With so many types of coffee machines available to buy, finding the best one for your home is not always easy.
The type of machine best suited to your needs depends on a few things, from the type of coffee you like to how quick and easy you want it to make the coffee, so it helps to know a few things before you buy to ensure you choose the right product for your needs.
Of course, with so many options to choose from, finding the best coffee machine can be a daunting prospect for first time buyers, so check out the below guide for all the useful information that you need to know.
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The Main Types of Coffee Machine
As mentioned, there are several types of coffee machines available, each one capable of making different types of coffee. How each machine works also varies, with some being simple to operate while others are more complex.
Here is a breakdown of each type of coffee machine and what each one offers:
1. Pod and Capsule Coffee Machines
Coffee pod machines have become hugely popular in recent years, being one of the quickest and easiest ways to make a great coffee from home. The machine takes a small capsule or pod filled with coffee, quickly brewing it with hot water for a virtually instant coffee.
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The machines are compatible with various types of pods and capsules, meaning they can make a wide selection of coffee drinks including black coffee, espresso, cappuccino, latte etc. If you enjoy a lot of different types of coffee and want a machine that is effortless to use, pod/capsule machines are worth consideration.
There are some drawbacks to this machine though, namely that the pods are not recyclable so produce a lot of waste, while the running costs of buying lots of pods/capsules can be more expensive than other machines, although the initial price of the machine is relatively though in most instances.
2. Filter Coffee Machine
One of the first types of coffee machines, this machine brews coffee by slowly dripping hot water through ground coffee, producing what is commonly known as American-style coffee. This coffee is flavourful but not too strong, lacking the intensity of an espresso.
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The machine is simple to use and cheap to run, with ground coffee being widely available in supermarkets for great prices. Simply pour the ground coffee into the machine, add water, then wait a few minutes for it to brew.
It is a great option for people that enjoy a basic type of coffee with plenty of flavour, while also being a good choice for brewing coffee for several people at a time. Most have a high capacity, allowing you to quickly make a large pot of coffee.
Also, the machines are inexpensive, so if you are looking for a budget-friendly option for making good quality coffee then this is a great option.
The main drawback is that the machines only make standard filtered coffee, so won’t make anything like an espresso, latte, or cappuccino.
3. Bean to Cup Machine
A bean to cup coffee machine is a premium quality option for those that want a barista-style coffee from home. The machine grinds whole coffee beans before brewing with hot water, resulting in one of the freshest cups of coffee you can get.
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The quality of brew is excellent, allowing you to make all kinds of coffee including espresso, latte, cappuccino, americano etc.
One for the coffee aficionados, it is surprisingly simple to use, with most just needing you to add the beans and water before pressing a few buttons. This means you don’t get the same level of control compared to professional-style ground coffee machine, although the quality of brew remains very high.
Prices can vary significantly for these machines, with some just costing a few hundred pounds while others cost several thousand. Costlier models typically have more features, such as touchscreen controls and the ability to customise settings for complete contorl over your coffee, while entry-level models often only make one type of coffee.
4. Pump Coffee Machine
Also called a ground coffee machine or espresso coffee machine this type lets you make a delicious espresso style coffee at home, while most also include a steam wand for frothing milk to make drinks like a latte or cappuccino.
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Some are manually operated, featuring various dials and settings like those found on a coffeeshop espresso machine, allowing for precise control over your coffee.
Others are much easier to use, featuring automatic settings that do all the brewing for you, which is quite handy as manually operated machines do require some knowledge on how to properly grind the beans and brew the coffee.
Prices vary signficantly on these machines, similar to bean to cup machines, with both basic and high-end models available. Manual types are typically more expensive, resembling the coffee machines found in coffeeshops.
Buying Advice: Things to Consider Before Buying
Here are some things to consider for finding the best coffee machine for your home:
Usability: Do you want a machine that is effortless to use or requires some know-how on brewing coffee? The usability of the machine will impact how quickly you make the coffee too!
Pod coffee machines are the quickest easiest to use, while filter machines are also simple to operate. Bean to cup and pump style machines are usually the most complex, although there are types that have automatic functions that make them much easier to use.
Frother: If you enjoy milk-based coffee drinks like a latte, cappuccino, or flat white, then make sure to check if the machine incudes a frothing wand. Pod machines usually don’t require one as they make milk-based coffee automatically.
Capacity: Consider the size of the water tank for any machine. The higher the capacity, the less often you need to change the water, although this does make the machine bulkier so it will take more counter space.
