How to Choose the Best Coffee Machine

This machine is a scientific marvel. It maintains the temperature of the water precisely and evenly over the ground coffee in the filter basket. The machine is more flavorful than its cheaper competitors.

Unlike semiautomatic machines, which require you to load the portafilter by hand and decide when to stop pulling, this fully automatic machine will do everything for you.

Filter coffee machines

A filter coffee maker makes filter coffee by passing hot, filtered water through coffee grounds. The grounds absorb the water, and release the flavor compounds that are later extracted into your cup of coffee. They are available in a variety of sizes, ranging from 3 to 13 cups.

Some of the models we tested have an insulated jug that helps keep your coffee warm without the need for a consuming hotplate, while others have an adjustable timer that runs 24 hours a day, so you can set it up at night and wake up to a jug of coffee waiting for you to enjoy. Other features that are useful include a long-lasting, reusable filter that helps reduce waste paper and a clearly visible water tank that is easily visible.

Some filter coffee makers are small enough to fit on the worktop of a small kitchen, while others are larger. Some models have a removable tank to make refilling and cleaning easy. Some have fixed tanks, which could limit the space you use.

If you want a filter coffee machine with added features, select one that comes with a grinder integrated. This allows you to grind your fresh coffee beans at your own pace and then dispense the ground beans directly into the basket. Some models offer this accessory as an option. There are also models that use pre-ground coffee beans, too.

We recommend a model with a bigger capacity for those looking to make several cups at a time. We've tested several filter coffee makers that have this capability and found the Melitta Look V Timer to be one of the best in providing a delicious cup of filter coffee for a good price. It's easy to use and home coffee machines set up, has a large number of user reviews, with many useful tips and guidelines. It's also robust and reliable.

Espresso machines

Taking a page from the manual coffee makers that are used in cafes Espresso machines are able to create a range of specialty drinks with just the touch of a button. They require a bit more effort to use than other types of machine as users grind their own beans, measure and tamp their grounds, and steam the milk separately - but our testers found that the results made the extra effort worth it.

Espresso machines make use of hot water and pressure of up to nine bar to produce an even stronger, more concentrated drink. They may also have an inbuilt milk frother that can be used for creating cappuccinos and macchiatos. They're often more expensive than other coffee machines, but offer a high-end, premium experience.

They are a favorite among those who want to recreate the cafe style coffee at home. They have an airtight tank that heats the water to boiling point before releasing through a nozzle and into ground coffee. The machines can take some time to warm up however once they're in place, they can create a cup in 4 to 6 minutes.

For those who prefer a bit more control, a semi-automatic espresso machine allows the user to add their own ground beans but automatically stops the flow of water halfway through the making process. This is done to ensure consistency in the final espresso. It's not a great choice for those who are new and home coffee machines requires a bit of patience to master the process, but for those with the ability to tamp it, it's the perfect coffee maker.

The more advanced super-automatic espresso machine takes away the guesswork of the process and is more of a commercial coffee maker. The machine grinds and measures the coffee before pumping hot water through it. They're perfect for those who are more interested in making a specific beverage instead of just the usual cup of coffee. They also are often the most popular coffee machine on the market.

The capsule and Pod machines are simple to use, but they provide an uncustomizable experience when in comparison to their bean-to-cup counterparts. The Lavazza Jolie & Milk has nine pre-programmed drink choices. They range from classics like cappuccino and white coffee to more imaginative drinks like ristrettos or macchiatos. It can also serve steam and hot water at the press of one button.

Bean-to-cup machines

The top bean-to-cup machines crush whole roast beans on demand, and then brew them to create several drinks, usually at the press of a button. Some also let you save your drip coffee machines preferences to ensure that every time you turn the machine on it can automatically produce the drink you desire. They can be connected to home tech networks or apps to provide greater flexibility.

You can often control the finer aspects like the temperature or the pressure of the extraction. This gives you complete control over the flavor of every cup. They're also often designed to deliver a better quality of 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 filtrated water through the beans at the precise pressure and time needed to maximize flavour.

There are a variety of bean-to-cup machines that can also froth milk. This is great for creating the rich, creamy texture of the cappuccino and latte however there can be a bit of a learning curve to get these right. However, once you get it down, these machines can produce drinks that could be at Home Coffee machines in a specialized coffee shop.

Sage's Oracle Touch is one of the most impressive examples of a modern bean to cup machine. It's a bit more expensive than the top capsule or pod machines, but the additional cost is worth it. The machine has a large, colour touchscreen that guides the user through each step of making a specific coffee. It also has a powerful steam wand that can create the perfect texture of milk and allows you to customize each drink to your tastes. Oracle Touch can dispense both hot and cold drinks. It will also remember your preferred drink for school runs so you don't have to buy another one each time. If you're in the market for a high-end coffee maker with a top-quality burr grinder and lots of bespoke features, check out our complete review of this machine.

Pod or capsule machines

The top pod coffee machines take the guesswork out of brewing, and give consistently good results with little or no fuss. These machines can be used to make capsules that contain instant or ground coffee, tea, and other beverages. They can be a good alternative for those less familiar with espresso or bean-to cup machines and are seeking an easy solution to the morning commute.

They're an excellent choice for those who wish to test different blends without having to purchase huge quantities of beans, and they can also be cheaper than other alternatives if you don't use the machine as much. However, they're usually less flexible than other models and do not provide the same quality of brew as beans-to-cup machines or filters can offer.

If you're after a no-fuss cuppa, this pod coffee maker from Illy is ideal. You just lift the top flap (which automatically releases the old capsule) and then insert an additional one and then press either the big cup or small cup button. The machine employs a unique two-stage extraction method to make rich and satisfying coffee.

It can also dispense hot water for herbal teas and other hot beverages and can also make the possibility of a cappuccino or latte due to the milk frother. It's important to note that pod-related milk tends to lack the lushly textured texture you can get with a more costly, manual frothers from Dualit or Lavazza.

The machine is more elegant than a lot of pod coffee makers out there, and it's also quieter, so it won't cause a ruckus when you're enjoying your caffeine fix. The machine is designed to fit in any kitchen from contemporary to traditional and is a joy to use. The lever launches capsules into the receptacle which can hold up to ten large capsules.

The machine comes with a variety of drink options that range from black espressos with a short brew to tall travel mugs, and the barcode reader inside can identify which pod you're using. It's not as customizable as the machine that grinds beans into cups and can't alter the amount of coffee extraction.