Which Coffee Machine is Best For Your Kitchen?
A high-quality coffee machine can transform the way you and your family start the day. Which is the best for your kitchen then?
If you want a bold, bright coffee, go for the GE Cafe Speciality Grind and Brew. Its striking design will make it the focal point of your kitchen bar. The fans of smart appliances will love that they can control the coffee maker using an app.
1. Cuisinart 12-Cup Pod coffee maker
This Cuisinart model, while it doesn't have the capability of making espresso or latte art like our top two choices, it is an excellent option for those looking to brew pods or filter coffee without spending a fortune. It is simple to use, cheap and comes with a range of convenient settings, including an automatic brew timer and the "strong" setting for an extremely robust cup. It also comes with an adjustable water reservoir as well as a reusable filter, making it simple to clean.
The polished stainless steel finish is timeless and it is a great choice for kitchens of all kinds. The control knob is a bit clunky, and it takes some time to get used to. The timer adjustment was more like playing a game rather than making use of an appliance. Those with bigger households will appreciate the capacity and programmable features people who drink smaller quantities can enjoy the ability to make only one cup at each time.
It was as good as any of our top picks for making coffee. The brewing process was quick and the machine came with an insulated thermal carafe that kept our coffee warm for an hour. We noticed that it appeared to draw more grounds than other models, but we don't consider this to be a dealbreaker.
We love the design of this prosumer-level espresso maker, which is available in a range of eye-catching colors that would definitely be noticed on a kitchen counter. It's more sophisticated than the lesser Diletta Mio, and is ideal for those who make espresso for an interest or for those who find that coffee brewing plays an important part in their daily routine. It comes with an electronic PID that controls, to the degree that it can, the temperature of the water as well as an actual steam wand, which is connected to its own heating circuit to allow for near-simultaneous steaming and brewing.
The only drawback with this model is that it's more expensive than the competition however, it's well worth the extra cost for those who take their coffee seriously and are willing to put some time into learning the finer aspects of espresso making. In our tests, it produced espresso shots that were rich and balanced, with subtle flavors and no bitterness or ashiness.
2. Breville Bambino Plus
The Breville Bambino Plus is the most reliable machine for making espresso. This model may look entry-level however it packs a wealth of features into a small shape. It is easy for newbies to play around with the default temperature settings that provide a smooth extraction right out of the box. It also provides clear guidelines on which grinder sizes work with its dual wall filter baskets. It also allows users to modify the duration that the pre-infusion feature smothers coffee grounds prior to increasing pressure, which helps to ensure consistency in flow and balance flavor.
This model is one of the easiest to use due to its easy-to-use interface. It doesn't have a built-in grinder, so you'll need an espresso grinder that, fortunately, isn't as expensive as the other models on this list.
Other advantages of the Bambino Plus include its ability to purge its steam wand completely after it has finished frothing and the three different settings it has for milk texture. It also has a leveler made of steel and tamper, making it easier to make the perfect shot every time. If you're looking to take your brewing and steaming skills to the next level, this machine has automatic reminders for cleaning and descaling.
While the Breville Bambino Plus is an ideal choice for anyone who wants to make top-quality espresso at home, it's the best for aspiring professional baristas and serious amateurs. Its low pressure pre-infusion ensures a balanced flavor while its 15 bar Italian pump guarantees a an incredibly creamy, full body. It's also incredibly versatile, with an adjustable water pressure setting, and the ability to switch between single- or double-shot volumes at the press of the button. Its small size makes it ideal for kitchens with small spaces. The machine comes in different colors, but the sleek black finish is our preferred.
3. Moccamaster Technivorm Cup-One
The Moccamaster Technivorm Cup-One uses the gold-standard pour-over method to brew coffee. It's a greener friendly choice over a 10-cup brewer since it uses less electricity and produces less grounds. If you're a dedicated barista at home it's a great machine to consider investing in. It's also a pleasure to watch the brewing unfold. The copper boiling element quickly heats the water and keeps temperatures in the range of 196-205degF (91-96degC) to ensure optimal extraction. The cone-shaped brew tray guarantees that the entire ground coffee is fully soaked to reveal its full flavor and aroma. A single cup of coffee takes just four minutes to brew which might not sound like a lot when compared to other single-cup brewers, but is still very fast by drip machine standards.
As with other Technivorm machines like the Cup-One is made in the Netherlands and is backed by an impressive 5-year warranty. It's more expensive than other automatic brewers but comes with the security of knowing that you'll receive a dependable and reliable brewing machine that will continue to make great coffee for an extended period of time.
This is one of the most stunning brewing equipment on the market, especially when you select a stainless steel model. The brushed finish is gorgeous and complements any kitchen aesthetic. best espresso machine to use and clean, too. After each use, just throw away the used filters and coffee grounds and wash the brew pot. This brewer is not able to make cold brew or espresso. This is why it's not our top pick.
It's simple to use and looks stunning, just like the Rancilio. The only issue with this model is the water tank's prominent ridges, which can make it difficult to read in the morning. Additionally, there are no marking measurements for cups or ounces and it is difficult to figure out the amount of water to add and how much to put into the basket. The brew quality is well worth any minor problems.
4. Delonghi Eletta Explore
The Delonghi Eletta Explore is an ultra-automatic coffee maker that comes with plenty of extras. It comes with an insulated travel cup as well as two milk jugs for hot and cold drinks, an ice cube trays to serve iced drinks and two milk jugs. It also comes with a wide range of cold and hot coffee recipes (more 40 in total). It also comes with Wi-Fi and can be controlled via the Coffee Link app. The most interesting feature is Bean Adapt, which allows users to test new espresso beans using the app to inform the machine the type, colour and roast of the beans. It then adjusts the espresso settings based on what it learns about your tastes and preferences.
The Eletta features a user-friendly interface that allows you to choose and save your preferred drink sizes and create user profiles. It also has a built-in grinder and can produce different kinds of ground coffee. It's among the most expensive machines we've reviewed in our guide but it can be a good investment for anyone looking to brew a wide variety of drinks, including iced ones, from one simple device.
It's user-friendly and the display is clear and easy to follow however, it takes some time to adjust to the many steps involved in making an espresso and other coffees. This is why we suggest purchasing this machine only for those who are serious about making lots of espressos and only if you're willing to put in the effort needed to operate it properly.
The only negatives with this machine is that it takes longer than other models to warm up and the water tank doesn't have markings for cups or ounces. These aren't major issues, and the coffee produced by this machine was excellent, with a wonderful flavor and texture, especially in the espresso. It's also very quiet, even while running the grinder and making coffee. In fact, this is the quietest machine we've ever tested. It's a great benefit for those who live in apartments. You can also dispense your coffee straight into a cup to go with the machine's to-go function, which can be helpful on those mornings when you are rushed.