If you're anything like me, adding another appliance to your kitchen is a question of space and budget, with room on my worktop at a real premium. That's why reading up on everything there is to know before you invest in a coffee machine is a good move, and will help you get the caffeine fix you need with less fuss.
The world of the best coffee machines can be overwhelming. Everyone's got a favourite machine or prefers a certain method. That means working out what will best suit you before you pick a machine is as essential as your morning coffee.
According to a recent YouGov report, 35% of Brits drink coffee several times a day. So, to make that experience as smooth as possible , and to separate the beans from the pods, we've created these simple to follow tips.
Things to know before you buy a coffee machine
1. The difference between machines
This is the most important thing to know and the easiest thing to trip up on. To avoid buying the wrong type of machine think about whether convenience, quality or cost is the most important factor to you.
Broadly speaking, the best bean-to-cup coffee machines are the most luxurious option out there, and fundamentally offer quality coffee at the push of a button like no other type of coffee machine can.
Sophie Lane, Product Training Manager at Miele GB, a major coffee machine brand says: 'For those searching for a truly authentic coffee shop experience at home, consider a bean-to-cup coffee machine.'
She adds 'Bean-to-cup machines offer unrivalled freshness in comparison to other types of coffee machines, as the rich flavour and aroma of the beans is retained during the extraction process and therefore they can deliver a freshly brewed espresso, coffee or ristretto with a luxuriously smooth crema every time.'
As we explored in our feature on whether bean to cup coffee machines are worth it, the upfront cost of these machines can be staggering, but if you'll use it, it can prove to be an investment that actually saves you money, especially if it leads to you ditching takeaway coffees.
Price, regardless of which type of machine you opt for, is likely to be your principal concern before you buy. Bryan Serwatka, Coffee Community Manager at Minor Figures advises 'We can all agree we love finding a bargain, but when it comes to a home espresso machine you should ask if you really want the full coffee experience at home.
He continues: 'If that’s a yes and you’re keen to learn about extraction, calibrating your grinder and water filtration I’d recommend ensuring you can spend a little bit extra to ensure your kit can actually match all of your coffee needs and not leave you wondering why you’d ever want to cut out your favourite barista.'
Alternatively, if you have £100 or less to spend, one of the best pod coffee machines is one option you could go for, with controls that make getting an espresso as easy as possible, as well as budget choices with built-in mik frothers.
The ongoing expense of a pod coffee machine will depend on which brand of pods your machine is compatible with. Versions which can be used with cheaper supermarket pods will likely yield the cheapest cup of coffee.
Pod coffee machines aren't for everyone, however. If you're the type of person who likes being hands-on (you probably have a sourdough starter or love making your own dough for pizzas cooked in the best pizza ovens) then the level of control you get with a pod coffee machine probably won't cut it. An espresso machine could be a better choice if you're trying to keep costs low, but a grinder won't come cheap to accompany it if you want to use beans.
2. Whether you need a milk frother
All of these factors come down to personal preference, but this is a big one if you want to keep an eye on costs and space. If you're a dedicated Americano or espresso drinker, then you could skip on a milk frother entirely, and have more to spend on the quality of the coffee making.
If you're a long-drinks lover, an integrated milk frother will help with curbing your coffee shop habit. We're talking cappuccinos, lattes and flat whites on demand at home.
If you want a particular machine but it doesn't have a frother built-in, then picking one of the best milk frothers as an add on is also a good choice. That's because many frothers on the market now can also double as hot chocolate makers, as well as froth hot and cold milk, making them pretty versatile.
3. Recycling and upgrading
Eco-credentials are important. After all, there's no point spending hours sorting your recycling or picking a sustainably made coffee machine if you have nowhere you can locally dispose of your used pods.
We'd advise doing a little research before you decide on a machine. A few of our favourite sustainable coffee machine brands are GRIND and Dualit, with both making an impact in the pod coffee market. Alex Gort-Barten, Director at Dualit says: 'We have made significant strides in eradicating plastic from our coffee pod ranges and we will continue to drive positive changes that benefit both the planet and future generations.'
One way to join those positive changes is to use schemes such as Podback, which makes recycling your pods easy depending on where you live. Devices like the Dualit EcoPress Max (£19.99 from Dualit) even allow you to break down pods at home, leaving you to then recycle the leftover aluminium as normal.
Knowing what to do with leftover coffee grounds is important if you envision using ground coffee or beans. Even better, if you're green-fingered, you can be safe in the knowledge that you can use leftover coffee grounds in your garden too, and improve the health of your plants while you're drinking coffee.
If you're investing in your first machine, you may envision upgrading to a nicer machine at some point in the future once you're sure that you'll use a more expensive model. If you do end up with a coffee machine you need to be rid of, knowing how to dispose of kitchen appliances properly is essential.
4. Coffee subscriptions
You might be understandably caught up in choosing your shiny new machine right now. But one thing I wish I'd thought about more in advance is the kind of coffee I want to use with my machine, and where I'm going to get it from.
For me, beans are the ultimate everyday luxury. Bryan Serwatka, Coffee Community Manager at Minor Figures, agrees saying: 'If you’re looking for a more indulgent experience, then nothing beats a setup where you can use freshly ground coffee beans.'
'This opens up a huge world to you to discover the various origins, processes and varietals of coffee produced by so many incredible producers around the world,' he goes on to say. 'And of course this is the greenest option with coffee waste being biodegradable, an incredible fertiliser - or even the base of an incredible face scrub!'
The best way I've found so far is subscription services, which allow you to try out different types of beans or ground coffee, meaning that your world is broadened beyond just the supermarket shelves. A subscription also makes a great gift, if you want to start heavily hinting to any of your loved ones! These are a few of the coffee subscription services I've tried and loved.
Lost Sheep Coffee is roasted in Kent and has a wonderful variety of options. Subscriptions start from £7.99.
Try something different with Rise, which offers coffee and other treats in one box.
Lavazza not only make excellent coffee, they also make wonderful machines in collaboration with some of our favourite brands like Smeg.
With a subscription, you'll never get that terrible sinking feeling when you realise there's no coffee in a rush.
With these tips, your journey to owning a coffee machine should be a stress-free experience. Remember, as long as you enjoy the end product, then your coffee machine is well worth a spot on your worktop.
