How to Choose the Best Coffee Machines

Whether you're looking for a basic filter machine, a coffee pod or capsule brewer, or an espresso maker, you'll find a model here to suit your requirements. Prices start at around PS50.

These brewers use pre-measured pods and offer convenience as well as consistency and hand-free ease of use. They also be top performers in our Lab tests.

Manual

If you are a coffee lover and want to be in complete control of the process, a manual machine is an ideal choice. These machines allow users to operate manually an operation that uses an electric piston. This creates a precise extraction and pressure. This type of machine requires a little more skill and experience to operate than other models however, many coffee drinkers say that it's worth the effort.

Manual coffee makers are generally constructed from top-quality materials and can last for a long time without any major maintenance requirement. They come with a variety of accessories like filters, a portafilter measuring cup, tamper, and funnel. They can be used with ground or pod coffee and they can create lattes, cappuccinos and macchiatos, and more. Some manual coffee machines have steam arms that can be used to make milk-based drinks. Others have a nozzle which distributes water on the grounds.

Most manual coffee machines make the water hot in a separate kettle, and then pour it over the grounds in the chamber for brewing. The user then pushes or raises a lever or hand to trigger a piston that pushes the hot water through the grounds before it is poured into the cup below. This kind of machine doesn't have the same precision or accuracy in temperature control as a fully automated or semi-automatic coffee maker. You may have to experiment to find your ideal espresso taste.

While some manual coffee machines are made to be used at home, the majority are designed for businesses in the hospitality industry, such as hotels and 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 coffee makers and can be easily repaired or replaced.

They are typically constructed from durable materials such as chrome and brass. Some are handcrafted and bring a touch of elegance to the kitchen design. In addition they are usually easy to clean. Some come in a variety of colors that can be matched to the aesthetics of any kitchen. They are more user-friendly than a fully automated or semi-automatic coffee maker, and they produce delicious coffee.

Semiautomatic

Semi-automatic machines can be a great compromise for espresso lovers who don't want to manage all the variables that go into making the perfect shot. These models start to take over some of the tasks involved in making espresso, like steaming milk and pre-infusion. You'll still be able modify your drink to suit your preferences.

One of the top semi-automatic coffee makers that are available is from Breville, a company known for a wide variety of kitchen appliances. The Infuser is a versatile model that allows you to make cappuccino, espresso, and lattes with the click of a button. The machine will automatically disperse water in the correct amount for each drink. Its built-in burr grind adjusts the size of the grind to accommodate different extraction levels or beans. The Infuser is an ideal choice for those who have a limited counter space because of its slim, sleek design. It also comes with easy-to-use controls.

Another model that has been rated highly by Breville is the Dedica espresso machine. Its 15 bar pump is sufficient to get a good espresso shot and its commercial design is built to last. The Dedica has a removable milk tank as well as a frothing tool that can be used to make lattes or cappuccinos.

Super-automatics are a great option for a semi-automatic coffee maker. They offer even more convenience and are operated without any involvement from you. These machines are a step above standard automatics, offering programmable coffee size, automatic grinding beans, and usually measuring and tamping for you. These machines were able to score the best in our Lab tests due to their all-in-one capabilities and hands-free ease of use.

The Philips Dinamica is a super-automatic machine capable of doing everything. It comes with a large intuitive touchscreen interface that lets you select 16 different drinks, including latte, cappuccino, and black coffee. It grinds whole coffee beans to match your beverage selection and can even store your preferred settings, meaning you can skip selecting the menu completely. The high-tech features of this machine include a movable tank with an integrated water hardness test and an AquaClean Filter that helps reduce scale and ensures that you always get the perfect cup of coffee.

Fully automated

A fully automated coffee maker gives you an excellent, smooth cup of coffee with the touch of an button. It's a great choice for busy homes and offices and can be used to make espresso-based drinks and filter coffee. Many models also have automatic milk frothing that lets you enjoy cafe-style coffees such as cappuccino and Latte. Certain models let you set your preferred drink in advance. These machines are ideal for those who need to work at multiple times, since they allow you to carry on working while your coffee is brewing.

They are also very popular in commercial coffee shops as they can be used to make a variety of drinks at once. However, they're typically more expensive than semi-automatic counterparts. However, the convenience offered by a fully automatic coffee maker may be worth the extra cost for some.

The Mcilpoog WS-203 Super-Automatic Espresso and Coffee Machine is a high-end coffee maker that is highly customizable that gives you the experience of a top cafe in the comfort of your own home. It is easy to use, with touchscreen display that makes making coffee as easy as three steps. It comes with a steel burr grinder that is adjusted and programmable settings so you can customize your espresso to your personal preferences.

De'Longhi ECAM35020W Dinamica Automatic Coffee and Espresso Machine is a 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 to make espresso and coffee-based drinks. It can also produce various coffees that include filter coffee as well as iced.

It is a versatile and affordable Nespresso-compatible machine that is ideal for the modern, well-equipped kitchen. It comes with a huge 1.7L tank and coffee box capacity. It also features a quick, quiet heating system to ensure the perfect coffee drink at all times. It's also very easy to use with user profiles that automatically prioritize the drinks that are most liked by each user and are only a tap away.

Super-automatic

A step over semi-automatic machines these models grind dose, grind, pull your shot, and then froth your milk all at the push of a button. They are the best option for coffee drinkers who want to drink an array of beverages and appreciate the convenience of not having to make each one at a time like in a manual or automated model.

An excellent example is the Gaggia Velasca Prestige which combines a high-quality brewing machine with an automatic milk frothing mechanism to create the perfect cappuccino, latte, or macchiato. The machine's programmability allows you to customize it to meet your needs and save your settings for the next time. A lot of these machines come with a bypass doser that allows the use of pre-ground beans instead of the beans in the bean hopper. This is a fantastic option for guests, or if you want to switch from one kind of coffee to another.

The DeLonghi Magnifica Evo Fully Automatic machine is another favorite due to its flexibility and user-friendliness. It has seven recipes that are one-touch with easy-to-read icons in color for everything from Espresso to a Latte Macchiato. It also has the capability to save six user profiles so that everyone can have their preferred drink at the touch of a button. The machine also comes with a ceramic burr grinder which is the best choice for longevity and performance.

Another model made in Switzerland to think about is the Jura ENA 4. It features a sleek, understated design, and a huge container for water and bean capacity, making it perfect for commercial use. It has a highly efficient brewing system and the incredible Aroma G3 grinder. You'll get some of the best espresso and coffee you've ever tasted.

The Philips 3200 LatteGo has a smaller design than other coffee machines that are super-automatic in this list, but still can provide a top-quality cup of coffee. This machine can make up to 5000 cups of coffee before it needs to be descaled. It is perfect for families with a lot of work to do. It also includes an integrated burr grinder with 13 settings that allow plenty of room for customization.