How to choose coffee machine

How to choose coffee machine? For home or office.

So, you and your family love coffee. And you drink it quite often. One day you realize that it would be great to optimize the process – to prepare tastier coffee with less mess around. That’s why you are choosing coffee machine for your home or even an office.

And for the beginning I should dot the I. What is coffee machine and what is just a coffee maker? Why machines are much more expensive? And what do you personally need – a simple and cheap coffee maker or automated coffee machine? Or even more – which particular coffee machine should you choose for your needs?

All devices, that are designed to produce coffee, are divided in two big classes: coffee makers and coffee machines.

Both classes have more divisions. Especially coffeemakers have a lot, they could be drip coffee makers, moka pot, espresso machines with and without pump, capsule coffee makers etc. Here I should stop to clarify my position. If you see the capsule coffee machine at the shop – it’s coffee maker indeed. That’s why they are cheaper then all other real coffee machines and costs like simple espresso makers.

The main difference between coffee maker and machine – it’s human’s role in the process from coffee bean to cup. Soif you need to use ground coffee from the supermarket or grind coffee beans by yourself – that’s not coffee machine.

Also the term ‘coffee’ itself is understood differently in different parts of the world. Since my blog is international, I should explain clarify that as well. In Americas people get used to big, but not strong coffee. In Europe we call it ‘americano’ and usually serve it for tourists. In most european countries people prefer espresso and espresso based coffee drinks (cappuccino, flat white etc). Which mean it should be strong and small. The process of brewing is different indeed, I will focus in it later.

That fact is important, since majority of coffee machines are made in Europe an designed by espresso lovers. That mean you should pay attention if you like american styled coffee and choose the model with special function for long coffee.

Example of capsule coffee maker by Nespresoo. Capsules itself are on the right.

In capsule or pod coffee makers you use capsules, that was grounded and packed on the factory. That’s why it’s not a machine, but a simple coffeemaker. By the way, if you would choose capsule coffee maker for your home, you will have to buy coffee capsules made by particular company.

Despite the fact that capsules are not so fresh as seconds-ago-grownd beans, they have limited variety of tastes and roast levels. But the key fact – the capsules costs more than coffee beans, and some times a lot more. After a year (or two, depends of how much coffee your family drinks at home) you will overpay for the capsules more, than the difference between cupsule maker and normal beans-to-coffee machine (see below).

That means that if you drink more than one-two cups of coffee per day, it’s more efficient to choose automated beans-to-coffee coffee machine or simple maker. But capsule coffee is good for you if you drink just a cup or two per day. Also models of that type are usually quite compact and easy in use and cleaning. But, again, coffee in capsules costs a lot and is not so fresh.

Capsules are better for European-styled coffee. But also suitable for American tastes, since they have ‘lungo’ button that use more water to prepare coffee. If it still to strong for you, you can add extra hot water. Some capsule makers have special function for it, some – don’t. But you can use a hack – just switch it on without capsule inside, you will get just hot water.

That’s how epsresso makers look. On photo: Delonghi EC200.

Espresso makers or espresso machines or pump coffee makers are not automated. They are suitable for you if you are OK with ground coffee from supermarket (or if you buy a grinder and grind beans by yourself) and with some cleaning/controlling actions. Espresso makers, hence the name, are designed to make espresso. But you can make ‘americano’ on them by adding hot water to espresso shot. That’s how ‘americano’ is classically prepared in European coffee shops.

There are also (and they are cheaper) espresso makers without pump. They are similar to previous onces despite the fact that espresso is made under 2-3 bar pressure (comparing to 8-15 bar, that do models with pump).

The cheapest options are drip coffee makers and moka pots. But they are very different. Drip coffee makers are perfect for “long” and not strong coffee, that’s what is usual for US. Moka pots are perfect for espresso or just stronger coffee like in Europe. They are are much cheaper than espresso makers, but don’t give such a strong taste – they are very similar to espresso makers without pump.

And now we came automated bean-to-cofee machines. They will do everything or almost everything for you in several minutes. From beans to espresso or milky cappuccino. They are much higher in price, but it’s the only option if you want to get fresh coffee in one or several touches with no mess around.

