Coffee and Espresso Machines Buying Guide
Benefits of having a coffee machine at home
You know what it’s like to walk into a coffee shop, take a deep breath, and smell the rich aroma of coffee? You can experience that feeling every morning in your kitchen, all you need is a dripper on your kitchen counter or single-serve beer brewers, or even a French press or percolator.
Having a coffee maker in your kitchen can save time and money. You don’t need to leave your home to go to a cafe or queue at a store. If you love variety in coffee cups, you’ll love that you can enjoy any number of coffee flavors, pods, and variations depending on which coffee beans or grinds you bring home.
Types of coffee machines
Gone are the days of anxiously watching your beer chug and fill a pitcher. Now you can have your morning cup of coffee in your hand when you want it, and with options to deliver the freshest, tastiest coffee possible.
Coffee machine
espresso machine
An espresso machine is a machine that makes custom coffee beverages. With an espresso machine, you can make lattes, cappuccinos, Americanos, and more. Some types of espresso machines also make iced coffee drinks. There are four main types of espresso machines.
- Manual espresso machine
Manual espresso machines give you complete control over your espresso. The machine has a lever that you pull when you’re ready to make an espresso, which allows you to control how long the water is squeezed through the grounds and how much espresso you make. - Semi-automatic espresso machine
Semi-automatic espresso machines are a popular choice for anyone looking to create custom coffee drinks at home. It’s easier to use than a manual espresso machine because it has an electric pump to make the coffee, but you can still control everything from the water flow to the pressure at which the coffee grounds are extracted. - Automatic espresso machine
Fully automatic espresso machines make espresso automatically. It takes care of everything involved in making a shot of espresso, including water pressure and tamping. Many fully automatic espresso machines have a milk frother to create frothed or steamed milk. - Super Automatic Espresso Machine
A super automatic espresso machine grinds, compresses and brews your espresso with just one tap. They have built-in burr grinders, milk frothers and programmable settings, so you can choose your preferred coffee drink and your machine will do it for you.
You can learn more about espresso machines in our espresso machine buying guide.
drip coffee machine
drip coffee machine
Drip coffee makers are one of the most popular coffee makers in the kitchen. Using this method, you use a disposable or reusable coffee filter, add a certain amount of ground coffee, and turn on the machine. The device heats water to a certain temperature, then pours hot water over ground coffee, dripping into the cup below.
Drip coffee makers come in glass or insulated cups that can hold anywhere from 1 to 12 cups of coffee and usually take less than 10 minutes to fill a pot. One of the great benefits of drip coffee makers is that you can make multiple cups of coffee, then come back to the jug and enjoy it without having to procrastinate on brewing.
If you and one or more friends enjoy coffee every day, a drip coffee maker is a great choice. If you’re only going to make enough coffee for one person, you might want to opt for a single serve coffee maker.
single serve coffee machine
single serve coffee machine
A single serve coffee maker will do just that; a single serving of coffee. You can find single-serve coffee makers that use single-serve coffee capsules, reusable coffee capsules, or ground coffee.
To use a single serve coffee maker, simply add water to the reservoir, add a pod to the machine, and press the button. Depending on the speed of the model you choose, you can hold a 4- to 12-ounce cup of coffee in your hand in under a minute.
One of the reasons single-serve coffee makers are so popular is because they take the guesswork out of adding the correct measure for ground coffee or water. Because the machine is automated and you let it do all the work, you’re guaranteed a perfect cup of coffee at all times.
A single-serve coffee maker is a great option for one or two people who always want a fresh, hot cup of coffee. Keep in mind that making coffee from pods can be slightly more expensive than buying loose beans. Coffee capsules generate more disposable waste than ground coffee made from paper or reusable filters.
