15 Gifts For The Coffee Machine Lover In Your Life

How to Choose the best small coffee machine Home Coffee Machine

The best espresso machine for home use will complement your kitchen and match your preferences for brewing. The most important factors include size, capacity design, and price.

This espresso maker for prosumers awed us with its speed, accuracy and ease of use. The Sage Bambino heats quickly and efficiently. It steams milk powerfully and produces excellent extractions at 19 bars.

Pod (or Capsule) Machines

If you are looking for speed and ease of making coffee using pre-ground pods, a pod maker is a great option. These machines eliminate the mess of making coffee by removing the need for portafilters as well as complicated burr grinders that must be cleaned regularly to remove coffee oils. These machines require less maintenance. Regular cleaning and descaling reservoirs of water is a good idea.

These types of brewers have limitations, however. They typically only work with certain types of coffee pod, usually in the K-Cup, Nespresso capsule or ESE (easy-serve espresso) formats. This isn't a problem if you stick to one particular brand of coffee but can be an issue if you are looking to try a range.

The pod machines are also less durable and have smaller tanks of water. They can also take longer to brew. This may not be a problem if you are trying to get ready in the morning, but it could be a problem when you are planning a long, tiring day at work.

Consider the dimensions of your bar prior to buying a pod machine. Some are slimmer and can fit between other appliances. Consider how much you are willing to spend and the kind of drinks you'd like to make. Our former ecommerce editor Louise stays caffeinated on a tight budget by using the Nespresso Vertuo Next, which allows her to serve short or long espresso shots and includes an easy milk frother to make lattes.

This sleek, elegant pod-machine is both high-spec and low maintenance. It's not expensive, but it's a elegant appliance for your kitchen and its slick stainless steel design is sure to stand out on your worktop. It can make five different drinks with the push of a button. Each capsule is equipped with a barcode on its underside that is used by the machine to determine the beverage to be served. It's a great choice for sustainability enthusiasts, as the capsules break down and decompose very quickly. The reusable mug makes it a viable option.

Manual Espresso Machines

For those who enjoy the art of making espresso, manual machines can provide an enjoyable hands-on experience. They take longer to prepare than automatic espresso machines, but if you have the patience and skills to master them, they can make high-quality drinks tailored to your tastes. They are also typically more durable than other kinds of coffee brewers, and have designs that can withstand heavy use.

Manual espresso machines however, aren't as easy-to-use as automatic espresso machines and frequently do not have precise temperature controls. It isn't easy to make consistently high-quality espresso shots. The best bean to cup espresso machine manual espresso machines come with a steep learning curve, and they can be expensive to purchase and maintain.

If you're an avid coffee drinker who would like to learn more about manual Espresso, you should try an espresso machine that has been designed to be a user-friendly. Some models have a built-in milk steamer as well as grinder, making them easier to use for new coffee drinkers. Some models have an open reservoir that makes it easier to refill and clean. Some are programmed and allow you to set the start time of the brew cycle prior to when you get up.

Some manual espresso machines are large and would be a good option for larger households or coffee carts. Some are smaller and require less counter space. When choosing the size of your machine you should also think about how many people are going to be using it at the same time. If you have multiple roommates or family members who enjoy brewing espresso, think about getting a larger model with a bigger boiler.

Some of the most affordable manual espresso machines include an adjustable milk frother, which can automatically heat and frother milk to your preferred consistency. This kind of machine is suitable well with cappuccinos, lattes and is also suitable for those with sensitive teeth. It's important to note that this kind of machine might not be suitable for those who prefer a bigger cup of espresso, as it makes less foam than other kinds of espresso makers.

Automatic Espresso Machines

This category comprises fully automated espresso machines, which manage the entire process of brewing from grinding to extracting. They are simple to use and require little maintenance, aside from cleaning and descaling. These are perfect for those who don't want to get their hands dirty or have limited counter space to accommodate a full size espresso and coffee machine.

These models tend to have Wi-Fi connectivity, which means you can control the best bean to cup coffee machines machine via your smartphone. But all that automation and programmability comes with cost: Expect to spend more money on these devices than semi-automatic or manual alternatives.

The Eveversys Cameo is one of our favorites automatic espresso makers. It's a sleek, aesthetically appealing machine that occupies only a small amount of space on your counter, plus it scores 5/5 in our user-friendliness ratings, which is second only to the Miele. It's a high-output unit with three different grinding hoppers and hoppers. You can select which one you want to use by using the touchscreen display. In addition to being easy to use, it's self-monitoring and self-calibrating, meaning you can forget about tinkering with a knob or pressing buttons.

Another option is the Cuisinart Spinn. This little pill-shaped machine uses centrifugal force for espresso, which is different from the traditional method of forcing water down through the grounds. It can produce several drinks, such as cappuccino and latte, with a little practice. The machine was tested at the Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab of the Good Housekeeping Institute, and scored a perfect 5 in our test for ease-of-use. It's also small according to espresso maker standards, which means it won't take up much room on your counter.

It's worth trying several different kinds of espresso machines to find the one that fits your personal style, available space, and budget. Also, take into consideration aesthetics. You'll want to choose something that blends in with your home decor, and even your coffee machine. Make sure you check the size of your counter to ensure your machine will be able to fit.

Pour-Over Machines

If you're looking to brew your coffee in complete control using a pour-over machine, it's a good option. Manual pour-over machines, such as the Chemex Funnex or the Hario V60, allow you to adjust a variety of variables (coffee grounds to ratio of water, filter type and the brewing time) to make a customized brew. They are more likely to create more vivid aromas and flavors than drip machines.

The best pour-over brewers make it easy to achieve high-quality results. They come with a thermometer that measures water temperature to the nearest degree, and an indicator of pressure that informs you when the amount you want of water that has been brewed is poured. They also have a large enough portafilter that can hold a regular coffee mug, and they provide enough space between the portafilter and the drip tray to allow you to pour directly into your coffee mug.

They also come with a reusable charcoal filter to eliminate impurities from the water. This is essential because coffee makers with a poor-quality filter can leave a bitter taste on your cup. Additionally, the best pour-over brewers are made of materials that are safe to use in the dishwasher and don't leak or hold onto coffee odors.

A good pour-over brewer will be easy to clean and should be a joy to use. We found that most models we tested were easy to hold in one hand, and were the perfect size and shape for an kitchen counter. Some of the simplest, such as the Zojirushi Zutto, even has a small footprint, making it ideal for smaller spaces. Others, like the Melitta Cafe filter have a removable handle that makes it easier to lift and replace the filter.

We also like the Philips 3200 Series, which has a built-in burr grinder as well as a simple display. It can brew espressos, Americanos, and black coffee with a push of a button. It also has an attached steam wand to make lattes and cappuccinos. The model also comes with an array of settings that can be adjusted that include different sizes of beverages and strength and can begin the brewing process up to 24 hours ahead of time.