Philips Xsmall HD8645/47 is an example of cheap ($500) automated coffee machine with manual cappuccinator.

Going the milky way

All above was about black coffee: espresso, americano, ristretto etc. Now let’s add some milk…

How to choose a coffee machine?

Approach to choosing a coffee machine needs to be thought out andcarefully, counting on the fact that she should serve you as faithfully and truthfully as possible for as long as possible, pleasing you at the same time with a perfectly prepared drink. Before you go to the store for a long-awaited purchase, you will want to know that all coffee machines, depending on the principle of their work, are divided into several classes. On this depends their price and range of opportunities.

Classification of coffee machines

Horn Coffee Machines

The most simple and unassuming of allfamily, their main advantage is a low price. Therefore, if you have a small amount of money to buy and do not know which coffee machine to choose, we advise you to pay special attention to the carrots.

Combined coffee machines

Machines of the middle price category, they are in factthey are hybrids of a coffee grinder and a carob coffee maker. When you decide which coffee machine to choose, take into account the fact that usually the cost of a combined coffee machine is much higher than the total cost of a coffee maker and a coffee grinder purchased separately. The principle of operation of coffee machines of this type is quite simple. Coffee beans are poured into the hopper of the grinder, where they are crushed, after which the coffee powder is automatically poured into the horn. Next, the horn should be removed from the machine and the coffee is forced by hand. The whole further process of making coffee is similar to its preparation in a carob machine. Therefore, if you already have a good coffee grinder, then the purchase of a combined coffee machine for you does not make much sense. Think, maybe it will be better for you to get for this money the best carob coffee machine.

Chalced Coffee Machine

Capsule machines

They work practically on the same principle asand chaldovye, but some differences between them still exist. Therefore, let’s talk about how to choose a capsule coffee machine a little more. Instead of a coffee tablet, a special hermetically sealed, disposable plastic capsule inside which is placed the ground coffee is inserted into the capsule coffee machine. One such capsule is designed to make one cup of coffee. After the capsule is installed in the socket, the coffee machine automatically pierces the top and bottom of the capsule and passes hot water through it under pressure. The main advantage of capsule coffee machines is that the spent coffee remains in the used capsule, which is automatically removed from the machine into a special container. Therefore, a capsule machine, the only one of all types of coffee machine, which does not need to be cleaned after making each serving of coffee. Moreover, its design allows you to brew one after another different varieties of not only coffee, but even tea or broth. It’s all about the capsule you’ll install once again. The main disadvantage of capsule coffee machines can be considered that capsules of one manufacturer are completely not suitable for a coffee maker of another manufacturer. They are inherently unique and designed for use in a car only one specific brand.

Automatic coffee machines

This is the most expensive and perfect of all availableon sale. They only need to load coffee beans, pour water and select the desired cooking mode on the control panel. Everything else they do on their own. Many of them are equipped with capers, which gives you the opportunity at home to make coffee latte, macchiato or cappuccino. The only drawback of such coffee machines is their high cost.

Now that you’ve learned about coffee machines, almost everything, we hope you can make the right choice and buy what you really need.

How to Choose the Right Coffee Machine or the Right Coffee Maker?

Hi! You might want to start directly with my espresso machine reviews. Top 5 most popular articles are:

When it comes to choosing a coffee maker or coffee machine for your home, it’s important to ask yourself ten main questions in order to make a smart buy. In my blog, I will try give a step-by-step guide and make detailed reviews of most popular models.

#1. The first question is do you a need coffee maker or machine in the first place?

The difference is that you don’t have to spend your time on bean-to-cup coffee machines to prepare your coffee, you just have to press the button. That’s why they are more expensive than coffeemakers, the cheapest and the simplest models such as Philips Xsmall HD8645 (HD8743 in England), Krups EA81 Pisa, or Delonghi ESAM 3300 Magnifica. That’s the lowest prices for automatically made black coffee. If you want an automated cappuccino, you should pay at least at least twice more.

Coffee makers will need your participation to prepare a cup: you are going to have to grind coffee beans, put it inside a maker, manually control the process, and then clean it. However, they are way cheaper:

As a result, we have first estimates for you to make the right choice:

for a moka pot or a drip coffee maker

for an espresso machine with a manual milk frother

for super-automatic coffee machines

for super-automatic coffee machines with one-touch cappuccino

Now let’s go further and ask ourselves the second important question.

