These are the best coffee makers right now, including pod coffee makers and easy-to-use machines
Having one of the best coffee makers will make your morning routine even better, but finding the right option for you isn’t always easy. That’s why we’ve rounded up five of the best coffee machines with everything from reliable espresso machines, to bean-to-cup options that take care of the entire process. If you’re not sure which is the best coffee maker for you, consider what types of coffee you like to drink. If you’re a big fan of a perfect latte or you’re an avid cappuccino drinker, a machine with a steam arm will be a good option for you. If you like your coffee simply and packed full of flavor, an espresso machine is a solid choice. Perhaps making life easier is high on your agenda and if that’s the case we’ve got you covered too. Pod coffee machines take the guesswork out of making your cup of java, or an automated machine also does all the hard work but lets you choose the strength of your coffee and how you’d like your milk frothed. Finding a coffee maker might also depend on how many people drink coffee in your home and how often. A pod coffee machine is an ideal choice if you just want a single serving of coffee, but for larger quantities, take a look at the larger bean-to-cup machines we’ve included below. Finally, your budget might dictate which machine takes your fancy, but keep in mind what types of coffee you want to enjoy so that you’re not too limited down the line. You’ll find all our reviews of espresso machines, hand-pumped options, and more below, so you can take your pick from the very best coffee makers of 2021. Looking to add a pod machine to your life? The Nespresso Vertuo Plus is convenient and easy-to-use, creating great-tasting coffees of all types and sizes. If grinding beans and sourcing single-origin coffee aren’t your jam, pods are likely a better fit. Think of it as the capsule coffee machine 2.0: Nespresso’s Vertuo recyclable pods come with a built-in barcode, which the machine reads in order to tailor its blending technique, with the pod spinning up to 7000 times a minute to create some impressively rich crema. The Vertuo Plus also has a moveable water tank – surprisingly useful if you’re finding somewhere to house this in an office or in your flat – and of all the machines we tried, it was the most compact and intrusive. If you’re short on space, the Vertuo Plus is worth taking into consideration. We tested this coffee maker for a month and the Centrifusion extraction technique worked every time, without fail – you could probably use this machine with your sleep mask still on. The Vertuo machine will only read Nespresso pods, though, meaning no last-minute trips to refresh your caffeine supplies. And they’re not cheap either. At around 60 pence / 80 cents per pod, a morning espresso habit could soon add up. There’s also little (well, no) scope for adding milk, although if it is a range of coffee flavors and not microfoam you’re into, you’ll have struck gold.
