Having spent more time working from home in recent years and less time at our fave coffee shops, Brits have been finding themselves trying to recreate the perfect cuppa at home. And with so many machines out there, finding the right one can be a daunting prospect.
The key to finding your ideal machine really comes down to what you want out of coffee at home (or one you can whip up and then whack in a travel cup to enjoy while on the go). Do you want to impress your guests with milk frothing latte art or is it all about getting the best cup of coffee in the fastest time possible for that early morning commute?
Fret not wannabee coffee connoisseurs – our experts have answered all the key coffee questions, ideal for a quick read with your morning brew.
What’s the best coffee machine for you?
It’s important to explain the main types of machines you can craft yourself an excellent cup of joe with: bean to cup, espresso machines, pod machines and filter machines. Each kind operates completely differently, while some are quicker than others when it comes to making your coffee.
The main thing to think about is this – do you want coffee made by you or made for you? There are plenty of ways to get your perfect cup - from involvement in every step to just pressing a button. But which is the best for you and your lifestyle?
For wannabe baristas…
If you want that coffee shop experience at home and want to experiment with all kinds of coffee, look for a bean to cup or espresso coffee machine.
What is a bean to cup coffee machine?
Add fresh coffee beans to your machine, pick a setting and you’ll get a delicious cup of coffee. Pre-ground coffee is great, but a machine that will grind your beans just before the brewing begins will give you a taste closest to that of a professional barista.
Bean to cup machines come in two different main types. Manual machines are for budding baristas – giving you all the tools you need to make coffee your way from scratch. They come with an integrated Burr grinder, making sure every bean’s ground uniformly and your coffee always tastes as fresh as it can be.
But there’s no need to play the pro to get barista-quality coffee. Automatic bean to cup machines are another great option. Buttons or touchscreens have all the settings you need to nail your perfect morning cuppa and recreate it time and time again.
Both these types of machines usually come with a milk frother and decent sized water tank too – so you can keep the coffees coming day and night.
What is an espresso machine?
Do it the old school way with an espresso machine, your guide on the quest for the perfect crema. Since the whole process is manual, from the grinding to the tamping to the brewing, you have more control over the whole process.
Lots of espresso machines come with steam wands as well - letting you get that insta-perfect frothy milk topping for lattes and cappuccinos.
5 barista brewing coffee machines
1. Delonghi PrimaDonna Soul - For a bean to cup coffee machine that does all the hard work for you, the PrimaDona Soul is a great for 21 different coffee options at the push of a button.
2. Delonghi Rivelia - If you like to switch between regular and decaf, the Delonghi Rivela Bean to cup lets you do both with its two bean hoppers, so you can have Flat White, Cortado, Americano and more just the way you like it.
3. Breville Barista Signature Espresso Machine - Nailing the perfect coffee is all about getting the measurements just right. Fortunately the Breville Barista Signature uses Intelligent grind to measure out the perfect quantitiy of coffee for your fave drink.
4. Beko Bean to Cup - For a morning coffee bursting with flavour, the Beko Coffee Machine uses high pressure to give you a deep and rich aroma that will put a spring in your step.
5. Siemens Bean to Cup - Get 7 delicious drinks in one touch with this Siemens coffee machine. Its ceramDrive grinder and 15-bar pump give you rich flavour and the perfect crema.
For one-button coffee fans…
A lot of us need our morning cup of coffee to get going. And when you need to get gone, a pod coffee machine is just the thing. Great tasting coffee without the wait!
What is a pod coffee machine?
In recent years, pod coffee machines have come along and shown us that you can get barista flavours without the coffee shop queues.
Coffee pods allow you to pick a drink capsule, pop it into a coffee machine and (at the touch of a button) high pressure water is sent through the pod, delivering a full-flavour cup in an instant. Everything from a steaming Ristretto Italiano to a frosty Freddo Intenso – just pick your poison.
Where to start…
There are loads of top brands making pod machines – including Nespresso, Dolce Gusto and Tassimo.
Nespresso are often seen as the kings of coffee culture, making it easy to learn about premium coffee with their curated blends from all over the world. And there are two systems to choose from. There’s Nespresso originals, which can make Lungo (tall) or Espresso sizes. Then there’s Nespresso Vertuo, which gives you 5 size options - a big slow-sipping Alto, all the way down to a quick shot of Espresso.
If you’re really serious about your coffee, the Nespresso Club is an absolute no-brainer to go with any of their machines. And if you want a specific partner in crime to go with your membership, the Nespresso by Magimix Vertuo Pop is the one. Whack in a pod and let the one-touch brewing with automatic blend recognition work its magic.
