How to Choose the Best Home Coffee Machine

The best home coffee machine is one that will fit your style of brewing and work well in your kitchen. The most important considerations are capacity, size, and design.

During lab testing, this prosumer-level espresso maker amazed us with its speed and precision. The Sage Bambino heats up quickly and efficiently, steams powerfully milk, and produces fantastic 19-bar extractions.

Pod (or capsule) machines

If you prefer the speed and convenience of making coffee from pre-ground pods, a pod machine is a great option. These machines take the sloppy parts of brewing, eliminating the need for complex burr grinders and portafilters that must be regularly cleaned free of coffee oils. They also require less maintenance, making regular cleaning and descaling of the water reservoirs an excellent idea.

However these types of brewers aren't without their limitations. These brewers are limited to specific types of coffee pods like K-Cups Nespresso capsules or ESE (easy serve espresso). This isn't a problem when you stick to a particular brand of coffee but could be a problem if you are interested in trying a range.

Another drawback of pod machines is that they typically have a smaller water tank and are typically less durable than bean-to-cup models. They are also slower to brew, which may not be a problem when you're in a hurry in the morning, but is a hassle when you're planning a long day at work.

Think about the size of your bar before purchasing a pod machine. Some are slimmer and can be placed between other appliances. Also think about how much you're willing spend and the drinks you'd like to be able to create. Our former editor for ecommerce Louise remains hydrated on a budget with the Nespresso Vertuo Next, which allows her to serve short or long espresso shots and includes an efficient milk frother for lattes.

This sleek, elegant pod-machine offers both high-end and low-maintenance. It's not inexpensive, but it's an fashionable appliance for your kitchen and its sleek stainless steel design is sure to make a statement on your kitchen counter. It can create five different drinks at the touch of a button. Each capsule is equipped with an underside barcode, which is used by the machine to determine the beverage to be served. It's also a great option for sustainability enthusiasts as the used pods breakdown and decompose very quickly and the recyclable mug is an excellent feature.

Manual Espresso Machines

For those who love the art of making espresso manual machines can offer an enjoyable hands-on experience. Manual espresso machines are more time-consuming, but they can produce drinks of high quality. They are also more durable and have designs that can withstand heavy usage than other types.

Manual espresso machines, however, are not as easy-to-use as automatic espresso machines and frequently have no precise temperature controls. This can make it difficult to create consistent, high-quality espresso shots. The best manual espresso machines have an extensive learning curve and can be costly to purchase and maintain.

If you're a coffee lover who wants to discover the world of manual Espresso, you should try the machine designed to be user-friendly. Some models have a built-in grinder as well as a milk steamer, making them quite easy to use for those who are new to coffee. Some models have an adjustable reservoir for water, which can make it easier to clean and refill. Some are programmable, allowing you to set the time for the brewing cycle to start prior to waking.

Some manual espresso makers can be quite large, which makes them an ideal choice for larger households or coffee carts. Some are more compact and take up less counter space. When deciding on the size of your machine, you should also take into consideration how many people will be using it at once. You might want to consider a bigger model when you have more than one roommate or family member who is a coffee drinker.

The most affordable manual espresso machines have an adjustable milk frother, that can be set to automatically heat and froth milk to your preferred consistency. This type of machine works well for lattes, cappuccinos and is also suitable for those who have sensitive teeth. It's important to note that this kind of machine might not be suitable for those who prefer a more substantial cup of espresso since it produces less foam than other types of espresso makers.

Automatic Espresso Machines

This category contains fully automatic espresso machines, which handle the entire brewing procedure from grinding to extraction. They come with user-friendly interfaces and require little maintenance, other than routine cleaning and descaling. They are ideal for those who aren't keen on getting their hands dirty or have a small counter space for a fully size espresso and coffee machine.

The best budget espresso machine of these models can be programmed and have settings for different drinks that can be saved into "user profiles." They're also more likely to be Wi-Fi compatible which means you can control them with your smartphone. All this automation and programmability is expensive: These machines are more expensive than semi-automatics and manuals.

One of our top espresso makers that is automatic is the snazzy Eveversys Cameo. It's a sleek, aesthetically appealing machine that occupies the smallest amount of space on your counter. Plus, it gets 5 out of 5 in our ratings for ease of use, second only to the Miele. It's a high-output model which can house three separate hoppers and grinders, and you can select the one you want to use from the touchscreen display. In addition to being simple to use, it's self-monitoring and automatically calibrates itself so you don't have to worry about tinkering with a knob or pressing buttons.

Another option is the Cuisinart Spinn. The small, pill-shaped machine utilizes centrifugal force to brew coffee, which is a different technique than the traditional method of pushing water through the grounds. It can create several drinks, such as cappuccino and latte, with a little practice. This machine was tested at the Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab of the Good Housekeeping Institute, and scored a perfect 5 in our test for ease-of-use. The machine is also small by espresso maker standards. It will not take up much space on your counter.

It's worth experimenting with various types to find one that fits your preferences, budget, and space. Consider aesthetics, too--you'll want one that blends seamlessly with your decor and coffee cart. Make sure you check the counter's size to ensure your machine will be able to fit.

Pour-Over Machines

If you want to brew your coffee in complete control using a pour-over machine, it's an excellent choice. Pour-over machines like the Hario V60 or Chemex Funnex allow you to adjust various variables (coffee to water ratio and filter time, brewing duration), allowing the brewing process to be customized. They also tend to produce more vivid flavors and aromas than drip machines that are automated.

Pour-over brewers are made to produce top-quality results. They feature a thermometer that reads water temperature to the closest degree, and they have a precise pressure gauge that informs you when the amount you want to pour water is pour. They also have a large enough portafilter to accommodate a regular coffee mug, and they have enough space between the portafilter and the drip tray so you can brew directly into your coffee mug.

They also come with a replaceable charcoal filter to eliminate impurities from the water, which is crucial because coffee makers that have filters that aren't of the highest quality can create a bitter taste in your cup. Additionally, the top pour-over brewers are made of materials that are safe to wash in dishwashers and don't leak or hold onto coffee odors.

A good pour-over is easy to clean and should be fun to use. We found that most models we tested were comfortable to hold in one hand, and had the right size and shape to fit on an kitchen counter. Some of the simpler models models, like the Zojirushi Zutto, even has an extremely small footprint, making it ideal for small spaces. Some, like the Melitta Cafe Filter have a removable handle that makes it easier to lift and change the filter.

Philips 3200 Series is another model we like, since it has an intuitive display as well as a built-in grinder. It can brew espresso, Americanos, and black coffee at the touch of a button and has an attached steam wand to make cappuccinos and lattes. This model comes with a range of settings that can be customized, including various sizes and strengths for beverages. It can also start the brewing process up to 24 hours in advance.