If you're looking for a fast, no-fuss caffeine jolt then keep scrolling; this one's definitely for coffee connoisseurs, promising to use the perfect quantity of ground beans, the perfect temperature, the perfect water pressure and the perfect micro-foam to make the perfect coffee. Although Sage products are branded Breville for the US market, this coffee machine is currently unavailable in the US.

We test models to see how much control you have over each cup of coffee, and whether it’s a case of simply pressing a button or whether more of a hands-on approach is needed. All coffee makers will require regular cleaning so we’re always sure to note what maintenance is involved and how easy these machines are to keep in top condition. All of these affect how strong, and how bitter the coffee tastes. But espresso machines require plenty of experimentation, which takes time and using ground coffee can be messy. Some espresso machines come with a milk jug, which tends to hold just under 500ml of liquid. Stainless steel is the best material, as it heats up with the milk and gives you an indication of how hot the milk is getting. If you heat your milk to anything over 70C, you run the risk of burning it and ruining the flavour of your drink. Plus, your coffee will be far too hot to take a sip.

Whether testing bean-to-cup or espresso machines, we use coffee with the same tasting notes — caramel, biscuit and chocolate. Then, a shot is given to an independent coffee expert who scores it in four key areas: Alternatively, for the same coffee-shop standard hot drinks but with a hands-off approach, opt for a bean-to-cup coffee machines, which automate the processes described above to rustle up a cup of joe at the touch of a button.

For coffee makers with milk frothers, we test the milk texture to see if it’s silky and smooth and of course, we wouldn’t be doing our jobs if we didn’t drink plenty of coffee along the way to see how each cup measures up for the overall taste. On test, it made a smooth cup of coffee and was easy to use, plus with a two and four cup option, you don't always have to make a full carafe. However, we found the Smeg Drip Filter Coffee Machine's interface steamed up quite a bit, and the coffee maker takes up a lot of space on the countertop too. Our Homes Editor, Jennifer Oksien, has (also) reviewed it: "I'm a big fan of this Smeg coffee machine and have found it hard to beat. It looks fab, makes a lovely coffee and is easy to use - what more can you expect from an Italian home appliance brand?" With so many different types of coffee makers on offer, it’s no surprise that each type of machine works slightly differently. Here we focus on espresso machines and pod coffee makers but for a more detailed explanation, head to our feature on how coffee makers work. When we’re testing, we take into account the overall design of each coffee maker - how it looks, how much space it’ll take up on your kitchen counter, whether the water tank is removable for easy refills, and how the machine looks as a whole.If you don't want to spend all your time learning how to brew the perfect coffee, or cleaning up after it, then one of the best single-serve coffee makers, also known as pod coffee machines, will produce good quality espresso with minimal mess. We rate the Nespresso Vertuo Next, but our article which Nespresso machine is best? offers plenty of further information to help you decide. The Smeg ECF01 Espresso Maker is just what you need if you want great coffee but also a stylish addition to your countertop. During testing, it created smooth coffee with an impressive crema every time and can be used with ground coffee or Easy Serve Espresso (ESE) pods, giving you flexibility. For the ultimate convenience, you can set the timer on this machine and it’ll start brewing your coffee before you even get out of bed, and we think waking up to the smell of fresh coffee is perfection.It's finished in Smeg’s signature retro style and available in a wide range of colors, too. The final thing to consider is how involved you’d like to be in the coffee-making process. Some designs are smart-enabled so you can simply switch them on from your phone, however, others will require you to compact ground coffee and pull your own shot of espresso before frothing the milk yourself. Some even have self-cleaning systems which purge the steam wand to prevent milk residue drying in the pipes, while others have systems to flush out any build-up in the machine. If you do like milk-based coffee, then there are quite a few options available. Some models are fully automated and have a built-in frother that will be able to create a variety of milk textures, while others have steam arms which you place into a jug of milk and froth the milk yourself. There’s a third option too - and this includes buying a separate milk frother which is a stand-alone machine. You’ll be able to use these to make everything from lattes to hot chocolates, and they make a great accompaniment to a pod coffee maker.

We're also got a dedicated article on how to clean a Nespresso machine and how to clean a Keurig, for those that have single-serve coffee makers at home. What is the best coffee maker for home use Coffee drinkers that like plenty of customization options will be best suited to a coffee maker that lets you adjust the strength of your brew and create different sizes of hot drinks. Many premium coffee makers will let you do both of these things, but you can also adjust the strength and the aroma of your coffee with a good drip filter model.

Espresso machines work by using a pump to push pressurized water through coffee grounds so that it infuses with the water to make a smooth shot of espresso. If an espresso machine has a milk frother, it will use a boiler to push steam out of the machine which is then used to give the milk a velvety texture. Pod coffee makers work by using a compacted capsule of coffee and piercing a hole in the capsule. Hot water is then powered up through the machine and pushed through the capsule to create a coffee. Some more advanced pod machines, such as the Nespresso Vertuo Next, spin the coffee pod around at high speeds so that the contents evenly infuse with water for an even smoother cup of coffee. How to clean a coffee maker If you're looking for a coffee maker to use at home, either because you're spending more time working remotely and want a cup of Joe that's the same quality as you'd get in the office, or you just want to cut down on your expenses by reducing your coffee shop visits, then you're probably wondering which is the best one to buy. The Barista Express Impress uses 18 to 22g of freshly ground beans to create its rich and creamy espressos, which also make the perfect base for intense flat whites and creamy cappuccinos. It's similar to a commercial espresso machine, so it's a bit more complicated than a standard bean-to-cup model, but that's a huge part of the appeal. Creating decent-tasting coffee in the way a professional barista would takes time – but we found that the ceremonial approach to using this machine, whereby you need to tamp and dose correctly, made the process of making coffee almost as enjoyable as drinking it. If you’re still not sure, you can find a more detailed breakdown in our article covering which type of coffee maker to buy. Best coffee maker FAQs What is the best coffee maker?