How to Choose the Best Coffee Machine

There's a lot of technical brilliance behind this machine, which manages to precisely regulate the temperature of water and evenly distribute it across ground coffee beans in the filter basket. This gives more flavor than the cheaper alternatives.

This fully automatic machine takes care of everything. Contrary to semi-automatic machines that require you to fill your portafilter by hand and decide when you want to stop taking the portafilter out, this fully automated machine does it all for you.

Filter coffee machines

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

The models we tested have insulated containers that keep your coffee warm without using an energy-hungry heat plate. Some have a 24-hour timer, so you can set it the night before and wake up to the jug of coffee waiting for you to drink. Other features that are useful include a reusable and permanent filter to reduce the waste of paper, and the ability to see the water tank and allow you to see clearly when it's full.

Some filter coffee machines are compact enough to fit on a small kitchen counter, whereas others have larger footprints. Some have a water tank that can be removed for easier refilling and cleaning, while others have fixed tanks that could restrict the location you can put yours.

If you want a filter coffee machine with added features, select one with an integrated grinder. This lets you grind fresh coffee beans at your own pace and then dispense the ground beans directly into the basket. Certain models come with this accessory as an alternative. You can find models that make use of pre-ground coffee beans.

If you want to be able to make multiple cups of filter coffee in one go We suggest a machine that has a larger capacity. We've tested a range of filter coffee makers that come with this feature and found that the Melitta Look V Timer is one of the best in providing excellent filter coffee at a fair price. It's super simple to setup and use, comes with an impressive amount of user reviews and numerous useful tips and guidelines, and is very durable and reliable.

Espresso machines

Drawing inspiration from manual coffee makers that are used in cafes espresso machines can be used to create a range of drinks that are special at the push of one button. They require a little more effort to use than other types of machines - users must grind their own beans, measure and tamp their grounds, and steam the milk on their own - however, our test subjects discovered that the results made the extra work worth it.

Espresso machines use hot water and pressure up to nine bar to create an even stronger, more concentrated drink. They can also have an inbuilt milk frother that can be used to make macchiatos and cappuccinos. They tend to be more expensive, but they offer a premium experience.

They are a popular option for those wanting to recreate the cafe-style experience at home. They feature an airtight tank that heats the water to a boiling point before being released through a nozzle, and then into ground coffee. They can take a long time to heat up, but once ready, are able to produce a cup of coffee in four to six minutes.

For those who prefer a bit more control an espresso machine that is semi-automatic allows the user to add their own ground beans but automatically stops the flow of water midway through the making process. This is to ensure the consistency of the espresso. It's not the best choice for novices and requires some patience to master, but for those with an ability to tamp it, it could be the perfect coffee maker.

The more advanced super-automatic espresso machine eliminates the guesswork of the process and is more of a commercial coffee maker. The machine grinds and weighs the coffee, and then pumps hot water through it before dispensed into your cup. These machines are great for those who want to make a particular drink and not just an espresso. They are one of the most well-known available.

The capsule and Pod machines are simple to use, but they provide a less customisable experience in comparison to their bean-to-cup counterparts. The Lavazza Jolie & Milk offers nine pre-made drink options including classics such as cappuccino and white coffee, to more imaginative concoctions like macchiatos and ristrettos. It can also dispense steam and hot water at the press of one button.

Bean-to-cup machines

The best bean-to cup machines crush whole beans on demand, and then brew them to create a range of drinks, usually with the push of one button. Some also let you save your coffee preferences to ensure that every time you turn the machine on it can automatically produce the beverage you want. They can also be linked to applications or home tech networks to provide greater flexibility and automation.

Most of the time, you are able to alter the finer points of each beverage, such as the temperature and the pressure of the extraction, so you're in total control over the taste of each cup like. They are often designed to produce a better quality coffee than pod or capsule machines. A good bean-to cup machine will grind the coffee beans to a precise consistency, and then force hot filtering water through the beans at the exact pressure and at the exact time to maximize flavour.

There are many bean-to cup machines that can also make milk frothy. This is great for creating the rich, creamy texture of the cappuccino or latte although there can be some learning curve to getting these drinks right. Once you have it figured out, these machines can produce drinks that are easily at home in a specialized coffee shop.

One of the best examples of a modern bean-to cup machine is Sage's Oracle Touch. It's more expensive than the top capsule or pod machines, but it's worth the extra expense. The machine features a large touchscreen that's color and guides the user through each stage of making a specific coffee. It has a pro-steam wand to create the perfect texture of your milk, and allows you to personalize the drink to your preferences. Oracle Touch can dispense both cold and hot drinks. It also keeps track of your drink preference for the school run and you won't need to purchase another one each time. Read our full review if you're looking to buy an excellent coffee maker with a premium grinder and numerous bespoke features.

Machines for capsules or pods

The top pod coffee machines take the guesswork out of brewing and deliver consistent results with little or no effort. These machines offer capsules of instant or ground coffee, tea and other beverages. These machines are a great option for those with no experience with espresso or bean-to-cup machines and are looking for an easy fix in the morning.

They're a great option for those who wish to test various blends without spending large amounts of beans, and they're also cheaper than other options if you don't use the machine as much. They are less versatile and don't provide the same quality of coffee as a filter machine or bean-to cup machine.

This pod coffee maker is ideal for those looking to make an instant cup of coffee. You simply lift the top cover (which automatically ejects capsules that have been used) and then insert a fresh capsule, then push the button for the large cup or small cup. The machine uses an exclusive two-stage extraction to produce rich, rewarding coffee.

It can also dispense hot water for herbal teas and other hot drinks, best coffee machine as well as the possibility of a cappuccino or latte due to the milk frother. It is important to remember that the milk derived from pods tends not to have the same texture and richness as milk that is made using manual frothers like Dualit or Lavazza.

The machine is more elegant 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 made to fit into any kitchen, from contemporary to traditional, and it's a pleasure to use. The large lever swells up and catapults the used capsule out of the receptacle that can hold up to ten capsules.

The machine comes with a range of drinks, from tall travel mugs to short espressos. A barcode reader will also let you know which pods you are using. However, it's not as flexible as a coffee maker in terms of customising your coffee, Best Coffee Machine and there's no way to alter the amount of extraction.