#2. But isn’t it cheaper to buy a single serve coffeemaker/machine with coffee capsules?

It depends on how much coffee you drink. However, usually, it is not a smart buy, unless you want to make just one cup per day.

The standalone category is capsule coffee makers (or capsule machines, or single serve). And there is a reason why some sellers call it a ‘machine’, while others name it a ‘coffeemaker.’ From one point of view, it’s an automated machine since user has to press only one button. Nevertheless, one the other hand, it’s not so automated since you use coffee capsules, that is ground and packed in a factory.

Prices on capsule models vary. The budget is even under one hundred dollar. Examples of single serve machines are Legato Single Serve or original Nescafe Dolce Gusto (such as Genio EDG455T EX:1). Sometimes, single serve coffee makers could be 5 times more expansive, for example for the original Nespresso models that can also automatically froth the milk for your cappuccino (Latissima series).

Capsule machines are very simple to use and maintain, and they are usually very compact. However, the main disadvantage of those – is the cost of capsules. So, I can’t call it a smart choice if you or your family drinks more than 2 cups of coffee per day. Here’s why:

5,8 kg / 13 oz. of beans per year

That takes us to the second conclusion

for an original capsule coffeemaker w/o milk frother

for an original capsule coffeemaker with an automated cappuccino system

#3. Espresso or US long coffee?

Since my blog is international, I should consider that question. Because in Americas people usually prefer a big cup of not so strong coffee. In Europe, we call it ‘Americano’. Nevertheless, as for ourselves, we prefer espresso and espresso-based drinks which are stronger and come in smaller portions.

All major coffee machine producers such as Philips/Saeco/Gaggia (it’s the same company now), Delonghi, Jura, Melitta, and KRUPS are initially European. In addition, their primary aim was to design an espresso machine. Sure, you can add hot water from the steam wand to espresso and make a cup standard of US style coffee. That’s how Americano is classically prepared in Italy. However, the result is little bit different from traditional filter coffee.

Still there are models that have an additional function to imitate the process of brewing filter coffee on the European market. Usually, special mode is used. It reduces the pressure from standard 15 bar for espresso to 2-3 bars. Both Saeco/Philips (they call the needed function ‘coffee switch’) and DeLonghi (they call it ‘long’) have such models. In the UK, the price starts from £400 and examples are DeLonghi’s ETAM 29.510 Autentica or Philips 4000 series HD8847. In America, you can choose ESAM6900 PrimaDonna Exclusive or ESAM6700 PrimaDonna Avant by DeLonghi.

In addition, producers have special class of the so-called grind-and-brew coffee machines. Which are indeed automated machines (remember the criteria of one-touch and coffee beans use) and prepare traditional filter coffee exactly how it should be prepared. Examples are Philips Grind & Brew HD7766 or 7765, Cuisinart DGB-650BC, Black & Decker CM5000 Mill and Brew.

All of the above leads us to the next conclusion:

Your choice is grind&brew.

for a drip coffee maker. Plus extra money for a good burr grinder if you want your coffee fresh

for super-automatic coffee machines with both one-touch cappuccino and US style coffee functions

Ok. That’s enough for today. I will continue writing this article later.

How to choose a coffee machine?

When everything around us is changing so fast, making it seemingly impossible to catch up with the world, we can only latch on to things that are timeless and already well-known to us. One of these things is undoubtedly coffee. Indeed, while the drink remains the same, the technologies involved in its preparation and presentation are constantly evolving. Not so long ago, the hosts of the homes we were visiting would usually treat us to ordinary pour-over coffee. Even though drinks prepared using this method are not inferior in any way, people soon grew tired of sifting coffee grounds through their teeth. They began trying out various means of preparing coffee differently. The first coffee makers to become popular all over the world were French presses, equipped with spring plungers. Later on, as we visited cafés more and more often, we started looking for ways to mimic the classic Italian espresso as closely as possible in our home-brewed drinks. In the process of searching for the perfect coffee, moka pots became an essential component of the coffee ritual of many people around the globe. At long last, coffee machines entered the arena of hundreds of home-brewing tools. As they became affordable to the general public, coffee machines soon turned from a luxury item to a household necessity. And so the question of how to choose the right coffee machine, as well as which criteria should enter into the equation, grew more and more pertinent — until it evolved into a real headache for thousands of us. In order to save you some time spent ruminating over this dilemma, we, Coffee Friends, will answer this question as fully as possible.

