Best Coffee Machines
We reviewed dozens of coffee machines and listed our best options
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Coffee is something that keeps us going – there are plenty of us that need it to function in the morning at all! Bean brews are hugely popular all over the world. Therefore, it makes sense that there should be coffee machines to help make the process of brewing coffee quicker and easier to manage. But what’s all this about a bean-to-cup machine? What are pods? Is a capsule machine going to give you better tasting coffee than, say, a brew from powder or from beans?
Finding the best coffee machines to suite own tastes and budget can seem tricky at first. After all, the market is huge! Coffee machines have come a long way in a short period of time, and we’re here to help break things down even further.
Which are the Top Ones?
It’s a fairly broad question, but it’s easier to answer than you might think. The best coffee machine for you is likely to be one which you get plenty of use out of. Are you likely to make a cup of coffee every day? Do you care about great coffee, or are simply happy to have a brew in your mug to get you going?
Then, you need to think about all the extra features and add-ons that come with modern coffee machines. Do you want your machine to froth milk? Do you know what a steam wand is? Maybe you’re just looking for machines which are easy to use. Aren’t we all?
However, there’s a difference between a great value coffee machine and just making coffee with powder and hot water. If you’re a true coffee lover, then you are likely already looking into espresso machines and more besides.
This guide is here for you – and it’s here for everyone else who may be tired of dredging up coffee grounds every five seconds. Whether you like filter coffee or the odd cup of espresso, there are more than a few great value choices out there.
Which are the Top Ones for Home Use?
The coffee machines you use at home are unlikely to be the same as the ones you use at work. However, there’s nothing to say you can’t get the same quality of brew through a domestic machine. In this guide, we’re going to solely look at fantastic coffee maker systems which will slide perfectly into your kitchen.
Without further ado, here are the 10 best coffee makers and machines for home use available right now!
The Top Ones for 2022
It’s worth taking another look at a bean-to-cup machine or two if you’re serious about getting the best flavours out of your coffee. While your average espresso machine will deliver a great drink or two through filters and grounds, a true bean-to-cup coffee machine is likely to be a great choice if you want your coffee to taste natural and raw. The Eletta lets you fine-tune your whole coffee experience, from the aroma right down to the cream on top. This elegant, super-powerful machine lets you take full control through a touch panel, which of course means that it’s nice and quick to brew up your favourite beans. They say you get the best espresso from bean-to-cup machine systems such as these – and they might be onto something. Gaggia’s HD8749/01 premium coffee maker is one of the most expensive systems on our list, but it’s here for a reason. Boasting quick-heat boiling, an in-built milk frother and space for up to 300g of beans, it’s a real behemoth. Bean to cup is quicker than ever to brew. You’ll also benefit from 15 bars of pressure, which to espresso fiends means you’re going to get a pretty powerful shot of coffee. But is the price tag worth it? Given that you can get involved with Gaggia’s coffee club, too, we’d say yes. Want the best coffee for your money, but also want a machine that looks the part? Delonghi’s innovations are amongst some of the most popular online, and for good reason. This coffee machine boasts dual thermostats, meaning you can easily monitor how hot the steam and water are getting at any one time. Finished in chrome, this stylish system will accept ground coffee or compatible pods, meaning it’s amazingly versatile. There’s also a tamper and crema functions built-in. You can also buy other kitchen essentials and systems which will fit alongside this coffee maker, too. Best Filter Coffee Machine If you’re going to invest a lot of money in the best coffee machine around, you might as well make sure it is a Nespresso. This high-end, sleek-looking machine can brew two cups of coffee in around a minute. It will heat up in just three seconds, and it boasts a clever touch screen display where you can fine-tune your favourite drinks. Available at a premium price, this Nespresso system is perfect for the espresso fiend who really cares about quality taste. If you’re tired of the odd pod machine here and there, this might be a class above the rest. We’re back to Beko again, and this super-reasonably priced system is likely to appeal to anyone looking to squeeze out the best of ground coffee. It benefits from a filter basket and a milk frother, meaning that you can actually create a huge variety of different drinks through just the one unit. This is great news for anyone who may be struggling to make a range of coffees with standalone pod machine systems. It’s easy to fill and clean the water tank, and it’s also a doddle to warm up your coffee, with a built-in unit to help keep your brews cosy as you go. Thought that this brand only ever made expensive coffee machines? You’d be pleasantly mistaken. This coffee machine is very reasonably priced, and the best part is, it’s ideal for Nescafe Dolce Gusto pods. It’s certainly one of the most affordable and comprehensive pod machines available. With a 15 bar pump and an auto-shutoff feature, it’s one of the simplest to use for the best tasting coffee around. For that reason, it’s likely to appeal to anyone just getting into their coffee and blends, and who doesn’t really want much in the way of faffing around. This superbly simple coffee machine will either act as a great introduction to Nespresso, or will help to make some of your favourite drinks that little bit more manageable. No one likes faff when it comes to coffee, and this Nespresso KRUPS system allows you to simply pop in a capsule and drain away your excess coffee water with barely any prep. If you already love your Lavazza coffee, this great-looking coffee maker not only makes it easier for you to get access to the best brews, but also blends in brilliantly with your kitchen. The version we’re rating here is red, but there is also a stylish black standard available, too.
