How to Choose the Best Coffee Machines
Whether you're in search of a basic filter machine or a coffee pod, capsule brewer or espresso maker, you'll find a model here to suit your requirements. Prices start at PS50.
These brewers utilize pre-measured pods and offer convenience with consistency, as well as hands-off ease of use. They also score highly in our Lab tests.
Manual
For espresso lovers who prefer to be in complete control of the process using a manual machine is an ideal choice. These machines let you manually operate a mechanical piston operation, which results in the exact amount of pressure and extraction. This type of machine requires a bit more skill and experience to operate than other models however, many coffee drinkers say that it's worth the effort.
These manual coffee machines are constructed of top-quality materials that can last for years without maintenance. They also come with a range of accessories, including filters and portafilters along with measuring cup, tamper and funnel. They can be used to make cappuccinos as well as other drinks made with ground or pod coffee. Some manual coffee machines feature traditional steam arms for drinks made with milk, whereas others feature a nozzle that distributes water over the grounds.
Most manual coffee machines boil the water in a separate kettle and then pour it over the grounds in the chamber for brewing. The user presses or raises a lever to trigger a piston which forces the hot water into the cup. This kind of coffee maker is not as accurate or precise in its temperature control as fully automated or semi-automatic coffee maker, therefore you may need to play with various methods to discover the perfect espresso flavor.
While some manual coffee machines are made for home use, most are designed for use in hospitality businesses such as hotels or restaurants as well as bed and breakfasts and farmhouses. They are usually small compact and efficient and take up only one or two square feet of counter space. They are also less costly than other coffee machines and are easily repaired or replaced.
They are typically constructed from durable materials such as chrome and brass. Some are handmade and can provide a touch of class to the kitchen design. Additionally, they are often very easy to clean. Some are available in a wide range of colors and can match the design of any kitchen. They are generally simpler to operate than a fully automatic coffee machine and can produce delicious, premium coffee.
Semiautomatic
For the espresso lover who doesn't wish to be in total control of all of the factors involved in making the perfect shot, semi-automatic machines offer an acceptable compromise. They begin to take on some of the tasks that go into making an espresso, like steaming milk and pre-infusion. You'll still have the option to customize your drinks to suit your tastes.
Breville is a brand known for its vast selection of kitchen appliances. It is one of the most reliable semi-automatic coffee makers on the market. The Infuser is a multi-functional model that allows you to make cappuccino, espresso and lattes with the click of one button. The machine is able to automatically pour water in the correct amount for each drink. The built-in burr grinder adjusts the size of the grind to accommodate different extraction levels or beans. The Infuser's slim, sleek design and easy-to-use controls makes it an ideal choice for people with limited counter space.
Another model that is highly rated by Breville is the Dedica espresso machine. Its 15 bar pump is more than enough to get a good espresso shot and its commercial design is built to last. The Dedica has a removable milk tank as well as an ice-making tool that can be used for lattes or cappuccinos.
For a semiautomatic machine that provides more hands-free convenience look no further than an ultra-automatic. These machines are a step above standard automatics by allowing you to program coffee sizes, and automatically grinding beans, and frequently measuring and tamping them for you. These machines ranked the highest in our Lab Tests for their complete functionality and ease of use.
The Philips Dinamica is a super-automatic machine that can do it all. It has a huge intuitive touchscreen interface that lets you choose 16 different drinks including cappuccino, latte, and black coffee. It automatically grinds whole beans to match the beverage selection and can save your preferred settings so you don't have to go through the selections menu entirely. Its high-tech features include a water tank that is removable with a built-in hardness tester and an AquaClean filter that helps reduce scale build-up and helps ensure that your machine will always make the highest quality coffee.
Fully automated
A fully automated coffee machine gives you an incredibly smooth, rich cup of coffee at the touch of the button. It's a great option for busy homes or offices, and can be used to make filter coffee and espresso-based drinks. Many models also have automatic milk frothing, which lets you enjoy cafe-style coffees such as cappuccino and latte. Certain models let you make your drink of choice in advance. These machines are perfect for people who have to work at multiple times, since they allow you to carry on working while you make your coffee.
They are also popular in commercial coffee shops because they can prepare a variety of drinks simultaneously. These are more expensive than semi-automatic ones. However, the convenience provided by a fully automatic coffee maker may be worth the extra expense for some people.
The Mcilpoog WS-203 Super-Automatic Espresso and Coffee Machine is a high-end, highly customizable coffee machine that offers the quality of a top-quality cafe in the comfort of your home. The touch screen display makes it simple to use. It only takes three steps to make coffee. It comes with a stainless steel burr grinder that can be adjustable and programmed so that you can tailor your espresso to your personal preferences.
De'Longhi ECAM35020W Dinamica Automatic Coffee and Espresso Machine is another excellent option for busy households. The coffee maker boasts a quick heat-up time, and is equipped with a variable burr grinder in steel and an milk frother to prepare espresso-based drinks as well as coffee. It is also able to produce a wide range of coffee flavors such as iced and filter coffee.
It is a flexible and affordable Nespresso compatible machine that is ideal for the modern, well-equipped kitchen. It has a huge 1.7L water tank and coffee bean box capacity, and features a fast, quiet heating system to make a swift and delicious cup of coffee every time. It is easy to use, with user profiles that will automatically make sure that the drinks of each user are prioritized, so they are only one tap away.
Super-automatic
These models are a step higher than semi-automatic machines. They grind or dose, pull the shot, and froth milk with the click of the button. These machines are ideal for coffee lovers that want to enjoy different drinks simultaneously and appreciate the convenience.
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, lattes or macchiato. The ability to program this machine allows you to tailor it to your specific requirements and save your settings for the next time. A bypass doser is common to these machines which enables the use of pre-ground coffee instead of the beans stored in the bean hopper. This is an ideal feature for guests or if you want to switch to a different variety of beans.
Magnifica Evo, a fully automatic machine is also a popular choice because of its versatility and user-friendly. It comes with seven recipe options with easy-to-read color icons, ranging from Espresso to Latte Macchiato. It also allows you to save six user profiles so that each can have their favorite drink brewed with the push of an button. The machine also has a ceramic burr grinder, which is the ideal choice for longevity and performance.
The Jura ENA 4 is another model made in Switzerland that you must think about. It has an elegant, minimalist design, and a huge water tank and bean box capacity, making it ideal for commercial use. It has an advanced brewing and grinder system, the Aroma G3. This makes the best coffee and espresso you'll ever taste.
The Philips 3200 LatteGo is a little more compact than some other super-automatic machines on this list, but still provides a quality cup. This machine can produce up to 5000 cups of coffee before it has to be descaled. It is ideal for families with a lot of website work to do. It also has an integrated grinder with 13 settings.