How to Choose the Best Home Coffee Machine The best espresso machine for home use can be a perfect fit for the kitchen of your home and will complement your brewing preferences The most important considerations are size capacity design, and price This espresso maker for prosumers impressed us with its speed, accuracy and ease of use The Sage Bambino heats quickly and efficiently It steams milk with power and produces excellent extractions at 19 bars Pod or Capsule Machines If you like the speed and ease of making coffee using pre-ground pods, a pod maker is an excellent option These machines take the sloppy elements out of brewing, and eliminate the necessity for expensive burr grinders as well as portafilters that must be regularly cleaned of coffee oils They also generally require less maintenance, with regular cleaning and decaling of reservoirs of water being is a good idea However, these types of brewers aren't without their limitations They typically only work with specific types of coffee pods, which are typically in the K-***, Nespresso capsule or ESE easy-serve espresso formats This is not an issue if your coffee is from the same brand, but it could be a problem if want to test a different variety Another disadvantage of pod machines is that they typically have a smaller water tank, and are often less durable than bean-to-*** machines They are also slower to brew, which might not be an issue when you're in a hurry in the morning but could be a problem in the event of preparing for an extended day at work We suggest that you think about the size of your coffee bar prior to purchasing a pod machine as some are slimmer than others and will fit within the space of other appliances on your counter Consider the amount you are willing to spend and the kind of drinks you'd like to make Our former ecommerce director Louise keeps her caffeine intake low-cost with the Nespresso Vertuo Next It allows her to make both long and short espresso shots, and includes milk frother This sleekly designed pod-machine from Sage gives you the best of both worlds - high-spec and low-maintenance It's not inexpensive, but it is a stylish addition to any kitchen The sleek stainless steel design will be noticed on your counter It can create five different drinks at the touch of the button Each capsule has a barcode on its underside that is used by the machine to determine the drink to be served It's also a great option for those who are environmentally conscious since the capsules break down and decompose quickly the reusable mug is an excellent feature Manual Espresso Machines For those who enjoy the craft of brewing espresso manual machines can offer an enjoyable hands-on experience Manual espresso machines take longer however they can make drinks of high quality They are also more durable and come with designs that can withstand the rigors of use, unlike other types of Manual espresso machines aren't as simple to use as automatic ones, however they are often lacking precise temperature control This can make it challenging to produce consistent, good-quality espresso shots The most reliable manual espresso machine comes with an incline of learning that is steep and is costly to purchase and maintain If you're a coffee aficionado interested in exploring the world of manual espresso, try a newer machine designed to be as user-friendly as is possible https//wwwcoffeeeuk/ come with a built-in milk steamer and grinder, making them simple to use for novice coffee drinkers Certain models come with an open reservoir that makes it easier to refill and clean Some are programmeable and allow you to set the time when the brew cycle to begin when you wake up Some manual espresso makers can be quite big, making them ideal for larger families or coffee carts Some are smaller and require less counter space When deciding on the size of your machine, you should also take into consideration how many people will be using it at the same time Consider a larger machine when you have more than one family member or roommate who enjoys brewing espresso A few of the cheapest espresso machines have an adjustable frother that will automatically heat milk and froth it to your desired consistency This type of machine works well for cappuccinos, lattes and is also suitable for people with sensitive teeth It's important to remember that this kind of machine isn't suitable for those who prefer a larger *** of espresso since it makes less foam than other types of espresso makers Automatic Espresso Machines In this category there are fully automated espresso machines that manage the entire brewing process from grinding to extraction They have user-friendly interfaces, and require minimal maintenance other than routine cleaning and descaling They are ideal for those who don't like getting their hands too dirty or have a limited countertop space for a full-sized espresso and coffee maker These models are more likely to have Wi-Fi capabilities, so you can control the machine via your smartphone All this automation and programmability can be expensive They are more expensive than semi-automatics or manuals The Eveversys Cameo is one of our favorites automatic espresso makers It's a sleek, aesthetically pleasing machine which occupies little space on your counter It also scored 5/5 in our ratings for ease of use - just behind Miele It's a high output model that can accommodate three different grinders and hoppers, and you can select the one you want to use from a touchscreen display It's easy to use and self-monitoring, so you don't have to fiddle with buttons or knobs Another option in this category is the Cuisinart Spinn This little pill-shaped machine uses centrifugal force to make espresso, which is distinct from the traditional method of pushing water down through grounds It can make a variety of drinks, including cappuccino and Latte, with a bit of practice The machine was tested at the Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab of the Good Housekeeping Institute, and scored a perfect 5 in our tests for user-friendliness It's also a tiny appliance by espresso maker standards, which means it won't take up much space on your counter It's worth trying a few different types to find one that suits your taste, budget and available space Think about aesthetics too, as you'll need something that is compatible with your decor and coffee cart Make sure you check the dimensions of your counter to ensure your machine will fit Pour-Over Machines If you're looking to brew a *** of coffee in complete control, a pour-over machine is a good option Pour-over machines like the Hario V60 or Chemex Funnex allow you to adjust various variables coffee to ratio filter, brewing time, etc, allowing for a customized brew They can produce more intense aromas and flavors than drip machines Pour-over brewers are designed to give top-quality results They feature a thermometer that reads water temperature to the closest degree, and they have an accurate pressure gauge that will inform you when the desired amount of water has been put into the brewer They have a portafilter big enough to accommodate the standard coffee mug, and provide enough space between the portafilter and the drip tray so you can pour your brew directly into your coffee *** They also come with a removable charcoal filter to remove impurities from the water This is crucial because coffee makers with filters that are not of high-quality can leave a bitter taste in your *** Additionally, the best pour-over brewers are made of materials that are safe to wash in dishwashers and that don't leak or hold onto coffee smells A good pour-over is easy to clean and should be enjoyable to use We found that all the models we tested were easy to hold in one hand, and had the right size and shape for the kitchen counter Some of the most basic, such as the Zojirushi Zutto, even has a small footprint, making it ideal for small spaces Some, 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 comes with a built-in grinder as well as a simple display The Philips 3200 Series is able to brew black coffee, Americanos and espresso with the touch of a button It also has a steam wand attached for lattes and cappuccinos The model also comes with an array of settings that can be adjusted that include different sizes of beverages and strengths, and it can start the brewing process up to 24 hours ahead of time