Before embarking on the task of choosing the right coffee machine, you must answer this question: do you enjoy pour-over coffee the most and simply want to get rid of grounds in your drink, or are you a coffee enthusiast, searching for the true, illustrious espresso that has been the subject of legends the world over?

If you’re a coffee lover of the first type, pour-over filter coffee machines, which don’t use pressure in the preparation process, will suit you best. Coffee prepared in these machines is usually more watery (the proportion of dissolved coffee particles found in drinks of this kind amounts to 2% — in comparison, a cup of espresso can yield up to 11% of solubles), yet the taste of the coffee beans can be experienced with more ease. Filter coffee is characterised by a so-called ‘buttery’, or silky, body, as well as a clean cup. While the amount of caffeine found in filter coffee is usually larger than that detected in espresso, the lovers of the latter kind tend to avoid filter coffee — its body is considered to be too light.

Machines using pressure to extract coffee are geared towards the lovers of espresso. Coffee prepared in such a way is full-bodied, its tastes are more concentrated, while the aftertaste is far stronger than that produced by filter coffee. Such coffee is characterised by stiff espresso foam, thick, syrupy texture, and a slightly cloudy cup that is an essential component of any espresso drink (this is due to the 11% of dissolved coffee particles that we’ve mentioned earlier).

On the market, there are several types of coffee machines which differ in the method of preparation, and thus—the price. The easiest way would be to introduce these types of appliances, their advantages and disadvantages, so that you can make up your mind and choose something that fits your personal needs.

The following scheme shows the types of coffee machines:

Pour-over filter coffee machines

The main features and components of filter coffee machines are these:

What should you know when using these machines?

Advantages of filter machines:

Disadvantages of filter machines:

The most well-known manufacturers of filter coffee machines:

You can choose a filter coffee machine here.

Moka pots

The main features and components of moka pots are these:

Even though this coffee maker isn’t equipped with a pressure pump, it’s included amongst coffee preparation methods that use pressure to prepare drinks. Steam, which is trapped in the pot, creates pressure that forces water up through the coffee grounds. Afterwards, coffee extracted in this way is poured through the holes located in the top chamber.

Coffee brewed in a moka pot is strong and heavy-bodied. Although pressure created by the pot isn’t high enough to prepare true espresso (it needs to be at least 9 bar), coffee brewed with the help of this method will bring you closest to it. By the way, if you brew coffee in a moka pot using coffee beans that have an intense flavour or are finely ground, we recommend diluting the drink with water. It’s worth emphasising that the principles of this coffee preparation method allow you to add warm water to the prepared coffee. In this way, you’ll not only temper over-extracted coffee, but will also add sweetness to the drink (this applies to all brewing methods).

Moka pots can be both standard and electric. Standard moka pots are put on gas and induction stoves, while electric ones are equipped with a timer and a thermometer.

When using this coffee brewing method, nothing is as important as taking the pot off the heat as soon as the drink starts flowing through the holes in the top chamber. This prevents coffee from boiling and, consequently, losing all of its flavour.

Advantages of Moka pots:

Disadvantages of Moka pots:

The most well-known manufacturer of moka pots:

You can choose a moka coffee pot here.

Semi–automatic coffee machines

The main features and components of semi-automatic coffee machines are these:

What should you know when using these machines?

Advantages of semi-automatic coffee machines:

Disadvantages of semi-automatic coffee machines:

The most well-known manufacturers of semi-automatic coffee machines:

You can choose a semi-automatic coffee machine here.

Combination coffee machines

We have great news for those who have already come to terms with the idea that they’ll need two coffee machines for the simple reason that they themselves love espresso, while their significant other enjoys filter coffee. One of the most spectacular aspects of the 21st century is the fact that the same solution can now work for people who have different tastes. In this case, the solution is a combination coffee machine, which can prepare both espresso and filter coffee.

