How to Choose the Best Coffee Machines
There's a model to meet every need, whether you're looking for an espresso maker or a coffee pod brewer. Prices start around PS50.
These brewers utilize pre-measured pods and offer convenience, consistency and hand-free ease of use. These brewers also tend to score high in our Lab tests.
Manual
A manual machine is an excellent option for those who want to be in control. These machines allow the user to manually operate an operation that utilizes a piston that is mechanical. This results in a precise extraction and pressure. This type of machine requires more expertise and experience to operate, but many coffee drinkers find it worth the effort.
Manual coffee machines are typically made from high-quality materials that can be used for a long time without any major maintenance requirement. They also come with a variety of accessories, including filters and portsafilters, a measuring cup, tamper and funnel. They can be used to make cappuccinos as well as other drinks using ground or pod coffee. Some manual coffee machines include steam arms that can be used for milk-based drinks. Other machines include a nozzle that distributes water onto the grounds.
The majority of manual professional coffee machine machines utilize a separate kettle to warm water that is then poured over the grounds inside the brewing chamber. The user presses or raises a lever to trigger pistons that force the hot water into the cup. This kind of coffee maker is not as accurate or precise in its temperature control as a semi-automatic or fully automatic coffee maker, so you may need to play with different techniques to find the best espresso flavor.
While some manual coffee machines are built for home use, the majority are designed for use in hospitality businesses such as hotels, restaurants as well as bed and breakfasts and farmhouses. They are small and efficient and occupy a small counter space. They are also less expensive than other types of machines, and they can easily be repaired or replaced.
They are usually constructed from durable materials, including chrome and brass. Some are made by hand and can add a touch elegance to your kitchen design. They are also usually easy to clean. They are also available in a variety of colors that can complement the design of any kitchen. They are less complicated to use than a fully automated or semi-automatic coffee maker, and they can make delicious coffee.
Semiautomatic
Semi-automatic machines can be a great option for espresso enthusiasts who don't want to control all the variables involved in brewing the perfect espresso. These machines begin automatizing certain steps in making espresso, such as steaming milk and preinfusion. However, you'll still have a variety of options to tailor your drink to your individual preferences.
Breville is an established brand that is renowned for its wide range of kitchen appliances. Breville makes one of the best semi-automatic coffee makers on the market. The Infuser is a versatile model that lets you make cappuccino, espresso, and lattes with the push of the 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 beans or extraction levels. The Infuser is a great choice for those with limited counter space because of its compact, sleek design. It also has easy-to-use controls.
Another model that has been rated highly by Breville is the Dedica espresso machine. Its 15 bar pump is sufficient to make a high-quality espresso shot and its commercial design is built to last. The Dedica has a removable milk tank as well as a frothing tool that can be used for cappuccinos or lattes.
If you are looking for a semi-automatic coffee maker that provides more hands-free convenience consider an automatic. These machines are a step above conventional automatics, with programmable coffee sizes, automatically grinding beans, and often measuring and tamping automatically for you. These machines were able to score the top in our Lab tests for their comprehensive functionality and hands-off user-friendliness.
If you're looking to find a fully automated that can do it all look into the Philips Dinamica. This model has a large, intuitive touchscreen interface that lets you select 16 different beverages, including cappuccino, latte and black coffee. It grinds whole coffee beans to match the beverage you choose and even save your preferred settings, so you can skip selecting the menu altogether. The high-tech features of this machine include a removable tank with an integrated test for water hardness and an AquaClean Filter that helps reduce scale and ensures that you always get the perfect cup of coffee.
Fully automatic
A fully automatic coffee machine offers an excellent, smooth cup of coffee at the push of the button. This is an excellent choice for busy homes or offices because it can make both filter and espresso. Some models also feature automatic milk frothing, which lets you enjoy cafe-style coffees like cappuccino or latte. Some models can even be programmed which allows you to set your preferred beverage ahead of time. These machines are ideal for multitaskers, as you can work on your laptop while coffee is being made.
They are also popular in commercial coffee shops, as they can brew multiple types of drinks simultaneously. These are more expensive than semi-automatic models. However, the convenience offered by a fully-automated coffee maker may be worth the extra expense for a few people.
The Mcilpoog WS-203 Super-Automatic Espresso and Coffee Machine is a premium, highly customizable coffee machine that provides the high-end features of a top-quality cafe in the comfort of your home. It is easy to use, and comes with touchscreen display that makes coffee-making as simple as just three steps. It comes with a stainless steel burr grinder that can be adjusted and programmable so you can alter the espresso to suit your preferences.
De'Longhi ECAM35020W Dinamica Automatic Coffee and Espresso Machine is another excellent option for busy households. This coffee machine has a quick heating time and comes with a milk frother as well as an adjustable steel burr mill to make espresso drinks and coffee-based drinks. It also produces various coffees, including filter coffee and iced.
This is a very flexible and affordable Nespresso compatible machine that is ideal for the modern, well-equipped kitchen. It comes with a massive 1.7L water tank and a coffee bean capacity. It also comes with a quiet, fast heating system for a fast and delicious cup of coffee every time. It's easy to use, with user profiles that will automatically prioritize each user's preferred drinks and are just an easy tap away.
Super-automatic
A step over semi-automatic machines these models grind, dose, pull your shot, and then make your milk frothy at the touch of one button. These machines are ideal for coffee drinkers who wish to enjoy different drinks at the same time and appreciate the convenience.
A good example is the Gaggia Velasca Prestige which combines an excellent brewing machine and an automated milk frothing system to make the perfect cappuccino, latte or macchiato. It is programmable so you can modify it to suit your specific requirements and save your settings. A bypass doser is also included in many of these machines which enables the use of pre-ground coffee in place of the beans that are stored in the bean hopper. It's which is a great feature for guests or when you want to switch to a different type of beans.
DeLonghi's Magnifica Evo fully automatic machine is also a popular choice because of its versatility and ease-of-use. It offers seven one-touch recipe options that are easy to read color icons, ranging from Espresso to Latte Macchiato. It also has the ability to save six user profiles, so everyone can have their own preferred drink brewed at the touch of a button. This machine comes with ceramic grinder that is the best choice for long-term durability and performance.
The Jura ENA 4 is another model manufactured in Switzerland that you should take into consideration. It has a sleek and understated design, a large bean box and water tank capacity, making it ideal for commercial use. It comes with a sophisticated brewing system and the incredible Aroma G3 grinder. You'll enjoy some of the finest espresso and coffee you've ever had.
The Philips 3200 LatteGo is a little more compact than some other super-automatic machines on this list, but it still produces a quality cup. This machine is rated to produce up to 5000 cups before it needs to be descaled, which is perfect for homes with a busy schedule. It also has an integrated burr grinder with 13 settings to give you plenty of scope for personalization.