How to Choose the Best Home Coffee Machine

The best home espresso machine can be a perfect fit for your kitchen and complement your preferences for brewing. The most important factors include size, capacity, design, and price.

This espresso maker for prosumers impressed us with its speed, accuracy and ease of use. The Sage Bambino heats up quickly and efficiently, effectively steaming milk, and makes excellent 19-bar extractions.

Pod (or capsule) machines

If you are looking for speed and simplicity of making coffee using pre-ground pods, a pod machine is a good option. These machines remove the mess that comes with making coffee by eliminating the need for portafilters and complicated burr grinders that need to be cleaned frequently to remove coffee oils. They also typically require less maintenance, with routine cleaning and descaling of the reservoirs of water is a good idea.

However these brewers aren't without their limitations. These brewers are limited to specific kinds of coffee pods like K-Cups Nespresso capsules or ESE (easy serve espresso). This isn't a problem if you stick to one particular brand of coffee but can be an issue if you are interested in trying different brands.

Another drawback of pod machines is that they tend to have a smaller water tank, and are often less durable than bean-to cup models. They also take longer to brew. This isn't an issue if you're working in a hurry in the morning, but it could be a problem if have a long day of work ahead.

We suggest that you think about the size of your coffee bar before purchasing a pod machine as some are slimmer than others and can fit within the space of other appliances on your counter. Think about how much you're willing to spend and what beverages you would like to be able to make. Our former ecommerce editor Louise stays caffeinated on a budget using the Nespresso Vertuo Next, which allows her to serve espresso shots of either length or short and comes with a handy milk frother for lattes.

This elegant, sleek pod-machine comes with both high-spec and low maintenance. It's not cheap but it is a stylish addition to any kitchen. The sleek stainless steel design will stand out on your counter. It can make five different drinks with just pressing a button. Each capsule is marked with an unique barcode on its side that the machine scans to decide which coffee machines are best beverage to serve. It's a great option for eco-conscious people, since the capsules break down and decompose quickly. The reusable mug makes it a viable option.

Manual Espresso Machines

For those who love the craft of brewing espresso, manual machines can provide an enjoyable, hands-on experience. They are more time-consuming than automated espresso machines, however, if you have the patience and ability to work with them, they can make high-quality drinks tailored to your tastes. They are also more durable and come with designs that can stand up to the most rigorous usage than other types.

Manual espresso machines aren't as simple to use as automated ones, however they're not as reliable, and often lack precise temperature control. This can make it difficult to make consistent, high-quality espresso shots. The best coffee machine under £100 manual espresso machine comes with steep learning curve, and can be expensive to purchase and maintain.

If you're a coffee aficionado looking to explore the world of manual espresso, you should try an older model that was designed to be as user-friendly as you can. Some models have an integrated grinder and steamer for milk, making them a breeze to operate for those who are new to coffee. Some models have a water reservoir that is removable which makes it easier to clean and refill. Some are programmeable and allow you to set the time when the brew cycle to begin before you awaken.

Some manual espresso makers can be quite large, making them an ideal choice for larger households or coffee carts. Some are smaller and require less counter space. Consider how many people you are planning to serve at moment when you are deciding the size of your machine in addition. Consider a larger machine when you have more than one roommate or family member who enjoys brewing espresso.

The most affordable espresso machines have a programmable frother that will automatically heat milk and then froth it to your desired consistency. This type of machine is great for making cappuccinos and latte, and it's also suitable for those with sensitive teeth. This kind of machine isn't suitable for those who like more of a thicker espresso. It produces less foam.

Automatic Espresso Machines

This category includes fully automated espresso machines, which manage the entire brewing procedure from grinding to extracting. They have user-friendly interfaces, and require minimal maintenance other than routine cleaning and descaling. They are ideal for those who aren't keen on getting their hands dirty or have a limited counter space for a fully size espresso machine and coffee maker.

The top models can be programmed and come with different settings for drinks that can be saved into "user profiles." They're also more likely to be Wi-Fi compatible so you can control them using your smartphone. However, all this automation and programmability comes with a premium: Expect to spend more money on these devices than semi-automatic or manual alternatives.

One of our favorite espresso makers that is automatic is the snazzy Eveversys Cameo. It is a sleek, elegant machine that occupies little space on your counter. It also scores 5 out 5 in our evaluations for ease of use, just behind Miele. It's a high-output model that can house three separate hoppers and grinders, and you can select the one you want to use from the touchscreen display. It's user-friendly and self-monitoring, so you don't need to mess with buttons or knobs.

Another option in this category is the Cuisinart Spinn. The small pill-shaped machine utilizes centrifugal force to make espresso, which is distinct from the traditional method of forcing water down through the grounds. With a little practice, it can make a variety drinks like cappuccino or latte. The machine was tested at the Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab of the Good Housekeeping Institute, and scored a perfect 5 in our test for ease-of-use. The machine is also small in comparison to espresso maker specifications. It won't take any space on your counter.

It's worth experimenting with several different types of espresso machines to determine the one that fits your personal taste as well as your space and budget. It is also important to take into consideration the aesthetics. You'll want to choose something that blends in with your decor and even your coffee machine. Be sure to verify the counter's size to ensure that your machine will fit.

Pour-Over Machines

Pour-over machines are a great option if you want total control over your coffee's brewing. Manual pour-over devices like the Chemex Funnex or the Hario V60, allow you to adjust a variety of variables (coffee grounds to ratio of water and filter type, time of brewing) to make a customized brew. They also tend to create more vivid aromas and flavors than drip machines with automatic controls.

Pour-over brewers are engineered to give top-quality results. They have a thermometer which will measure the temperature of water to the nearest degree and an indicator of pressure that informs you when the amount you want of brewed water has been pour. They come with a portafilter that is large enough to hold the standard coffee mug and provide enough space between the portafilter and the drip tray so you can brew straight into your coffee cup.

The coffee makers also come with a charcoal filter that can be removed to remove impurities in the water. This is vital because a coffee maker with a low-quality filter will result in a bitter taste to your cup. Additionally, the best value coffee machine pour-over brewers use materials that are safe to wash in dishwashers and don't leak or retain coffee smells.

A good pour-over is easy to clean and should be fun to use. We found that most models we tested were comfortable to hold in one hand, and they had the right size and shape to fit on a kitchen counter. Some of the simpler models, such as the Zojirushi Zutto, even has a small footprint, making it ideal for smaller spaces. Some, such as the Melitta Cafe filter come with a hand that can be removed, which makes it easier for you to lift and replace the filters.

We also like the Philips 3200 Series, which comes with a built-in grinder as well as a simple display. The Philips 3200 Series can brew black coffee, Americanos and espresso with the push of a single button. It also comes with steam wands that can be used to make lattes or cappuccinos. This model also has various settings that can be customized including different sizes for beverages and strength, and it can start making coffee machine best deals up to 24 hours in advance of time.