Top All-Around Appliance
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Premium Bean-to-Cup Appliance
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Finest Traditional Barista Appliance
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There are still plenty of reasons why you might want to invest in a great filter coffee machine. While bean machines may seem fancy, it’s the difference in taste that matters. This affordable machine has a fantastic timer system which allows you to brew coffee at the exact strength and time you demand. Getting a cup of coffee right off the filter isn’t always simple. It’s easy to clean and set up, and is likely to look pretty impressive in most home kitchens.
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Finest High-End Appliance
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Top Budget Espresso Appliance
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Budget Coffee Maker
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This no-fuss system is really easy to set up and clean, and it really hasn’t ever been simpler to refill with water for your next brew. Why wait around for a coffee when you can just load up and go with this cracking contraption?
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You can make a variety of different coffees and hot drinks with this machine, complete with 600ml water in the tank, an auto-stop system and parts which you can safely clean down in the dishwasher whenever you like. It’s a low-fuss, low-price coffee making standard which you simply need to pop a capsule into to get going.
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What Should You Look For in It Online?
The best coffee machines for you will differ depending on your tastes, the time you have available, and the money you want to spend. To plenty of people, a cup of coffee is just that – and nothing more. To millions, however, a great coffee deserves a fantastic machine to brew properly. There are so many different types of coffee for machines, too – how do you know which is ever going to be best for you?
If you’re stuck looking for the ideal Nespresso machine, or you really want to look for coffee machines that make the most of your filters, it’s time to start taking a closer look around. Our 10 best machines listed above should be a good start. However, there are always a few elements we think are worth you comparing and contrasting in the meantime. Here are our thoughts:
Types
There’s pod coffee, bean-to-cup – you name it. But which is best for you? That’s all going to revolve around taste. Bean-to-cup machines are preferred by people who want to taste the raw strength in each bean. Filter coffee is convenient, but less flavoursome at times. Pod coffee is great fun and lets you take advantage of different blends and flavours without much fussing around.
Therefore, the type of machine you choose is down to you. Ground coffee machines, too, are great at getting some truly spectacular roasted flavours out in a warm drink. However, a filter machine and many pod coffee machines will all do the same great job. Don’t tar them all with the same brush until you’ve tried them at length.
Speed of Brewing
How quickly do you want your espressos? Fresh coffee comes at a price, and that’s not just in terms of money. It’s in terms of time, too. On your search for the perfect coffee machine, make sure to check how long it will likely take for cappuccinos or espresso blends to brew up. Do you really have the time to fuss about? Maybe not. When you need a great coffee to start the day, you’re going to need the best machine to kick things into action. Don’t waste time hanging around!
Milk Frothing and More
What is a milk frother? It’s something you might not see on a capsule coffee machine, but it’s a barista standard that’s hugely popular with Nespresso enthusiasts and more besides. The best coffee machines, some will argue, froth your milk for you, completely internally. It’s a feature that is not always necessary, however, it makes a nice addition to a cup of coffee which is otherwise pretty intense.
Ease of Cleaning
Even the most high-end espresso machine can be a real pain to clean. That’s why the best coffee machines on the market do it all for you. Some will clean and descale for you so that you don’t have to go too hard on the scrubbing. If you find that you need to spend hours at a time scrubbing deep into your tank and machine, it’s time for a new coffee maker. The best systems will clean everything out for you with minimal fuss.
Capacity
Water tank capacity is really important. Capacity is a big factor in how long you can brew coffees for before you’ll need to swap the tank out. It’s easy enough to remove the tank on most models, but what you are going to need to look for is a tank that’s big enough to hold the amount of water you need on a regular basis. Look for bean-to-cup machines with big 2L capacities, for example.
Ease of Use
Want to get access to great coffee without having to fiddle around with too many manual controls and functions? It’s worth looking for systems with only a few buttons, or with touch screen functionality. Whether you buy a Sage by Heston or something a little simpler on the face of things, a coffee machine that demands more than a few minutes of your time is likely to get on your nerves. Therefore, look carefully at what reviewers and buyers have to say.
Conclusion
Are you looking for an espresso machine? Maybe a Nespresso – or maybe you’ve found a filter machine or a pod system in our list of 10 above that really appeals to you. In any case, there is a lot of choice on the market. Whether you’re a fan of lattes, cappuccinos, espresso machine standards or otherwise, you’re going to need to really filter things down – no pun intended. Looking for a Sage by Heston? maybe you just want a cheap Nespresso.
Filter machines and coffee shop standards are easier than ever to come by now, and they are also really affordable. Take a look through our full review and see which models and makes appeal to you the most! Don’t fall back on caffeine too much, but take charge when it comes to some great-tasting coffee.
Have you thought of roasting your own coffee beans at home? Why not read our guide on How to Roast Coffee Beans at Home
About Author
I had the idea for Which Kitchen Appliance? In 2016 when a friend was planning a new kitchen and asked me to help her choose her new kitchen appliances. She knew that I had trained as a chef, had a passion for cooking and an interest in interior design.
After hours and hours of trawling websites looking for a double oven, built-in microwave, hob & extractor fan the excitement that was soon waned…we were bored and frazzled. But finally, we succeeded and she got her new kitchen.
This led me to think that there must be a better way of researching kitchen appliances, if only there were somewhere that you could go and find kitchen appliance reviews and helpful hints and tips on getting the best from and look after your appliance under one roof with information that was comprehensive, easy to understand and that you could trust…and so WhichKitchenAppliance? was born. I now work full-time on WhichKitchenAppliance?