Marisa Henry

How to Choose the Best Coffee Machines

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

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

Manual

For those who like to take full control of the process manually, a manual machine can be the best option. They allow you to manually operate a mechanical piston, which results in an exact amount of pressure and extraction. This type of machine requires a bit more skill and experience to operate than other models but a lot of coffee drinkers believe it's worth the effort.

These manual coffee machines are typically constructed from top-quality materials and can last for years without a significant maintenance requirement. They also come with a range of accessories, including filters and portsafilters along with a measuring cup, tamper, and funnel. They can be used to make cappuccinos or other drinks that use ground or pod coffee. Some manual coffee machines come with a steam arm that is used for milk-based drinks. Others come with a nozzle to distribute water over the grounds.

The majority of manual coffee machines employ a kettle that is used to warm water that is then poured over the grounds inside the chamber that is used for brewing. The user then presses or raises a lever that triggers pistons that force the hot water into the cup. This type of machine doesn't have the same precision or accuracy in temperature control as a fully automatic or semi-automatic coffee maker. You may need to play around to find the perfect espresso flavor.

While some manual coffee machines are made for home use, the majority are designed for businesses in the hospitality industry like hotels or restaurants as well as bed and breakfasts and farmhouses. They are usually small compact and efficient taking up one or two square feet of counter space. They are also cheaper than other models of machines, and they can easily be repaired or replaced.

They are typically constructed from durable materials such as chrome and brass. Some are handcrafted and provide a touch of class to the kitchen design. Additionally, they are often very easy to clean. Some come in a variety of colors that can be matched to the decor of any kitchen. They are generally simpler to operate than a semiautomatic or fully automatic coffee machine and can produce delicious, high-quality coffee.

Semiautomatic

Semi-automatic machines are a great compromise for espresso lovers who don't want to control all the variables involved in brewing the perfect shot. They automatize some of the steps involved in making espresso, like steaming milk and preinfusion. But, you'll have the option of tailoring your beverage to your personal preferences.

Breville is a brand known for its extensive range of kitchen appliances. Breville makes one of the top semi-automatic coffee makers that are available. The Infuser is an extremely versatile model that permits you to make lattes, cappuccino and espresso at the click of a button. The machine will automatically disperse the right amount of water for each drink. Its built-in burr grinding adjusts the size of the grind to accommodate different beans or extraction levels. The Infuser's slim, sleek design and user-friendly controls make it a great option for those with limited counter space.

The Dedica espresso machine is another top-rated model from Breville. The 15 bar pump can extract a great espresso shot. The commercial-grade construction will last for years. The Dedica also has a movable milk reservoir and the frothing wand, which can be used to make cappuccinos and lattes.

For a semiautomatic coffee maker that offers even more hands-off convenience look no further than an automatic. These machines are a step beyond standard automatics by offering programmable coffee sizes, and automatically grinding beans, and sometimes measuring and tamping them for you. These machines scored the top in our Lab tests for their do-it-all capability and hands-free user-friendliness.

If you're looking to find a fully automated that can do everything look into the Philips Dinamica. It comes with a large, intuitive touchscreen interface which lets you select 16 different drinks, including cappuccino, latte, and black cheap coffee machines. It grinds whole coffee beans to match the beverage you choose and even save your preferred settings, meaning you don't have to choose the menu altogether. The advanced features of this machine include a detachable tank that has an integrated test for water hardness and an AquaClean Filter that reduces scale and ensures that you always get the perfect cup of coffee.

Fully automated

A fully automatic coffee machine gives you an incredibly smooth, rich cup of coffee at the push of a button. It is an excellent choice for busy homes and offices and can be used to brew both filter coffee and espresso-based drinks. Many also feature automatic milk frothing that lets you enjoy cafe-style coffees like cappuccino and Latte. Certain models let you program your favorite drink in advance. These machines are perfect for those who work in multiple places, since you can continue working while 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. Some individuals may decide that the convenience of a fully automated coffee machines uk maker is worth the additional cost.

The Mcilpoog WS203 Super-Automatic Espresso Machine and Coffee Maker is a top, highly configurable coffee machine that offers the same quality as a top cafe in your home. The touch screen display makes it easy to use. It takes just three steps to make coffee. It comes with a stainless steel burr grinder that can be adjusted and programmable so you can alter the coffee to meet your needs.

Another option for busy households is the De'Longhi ECAM35020W Dinamica Automatic Coffee and Espresso Machine. This coffee machine boasts a quick heat-up time, and is equipped with an adjustable steel burr grinder and a milk frother for preparing espresso-based drinks and coffee. It can also produce various types of coffee, including filter coffee and iced.

This is an affordable and versatile Nespresso compatible machine that's ideal for a modern, well-equipped home. It comes with a large 1.7L water tank as well as a coffee bean container capacity, and comes with a quiet, fast heating system that makes a quick and delicious cup of coffee every time. It is also incredibly simple to use, with user profiles that automatically prioritise the drinks that are most liked by each user making them just a tap away.

Super-automatic

A step up from semi-automatic machines, these models grind, dose, pull your shot, and make your milk frothy at the touch of the button. They are the best option for those who want to drink the wide variety of beverages and appreciate the ease of not having to make them one at a time as in a manual or automated model.

A great 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 your specific requirements and save your settings for the next time. A bypass doser is also common to these machines that allow the use of pre-ground cheap coffee machines in place of the beans in the bean hopper. This is an ideal option for guests or when you want to switch to a different type of beans.

The DeLonghi Magnifica Evo Fully Automated machine is a popular choice for its versatility and user-friendliness. It has seven one-touch recipes that have easy-to-read color icons, from Espresso to Latte Macchiato. It also has the capability to save six user profiles so that everyone can have their favorite drink brewed coffee machine at the touch of one button. The machine also comes with the ceramic burr grinder which is the ideal option for durability and performance.

The Jura ENA 4 is another model manufactured in Switzerland that you should think about. It features a sleek, minimal design, and a huge container for water and bean capacity, which makes it ideal for commercial use. It comes with a sophisticated coffee brewing system as well as the amazing Aroma G3 grinder. It gives you the finest espresso and coffee you'll ever have.

The Philips 3200 LatteGo has a smaller design than some of the other super-automatic coffee machines on this list, but manages to deliver a quality cup of coffee. It 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 has an integrated grinder that can be set to 13 settings.