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What Type Of Coffee Machine Should I Buy?

Published by: Chef Matty Riedel • Updated: October 25, 2023

There’s nothing more fun than being able to brew your favourite cup of coffee in the comfort of your home. Even better, the kitchen tech has improved so much, giving you various options when choosing your desired designs and styles for your coffee machine. But what coffee machine should I buy?

Whether you like to brew your coffee the old-fashioned way or want to find a cup of coffee ready when you wake up, you’ll find a machine that will get you just that. While it may cost you initially, making your coffee at home is very convenient and will save you tons of money in the long run.  

But what type of coffee machine should you buy? Choosing the right coffee machine isn’t a walk in the park. There are many factors to consider – budget, convenience, technology, brand, size, versatility, and more. Luckily, we’ve done the hard part for you.  

Below, we’ve discussed 5 types of coffee machines worth considering. We’ve also pinpointed their pros and cons so you will know exactly what you’re getting into before you buy.  

What Are The 5 Types Of Coffee Machines ?

While all the machines we’ve discussed below are quality, there’s no guarantee that all of them will work for you. The only way to ensure you don’t go wrong is to pick a machine that suits your habits, style, and budget.  

Let’s get started and find out which machine is right for you!  

1. Expresso/Cappuccino Coffee Machine  

If you want to bring the real barista experience to your home, Expresso coffee machines can get you that. It’s no wonder these machines are very common in many households in the UK.  

These coffee makers are quality and versatile. Most espresso machines feature a milk frother in case you’d like your coffee with milk. They allow you to use ground coffee and granules to make whatever type of coffee you want.  

Whether you’d like the taste of a coffee macchiato, crema coffee, a smooth latte on the weekends, an afternoon cortado, or a Cappuccino in the mornings, expresso coffee machines will give you just that.  

How It Works 

Even though Expresso coffee machines have complex mechanics inside, it’s easy to understand how they work. You need to fill water into a holding reservoir from which it is pumped into the machine.  The pressurized water gets into the boiler, and it’s heated to convert coffee into a perfect espresso. Temperature stability is paramount inside the boiler; thus, thermostats or Digital temperature controls are used.  

what coffee machine should I buy

When making cappuccinos or lattes, milk is textured with steam. The steam wand heats water to produce steam, although slightly below the boiling point. A single boiler, heat exchanger, or dual boiler achieves the above condition.  

The water then moves into the group head (portafilter & portafilter’s path), where it is dispersed on the ground coffee in the group head. The quality of espresso depends on the type of group head in use. There are different kinds of group heads, namely, E62 group head, saturated group head, and semi-saturated group head.  

PROS

  • Make a variety of coffee flavours
  • Budget-friendly
  • Use a variety of coffee beans
  • Exceptional coffee quality

CONS

  • Require regular cleaning
  • Not the most convenient
  • Requires initial operation skills


2. Filter Coffee Machines  

They are also known as drip coffee machines. These machines took the coffee brewing industry by storm in the late 1970s. A filter coffee machine costs less than other coffee-making machines, such as Expresso. This machine is a one-cycle coffee machine. It’s simple to use and thus quick to prepare a cup of coffee. It is, therefore, very popular in many kitchens.  

Some of the filter coffee machines we have reviewed are:
> SMEG
> De’Longhi
> Morphy Richards

This machine only dispenses black or American coffee. For this reason, users must add sugar or milk separately if needed. Even though it is affordable and straightforward, it’s not ideal for a set-up with many people because it’ll cause delays and congestion.  

How It Works 

A filter coffee machine is straightforward to operate for anyone. First, insert the grounds and a paper filter on the default compartments. Secondly, you fill the reservoir with water and turn on the machine.  

The machine heats the water until it boils. The steam rises through a tube system and disseminates to the drip area. The water flows uniformly through the grounds and the filter. It emerges on the coffee pot or cup.  

