How to Choose the Best Home Coffee Machine
The best home coffee machine is one that will fit your style of brewing and fit in your kitchen. The most important aspects are size, capacity and design.
This espresso maker for prosumers amazed us with its speed, accuracy and user-friendliness. The Sage Bambino heats quickly and efficiently. It steams milk with power and produces excellent extractions at 19 bars.
Pod (or capsule) machines
If you prefer the speed and ease of making coffee using pre-ground pods, a pod maker is an excellent choice. These machines take the messy bits out of brewing, and eliminate the necessity for complicated burr grinders and portafilters that need to be regularly cleaned free of coffee oils. They require less maintenance. Regular cleaning and descaling water reservoirs is a good idea.
However these types of brewers do have limitations. They generally only work with certain types of coffee pods, which are typically in the K-Cup, Nespresso capsule or ESE (easy-serve espresso) formats. This isn't a problem if you stick to one particular brand of coffee but can be a problem if you are interested in trying various varieties.
Pod machines are also less durable and have smaller water tanks. They are also slower to brew, which may not be an issue if you're in a rush in the morning, but it could be a problem when you're planning a long day at work.
We suggest that you think about the size of your coffee bar before purchasing a pod maker, since some are more compact than others and can be tucked in between other appliances on your counter. Consider the amount you are willing to spend, and the kind of drinks you'd like to make. Our former ecommerce editor Louise stays caffeinated on a tight budget by using the Nespresso Vertuo Next, which lets her serve espresso shots of either length or short and includes a handy milk frother for lattes.
This elegantly sleek pod-machine by Sage offers the best of both worlds: high-end and low-maintenance. It's not inexpensive, but it's an elegant addition to your kitchen, and its sleek stainless steel design is sure to be noticed on your worktop. It's capable of creating five different drinks with just pressing a button. Each capsule has an individual barcode on the underside that the machine reads to determine which drink to serve. It's a great choice for sustainability enthusiasts, as the pods decompose and breakdown rapidly. The reusable mug also makes it a good option.
Manual Espresso Machines
For those who enjoy the art of making espresso, manual machines can provide an enjoyable, hands-on experience. Manual espresso machines take longer however they can make beverages of top quality. They are also more durable and come with designs that can withstand heavy use than other kinds of.
Manual espresso machines aren't as user-friendly as automated ones, they're not as reliable, and often lack precise temperature control. It can be difficult to produce consistently high-quality espresso shots. The best manual espresso machine has a a steep learning slope and is costly to buy and maintain.
If you're a coffee lover who wants to explore the world of manual Espresso, then you should consider an espresso machine that has been designed to be a user-friendly. Some models have an integrated grinder and steamer for milk, making them relatively easy to operate for those who are new to coffee. Some models come with an adjustable reservoir for water that makes it easier to clean and refill. Some are programmable and allow you to set the time for the brewing cycle to start before you awaken.
Some manual espresso machines can be quite large and would be an ideal option for larger families or coffee carts. Others are smaller and occupy less counter space. Think about how many people you intend to serve at any one time when you decide on the size of your machine, and also. Consider a larger model if you have more than one roommate or family member who enjoys brewing espresso.
Some of the most affordable manual espresso machines have a programmable milk frother, which will automatically heat and froth milk to your preferred consistency. This type of machine is ideal to make cappuccinos or lattes and is also suitable for those with sensitive teeth. This type of machine is not suitable for those who like more of a thicker espresso. It makes less foam.
Automatic Espresso Machines
This category includes fully automated espresso machines, which handle the entire process of making espresso from grinding to extraction. They come with user-friendly interfaces and require little maintenance, other than regular cleaning and descaling. These are ideal for people who don't want to get their hands too dirty or have a limited countertop space for a full-sized coffee and espresso maker.
These models are more likely to come with Wi-Fi connectivity, which means you can control the machine via your smartphone. However, all that automation and programmability is at a premium: Expect to spend more money on these machines than semi-automatic and manual options.
The Eveversys Cameo is one of our favorites automatic espresso makers. It's a sleek and visually appealing machine that occupies minimal space on your counter, plus it scores 5/5 in our ease-of-use ratings--second only to the Miele. It's a high-output model that can house three separate hoppers and grinders, and you can select which one to use from the touchscreen display. It's simple to use and self-monitoring, so you don't have to play with buttons or knobs.
Cuisinart Spinn is another option in this category. This little pill-shaped machine uses centrifugal force to make espresso, which is different from the traditional method of forcing water through the grounds. With some practice, it's able to make a variety drinks like cappuccino and the latte. The machine was tested at the Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab of the Good Housekeeping Institute, and scored a perfect 5 in our tests for user-friendliness. It's also small by espresso maker standards, which means it's not going to take up much room on your counter.
It's worth trying out several different types of espresso machines to determine the one that suits your personal taste, available space, and budget. Think about aesthetics too, as you'll need something that fits seamlessly with your home decor and coffee cart. Also, don't forget to take measurements of your countertop to ensure that the machine you pick will fit.
Pour-Over Machines
Pour-over machines are an excellent option if you're looking to have total control over the coffee you brew. Manual pour-over devices like the Chemex Funnex or the Hario V60 can alter a range of variables (coffee grounds to ratio of water and filter type and time of brewing) to create a brew that is unique. They are more likely to create more intense aromas and flavors than drip machines.
which coffee machine is the best -over brewers allow you to produce top-quality results. They have a thermometer that measures water temperature to the nearest degree, and an indicator of pressure that informs you when the amount you want of water brewed has been put into the brewer. They have a portafilter large enough to accommodate the standard coffee mug, and provide enough space between the portafilter and the drip tray so you can pour the brewed beverage directly into your coffee cup.
The coffee makers also come with charcoal filters which can be removed to eliminate impurities in the water. This is vital, as a coffee maker with poor quality filters will leave a bitter flavor in your cup. The top pour-over coffee makers are made of materials that can be washed in the dishwasher, and they do not retain or leak coffee odors.
A well-designed pour-over brewer should be easy to clean and should be a joy to use. The majority of models were simple to use and comfortable to hold with one hand. They also had the right size and shape to be used as a countertop in the kitchen. Some of the simplest, such as the Zojirushi Zutto, even has tiny footprints which makes it perfect for smaller spaces. Some, like the Melitta Cafe filter come with a hand that can be removed, which makes it easier for you to remove and replace filters.
Philips 3200 Series is another model we like because it has an intuitive display and an integrated grinder. It can brew espresso, Americanos, and black coffee with a push of a button and has an integrated steam wand that can be used for lattes and cappuccinos. The model comes with a variety of customizable settings including different beverage strengths and sizes. It is also able to start brewing up until 24 hours in advance.