Coffee machine buying guide

A pod machine provides a quick and easy way to make coffee, simply pop in your pod, choose your settings, and the machine does all the hard work for you. The range of pods available makes them ideal for those who love variety.

Capsules cost anywhere from 24 – 46p dependent on the machine.

Dolce Gusto make over 30 drinks, Tassimo make over 35 drinks, and Nespresso make 24 drinks.

Most Dolce Gusto and Tassimo pods require a separate milk pod. Dolce Gusto use powdered milk, Tassimo use UHT milk, and Nespresso use fresh milk if the machine has a milk container.

Espresso machines give you more control over your coffee and that beautiful fresh taste. Many espresso machines come with a steam wand to create frothy milk toppings for lattes and cappuccinos.

Having the correct bar pressure is crucial for extracting the best flavour from your coffee. Between 9 and 15 bars is the perfect pressure for full-flavoured coffee with a professional crema.

Machines with thermoblock heating systems are incredibly fast and efficient. Thermoblock machines heat the water to the optimum temperature for making coffee - around 90-95℃ - so that the coffee beans don’t burn and leave behind a bitter taste.

Espresso machines with a steam arm will allow you to create a range of milky coffee drinks including cappuccinos, lattes and macchiatos. By mixing together steam, air and milk you’ll be able to provide a wider range of drinks for friends and family.

Crema is a telltale sign of a professionally made espresso and appears as a thick golden froth on the top of your coffee. A crema is created as tiny air bubbles trap the flavoursome coffee oils extracted from ground beans.

A bean-to-cup machine delivers the freshest coffee extracted from whole beans, but are still simple to use. A built in grinder and tamper saves you from having to grind and pack the coffee beans yourself, while easy controls allow you to tailor the taste of your favourite drink. Also, machines come with a milk carafe to make frothy milk or a manual steam wand for drinks such as lattes and cappuccinos.

For the ultimate convenience, a memory function will let you store your favourite drink so you can make it every day at the touch of a button.

Bean-to-cup machines boast premium features such as LED displays that add a professional design touch. Some models even feature contemporary touch controls for added functionality.

They make a range of coffee-based drinks from flat whites to creamy cappuccino and espresso.

Bean-to-cup machines can cost more than more traditional coffee makers, and sometimes be slightly noisier while grinding beans and producing coffee. Nonetheless, the level of noise produced is very acceptable, and the superior espressos produced make these machines well worth the investment.

Pump espresso machines are perfect for a genuine barista experience. Pump espresso machines are among the most popular coffee makers in the world. They’re also the most common, because they’re easy to use and produce great espresso every time.

Pump espresso machines take fresh ground coffee.

With traditional milk frother, you can make your favourite coffee drinks such as cappuccinos, lattes and flat whites.

A single bar of pressure is one-unit atmospheric pressure. Therefore, 8 bars of pressure are eight times the pressure at sea level. 15 bars of pressure is considered the sweet spot for creating great tasting shots.

Filter coffee machines are perfect for someone who is on the go and making large batches for family or guests. They are simple to use and perfect for making Americano drinks.

Use fresh ground coffee in your filter machine to make the perfect easy beverage.

Filters are used in order for easy maintenance, as well as keeping the coffee fresh. It’s also possible to buy reusable filters.

Dependent on the size of the jug, filter coffee machines can make up to 10 large cups, perfect for coffee mornings.