PROS

  • Straightforward operation 
  • Convenient for family use  
  • Budget-friendly  
  • It uses a variety of ground coffee beans

CONS

  • It can only make black coffee 
  • It takes time to clean  
  • It’s slower   

3. Bean-To-Cup Coffee Machines 

These coffee machines are designed for efficiency. They are, therefore, ideal for offices because they push productivity to the next level. Bean-to-cup coffee machines are very fast and easy to use. You have your cup of coffee with a single push of a button. No expertise or skill is needed to operate it. 

They can make a large volume of coffee within a short period. It helps save time since employees do not have to queue/manually brew their coffee or visit coffee shops.  Additionally, these machines make a wide variety of coffee drinks, such as cappuccino, latte, espresso classic, black coffee, and many more. 

How It Works 

Bean-to-cup coffee machines automate the process of making coffee, thanks to technology. They combine the grinder, coffee machine, and barista in one piece of equipment. When required, it grinds the beans, rams the grounds, extracts the coffee, steams the milk (in case), and pours the fresh drink.  

PROS

  • Straightforward preparation
  • Great value for money  
  • Convenient and long-lasting  
  • Excellent coffee quality

CONS

  • Slightly more expensive 
  • Somehow bulky  

4. Pod/Capsule Machine  

A pod machine is a single-serve coffee machine that uses coffee pods or capsules to blend a cup of coffee. The pod/capsule contains ground coffee. It’s a slot inside the coffee machine that automatically dispenses a cup of espresso.  

Although this machine is highly convenient and fast, each coffee cup is expensive compared to others. This capsule machine is, however, gaining popularity in the UK as time progresses. Equipped with this machine, you are assured of quick coffee fixes at home/office.  

How It Works 

The pod coffee machine is easy to use and makes coffee in just a few seconds. You start by pouring water into the tank on the back. Once the tank is filled, the water is pumped into the machine and heated as it flows upwards. When at the top, the heated water is pumped through a narrow needle-like hole (to increase pressure). The hot water flows through the ground coffee in the pod at high pressure.

The coffee drips through a filter paper into your cup. The filter paper prevents the ground beans from dropping into the brewed coffee.   

PROS

  • Hassle-free preparation process  
  • Low maintenance  
  • Small and compact  
  • Fast and excellent coffee quality

CONS

  • A bit pricey  
  • Limited pod availability 

5. Percolators 

They are probably the oldest coffee machine on the list. The percolator dates back to 1865, when an American scientist, James Mason, patented it. Unlike many coffee machines, percolators are multiple-cycle machines, i.e., water passes through the grounds numerous times.   

Due to the multiple cycles, you get very strong, bitter coffee. The bold coffee is also subject to constant boiling and the machine’s running time. Users must watch closely as their coffee brews to ensure the temperatures and brew time are okay.  

what coffee machine should I buy

The versatility of percolators is their strongest selling point. You can choose a self-heating or a non-self-heating machine. Although the former is essential at home, the latter is a powerful utility, too. It can be used at home on an oven/microwave or outdoors on a fireplace.  

How It Works 

It is easy to use a percolator to brew coffee. Put the coffee beans in the holding basket, then add water to the pot. The percolator uses the natural bubbles at the bottom of the pot. These bubbles appear when water is boiled. 

A stem tube concentrates the bubbles together, which forces the water up the pipe. The tube pours the water over the spreader cover (placed on top of the coffee basket), spreading the water uniformly over the ground coffee. The spreader cover also prevents water from splashing into the boiling pot.  

As the water percolates into the boiling water on the bottom side, it splashes up through the bottom of the coffee basket, which gives it a secondary touch. Water goes through this cycle repeatedly, thus making the coffee stronger after every cycle. 

PROS

  • Sturdy and durable  
  • Make huge amounts of coffee
  • Strong coffee quality 

CONS

  • Can be costly  
  • Only makes 1 type of coffee  

What Coffee Machine Should I Buy? Conclusion  

Whether you’re a serious coffee connoisseur or just looking for a convenient way to brew coffee at home, these machines will do the trick. I hope the above description of the best type of coffee machine will help you identify the right one based on your specific needs and preferences. Good luck!  

Chef and Restaurant Owner Matty Riedel
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