Depending on the model of a coffee machine, its components and features may differ:

Advantages of combination coffee machines:

Disadvantages of combination coffee machines:

The most well-known manufacturer of combination coffee machines:

Capsule coffee machines

The main features and components of capsule coffee machines are these:

What should you know when buying a capsule coffee machine?

Advantages of capsule coffee machines:

Disadvantages of capsule coffee machines:

The most well-known manufacturers of capsule coffee machines:

You can choose a capsule coffee machine here.

Pad coffee machines

The main features and components of pad coffee machines are these:

What should you know when buying a pad coffee machine?

These machines are a cheaper alternative to capsule coffee machines. Thanks to rapidly evolving technologies, we can now state with confidence that pad coffee machines are on a par with the capsule ones (even though they used to prepare coffee that was quite weak just a few years ago). The consistency of coffee prepared with them is very close to espresso, while the automatic milk frothing system, which is integrated in some machines, raises them above all standards of price and quality. However, the main disadvantage of pad coffee machines remains the same as that of capsule ones — coffee stored in the pads expires much faster. The best solution in this case is choosing a popular manufacturer whose pads tend to stay in the warehouse for a very short time, so the stock is constantly replaced with a new batch.

Pad coffee machines, just like the capsule ones, should be purchased by people who don’t have much space in their kitchen. This coffee machine is also suited to those who don’t want to spend a lot of money on coffee each month. Pads cost less than capsules, while the maintenance of such a machine doesn’t require a great deal of supplies.

Advantages of pad coffee machines:

Disadvantages of pad coffee machines:

The most well-known manufacturers of pad coffee machines:

You can choose a pad coffee machine here.

Bean-to-cup coffee machines

The main features and components of bean-to-cup coffee machines are these:

What should you know when buying a bean-to-cup coffee machine?

B uilt-in coffee machines deserve a separate mention. If you have an integrated oven, microwave or other built-in appliances in your kitchen, the option of purchasing a coffee machine of this type may also be worth considering. Such machines can be connected directly to the water supply, so you’ll forget all about the constant need to fill up the water tank. Pouring coffee beans into a built-in machine is also extremely convenient — you won’t have to worry about finding a suitable location for your coffee machine, with no potential obstructions above it. Also, amongst all of the other features, a huge advantage of these machines lies in their design. A wide selection of various appliances makes it possible to discover the right option even for the most extraordinary kitchens. In addition, it’s good to know that, having noticed the growing popularity of built-in machines, manufacturers started investing in their quality too. As a result, it now matches the quality of regular bean-to-cup machines. Unfortunately though, coffee machines of this type are often more expensive than the regular ones. Compared to the price of an ordinary bean-to-cup coffee machine with the same capacity and the same functions, the price of a built-in machine is higher.

In terms of price, bean-to-cup appliances offer what is probably the widest price range amongst all coffee machine types. This is because their price depends on numerous factors, including materials that are used to make them and the available functions. So if you have a limited budget, yet still want to enjoy good, high-quality coffee, invest in the main factors that we’ ve mentioned previously, and only then consider the aspects of comfort and design.

Advantages of bean-to-cup coffee machines:

Disadvantages of bean-to-cup coffee machines:

The most well-known manufacturers of bean-to-cup coffee machines:

Now when you know what to look for when choosing a coffee machine of each category, we want to tell you briefly how to choose the category itself, as well as how to pick the perfect coffee to go along with it.

First, ask yourself what is more important to you: the beans used to make coffee or the coffee machine itself. If you’ve chosen the first option, go for a machine that suits your favourite beans best. For example, lovers of specialty, single-origin coffee will unveil the best qualities of their beans by using filter machines, while fans of strong coffee will benefit from appliances that utilise pressure.

If the machine itself is more important to you, make your choice based on your favourite drink (espresso, strong black coffee, lighter coffee, filter coffee, latte or a different milk-based beverage). Once you’ve purchased a machine, buy coffee whose flavour will be best revealed by your chosen appliance.

Once you’ve chosen both the machine and the coffee variety, don’t be afraid to experiment. The best flavours are discovered by those who search for them, and a kilogram of ruined coffee beans is often far better than tons of tasteless coffee waiting for you in the future.

