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 the right model for your needs. Prices start around PS50.

These brewers offer convenience, consistency, and hands-off convenience. They also 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 ideal choice. These machines let you manually control a mechanical piston that results in a precise amount of pressure and extraction. This kind of coffee machine requires a bit more skill and experience to operate than other types but a lot of coffee drinkers say that it's worth the effort.

These manual coffee machines are made of high-quality materials and will last for a long time without any maintenance. They also come with a range of accessories, such as a portafilter and filter, measuring cup, tamper, and funnel. They can be used with ground or pod coffee, and they can create lattes, cappuccinos and macchiatos, and many more. Some manual coffee machines come with a traditional steam arm for milk-based drinks, while others have a nozzle which spreads water across the grounds.

Most manual coffee machines use an additional kettle to warm water, which is then poured over the grounds inside the brewing chamber. The user then raises or depresses a lever or hand to activate a piston that pushes the hot water through the grounds and into the cup below. This kind of machine does not 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 ideal espresso flavor.

While some manual coffee machines are designed for home use, most are designed for hospitality businesses like hotels or restaurants as well as bed and breakfasts and farmhouses. They are compact, efficient and require little counter space. They are also less expensive than other coffee makers and can be easily repaired or replaced.

These machines are typically constructed using durable materials like brass and chrome. 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 aesthetics of any kitchen. They are more user-friendly than a fully automated or semiautomatic coffee machine, and they can produce delicious coffee.

Semiautomatic

Semi-automatic machines are a great alternative for those who don't want to manage all the variables involved in brewing the perfect espresso. These models begin to automate certain steps in making espresso, including steaming milk and preinfusion. You'll still be able to alter the drinks to meet your tastes.

Breville is a brand that is known for its vast selection of kitchen appliances. It makes one of the top semi-automatic coffee makers on the market. The Infuser is a multi-functional model that lets you make cappuccino, espresso and lattes at the touch of a button. The machine is able to automatically pour 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 with limited counter space because of its compact, sleek design. It also has easy-to-use controls.

The Dedica espresso machine is another highly rated model from Breville. Its 15 bar pump is enough to extract a quality espresso shot and its commercial design is built to last. The Dedica also features 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 automatic. These machines are a step up from standard automatics, offering programmable coffee size, automatic grinding beans, and often measuring and tamping for you. These machines tended to score the highest in our Lab tests for their comprehensive functionality and hands-off ease of use.

If you're looking for a machine that can do it all look into the Philips Dinamica. The Dinamica has a large touchscreen interface with 16 different drinks including cappuccino and latte. 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 detachable tank with an integrated test of water hardness and an AquaClean Filter that reduces scale and ensures that you always get the perfect cup of coffee.

Fully automatic

A fully automated coffee machine provides an excellent, smooth cup of coffee at the touch of an button. It is an excellent choice for busy homes or offices and is able to brew filter coffee and espresso-based drinks. Many models also have automatic milk frothing, letting you enjoy cafe-style coffees like cappuccino and latte. Some models are even programmable, allowing you to set your preferred drink prior to time. These machines are perfect for multitaskers since you can work while the coffee is brewing.

They are also very popular in commercial coffee shops, as they can be used to make a variety of drinks simultaneously. However, these are usually more expensive than their semi-automatic counterparts. Some individuals may decide 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 gives you the experience of a top cafe in your home. It is easy to use, and comes with a touch screen display that makes coffee-making as simple as three steps. It comes with a steel burr grinder that can be adjusted and programmable so you can tailor your espresso to your personal preferences.

De'Longhi ECAM35020W Dinamica Automatic Coffee and Espresso Machine is a great option for busy households. The coffee maker boasts rapid heating up time, and is equipped with an adjustable steel burr grinder and a milk frother to prepare coffee and espresso-based beverages. It is also able to make a variety of coffee types that include iced and filter coffee.

This is an affordable and versatile Nespresso compatible machine that's perfect for an elegant, well-equipped home. It has a huge 1.7L water tank as well as a coffee bean container capacity, and features a fast, quiet heating system to make a swift and delicious cup of coffee every time. It is simple to use with user profiles that automatically prioritize each user's preferred drinks, so they are only an easy tap away.

Super-automatic

A step above semi-automatic machines these models grind dose, grind, pull your shot and make your milk frothy at the push of one button. These machines are perfect for coffee lovers that want to drink a variety of drinks at once and Manual coffee Machines appreciate the convenience.

The Gaggia Velasca Prestige is a excellent example. It combines a high quality brewing machine and a milk frothing automatic system to create the perfect cappuccino makers or Latte. The machine is programmable, so you can modify it to meet your specific needs and save your settings. A bypass doser is included in many of these machines, allowing the use of pre-ground coffee instead of the beans stored in the bean hopper. This is an ideal option for guests or if you want to switch to a different variety of beans.

The DeLonghi Magnifica Evo Fully Automatic machine is another popular option due to its flexibility and ease of use. It comes with seven recipe options with easy-to-read color icons, from Espresso to latte machines Macchiato. It also has the ability to save six user profiles so that everyone can have their own preferred drink at the touch of a button. This machine also includes a ceramic burr grinder, which is the optimum choice for longevity and performance.

Another model made in Switzerland to think about is the Jura ENA 4. It is an elegant and minimalist design, as well as a large bean box and water tank capacity making it ideal for commercial use. It has an advanced brewing and grinder system, the Aroma G3. This gives you some of the best espresso and coffee you'll ever have.

The Philips 3200 LatteGo has a smaller design than other coffee machines that are super-automatic on this list, yet manages to deliver a quality cup of coffee. The machine can make up to 5000 coffee cups before it has to be descaled. It is perfect for families with a lot of work to do. It also includes a built-in burr grinder with 13 settings to give you plenty of scope to personalize it.