How to Choose the Best Coffee Machine

There's a lot more technical brilliance behind this machine, which is able to precisely regulate the temperature of water and evenly disperse it over ground coffee beans in the filter basket. This produces more flavor than the cheaper alternatives.

This fully automatic machine takes care of everything. Unlike semiautomatic machines that require you to pack your portafilter by hand and decide when you're ready to stop taking the portafilter out the fully automated machine does it all for you.

Filter coffee machines

A filter coffee machine makes up a pot of filter coffee by passing hot water through the ground coffee beans that are placed in a filter. The grounds soak up the water, and release the flavour compounds that are then extracted into your cup of joe. They are available in a variety sizes, from 3 to 13 cups.

A couple of models we tested feature an insulated jug that helps keep your coffee warm without the need for an energy-hungry hotplate, and others come with 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 ready for you to enjoy. Other features that are useful include a permanent reusable filter to cut down on waste paper and a water tank that allows you to easily gauge the level of water in it.

Some filter coffee makers are small enough to sit on the counter top of a kitchen that is small, while others are larger. Some have a tank that can be removed for easy refilling and cleaning. Others have fixed tanks that could limit the space you utilize.

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

If you want to to make several cups of filter coffee in one go, we'd recommend a model with a larger capacity. We've tested many filter coffee makers that have this feature and we found the Melitta Look V Timer to be one of the best in providing a delicious cup of filter coffee for reasonable prices. It is simple to set up and use and comes with a huge number of user reviews, Coffee Shops with many helpful tips and guidelines. It's also robust and reliable.

Espresso machines

Espresso machines can produce many different specialty drinks by simply pressing a button. They are similar to the manual coffee gifts makers that are found in cafes. The machines require a bit more effort than other kinds that require users to grind their own coffee beans, weigh the grounds, and then steam the milk on their own. However, our test subjects found the results worth the extra work.

Espresso machines make use of hot water and pressure up to nine bar to create a stronger, concentrated drink. They also come with a built-in milk frother to make macchiatos and cappuccinos. They're typically more expensive than other coffee makers, but they provide a premium, high-end experience.

They are a favorite among those who wish to recreate the cafe coffee at home. The water is heated in an airtight container before being released through a nozzle into the ground coffee. The machines may take some time to warm up however once they are ready, they can produce the cup in between 4 and 6 minutes.

For those who prefer greater control an espresso machine that is semi-automatic allows users to add their own ground beans but automatically stops the flow of water midway through the brewing process. This is to ensure consistency in the resulting espresso. It is not for beginners and requires some time to master. For those with a knack for tamping this can be the ultimate espresso maker.

The super-automatic machine works like an industrial coffee maker and takes the guesswork out of the process. The machine measures and grinds the coffee before pumping hot water through it. They're ideal for those who are more attracted to making a particular beverage, rather than just a regular cup of coffee. They are often the most well-known coffee maker on the market.

Pod and capsule machines are easy to use, but they provide less customization in comparison to their bean-to-cup counterparts. The Lavazza Jolie & Milk offers nine preset drink options that range from classics like white coffee and cappuccino to more imaginative concoctions like 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 roasted coffee beans on demand and then make the beans into various drinks. This can be done with the click of a button. Many also allow you to save your coffee preferences so that each time you turn on the machine, it will automatically make the beverage you want. They can also be connected to applications or home tech networks for greater flexibility and automation.

Often, you can control the finer details of each beverage, such as the temperature and the pressure of the extraction, which means you have complete control over what each cup will taste like. They're often designed to produce a better quality of coffee than pod or capsule machines. This is because a high-quality bean-to-cup machine grinds the beans to a precise consistency, then force hot water through them at the exact pressure and timing required to enhance the flavor.

There are a lot of coffee makers that have milk foaming capabilities. This is great for making the creamy, textural layers of the cappuccino and latte however there can be a bit of a learning curve in getting the right recipe. Once you've mastered the machine it is able to make drinks that are perfect in specialty coffee shops.

One of the most excellent 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 it's worth the extra expense. It has a huge screen that is color-coded, and will guide the user through each step of making a particular coffee. It also has a pro steam wand to create the perfect texture of milk, and enables you to customise each drink to your tastes. It can also dispense cold drinks as well as hot drinks, and the Oracle Touch will even remember your drink of choice for the school-run and will not require you to make a fresh order each time. If you're in the market for a premium coffee maker with a top-quality burr grinder and lots of unique features, read our complete review of this machine.

The capsule or pod machines

The top pod coffee machines take the guesswork out of brewing, and give consistently good results with little or no fuss. These models dispense capsules of ground or instant tea, coffee and other beverages. These machines are a great option for those who have no experience with espresso machines or bean to cup machines and want an instant fix in the morning.

These machines are a good option for those who don't need to purchase large quantities of beans, and also because they're cheaper even if you don't use them frequently. But, they're typically less flexible than other models and will not provide the same high-quality brew that filters or bean-to-cup machines can offer.

If you're looking for a straightforward cup of coffee, this pod maker from Illy is the perfect choice. Simply lift the top flap (which automatically ejects the used capsule) and then insert the new one, and then press either the big cup or small cup button. The machine employs a unique two-stage extraction to produce rich, rewarding coffee.

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

It's more peaceful and elegant than other pod coffee makers. It won't disturb you while you get your caffeine fix. The machine is made to fit into any kitchen from modern to rustic and is a joy to use. The lever propels capsules into the receptacle which can hold up to ten capsules.

The machine offers a wide range of beverage options including short black espressos to tall travel mugs, and the barcode reader will identify the type of pod you're using. But it's not as flexible as a bean-to-cup machine in terms of customizing the coffee you drink and there's no way to alter the amount of extraction.