How to Choose the Best Coffee Machine

This machine is a technical marvel. It maintains the temperature of the water precisely and evenly across the ground coffee in the filter basket. This produces more flavor than the cheaper alternatives.

This fully automated machine is able to handle everything. Contrary to semi-automatic machines that require you to fill your portafilter manually and decide when you want to stop pulling the portafilter the fully automated machine does it all for you.

Filter coffee machines

A filter coffee maker brews the pot of filter coffee by passing hot water through the ground coffee beans, which are then placed in a filter. The grounds soak up the water, releasing flavor compounds that are later extracted into your cup of coffee. They come in a range of sizes, from three to 13 cups, and are available with a variety of features.

The models we tested have insulated jugs that keep your coffee warm without the energy-intensive heat plate. Others have a 24-hour timer, which coffee machine is the best means you can set it the night before and awake to an ice-filled jug waiting for you. Other useful features include a permanent, reusable filter that reduces paper waste and a clearly visible water tank.

Some filter coffee machine offers machines are compact enough to fit on a small kitchen counter, whereas others have larger footprints. Some have a tank that can be removed for easy refilling and cleaning. Some have fixed tanks, which could limit the space you can make use of.

If you're looking for an espresso machine that has added functionality, choose one that comes with an integrated grinder. This lets you grind your fresh coffee beans at your own pace and then pour the ground beans directly into the basket. Certain models come with this feature as an option. There are also models that use pre-ground coffee beans, too.

We recommend a product with a bigger capacity for those looking to make several cups at once. We tested a variety 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 cost. It is easy to use and set up and has a lot of user reviews, and numerous helpful tips and guidelines. It is also sturdy and reliable.

Espresso machines

Espresso machines can make many different specialty drinks by pressing a single button. They're similar to the manual coffee makers found in cafes. They require a little more effort to use than other types of machines as users grind their own beans and measure and tamp the grounds and steam milk in separate batches - however our testers noticed that the results were worth it.

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

They are a popular option for those wanting to recreate the cafe-style coffee at home. The water is heated in an airtight container prior being released via an opening into the ground coffee. The machines can take a while to heat up however once they are ready, they can produce the cup in between 4 and 6 minutes.

For those who want some more 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 done to ensure the consistency of the espresso. It's not ideal for beginners and requires a bit of patience to master however, for those who have a knack of tamping it, it's the perfect coffee maker.

The more advanced super-automatic espresso machine removes the guesswork of the process and is more of an industrial coffee maker. The machine is able to measure and grind the coffee before pumping hot water through it. They're perfect for those who are more interested in making a specific beverage rather than just the usual cup of coffee. They are often the most well-known coffee maker available.

Pod or capsule coffee machines are most user-friendly, but they are less customizable in terms of experience than their bean-to-cup counterparts. The Lavazza Jolie & Milk has nine pre-programmed drink options. These range from classics like cappuccino and white coffee to more innovative drinks like ristrettos or macchiatos. It can also serve steam and hot water at the touch of the button.

Bean-to-cup machines

The top 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 machines allow you to store your coffee preferences, so that the machine can create the drink that you like every time it's turned on. They can be connected to home tech networks or apps to provide greater flexibility.

Often, you can control the finer details of each beverage, such as the temperature and pressure of the extraction, so you have complete control over the taste of each cup like. They're often designed to produce a better quality of coffee than capsule or pod coffeee machines. A good bean-to cup machine will grind the coffee beans to a specific consistency and then push hot, filtered water through the beans at precisely the pressure and at the exact time to enhance the flavor.

There are many bean-to-cup machines that can also froth milk. This is great for creating the creamy and textural layers in a cappuccino or Latte. However it can be difficult to make these drinks. Once you have it down they can create drinks that could be 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 features a large screen that is color-coded, and guides the user through each stage of making a specific coffee. It comes with a professional-steam wand that creates the perfect texture of your milk and allows you to personalize each drink to suit your preferences. It can also dispense cold drinks as well as hot, and the Oracle Touch will even remember your drink of choice for the school-run, so you don't have to make a fresh order each time. If you're in the market for a high-end coffee maker that comes with a premium burr grinder and a host of bespoke features, check out our complete review of this machine.

The capsule or pod machines

The top pod coffee machines take the guesswork out of brewing, and give consistent results with little or no effort. These machines can be used to make capsules that contain instant or ground coffee, tea and other drinks. These machines are a great choice for those who have no experience with espresso machines or bean to cup machines and need a quick fix in the morning.

These machines are a great option for those who don't want to buy a lot of beans and also because they're more affordable even if you don't use them as often. However, they're usually less flexible than other models and do not provide the same quality of brew that filters or bean-to-cup machines can provide.

This pod coffee maker is ideal for those looking to make an instant cup of coffee. You just lift the top cover (which automatically removes used capsules), insert a new capsule and press the button for either the large cup or the small cup. The machine uses an exclusive two-stage extraction process to make rich, satisfying coffee.

The included milk frother allows it to serve hot drinks, such as herbal teas, hot chocolate and cappuccinos, as well as lattes. However, it's worth noting that pod-related milk tends to lack the luxuriously smooth texture that you can get using a more expensive manual frothers from Dualit or Lavazza.

This machine is quieter and more elegant than other pod coffee makers. It won't disturb the user while you are getting your caffeine fix. It's designed to look nice in any kitchen, from traditional to modern and is a great pleasure to use. The lever propels capsules into the receptacle that can accommodate up to ten large capsules.

The machine offers a wide selection of drinks, from short black espressos to large travel mugs and the barcode reader inside can tell which type of pod you're using. It's not as flexible as the machine that grinds beans into cups and can't alter the amount of coffee that is extracted.