How to Choose the Best Home Coffee Machine

The ideal home espresso machine will fit the kitchen of your home and will complement your preferences for brewing. The most important considerations are size, capacity design, and price.

During our lab testing, this prosumer-level espresso maker impressed us with its speed and accuracy. The Sage Bambino heats up quickly and efficiently, powerfully steams milk, and produces fantastic 19-bar extractions.

Pod (or Capsule) Machines

A pod machine is the ideal option if you wish to make coffee quickly and easily by using pre-ground pods. They take the messiest bits out of brewing, removing the need for complicated burr grinders and portafilters that need to be regularly cleaned free of coffee oils. They require less maintenance. Regular cleaning and descaling of reservoirs of water is a good idea.

These brewers come with their limitations, but. They are restricted to specific types of coffee pods such as K-Cups, Nespresso capsules or ESE (easy serve espresso). This isn't an issue if your coffee is of the same brand, but it could be a problem when you want to test a different variety.

The other drawback to pod machines is that they usually have smaller water tanks and are generally less durable than bean-to-cup machines. They are also slower to brew, which might not be a problem for those who are in a hurry in the morning, but it can be a pain if you're preparing for an extended day at work.

We recommend that you think about the size of your coffee bar prior to buying 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 beverages you would like to be able make. Our former editor for ecommerce Louise keeps her caffeine intake on a budget using the Nespresso Vertuo Next, which lets her serve espresso shots that are either long or short and includes an easy milk frother to make lattes.

This sleekly designed pod-machine from Sage offers the best of both worlds: high-end and low-maintenance. It's not inexpensive, but it's an elegant addition to your kitchen, and its slick stainless steel design will be noticed on your worktop. It's capable of making five different drinks with just pressing a button and each capsule is marked with an individual barcode on the underside of the capsule that the machine reads to decide on the beverage to serve. It's also a great option for eco-conscious people since the capsules break down and decompose quickly. the reused mug is a great feature.

Manual Espresso Machines

Manual machines can be a fun experience that allows you to practice the art of making espresso. Manual espresso machines can be more time-consuming but they can also produce beverages of top quality. They are also typically more durable than other types of coffee brewers, and have designs that can stand up to the rigors of use.

Manual espresso machines aren't as simple to use as automatic ones, however they're not as reliable, and often lack precise temperature control. This makes it difficult to produce consistent, good-quality espresso shots. best value bean to cup coffee machine have steep learning curves, and they can be expensive to purchase and maintain.

If you're keen to discover the world of manual espresso, try an updated machine that is designed to be as user-friendly as possible. which coffee pod machine is best include a built-in grinder and milk steamer, making them quite easy to use for those who are new to coffee. Certain models come with an open reservoir that makes it easier to refill and clean. Some are programmable and allow you to set the time when the brewing cycle to start when you wake up.

Some manual espresso makers can be large, which makes them an ideal choice for larger households or coffee carts. Some are smaller and require less counter space. Consider how many people you plan to serve at moment when you are deciding the size of your machine and also. If you have a lot of family members or roommates who like to brew espresso, consider getting a larger machine with a bigger boiler.

Some of the most affordable manual espresso machines come with the ability to program a milk frother that can be set to automatically heat and frother milk to your preferred consistency. This type of machine is ideal for making cappuccinos and lattes as well as for those with sensitive teeth. This type of machine is not suitable for those who prefer an espresso with a thicker consistency. It makes less foam.

Automatic Espresso Machines

In this category you'll find fully automated espresso machines that control the entire process of brewing, from grinding to extraction. They feature user-friendly interfaces and require little maintenance, other than regular 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.


These models are more likely to have Wi-Fi capability, so you can control the machine from your smartphone. However, all that automation and programmability comes at cost: Expect to spend more money on these machines than semi-automatic or manual alternatives.

The Eveversys Cameo is one of our favorites automatic espresso makers. It is a sleek, aesthetically pleasing machine which occupies a small space on your countertop. It also ranks 5/5 in our evaluations for ease of use, just behind Miele. It's a high-output unit with three different grinds and hoppers. You can select which one you wish to use using the touchscreen display. In addition to being simple to use, it's also self-monitoring and self-calibrating so you don't have to worry about tinkering with the knob or pressing buttons.

Cuisinart Spinn is another option in this category. This small pill-shaped machine uses centrifugal forces to make coffee that is a different technique than the traditional method that involves forcing water through grounds. With some practice, it's able to make a variety of drinks like cappuccino and Latte. We tested this machine at the Good Housekeeping Institute's Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab, and it earned the highest score in our ratings for ease-of-use, scoring 5 stars. The machine is also small according to espresso maker standards. It will not take up 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 taste as well as your space and budget. It is also important to take into consideration the aesthetics. You'll want to find something that blends in with your decor and also your coffee cart. Don't forget to check the counter's size to ensure that your machine will fit.

Pour-Over Machines

If you're looking to make your coffee in complete control, a pour-over machine is an ideal option. Manual pour-over machines, such as the Chemex Funnex or the Hario V60, allow you to alter a range of variables (coffee grounds to water ratio, filter type and brewing time) to make a customized brew. They also tend to create more vivid flavors and aromas than drip machines with automatic controls.

The top pour-over brewers allow you to get top-quality results. They have a thermometer which reads water temperature to the closest degree, and they have a precise pressure gauge that informs you when the amount you want to pour water has been poured. They also have a big enough portafilter that can hold a regular coffee mug, and they offer sufficient space between the drip tray and the portafilter to allow direct brewing into your coffee mug.

They also come with a removable charcoal filter to eliminate impurities from the water. This is essential because coffee makers with a poor-quality filter can leave a bitter taste in your cup. In addition, the best pour-over brewers use materials that are safe to use in the dishwasher and won't leak or hold onto coffee odors.

A good pour-over is easy to clean and enjoyable to use. The majority of models were easy to use and comfortable to hold with one hand. They also had the right size and form for a kitchen counter. Some of the most basic models, such as the Zojirushi Zutto have a small footprint and are ideal for small spaces. Others, such as the Melitta Cafe filter have a removable handle that makes it easier to remove and replace the filter.

Philips 3200 Series is another model we like because it has a simple display and a built-in grinder. It can make espresso, Americanos, and black coffee with a push of a button. It also comes with an attached steam wand for cappuccinos and lattes. This model comes with a range of settings that can be adjusted, including various sizes and strengths for beverages. It is also able to start making coffee up to 24 hours in advance.