A high-quality coffee machine can transform the way your family starts the day. But which is best for your kitchen?
For a vibrant, strong beverage, you can consider the GE Cafe Speciality Grind and Brew. Its striking design makes it a beautiful centerpiece for your kitchen bar, and those who are smart will appreciate the capability to control the coffee maker via an app.
1. Cuisinart 12-Cup Pod coffee maker
While it's not equipped to make espresso (or latte art) as our top two picks, this Cuisinart model is still an excellent option for those wanting to make filter coffee or pods without breaking the bank. It is easy to use, affordable and has a variety of settings that are easy to use, such as the ability to brew at a specific time, and an "strong" setting for an extremely robust cup. It has a removable reservoir and reusable filter making it simple to clean.
The polished stainless steel finish is timeless and it looks great in most kitchens. The control knob is a bit awkward, and takes some time to become comfortable with. The timer adjustment was more like playing a game, rather than making use of an appliance. Families with a larger household will appreciate the large capacity and the programmable features, and those who prefer to drink smaller quantities can enjoy the ability to make just one cup at a time.
In terms of the quality of the brewing the machine performed just as well as our top selections. The brewing cycle was fast and the machine was equipped with an insulated thermal carafe that kept our coffee warm for about an hour. It did seem to draw more ground than other models, however we don't think this is a major issue.
This espresso maker is a fantastic option for the average person. It comes in an array of colors that will be noticeable on any counter. It's much more sophisticated than the lesser Diletta Mio and is perfect for those who wish to make espresso as a hobby or for whom coffee brewing is an important part of their daily routine. It features a digital PID to control the amount it is, the temperature of the water as well as a solid steam wand connected to its own heating circuit for fast-paced steaming and brewing.
The only downside to this model is that it's more expensive than its competitors however, it's well worth the extra cost for those who are serious about their coffee and are willing to invest some time into learning the art of espresso making. In our tests, it made espresso shots that were rich and balanced, with subtle flavors and no bitterness or ashiness.
2. Breville Bambino Plus
The Breville Bambino Plus is the most reliable machine for making espresso. This model looks entry-level but packs a wealth of features into small dimensions. It makes it simple for newbies to experiment using the default temperature settings that yield a smooth extraction process straight out of the box. It also comes with clear instructions on which grinder sizes are best suited to its dual-wall filter baskets. It lets users adjust how long the pre-infusion feature is able to dampen the coffee grounds before increasing the pressure. This helps to ensure an even flow and balance of flavor.
This model is among the easiest to use due to its easy-to-use interface. It doesn't come with a built-in grinder, so you'll need an espresso grinder separately. This is, fortunately, not as costly as other models on this list.
The Bambino Plus's other strengths include its ability to automatically flush its steam wand when it has finished frothing milk, and its three different milk texture settings. It comes with a leveler made of metal and tamper, making it easier to achieve the perfect shot every time. The machine has automatic reminders to clean and descaling.
While the Breville Bambino Plus is an excellent choice for anyone who wants to make high-quality espresso at home, it's best for aspiring professional baristas and serious amateurs. Its low pressure pre-infusion ensures a balanced taste, while its 15 bar Italian pump ensures full, creamy body. It is also extremely versatile with a pressure setting that can be adjusted, as well as the possibility of switching between a single-shot or double-shot quantity at the touch of the button. Its compact design makes it suitable for kitchens with small spaces and makes it the ideal coffee maker for cramped 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 gold-standard pour-over method used to brew coffee. It's a greener more sustainable option than a 10-cup brewer as it uses less electricity and produces less grounds. If you're a dedicated home barista it's a great machine to invest in. It's also a pleasure to watch the brewing process unfold. best ground coffee machines heating element in copper is quick to heat the water, and keeps temperatures between 91 and 96 degrees Celsius (196-205degF) to ensure the best extraction. The cone-shaped brew basket also ensures that each and every ounce of ground is saturated for full flavor and aroma. The time to brew one cup of coffee is just four minutes. This might not sound fast compared to other single cup brewers but it's still fairly fast by drip machine standards.
The Cup-One, like 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 it gives you peace of mind knowing that it will be a reliable and dependable machine to brew for a long period of time.
This is among the most beautiful brewing machines on the market, especially if you choose a stainless steel model. The brushed-finish is stunning and is a perfect match for any kitchen design. It is easy to clean and maintain. After each use, simply dispose of the used filters and coffee grounds, and wash the brew pot. This brewer does not make cold brew or espresso. This is why it's not our top choice.
Similar to the Rancilio Silvia it's a beautiful machine that looks stunning on display and is simple to operate. The only downside to this model is that the water tank has prominent ridges that can be difficult to read in morning light. Furthermore there are no markings measurements for cups or ounces which makes it a little tricky to determine the amount of water you need and how much to put in the basket. That said, the brew quality is well worth any minor issues.
4. Delonghi Eletta Explore
The Delonghi Eletta Explore is an ultra-automatic coffee maker that comes with plenty of extras. It comes with two milk jugs (one for hot and one for cold), travel mugs and an ice cube tray to serve drinks with ice. It also comes with a huge assortment of iced and hot coffee recipes (more than 40 recipes in total). The machine comes with Wi-Fi and can be controlled by the Coffee Link app. Bean Adapt is its most impressive feature. It allows you to test new espresso beans by using the app. It then adjusts the espresso settings based on what it learns about your preferences and tastes.
The Eletta has a smart interface that allows you to select and save your preferred size of drink and also create user profiles. It also comes with a built-in grinder that can make various types of ground coffee. It's the highest priced machine in our list, but it's a great investment for anyone looking to make various drinks, including iced ones from just one device.
The display is easy to use and simple to use however, it takes a little while to get familiar with the many steps required to make an espresso or other coffees. We recommend this machine only if the goal is to make a large number of espressos and are willing to put in some effort to make it work.
The only negatives with this machine is that it takes longer than other models to heat up and that the water tank doesn't have the markings for cups or ounces. The coffee that was brewed by the machine was great and had a great flavor and texture. It's also quiet, even while running the grinder and making coffee. This is the most quiet super-automatic machine that we've ever tested. It's a great benefit for those who live in apartments. The to-go function lets the dispensing of coffee directly into a cup, which is useful for those who are in a hurry.
