Which Coffee Machine is Best For Your Kitchen?
A top-quality coffee maker can change the way your family begins the day. But which is best for your kitchen?
If you want a bold, bright beverage, you can consider the GE Cafe Speciality Grind and Brew. Its striking design makes it an attractive centerpiece for your kitchen bar and those who are smart will appreciate the ability to control the coffee maker with an app.
1. Cuisinart 12-Cup Pod coffee maker
This Cuisinart model, though it doesn’t have the capability of making espresso or latte art as our top two choices, is still an excellent option for those looking to brew pods or filter coffee without breaking the bank. It is easy to use, cheap and has a variety of settings that are easy to use, such as a timed automatic brew and an «strong» setting to make a robust cup. It also has a water reservoir that is removable and a reuseable filter, making it simple to clean.
The polished stainless steel finish is timeless and is a great choice for kitchens of all kinds. The control knob is clunky, and it takes some time to be used to. The timer adjustment was more like playing a carnival game than using an appliance. People with larger households will appreciate the huge capacity and the programmable features, people who drink less frequently will appreciate the capability to make one cup at one time.
It was as good as any of our top choices in terms of the brewing process. The brewing process was quick and the machine came with a thermal carafe that kept our coffee warm for about an hour. It did seem to extract more ground than other models, but we don’t consider this a major issue.
We love the design of this prosumer-level espresso maker, which is available in a variety of striking colors that will certainly be noticed on a counter in the kitchen. It’s more sophisticated than the cheaper Diletta Mio and is perfect for those looking to make espresso for a hobby or for those for whom coffee-brewing is an integral part of their daily routine. It has a digital temperature control to regulate the water to a certain degree and a sturdy steam wand that is connected to its own heating system to allow simultaneous steaming and making coffee.
This model is a higher in price than its counterparts however, for those who are dedicated to their coffee and willing to spend some time learning the finer points of espresso making, it’s well worth the cost. In our tests, it produced espresso shots that were smooth and balanced with nuanced flavor, no ashyness or bitterness.
2. Breville Bambino Plus
When it comes to making espresso, there’s no more reliable machine than the Breville Bambino Plus (also known as Sage by some customers). This model looks entry-level but packs a wealth of features in small dimensions. It allows novices to try out, with default temperature settings that provide an effortless extraction right out of the box and clear instructions on what grinder sizes work best affordable coffee machine with its dual-wall filter baskets. It allows users to customize the amount of time that the pre-infusion feature is able to dampen the coffee grounds prior to increasing the pressure. This allows for a consistent flow and balance of flavor.
This model is also among the most user-friendly, thanks to its simple interface and a few basic buttons. It doesn’t include an integrated grinder, which means you’ll need an espresso grinder separately. This is, fortunately, not as expensive as some other models on this list.
The Bambino Plus’s other strengths include its ability to automatically flush its steam wand once it’s done frothing milk. It also has its three different milk texture settings. It has a metal leveler and tamper, making it easier to achieve the perfect shot every time. The machine is equipped with automatic reminders to clean and descaling.
The Breville Bambino Plus is a great choice for anyone looking to make top-quality coffee at home. It is ideal for serious amateurs and baristas in the making. Its low-pressure pre-infusion function guarantees a balanced taste while its 15-bar Italian pump guarantees a rich, creamy body. It’s also very versatile, with a water pressure setting that can be adjusted as well as the ability to switch between a double-shot or single-shot volume with the click of the button. Its compact size makes it ideal for kitchens with limited space. The machine comes in several colors, but we prefer the sleek black finish.
3. Moccamaster Technivorm Cup-One
The Moccamaster Technivorm Cup-One uses the standard pour-over method for brewing coffee. It’s a greener option than the standard 10-cup brewer because it requires less energy to operate and produces a lot less coffee grounds. If you’re a dedicated home barista this is an excellent machine to invest in. It’s also a pleasure to watch the brewing unfold. The heating element in copper is quick to heat the water, and it maintains temperatures of 91-96degC (196-205degF) for optimal extraction. The cone-shaped brew container ensures that each and every ounce of ground is saturated for full flavor and aroma. The brew time for one cup of coffee is four minutes. It may not be as fast as other single cup brewers but it’s still fairly fast by drip machine standards.
The Cup-One as with other Technivorm machines, is manufactured in the Netherlands. It is also covered by a 5-year warranty. It’s more expensive than other automatic brewers but offers security of knowing that you’ll receive an dependable and reliable brewing device that will keep producing great coffee for a long time.
This is among the most stunning brewing equipments available. Particularly if you opt for the stainless steel version. The brushed finish is gorgeous and is a perfect match for any kitchen design. It is easy to clean and use. After each use, just dispose of the used filters and coffee grounds and rinse the brew kettle. It’s important to know that this brewer doesn’t do espresso or cold brew though, which is why we don’t list it as our top pick.
It’s easy to use and beautiful, just like the Rancilio. The only drawback to this model is that the tank’s water reservoir has prominent ridges that can be difficult to read in morning light. There aren’t any markings to measure cups or ounces, so it’s a bit difficult to determine what amount of water to use and how much to place in the basket. The brew is definitely worth the small inconveniences.
4. Delonghi Eletta Explore
The Delonghi Eletta Explore coffee maker is a super automatic machine with many extras. It includes two milk jugs (one for hot, the other for cold) and the travel mug, and an ice cube tray to serve iced drinks. It also comes with a huge variety of iced and hot coffee recipes (more than 40 recipes in total). The machine also has built-in Wi-Fi and can be controlled using the Coffee Link app. It’s most impressive feature is called Bean Adapt, which allows you to test new espresso beans by using the app to tell the machine the kind, colour and roast of the beans. It can adjust the espresso settings in accordance with what it learns from your preferences and tastes.
The Eletta comes with a sophisticated interface that lets you choose and save your preferred sizes of drinks and create user profiles. It also has an integrated grinder that can produce different kinds of ground coffee. It’s among the most expensive machines we’ve reviewed in our list but it can be a great investment for anyone who wants to brew a range of drinks, including iced ones using a single device.
The interface is simple and user-friendly however, it takes a while to get used to the numerous steps required to make an espresso or other coffees. We recommend this machine only if your intention is to make lots of espressos and are willing to put in the effort to use it correctly.
The only drawbacks with this machine are that it takes longer than other models to heat up and the water tank isn’t equipped with the markings for cups or ounces. The coffee produced by the machine was great, with a great flavour and texture. It’s also quiet when the grinder is in operation and brewing coffee. In fact, this is the quietest machine we’ve ever tested. People who live in apartments will appreciate this machine. You can also dispense your coffee straight into a to-go cup using the machine’s to-go function, which can be useful on rushed mornings.