How to Choose the Best Coffee Machines
If you’re in search of a basic filter machine, a coffee pod or capsule brewer or espresso maker, there’s an option here that will meet your needs. Prices start at PS50.
These brewers use pre-measured pods, which offer convenience, consistency and hand-free ease of use. They also score highly in our Lab tests.
Manual
A manual machine is a good choice for espresso lovers who want to be in control. These machines allow you to manually control a mechanical piston operation, which results in an exact amount of pressure and extraction. This type of coffee machine requires a bit more skill and experience to operate than other types, but many coffee drinkers say that it’s worth the effort.
Manual coffee machines are constructed of top-quality materials and will last for years without needing any maintenance. They also come with a range of accessories, such as filters and portafilters along with measuring cup, tamper and funnel. They can be used to make cappuccinos or other drinks using ground or pod coffee. Some manual coffee machines include steam arms that are used to make milk-based drinks. Others have a nozzle which distributes water over the grounds.
The majority of manual coffee machines utilize a kettle that is used to heat water and then pour it over the grounds in the brewing chamber. The user then presses or raises a lever or hand to turn on a piston that forces the hot water through the grounds before it is poured into the cup below. This kind of coffee maker is not as accurate or precise in its temperature control as fully automated or semi-automatic coffee maker, so you may have to experiment with different techniques to find the perfect espresso flavor.
While some manual coffee machines are made for home use, most are designed for use in hospitality businesses like hotels or restaurants as well as bed and breakfasts and farmhouses. They are compact and efficient and require little counter space. They are also less expensive than other types of coffee machines and are easily repaired or replaced.
These machines are usually made out of tough materials like brass and chrome. Some are hand-crafted and can bring a touch of class to the kitchen design. They are also generally easy to clean. Some are available in a range of colors that can be matched to the decor of any kitchen. They are generally more simple to operate than a fully automatic coffee machine and can also make delicious, premium coffee.
Semiautomatic
For the coffee lover who doesn’t wish to be in total control of all the variables of brewing an ideal shot, semi-automatic machines offer a comfortable compromise. They automatize certain steps in making espresso, such as steaming milk and preinfusion. You’ll still be able to modify your drink to suit your preferences.
Breville is a brand that is known for its wide range of kitchen appliances. It is one of the top semi-automatic coffee makers on the market. The Infuser is an extremely versatile model that allows you to make lattes, cappuccino and espresso at the click of a button. It also automatically dispensates the correct amount of water per drink and its built-in burr grinder automatically adjusts the grind size to accommodate various extraction levels and beans. The Infuser is a great choice for those who have a limited counter space due to its slim, sleek design. It also has simple controls.
The Dedica espresso machine is another highly rated model from Breville. Its 15 bar pump is enough to extract a quality espresso shot and its commercial-grade construction is built to last. The Dedica also comes with a removable milk reservoir and the frothing wand, which can be used to make cappuccinos as well as lattes.
For a semiautomatic coffee maker that provides even more hands-free convenience, look no further than an ultra-automatic. These machines are a step up from regular automatics, and can be programmed to adjust the coffee size, automatic grinding beans and often measuring and tamping automatically for you. These machines scored the highest in our Lab Tests for their complete features and user-friendliness.
The Philips Dinamica is a super-automatic machine that can do it all. The Dinamica has a large touchscreen interface with 16 drinks to choose from, including latte and cappuccino. It automatically grinds whole beans to match the selection of beverages, and it can even save your preferred settings, so you don’t have to go through the menu selections completely. Its high-tech features include a removable water tank with a built-in hardness tester as well as an AquaClean filter that reduces the build-up of scale and ensures that your machine will always make the highest quality cup of coffee.
Fully automated
A fully automated machine can give you an incredibly smooth and rich cup of coffee at the push of the button. This is a great choice for busy homes or offices, as it can brew both filter and espresso. Many models have automatic milk frothing, which lets you enjoy cafe-style coffees like cappuccino or the latte. Some models can even be programmed, allowing you to set your preferred drink prior to time. These machines are great for those who work in multiple places, since you can continue working while the coffee is brewing.
These machines are also very popular in commercial coffee shops since they can brew a variety of different drinks simultaneously. However, they’re typically more expensive than their semi-automatic counterparts. However, the convenience provided by a fully automatic coffee maker might be worth the extra cost for some.
The Mcilpoog WS203 Super-Automatic Espresso Machine and coffee machine deals Maker is a high-end coffee maker with a high-quality, highly-customizable design that offers the same quality as a top cafe at home. The touch screen display makes it easy to use. It only takes three steps to make coffee. It comes with a stainless steel burr grinder that is adjusted and programmable so you can tailor your espresso to your personal preferences.
De’Longhi ECAM35020W Dinamica Automatic Coffee and Espresso Machine is another great option for busy households. This coffee machine has a fast heating time and is equipped with a milk frother as well as an adjustable burr mill made of steel for making espresso drinks and coffee-based drinks. It is also able to produce a wide range of coffee types such as iced and filter coffee.
This is a surprisingly flexible and affordable Nespresso compatible machine that is perfect for the modern, well-equipped kitchen. It has a massive 1.7L tank and coffee box capacity. It also comes with an efficient, quiet heating system that ensures a delicious cup of coffee every time. It is also incredibly simple to use and comes with profiles for users that automatically prioritize the drinks that are most liked by each user making them just a tap away.
Super-automatic
A step over semi-automatic machines these models grind, dose, pull your shot and make your milk frothy at the push of the button. They are the best option for those who want to enjoy an array of drinks and appreciate the ease of not having to prepare each one at a time like in a manual model or an automated model.
A great example is the Gaggia Velasca Prestige which combines the highest-quality brewing equipment with an automatic milk frothing mechanism to create the perfect cappuccino, latte or macchiato. The machine is programmable, so you can customize it to meet your exact requirements and save your settings. A bypass doser is common to these machines, allowing you to use coffee that has been ground in place of the beans stored in the bean hopper. This is an ideal feature for guests or when you need to change to a different kind of beans.
The DeLonghi Magnifica Evo Fully Automatic machine is another popular option for its versatility and ease of use. It has seven one-touch recipe options with easy-to-read color icons, from Espresso to Latte Macchiato. It can also save six user profiles so that everyone can have their favorite drink brewed with the push of one button. This machine also includes the ceramic burr grinder which is the optimum option for durability and performance.
The Jura ENA 4 is another model produced in Switzerland that you ought to take into consideration. It has a sleek and understated design, a large bean box and water tank capacity, making it ideal for commercial use. It features a sophisticated grinder and brewing system called the Aroma G3. This makes the best coffee and espresso you’ll ever have.
The Philips 3200 LatteGo is a slightly smaller than other machines that are super-automatic on this list, but still provides high-quality cups. It can produce up to 5000 cups before needing to be descaled, which makes it ideal for homes with a busy schedule. It also comes with an integrated grinder that can be set to 13 settings.