The Coffee Machine Awards: The Best, Worst And Most Bizarre Things We've Seen
How to Choose the Best Coffee Machine
There's a lot more technical brilliance behind this machine, which manages to precisely regulate the temperature of water and evenly distribute it over ground coffee beans in the filter basket. This gives more flavor than cheaper rivals.
This fully automated machine is able to handle everything. Unlike semiautomatic machines that require you to load your portafilter manually and then decide when you want to stop taking the portafilter out the fully automated machine takes care of everything for you.
Filter coffee machines
A filter coffee machine makes filter coffee by passing hot filtered water through grounds of coffee. The grounds soak up the water, and release the flavor compounds that are later extracted into your cup of coffee. They are available in a variety of sizes, from 3 cups to 13 cups.
A few of the models we tested come with insulated containers that keep your coffee warm without the need for an energy-hungry heat plate. Some have a 24-hour timer, which means you can set it the night before and wake up to an ice-filled jug waiting for you to drink. Other helpful features include a permanent, reusable filter to reduce paper waste and the ability to see the water tank and allow you to easily see the level of water in it.
Some filter coffee machines are small enough to fit on a compact kitchen countertop, while others have bigger footprints. Some also have a removable water tank to make refilling and cleaning easier, while others have fixed tanks that may limit where you can place yours.
For a filter maker that is more functional Look for one with an integrated grinder so you can choose to grind fresh coffee beans on demand and pour directly into the filter basket (though some offer this as an option). You can also find model that make use of pre-ground beans too.
We recommend a model with a bigger capacity for those who want to make several cups at a time. We've tested several filter coffee makers with this capability and discovered the Melitta Look V Timer to be one of the best in delivering a great cup of filter coffee for a good price. It is easy to use and set up and has a lot of user reviews, with many useful tips and guidelines. It is also robust and reliable.
Espresso machines
Following the example of manual coffee makers found in cafes Espresso machines are able to make a variety of specialty drinks with just the click of the button. They require a little more effort than other types as users grind their own coffee beans, weigh the grounds, and then steam the milk on their own. However, coffee machines online found the results worth the effort.
Aiming for the same level of quality as baristas espresso machine, an espresso machine makes use of hot water and up to nine bars of pressure to create an even stronger and more concentrated drink. They may also have an inbuilt milk frother that can be used to make macchiatos and cappuccinos. They're often more expensive than other coffee makers, but offer a high-end, premium experience.
These are popular for those who wish to recreate cafe-style coffee at home. The water is heated in an airtight container before it is released through an nozzle into the ground coffee. They can take a long time to heat up but when they are ready, they can be used to make a cup coffee in between four and six minutes.
For those who want some more control, a semi-automatic espresso machine allows users to add their own ground beans but automatically stops the flow of water midway through the making process. This is done to maintain the consistency of the espresso. This is not a good choice for beginners and requires patience to master. But for those who are adept for tamping this can be the ultimate espresso maker.
The super-automatic machine works like an industrial coffee maker and takes the guesswork out of the process. The machine grinds and measures the coffee prior to pumping hot water through it. They're perfect for those who are more interested in making a specific beverage rather than just a regular cup of coffee and tend to be the most well-known coffee maker on the market.
Pod or capsule coffee machines are the most user-friendly, but they are less customizable in terms of experience than their bean-to-cup counterparts. The Lavazza Jolie & Milk offers nine pre-made drink options including classics such as cappuccino and white coffee, to more inventive concoctions such as macchiatos and ristrettos. It can also dispense steam and hot water at the touch of the button.
Bean-to-cup machines
The best bean-to-cup machines crush whole roasted beans at the touch of a button and make several drinks, usually at the press of a button. Some machines allow you to keep your coffee preferences in a file to ensure that the machine can create the drink that you like every when it is powered on. They can be connected to home tech networks or apps for greater flexibility.
In most cases, you can manage the finer aspects of each drink, including the temperature and the pressure of the extraction, which means you're in total control over the taste of each cup like. They're often designed to produce a better quality of coffee than pod or capsule machines. A good bean-to cup machine will grind the coffee beans to a precise consistency and then push hot, filtered water through the beans at the exact pressure and time needed to maximize flavor.
There are a lot of coffee makers that have milk that froths. This is a great way to create the rich, textural layers of a cappuccino or latte - although there can be some learning curve to get these drinks right. Once you master the machine, it can produce drinks that are perfect in a specialty coffee shop.
Sage's Oracle Touch is one of the top examples of modern bean-to-cup machine. It's a bit more expensive than the top capsule or pod machines, but it's worth the extra expense. The machine features a large, colour touchscreen that guides the user through every step of making a specific coffee. It also comes with a professional steam wand that can create the perfect texture of milk and allows you to customize each drink to your tastes. Oracle Touch can serve both cold and hot drinks. It also keeps track of your preferred drink for the school run, so you won't have to purchase an entirely new one each time. Check out our full review if you're looking for an espresso machine that is of the highest quality, equipped with a premium grinder as well as a lot of customized features.
Pod or capsule machines
The best pod coffee machines eliminate the guesswork of brewing and provide consistent results with little or no effort. These models dispense capsules containing instant or ground coffee, tea and other beverages. These machines are a good option for those with little experience with espresso or bean-to-cup machines and want a quick fix in the morning.
They're an excellent choice for those who want to try out different blends without having to purchase large quantities of beans and they're also cheaper than other alternatives if you don't need the machine as often. They're less flexible and don't provide the same quality of coffee as a filter machine or bean-to cup machine.
If you're looking for a simple cup of coffee, this pod coffee maker from Illy is ideal. It's as simple as lifting the top flap (which automatically removes the used capsule), chuck in an additional one and then press either the big or small cup button. The machine utilizes an exclusive two-stage extraction to produce rich, rewarding coffee.
It can also dispense hot water for herbal teas and hot beverages and can also make coffee or latte, because of the milk frother. It's important to note that the milk derived from pods doesn't have the same rich texture as milk that is made using a manual frother like Dualit or Lavazza.
This machine is more stylish than a lot of pod coffee makers available It's also quieter, so it won't cause a ruckus when you're enjoying your caffeine fix. It's designed to look great in any kitchen, from country to modern, and is a real pleasure to use. The lever is large and launches the capsule out of the receptacle, which can hold up to ten capsules.
The machine offers a variety of beverages, including tall travel mugs and short espressos. A barcode reader will also inform you of the pods you're using. It's not as customizable as machines that grind beans into cups and can't alter the amount of coffee that is extracted.