The best coffee machines to buy

11 Apr

How to choose the right automatic coffee machine for your home

As we discussed, there are so many automatic coffee machines to choose from - all with their own pros, cons, and price ranges! Luckily, the result of them is largely the same: a delicious cup of coffee within 5 minutes without leaving the house.

This post won’t get too much into the science of making coffee - but it’s definitely worth researching (take a look at award-winning barista James Hoffmann’s YouTube channel for that!) Instead, this post is here to guide you through the different types of machines available, so you know what suits your budget and your taste.

Imagine having one of these espresso machines at home! 😍

Manual vs. automatic: what’s best?

First of all, why choose a coffee machine over a manual coffeemaker (like an Aeropress or V60)? For those who don’t have the time (or the expertise), then an automatic machine does the hard work of pulling a good espresso for you. If you choose to use a machine that requires coffee beans or ground coffee, you might still need to grind and tamp your coffee first, but once that’s done, the machine will pull the espresso for you. Use a machine that takes capsules and pods and it’s even easier - fill with water and click your chosen pod into place!

Which types of automatic coffee machine are available?

If you decide to choose a machine rather than a manual method of making coffee, you’ll broadly have 3 options to choose from:

A capsule/pod coffee machine
Filter coffee machine
Espresso machine (including bean to cup)

The list is probably a simplified version of what’s available right now, but it’s a helpful start if you’re completely new to coffee making at home.

Let’s take a look at each of these in more detail, along with a few recommendations for each category.

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Best capsule coffee machines

Undoubtedly, the easiest way of making delicious coffee at home is by using a pod or capsule-based coffee machine.

Instead of using coffee beans, or ground coffee, you buy a pre-loaded coffee pod, then slot into the machine. The only other steps you’ll need to take is to fill the chamber with water and click the button to get started.

Nespresso vs Dolce Gusto

Machines like the Nespresso are primarily designed for espresso making, using one small capsule per coffee. Then there are machines like the Dolce Gusto, which take one or more pods (although not at the same time!) to create a whole range of coffees, from Americanos to lattes, cappuccinos and mochas. You can even buy pods to create hot chocolates and teas, if you have any family or friends who hate coffee 😱.

Pros:

Huge range of flavours to try
Easy to pick up pods online shopping or supermarket
No mess - throw away the pod after use
No worrying about tamping, grinding or water temperature

Cons:

Pods can work out more expensive than buying bags of coffee
Throwing away pods is a bit wasteful (although there is a great increase in compostable/biodegradable pods - look out for them)

Our pick of the Nespressos

Nespresso machines can get costly. But this compact version by Magimix is a great starter option. The Nespresso 11365 Essenza Mini Coffee Machine, Pure White Finish by Magimix is currently available at Amazon for £89.99 and has a 4.8* rating, with previous purchasers loving it for its compact size and ability to make great tasting espresso and lungo drinks quickly.

From Nespresso:

The Magimix Nespresso Essenza Coffee Machine with updated retro design offers style and performance at the touch of a button. The quick 25 second heat up time and automatic restart, means this smart machine is energy efficient and saves time. With compact design this machine fits in your kitchen. Programmable cup size and sliding cup support is ideal for small or large cups, mugs or latte glasses. This machine is set-up with a high pressure 19 bar pressure and thermo block heating system. With removable used capsule container for 5-6 capsules, a 0.6 L removable water tank, and automatic, programmable water quantity control, this machine couldn't be easier to use.

Buy it here

Our pick of the Dolce Gustos

It’s crazy to think you can get a coffee machine for under £40. This offering from De’Longhi, the DeLonghi Nescafé Dolce Gusto Piccolo XS Pod Capsule Coffee Machine, is currently available for just £34.99 on Amazon. The Piccolo models are smaller than other Dolce Gusto machines, but it’s still more than capable of creating a wide range of coffees, including lattes, cappuccinos, mochas and espressos.

From Dolce Gusto:

Hot and cold drink capability for hot and cold beverages prepared with one easy move of the machine’s manual lever
Easy to clean as all the coffee grinds stay in the pods there is no mess, no fuss
Eco mode: Automatic switch off after 1 minute, energy consumption rating A
Adjustable drip tray suitable for all cup sizes

All in all, the Piccolo is a neat entry-level automatic coffee machine.

Buy it here

Best filter coffee machines

A filter coffee machine, also known as a drip coffee machine, is a much simpler coffee machine by design for a fuss-free cup. You simply add your filter paper, then your ground coffee, and allow the machine to brew then water through the filter into a jug. The jug is usually on a hot plate to keep the resulting coffee nice and warm throughout the day.

Filter coffee machines all have their differences, but they essentially work in the same way.

**How to use a filter coffee machine:**

Add your paper filter to the filter basket.
Measure your ground coffee and add to the filter. 2 tablespoons of coffee for every 6 ounces of water is recommended.
Measure out your water using the markings on the machine and pour into the reservoir.
Turn the machine on or click the ‘go’ button to start brewing.
Wait until the coffee has finished brewing before you pour it.
Throw away the paper filter.

This Morphy Richards filter coffee machine is a great one to try out for less than £25 on Amazon.

Best espresso machines

These babies are the closest replicas to the classic barista espresso machines in your favourite coffeehouse. As with the other coffee making methods, there is a lot of variety with espresso machines too. You can choose a semi-automatic espresso machine (and a grinder), where you’ll tamp your ground coffee then let the machine pull your espresso, or choose a fully automatic machine that will take your coffee from bean to cup with little input required from you. Plus, the majority of espresso machines also come with an inbuilt milk frother/water spout so you can recreate your favourite latte art at home. (Not mastered this one yet.)