How to Choose the Best Home Coffee Machine
The best home espresso machine can be a perfect fit for your kitchen and complement your brewing preferences. The most important aspects are size, capacity, design, and price.
During lab testing the espresso maker that is a prosumer amazed us with its speed and accuracy. 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 an excellent option. These machines take the sloppy bits out of brewing, removing the need for expensive burr grinders as well as portafilters that need to be regularly cleaned free of coffee oils. They also require less maintenance, making regular cleaning and descaling the water reservoirs an excellent idea.
However these brewers have their limitations. They can only be used with certain types of coffee pods such as K-Cups, Nespresso capsules or ESE (easy serve espresso). This is not an issue if the coffee is of the same brand, but it can be a problem when you want to test a different variety.
The pod machines are less durable and come with smaller tanks of water. They also take longer to brew. This may not be a problem if you are working in a hurry in the morning, but it can be a problem if you have a long workday ahead.
It is recommended to think about the size of your coffee bar before purchasing a pod machine because some are smaller than others and will fit within the space of other appliances on your counter. Consider how much you are willing to spend, and what drinks you would like to be able to make. Our former ecommerce director Louise keeps her caffeine intake affordable with the Nespresso Vertuo Next. It allows her to make either short or long espresso shots and comes with milk frother.
This elegantly streamlined pod-machine from Sage provides the best of both worlds - high-spec and low-maintenance. It's not cheap, but it's a stylish addition to your kitchen, and its sleek stainless steel design is sure to stand out on your worktop. It's capable of creating five different drinks simply by pressing a button and each capsule is marked with a unique barcode on the side that the machine scans to decide on the beverage to serve. It's a great option for eco-conscious people, since the capsules break down and decay very quickly. The reusable mug makes it a good option.
Manual Espresso Machines
For those who love the art of making espresso, manual machines can provide an enjoyable, hands-on experience. They can be more time-consuming than automated espresso machines, however, if you have the patience and skill to master them, they can make top-quality drinks that are customized to your preferences. They are also more durable and come with designs that can withstand the rigors of use than other kinds of.
Manual espresso machines aren't as simple to use as automated ones, they're not as reliable, and often lack precise temperature control. It isn't easy to make consistently high-quality espresso shots. The most reliable manual espresso machine has an incline of learning that is steep, and can be expensive to purchase and maintain.
If you are an avid coffee drinker who would like to learn more about manual Espresso, you should try a machine that is designed to be easy to use. Some models come with an integrated milk steamer and grinder, making them easy to use by new coffee drinkers. Some have a removable water reservoir that makes it easier to clean and refill. Others are programmable, letting you set the start time of the brew cycle prior to when you get up.
Some manual espresso machines are quite big and could be an ideal option for larger families or coffee carts. Some are smaller and require less counter space. Consider how their explanation intend to serve at any moment when you are deciding the size of your machine in addition. Consider a larger machine when you have more than one family member or roommate who enjoys brewing espresso.
A few of the cheapest manual espresso machines have the ability to program a milk frother which will automatically heat and frother milk to your preferred consistency. This type of machine is ideal to make cappuccinos or lattes and is also suitable for those who have sensitive teeth. It's important to remember that this kind of machine may not be suitable for those who prefer a bigger cup of espresso, since it produces less foam than other kinds of espresso makers.
Automatic Espresso Machines
This category includes fully automated espresso machines that handle the entire process of making espresso from grinding to extracting. They are simple to use and require only minimal maintenance, aside from cleaning and descaling. These are great for people who don't want their hands too filthy or have limited countertop space to accommodate a large coffee and espresso maker.
The best of these models are highly programmable and have settings for different drinks that can be saved to "user profiles." They're also more likely to have Wi-Fi connectivity so you can control them with your smartphone. All that automation and programmability costs money The machines are more expensive than semi-automatics and manuals.
One of our top espresso makers that is automatic is the sleek Eveversys Cameo. It is a sleek, visually pleasing machine that occupies a small space on your counter. It also scores 5 out of 5 in our evaluations for user-friendliness - second only to Miele. It's a high-output machine that comes with three different grinds and hoppers. You can select which one you wish to use with the touchscreen display. It's user-friendly and self-monitoring, meaning you don't have to play with knobs or buttons.
Cuisinart Spinn is another option in this category. The small, pill-shaped machine utilizes centrifugal forces to brew coffee, which is a different method than the traditional method of forcing water through the grounds. It can create a variety of drinks, including cappuccino and latte, with a little practice. We tested this machine at the Good Housekeeping Institute's Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab and it was awarded a top score in our user-friendliness ratings with an impressive 5. It's also a teeny appliance according to espresso maker standards, so it won't take up much space on your counter.
It's worth exploring various types to find one that fits your taste, budget and the space available. Also, think about aesthetics. You'll want one that blends seamlessly with your home decor and coffee cart. Also, don't forget to take measurements of your countertop to make sure the machine you choose will work with your countertop.
Pour-Over Machines
If you're looking to brew a cup of coffee that is completely controlled using a pour-over machine, it's an ideal option. Manual pour-over devices such as the Chemex Funnex or the Hario V60, allow you to alter a range of variables (coffee grounds to water ratio and filter type, the brewing time) to make a customized brew. They also tend to produce more vivid aromas and flavors than drip machines with automatic controls.
The top pour-over brewers allow you to produce top-quality results. They feature a thermometer that reads water temperature to the nearest degree, and they have a precise pressure gauge that will inform you when the required amount of water has been poured. They come with a portafilter that is large enough to hold the standard coffee mug, and provide enough space between the portafilter and the drip tray to ensure you can brew straight into your cup of coffee.
The coffee makers also have charcoal filters which can be removed to eliminate impurities in the water. This is crucial because the coffee maker with poor quality filters will result in a bitter taste to your cup. Additionally, the best pour-over brewers use materials that are safe to use in the dishwasher and that don't leak or hold on to coffee smells.
A well-designed pour-over brewer should be easy to clean, and it should be a joy to use. We found that most models we tested were easy to hold in one hand, and they were the perfect dimensions and shape for an kitchen counter. Some of the simplest models, like the Zojirushi Zutto have a small footprint and are suitable for small spaces. Others, such as the Melitta Cafe Filter come with a handle that is removable, which makes it easier to lift and replace the filter.
Philips 3200 Series is another model we like, as it has a simple display as well as a built-in 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 cappuccinos or lattes. This model comes with a range of settings that can be adjusted, including different sizes and strengths of the beverage. It can also begin brewing up until 24 hours in advance.