10 Meetups Around Coffee Machine You Should Attend

How to Choose the Best Coffee Machine

There's a lot of technical excellence behind this machine, which manages to precisely maintain water temperature and evenly distribute it over ground coffee in the filter basket. This machine produces more flavour than its competitors that are less expensive.

In contrast to semiautomatic machines, which require you to fill the portafilter by hand and decide when to stop pulling, this fully automatic machine does everything for you.

Filter coffee machines

A filter coffee machine makes filter coffee by passing hot filtering water through coffee grounds. The grounds soak up the water, and release the flavour compounds that are then extracted into your cup of joe. They are available in a range sizes, from 3 to 13 cups.

A couple of models we tested feature insulated jugs to help keep your Siemens coffee machines warm without the need for an energy-hungry hotplate, and others come with a timer that can be programmed for 24 hours so you can set it up at night and get up to a pot of coffee ready for you to drink. Other features that are useful include a permanent, reusable filter to cut down on the waste of paper, and an insulated water tank that allows you to easily see the amount of water left.

Some filter coffee makers are small enough to fit on a tiny kitchen countertop, while others have larger footprints. Some have a tank that can be removed for easy refilling and cleaning. Some have fixed tanks which may limit the space you use.

If you want a filter coffee machine with added features, select breville one touch coffee machine with a grinder integrated. This lets you grind fresh coffee beans at will and then dispense the ground beans directly into the filter basket. Some models include this feature as an option. There are models that make use of pre-ground coffee beans.

We suggest a model that can handle a greater capacity for those who wish to make multiple cups at once. We've tested a number of filter coffee makers with this feature and found the Melitta Look V Timer to be one of the best in making a fantastic cup of filter coffee for an affordable price. It's incredibly easy to install and use, comes with an impressive amount of user reviews, as well as numerous useful tips and guides, and is very durable and reliable.

Espresso machines

Drawing inspiration from manual coffee makers used in cafes Espresso machines are able to make a variety of specialty drinks with just the touch of one button. The machines require more effort than other types - users have to grind their own coffee beans, measure the grounds, and steam the milk separately. However, our test subjects found the results worth the extra work.

In the hope of achieving the same quality as a barista, an espresso machine uses hot water and up to nine bars of pressure to make an even stronger and more concentrated drink. They also come with an inbuilt milk frother that can be used for creating cappuccinos and macchiatos. They can be more expensive, but they offer a premium experience.

These are popular for those who want to recreate the cafe style coffee at home. The water is heated in an airtight container prior to being released via an opening into the ground coffee. They can take a long time to heat up, but once ready, are able to make a cup coffee in four to six minutes.

If you're looking for some more control, a semi-automatic espresso machine allows the user to add their own ground beans but automatically stops the flow of water halfway through the coffee making process. This is to ensure consistency in the espresso. It is not for beginners, and it takes some patience to master. However, for those who are adept for tamping this can be the perfect espresso maker.

The super-automatic machine is more like an industrial gaggia coffee machine maker and takes the guesswork out of the process. The machine measures and grinds the coffee before pumping hot water through it. They're perfect for those who are more interested in making a specific beverage instead of just the usual cup of coffee. They tend to be the most popular coffee machine available.

Pod or capsule coffee machines are easiest to use but offer less of a customisable experience than their counterparts that are bean-to-cup. The Lavazza Jolie & Milk has nine pre-programmed drinks to choose from. They range from the classics like cappuccino and white coffee to more creative drinks such as ristrettos or macchiatos. It also can serve steam and hot water by pressing a button.

Bean-to-cup machines

The best bean to cup machines crush whole coffee pods machine beans upon demand and then brew the beans to create various drinks. This is typically done at the touch of one button. Some also let you save your preferences for coffee to ensure that every time you turn the machine on it will automatically make the beverage you want. They can be connected to home tech networks or apps to provide greater flexibility.

In most cases, you can manage the finer aspects of each drink, including the temperature and the pressure of extraction, meaning you have complete control over what each cup will taste like. They are often designed to produce a better quality coffee than pod or capsule machines. This is because a quality bean-to-cup grinder will grind the beans to a precise consistency, then force hot water through them at precisely the pressure and timing required to maximise flavour.

There are also plenty of bean-to-cup machines that have milk foaming capabilities. This is great for creating the rich, textural layers of the cappuccino and latte however, there is a bit of a learning curve to getting these drinks right. But once you get it sussed they can create drinks that would easily be at home in a specialist coffee shop.

One of the most impressive examples of a modern, bean-to-cup machine is Sage's Oracle Touch. It is a little more expensive than the top capsule or pod machines, but the extra cost is well worth it. The machine has a large touchscreen that shows the user through each process of making a certain coffee. It also has a pro steam wand that can create the perfect texture of milk, and allows you to customize each drink to your tastes. It is also able to serve cold drinks and hot drinks and the Oracle Touch will even remember your drink of choice for the school run, so you don't have to make a fresh order every time. Read our full review if you're looking for an espresso machine that is of the highest quality, with a premium grinder and numerous bespoke features.

Pod or capsule machines

The best pod coffee machines take the guesswork out of brewing, and give consistent results with little or no effort. These machines can be used to make capsules that contain instant or ground coffee, tea and other beverages. They are a great option for siemens coffee machines those not as familiar with espresso machines or bean-to cup machines and are looking for an easy solution to a workday morning.

They're a great choice for those looking to test different blends without buying huge quantities of beans, and they can also be cheaper than other options if you don't use the machine as much. But, they're typically less versatile than other models and will not give the same high-quality brew that a filter or bean-to-cup machine can offer.

If you're looking for a straightforward cup of coffee, this pod maker from Illy is ideal. Simply lift the top cover (which automatically removes used capsules) and then insert a new capsule, then press the button to select either the large or small cup. The machine uses an exclusive two-stage extraction process to make delicious, rich coffee.

It also allows you to pour hot water for herbal teas and other hot drinks, as well as a cappuccino or latte, thanks to the included milk frother. It's worth noting that pod-related milk tends to lack the luxuriously smooth texture you can get with a more expensive, manual frother from Dualit or Lavazza.

The machine is more elegant than most of the pod coffee makers available, and it's also quieter, so it won't cause a ruckus when you're enjoying your caffeine fix. The machine is made to fit into any kitchen from contemporary to traditional, and it's a pleasure to use. The large lever swells up and catapults the used capsule into the receptacle. It can accommodate ten capsules.

The machine has a wide range of beverage options that range from black espressos with a short brew to tall travel mugs, and the barcode reader will identify the type of pod you're using. But it's not as flexible as a coffee maker in terms of customizing the coffee you drink and there's no option to tweak the amount of extraction.