We know how hard it is to choose a coffee machine, so we’re always ready to help. If you can’t find the answers in this article, you’re welcome to call us, write to us or visit our stores where our colleagues — true coffee experts — will help you find exactly what you’re looking for!

You can choose a bean-to-cup coffee machine here, and see the build-in versions here.

Sum up

Now when you know what to look for when choosing a coffee machine of each category, we want to tell you briefly how to choose the category itself, as well as how to pick the perfect coffee to go along with it.

First, ask yourself what is more important to you: the beans used to make coffee or the coffee machine itself. If you’ve chosen the first option, go for a machine that suits your favourite beans best. For example, lovers of specialty, single-origin coffee will unveil the best qualities of their beans by using filter machines, while fans of strong coffee will benefit from appliances that utilise pressure.

If the machine itself is more important to you, make your choice based on your favourite drink (espresso, strong black coffee, lighter coffee, filter coffee, latte or a different milk-based beverage). Once you’ve purchased a machine, buy coffee whose flavour will be best revealed by your chosen appliance.

Once you’ve chosen both the machine and the coffee variety, don’t be afraid to experiment. The best flavours are discovered by those who search for them, and a kilogram of ruined coffee beans is often far better than tons of tasteless coffee waiting for you in the future.

We know how hard it is to choose a coffee machine, so we’re always ready to help. If you can’t find the answers in this article, you’re welcome to call us, write to us or visit our stores where our colleagues — true coffee experts — will help you find exactly what you’re looking for!

Read our review of home coffee makers – we put espresso, pod and bean to cup coffee machines through their paces to bring you the best, from budget to blow-out buys.

Picking up coffee while you’re out and about can be an expensive habit. The British Coffee Association estimates that two billion cups of the stuff are drunk around the world every day, 95 million of which are by the UK.

But with the right machine and reusable travel cup, barista-style coffee can easily be brewed in the comfort of your own kitchen. It also gives you power to make consciously ethical and sustainable coffee choices over the beans or ground coffee you buy, the energy consumption of the machine and the reduction of waste. So which should you buy? The type of coffee machine depends on your favourite cup of coffee.

Espresso machines create the rich, condensed, short coffee staple that are characteristically topped by a hazelnut coloured crema. They’re a good buy for an aspiring barista, as they allow for playing around with your method and encourage creativity around steaming milk for latte art. They’re often a hands-on experience, requiring you to dose and tamper the ground coffee, then load the portafilter, but the more sophisticated machines will dose and tamper for you.

The best coffee pod machines win on the convenience front, as you don’t need to grind your own beans – meaning they’re a good way to ensure freshness, too. However, the capsules used in pod machines aren’t always recyclable, so they lose points on sustainability unless you invest in biodegradable and compostable versions; of which there are some delicious options. Unfortunately there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to coffee pods as different brand machines take different designs, so it’s important to be aware of this.

Bean-to-cup coffee machines take every element of coffee making out of your hands and are an excellent option if you like your beans freshly ground. Coffee-house classics are usually available to preselect at the touch of a button. They tend to be much bigger, more expensive and are therefore only suitable for kitchens with plenty of space on the countertop.

Or, you can make your coffee using a drip machine, air press, stovetop coffee maker or cafetière. All have different benefits and pitfalls and provide varying results, so your choice will depend on personal preference.

Our reviews experts test hundreds of appliances every year to bring you impartial advice and tried-and-tested recommendations of the best to spend your money on. This guide is regularly updated with models that impress with their performance in our category tests.

We’ve chosen three from each category to give you a taste of our favourite picks, but for the full roster of recommendations, visit our guides to the best espresso machines, the best coffee pod machines and the best bean-to-cup coffee machines.

This guide is also regularly updated with models that impress with their performance in our category tests. Find out more about how we test products.

Here, we’ve looked at espresso machines, pod machines and bean-to-cup coffee machines. For more, visit our reviews section and find over 400 practical buyer’s guides and product reviews offering unbiased advice on what equipment is worth investing in. For more on coffee, we’ve reviewed coffee grinders and reusable coffee cups, too.

