How to Choose the Best Home Coffee Machine

The best home coffee machine will match your brewing style and work well in your kitchen. The most important considerations are size, capacity and design.

During our lab testing, this prosumer-level espresso maker amazed us with its speed and accuracy. The Sage Bambino heats quickly and efficiently. It steams milk with power and produces excellent extractions at 19 bars.

Pod (or Capsule) Machines

A pod machine is the best cappuccino machine choice if you want to make coffee quickly and easily by using pre-ground pods. They take the messiest elements out of brewing, removing the necessity for complicated burr grinders and portafilters that need to be cleaned regularly to remove coffee oils. They require less maintenance. Regular cleaning and descaling reservoirs of water is a great idea.

However these brewers have their limitations. They typically only work with certain types of coffee pod, usually in the K-Cup, Nespresso capsule or ESE (easy-serve espresso) formats. This is not an issue if the coffee is from the same brand, but it could be a problem when you want to experiment with different types of coffee.

Pod machines are also less durable and have a smaller tank of water. They also take longer to make. This may not be a problem if you are working in a hurry in the morning, but it could be a problem if you are planning a long, tiring day at work.

We suggest that you consider the size of your coffee bar before purchasing a pod machine as some are slimmer than others and can be tucked within the space of other appliances on your counter. Consider how much you are willing to spend, and what beverages you would like to be able make. Our former editor in charge of e-commerce Louise keeps her caffeine intake on a budget with the Nespresso Vertuo Next, which allows her to dispense espresso shots of either length or short and comes with a handy milk frother for lattes.

This sleekly designed pod-machine from Sage gives you the best delonghi coffee machine of both worlds: high-end technology and low-maintenance. It's not cheap but it is a stylish addition to any kitchen. The sleek stainless steel design will stand out on your counter. It can make five distinct drinks with the press of the button. Each capsule has a barcode on its underside that is used by the machine to determine the beverage to be dispensed. It's a great option for sustainability enthusiasts, as the capsules break down and decay quickly. The reusable mug makes it a viable option.

Manual Espresso Machines

Manual machines can be a great experience that allows you to practice the art of making espresso. Manual espresso machines are more time-consuming however they can make drinks of high quality. They are also generally more durable than other types of coffee brewers, and have designs that can withstand the rigors of use.

Manual espresso machines are not as easy to use as automated ones, however they are often lacking precise temperature control. This can make it challenging to produce consistent, good-quality espresso shots. The most reliable manual espresso machine has a steep learning curve and can be costly to purchase and maintain.

If you're a coffee lover keen to discover the world of manual espresso, you should try an older model that was designed to be as user-friendly as you can. Some models come with a built-in grinder as well as a milk steamer, making them relatively easy to operate for new coffee drinkers. Some models come with an adjustable reservoir for water which makes it easier to clean and refill. Some are programmable and allow you to set the time for the brewing process to begin before you awaken.

Some manual espresso machines are large and would be an ideal choice for larger families or coffee machine best deals carts. Some are smaller and require less counter space. When choosing the size of your machine you should also consider how many people will be using it at the same time. If you have multiple family members or roommates who like to brew espresso, you might want to consider a larger model with a larger boiler.

A few of the cheapest manual espresso machines come with an adjustable milk frother, that can be set to automatically heat and froth milk to your preferred consistency. This type of machine is ideal for making cappuccinos and latte, and it's also suitable for those with sensitive teeth. This kind of machine isn't suitable for those who prefer an espresso with a thicker consistency. It produces less foam.

Automatic Espresso Machines

In this category there are fully automated espresso machines that handle the entire brewing process, from grinding to extraction. They are simple to use and require only minimal maintenance, other than cleaning and descaling. They are ideal for those who don't like getting their hands dirty or have limited countertop space to accommodate a large espresso and coffee maker.

The top models are highly programmable and have settings for different drinks that you can save into "user profiles." They're also more likely to be Wi-Fi enabled so you can control them via your smartphone. But all that automation and programmability is at the price of a premium: You'll need to spend more on these machines than semi-automatic and manual alternatives.

The Eveversys Cameo is one of our favorites automatic espresso makers. It is a sleek, aesthetically pleasing machine which takes up little space on your counter. It also scores 5/5 in our ratings for ease of use - second only to Miele. It's a high output model that can accommodate three separate grinders and hoppers, and you can select the one you want to use from a touchscreen display. It's user-friendly and self-monitoring, meaning you don't have to play with knobs or buttons.

Another option is the Cuisinart Spinn. The small pill-shaped machine utilizes centrifugal force to brew espresso, which is distinct from the traditional method of forcing water through the grounds. With a little practice, it can make a variety drinks like cappuccino or Latte. The machine was tested at the Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab of the Good Housekeeping Institute, and got a perfect score of 5 in our test for ease-of-use. It's also tiny by espresso maker standards. It doesn't require any space on your counter.

It's worth trying out a few different types of espresso machines to determine the one that suits your personal taste as well as your space and budget. Also, consider aesthetics. You'll want one that matches your home decor, and even your coffee machine. Don't forget to measure your countertop to make sure that the machine you pick will be a good fit.

Pour-Over Machines

Pour-over machines are an excellent option if you're looking to have total control over your coffee's brewing. Pour-over machines like the Hario V60 or Chemex Funnex permit you to alter a variety of variables (coffee to water ratio, filter, brewing time) which allows you to make a brew that is customized. They are more likely to create more intense aromas and flavors than drip machines.

Pour-over brewers are designed to produce high-quality results. They have a thermometer that determines the temperature of the water to the nearest degree, and a pressure gauge that informs you when the desired amount of water brewed is put into the brewer. They have a portafilter big enough to hold the standard coffee mug, and offer enough space between the portafilter and the drip tray so you can pour your brew directly into your coffee cup.

They also come with a replaceable charcoal filter that removes impurities from the water. This is important since coffee makers with a poor-quality filter can leave a bitter taste on your cup. In addition, the best commercial coffee machine pour-over brewers use materials that are safe to wash in the dishwasher and that don't leak or hold onto coffee odors.

A good pour-over is simple to clean and should be enjoyable to use. We found that most models we tested were easy to hold in one hand, and they were the perfect size and shape to fit on an kitchen counter. Some of the simplest, such as the Zojirushi Zutto, even has an extremely small footprint, making it ideal for smaller spaces. Some, such as the Melitta Cafe filter, come with a hand that can be removed, which makes it easier to remove and replace filters.

Philips 3200 Series is another model we like because it features a user-friendly display and an integrated grinder. It can brew espressos, Americanos, and black coffee with a push of a button and has an attached steam wand for lattes and cappuccinos. This model has a variety of settings that can be adjusted, including different sizes and strengths of the beverage. It can also begin making coffee up to 24 hours in advance.