How to Choose the Best Home Coffee Machine
The ideal home coffee maker is one that will fit your style of brewing and work well in your kitchen. The most important factors include size, capacity, design, and price.
This espresso maker for prosumers awed us with its speed, precision and ease of use. The Sage Bambino heats up quickly and efficiently, steams powerfully milk, and produces fantastic 19-bar extractions.
Pod (or Capsule) Machines
If you prefer the speed and convenience of making coffee from pre-ground pods, a pod maker is an excellent option. These machines eliminate the mess of making coffee by eliminating the need for portafilters as well as complicated burr grinders, which must be cleaned regularly to eliminate coffee oils. They require less maintenance. Regular cleaning and descaling of the water reservoirs is a good idea.
These types of brewers have their limitations, however. They are generally only compatible with certain types of coffee pods, typically in the K-Cup, Nespresso capsule or ESE (easy-serve espresso) formats. This is not an issue if your coffee is the same brand, but it could be a problem when you want to experiment with different types of coffee.
Pod machines are less durable and come with smaller water tanks. They can also be slower to brew, which may not be a problem if you're in a rush in the morning, but it is a hassle if you're preparing for long hours at work.
We suggest that you consider the size of your coffee bar before purchasing a pod maker, as some are slimmer than others and will fit between other appliances on your counter. Consider how much you are willing to spend, and what beverages you would like to be able make. Our former ecommerce director Louise keeps her caffeine intake at a low cost with the Nespresso Vertuo Next. It allows her to make either short or long espresso shots, and comes with a milk frother.
This sleek, elegant pod-machine offers both high-spec and low maintenance. It's not cheap, but it's a stylish addition to your kitchen and its sleek stainless steel design is sure to be noticed on your worktop. It can make five different drinks by simply pressing a button and each capsule has an unique barcode on its side that the machine scans to determine which drink to serve. It's an excellent choice for sustainability enthusiasts, as the capsules break down and decay rapidly. The reusable mug makes it a viable option.
Manual Espresso Machines
For those who love the art of making espresso, manual machines can provide an enjoyable hands-on experience. They take longer to prepare than automated espresso machines however, if you have the patience and skill to use them, they can produce premium drinks that are tailored to your tastes. They are also generally more durable than other types of coffee brewers. They have designs that can withstand the rigors of use.
Manual espresso machines are not as simple to use as automated ones, they're not as reliable, and often lack precise temperature control. It isn't easy to make consistent, high-quality espresso shots. The top manual espresso machines have a an extensive learning curve and they can be expensive to purchase and maintain.
If you are an avid coffee drinker who would like to explore the world of manual Espresso, then try the machine designed to be a user-friendly. Some models come with a built-in grinder and milk steamer, making them a breeze to operate for novice coffee drinkers. Some have a removable water reservoir which makes it easier to clean and refill. Some are programmed, letting you set the start time of the brew cycle prior to when you get up.
Some manual espresso machines are quite big and could be an ideal choice for larger families or coffee carts. Others are smaller and occupy less counter space. When choosing the size of your machine, you must also consider how many people will be using it at the same time. Consider a larger model if you have more than one family member or roommate who is a coffee drinker.
A few of the cheapest manual espresso machines come with a programmable milk frother, which can automatically heat and the milk to your desired consistency. This kind of machine is suitable well for cappuccinos, lattes and is also suitable for those with sensitive teeth. It's important to remember that this kind of machine might not be suitable for those who prefer a more substantial cup of espresso, as it produces less foam than other kinds of espresso makers.
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. These are great for people who don't want to get their hands dirty or have a limited countertop space for a fully-sized espresso and coffee maker.
The top models are highly programmable and come with different settings for drinks that can be saved to "user profiles." They're also more likely to be Wi-Fi compatible so you can control them using your smartphone. All that automation and programmability is expensive The machines are more expensive than semi-automatics or manuals.
One of our favorite espresso makers that is automatic is the snazzy Eveversys Cameo. It's a sleek, aesthetically pleasing machine which occupies little space on your counter. It also scores 5 out 5 in our rating for ease of use, second only to Miele. It's a high-output model which can accommodate three separate grinders and hoppers and you can choose which one to use from the touchscreen display. It's simple to use and self-monitoring, meaning you don't need to mess with knobs or buttons.
Another option in this category is the Cuisinart Spinn. This small pill-shaped device uses centrifugal forces to make coffee that is a different technique than the traditional method that involves forcing water through the grounds. It can make a variety of beverages, including cappuccino as well as latte, with a little practice. 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. This machine is also small according to espresso maker standards. It will not take up much space on your counter.
It's worth experimenting with several different kinds of espresso machines to determine the one that best suits your style, available space, and budget. Also, think about aesthetics. You'll want one that blends seamlessly with your home decor and coffee cart. Make sure you check the counter's size to ensure that your machine will fit.
Pour-Over Machines
If you're looking to make a cup of coffee with total control using a pour-over machine, it's an ideal choice. Pour-over machines such as the Hario V60 or Chemex Funnex permit you to alter a variety of variables (coffee to water ratio, filter, brewing time) which allows the brewing process to be customized. They also produce more intense aromas and flavors than automatic drip machines.
Pour-over brewers are made to deliver top-quality results. They come with a thermometer that determines the temperature of the water to the nearest degree and a pressure gauge that tells you when the desired amount of water that has been brewed is put into the brewer. They also have a large enough portafilter that can hold the standard coffee mug and they provide enough space between the portafilter and the drip tray so you can brew directly into your coffee mug.
They also come with a replaceable charcoal filter to remove impurities from the water, which is essential because coffee makers with filters that are not of high-quality can leave a bitter taste on your cup. Additionally, the top pour-over brewers are constructed of materials that are safe to wash in dishwashers and that don't leak or retain coffee odors.
A good pour-over should be easy to clean and should be fun to use. We found that all the models we tested were easy to hold in one hand, and they were of the right size and shape to fit on an kitchen counter. Some of the simplest, such as the Zojirushi Zutto, even has an extremely small footprint, making it ideal for small spaces. Others, such as the Melitta Cafe Filter have a removable handle that makes it easier to remove and replace the filter.
We also enjoy the Philips 3200 Series, which includes a built-in burr grinder and a user-friendly display. The Philips 3200 Series can brew black coffee, Americanos and espresso with the touch of a button. It also comes with a steam wand attached for lattes and cappuccinos. The model comes with a variety of settings that can be customized, including different beverage strengths and sizes. best budget coffee machine can also begin brewing up until 24 hours in advance.