How to Choose the Best Coffee Machines
There's a model for 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, which offer convenience, consistency and hands-off ease of use. These Brewers also be top performers in our Lab tests.
Manual
A manual machine is an excellent choice for espresso lovers who are looking to have control. They allow users to operate manually an operation that uses a mechanical piston. This creates a precise pressure and extraction. This kind of coffee machine requires a little more experience and skill to operate than other models, but many coffee drinkers believe it is worth the effort.
These coffee machines manual are constructed of top-quality materials, and can last for many years without any maintenance. 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 or other drinks that use ground or pod coffee. Some manual coffee machines come with a traditional steam arm for drinks that are milk-based, whereas others feature a nozzle that distributes water over the grounds.
The majority of manual coffee machines employ a kettle that is used to warm water that is then poured over the grounds inside the brewing chamber. The user then pushes or raises the lever or hand to turn on a piston that forces the hot water through the grounds and into the cup below. This type of coffee maker is not as accurate or precise in its temperature control as fully automated or semi-automatic coffee maker, so you might have to play with different techniques to find the ideal espresso flavor.
While some manual coffee machines are built for home use, most are designed for businesses in the hospitality industry, such as hotels, restaurants as well as bed and breakfasts and farmhouses. They are compact and efficient and require little counter space. They are also less costly than other coffee machines and are easily repaired or replaced.
These machines are typically constructed using durable materials like chrome and brass. Some are hand-crafted, and they can provide a touch of luxury to the kitchen design. In addition they are usually easy to clean. They are also available in a variety of colors and will match the style of your kitchen. They are generally simpler to use than a semi-automatic or fully automated coffee machine and can also make excellent, high-quality coffee.
Semiautomatic
For the espresso lover who does not want to be in complete control of all the variables involved in making a perfect shot, semi-automatic machines offer an ideal compromise. These machines begin to take on some of the tasks involved in making an espresso, such as steaming milk and pre-infusion. You'll still have the option to customize your drinks to suit your preferences.
Breville is a brand that is known for its wide range of kitchen appliances. It is one of the most reliable semi-automatic coffee makers that are available. The Infuser is a versatile model, allowing you to make cappuccino, lattes and espresso with just a push of a single button. It also automatically dispensates the right amount of water per drink and its built-in burr grinder automatically adjusts the size of the grind to accommodate various extraction levels and beans. The Infuser is a great choice for those with a small counter space due to its sleek, compact design. It also comes with easy-to-use controls.
The Dedica espresso machine is yet another top-rated model by Breville. Its 15 bar pump is sufficient to make a high-quality espresso shot, and its commercial construction is built to last. The Dedica includes a movable milk tank and an ice-making tool that can be used to make cappuccinos or lattes.
Super-automatics are a great choice for a semi-automatic industrial coffee machine maker. They offer even more convenience and are operated with no involvement. These machines go one step above standard automatics by allowing you to program coffee sizes, automatically grinding beans, and often measuring and tamping them automatically. These machines tended to score the highest in our Lab tests due to their all-in-one capability and hands-free ease of use.
The Philips Dinamica is a super-automatic machine capable of doing everything. This model has a large, intuitive touchscreen interface that lets you select 16 different beverages, including cappuccino, latte and black coffee. It automatically grinds whole beans to match the selection of beverages and even save your preferred settings, so you can skip the menu selections completely. The high-tech features of this machine include a removable tank with an integrated water hardness test and an AquaClean Filter that helps reduce scale and ensures that you always get the perfect cup of coffee.
Fully automated
A fully automated coffee maker provides a rich, smooth cup of coffee with the push of the button. This is an excellent choice for busy offices or homes because it can make both espresso and filter coffee. Many models also have automatic milk frothing, which lets you enjoy cafe-style coffees like cappuccino or Latte. Some models can even be programmed, allowing you to set your preferred drink prior to time. These machines are ideal for anyone who needs to multitask, as they allow you to work while your coffee is brewing.
They are also popular in commercial coffee shops as they can brew multiple types of drinks simultaneously. They are more expensive than semi-automatic models. However, the convenience provided by a fully-automated coffee maker may be worth the extra expense for some people.
The Mcilpoog WS203 Super-Automatic Espresso Machine and Coffee Maker is a top coffee maker with a high-quality, highly-customizable design that gives you the experience of the best cafes at home. The touch screen display makes it simple to use. It takes just three steps to make coffee. It is also equipped with an adjustable burr grinder and adjustable settings, so you can adjust the espresso you make to your personal preferences.
De'Longhi ECAM35020W Dinamica Automatic Coffee and Espresso Machine is another great option for busy households. The coffee maker boasts a quick heat-up time, and is equipped with an adjustable burr grinder in steel and an milk frother to prepare coffee and espresso-based beverages. It is also able to produce a wide range of coffee flavors such as iced and filter coffee.
This is a low-cost and versatile Nespresso compatible machine that's ideal for a modern, well-equipped house. It comes with a huge 1.7L tank and a coffee maker capacity. It also features a quick, quiet heating system to ensure the perfect cup of coffee at all times. It's also extremely simple to use with user profiles that automatically prioritise each person's favourite drinks making them just a tap away.
Super-automatic
A step up from semi-automatic machines, these models grind, dose, pull your shot, and make your milk frothy at the touch of one button. These machines are ideal for coffee drinkers who want to drink a variety of drinks at once and appreciate the convenience.
The Gaggia Velasca Prestige is a perfect example. It combines a high quality brewing system with an automatic milk frothing system to make the perfect cappuccino or Latte. The machine is programmable, so you can customize it to suit your specific requirements and save the settings. A bypass doser is also included in many of these machines, allowing the use of pre-ground coffee in place of the beans that are stored in the bean hopper. It's an ideal feature for guests or when you want to change to a different kind of beans.
DeLonghi's Magnifica Evo fully automatic machine is also a popular choice due to 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 can also save six profiles of users so that everyone can enjoy their preferred beverage brewed at the touch of an button. The machine also has a ceramic burr grinder which is the optimum choice for lifespan and performance.
Another model from Switzerland worth considering is the Jura ENA 4. It has sleek and minimal design, a huge bean box and water tank capacity which makes it perfect for commercial use. It has an advanced brewing and grinder system, the Aroma G3. It gives you the best espresso and coffee you'll ever taste.
The Philips 3200 LatteGo is a smaller than other super-automatic machines on this list, but it still produces high-quality cups. It can 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 which has 13 settings to give you plenty of scope for customization.