How to Choose the Best Coffee Machines
Whether you're looking for a simple filter machine, a coffee pod or capsule brewer or espresso maker, you'll find an option here that will meet your requirements. Prices start at PS50.
These brewers utilize pre-measured pods and offer convenience with consistency, as well as easy-to-use without hands. They also tend to be top performers in our Lab tests.
Manual
If you are a coffee lover and want to have complete control over the process using a manual machine is an excellent choice. They allow you to manually control a mechanical piston that results in the exact amount of pressure and extraction. This kind of coffee machine requires a bit more skill and experience to operate than other kinds, but many coffee drinkers believe it is worth the effort.
Manual coffee machines are typically constructed of high-end materials that can be used for years without a significant maintenance requirement. These machines come with a range of accessories, including filters, portafilters measuring cup, tamper, and funnel. They can be used with pod or ground coffee, and they can make cappuccinos, lattes, macchiatos, and more. Some manual coffee machines have a traditional steam arm for milk-based drinks, while others have a nozzle that spreads water across the grounds.
Most manual coffee machines heat the water in a separate kettle and then pour it over the grounds inside the brewing chamber. The user presses or raises a lever to activate an engine that pushes hot water into the cup. This type of machine does not have the same precision or accuracy in temperature control as a fully automated or semi-automatic coffee maker. It is possible to play around to find the ideal espresso flavor.
While some manual coffee machines are designed for home use, most are designed for use in hospitality businesses such as hotels or restaurants as well as bed and breakfasts and farmhouses. They are compact efficient, reliable and require little counter space. They are also less expensive than other coffee makers and can be easily repaired or replaced.
These machines are typically made of durable materials like chrome and brass. Some are hand-crafted, and they can provide a touch of luxury to the kitchen design. They are also often easy to clean. They are also available in a wide range of colors and can match the style of your kitchen. They are generally simpler to use than a semi-automatic or fully automated coffee maker and can produce excellent, high-quality coffee.
Semiautomatic
For the coffee lover who doesn't want to be in complete control of all factors involved in making the perfect shot, semi-automatic machines offer a comfortable compromise. They begin to take over some of the tasks involved in making an espresso, such as steaming milk and pre-infusion. However, you'll still have many options to tailor your drinks to your own personal tastes.
One of the most reliable semi-automatic coffee makers on the market is made by Breville, a brand known for its wide range of kitchen appliances. The Infuser is a versatile model that allows you to make cappuccino, espresso and lattes with the click of one button. The machine can also automatically pour the appropriate amount of water per drink, and its built-in burr grinder automatically adjusts the grind size to accommodate various extraction levels and beans. The Infuser's slim, sleek design and easy-to-use controls makes it a great option for those with a small counter space.
The Dedica espresso machine is yet another top-rated model from Breville. The 15 bar pump will create a delicious espresso shot. Its commercial design will last for a long time. The Dedica comes with a removable milk tank and the frothing tool, which can be used to make lattes or cappuccinos.
Super-automatics are an excellent choice for a semi-automatic coffee maker. They offer more convenience and are operated without your involvement. These machines go a step beyond standard automatics by offering programmable coffee sizes, and automatically grinding beans, and often measuring and tamping them automatically. These machines ranked the highest in our Lab Tests for their complete functionality and ease of use.
If you're looking for a machine that can do it all, consider the Philips Dinamica. The Dinamica has a large touchscreen interface with 16 drinks to choose from such as cappuccino and latte. It automatically grinds whole beans to match the beverage selection, and it can even save your preferred settings, so you can bypass the selections menu entirely. The top-of-the-line features of this machine include a removable tank that has an integrated water hardness test and an AquaClean Filter that reduces scale and ensures you always get the best cup of coffee.
Fully automated
A fully automated coffee maker gives you an excellent, smooth cup of coffee with the push of the button. It's an ideal choice for busy homes and offices and can be used to brew espresso-based drinks and filter coffee. Many also feature automatic milk frothing that lets you enjoy cafe-style coffees like cappuccino and Latte. Some models are even programmable, allowing you to set your preferred drink prior to time. These machines are ideal for those who work in multiple places, since you can continue working while coffee is brewing.
These machines are also very well-liked in commercial coffee shops because they can make different beverages simultaneously. They are more expensive than semi-automatic models. Some may feel that the convenience of a fully-automatic coffee maker is worth the extra cost.
The Mcilpoog WS-203 Super-Automatic Espresso and Coffee Machine is a premium coffee machine that is highly customizable that offers the quality of a top cafe from the comfort of your own home. The touch screen display makes it easy to use. It only takes three steps to make coffee. It comes with a steel burr grinder that is adjusted and programmable settings so you can customize your coffee to meet your needs.
De'Longhi ECAM35020W Dinamica Automatic Coffee and Espresso Machine is another great option for busy households. This machine is characterized by rapid heating up time, and comes with an adjustable burr grinder in steel and an milk frother to prepare espresso-based drinks and coffee. It can also make various types of coffee such as filter coffee and iced.
This is a budget-friendly and versatile Nespresso compatible machine that's ideal for an elegant, well-equipped home. It has a massive 1.7L tank and a coffee maker capacity. It also has an extremely quiet and quick heating system to ensure a delicious coffee drink throughout the day. It is also incredibly simple to use with profiles for users that automatically prioritize your favourite drinks, making website them just a tap away.
Super-automatic
These models are a step up from semi-automatic machines. They grind or dose, pull the shot, and then froth milk at the touch the button. These machines are perfect for coffee drinkers who want to drink multiple drinks simultaneously and appreciate the convenience.
A good example is the Gaggia Velasca Prestige which combines an excellent brewing machine and an automatic milk frothing mechanism to create the perfect cappuccino, latte or macchiato. The machine's programmability allows you to customize it to your specific requirements and save your settings for the next time. A bypass doser comes common to these machines which enables you to use coffee that has been ground in place of the beans that are stored in the bean hopper. It's an ideal option for guests or when you want to switch to a different type of beans.
The Magnifica Evo fully automated machine is also a popular choice due to its versatility and ease-of-use. It has seven recipes that are one-touch with easy to read icons in color for everything from Espresso to a Latte Macchiato. It also has the capability to save six user profiles, which means everyone can have their favorite drink brewed at the touch of the button. The machine also has the ceramic burr grinder which is the ideal option for durability and performance.
The Jura ENA 4 is another model manufactured in Switzerland that you must consider. It is sleek and minimal design, a huge bean box and water tank capacity which makes it perfect for commercial use. It has a highly efficient brewing system and the incredible Aroma G3 grinder. You'll enjoy some of the best coffee and espresso you've ever tasted.
The Philips 3200 LatteGo has a smaller design than the other coffee machines that are super-automatic in this list, yet can provide a top-quality cup of coffee. This machine can make up to 5000 cups of coffee before it has to be descaled. It is perfect for families with a lot of work to do. It also has a built-in grinder that has 13 settings.