Check out expert barista Celeste Wong’s recommendations for the best moka pots, gooseneck kettles, coffee grinders and decaf coffee to buy on our sister brand, olive magazine:

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Best coffee machines and coffee makers at a glance

Espresso machines

Coffee pod machines

Bean-to-cup coffee machines

What to look for in a coffee machine?

Depending on your budget and desired amount of control over the coffee-making process, look out for these features.

How much do coffee machines cost?

Again, this depends on the type of coffee you’re looking to make and desired level of control over the process. A basic coffee pod machine can be picked up for upwards of £40, although buying coffee pods can work out to be a more expensive in the long run.

Espresso machines that use ground coffee start at just under £100 but the ceiling for these depends on the brand and can be pushed upwards of £2000. Most on the market are pump-powered and generate bar-pressure to drive hot water through the compressed grounds. For a good automatic machine with presets, you can expect to pay between £100 and £400.

The most expensive home coffee machines on the market tend to be bean-to-cup. These are also the largest out there in terms of footprint and start at around £300.

How to choose the best coffee machine

Which coffee machine should I buy?

Coffee pod machines

See our review of the best coffee pod machines.

Home espresso machines

See our review of the best espresso machines.

Bean-to-cup coffee machines

See our review of the best bean-to-cup coffee machines.

Filter coffee machines

The best coffee machines to buy in 2022

Smeg ECF01 espresso machine

Best home espresso machine for aficionados

Pros:

Cons:

Star rating: 4.5/5

Smeg’s 1950’s style home espresso machine is a statement slimline gadget that demands attention from the kitchen countertop. It has a broad selection of features for personalising each espresso to your taste whilst doing the fundamental job of producing top espresso, well. Read our full Smeg ECF01 espresso machine review.

Available from:

De’Longhi Dedica EC685.M manual espresso maker

Most stylish espresso maker

Pros:

Cons:

Star rating: 4.5/5

De’Longhi has thrown everything at its elegantly designed manual Dedica espresso machine which sits just under £200. Single, double and ESE pod filters are included in the box. When tested between two espresso cups, the coffee split evenly and was topped with a silky hazelnut crema. Its compact footprint makes its and elegant option for kitchens of any size, although not the safest for storing or warming your espresso cup on. However, it’s definitely one we’d buy ourselves. Read our full De’Longhi Dedica espresso machine review.

Available from:

Sage Bambino Plus espresso maker

Best mid-range coffee machine

Pros:

Cons:

Star rating: 4.5/5

Packed with power and sleekly styled, the Sage Bambino Plus is an efficient espresso machine that looks great on the countertop. Its buttons are tactile to use, its portafilter easy to load and milk wand, incredibly efficient at steaming milk. One downside is it’s slightly chunky footprint but compared to its sibling, the Sage Oracle Touch espresso machine, this is a diminutive alternative. Read our full espresso machine review to find more best buys

Available from:

The best bean-to-cup coffee machines

Packed with power, these sophisticated gadgets take every part of the coffee making process off your hands, grinding, dosing, tamping and brewing coffee at the touch of a button.

Smeg BCC02 bean-to-cup coffee machine – Star Buy

Best designed bean-to-cup coffee machine

Pros:

Cons:

Star rating: 5/5

We would go as far as saying that Smeg’s first ever bean-to-cup coffee machine has completely changed the game with its compact footprint and lightweight body. The size makes it suitable for any kitchen without compromising on sophistication or the variety of drinks. Through its four-button interface, the machine offers eight functions across two menus; ristretto, espresso, coffee, hot water, light ristretto, light espresso, long coffee and a milk steam function with its adjustable wand. Above this are five alert icons. Of course, it also carries the brand’s iconic 1950’s style with brush aluminium and matte coloured outer. Both simple and sophisticated, this is deservedly a Star Buy.

Available from:

Sage Oracle Touch bean-to-cup espresso machine – Star Buy

Best bean-to-cup espresso machine

Pros:

Cons:

Star rating: 5/5

It’s tricky to fault the Sage Oracle Touch espresso machine beyond the fact that it’s hard to keep free of finger marks. Its sophistication translates into usability which can fool you into thinking this is a simple machine, whereas in fact it balances full automation with excellent adjustability. If money is no object, this machine is as easy to use for beginners as it is exciting for coffee connoisseurs. Read our full Sage Oracle Touch bean-to-cup coffee machine review.

