Best Coffee Machines 2024: Tested by the experts

Summary

This video reviews the top 5 coffee machines on the market in 2023 for a variety of needs and budgets. The Nespresso Virtuo Next is the best single serve pod machine, easy to use with no mess. The DeLonghi Dynamica Plus is the best bean-to-cup machine, fully automated but bulky. The Sage Barista Express uses freshly ground beans to make rich espressos like a commercial machine. For filter coffee, the Smeg drip coffee machine can make multiple cups, looks retro, keeps coffee hot. Finally, the mid-range Cuisinart can use ground or whole beans, simple to operate with a thermal carafe, but its capacity is less than expected.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Nespresso Virtuo Next is an effortless, mess-free single-serve coffee maker that can create 5 different drink sizes
• ☕️ The Delonghi Dynamica Plus is the best bean-to-cup coffee maker for customizing drinks via its touchscreen interface and mobile app
• 🍵 The Sage Barista Express uses 18-22g of freshly ground beans to make rich, creamy espressos ideal for lattes and cappuccinos
• 💧 The Smeg drip filter coffee machine can brew multiple cups at once and keep coffee hot for 40 minutes
• ⏰ The Cuisinart Grind & Brew can grind whole beans or take pre-ground coffee and has programmable brewing
• 💲 Nespresso pods can be more expensive compared to buying ground coffee
• 🚫 The Delonghi Dynamica Plus takes up a lot of counter space
• 📐 The Smeg drip coffee machine's interface steams up easily and it hogs counter space
• ⚙️ The Sage Barista Express allows you to tamp and dose like a barista for a fun, ceremonial coffee making experience
• 😕 The Cuisinart Grind & Brew's 10-cup capacity only yielded 5 decently sized mugs

Q & A

What are some key factors the author considered when selecting the best coffee machines?

The author selected the coffee machines based on ease of use, ability to customize drinks, froth milk, keep coffee hot, make different quantities, grind beans, and clean up easily. The author also considered size, price, design, and additional features.

What makes the Nespresso Virtuo Next a top choice?

The Nespresso Virtuo Next is very easy to use - just insert a pod and press a button. It can create drinks in 5 different sizes and has a fast clean up. However, the pods can be expensive and it cannot froth milk.

Why is the DeLonghi Dynamica Plus ECZ351 the best bean-to-cup coffee maker?

The DeLonghi Dynamica Plus allows full customization of drinks through the touch screen interface. It automatically grinds beans, brews coffee, froths milk, and has an app for remote control. However, it takes up counter space and requires some experimentation to customize drinks.

What makes the Sage Barista Express special?

The Sage Barista Express allows you to make espresso and milk drinks like a professional barista. It has integrated grinders, customizable settings, and promises the perfect temperature, pressure and grind for espresso drinks. However, it is more complicated to use than simpler coffee machines.

What are some key features of the Smeg drip filter coffee machine?

The Smeg drip filter coffee machine can brew multiple cups at once, keeps coffee hot for 40 minutes, and has a timer to delay brewing. However, it takes up a lot of counter space and the interface steams up.

Why does the author recommend the Cuisinart Grind & Brew auto coffee maker?

The Cuisinart Grind & Brew allows you to use whole beans or pre-ground coffee, has a large thermal carafe, is programmable, and keeps coffee hot for hours. However, the 10 cup capacity only fills about 5 mugs.

Which coffee machine on the list can use both whole beans and pre-ground coffee?

The Cuisinart Grind & Brew Auto coffee maker allows you to use both whole coffee beans or pre-ground coffee.

Which coffee machines require coffee pods instead of ground coffee?

The Nespresso Virtuo Next uses coffee pods instead of ground coffee.

What are some downsides of the Nespresso Virtuo Next?

Downsides of the Nespresso Virtuo Next include: the coffee pods can be expensive compared to ground coffee, it cannot froth milk, you need to buy a separate milk frother accessory if you want that feature.

Which coffee machine on the list is best for someone short on counter space?

The best coffee machine on the list for someone short on counter space is the Nespresso Virtuo Next. The author does not mention the size of the Virtuo Next, while calling out the large size and counter space required for the DeLonghi, Smeg, and Cuisinart models.