How to Choose the Best Home Coffee Machine
The ideal home espresso machine can be a perfect fit for your kitchen and complement your preferences for brewing. The most important factors are capacity, size and design.
This espresso maker for prosumers amazed us with its speed, accuracy and ease of use. The Sage Bambino heats up quickly and efficiently, powerfully steams milk, and produces 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. They eliminate the mess from brewing by eliminating the need for portafilters and complicated burr grinders that need to be cleaned regularly to eliminate coffee oils. They also require less maintenance, making regular cleaning and descaling of the reservoirs of water being an excellent idea.
However these brewers have their limitations. They generally only work with specific 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 of the same brand, but it could be a problem if want to experiment with different types of coffee.
Pod machines are less durable and come with a smaller tank of water. They can also be slower to brew, which may not be a problem if you're in a rush in the morning, but is a hassle if you're preparing for an extended day at work.
We suggest that you consider the size of your coffee bar before purchasing a pod machine since some are more compact than others and will fit within the space of other appliances on your counter. Consider the amount you are willing to spend, and the kind of drinks you'd like to be able make. Our former ecommerce editor Louise remains hydrated on a budget with the Nespresso Vertuo Next, which allows her to dispense short or long espresso shots and comes with a handy milk frother for lattes.
This elegant, sleek pod-machine comes with both high-end and low-maintenance. It's not inexpensive, but it's a chic addition to any kitchen. The sleek stainless steel design will stand out on your counter. It can make five distinct drinks at the touch of the button. Each capsule is equipped with a barcode on its underside which the machine uses to determine the beverage to be dispensed. It's an excellent choice for sustainability enthusiasts, as the pods decompose and breakdown very quickly. The reusable mug makes it a great choice.
Manual Espresso Machines
For those who love the craft of brewing espresso manual machines can offer an enjoyable, hands-on experience. Manual espresso machines take longer, but they can produce drinks of high quality. They are also generally more durable than other kinds of coffee brewers, with designs that can stand up to the rigors of use.
Manual espresso machines aren't as user-friendly as automated ones, however they are often lacking precise temperature control. It can be difficult to produce consistent, high-quality espresso shots. The best manual espresso machine has an incline of learning that is steep and is costly to buy and maintain.
If you're a coffee aficionado keen to discover the world of manual espresso, try a newer machine designed to be as user-friendly as is possible. Certain models come with a built-in milk steamer and grinder, making them easy to use for new coffee drinkers. Some models have a removable reservoir that makes it easier to refill and clean. Some are programmeable and allow you to set the timing for the brewing process to begin prior to waking.
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. When choosing the size of your machine, you should take into consideration how many people will be using it at once. Consider a larger machine when you have more than one roommate or family member who enjoys brewing espresso.
The most affordable manual espresso machines come with an adjustable milk frother, which can automatically heat and froth milk to your preferred consistency. This kind of machine works well for lattes, cappuccinos and is also suitable for people with sensitive teeth. It's important to remember that this kind of machine might not be suitable for those who prefer a bigger cup of espresso, since it produces less foam than other types of espresso makers.
Automatic Espresso Machines
In this category there are fully automated espresso machines that manage the entire process of brewing, from grinding to extraction. They come with user-friendly interfaces and require only minimal maintenance other than regular cleaning and descaling. These are great for people who don't want their hands filthy or have limited countertop space for a fully-sized coffee and espresso maker.
The top models are highly programmable and come with settings for various drinks that can be saved into "user profiles." They're also more likely to be Wi-Fi enabled which means you can control them via your smartphone. All that automation and programmability can be expensive They are more expensive than semi-automatics and manuals.
The Eveversys Cameo is one of our top automatic espresso makers. It's a sleek and aesthetically pleasing machine which occupies little space on your countertop. It also scores 5 out of 5 in our ratings for user-friendliness - second only to Miele. It is a high-output machine that has three different grinds and hoppers. You can pick which one you'd like to use by using the touchscreen display. It's simple to use and self-monitoring, meaning you don't need to mess with knobs or buttons.
Cuisinart Spinn is another option in this category. The small, pill-shaped machine utilizes centrifugal forces to make coffee that is a different approach to the traditional method that involves forcing water through the grounds. It can produce a variety of drinks, such as cappuccino and latte, with a little practice. This machine was tested at the Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab of the Good Housekeeping Institute, and got a perfect score of 5 in our ratings for ease-of-use. It's also small by espresso maker standards, which means it won't take up much room on your counter.
It's worth experimenting with several different kinds of espresso machines until you find the one that fits your personal taste and space as well as budget. Also, think about the aesthetics. You'll want one that matches your home decor, and even your coffee machine. Be sure to verify the dimensions of your counter to ensure that your machine will be able to fit.
Pour-Over Machines
If you're looking to make your coffee that is completely controlled, a pour-over machine is an excellent option. Pour-over machines like the Hario V60 or Chemex Funnex allow you to alter various variables (coffee to water ratio filter, brewing time, etc.) and allow you to make a brew that is customized. They tend to produce more vivid aromas and flavors than drip machines.
The best pour-over brewers allow you to get top-quality results. They come with a thermometer that will measure the temperature of water to the nearest degree, and a pressure gauge that informs you when the desired amount of brewed water has been put into the brewer. They have a portafilter large enough to hold a standard coffee mug and have enough space between the portafilter and the drip tray that you can brew straight into your coffee cup.
The coffee makers also come with charcoal filters that can be removed to remove impurities in the water. This is important because the coffee maker with an inferior filter can leave a bitter flavor in your cup. best coffee machine for cappuccino -over coffee makers are made of materials that can be washed in the dishwasher, and they do not retain or leak coffee odors.
A good pour-over brewer is easy to clean and it should be enjoyable to use. We found that the majority of the models we tested were comfortable to hold in one hand, and they were the perfect size and shape to fit on the kitchen counter. Some of the most basic models, like the Zojirushi Zutto have a small footprint and are ideal for smaller spaces. Some, such as the Melitta Cafe filter, have a handle that is removable, which makes it easier for you to remove and replace filters.
We also like the Philips 3200 Series, which comes with a built-in grinder and an intuitive display. It can make espresso, Americanos, and black coffee with a push of a button. It also has an integrated steam wand that can be used for cappuccinos and lattes. This model also has various settings that can be customized, including different beverage sizes and strengths and can begin making coffee up to 24 hours in advance of time.