Watch Out: What Coffee Machine Is Taking Over And What Can We Do About It

How to Choose the Best Coffee Machine

There's a lot of technological power behind this machine, which manages to precisely control the temperature of the water and evenly distribute it across ground coffee beans in the filter basket. This produces more flavor than other less expensive machines.

Unlike semiautomatic machines, which require you to pack the portafilter manually and decide when to stop pulling, this fully automated machine will do everything for you.

Filter coffee machines

A filter coffee maker makes filter coffee by passing hot filtering water through coffee grounds. The grounds absorb the water and release flavour compounds that are then absorbed into the cup of coffee. They are available in a range sizes, ranging from 3 to 13 cups.

Some of the models we tested have insulated jugs that keep your coffee warm without the need for an energy-hungry heat plate. Others have a 24-hour timer, which means you can set it to run the night before and wake up to a jug full of coffee waiting for you. Other features that are useful include a permanent reusable filter to reduce the waste of paper, and an insulated water tank that allows you to easily gauge the level of water in it.

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

For a filter coffee maker that is more functional, look for one with an integrated grinder so that you can grind your own fresh coffee beans upon demand and dispense directly into the filter basket (though some models offer this as an optional accessory). There are models that use pre-ground coffee beans.

If you're looking to be able to make several cups of filter coffee at a time we suggest a model with a bigger capacity. 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 making a fantastic cup of filter coffee for an affordable price. It is simple to set up and use, has a large number of user reviews, and numerous helpful tips and guides. It is also robust and reliable.

Espresso machines

Espresso machines can create many different specialty drinks by pressing a single button. They're like the manual coffee makers found in cafes. They require a little more effort than other models - users have to grind their own coffee beans, weigh the grounds, and steam the milk separately. But our testers discovered the results are worth the effort.

Espresso machines use hot water and pressures up to nine bars to make an even stronger, more concentrated drink. They can be equipped with built-in milk frothers to make macchiatos and cappuccinos. They're generally more expensive than other coffee machines, but provide a premium, high-end experience.

They are a favorite among those who wish to recreate the cafe style coffee at home. The water is heated in an airtight container prior to being released through a nozzle into the ground coffee. The machines can take some time to heat up and once they're fully operational, they can make the cup in between 4 and 6 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 however, they stop the flow of water at the halfway point of the brewing process. This is done to ensure consistency in the espresso. It's not ideal for beginners and requires a bit of patience to master the process, but for those with a knack of tamping it, it's the perfect coffee maker.

The super-automatic machine works like a coffee maker from the industrial world and removes the guesswork out of the process. The machine grinds and weighs the coffee, then it pumps hot water through it before dispensing it into your cup. They're ideal for those who are interested in making a specific beverage, rather than just an ordinary cup of coffee. They also tend to be the most popular coffee machine available.

Pod or capsule coffee machines are most user-friendly coffee machines, but they offer less of a customisable experience than their bean-to-cup counterparts. The Lavazza Jolie & Milk offers nine pre-made drink options, from go-tos like cappuccino and white coffee, to more creative concoctions including macchiatos and ristrettos. It can also dispense steam and hot water by pressing one button.

Bean-to-cup machines

The top bean-to-cup machines crush whole roasted beans on demand and then make a range of drinks - typically 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 will automatically create the drink you desire. They can also be linked to applications or home tech networks to provide greater flexibility and automation.

You can control many of the finer aspects like the temperature or the pressure of the extraction. This gives you complete control over the taste of every cup. They are often designed to produce a higher quality of coffee than pod or capsule machines. This is because a high-quality bean-to-cup machine grinds the beans to an exact consistency, and then push hot water through them at precisely the pressure and timing required to maximise flavour.

There are a lot of bean-to-cup machines with milk foaming capabilities. This is great for creating the rich, textural layers of a cappuccino or latte - however, there is a bit of a learning curve to getting these drinks right. However, once you get it sussed the machines can make drinks that could be at home in a specialty coffee shop.

One of the most excellent examples of a modern, bean-to-cup machine is Sage's Oracle Touch. It's a bit higher priced than the top capsule or pod machines, but it's worth the extra expense. The machine has a large screen that is color-coded and guides the user through every step of making a specific coffee. It also comes with a professional steam wand to create the perfect texture of milk and enables you to customise every drink to your preference. Oracle Touch can serve both hot and cold drinks. It can also remember your drink preference for the school run, so you won't have to order a new one every time. Check out our full review if you're in the market for an espresso machine that is of the highest quality, equipped with a premium grinder as well as numerous customized features.

Pod or capsule machines

The best pod coffee machines eliminate the guesswork of brewing and provide regular results with minimal or no fuss. These machines offer capsules of ground or instant tea, coffee and other beverages. They are a great option for those who are not as familiar with espresso machines or bean-to-cup machines, and are looking for a quick fix on a workday morning.

These machines are a good option for those who don't want to purchase large quantities of beans and also because they're more affordable if you're not using them as often. They're not as versatile and don't provide the same quality of coffee as the bean-to cup machine.

If you're looking for a simple cup of coffee, this pod coffee maker from Illy is the perfect choice. You just lift the top cover (which automatically ejects capsules that are used) and then insert a new capsule, and then push the button for the large or small cup. The machine employs a unique two-stage extraction to produce rich, rewarding coffee.

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

The machine is more elegant than a lot of pod coffee makers available and is also quieter - so it won't cause a ruckus when you're enjoying your caffeine fix. It's designed to look nice in any kitchen, from rustic to modern and is a true pleasure to use. The chunky lever springs up and Automatic Espresso Machines flies the capsule out of the receptacle. It can accommodate ten capsules.

The machine can provide a variety of beverages, from large travel mugs to short espressos. A barcode reader can also tell you which pods you are using. But it's not as flexible as a bean-to-cup machine in terms of customizing your coffee and there's no way to alter the amount of extraction.