How to Choose the Best Coffee Machine

This machine is a technological marvel. It maintains the water temperature precisely and distributes it evenly over the coffee grounds in the filter basket. This ekes out more flavour than cheaper rivals.

This fully automatic machine takes care of everything. Contrary to semi-automatic machines that require you to load your portafilter manually and then decide when you're ready to stop taking the portafilter out, this fully automated machine does it all for you.

Filter coffee machines

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

The models we tested come with insulated Jugs that keep your coffee warm without the need for an energy-hungry heat plate. Others have a 24-hour timer, which means you can set it to run the night before and wake to the jug of coffee waiting for you to drink. Other useful features include a permanent, reusable filter to cut down on paper waste and the ability to see the water tank and allow you to easily gauge the level of water in it.

Some filter coffee makers are small enough to be able to fit on the worktop of a small kitchen, while others are larger. Some come with a removable water tank to make refilling and cleaning easier some have fixed tanks that can restrict where you can put yours.

For a filter maker that is more functional choose one that comes with an integrated grinder, so you can grind fresh commercial coffee machines beans at any time and pour them directly into the filter basket (though some offer this as an option). There are models that make use of pre-ground beans too.

We recommend a model with a bigger capacity for those looking to make several cups at once. We've tested many filter coffee makers with this feature and discovered the Melitta Look V Timer to be among the best for making a fantastic cup of filter coffee for a good price. It's extremely easy to set up and use, comes with an impressive amount of user reviews and numerous useful tips and guidelines, and is very robust and reliable.

Espresso machines

Taking a page from the manual coffee makers used in cafes Espresso machines are able to make a variety of specialty drinks with just the touch of one button. They require a little more effort to use than other types of machine users have to grind their own beans, measure and tamp the grounds and steam milk separately - but our test participants discovered that the results made the extra work worth it.

In the hope of achieving the same level of quality as baristas espresso machine, an espresso machine makes use of hot water and up to nine bars of pressure to create an even stronger and more concentrated drink. They may also have a built-in milk frother for creating cappuccinos and macchiatos. They're generally more expensive than other coffee makers, but provide a premium, high-end experience.

They are a favorite choice for those wanting to recreate the cafe-style coffee at home. The water is heated in an airtight container prior to being released via an nozzle into the ground coffee. The machines can take some time to heat up, but once they're ready, they can produce a cup in 4 to 6 minutes.

If you're looking for greater control, a semi-automatic espresso maker allows users to add their own ground beans but automatically stops the flow of water midway through the coffee making process. This is to ensure consistency in the espresso. It is not for beginners, Smeg Lavazza Coffee Machine and it takes patience to master. But for those who have a knack for tamping this can be the ultimate espresso maker.

The super-automatic machine is more like a coffee maker from the industrial world and eliminates the guesswork from the process. The machine grinds and measures the coffee, then it pumps hot water through it before it is poured into your cup. They're perfect for those who are more attracted to making a particular beverage rather than just the usual cup of coffee and tend to be the most well-known coffee maker on the market.

Pod or capsule coffee machines are the most user-friendly, but they are less customizable in terms of experience than their counterparts that are bean-to-cup. The smeg lavazza coffee machine (Samkwang Eowork Co officially announced) Jolie & Milk offers nine pre-made drink options that range from classics like cappuccino and white coffee, to more imaginative concoctions like macchiatos and ristrettos. It can also serve hot and steam at the touch of a button.

Bean-to-cup machines

The best bean to cup machines crush whole coffee beans on demand, and then prepare the beans to make various drinks. This is typically done at the touch of a button. Some machines allow you to save your preferences for coffee, so that the machine will produce the drink you prefer each time it's turned on. They can be connected to home tech networks or apps to provide greater flexibility.

You can usually control the finer details such as the temperature and the pressure of the extraction. This gives you complete control over the taste of every cup. They're also often designed to produce a higher quality of coffee than pod or capsule machines. A good bean-to cup machine will grind the coffee beans to a specific consistency and then push hot filtering water through the beans at the exact pressure and at the exact time to enhance the flavor.

There are also plenty of coffee makers that have milk foaming capabilities. This is great for making the creamy and textural layers in a cappuccino, or Latte. However it can be a little tricky to get these right. Once you've got the machine mastered it is able to make drinks that are at home in a specialty coffee shop.

Sage's Oracle Touch is one of the best examples for modern bean to cup machine. It is a little more expensive than some of the top capsule or pod machines, but the added cost is worth it. It has a huge touchscreen that's color and guides the user through each step of making a particular coffee. It also has a powerful steam wand to create the perfect texture of milk, and lets you customize each drink to your tastes. Oracle Touch can offer hot and cold drinks. It can also remember your preferred beverage for school runs so you don't have to order another one each time. Take a look at our complete review if you're looking to buy an excellent coffee maker with a premium grinder and many bespoke features.

The capsule or pod machines

The best pod coffee machines eliminate the guesswork of brewing and deliver consistent results with little or no fuss. These models dispense capsules of ground or instant coffee, tea and other drinks. They are a great option for those who are not as familiar with espresso machines or bean-to-cup machines and are simply looking for an easy fix for a workday morning.

They're an excellent choice for those looking to experiment with different blends without having to purchase large quantities of beans and they're cheaper than other alternatives if you don't use the machine as frequently. However, they're generally less versatile than other models and do not offer the same quality of brew that filters or bean-to-cup machines can offer.

This pod coffee maker is perfect for those looking to make a quick cup of coffee. You simply lift the top cover (which automatically removes capsules that are used) and then insert a fresh capsule, then push the button for the larger or the small cup. The machine employs an innovative two-stage extraction process to create rich and satisfying coffee.

It can also provide hot water for herbal teas and other hot drinks and can also make a cappuccino or latte, thanks to the included milk frother. It is important to note that the milk derived from pods doesn't have the same rich texture as milk that is made using a manual frother, such as Dualit or Lavazza.

This machine is more stylish than most of the pod coffee makers available, and it's also quieter, so it won't cause a ruckus when you're enjoying your caffeine fix. It's designed to fit in any kitchen, from modern to rustic and is a joy to use. The lever catapults used capsules into the receptacle that can accommodate up to ten capsules.

The machine offers a wide selection of drinks that range from black espressos with a short brew to large travel mugs and the barcode reader inside will identify the type of pod you're using. However, it's not as adaptable as a bean-to-cup device in terms of customizing your coffee and there's no way to alter the amount of extraction.