baristas, an espresso machine uses hot water and up to nine bars of pressure to make a stronger, more concentrated drink. They can have an inbuilt milk frother to create cappuccinos or macchiatos. They're typically more expensive than other coffee machines, but offer a high-end, premium experience.

These are a popular choice for those looking to recreate cafe-style coffee at home. The water is heated in an airtight container prior to being released through a nozzle into the ground coffee. The machines can take some time to warm up, but once they are in place, they can create cups in 4 to 6 minutes.

For those who want some more control, Single serve coffee makers a semi-automatic espresso maker allows users to add their own ground beans, but automatically stops the flow of water halfway through the coffee making process. This is done to ensure consistency in the resulting espresso. This is not a good choice for beginners and requires patience to master. For those who are adept for tamping, this could be the perfect espresso maker.

The advanced super-automatic espresso machine removes the guesswork and is more of an industrial coffee maker. The machine grinds and measures the coffee, then pumps hot water through it prior to being dispensed into your cup. They're perfect for those who are interested in making a specific beverage rather than just an ordinary cup of single Serve coffee Makers. They also tend to be the most sought-after coffee maker on the market.

Pod or capsule coffee machines are the most simple to use, but offer less of a customisable experience than their counterparts that are bean-to-cup. The Lavazza Jolie & Milk offers nine pre-made drink options that range from classics like cappuccino and white coffee, to more inventive concoctions such as ristrettos and macchiatos. It also can dispense hot and steam at the press of one button.

Bean-to-cup machines

The most effective bean-to-cup machines crush whole roast coffee beans on demand, and then brew the beans to create many drinks. This is usually done at the touch of one button. Some machines allow you to store your coffee preferences, to ensure that the machine can produce the drink you prefer each when it is powered on. They can be connected to home tech networks or apps to provide greater flexibility.

You can control many of the finer details like the temperature and the pressure of the extraction. This gives you total control over the flavor of every cup. They are typically made to create a higher quality coffee than pod or capsule machines. This is because a good bean-to-cup machine will grind the beans to a precise consistency, and then push hot water through them at the exact pressure and timing required to maximise flavour.

There are many bean-to cup machines that can also frost milk. This is great for making the creamy, textural layers of the cappuccino or latte although there can be some learning curve to get these drinks right. However, once you get it sussed the machines can make drinks that are easily 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's a bit more expensive than the best capsule or pod machines, but the extra cost is worth it. The machine has a large, colour touchscreen that guides the user through each step of making a particular coffee. It has a pro-steam wand to produce the perfect texture of your milk, and allows you to customize each drink to suit your tastes. Oracle Touch can offer cold and hot drinks. It also keeps track of your preferred beverage for the school run so you don't have to buy a new one every time. If you're in the market for a high-end coffee maker that comes with a premium burr grinder, as well as a variety of bespoke features, take a look at our full review of this machine.

Machines for capsules or pods

The top pod machines remove the guesswork and give reliable results with no hassle. These models dispense capsules containing instant or ground coffee, tea, and other beverages. They are a great option for those less familiar with espresso or bean-to-cup machines and are seeking an easy fix for an early morning at work.

These machines are a good alternative for those who don't need to purchase large quantities of beans, and also because they're less expensive even if you don't use them as often. They're less flexible and don't produce the same quality of coffee as a filter machine or bean-to cup machine.

This pod coffee maker is perfect for those who want a quick cup of coffee. You just lift the top cover (which automatically ejects capsules that have been used), insert a new capsule, and then push the button for the large or the small cup. The machine utilizes a unique two-stage extraction method to produce rich and rewarding coffee.

The included milk frother lets it to dispense hot drinks such as hot chocolate, herbal teas and cappuccinos, as well as lattes. It's important to note that milk made from pods tends to lack the luxuriously smooth texture that you can get with a more costly, manual frother from Dualit or Lavazza.

This machine is more quiet and stylish than many other pod coffee makers. It won't annoy you while you get your caffeine fix. It's designed to look good in any kitchen, from rustic to modern, and is a real pleasure to use. The chunky lever springs up and launches the capsule into the receptacle, which can hold ten large capsules.

The machine offers a wide variety of drink options, from short black espressos to tall travel mugs, and the barcode reader can tell which type of pod you're using. However, it's not as flexible as a coffee maker for customizing the coffee you drink and there's no option to tweak the amount of extraction.