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The ability to brew fresh espresso at home can be a game-changer if you enjoy caffeine. Speciality drinks from coffee shops can be delicious and even convenient. However, you may be surprised at how effortless you can make the same beverage at home with the right equipment. Finding the best coffee machine is a lot easier if you know what to look for. Keep reading to learn about our top seven picks so you can make the perfect brew at home.
How We Compared Coffee Machines
To find the right coffee machines, we considered multiple factors, including:
- Brewing method
- Additional features
- Size
- Ease of cleaning and use
Our team planned comparison points and specifically looked for products that would cater to all kinds of needs. We spent countless hours researching, consulting customer reviews and comparing features to come up with this list.
Coffee Machine Reviews
De’Longhi Magnifica ESAM4200.S (Editor’s Choice)
This top-quality coffee machine is versatile and easy to use, making it a fantastic selection for our Editor’s Choice award. It quickly takes you from coffee bean to brew in one convenient device.
The De’Longhi Magnifica ESAM4200.S coffee machine makes brewing quality espresso fun and straightforward. It contains an integrated burr grinder featuring seven coarseness options to get you started. Then, it automatically tamps your freshly ground coffee to the ideal consistency for brewing. It can brew a single or double-shot simultaneously and features a hot water function for long coffee or tea. If you prefer, you can manually froth milk for cappuccinos and more using the inbuilt manual wand.
Additionally, this coffee machine features four temperature settings plus automatic cleaning, descaling, and rinsing cycles. The removable ground container and tray are dishwasher safe, so cleanup is a breeze. Lastly, its slim design means it won’t use much counter space.
Pros:
- Integrated burr grinder with seven coarseness settings
- Manual frothing wand for added versatility
- Automatically brews 1 or 2 shots of espresso
- Easy to clean and use
Cons:
- It might have a relatively smaller water tank
- It may make a bit of noise while brewing
Sage Barista Express (Luxury Choice)
This coffee machine’s design includes professional-grade features that make it stand out against the competition. It is designed to enhance flavour extraction and improve the taste of your espresso drinks. With this machine, you can enjoy a luxury coffee-making experience whenever you want from the comfort of your home.
This espresso machine is fully equipped to grind and brew beans in just about one minute from start to finish. The integrated conical burr grinder easily adjusts to your preferred grind coarseness with a simple dial. While brewing, the water pressure increases gradually to ensure proper extraction of flavours. Digital temperature control also facilitates ideal espresso extraction conditions.
The Sage Barista Express brews single and double shots of espresso. It also features a milk frother that also dispenses hot water so you can make a wide array of coffee drinks. In addition to the machine, it comes with a milk jug and cleaning tools to improve user ease.
Pros:
- Digital temperature control
- Precise water pressure
- Easy to adjust conical burr grinder
- Milk frother with milk jug included
- Luxury quality build and performance
Cons:
- It may not be the easiest option for new users
- The grinder might not be the most consistent
De’Longhi Nescafé Dolce Gusto Piccolo XS (Best Value)
This coffee machine is the perfect choice if you are looking for fast and convenient coffee. It also boasts excellent value and requires virtually no cleanup. Simply remove the coffee capsule and toss it in the bin.
The De’Longhi Nescafé Dolce Gusto Piccolo XS can brew more than 40 varieties of pods. Thanks to the controlled brewing process, it can make hot and cold coffee drinks, and each one comes out perfectly. There is no need to fiddle with complicated settings, just insert the pod, place a cup beneath the spout, and press start.
Available in black, red, or white, this coffee machine easily fits into compact spaces. It also features an adjustable drip tray that allows you to use various sized mugs. An eco mode automatically switches the machine off after one minute of inactivity to conserve energy.
Pros:
- Easy to use and clean
- Makes hot and cold coffee drinks
- Accommodates more than 40 pod varieties
- Excellent value
- Compact and convenient
Cons:
- You might need to refill the water tank more frequently
- It may be a bit noisy
- The coffee temperature may be slightly lower
De’Longhi Dedica Style (Best Design)
This traditional pump-style coffee machine is perfect for making espresso. Its classic design paired with advanced features allows you to customise espresso to your specific taste.
In addition to espresso, the De’Longhi Dedica Style coffee machine can also make a great cup of cappuccino. It has a manual steam wand that can also dispense hot water. Regardless of what type of coffee you are making, Thermoblock technology ensures the water is at the perfect temperature for brewing your espresso. The design also allows you to set the length and temperature of the brew.
The double drip tray is easy to clean and adjustable to accommodate varying size cups. Overall, this machine is easy to use, and its slim design is suitable for kitchens of all sizes.
Pros:
- Compact and slim design
- Highly customisable espresso settings
- Thermoblock technology ensures the proper water temperature
- The steam wand also dispenses hot water
- Adjustable height double drip tray
Cons:
- It might be a bit trickier to use at first
- It may have a relatively shorter lifespan
Philips HD7865/60 Senseo Quadrante (Best Large)
This coffee machine brews delicious cups of coffee at rapid speeds. It also has a large 1.2-litre water tank capacity making it an excellent choice for homes with multiple coffee drinkers.
The Philips HD7865/60 Senseo Quadrante uses prepackaged coffee pads to bring you perfectly brewed cups of coffee with a bit of crema on top. It can make a single cup of coffee in just 30 seconds, which is relatively quick compared to other top options.
