Which is the Best Affordable Coffee Machine?
A high-quality brewer will save you time and money if are a regular coffee drinker. What is the best machine for you?
Prices vary based on your needs and tastes, but simple drip machines typically cost less than $100. Espresso makers however are more expensive. They're worth the cost for those looking to make coffee drinks that are comparable to those at a coffee shop.
Betty Crocker 12-Cup Drip Coffee Maker
The Betty Crocker 12-Cup Drip Coffee Maker is simple and efficient, yet capable of making up to 12 cups of delicious coffee. You'll appreciate the convenience features, including the nonstick, stain resistant warming plate and heat-resistant carafe that has a hinged lid with cup markings. And for those who just want to drink for their coffee to be ready, the feature to pause and pour allows you to stop the brewing process in mid-brew and take a break and enjoy a cup of coffee on your own time.
This coffee maker is an excellent option for large families as well as guests. It has a huge 12-cup capacity. It also has an adjustable filter holder with a double wall that helps to prevent flavor and aroma loss. The digital LED clock, the automatic shut-off after 2 hours, and pause-and pour feature ease your morning routine. This coffee maker comes with a one-year warranty and is supported by the long-standing reputation of the brand's quality and reliability.
This sleek black coffee maker is a fashionable addition to any kitchen. The large heat-resistant carafe can hold up to 12 cups. The permanent filter included eliminates the need for paper filters and comes with a basket that makes cleaning simple. Other top features include a nonstick, stain-resistant warming plate that keeps your coffee warm throughout the day and an all-day digital programmable clock and an illuminated on/off switch.
The Betty Crocker 12-Cup Drip Coffee Maker is an excellent choice for those who want to improve their morning routine by making the perfect cup of coffee. It's a great choice for anyone who enjoys traditional drip coffee or is looking to test out other popular coffee brewing methods like French press pots or pour-over coffee makers.
Breville Bambino Espresso Machine
The Breville Bambino is an excellent option for those who want to create cafe-quality coffee drinks in your own home. It's also the small manual espresso machine that we've seen that allows you to steam milk to create beautiful latte art. It also has a proprietary ThermoJet heater system that allows it to begin brewing in just 3 seconds.
The Breville Bambino Plus is designed to give you serious espresso and automated milk in a small machine. It has a 15-bar pump, a pre-infusion feature that dampens the grounds prior to when pressure is applied, and buttons to adjust both the milk and temperature of the brew. It also has a good water tank that holds 64 ounces, which is more than the tanks of many of the other brewers that we reviewed.
While it's not a huge machine, it has the kind of solid construction that you'd expect from an expensive model. It's constructed of aluminum and stainless steel, which is easy to clean and maintain. It comes with a booklet to guide you through the features even if are a first time espresso user.
One of the most fascinating aspects of this machine is that it features some advanced electronics, including a built-in PID and a pre-infusion feature that is typically only found on much more expensive machines. Both of these features are crucial to making a consistently good espresso, and can help prevent you from making mistakes that can degrade the taste of your coffee.
The Bambino Plus comes with an extra benefit steaming wand to create microfoam, a tool to clean the wand's tip and a descaling tablets. This is a fantastic option for those who are concerned about the environmental impact paper cups can have on the environment.
The only disadvantages of the machine is its weight and portafilter locking connector. You'll need to bear the machine with your body when you lock it in or remove the portafilter and it's not as strong as the ones found in the coffee-shop equipment of professional shops. It's also not possible to make use of this machine with a grinder that's something to keep in mind when considering it.
Illy Easy Coffee Machine
The Illy coffee machine was developed with sustainability in mind. It is B-Corp Certified coffee pod maker. The slimline pod coffee maker is only compatible with Illy's ESE (easy serving espresso) pods which are compostable and come sealed in packs of nine. The ESE machine has been designed to make both lungo and espresso. It also comes with an adjustable cup holder that allows you to place the desired coffee pod underneath the spout. It also comes with a handy inner compartment that holds the pods that are used.
This coffee maker is able to detect compatible Illy espresso capsules, and adjust the settings for each pod. This means that you'll have next-to-no chance of making a mistake that could ruin the flavor of your morning coffee. It also features an instant-warm setting to reduce energy use and includes an automatic descale program that helps you get rid of limescale that builds up over time.
The Illy coffee maker has an inbuilt milk frother, which is ideal for lattes and cappuccinos. It's a bit more expensive than other pod machines but it may be worth the extra expense if you are a frequent cappuccino or lattes drinker. The coffee pod is fairly compact and has modern, sleek design that is perfect for any kitchen design.
Although the illy simple coffee maker isn't among the cheapest of the models we looked at but it is one of the most user-friendly and comes with a long warranty in the event of something going wrong. It is also the most energy efficient of all models, which will greatly reduce your energy bills. It is also simple to clean and requires no complicated instructions or technical know-how.
This espresso machine does not accept filter or K cup coffee pods. However, it can still make two different sizes and grind options so you can make your ideal beverage. This compact, light machine will fit on most counters. It has an impressive list of features and is a great choice for those who want to simplify their morning routine.
AeroPress
This coffee maker can do more than just brewing coffee. It grinds, extracts and serves your beverage. It's easy to use, and the latest model comes with a shatterproof carafe. This is one of the most flexible and affordable automatic drip coffee makers on the market.
For those that want an espresso machine but don't have much space or time, there's the Aeropress. It was invented by Alan Adler in 2005, this little brewer has quickly become a popular choice for hipsters and is used all over the world. It's a simple, compact and highly portable coffee maker that uses pressure to extract flavours, rather than temperature - which means you can make a delicious cup of coffee on any type of water (even just 176 degrees).
The procedure is pretty straightforward it involves soaking your medium-fine ground beans in hot water, and then press the plunger to create a lot of pressure and push the grounds through the filter. The result is a full and smooth coffee that has little bitterness. It's also much quicker than a drip pot or french press, or pour over, with most recipes taking less than one minute.
It's not true espresso, however. The Aeropress isn't able to create enough pressure to produce an intense shot of coffee as would a moka pot or other after-market accessories. You can only make a "espresso style" brew, which is quite strong but not as intense like a traditional drip.
Aeropresses are constructed of plastic which is more durable and easier to clean than glass or stainless-steel. It's also BPA free, which is a bonus for those who are worried about the possibility of chemicals leaking into their beverages. It's also lightweight and compact which makes it perfect for camping or traveling. It's a popular choice for break rooms in offices and Airbnb's.