First we will make some important exceptions, including the main differences between coffee machines and coffee makers, and then we will consider typical user requests increasing from simple to high.

Coffee machine or coffee maker: what you need to know?

The difference between these devices is the degree of automation. Even a relatively simple coffeemaker allows you to abandon the manual preparation, but the participation of a person in the process is still quite large. As a rule, you need to pre-ground the bean, measure the right portion of coffee, perform various additional manipulations, and after the device itself will work, and you can enjoy your favorite hot drink.

But the coffee machine allows to achieve the maximum automation, that is, to reduce the human participation to one or two buttons. And that’s not an exaggeration when it comes to modern coffee machines. In them the process of making coffee and various coffee and milk drinks (cappuccino, latte) passes without you. Here, grinding, dosage, and all other necessary manipulations performed by the coffee machine itself.

Of course, there are nuances with the machines. So, if these are not professional solutions, vending machines or expensive built-in coffee machines, then they don’t fill the water themselves. That's why it's better if the tank is fairly large. Even if the machine is equipped with various washing functions and self-cleaning functions, you still need to remove and rinse the brewing unit about once a week, as well as periodically perform other maintenance. And another important aspect is the price. It will almost always be higher for automatic machines.

The main difference between the coffee maker (left) and the coffee machine (right) is the level of automation of the brewing process.

Returning to the less automated coffee machines, it must be said that they also need to care for them and the process is no less, and often even more laborious. In addition, a real coffee gourmet, in pair with the device, will also need a coffee grinder, and ideally, a millstone, allowing for more even grinding..

Why? The fact that the taste of coffee depends primarily on the bean used. And it just 15 minutes after grinding loses a significant part of its original flavor. Therefore, the right start of the day - wake up, grind the bean and loaded it into the coffee maker. Buying a ground coffee is already a compromise. Although not all coffeemakers are gourmets: someone drinks coffee just to cheer up.

The option with a separate grinder has additional advantages: machines with their own millstones are grinded with «reserve». Conditionally one or two cups of today’s brew are made on yesterday’s ground coffee or on a mixture of old and new grinding. Although even this nuance some manufacturers are trying to eliminate. Let's say Melitta Caffeo Barista TS Smart F86/0-100 has two bean bins and a sensor that detects leftovers (with user notification on necessity of replenishment). It is stated that in such a machine, a new portion of coffee is prepared on truly freshly ground beans.

What kind of coffee maker is right for you?

Let’s start with a few introductory notes. Coffee maker or coffee machine is needed if:

  • at home or even more so in the office (even a small one) there are several coffee lovers;
  • they drink more than 1-2 cups a day;
  • there is not enough time to stand at the stove, for example, with a Turk ;
  • often going to a coffee shop nearby is also wasteful both in terms of time and money;
  • the quality of the drink plays a role (we are already silent about instant coffee).
Eastern coffee in a copper Turk is a time-consuming ceremony.

In such a situation, you need to optimize the process of making coffee and buy a coffee machine or coffee maker. The latter are very different, primarily on the principle of action and on the drinks that can get in them. So we have to deal with the fact that you like to drink and build on it..

1. If you prefer Eastern coffee and use Turk

Such coffee used to be almost the only alternative to instant coffee in our country. It was then that newfangled espresso, americano, etc. came. There is an important nuance to making coffee in an ordinary Turk (cezve) - you need to make sure that the drink does not boil and does not run away.

If you are an Eastern coffee lover, but time = money, your choice electric Turk. But remember, not all models help to achieve automation. Most of them just allow you to do without the plate (the base has its own heating element). And if the coffee doesn’t run away, you still have to watch it.

A pleasant exception to the rule are models with automatic shutdown. They provide an optical sensor that eliminates boiling (raising foam above the edge) and timely turns off the device.

Electric Turk with auto-shutdown is visually very different from the classic counterparts.

In general, the assortment of electric turks is small, and models with auto-shutdown even less. Gorenje ATCM 730 T and Beko BKK2300 can be distinguished. For example, the latter brings the coffee to the foam rise twice and then turns off.

ElectroTurks

2. If you like espresso but low-cost limited

The preparation of classic espresso specializes in various coffee appliances, including the most advanced machines. But if the low-cost does not allow to disperse, the best option will be a geyser coffee maker, also known as moka.

