How to Choose the Best Home Coffee Machine
The best home espresso machine will fit the kitchen of your home and will complement your brewing preferences. The most important considerations are capacity, size, and design.
During our lab testing, this prosumer-level espresso maker impressed us by its speed and precision. The Sage Bambino heats quickly and efficiently. It steams milk powerfully and produces excellent extractions at 19 bars.
Pod (or Capsule) Machines
If you like the speed and simplicity of making coffee from pre-ground pods, a pod maker is a great choice. These machines take the messy bits out of brewing, eliminating the need for complicated burr grinders and portafilters that have to be cleaned regularly to remove coffee oils. These machines require less maintenance. Regular cleaning and descaling reservoirs of water is a good idea.
However these types of brewers do have limitations. They are generally only compatible with a specific type of coffee pods, which are typically in the K-Cup, Nespresso capsule or ESE (easy-serve espresso) formats. This isn't a problem if you stick to one particular brand of coffee but can be a problem if are looking to test different brands.
Pod machines are less durable and have smaller tanks of water. They also take longer to make. This isn't a problem if you are working in a hurry in the morning, but it can be a problem if you are planning a long, tiring day at work.
It is recommended to think about the size of your coffee bar before buying a pod machine, since some are more compact than others and will fit within the space of other appliances on your counter. Think about how much you're willing to spend and what drinks you would like to be able to make. Our former editor for ecommerce Louise keeps her caffeine intake on a budget using the Nespresso Vertuo Next, which lets her serve espresso shots of either length or short and includes an efficient milk frother for lattes.
This sleek, elegant pod-machine offers both high-end and low-maintenance. It's not cheap, but it's a elegant addition to your kitchen, and its sleek stainless steel design will stand out on your worktop. It's capable of creating five different drinks simply by pressing a button. Each capsule is marked with an unique barcode on its underside that the machine reads to decide on the beverage to dispense. It's also a good choice for sustainability enthusiasts as the pods used break down and decompose very quickly and the reusable mug is an excellent feature.
Manual Espresso Machines
Manual machines can be a great and hands-on method of learning the art of brewing espresso. Manual espresso machines can be more time-consuming but they can also produce drinks of high quality. They are also more durable and come with designs that can withstand heavy use than other kinds of.
Manual espresso machines aren't as easy to use as automated ones, however, and they often lack precise temperature control. This can make it challenging to create consistent, high-quality espresso shots. The best manual espresso machine has a a steep learning slope and can be costly to purchase and maintain.
If you're a coffee aficionado 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 have a built-in grinder and steamer for milk, making them relatively easy to operate for new coffee drinkers. Some models have a removable reservoir that makes it easier to refill and clean. Some are programmable and allow you to set the timing for the brew cycle to begin when you wake up.
Some manual espresso makers can be large, making them a good choice for larger households or coffee carts. Others are smaller and occupy less counter space. Consider how many people you plan to serve at moment when you are deciding the size of your machine, in addition. If you have multiple family members or roommates who enjoy brewing espresso, think about getting a larger model with a larger boiler.
The most affordable espresso machines come with an adjustable frother that can automatically heat milk and froth it to your desired consistency. This kind of machine is ideal to make cappuccinos or lattes as well as for those with sensitive teeth. It's important to remember that this type of machine isn't suitable for those who prefer a bigger cup of espresso since it makes less foam than other kinds of espresso makers.
Automatic Espresso Machines
This category contains fully automatic espresso machines, which handle the entire process of making espresso, from grinding to extraction. They have user-friendly interfaces, and require little maintenance, other than routine cleaning and descaling. They are ideal for those who don't want to get their hands too dirty or have limited countertop space for a fully-sized espresso maker and coffee maker.
The best of these models can be programmed and come with different settings for drinks that can be saved into "user profiles." They're also more likely to be Wi-Fi enabled which means you can control them via your smartphone. However, all that automation and programmability is at cost: Expect to spend more on these machines than semi-automatic and manual alternatives.
The Eveversys Cameo is one of our top automatic espresso makers. It's a sleek and visually appealing machine that takes up the smallest amount of space on your counter. Plus, it ranks 5 out of 5 in our ratings for ease of use, second only to the Miele. It's a high-output machine that has three different hoppers and grinds. You can choose which one you want to use by using the touchscreen display. best nespresso machine to use and self-monitoring, meaning you don't need to mess with buttons or knobs.
Another option in this category is the Cuisinart Spinn. This small pill-shaped machine uses centrifugal forces to make coffee and is a different method than the traditional method that involves pushing water through the grounds. It can produce a variety of drinks, such as cappuccino and Latte, with a bit of practice. We tried it at the Good Housekeeping Institute's Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab, and it earned the top spot in our ratings for ease-of-use and scored an impressive 5. This machine is also small according to espresso maker standards. It doesn't require any space on your counter.
It's worth exploring a few different types to find one that suits your preferences, budget, and space. Also, think about aesthetics. You'll want one that blends seamlessly with your decor and coffee cart. Also, don't forget to take measurements of your countertop to make sure the machine you choose will be a good fit.
Pour-Over Machines
Pour-over machines are a great alternative if you want complete control over the coffee you brew. Manual pour-over devices like the Chemex Funnex or the Hario V60, allow you to alter a range of variables (coffee grounds to ratio of water and filter type and brewing time) for a personalized brew. They can produce more vivid aromas and flavors than drip machines.
The best pour-over brewers make it easy to get high-quality results. They have a thermometer which determines the temperature of water to the closest degree, and they have an accurate pressure gauge that lets you know when the required amount of water has been put into the brewer. They also have a big enough portafilter to hold a regular coffee mug, and they have enough space between the portafilter and the drip tray so you can brew directly into your coffee mug.
They also come with a replaceable charcoal filter to remove impurities from the water. This is essential because coffee makers that have filters that are not of high-quality can leave a bitter taste in your cup. The top pour-over coffee makers are constructed of materials that can be cleaned in the dishwasher and don't hold or leak coffee smells.
A good pour-over should be easy to clean and should be fun to use. We found that most models we tested were easy to hold in one hand, and were of the right size and shape for a kitchen counter. Some of the most basic models, such as the Zojirushi Zutto have a small footprint and are ideal for smaller spaces. Some, like the Melitta Cafe filter have a handle that is removable, which allows you to lift and change the filters.
We also love the Philips 3200 Series, which has a built-in burr grinder and an intuitive display. It can brew espresso, Americanos, and black coffee at the touch of a button. It also comes with an integrated steam wand that can be used for lattes and cappuccinos. The model comes with a variety of settings that can be adjusted, including different beverage strengths and sizes. It can also begin the brewing process up to 24 hours in advance.