How to Choose the Best Coffee Machine

There's a lot of technological brilliance behind this machine, which manages to precisely regulate the temperature of water and evenly distribute it over ground coffee beans in the filter basket. This machine produces more flavour than its less expensive competitors.

Contrary to semiautomatic machines that require you to fill the portafilter by hand and decide when to stop pulling, this fully automated machine takes care of everything.

Filter coffee machines

A filter coffee machine produces filter coffee by passing hot, filtering water through grounds of coffee. The grounds soak up the water, releasing the flavour compounds that are then extracted into your cup of coffee. They are available in a variety of sizes, from 3 cups to 13 cups.

A few of the models we tested come with insulated Jugs that keep your durable coffee machines warm without using an energy-hungry heat plate. Some have a 24-hour timer, so you can set it to run the night before and wake to a jug full of coffee waiting for you. Other useful features include a permanent, reusable filter to cut down on waste paper and a water tank that allows you to see clearly the amount of water left.

Some filter coffee machines are small enough to fit on a compact kitchen counter, whereas others have larger footprints. Some models also come with a removable water tank to make refilling easier and cleaning easier, while others have fixed tanks that may restrict where you can put yours.

For a filter coffee maker that is more functional, look for one that has an integrated grinder, so you can choose to grind your own coffee beans on demand and espresso Machines pour directly into the basket (though some offer this as an additional feature). You can also find model that use pre-ground coffee beans, too.

We recommend a model with a bigger capacity for those looking to make multiple cups at once. We've tested a number of filter coffee makers with this capability and found the Melitta Look V Timer to be one of the best in delivering a great cup of filter coffee at reasonable prices. It's super simple to install and use, has an impressive number 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 found in cafes, espresso machines are able to create a variety of special drinks at the touch of the button. The machines require more effort than other kinds - users have to grind their own coffee beans, weigh the grounds, and steam the milk on their own. However, our testers found the results worth the effort.

Aiming for the same quality as baristas espresso machine, espresso machines use hot water and up to nine bars of pressure to create a stronger, more concentrated drink. They can also have an integrated milk frother to make macchiatos and cappuccinos. They are often more expensive, but offer superior experience.

They are a popular choice for those who want to recreate the cafe coffee at home. They feature an airtight tank that heats the water to boiling point before releasing through a nozzle, and then into ground coffee. They can be quite slow to heat up but once they are ready, they are able to make a cup coffee in four to six minutes.

Semi-automatic espresso machines are a good option for those who prefer some more control. They permit the user to add their own beans but stop the water flow at the halfway point of the brewing process. This is to ensure consistency in the resulting espresso. It's not ideal for beginners and requires some 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 and is more of commercial coffee makers. The machine grinds and measures the coffee, then it pumps hot water through it before being dispensing it into your cup. They're great for those who are more interested in creating a particular beverage rather than just an ordinary cup of coffee. They tend to be the most well-known coffee maker on the market.

Pod and capsule machines are easy to use, but they provide a less customisable experience as compared to their bean-to-cup counterparts. The Lavazza Jolie & Milk has nine pre-programmed drinks to choose from. They range from classics like white coffee and cappuccino to more creative drinks such as ristrettos or macchiatos. It also can serve hot water and steam at the press of a button.

Bean-to-cup machines

The best bean to cup machines crush whole roast coffee beans on demand and then brew the beans to create a variety of drinks. This can be done with the click of a button. Many also allow you to save your coffee preferences so that every time you turn on the machine, it will automatically create the beverage you want. They can also be linked to apps or home tech networks to provide greater flexibility and Espresso machines automation.

In most cases, you can manage the finer aspects of each beverage, such as the temperature and pressure of extraction, meaning you have complete control over the taste of each cup like. They are often designed to produce a better quality of coffee than capsule or pod 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 time needed to enhance the flavor.

There are a lot of bean-to-cup machines that have milk that froths. This is a great way to create the creamy and textural layers in a cappuccino or Latte. However it can be tricky to get these right. Once you have it down they can create drinks that are easily at home in a specialty coffee shop.

One of the best examples of a modern, bean-to-cup machine is Sage's Oracle Touch. It's higher priced than the top pod or capsule machines, but it's well worth the extra cost. The machine features a large touchscreen that shows the user through each step of making a specific coffee. It features a pro-steam wand that creates the perfect texture of your milk, and allows you to personalize the drink to your tastes. It also can serve cold drinks as well as hot drinks, and the Oracle Touch will even keep your preferred drink in mind for school runs and will not require you to make a fresh order each time. If you're in the market for a top-quality coffee maker with a premium burr grinder, as well as a variety of bespoke features, read our full review of this machine.

The capsule or pod machines

The top pod machines remove the guesswork and give regular results without hassle. These models dispense capsules of ground or instant coffee, tea and other beverages. They can be a good alternative for those not as familiar with espresso machines or bean-to cup machines and are seeking an easy fix for an early morning at work.

They're an excellent choice for those who want to experiment with various blends without spending huge quantities of beans, and they're cheaper than other alternatives if you don't need the machine as often. However, they're usually less flexible than other models and do not provide the same quality of brew as filters or bean-to-cup machines can provide.

This pod coffee maker is perfect for those looking to make an instant cup of coffee. You just lift the top cover (which automatically removes capsules that are used), insert a new capsule, and then push the button for the larger or small cup. The machine uses a unique two-stage extraction process to produce rich and rewarding coffee.

The milk frother included allows it to dispense hot drinks, such as herbal teas, hot chocolate and cappuccinos as well as lattes. It is important to note that milk made from pods isn't likely to have the same rich texture as milk made using a manual frother like Dualit or Lavazza.

This machine is more stylish than the majority of pod coffee makers on the market It's also quieter, so it won't make a racket when you're enjoying your caffeine fix. It's designed to look great in any kitchen, from rustic to modern and is a true pleasure to use. The lever launches capsules into the container that can hold up to ten large capsules.

The machine comes with a selection of drinks that range from black espressos with a short brew to tall travel mugs, and the barcode reader will identify the type of pod you're using. It's not as customizable as a machine that grinds beans into cups and also you can't adjust the amount of coffee extraction.