How to Choose the Best Home Coffee Machine
The best home coffee machine will complement your style of brewing and work well in your kitchen. The most important factors include size, capacity and design.
During lab testing this espresso maker for prosumer amazed us with its speed and accuracy. The Sage Bambino heats up quickly and efficiently, effectively steaming milk, and produces fantastic 19-bar extractions.
Pod (or Capsule) Machines
A pod machine is the ideal option for those who want to make coffee quickly and efficiently using pre-ground pods. These machines take the sloppy bits out of brewing, removing the need for expensive burr grinders as well as portafilters that have to be regularly cleaned of coffee oils. They also require less maintenance, with regular cleaning and descaling of the reservoirs of water being a good idea.
However these brewers have their limitations. These brewers are limited to certain types of coffee pods such as K-Cups, Nespresso capsules, or ESE (easy serve espresso). This isn't a problem when you stick to one particular brand of coffee but could be a problem if are looking to try a range.
Pod machines are less durable and have smaller tanks of water. They are also slower to brew, which may not be a problem if you're in a rush in the morning, but it could be a problem in the event of preparing for long hours at work.
Consider the size of your bar before purchasing a pod maker. best espresso machine are slimmer and can be placed between other appliances. Also, consider how much you're willing to spend and the drinks you'd like to be able to create. Our former director of e-commerce Louise keeps her intake of caffeine low-cost by using the Nespresso Vertuo Next. It allows her to make both long and short espresso shots, and comes with a milk frother.
This elegant, sleek pod-machine comes with both high-end and low-maintenance. It's not cheap, but it's a stylish addition to any kitchen. The sleek stainless steel design will stand out on your counter. It can create five different drinks with the push of the button. Each capsule is equipped with an underside barcode that is used by the machine to determine the drink to be dispensed. It's an excellent choice for those who are environmentally conscious, since the capsules break down and decay rapidly. The reusable mug makes it a good option.
Manual Espresso Machines
For those who love the craft of brewing espresso manual machines can offer an enjoyable, hands-on experience. They are more time-consuming than automated espresso machines, but if you've got the patience and skills to work with them, they can make top-quality drinks that are customized to your tastes. They are also more durable than other types of coffee brewers. They have designs that can withstand the rigors of use.
Manual espresso machines aren't as simple to use as automated ones, however, and they often lack precise temperature control. It can be difficult to produce consistently high-quality espresso shots. The most reliable manual espresso machine has a steep learning slope and is costly to buy and maintain.
If you are a coffee enthusiast who wants to learn more about manual Espresso, you should try the machine designed to be user-friendly. Certain models come with a built-in milk steamer as well as grinder, making them easy to use for new coffee drinkers. Some models come with a removable water reservoir, which can make it easier to clean and refill. Some are also programmable, letting you choose the time to start the brew cycle prior to when you get up.
Some manual espresso machines can be quite large and are a good option for larger families or coffee carts. Some are smaller and require less counter space. Think about how many people you plan to serve at moment when you are deciding the size of your machine, in addition. If you have several family members or roommates who enjoy brewing espresso, you might want to consider an extra large model with a bigger boiler.
The most affordable espresso machines come with a programmable frother that can automatically heat milk and froth it to your desired consistency. This kind of machine is perfect for making cappuccinos and latte and is also suitable for those with sensitive teeth. This kind of machine is not suitable for those who like an espresso with a thicker consistency. It produces less foam.
Automatic Espresso Machines
In this category, you'll find fully automatic espresso machines that control the entire brewing process from grinding to extraction. They have user-friendly interfaces, and require little maintenance other than regular cleaning and descaling. These are ideal for people who don't like getting their hands dirty or have limited countertop space for a full-sized coffee and espresso maker.
The best of these models can be programmed and come with different settings for drinks that you can save into "user profiles." They're also more likely to be Wi-Fi enabled which means you can control them with your smartphone. All this automation and programmability costs money They are more expensive than semi-automatics and manuals.
The Eveversys Cameo is one of our top automatic espresso makers. It's a sleek and aesthetically appealing machine that takes up minimal space on your counter. Additionally, it gets 5 out of 5 in our ratings for ease of use, second only to the Miele. It's a high-output model which can accommodate three different grinders and hoppers, and you can select the one you want to use from a touchscreen display. It's not only easy to use, it's also self-monitoring and calibrates itself automatically which means you won't have to worry the hassle of turning the knob or pressing buttons.
Cuisinart Spinn is another option in this category. This small pill-shaped machine uses centrifugal forces to make coffee and is a different approach to the traditional method that involves pushing water through the grounds. With a little practice, it can make a variety drinks like cappuccino and Latte. We tested this machine at the Good Housekeeping Institute's Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab, and it earned the top spot in our ratings for ease-of-use, scoring 5 stars. The machine is also small according to espresso maker standards. It won't take much space on your counter.
It's worth experimenting with a few different types of espresso machines to find the one that fits your personal taste, available space, and budget. Think about aesthetics too, as you'll need something that fits seamlessly with your decor and coffee cart. Don't forget to check the size of your counter to ensure your machine will be able to fit.
Pour-Over Machines
If you want to brew a cup of coffee in complete control the pour-over machine is an ideal option. Pour-over machines such as the Hario V60 or Chemex Funnex permit you to alter a variety of variables (coffee to water ratio, filter, brewing time) and allow the brewing process to be customized. They also tend to produce more intense aromas and flavors than drip machines with automatic controls.
The best pour-over brewers make it easy to get top-quality results. They come with a thermometer that measures water temperature to the nearest degree and an indicator of pressure that informs you when the desired amount of water brewed is put into the brewer. They come with a portafilter that is large enough to accommodate the standard coffee mug, and offer enough space between the portafilter and the drip tray to ensure you can brew straight into your cup of coffee.
They also come with a replaceable charcoal filter to eliminate impurities from the water. This is essential because coffee makers with a poor-quality filter can leave a bitter taste in your cup. In addition, the best pour-over brewers are made of materials that are safe to use in the dishwasher and that don't leak or hold onto coffee smells.
A well-designed pour-over brewer should be easy to clean, and it should also be a pleasure to use. The majority of models were simple to use and easy to hold in one hand. They also had the right dimensions and shape for a kitchen counter. Some of the most basic models, such as the Zojirushi Zutto have a small footprint and are perfect for smaller spaces. Some, such as the Melitta Cafe filter have a handle that is removable, which allows you to lift and change the filters.
Philips 3200 Series is another model we like, since it features a user-friendly display and an integrated grinder. The Philips 3200 Series can make black coffee, Americanos and espresso with the push of a single button. It also comes with an attached steam wand for lattes and cappuccinos. The model also comes with various settings that can be customized including different sizes for beverages and strengths and it can begin brewing up to 24 hours in advance of time.