Find the best coffee machine with our guide
Coffee Machine Buyers Guide
Choose the perfect coffee machine with our helpful guide. Whether you’re a beginner barista or a coffee connoisseur, we can help you find the ideal coffee machine for you.
What are the main types of coffee machine?
There are four main types of coffee machine. Which one is best for you will depend on a range of factors such as your preferred style of coffee, your budget and your desired capacity.
Bean-to-cup machines
A bean-to-cup machine is perfect for recreating the coffee shop experience at home. Bean-to-cup machines grind fresh coffee beans for each cup for ultimate freshness.
The machine is fully automated and essentially does the work of a grinder, coffee machine and barista all in one.
Espresso machines
An espresso machine uses ground coffee to make a shot of espresso.
Some machines come with a steam arm or milk frother, enabling you to turn your espresso shot into a milky cappuccino or latte. Other models even have a built-in grinder, so you can choose to use beans instead of ground coffee.
Filter coffee machines
Filter coffee machines are perfect for anyone who enjoys a simple cup of coffee. They tend to be more budget-friendly and offer great value for money.
Filter machines can usually make up to 8-12 cups of coffee at a time and can keep the jug warm for up to half an hour. All you have to do is choose your ground coffee and add water. A filter coffee machine is a more simple design with minimum fuss.
Coffee pod machines
For a quick and easy way to make your favourite beverage, a pod coffee machine is the one for you. Just press the button, and it filters water through ground coffee in a pod to make you the perfect cup of coffee.
Not only are pod coffee machines simple and easy to use, but you can also choose from a vast range of flavoured drinks. Plus they come in a range of sleek and stylish designs, so you’ll be sure to find one that suits your kitchen.
Built-in coffee machines
A built-in coffee machine is integrated into your kitchen cabinets to create a seamless look. This type of machine is ideal if you don’t want to use up vital space on your kitchen worktop. Built-in coffee machines tend to be at the higher end of the market but they come with lots of different functions for making various different drinks. You will really impress your friends with one of these in your kitchen!
Common features
Smart technology
Some coffee machines now have smart technology, so you can connect your coffee machine to an app on your phone and make a coffee before you’ve even got out of bed.
Pods
Coffee pods come in different sizes to match your machine. Make sure you choose a pod that’s compatible with your machine.
Milk frother
A milk frother heats and froths milk, allowing you to create creamy lattes and cappuccinos. Some machines come with an automatic milk frother, while others are fitted with a manual frother.
Removable components
Having removable components on a coffee machine can make cleaning your machine much easier.
Pause and serve
This helpful feature allows you to pause the brewing process, so you can pour a cup of coffee mid-brew – a great option if you’d rather not wait for your caffeine fix!
Self-cleaning capabilities
All coffee makers will need to be cleaned at some point, so having a machine with self-cleaning technology can make life a lot easier. It automatically detects when calcium has built up and will take you through a cleaning process.
Shop coffee machines at Knees Home & Electrical
At Knees Home and Electrical have a wide range of coffee machines available from top brands including Bosch, Smeg and Miele. Visit our store in Trowbridge to take a look before you buy.But you don’t have to live locally to buy your coffee machine from us. We deliver across mainland UK using our delivery partner, and you can see and buy our entire range online. If you need any help or advice, our helpful customer service team will be happy to assist you.
