How to Choose the Best Home Coffee Machine The ideal home coffee maker is one that will fit your style of brewing and will fit into your kitchen The most important considerations are size, capacity, and design This espresso maker for prosumers amazed us with its speed, precision and user-friendliness The Sage Bambino heats quickly and efficiently It steams milk vigorously 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 machine is a great option They take the messiest elements out of brewing, and eliminate the need for expensive burr grinders as well as portafilters that need to be regularly cleaned free of coffee oils They also generally require less maintenance, with routine cleaning and descaling the water reservoirs a good idea However these brewers do have limitations They are restricted to certain kinds of coffee pods like 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 try a variety Another disadvantage of pod machines is that they usually have a smaller water tank and are often less durable than bean-to-*** models They are also slower to brew, which might not be an issue when you're in a hurry in the morning but is a hassle if you're preparing for an extended day at work Take into consideration the size of your bar prior to buying a pod machine Some are smaller and can be tucked away between other appliances Also, consider how much you're willing to invest and the drinks you'd like to create Our former ecommerce editor Louise stays caffeinated on a budget using the Nespresso Vertuo Next, which allows her to serve espresso shots of either length or short and comes with an easy milk frother to make lattes This sleek, elegant pod-machine offers both high-spec and low maintenance It's not cheap, but it's a stylish addition to your kitchen, and its slick stainless steel design will stand out on your worktop It's capable of creating five different drinks with just pressing a button Each capsule has a unique barcode on the side that the machine scans to determine which drink to serve It's also a good choice for sustainability enthusiasts as the pods used break down and break down very quickly the reused mug is a great feature Manual Espresso Machines If you are a fan of the art of making espresso manual machines can offer an enjoyable hands-on experience They take longer to prepare than automated espresso machines however, if you have the patience and ability to use them, they can make high-quality drinks tailored to your tastes They are also more durable and come with designs that can withstand the rigors of use than other kinds of Manual espresso machines however, aren't as user-friendly as automatic espresso machines, and typically lack precise temperature controls It can be difficult to create consistently high-quality espresso shots The best manual espresso machines come with steep learning curves, and can be costly to purchase and maintain If you're a coffee lover looking to explore the world of manual espresso, consider an updated machine that is designed to be as user-friendly as you can Some models have a built-in grinder as well as a milk steamer, making them quite easy to use for those who are new to coffee Some models come with an open reservoir that makes it easier to refill and clean Some are programmeable and allow you to set the timing for the brewing process to begin prior to waking Some manual espresso machines can be quite large and are an ideal choice for larger families or coffee carts Some are smaller and occupy less counter space Consider how many people you are planning to serve at one time when you decide on the size of your machine as well If you have a lot of roommates or family members who love to make espresso, you might want to consider a larger machine with a bigger boiler The most affordable manual espresso machines include an adjustable milk frother, which can automatically heat and the milk to your desired consistency This kind of machine is suitable well for cappuccinos, lattes and is also suitable for people with sensitive teeth It is important to know that this type of machine isn't suitable for those who prefer a more substantial *** of espresso since it produces less foam than other types of espresso makers 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 simple to operate and require minimal maintenance, aside from cleaning and descaling These are perfect for those who don't like to get their hands dirty or have a limited counter space for a fully size espresso machine and coffee maker The best of these models can be programmed and have settings for different drinks that can be saved to "user profiles" They're also more likely to be Wi-Fi enabled so you can control them with your smartphone But all that automation and programmability comes at a premium Expect to spend more money on these devices than semi-automatic or manual options The Eveversys Cameo is one of our favorites automatic espresso makers It's a sleek, elegant machine that occupies a small space on your countertop It also ranks 5 out of 5 in our evaluations for user-friendliness - just behind Miele It is a high-output machine with three different grinding hoppers and hoppers You can pick which one you want to use with the touchscreen display In https//wwwcoffeeeuk/ to being easy to use, it's also self-monitoring and automatically calibrates itself which means you won't have to worry about fiddling with the knob or pressing buttons Cuisinart Spinn is another option in this category The small pill-shaped machine utilizes centrifugal force to make espresso, which is different from the traditional method of forcing water down through grounds It can produce various beverages, including cappuccino as well as the latte, with just a little practice This machine was tested in the Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab of the Good Housekeeping Institute, and scored a perfect 5 in our ratings for ease-of-use This machine is also small by espresso maker standards It won't take much space on your counter It's worth experimenting with several different kinds of espresso machines to find the one that fits your style as well as your space and budget Consider aesthetics, too--you'll want something that is compatible with your decor and coffee cart Also, don't forget to take measurements of your countertop to make sure the machine you choose will fit Pour-Over Machines Pour-over machines are a great option if you want total control over the coffee you brew Manual pour-over devices, such as the Chemex Funnex or the Hario V60 can alter a range of variables coffee grounds to water ratio and filter type, brewing time for a personalized brew They can produce more vivid aromas and flavors than drip machines Pour-over brewers are made to give high-quality results They have a thermometer which reads water temperature to the closest degree, and a precise pressure gauge that lets you know when the required amount of water is pour They also have a big enough portafilter to accommodate a standard coffee mug and they provide enough space between the drip tray and the portafilter so you can brew directly into your coffee mug The coffee makers also have charcoal filters that can be cleaned to remove impurities in the water This is crucial because any coffee maker that has a low-quality filter will leave a bitter flavor in your *** The top pour-over coffee makers are made from materials that can be washed in the dishwasher and don't retain or leak coffee smells A good pour-over brewer is easy to clean and should be a joy to use We found that all the models we tested were comfortable to hold in one hand, and were of the right size and shape to fit on a kitchen counter Some of the most basic models, like the Zojirushi Zutto have a small footprint and are ideal for small spaces Some, such as the Melitta Cafe filter, have a removable hand that makes it easier for you to lift and replace the filters Philips 3200 Series is another model we like because it has an intuitive display and a built-in grinder The Philips 3200 Series can make black coffee, Americanos and espresso with the touch of a button It also comes with steam wands that can be used for cappuccinos or lattes The model also comes with various settings that can be customized including different sizes for beverages and strength and can begin making coffee up to 24 hours ahead of time