Another way this coffee maker can produce such delicious blends is its Coffee Boost Technology. This feature brings you a richer, fuller flavour, even with lighter roasts. While coffee pads have a minimal cleanup, this machine also has a removable and adjustable drip tray to simplify the process even more.
Pros:
- Extra-large 1.2-litre water tank capacity
- Coffee Boost Technology extracts richer flavour
- Brews 1 cup in 30 seconds
- Easy to clean
- It brews coffee pads with a bit of crema on top
Cons:
- The water temperature could be a bit lower
- It might drip for a bit after brewing
KRUPS Quattro Force Digital EA817040 (Most Versatile)
The versatility of this coffee maker helps you achieve the ideal brew without overcomplicating the process. It also works quickly and has everything you need to get the job done, even a quality grinder.
The KRUPS Quattro Force Digital EA817040 coffee machine makes various one-touch drinks, including single or double espressos and long coffees. It also makes manual drinks with help from the frothing wand. For the freshest coffee, you can use the inbuilt grinder. It has a sizeable 260-gramme capacity, three coarseness levels, and works impressively fast.
This coffee machine features an easy-to-use digital control panel. Whether you want to adjust the temperature settings, the coffee volume or coffee strength, this machine makes it easy. As a bonus, it also has an Autoclean pressure system and an extra-large 1.7-litre water tank.
Pros:
- Fast integrated grinder
- Versatile one-touch brewing options plus a frothing wand
- Extra-large 1.7-litre water tank
- Three temperature settings
- Easy to use digital control panel
Cons:
- The frothing wand might take longer to heat up
- The nozzle on the wand may be less secure
KRUPS NESPRESSO Essenza Mini (Best Compact)
A compact design makes this coffee machine an excellent choice for small spaces, while its minimal weight makes it easily portable. It has a slim upright style and brews espresso capsules, so it is straightforward to use and clean.
The KRUPS NESPRESSO Essenza Mini coffee machine heats up in 25 seconds, comparatively fast. It features Thermoblock technology to help ensure you get the perfect water temperature for brewing, even at rapid speeds.
After inserting an espresso capsule, all you have to do is select your preferred brewing method and wait. It has two easy-to-use settings, allowing you to make either espresso or lungo. Once brewed, you can detach the drip tray for cleaning purposes.
Pros:
- Energy-efficient design
- Slim and ultra-compact
- Thermoblock technology regulates temperature
- Rapid heating in 25 seconds
- Easy to use and clean
Cons:
- It may not be the most versatile option
- It might have a smaller water tank capacity
Buyer’s Guide to Coffee Machines
If you have any lingering questions about our selection method or which coffee machine is suitable for you, the following sections are for you. To determine our top seven picks, we looked at the brewing method or methods facilitated by a coffee machine, the additional features, size, and ease of use and cleaning. Decide which traits you want to prioritise, and then you can choose your new coffee machine accordingly.
Brewing Method
To select a coffee machine, you must first consider the brewing method you prefer. Would you enjoy a device that uses coffee capsules, pods, or pads? Or, would you get more satisfaction from a coffee machine that brews espresso and has a steam wand?
One of the most significant variables with coffee machines is the type of brewing method they enable. Starting with this essential design feature will help point you in the right direction and significantly narrow down your choices.
Additional Features
Other than the brewing method, coffee machines can include various additional features in their designs. While these different traits could be just about anything, some of the most common include a steam wand, dispensing hot water, an adjustable water temperature, the ability to brew hot and cold drinks, and a built-in grinder.
If you love a super fresh cup of coffee, choose a machine with a grinder. If you prefer long coffee or hot tea, choose a device with a hot water dispenser.
Size
The size of a coffee machine can also factor into your decision. A smaller device could be more than enough if you live alone. If you have limited countertop space, a slim and compact option may better suit your needs. If you have multiple coffee drinkers in your home, you will probably want to choose a larger coffee machine. Otherwise, you will find yourself refilling the water tank frequently.
Fortunately, coffee makers come in all shapes and sizes, so finding one that is the right size should not be an issue. You may just want to keep it in mind.
Ease of Cleaning and Use
We also believe a coffee machine should be easy to use and clean. The last thing you want is to struggle with a complicated apparatus for your caffeine first thing in the morning.
Some coffee machines have at least one automatic brew cycle, while others have several. Other features that can make a coffee machine easier to use include quiet functioning, faster brewing speeds, an eco mode for automatic shutoff, and digital controls.
Many coffee machines also feature self-cleaning cycles or come with cleaning tools. However, if you choose a pod coffee machine, there won’t be much to clean up regardless.
Summary
Our #1 Editor’s Choice for the best coffee machine is the De’Longhi Magnifica ESAM4200.S. It is easy to clean and use from start to finish. An integrated burr grinder with seven settings is built into the top so you can use the freshest coffee possible. It automatically brews single or double espresso shots plus a lot more with its manual frothing wand. This coffee machine also has four temperature settings and the option to dispense hot water. All in all, it has a variety of desirable features and facilitates versatility so you can bring coffee shop quality drinks into your home.
Emily is a woman of many talents. She has a B.A. in English and enjoys writing. Emily loves accessorising her home with quality products that not only serve a purpose but also enhance the overall convenience and tranquillity of her living space; there’s nothing like coming home to your own personal sanctuary after a long day! She loves anything that can make life easier or more comfortable—from dishware to furniture to lighting fixtures.