In such models, the steam generated when the water is heated like a geyser squeezes up the hot liquid, passing it through the coffee into a container with a finished drink. Geyser coffee machines are characterized by democratic cost, ease of operation and maintenance. Modern sinks are often equipped with their own heating element and are powered by the mains, although there are analogues for plates.

Geyser stove coffee maker — something between cookware and household.

Almost the main criterion of choice - the capacity of the water tank. Depends on it and size, and the amount of coffee prepared at one time. The taste of the drink is determined by the quality of the initial bean, the degree of grinding, plus increase in saturation can be due to the easy tamping of coffee in the filter.

The range of electric geyser coffee makers is not large (unlike conventional mockups, but even here there are models that “can” make not only espresso, but also milk drinks based on it. So, for example, Ariete Breakfast Station 1344/00 provides a special capacitor for this purpose.

Geyser coffee makers

3. If you like Americano or prefer soft coffee in large quantities

The morning of many American families begins with the preparation of filtered coffee. It is not a very strong drink of 150 - 200 ml or more. Often such coffee is drunk in offices throughout the day, using large mugs. Similar scenes you have seen many times in Hollywood movies.

Filter coffee is popular today not only in the USA, and it was for imitation in Italy was invented by the American. In coffee shops it is prepared differently - it is espresso + hot water. Connoisseurs and gourmets will even say that American and filter coffee - very different drinks. But in practice, the difference is not always noticeable, especially for fans to dilute the Americano with a lot of water..

So, if in coffee shops you order only Americano or just prefer large portions of not strong black coffee, as in American movies, your choice is a drip coffee maker.

In the drip coffee machine, the brewing process is reduced to a stream of hot water through ground coffee in the filter.

The pros of such devices include a low cost, rather compact size, and they are almost always equipped with a coffee pot with a heating function, that is, the drink does not cool after preparation.

The main disadvantage of the drip coffee maker is a narrow specialization. It produces only filter coffee. On the basis of it you can only make coffee with milk, understandably even less strong. Rich espresso and popular coffee and milk drinks, such as cappuccino or latte - this is for other devices.

Drip coffee makers

The main criterion for selection is the volume of the water tank. It depends on the number of portions prepared at a time and the overall dimensions. So, models under 2 liters can be suitable even for a small office. At the same time, keep in mind that that most of the devices spill through the filter all the water poured into the tank. That is, if you want a richer drink, then pour less liquid.

Advanced drip models like the Philips Grind & Brew HD7767/00 have a built-in coffee grinder. Firstly, they allow you not to buy the latter separately. Secondly, they automate the process - ground coffee does not need to be placed in the filter on its own. Thirdly, they guarantee a better drink with the ability to independently influence the taste. So, the smaller you set the grind, the stronger and richer will be coffee (at the same amount of water).

The lower saturation and concentration of caffeine in the filter coffee is compensated by the larger volumes of the drink.

4. If you are not picky about the taste of coffee and are very lazy :). Or if you need an unpretentious and compact coffee maker for clients (for example, in a beauty salon)

When you want a device where you need to press one button and get your preferred coffee, and then not bother with cleaning and care, then two types of devices are out of competition - coffee machines and capsule coffee makers. The latter prepare drinks exclusively from capsules. They are factory-packed with ground coffee or other composition (for example, cocoa or coffee with milk - for cappuccino).

The capsule is convenient and practical, but the taste is unlikely to satisfy the most demanding coffee lovers.

The capsule model is compact, brews faster than most competitors, does not need laborious cleaning (wins in this aspect over bean machines). The device itself is inexpensive, but the capsules themselves are expensive. Often the cost of a serving is comparable to what is offered in coffee shops. That is, it comes out cheap only at the start (upon purchase), and subsequent operation is expensive.

Another obvious minus is the taste of the finished drink. The bean option will always be better. Therefore, a capsule coffee maker is an alternative to bean models for those who value compactness and maximum automation with minimal claims to the taste of coffee. And yet such a model can be put in a beauty salon, hairdresser or office with a small passability of people. Miniature size and stylish appearance can be an additional confirmation of the status of your establishment.

In capsule coffee makers, you can often make cocoa and different types of tea.

The choice of a specific model determines the use of a particular capsule system with its range, other pluses and minuses. So, Bosch devices are compatible with Tassimo capsules. The coffee machines themselves are the most affordable and allow you to prepare even milk drinks. Inside the capsule there are 9 grams of coffee, that is, the taste is quite rich. But coffee and milk drinks are quite expensive and based on milk powder. The choice of black coffee is small.

