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, you'll find a model here to suit your needs. Prices start at PS50.

These brewers provide convenience, consistency, and hands-off convenience. These brewers also tend to perform well in our Lab tests.

Manual

A manual machine is a good option for those who are looking to have control. These machines allow you to manually control a mechanical piston, which produces an exact amount of pressure and extraction. This kind of machine requires more experience and skill to operate, however many coffee drinkers consider it worth the effort.

These coffee machines manual are constructed of top-quality materials, and can last for years without needing any maintenance. These machines come with a range of accessories, including filters, a portafilter measuring cup, tamper, and funnel. They can be used with ground or pod coffee, and they can make lattes, cappuccinos, macchiatos and much more. Some manual coffee machines have a steam arm that is used to make milk-based drinks. Others come with a nozzle to distribute water over the grounds.

The majority of manual coffee machines employ a separate kettle to warm water and then pour it over the coffee grounds in the chamber that is used for brewing. The user then pushes or raises an instrument or hand to activate an engine that pushes hot water through the grounds and into the cup below. This type 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 various techniques to find the perfect espresso taste.

Some manual coffee machines were created for home use. However, the majority are for hospitality businesses like hotels, restaurants and bed and breakfasts. They are compact, efficient and require little counter space. They are also less costly than other coffee makers and can be easily repaired or replaced.

They are typically constructed out of tough materials like chrome and brass. Some are made by hand and can bring a touch of elegance to the kitchen design. Additionally they are typically easy to clean. Some are available in a wide range of colors and can match the style of your kitchen. They are generally more simple to operate than a fully automatic coffee machine and can produce delicious, premium coffee.

Semiautomatic

For the person who doesn't want to be in complete control of all variables involved in making a perfect shot, semi-automatic machines offer an acceptable compromise. These models begin to automate some of the steps involved in making espresso, such as steaming milk and preinfusion. However, you'll still have many options to tailor your beverage to your own personal tastes.

Breville is an established brand that is renowned for its wide range of kitchen appliances. It makes one of the most reliable semi-automatic coffee makers on the market. The Infuser is a multi-functional model that lets you make espresso, cappuccino, and lattes with the click of a button. The machine also automatically dispenses the right amount of water for each drink, and its built-in burr grinder automatically adjusts the grind size to accommodate different beans and extraction levels. The Infuser's sleek, compact design and user-friendly controls make 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 make a high-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 go one step beyond standard automatics by allowing you to program coffee sizes, automatically grinding beans, and frequently measuring and tamping them automatically. These machines ranked the highest in our Lab Tests due to their all-in-one functionality and ease of use.

The Philips Dinamica is a super-automatic machine that can do it all. It comes with a large intuitive touchscreen interface that lets you choose 16 different drinks including cappuccino, latte and black coffee. It automatically grinds whole beans to match the selection of beverages and even save your preferred settings so you can skip the menu of choices completely. Its high-tech features include a water tank that is removable with a built-in hardness tester as well as an AquaClean filter that reduces scale build-up and helps ensure that your machine always produces the highest quality coffee.

Fully automated

A fully automated machine will provide you with an incredibly smooth and rich cup of coffee at the push of a button. This is an excellent choice for busy offices or homes, as it can brew both filter and espresso. Many models also have automatic milk frothing that lets you enjoy cafe-style coffees such as cappuccino and Latte. Some models can even be programmed, allowing you to set your preferred beverage ahead of time. These machines are perfect for those who need to work at multiple times, since they allow you to continue working while coffee is being made.

They are also well-liked in coffee shops that are commercial, as they can brew multiple types of drinks in one go. However, they are typically more expensive than their semi-automatic counterparts. Some may feel that the convenience of a fully-automatic coffee maker is worth the additional cost.

The Mcilpoog WS203 Super-Automatic Espresso Machine and Coffee Maker is a high-end, highly configurable coffee machine that offers the same quality as an excellent cafe right in your home. The touch screen display makes it simple to use. It takes just three steps to make coffee. It comes with an adjustable steel burr grinder and customizable settings, meaning you can customize your espresso to your own preferences.

Another great option for busy homes is the De'Longhi ECAM35020W Dinamica Automatic Coffee and Espresso Machine. The coffee maker boasts an instant heat-up time, and is equipped with an adjustable burr grinder in steel and an milk frother to prepare coffee and espresso-based beverages. It can also create a wide variety of coffee flavors that include iced and filter coffee.

This is a budget-friendly and versatile Nespresso-compatible machine that is perfect for an elegant, well-equipped home. It comes with a large 1.7L water tank as well as a coffee bean container capacity, and has a quick, quiet heating system to make a swift and delicious cup of coffee every time. It is also incredibly simple to use, with user profiles that automatically prioritise your favourite drinks, so they are just one tap away.

Super-automatic

These models are a step up from semi automatic machines. They grind or dose, pull the shot, and froth milk with the click of a button. These machines are ideal for coffee drinkers who wish to drink multiple drinks at once and appreciate the convenience.

The Gaggia Velasca Prestige is a perfect example. It combines a high quality brewing machine with a milk frothing automatic system to create the perfect cappuccino or latte. The machine is programmable, which means you can alter it to meet your exact requirements and save the settings. A lot of these machines include a bypass doser that allows the use of pre-ground beans instead of the beans in the bean hopper. This is an excellent feature for guests, or if you wish to switch from one kind of coffee to another.

The DeLonghi Magnifica Evo Fully-Automatic machine is a popular choice for its flexibility and ease of use. It offers seven one-touch recipes that have easy-to-read color icons, ranging from Espresso to Latte Macchiato. It also allows you to save six user profiles, so everyone can have their preferred beverage brewed at the click of one button. The machine is equipped with ceramic grinders that are the best choice for longevity and performance.

The Jura ENA 4 is another model made in Switzerland that you should take into consideration. It features sleek and minimal design, as well as a large bean box and capacity for water tanks making it ideal for commercial use. It comes with a sophisticated brewing system and the incredible Aroma G3 grinder. It gives you the best espresso and coffee you'll ever have.

The Philips 3200 LatteGo is a slightly smaller than other super-automatic machines in this list but still delivers high-quality cups. This machine coffee machine for home is rated to produce up to 5000 cups before it needs to be descaled, which is ideal for any busy home. It also comes with a built-in grinder that has 13 settings.