Which Coffee Machine is Best For Your Kitchen?
A high-quality machine can change the way your family and you begin your day. Which is the best for your kitchen?
For a vibrant, strong coffee, consider the GE Cafe Speciality Grind and Brew. Its striking design makes it a stunning centerpiece for your kitchen bar, and those who love smart appliances will appreciate the ability to control this coffee maker using an app.
1. Cuisinart 12-Cup Pod Coffee Maker
This Cuisinart model, though it does not have the ability to make espresso or latte art like our top two options, is an excellent option for those looking to brew pods or filter coffee without costing a fortune. It's easy to use and affordable, and comes with various settings such as an auto-brew timer and a "strong" setting that creates an extremely robust cup. It has a removable reservoir and reusable filter which makes it easy for you to clean.
The polished stainless finish is timeless, and is a great addition to any kitchen. The control knob is a bit difficult to use, and it takes some time to be used to. Adjusting the timer was more like playing a carnival game, rather than using an appliance. The capacity is large and the programable functions will be appealing to those with larger households and those who drink less often can benefit from the ability to make only one cup at a given time.
It performed as well as any of our top choices in terms of brewing. The brewing process was quick and the machine had a thermal carafe which kept our coffee warm for over an hour. We did notice that it seemed to extract more grounds than other machines, but we don't consider this to be a dealbreaker.
We like the design of this espresso maker that is a bit more expensive, which is available in a variety of vibrant colors that would definitely make an impact on a kitchen counter. It's much more sophisticated than the lesser Diletta Mio and is perfect for those looking to make espresso for fun or for those for whom coffee brewing is a crucial part of their daily routine. It has a digital temperature control that regulates the temperature of the water to a specific degree and a solid steam wand that connects to its own heating system for simultaneous steaming and making coffee.
This model is a little bit more expensive than its competitors, but for those who are committed to their coffee and are willing to spend some time learning the finer aspects of making espresso, it's well worth the cost. In our tests, it produced espresso shots that were rich and balanced with nuanced flavor and no bitterness or ashiness.
2. Breville Bambino Plus
When you're making espresso, there is no more foolproof machine than the Breville Bambino Plus (also known as Sage by some customers). This model looks entry-level but packs a lot of features into small dimensions. It is easy for newbies to experiment with the temperature settings that come with it, which yield an effortless extraction right out of box. Additionally, it offers clear instructions on what grinder sizes work with its two wall-mounted filter baskets. It also lets users modify the duration that the pre-infusion feature dampens coffee grounds prior to increasing pressure, which helps ensure consistency in flow and balance flavor.
This model is also one of the most intuitive to use due to its easy interface and a few buttons. It doesn't include an integrated grinder, so you'll need to purchase an espresso grinder separately. This, fortunately, isn't as costly as other models on this list.
The Bambino Plus's other strengths include its ability to automatically flush its steam wand after it's finished frothing milk and its three different milk texture settings. It also has a leveler made of steel and tamper that make it easier to achieve the perfect shot every time. The machine has automatic reminders to clean and descaling.
The Breville Bambino Plus is a excellent choice for those looking to make premium coffee at home. However, it's best for serious amateurs and baristas in the making. Its low-pressure pre-infusion function ensures a balanced flavor, and its 15-bar Italian pump ensures a full creamy body. It's also extremely versatile with a variable pressure setting and the option to switch between single- and double-shot amounts at the push of a button. Its compact size makes it ideal for kitchens with limited space. The machine is available in various colors however the sleek black finish is our preferred.
3. Moccamaster Technivorm Cup-One
The Moccamaster Technivorm Cup-One uses the gold-standard pour-over method to brew coffee. It's a more eco sustainable choice than a 10-cup brewer since it uses less power and produces less grounds. If you're a committed barista at home this is an excellent machine to purchase. It's also fun to watch the brewing process unfold. The copper boiling element heats water rapidly and maintains temperatures within the range of 196-205degF (91-96degC) for optimal extraction. The cone-shaped brew basket also ensures that every bit of ground is saturated for full flavor and aroma. The time it takes to brew one cup of coffee is only four minutes. This may not seem fast compared to other single cup brewers, however, it's still quite quick by drip machine standards.
As with other Technivorm machines like the Cup-One is handmade in the Netherlands and backed by a five-year warranty. It's more expensive than many automatic brewers but offers assurance that you'll receive a dependable and reliable brewing device that will continue to produce excellent coffee for a long time.
This is among the most stunning brewing machines available, particularly when you opt for one made of stainless steel. The brushed-finish is stunning and is a perfect match for any kitchen design. It is easy to clean and maintain. After each use, just dispose of the used filters and coffee grounds, and rinse the brew pot. This brewer does not make cold brew, or espresso. This is why it's not our top choice.
It's easy to use and looks stunning similar to the Rancilio. The only downside to this model is the water tank's large ridges that can be difficult to read early in the morning. Additionally, there are no marking measurements for cups or ounces and it is a little tricky to determine how much water to add and how much to put into the basket. The brew quality is well worth the slight inconveniences.
4. Delonghi Eletta Explore
The Delonghi Eletta Explore is an ultra-automatic coffee maker that comes with plenty of extras. coffee machines best includes an insulated travel cup, two milk jugs for hot and cold drinks, an ice cube trays for iced drinks and two milk jugs. It also has a large variety of iced and hot coffee recipes (more than 40 total). The machine comes with WiFI connection and can be controlled via the Coffee Link app. The most interesting feature is 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 according to what it learns from your preferences and preferences.
Eletta's intelligent interface allows you to save and choose your preferred drink sizes as well as create user profiles. It also comes with a built-in grinder that can create different kinds of coffee. It's the most expensive machine in our guide, but it's a great investment for those looking to make a variety of drinks including iced ones from a single device.
The display is intuitive and user-friendly however it takes some time to get used to the many steps required to make an espresso or other coffees. We recommend this machine only if your intention is to make lots of espressos and you are willing to put in the effort to make it work.
The only negatives we found with this machine was that it took a bit longer to heat up than some other models and that the water tank isn't marked for cups or ounces. These are minor issues and the coffee that was produced by this machine was good, with great flavour and texture, especially in the espresso. It's also extremely quiet, even when running the grinder and making coffee. It's the quietest super-automatic machine we've tested. People who live in apartments will appreciate this machine. You can also dispense your coffee straight into a cup for take-away with the machine's to-go function which is helpful on those mornings when you are rushed.