The De'Longhi range offers solutions for Nespresso capsules, which are the origin of such systems. This brand also produces its own coffee makers. Plus, some Krups and Xiaomi models work with such capsules, for example, Scishare Smart Capsule. These coffee makers are more expensive than competitor models. And capsules are usually more expensive. But the variety of tastes is probably the richest.

De'Longhi capsule models are often distinguished by their original design, but their price is appropriate.

Krups also produces coffee makers that work with Nestle dolce gusto capsules. This is a democratic alternative to Nespresso. The taste palette is also large, even in the simplest units you can brew cappuccino and latte. Cons - not so rich taste (only 6 grams of coffee in a capsule), milk drinks are not cheap and are based on powdered milk.

Other systems are less common, as are the coffee makers that work with them.

Capsule coffee makers

5. If you are counting on coffee, almost like in a coffee shop, ready to make it yourself

In coffee shops, drinks are prepared on professional espresso coffee makers. They are also called carobs, as they provide for a holder (aka a carob). This is a device with a handle and a round filter, in which coffee is manually placed and a coffee tablet is formed (packed with tempera) for the subsequent preparation of espresso under pressure.

brew
Visually, the carobs (holders) of household and professional coffee makers are similar, but there are many small nuances.

Similar devices are available for home use. This coffee machine does not require maximum automation, that is, requires the participation of the user in the process. But with its help you can get espresso and almost any drink based on it: americano, cappuccino, latte, flat white and many others. Accordingly , carob coffee makers are suitable for those who love drinks a la like in a coffee shop, but are ready to spend their time on the process itself. They can also be recommended to beginner baristas, enthusiasts and lovers of experiments with varieties and tastes of coffee.

The variety of carob coffee makers is very large. When choosing, pay attention to:

  • brand. Higher reliability and overall quality from trusted manufacturers, including De'Longhi, Gaggia, Krups;
  • capacity of the water tank: determines the overall dimensions and the number of portions prepared at a time;
  • type of heating element. Low-cost models use a flow-through thermal block or a minimum volume boiler. The middle class is characterized by a capacious boiler (up to 400 ml or more) or two thermoblocks (for coffee and steam). Next come the boilers with a heat exchanger, used even in professional solutions;
  • carob (holder), including the presence / absence of plastic elements, its diameter (bigger is better), the presence of a valve system or a double bottom. The last two chips are used in home carob models in order to correct uneven grinding and / or poor-quality coffee tamping. They will be useful for beginners, they will help them create a cream foam and ensure the correct outlet pressure;
  • the presence of a cappuccinatore and its type. More common are carob models with a manual cappuccinatore. This is a sign of both a low-cost device and a cool one - professional (commercial). But models with a semi-automatic and automatic cappuccinatore are rarely offered, although they greatly simplify the preparation of coffee and milk drinks. But it is more logical to focus on them when buying a coffee machine - for full automation.
Probably the largest range of domestic carob models is offered by De'Longhi.

But chasing a pump with a pressure of 19 bar when choosing a carob coffee maker or a coffee machine is not necessary. Why? Directly in the brewing chamber, the pressure for making espresso should be about 8 - 9 bar. So it will go down one way or another. From 19 or 15 bar - it's not so important. Accordingly, if you initially relied on a good brand, then there will be a ULKA or CEME pump, and these are well-proven solutions in practice.

Carousel coffee makers

6. If you rely on coffee, almost like a coffee shop, and want maximum automation

In this situation, you need a coffee machine. Their choices are great, too. And here it is even advisable to make additional distinctions:

Saeco is a recognized innovator and one of the main trendsetters in the coffee machine market.

1. If you drink only espresso and maybe other types of black coffee (for example, Americano), then a low-cost-level coffee machine will do. For example - SAECO Lirika or representatives of the Magnifica De'Longhi series.

2. If you prefer coffee and milk drinks, then it is best to look at coffee machines with an automatic cappuccinatore. There is no need to whip the milk foam by hand, or move the cup between the dispensers. True, if you like to experiment with coffee and milk drinks, including changing the order of dispensing milk and coffee, then models with a semi-automatic cappuccinatore are also suitable.

