A Complete Guide to Choosing a Perfect Coffee Machine

Which type of coffee machines should I buy?: From Simple Drips to Barista-Level Brews

Everybody loves taking a break to enjoy a cup of coffee. Bringing that coffee experience home could save you money while giving you the perfect cup every morning. To achieve this, it is important that you pick the right coffee machine. There are many types of coffee machines and not all machines might fit your needs. Some of the machines require more effort than others, so you should consider how much effort you want to put in making a cup of coffee, and which type of coffee that you prefer. Do you enjoy coffee with milk in it? Are you willing to put some efforts into setting up cleaning for a decent cup of coffee? etc.. There are some questions to be answered before choosing the right one for you. Read our recommendations and guide to the types of coffee machines that you should consider getting.

[1] Filter Coffee Machines

Filter machines are very easy to use if you want to make a pot of coffee with minimum effort. If you prefer an American-style coffee rather than espresso based coffee, filter machines can offer a great value for you. All you need to do is fill it up with water, add a paper filter and some good-quality coffee and press the button. For the coffee, you can buy ground coffee or get a local roastery grind beans for you or you can grind the beans yourself with a basic coffee grinder.

[2] Capsule Coffee Machine

If you want a compact coffee machine that provides consistent taste of decent coffee and that fits into little spaces, capsule coffee machine can be your choice. You just need to pop in a capsule and click a button to get a hot black coffee in your hands. Some machines come with built-in milk frothers where you can add a dash of silky milk to get a cup of cappuccino. If all the waste that comes out after the extraction is a burden to you, consider buying compostable pods. Nespresso provides a recycling service for its capsules if compostable capsules don’t appeal much to you.

[3] Manual (or assisted) Espresso Machine

If you are willing to put in some effort into making the best-tasting espresso-based drinks, espresso machine is the type for you. Manual espresso machines require time and money - you’ll need to get a decent grinder too. For espresso machine beginners, consider getting an assisted espresso machine which will make the process a lot easier. If you are a cappuccino, flat white type of person, you will also need to learn how to froth and texture the milk properly as well. Even though it may be time consuming and with some hassles, I’m sure that you will be rewarded with a high-quallity tasting espresso in your hand.

[4] Bean-to-cup machines

Bean-to-cup machines refer to fully automated machines. Just press a button and the machine will grind the beans, brew the coffee, heat and froth milk (if it has a built-in milk carafe) for you in several minutes. Cheap machines only provide a black coffee, but if you add several bucks to your budget, the machine will provide you with a rich, creamy latte or cappuccino at the press of a button. But keep it in mind that you will have to clean parts where milk touches on a daily basis.

[5] Manual Brewers

Manual coffee making without a machine can be a joy itself as a hobby. The taste and the quality of the coffee you are making can vary depending on which grinder, beans, brewer you pick. The whole process of choosing which tools to buy and trying it all out will be an enjoyable coffee making journey. All the tools can be a great companion for traveling and camping as well.

Before Making Your Final Choice, Ask Yourself:

1. What’s your budget? (including maintenance costs)
2. How much effort are you willing to put into your daily cup of coffee?
3. How many cups of coffee do you need to make at once?
4. Do you prefer milk-based drinks or black coffee?
5. How much space do you have for a coffee machine?
   
   You should remember the perfect coffee machine is the one that fits seamlessly into your daily routine. Consider trying out a simpler machine and upgrading as your journey evolves. Happy brewing!