How to Choose the Best Coffee Machines
If you're looking for a basic filter machine or a coffee pod, capsule brewer, or an espresso maker, you'll find a model here to suit your needs. Prices start around PS50.
Brewers that are brewers with these features provide convenience, consistency, and hands-off simplicity. They also tend to score highly in our Lab tests.
Manual
If you are a coffee lover and want to take full control of the process using a manual machine is an excellent choice. These machines permit the user to manually operate the operation using an electric piston. This creates a precise extraction and pressure. This type of coffee machine requires a little more expertise and experience to operate than other kinds but a lot of coffee drinkers believe it's worth the effort.
These manual coffee machines are made of high-quality materials and will last for years without any maintenance. They include a range of accessories, including a portafilter, filter measuring cup, tamper, and funnel. They can be used to make cappuccinos as well as other drinks that use ground or pod coffee. Some manual coffee machines come with traditional steam arms for drinks that are milk-based, whereas others feature a nozzle that distributes water over the grounds.
The majority of manual coffee machines make the water hot in a separate kettle, and then pour it over the grounds in the brewing chamber. The user then presses or raises a lever to trigger pistons that force the hot water into the cup. This type of coffee machine isn't as precise or precise in its temperature control as semi-automatic or fully automated coffee maker, and you might have to play with different techniques to find the best espresso taste.
Some manual coffee machines were created to be used at home. However most are used for hospitality businesses such as hotels, restaurants, and bed and breakfasts. They are compact efficient, reliable, and take up little counter space. They are also less expensive than other coffee machines and can be easily repaired or replaced.
These machines are typically constructed with durable materials, such as brass and chrome. Some are even handmade, and they can bring a touch of class to the kitchen design. Additionally, they are often very easy to clean. They are available in a variety of colors that can be matched to the decor of any kitchen. They are generally simpler to use than a semi-automatic or fully automated coffee maker and can make excellent, high-quality coffee.
Semiautomatic
Semi-automatic machines are a great alternative for those who don't want control over all the variables involved in brewing the perfect shot. These models start to take on some of the tasks involved in making an espresso, like steaming milk and pre-infusion. But, you'll have a variety of options to tailor your drinks to your personal preferences.
One of the best semi automatic coffee makers on the market comes made by Breville, a company known for its wide range of kitchen appliances. The Infuser is a multi-functional model that lets you make cappuccino, espresso and lattes with the push of one button. The machine automatically dispenses the right amount of water for each drink. The built-in burr grinder adjusts the size of the grind to accommodate different beans or extraction levels. The Infuser's compact, sleek design and easy-to-use controls makes it a perfect choice for those with a small counter space.
Another model that is highly rated by Breville is the Dedica espresso machine. Its 15 bar pump is enough to get a good espresso shot, and its commercial construction is built to last. The Dedica also features a removable milk reservoir as well as a frothing wand that can be used to make cappuccinos and lattes.
Super-automatics are a great choice for semi-automatic coffee makers. They offer more convenience and are operated without any involvement from you. These machines go one step above the standard automated machines by offering programmable coffee sizes, automatically grinding beans, and sometimes measuring and tamping them for you. These machines ranked the highest in our Lab Tests for their complete features and user-friendliness.
If you're looking to find a fully automated that can do everything look into the Philips Dinamica. This model features a large touchscreen with 16 drinks to choose from including cappuccino and latte. It grinds whole coffee beans to match your drink preference and even save your preferred settings, meaning you can avoid the menu 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 prevents scale build-up and ensures that your machine always makes the best possible cup of coffee.
Fully automatic
A fully automated coffee maker gives you a rich, smooth cup of coffee with the touch of a button. It's a great choice for busy homes or offices and can be used to make espresso-based drinks as well as filter coffee. Many models have automatic milk frothing that lets you enjoy cafe style coffees, such as cappuccino and latte. Some models are even programmable which allows you to set your preferred beverage ahead of time. These machines are perfect for anyone who needs to work at multiple times, since they allow you to work while you make your coffee.
These machines are popular in commercial coffee shops since they can brew a variety of different beverages simultaneously. However, these are usually more expensive than semi-automatic counterparts. However, the convenience offered by a fully-automated coffee maker may be worth the extra cost for a few people.
The Mcilpoog WS203 Super-Automatic Espresso Machine and Coffee Maker is a high-end coffee maker with a high-quality, highly-customizable design that offers the same quality as the best cafes at home. It's easy to use, and comes with an LCD touch screen that makes coffee-making as simple as just three steps. It comes with a steel burr grinder that is adjustable and programmed so that you can alter the espresso to your personal preferences.
De'Longhi ECAM35020W Dinamica Automatic Coffee and Espresso Machine is another great option for busy households. This coffee maker has a fast heating time and is equipped with a milk frother and an adjustable burr mill for making espresso and coffee-based drinks. It can also produce a wide range of coffee types such as iced and filter coffee.
It is a versatile and affordable Nespresso-compatible machine that is perfect for the modern well-equipped kitchen. It has a huge 1.7L water tank and coffee bean capacity. It also 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, and are only a tap away.
Super-automatic
These models are a step above semi-automatic machines. They grind or dose, pull the shot, and then froth milk at the touch a button. They are the best option for coffee drinkers who want to drink a wide range of beverages and appreciate the convenience of not having to prepare them one at a go like in a manual model or an automated model.
An excellent example is the Gaggia Velasca Prestige which combines the highest-quality brewing equipment with an automated milk frothing system to make the perfect cappuccino, latte or macchiato. The machine's programmability allows you to tailor it to meet your needs and save your settings for next time. A bypass doser comes included in many of these machines that allow you to use pre-ground coffee in place of the beans in the bean hopper. It's an ideal option for guests or when you want to change to a different kind of beans.
Magnifica Evo, a fully automatic machine is also a popular choice due to its versatility and user-friendly. It has seven recipes that are one-touch with easy-to-read color icons for everything from Espresso to a Latte Macchiato. It also allows you to save six user profiles so that everyone can have their own preferred drink brewed at the touch of one button. The machine also comes with the ceramic burr grinder which is the best choice for lifespan and performance.
Another Swiss-made model to consider is the Jura ENA 4. It is an elegant and minimalist design, a huge 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 gives you some of the best coffee and espresso you'll ever taste.
The Philips 3200 LatteGo has a slightly smaller build than the other super-automatic coffee machines on this list, but still manages to deliver a quality cup of coffee. It can make up to 5000 cups before needing to be descaled, which makes it ideal for homes with a busy schedule. It also comes with a built-in burr grinder which has 13 settings to provide plenty of options for customization.