3. If you have a lot of gourmets in your family (office), you know what the “correct cappuccino” is (first espresso, and then milk foam), like to “play around” with the settings of your favorite drink on the weekends, then you need quite advanced coffee machines. At a minimum, there should be a lot of pre-installed recipes and your own programs (profiles), and ideally, flexible drink settings and convenient controls, for example, a touch screen.

Coffee in just a couple of taps is what many people need to wake up.

The cost factor when choosing coffee machines primarily affects the comfort of the user and the breadth of the choice of drinks. More expensive are those that are equipped with an automatic cappuccinatore and offer more recipes, provide a touch screen, allow you to adjust the temperature of each drink, vary the volume separately for coffee and milk, save user settings. Well, the metal in the finish is the prerogative of premium devices.

Automatic coffee makers

A little about the choice of coffee machines from practice

We in the editorial office have chosen coffee machines more than once, both for our team, and for the office, and for friends. Based on our experience, we have made some conclusions / assumptions for ourselves and want to share them with you. So, the taste qualities of brewed black coffee, no matter how paradoxical it may sound, are often the same / very close to low-cost and premium models from the same manufacturer.

First, the taste of coffee is most dependent on the bean used. And the milk foam is from the milk used. Secondly, in all coffee machines within the same reputable brand, more or less the same “filling” is used - high-quality millstones for grinding, a flow-through thermoblock, a pump, and time-tested brewing devices. As a result, the basic taste profile does not even depend on the price category of the machine, but on the brand:

  • for example, Philips and its subsidiaries Saeco (bought by the Dutch concern in 2009) and Gaggia (in 1999) will have a more neutral taste with a slight sourness;
  • although Krups is not related to Philips, the taste profile of these coffee machines is similar;
  • most De'Longhi coffee machines, with the exception of premium lines, like Maestosa, taste more bitter rather than sour. But Maestosa is neutral. At the same time, you can get very rich coffee from De'Longhi, because the brewing device is designed for 14 grams, while the main competitors (no more than 11 grams);
  • Jura models brew coffee with a neutral taste with moderately pronounced acidity and bitterness. And only this brand has a brewing unit designed for as much as 16 grams, that is, in terms of strength (saturation) in a single drink, you can get almost the same as Saeco in a double portion;
  • Today Melitta, Nivona and Miele coffee machines are produced at the same production facilities and with identical “insides”. Their flavor profile goes into sourness, while the coffee turns out to be quite dense and rich;
  • Bosch and Siemens taste close to what Melitta, Nivona and Miele give out, that is, sourness is felt better, but the saturation is slightly less. At the same time, the machines of these two brands are almost the most demanding in terms of the quality of the bean: if it is bad, then the coffee will turn out to be appropriate.
Jura coffee machines are distinguished not only by their design, but also by their design.

If you like coffee without sourness, then De'Longhi is better to consider. If you're in favor of a neutral flavor profile, Saeco (Philips), Jura, and Krups. More sour will come from Melitta, Nivona, Bosch and Siemens. But let us remind you once again that it is the bean that is primary, and, for example, in good Arabica there will always be sour notes. But in De'Longhi they will be leveled by bitterness, and in Melitta they will be even more pronounced.

Even at the stage of choosing a coffee machine, you should think about its maintenance and care, that is, those moments that cannot be 100% automated. Advanced models include functions for rinsing, descaling, steaming the milk circuit, etc. As a result, manual care is minimized, but the user will also have to do something:

  • pour water from the pan;
  • empty the grounds (used coffee) container as it fills;
  • add water to the water tank. Please note that it is spent not only on the drinks themselves, but also on washing, preparing steam for frothing milk, that is, 1 liter is not 10 cups of 100 ml each, but clearly less;
  • remove the detachable brewing device and rinse it (usually it is recommended to do this weekly or every 2-3 weeks);
  • lubricate the detachable brewing unit once every six months.
Removing and rinsing the brewing unit can be intimidating for beginners, but the procedure is very simple and doesn't take long.

By the way, models with a built-in device allow avoiding frequent red tape with washing the brewing unit. They are now offered by Jura and Krups. Such blocks are not retrieved, which makes them more reliable. But on the other hand, it is critically important for them to follow the procedure for cleaning coffee oils with special tablets. And with an interval of several years, maintenance must be carried out (as with a car), otherwise the durability will decrease and the taste of coffee will deteriorate.

In conclusion, we note that taking into account your preferences and our recommendations, you can find the right coffee maker or coffee machine with the help of a convenient selection of parameters on our website.