Dolce Gusto is the top choice for all of you Starbucks fans out there. They’ve got special Starbucks pods so you can whip a creamy caramel macchiato up at home. And, of course, they’ve got a whole range of other strengths and types of coffee to try out too.
Tassimo partner with a bunch of different drinks brands. So, if you already have a favourite coffee brand, you can get it at its best every single time. Look out for Tassimo capsules from Costa, Kenco, Lor and even Cadbury’s for some rich chocolatey goodness. To get a real idea of the sheer variety available, their Tassimo by Bosch Style TAS1102GB offers 50+ kinds of coffee and other hot drinks – so you’re bound to find something that suits your tastebuds!
Whichever machine is right for you, look out for top-end features like personalised presets (so your machine will remember exactly how everyone likes their coffee) and adjustable cup settings - so you can easily switch between short espresso and long cappuccino on the fly.
Lots of capsules come in a cappuccino style (no need to add milk here) but you can take extra control with a milk coffee machine. These will let you heat and froth your milk separately for some extra tweaking. You’ll often find them sold with coffee machines in a bundle.
For old-school filter fans…
If you like fresh brewed filter coffee and plenty of it, you might feel at home with the good old jug and filter combo.
What is a filter coffee machine?
Most of us will be familiar with the old tried and tested system. Water drips through a filter filled with ground coffee and the jug fills until you have a fresh pot of fragrant coffee.
And while a basic model will do this and not a lot more, extra features on top end filter machines include milk frothers and even compatibility with pod coffee – so you can enjoy a weekday pod or go for a long, slow cup on a lazy weekend morning. Look out for models that keep your coffee warm once it’s done - super handy for when you want to go back for more. These will all make sure you get the most out of your filter coffee machine with every cup!
Where to start…
A simple filter coffee machine will do the job, but at the top end there are stylish built-in filter coffee machines with extra steam functions. So, you can think beyond basic filter coffee and set your bean-based aims far higher.
Coffee conundrums
Still aren’t sure what’s right for you? Ask yourself these questions and you’ll be on your way to finding a coffee machine you can really love!
How much coffee do you want?
Do you usually start your day with an espresso pick me up, or do you like a big full jug of coffee? Check out the water tank capacity or how many cups the coffee machine can handle at once.
How much space do you have?
If space is limited in your kitchen, a smart little pod or capsule machine might be just the thing. But if you’re looking for a machine that would make even an artisanal barista turn their head, you’ll want to go for a bean to cup beauty.
How smart should it be?
Smart machines take coffee convenience to a whole new level. A coffee machine with smart features will connect to your phone via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. Want your morning cuppa ready by the time you’ve stumbled bleary eyed from your bed to the kitchen? Download your machine’s dedicated app and you’ll be able to control your machine from your phone from any room in the house!
How eco-friendly do you want it to be?
Serious eco-warrior? A filter coffee machine’s your best bet. There’s no need to buy paper filters, since every model comes with its own mesh filter. Then, when you’re done with the grounds, you can just chuck them on the compost heap. No waste, no worries.
And it’s the same with espresso and bean to cup machines. You only need to sort out the used grounds, which are totally biodegradable.
With coffee pod machines, it’s a little more complicated. Tassimo, Nespresso and Dolce Gusto are all committed to keeping their pods out of landfill, so they ask that you drop off your used pods at designated recycling collection points. The pods are then upcycled into things like benches or planters.
Check out the different ways to recycle with Nespresso, Tassimo and Dolce Gusto.
How easy is it to clean?
Coffee machines are great at brewing up amazing cups of coffee, but they can be a pain to keep clean – especially when you factor in hot milk. Look for easy cleaning functions to keep your machine spotless and hygienic inside and out.
If you go for a capsule or pod coffee machine, cleaning duties can be as light as emptying the drawer with the used capsules and then occasionally descaling it. If you buy a filter coffee machine it can be a bit more manual.
This is where the Philips LatteGo Bean to Cup Coffee Machine excels. You can have your fave coffee (including milky coffees like lattes and cappuccinos) and then the milk system can go straight into the dishwasher. Easy!
Check out our coffee accessories, including handy kit to keep your coffee machine squeaky clean.
Feeling more prepared now? Start the search for your perfect coffee machine. Or if you’re still feeling slightly overwhelmed, get the full lowdown on some of our favourite models.
