How to Choose the Best Home Coffee Machine
The best home espresso machine will fit your kitchen and match your preferences for brewing. The most important aspects are size, capacity and design.
This espresso maker for prosumers awed us by its speed, precision and user-friendliness. The Sage Bambino heats up quickly and efficiently, powerfully steams milk, and makes excellent 19-bar extractions.
Pod (or capsule) machines
If you are looking for speed and convenience of making coffee using pre-ground pods, a pod machine is a good option. These machines take the sloppy elements out of brewing, and eliminate the necessity for complicated burr grinders and portafilters that have to be regularly cleaned free of coffee oils. They also require less maintenance, making regular cleaning and decaling of reservoirs of water an excellent idea.
However, these types of brewers aren't without their limitations. They can only be used with specific types of coffee pods, like K-Cups, Nespresso capsules or ESE (easy serve espresso). This isn't an issue if you stick to a specific brand of coffee but could be a problem if you are looking to try different brands.
Another drawback of pod machines is that they typically have a smaller water tank and are typically less durable than bean-to-cup machines. They can also be slower to brew, which might not be an issue when you're in a hurry in the morning, but can be a pain if you're preparing for a long day at work.
It is recommended to consider the size of your coffee bar before buying a pod machine, since some are more compact than others and will fit in between other appliances on your counter. Also consider how much money you're willing spend and the beverage options you'd like to make. Our former director of ecommerce Louise keeps her coffee consumption low-cost with the Nespresso Vertuo Next. It allows her to make either short or long espresso shots, and comes with milk frother.
This sleek, elegant pod-machine is both high-end and low-maintenance. It's not cheap, but it's a stylish addition to your kitchen, and its slick stainless steel design is sure to make a statement on your kitchen counter. It's capable of making five different drinks with just 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 an excellent choice for eco-conscious people, since the capsules break down and decay rapidly. The reusable mug makes it a good option.
Manual Espresso Machines
Manual machines can be a fun, hands-on way to learn the art of making espresso. Manual espresso machines are more time-consuming, but they can produce beverages of top 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, however, not as user-friendly as automatic espresso machines, and typically have no precise temperature controls. It isn't easy to make consistently high-quality espresso shots. The best manual espresso machine comes with steep learning curve, and can be expensive to buy and maintain.
If you're a coffee lover who wants to learn more about manual Espresso, then try an espresso machine that has been designed to be user-friendly. Some models come with a built-in milk steamer as well as grinder, making them simple to use by new coffee drinkers. Some models have an adjustable reservoir for water which makes it easier to clean and refill. Some are programmed, letting you set the start time of the brew cycle prior to when you get up.
Some manual espresso machines can be quite big and could be an ideal option for larger households or coffee carts. Some are smaller and require less counter space. Consider how many people plan to serve at moment when you are deciding the size of your machine and also. Consider a larger machine when you have more than one roommate or family member who enjoys brewing espresso.
Some of the most affordable manual espresso machines include an adjustable milk frother, that can be set to automatically heat and froth milk to your preferred consistency. This kind of machine is suitable well for cappuccinos, lattes and is also suitable for people with sensitive teeth. This kind of machine is not suitable for those who prefer an espresso with a thicker consistency. It produces less foam.
Automatic Espresso Machines
In this category you'll find fully automated espresso machines that manage the entire brewing process from grinding to extraction. These machines are easy to use and require only minimal maintenance, other than cleaning and descaling. These are perfect for those who don't like to get their hands dirty or have a small counter space for a full sized coffee and espresso machine.
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 compatible so you can control them via your smartphone. However, all this automation and programmability comes with the price of a premium: You'll need to pay more for these machines than semi-automatic and manual options.
The Eveversys Cameo is one of our top automatic espresso makers. It is a sleek, aesthetically pleasing machine which occupies little space on your counter. It also ranks 5/5 in our evaluations for ease of use - second only to Miele. It's a high-output model that can accommodate three different grinders and hoppers and you can choose which one to use from a touchscreen display. In addition to being easy to use, it's self-monitoring and automatically calibrates itself so you don't have to worry about fiddling with the knob or pressing buttons.
Cuisinart Spinn is another option in this category. This little pill-shaped machine uses centrifugal force to make espresso, which is distinct from the traditional method of pushing water through the grounds. learn this here now can produce a variety of beverages, including cappuccino as well as latte, with a little practice. This machine was tested in the Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab of the Good Housekeeping Institute, and received a perfect 5 on our test for ease-of-use. The machine is also small by espresso maker standards. It doesn't require much space on your counter.
It's worth trying out several different kinds of espresso machines to determine the one that best suits your personal style as well as your space and budget. Also, think about the aesthetics. You'll want to find something that is compatible with your home decor, and even your coffee machine. And don't forget to measure your countertop to make sure your chosen machine will be a good fit.
Pour-Over Machines
If you want to brew a cup of coffee in complete control using a pour-over machine, it's an ideal choice. Manual pour-over machines like the Chemex Funnex or the Hario V60, allow you to alter a range of variables (coffee grounds to water ratio and filter type, time of brewing) to make a customized brew. They also tend to create more vivid flavors and aromas than automatic drip machines.
Pour-over brewers are made to deliver top-quality results. They have a thermometer which determines the temperature of water to the nearest degree, and a precise pressure gauge that lets you know when the desired amount of water is poured. They also have a big enough portafilter to accommodate a regular coffee mug, and they have enough space between the drip tray and the portafilter so you can brew directly into your coffee mug.
The coffee makers also come with charcoal filters which can be removed to remove impurities in the water. This is important since any coffee maker that has a low-quality filter will leave a bitter flavor in your cup. Additionally, the top pour-over brewers are made of materials that are safe to wash in dishwashers and don't leak or hold onto coffee odors.
A good pour-over is easy to clean and enjoyable to use. We found that the majority of the models we tested were comfortable to hold in one hand, and were the perfect size and shape to fit on a kitchen counter. Some of the simplest models, like the Zojirushi Zutto, even has tiny footprints, making it ideal for smaller spaces. Others, like the Melitta Cafe Filter, come with a handle that is removable, which makes it easier to remove and replace the filter.
We also love the Philips 3200 Series, which includes a built-in burr grinder as well as a simple display. The Philips 3200 Series can brew black coffee, Americanos and espresso with the press of a single button. It also comes with an attached steam wand to make lattes or cappuccinos. This model also has a range of customizable settings that include different sizes of beverages and strengths and it can begin making coffee up to 24 hours in advance of time.