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Best smart bean-to-cup coffee machine

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Star rating: 5/5

This second generation Smarter coffee machine has some bells and whistles that may feel extravagant, but U-turned our cynical testers into converts of the app-activated coffee. It’s a filter coffee bean-to-cup machine with a glass carafe perfect for brewing multiple cups at a time. Once connected to the Smarter 3.0 App, the machine can be turned on from bed, your work, the gym or even set for a scheduled wake-up so that fresh coffee is waiting for you in the kitchen. Grind size of the beans is adjustable and the minimum four-cup quantity equated to two large mugs. Read our full Smarter coffee machine review.

The best coffee pod machines

A note on pod machines and the environment: If you like pod machines but are concerned about the environmental impact of using disposable capsules, it’s worth noting that Nespresso operates a recycling service. There is also now a great range of eco caps, biodegradable and compostable options. We also have a coffee gadget review that gives some alternative coffee-making options that don’t involve pods or machines.

Nespresso Vertuo Next coffee pod machine

Best coffee pod machine for drink versatility

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Star rating: 4.5/5

When it comes to coffee technology, the Nespresso Vertuo Next machine is impressively sophisticated. It has a single button, but can prepare five different sized drinks (espresso, double espresso, gran lungo, mug, and alto) and this is because each UFO domed coffee pod has a barcode on its underside. The machine reads the pod, recognises the selection and sets about brewing it. Available in six colours and is WIFI and Bluetooth compatible.

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Best affordable coffee pod machine

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Star rating: 5/5

The Lavazza Jolie does the basics really, really well. Its rounded statement handle lifts and lowers to lock the capsules into place. At just 33cm deep and 12cm wide, it’s countertop footprint is one of the smallest of all the coffee machines tested, yet brews single espresso with 10 bars of pressure to produce rich, flavourful coffee. If a longer short or lungo shots is your favourite, this is the perfect machine.

Available from:

illy ESE coffee pod machine

Best coffee pod machine for sustainability

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Star rating: 4/5

illy as a brand is B-Corp certified which means it has committed to bettering its impact on the environment as well as its workers, customers and suppliers. Using just 800W, the illy ESE is one of its least consumptive coffee pod machines tested, developed to be an energy-saving alternative to traditional gadgets. Easy serving espresso pods are single-shot quantities of tampered coffee encased in biodegradable filter paper, and these can be thrown straight into your green kitchen waste bin.

Available from illy (£115)

Read our full coffee pod machine review

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How we tested coffee machines

The coffee machines featuring above were some of the best performing from within their category tests. Our reviews experts put products through their paces in controlled conditions and marked each against a set of core and contributing criteria. The average marks out of five across the following determined the overall star rating of each machine. Find our more about how we test products here.

For example, with espresso, we looked for a rich colour, bold aroma, intense flavour and a hazelnut coloured top of silky crema.

Coffee machines are big investments, so every element must be built to withstand daily use over a long period of time.

Overpriced? Cheap feel? The quality offered must feel like good return for the investment.

Coffee machines shouldn’t require an hour of studying a convoluted instruction manual. They also need to be simple enough to use when half asleep or in a rush.

We scored on the protective quality of the packaging, quantity of single-use plastic used and how simple each was to put together.

The following secondary criteria also played into our decision-making

Some of these factors carried more weight in our decision making depending on the category of machine. For example, Bean-to-cup coffee machines should allow for elements like grind size and water temperature to be adjusted depending on the coffee you’re making, which enables the tailoring of drinks to your taste.

Coffee pod machines use single-shot pods so their versatility isn’t as broad as espresso machines that can make two cups at the same time. Espresso machines may have milk frothing wands so these should have enough oomph to heat and froth milk without literally running out of steam.

Whatever your priorities, we’ve carefully, scrutinised and scored coffee machines so that only the best make it into our buyer’s guides. Find the best coffee machine for your budget and kitchen right here.

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If you have any questions, suggestions for future reviews or spot anything that has changed in price or availability please get in touch at goodfoodwebsite@immediate.co.uk.

What coffee machine would you recommend? Leave a comment below.